His Royal Highness's cats are very hairy.

Episode 52: Akahara chicks

The Melows, who kidnapped Adeline, were still an organization centered around those who belonged to the Knights who had previously guarded the border. After the war, he seemed to have left the Knights in disagreement with the reform of Richard and, living like a bandit, asked for an opportunity to restore Rude Sachseed to militarism like that of King Albuquerque.

And I knew Rutvias' samurai, Arb, who still had blind faith in King Albuquerque.

They were first going to poison Rutvias and show their opposition to the Empire, putting together anti-imperial factions in the country. But the plan didn't work, and trying to send in an assassin, he said, didn't come true before strict security.

However, at the Bow Club, archers and supportive audiences from other countries interact, and there is always a gap in security. That's where they aimed. The information that Rutvias is not accustomed to the treatment of swords is naturally also in their ears, and one prince who can't even handle swords, would have thought it would be easy to kill them.

But in the end, the plan ended in failure. Because the prince, who was supposed to be a hipster who couldn't even handle a sword, responded with a bow really calmly, without being upset that he was attacked.

And the "spare" plan to take Adeline hostage was put into action.

However, although several executives of the organization, such as Arb and Mellows, did their own good, the majority of others seemed to be rough golden eyes who were not going. When the Knights led by Rutvias raided Azit, they said they had surrendered and were imprisoned.

"Um... so there's also the poisoning of Ruto when he was in the Empire?

As Adeline asked, Richard nodded.

"Oh, that sounds like Arb did it, too. They followed merchants entering and leaving the Imperial Palace to hold their youngest men in the cooking area and junior female officers in gold. I guess it wasn't such a nasty thing because there would have been a lot of people who lost their families in the war and had resentments against Rude Saxony. I'm sure it's partly because someone else didn't turn on the poison looker."

Richield gives a glimpse of Rutvias standing behind him. But Rutvias ignored Richield's words in such a way as where the wind blows.

"Contracts and receipts were found from Arb's room. It was well hidden. I didn't find it when I suspected it before. Anyway, if you take them as evidence, the Knights of the Empire will capture the merchants as well. He was originally a merchant with constant black rumors, so the Empire would be happy."

Over Rutvias' head, saying so, there is no cat. Apparently he stopped wearing cats even in front of Richard.

Oh, boy, with such a small sigh, Richard laughed at Adeline.

"- Anyway, I'm going to punish them severely and make sure this never happens again."

That being said, Richard summed up the story.

The afternoon of the day Adeline was able to get up from her bedroom.

Richard visited Adeline with Rutvias, and told Adeline about the backdrop of the case.

"Really..."

Adeline still can't believe that she was in the vortex of a huge incident.

Richard suddenly bowed his head to Adeline, who replied blurredly.

"Sorry"

"Your Majesty!? What the hell is wrong with you?

The world says he is the king of cowards who flatter the Empire, but he is the king nonetheless. I'm not such an easy person to bow my head to. But Adeline has never been able to bow his head to him again. Looking for such a valuable experience, the whole of Rude Saxony, would have only tasted as good as Adeline.

"Oh, please raise your head! Um, if it's about this time, it's your responsibility..."

"The wedding has been postponed"

Rutvias, armed, abandoned him as if he were infidel and corrupt.

"Huh?"

"Your face. You can't hide it with makeup, can you?

"Ah..."

Adeline wrapped her hands around her cheeks, which were still damp. The swelling was severe, but the still painful purple color was vivid and no matter how thick the white powder was applied, it would not be misleading.

Even if the bride has a blue bruise on her face, it's just a matter of national authority.

In the first place, Adaline should be sleeping with an epidemic. If that blue-absoluted kidnapping could come to light, lying low in the public eye. If that happens, I won't be able to keep the country in good standing.

Lifting his head, Richard looks soggy and drops his shoulders.

"... that's what this is about. That's what the heavy ministers said… I do know what to say, so I can't keep it down. I was looking forward to having a grandson too..."

