Formerly, The Fallen Daughter of the Duke

66. In the same place

After a morning cup of tea in line, the two men, each of them in their own room, left the royal palace for the city of Ultz.

Claire tried to arrange a carriage, but “I want to go with a horse today without an attendant,” Vike won’t give in.

It was impossible to have it put on the first prince’s horse, Claire, who was afraid, but had no choice but to leave in a way that was pushed off by Vique.

Once again, Vike’s outfit to pick up Claire was a complete city outfit, albeit with a dagger. Because he is wearing the hood of his jacket, he cannot clearly see the emerald green eyes and blonde hair that characterize the First Prince.

“Keith and the others aren’t coming?

“… if Claire’s with you, I’m sure she’s still asleep”

Vike pulls his hand at me looking to illuminate me and asks me to put it on the horse. In the warmth of her back, Claire felt her heartbeat quickening.

The horse with the two on him runs and runs through the city of Ultz.

It was after 5: 00 in the morning when Sophie came to Claire’s room, so it’s time for the city’s day to begin.

Along the way, we enter the side roads and go up a gentle slope. It was in that place that Veek stopped the horse.

“Here… I’ve been. … next summer.”

“… that’s tough”

Vike laughs softly as he reluctantly supports Claire as she tries to get off the horse.

Claire is spotted, even though her clear eyes suck in the morning sun and twinkle, the same color of piercing he wears. That was so beautiful, I didn’t even care to be found out my cheeks were dyed.

Below my eyes, I can see the gentle stone slopes that have just come up. Cobblestone streets are lined with private houses and shops that are still uninhabited.

The unique air in the morning felt like it contained expectations for the day to begin, and Claire felt very good.

“I’ve been good since I was a little girl.”

Says Veek, with his cheek cane on the stone wall, looking out over the view of the city.

“Pfft. I guess.”

Vik’s tone, which can be a joke, but I guess it’s true without a glance, Claire thinks.

“Keith and I are 4 different years old, but that guy has been decided to be my sidekick since he was little. Before we met Lewis, we used to come here together to get out of the royal palace.”

“You were.”

That was the first story Claire ever heard.

“I guess I was off somewhere when I was a kid. Keith said it wasn’t all academic and swordsmanship. It can’t be now that that serious Keith takes the lead out of the royal palace, can it?

“Hmmm…… Keith did. Sure, I can’t imagine. But now Vik is exactly what Keith was after.”

Vike spins his words as he sends a gentle gaze to Claire, who waves his head with his hands on his cheeks.

“Remember before, Claire said about the scenery here: ‘Happiness in the Puffet Country is condensed’?… I think so too. When I come here, I always feel tight.”

When Claire and I are together, Veek is often a relaxed look that has always been somewhere out of power.

But there was a glimpse of harshness on his side staring at the city now, making Claire feel that the view from this place was something special.

“Right. But that’s an evening story. Now… I feel hopeful. I think I’ll try my best for a day…… then maybe it’s too stale. But when I stand here, I feel strange and energetic”

Veek stares wide open for a moment still. Then it turned into a gentle smile.

“… right”

In the smell of a shimmering morning, in the distance, there is the sound of caracallas and carriages going out.

The two of them tasted the fresh air of the morning for a little while.

“… I asked Lewis if it’s true that he wants to assist Keith and the others as female officers in the future”

“… yeah… but…”

Claire has a little trouble responding. Indeed, it was true that he was fascinated by his work at the Royal Palace. But Asberto’s words float around the back of his brain.

‘We have a public position. It’s too late to regret the passing of time. ”

(Maybe Vik has already moved for me, believing my dream is to be a woman…)

“There’s more to Claire than a woman.”

Vike continues to faint Claire that she may have already missed the time to convey her thoughts.

“In order to be in that place, we need all the wisdom, the households, the blood muscles in addition to humanity… all the charm that attracts people…. Not everyone can be. I really appreciate Claire having all of her qualities.”

……

At first, Claire wasn’t sure what Vik was talking about. Veek overlaps even more where he manages to try to modify the track that he is going to think of for those who are really convenient.

