~Chapter 59~
Simon was great at taking action.
But the problem was…
“Why do I have to go with you…?”
“Because I need courage.”
Just be honest.
You’re bringing me along because I seem close to Peril, right?
“I need a break, though.”
“I’ll help you in the storage tomorrow.”
“Isn’t that something we’re both supposed to do anyway?”
He immediately shut his mouth.
Unbelievable.
Acting like he’s doing me a favor for something he’s already supposed to do.
“…Let’s just go, and don’t say anything.”
“R-right, okay.”
Simon must’ve thought that was a better idea, too, because he agreed right away.
When we got to Peril’s room, Simon looked nervous and swallowed hard.
Where was all that confidence he had earlier?
If I waited for him to say something, we’d be standing here till sunset.
“Teacher, we’re coming in for a sec.”
When we entered, Peril squinted at us.
“…That’s an unexpected pair.”
I nudged Simon’s arm.
But his face was pale, and all he did was silently move his lips.
He couldn’t get a word out. In the end, I had to speak.
“Simon has something he wants to say.”
“B-Bianca!”
Simon jumped at my uninterested tone.
“Want me to say the rest for you?”
“No, no! I’ll say it!”
Thankfully, my words seemed to snap him back to reality.
He took a deep breath, then nervously stepped in front of Peril.
“A-about getting removed from the list for Orphen…”
“If you have something to say, say it properly.”
Peril’s firm voice made Simon flinch.
“W-well…”
“…”
“I was hoping you might reconsider…”
His voice trailed off, much weaker than earlier.
Is this what it feels like to have a frustrating little brother?
“Since Simon’s from Orphen, wouldn’t he be helpful there?”
I dropped a little hint, and thankfully, he caught on.
“Y-yeah! I might actually be helpful in the kingdom. I won’t be a burden, I promise!”
Peril glanced at me like he was wondering why I brought Simon here.
I shrugged like I didn’t know either.
Peril let out a deep sigh.
“…You’ll keep your word about not being a burden, right?”
“Huh? Yes, yes!”
Simon’s gloomy face brightened instantly.
“Alright, fine.”
“…!”
“I’ll trust you—just this once.”
Simon gasped softly in excitement.
“Well, if anything goes wrong, the person next to you can deal with it.”
…Wait, me?
I blinked in surprise, and Peril nodded at me.
“Yes, you.”
Great. I really dug my own grave here.
Watching Simon happily bounce next to me… I couldn’t help but find him just a little annoying.
***
Time passed quickly, and the day to leave for Orphen finally arrived.
“Don’t ever take off this ring.”
Peril, he told me seriously as he slipped a ring onto my finger.
“It’ll hide your appearance.”
Even Peril had changed his appearance.
I thought he’d disguise himself as a woman like usual, but this time, he looked like an ordinary man.
Brown hair and brown eyes.
Totally average, nothing that stood out.
If I had seen this version of Peril right after entering this world, I would’ve thought he was just a random extra.
“What should I call you while we’re there?”
“Thomas.”
So plain.
…Not that I’m one to talk.
I also had brown hair like him, and freckles dotted my cheeks. Completely average and unremarkable look.
“I get why Peril needs a disguise, but why you too, Bianca?”
Simon looked genuinely confused.
“She’s a noble, so we’re being extra careful. Right, Ann?”
Oh, right.
That’s my fake name.
I answered a bit late because I still wasn’t used to it.
Then I noticed Simon hadn’t said anything.
He looked totally shocked.
“Bianca, you’re a noble?”
…You’re only realizing that now?
“Wow, seriously, I had no idea. You didn’t seem like it at all.”
Was that… an insult disguised as a compliment?
“I can’t believe it.”
Simon kept repeating how shocked he was until I finally cut him off.
“Okay, that’s enough.”
“…Am I going to get arrested for insulting a noble?”
“You’ll be fine. Just stop talking.”
I’m going to be stuck with him for the next few days.
Will I survive?
As that worry crept in, the carriage started moving.
“I’ll treat you to a big meal in Orphen.”
“No need. Just make sure to wake me up when we arrive.”
At my blunt answer, Simon went quiet again, looking sulky.
***
“All set for departure, Your Grace.”
Sunlight pierced through Ricardo’s eyelids as he slowly opened his eyes.
The sound of waves filled his ears.
The foam of the waves sparkled warmly under the sunlight as they rolled onto the shore.
“…You can head out right after the priest gives his blessing.”
The voice came in bits and pieces, but Ricardo managed to reply.
“Okay.”
Rose hesitated before adding something else.
“Did you bring your sleeping pills?”
He had been eating well, sleeping well, and even performing well in the recent military campaign and represented Harness perfectly in meetings.
Everything had been going smoothly.
He felt so refreshed, he had even doubled his training time.
“The doctor said not to overuse them. Anything beyond the prescribed dose could be dangerous.”
It had been a long time since he slept so deeply.
He didn’t dream at all, and his body felt unusually light.
Wasn’t this the normal life he had always wanted?
Maybe that’s why her concern felt off.
“There’s nothing to worry about.”
“Good, as long as you’re really okay.”
From Rose’s perspective, Ricardo seemed perfect now.
Gone were the shadows of stress—he looked like the ideal duke.
“…That’s good to hear.”
He used to suffer from insomnia.
He never showed it, but if you visited the training ground before dawn, he’d always be there.
Maybe he was trying to exhaust himself just to fall asleep.
That hadn’t changed.
But at least now, he looked genuinely brighter. Even if she didn’t know exactly why.
“Your Grace, the priests are here.”
At the servant’s words, Ricardo began walking.
“Have you been well, sir?”
A priest limped over and greeted him.
The sudden burst of sunlight made Ricardo squint.
“I don’t recognize you.”
“I met you once, when I was with the crown prince. I’m Brandon…”
Ricardo took off his glove and held out his hand.
“Sorry. Didn’t mean to be rude.”
“N-not at all! I’m honored just to greet you again.”
Brandon awkwardly shook his hand.
“I hope you have a safe journey to Orphen…”
Ricardo quietly looked at Brandon’s hand.
“You used to be a swordsman?”
“I-I was. But I never officially joined due to an accident.”
Brandon glanced awkwardly at his own leg.
“Sir!”
Elliot, standing nearby, gently scolded Ricardo.
Ricardo put his glove back on and nodded slightly.
“Thanks for coming all this way.”
“N-no! I was happy to help.”
As Ricardo walked toward the ship, he gave a quiet order.
“Keep an eye on that priest.”
“Huh? You mean Brandon?”
He didn’t respond and boarded the ship.
As he looked out at the vast horizon, he felt like he couldn’t breathe.
Was he going to drown out here?
He let out a small laugh.
“Let’s go. To Orphen.”