"It's just a postponement! If I were your grandson, I'd show you one of these days, so don't be depressed! Depressing!"

Rutvias scolds his crying father relentlessly. No matter how many fathers, I'm not too reluctant to be the king's opponent, and I'm worried about this one watching. But Richard doesn't seem to care at all.

"I want a girl. Oh, but the girl's going to be your daughter-in-law, so you're gonna miss her. Rutvias."

"What are you worried about! You are!"

Rutvias is slightly seriously annoyed, but Richield looks like he's enjoying himself somewhere. If you make it Richield, whose son cared not to take off the cat even in front of himself, maybe he can't help but be happy with the parent-child interaction that he hasn't hesitated to.

Adeline smiled and nodded.

"Okay. I can't help it."

"Oh, but you know what? I talked to the Chancellor, but there's some security issues, and I'm thinking of moving Miss Adeline's residence to the Royal Palace in the future, okay?

"To the royal palace?

Even though I'm not from the royal family, I've never heard of my fiancée living in the royal palace since before marriage.

Richard smiled calmly at Adeline, bewildered.

"Sure, there are few precedents, but there's nothing there. I'm sure there are two rumors that you have fallen for postponing the wedding this time. However, I would like to make sure that the royal family expresses its intention to welcome you to the Crown Princess. I'd like Miss Adeline to come to the royal palace for that, wouldn't you?

……

Hilariously, Adeline looked at Rutvias. Rutvias noticed the gaze, but deviated from it. Still like infidelity rotten.

-... you. Rut.

Adeline bites off a laugh.

It must have been Rutvias who said he would move Adeline to the royal palace.

Perhaps someone from the chief minister performed when Adeline did not deserve to be the Crown Princess. In the world, even if my daughter comes back safely if she is kidnapped, it can also resonate with subsequent friendships, etc. Although this incident will never be public in the future, it is true that Adeline was abducted once. I can't help but speculate that Adeline was physically defiled - that she disqualified that credential, which is responsible for connecting the lineage of Rude Saxony to the next generation.

But I'm sure Rutvias would not have listened firmly to the views of the heavy ministers. But they also did not give way to the heavy ministers who valued the direct lineage of St. Sachseed. Is the postponement of the wedding a compromise between the opinions of both Rutvias and the heavy ministers, put out by Richard or by the Chancellor?

And instead of accepting the compromise, Rutvias decided to welcome Adeline to the royal palace. To make it clear who the Queen is, both nationally and internationally.

"... ok. If that's the case, I'll be careful and let you go up to the royal palace. Thank you for your concern."

I can be closer to Rutvias than I've ever been, so let's be honest and rejoice. That's what I thought, and when Adeline showed satisfaction, Rutvias exhaled small as relieved.

Maybe he was worried that Adeline would decline his marriage. If it was meant to be, it should. But Adeline wasn't going to give up Rutvias anymore. There's no way I can let go of my miraculously fruitful love.

Richard nodded happily.

"Good. Then let's move on as quickly as possible.... Oh, rut. I'll tell you just in case."

As he sits in his chair, Richard looks back at Rutvias. Hey, he was invited by his father, King, and Rutvias leaned his neck, one step closer.

"Yes?"

"My grandson wants to see it fast, but I want to avoid things that make the Royal Hearing worse. I'll give you a ceremony early, so weigh yourself in until then."

"... Huh!

Rutvias bubbled up momentum even though he hadn't had anything to drink.

Then, one beat late, Adaline also understands and blushes at what she was told.

With a face that turned so red that Adeline couldn't beat it, Rutvias is about to bite and turn Richard.

"You porn father!! Come on!!

"Ha-ha-ha! Just in case. Just in case."

Adeline laughs at Richard, who laughs really happily, too.

-... good...

Their obsession seems to have melted and disappeared beautifully.

Adeline secretly holds back the secrets that Rutvias would have the other day that she realized.

-... let's pretend we don't know.