“For once… I… don’t want that because Claire’s got qualities. I don’t know if it’s appropriate. I realized that long after I admitted how I felt”

Claire looks up and stares at Veek. Until just now the serene expression was not there. In his tenacious eyes, he shows a pompous face of his own.

“If I say any more, Father… it would be a breach of my promise to His Majesty the King”

Still, Vik listens without turning a blind eye.

“From Claire’s point of view, what kind of person was’ The First Me ‘”

“You really haven’t changed much.”

“Claire… she must have come from a year away? Is there anything you don’t think is enough for me now?”

Claire finally understood what his words meant, and when she took out her pocket watch with her trembling hands, she showed it to Vik.

“I got this for you even for the first time in my life…. when you put the promise of marriage into words.”

Vik took a step toward the word ‘marriage’.

Claire manages to squeeze out the words while enduring the tension while figuring it out.

“If you have an appointment with His Majesty the King, I like it, I think you can tell me about it. Because I’ve been waiting for this day…”

Before I could tell everyone, Claire’s lips were blocked by Veek. I can’t even afford to close my eyes, it was a moment.

After two overlapping lips separated for only a few moments, Veek is forcefully reflected in Claire’s eyes, who steps back in surprise.

Soon he had his arms and cheeks propped up, and his hands were strong, and Claire couldn’t get out. The embarrassment and the pleasure of being in his arms were at the same time driven by unspeakable impatience.

“Sorry to keep you waiting…. I like it.”

Claire’s tears overflowed with words that were uttered straight at close range enough to understand her breath. I think of Vik, who rescued me from my life for the first time, trying to protect me with plenty of room.

“… it wasn’t the previous vik that I chose. When I was just back in the past, it’s true I missed you… but I knew it was the same thing to see you soon. … I love you more than I ever knew.”

Veek’s arm weakens a little and his fingers wipe Claire’s tears. In contrast to the strength just now, its touch is irresistibly soft.

And again, now I slowly and deeply mouthed it.

(no more, never… never leave his side)

Claire swore so, surrounded by interminable tension and happiness.

I’m starting to smell breakfast support around how long it’s been.

The two of them felt the city of Ultz spreading beneath their eyes begin to move.

“… kill some time for breakfast somewhere, see the city and then go home”

“No. I’ll be right back. Because this afternoon is the day the Virgin will teach you the magic of healing in the church. I guess Veek’s got a lot of paperwork, too, huh?

“Claire really…… When you’re the Queen… Keith and Lewis will be happy…”

Vike whined inadvertently at the words he thought he had enjoyed speaking at a sweet time.

―――――

After breakfast at the cafe, the two returning to the royal palace head straight to Vique’s office. What’s different is that the two hands remain connected, long after we get down the horse.

“Welcome back”

“… That was fast”

When you enter the office, Lui and Doni speak up. Donnie seems kind of sorry.

“… you were betting time to go home”

“Donnie’s the only one I bet on.”

Lewis answers to Vik, who turns a bitter gaze as he blushes.

Keith comes in front of Claire, one knee.

……

“I really appreciate Claire choosing Veek. I hereby swear my allegiance to you, not just to my lord.”

Behind him, he has a slightly more complicated look on his face, even as Veek chews on his grin with plenty of room.

“Keith… I haven’t done that yet either”

“Huh.”

Bare next to Keith, who blued in an instant, Lui hugs Claire.

“Welcome back, Claire. From now on, we protect Claire. More than ever. So say hello to Vik.”

(Lui……)

Claire, who was about to cry again, nodded coddly, without saying a word.

Looking sideways at the two of them, Veek says.

“We will set a visit to His Majesty soon.”

“… I don’t want to do that. It’s insane of me to ask for a look before His Majesty the Busy King hears from you.”

“Sure I am… but I am”

“I want to stand next to Veek…. my rating would also be that of Veek, right? Then… I’ll do what I can until I hear from you. For now, go to the Virgin of the Church”

“Oh well.”

To Claire’s statement of determination, which was too strong, Vike, who had a high feelings for engagement, dressed up as a shoulder watermark.

After seeing Claire head to church with Dion, Keith, who regained her complexion, asks Vik with a smile.

“I will report to His Majesty the King what he says now, in keeping with his history.”

“… please”

Vik shrugged, like he said.