I like that. You don't have to do anything. In a bad way, something could get screwed up instead.

The two of them are laughing. So you can just stay like this.

The sky I looked up through the window was still lightly wrapped around the color of the night, but the mountains were brighter.

"I can't believe I'm going to see a bird's nest on a day like this..."

Millet complains of bumps as she squirts Adeline's hair. With the wedding postponed, she has been in a bad mood since yesterday. Adeline, over the mirror, relented to Millet.

"But Millet. It's time to nest. If we don't go check it out today, we might be gone by tomorrow."

The wedding has been postponed, but the Rikoko ceremony will take place today as planned. When Adaline woke up before dawn, she wore the same woman's uniform as Millet.

Yesterday, after Richard left the room, Rutvias asked Adeline if she needed anything. I guess he cared for Adeline, who couldn't get out of the room for a while. While appreciating the care, Adeline remembered that there was something in her mouth, especially when she tried to think of nothing.

"If you need anything, tell me."

"... but"

Say it.

"... I want to go see the Blue Tsugumi Nest..."

I was conscious that it was my fault.

It's supposed to be an epidemic, but if you get out of the room and see someone, it's hard to tell. Besides, tomorrow is the Rikoko ceremony. There will be several busy days after that. From such a busy schedule, I can deduct Rutvias' precious time for Adeline. Rutvias was frowning, too. Again, it's hard.

'Oh, um... I'm sorry. Tell me everything I can. I knew you couldn't do it.'

"... tomorrow morning. Can you wake up before dawn?

'Huh?'

"Then prepare the uniform for the female officer. It's high-ranking women's clothing."

'... rut wears it?

'That's not true! You're gonna wear it.'

"Wow, me?

"Get ready and wait. I'll pick you up. '

I wondered why it was a female officer's uniform, but when I tried it on, I knew exactly why Rutvias had designated it. A high-ranking woman wears a draping cloth that is a testament to a married man in a flower hat, even if she is single. This will hide your face if you look down, and even if you're walking with Rutvias, you'll just be saddened to think that the woman is with you.

"Come on, we're done. Lady."

"Thank you, Millet"

Millet braided Adaline's cut hair well so she wouldn't know at first glance.

"... good. I'm fine with this..."

Whenever she sees Adeline's hair, which is only partially short, Rutvias looks sorry. It's not that Rutvias is bad. I don't want to see his sunken face, if I can.

The door slammed from the hallway side, and Adeline stood up.

"It's rut."

Please wait a moment.

When Millet checks and then opens the door, Rutvias shows his face.

"Can we go?

"Yes!"

On the hand offered, Adeline overlaid her hand.

"... adeline"

Rutvias' eyes are shaking like trouble. Is something wrong?

"... please... did you?

"... don't be surprised."

What the hell are you surprised at?

It was through Rutvias' office window that Adeline found out the answer, when she peered outside.

"... what do you mean...?

Adeline groans, stunned.

The last blue-tuffed chick Adeline saw was a creature whose feathers had not yet grown, and whose red and black skin revealed wrinkles, which, to be honest, was hard to say was cute. But Adeline sincerely hoped that she would be greeted with asylum and grow safely by the way she cringed desperately for food.

While Adaline couldn't come to see it, Adaline thought that her body must have grown bigger, her feathers were all grown up, and she was splendid. I might even be practicing wings.

As Adeline expected, the chick grew up so big that she was about to fall from the nest that she had her glossy brown feathers tattered. Under the black beak, there are characteristic red feathers growing. To a chick like that, the wings of the parent bird that carries the bait are blue and black, and her body is smaller than the chick's.

"Why? How come the colors are different?

Obviously, not a parent or child

Adeline was confused. I've been watching the eggs since they were warming up, but what happened?

"Akahara."

"... Akahara?

"That chick. It's red under the beak, right? So Akahara."

Adeline looks back at Rutvias. I don't want to know the type of bird.

Why is a rooster chick growing up in a blue-glubbed nest? Rutvias immediately answered Adeline's question.

"It's a Akahara habit. Let a different bird's nest grow eggs."

Rutvias, who apparently watched the nest every day, explains calmly.

"Maybe by the time we found him, he'd already got the Akahara eggs mixed up. Akahara hatches faster than Blue Tsukumi. Early hatching chicks push other eggs... out of their nests to keep their food to themselves."

"... so you only had one chick..."

I thought it was strange because there were three eggs but only one chick. Adeline was perfectly wondering if she hadn't hatched well or if even the snake had eaten her. I was hoping to nest just one of them safely, but the blue-tufted chick was already dead.

"That's..."

Rutvias comforted me by stroking Adeline's back.

"I thought I'd be disappointed... and not show it to you..."

That's why Rutvias made a difficult face when Adeline said she wanted to see the Blue Thumb Nest. Adeline shook her head as she dropped her shoulder.

"Yeah. Glad you showed it to me"

If he hadn't actually seen this state, Adeline would surely have asked Rutvias in detail what the chick looked like and when she nested. When that happens, Rutvias is forced to lie when he grieves Adeline. Adeline deposited her head on Rutvias' shoulder.

"... thanks for not lying to me"

Rutvias does not attempt to mislead Adeline with cheap, deaf language. I don't think I can delude you.

That means you don't shrug Adeline. Some people may find it harsh. But Adeline liked that about Rutvias.

"You're pathetic."

"Huh?"

Rutvias' Bea's eyes blinked cold as he shook.

"Believe in a chick who doesn't look alike as my child, desperately carry the bait, protect it from the outside enemy..."

"... rut..."

Adeline loses her word.

I'm stuck in Rutvias' eyes because I realize it's not a stumbling block anymore.

Like throwing up, but bitterly, Rutvias shrugged.

"Poor..."

In its eyes, I'm sure...

-... I wonder what I was looking at...

I just thought that the groove between them had already been filled by the appearance of Rutvias and Richard, whom I would not hesitate to speak of.

But it wasn't.

I just lost sight of it from the table, and no, because I lost sight of it, the depths of Rutvias' mind froze deeper.

I was going to pretend I didn't know. I just thought that was for Rutvias.

"Rut, I..."

"Adeline? Are you tired?

Rutvias peeks gently into Adeline.

In the words of Adeline, I didn't think I could save Rutvias.

But if he loves Adeline, there may be some power in Adeline's words as well. So that Adeline can have courage in Rutvias' words.

Before he becomes Prince Wang, I really want to tell him. so that he may have no stray whatsoever, and the holy cloth of the king prince upon his shoulders.

Adeline inspired herself. To Rutvias, face back from the front.

"Rut, you know. I, His Majesty Richard, asked why you started wearing cats."

Rutvias' throat buddha goes up and down.

"... right"

I could see that he was desperately trying to disguise himself as the wind of nothing.

"You know, I was kind of wondering if you were wearing a cat… to protect your mind.

But ever since I heard His Majesty Richard talk, I've been thinking. Maybe there's a different reason. "

…………

Rutvias lays down his eyes as he flees Adeline. Katsun and one of its legs lag behind. Adeline took both hands of Rutvias. Please, begging me not to run.

"... Your Majesty the Former King... what did Ruto think of your grandfather?

"... nothing..."

On the bent side of Rutvias, fear was more tense than nervousness.

"... I'm sorry if I'm not. But the truth is... the real reason you were wearing a cat..."

Adeline also wrapped her strength around Rutvias's fist, which she gripped to endure.

"Isn't it because I wanted to hide something resembling your grandfather?

Rutvias' hand was shaking cold as abnormally.

The sides are blue and painful.

"... so you were so angry when Aurio told you he looked like your grandfather before, right?

When Rutvias strangled Aurio at the end of the argument.

At that time, Adeline didn't hear what Aurio said, but she checked with Aurio the other day. 'You look just like King Albuquerque,' Aurio told me.

"Rut?"