The Villainess Who Looks Like a Little Girl Is in the Arms of the Ice Prince (Who Is Sometimes Cute) - Chapter 18

We decided to stay in the Eastern Capital for a while.

From here to the royal capital of Chevran, it takes fourteen days by carriage one way. On horseback, it takes less than ten days, and with a falcon, letters can be delivered in three days. It’s much easier to negotiate than returning to the imperial capital.

On top of that, I caught a fever and fell ill, making it difficult to move until I recovered.

“Ria, how are you feeling?”

Prince Folkhardt came to visit me, unable to get up from the bed in the guest room that had been prepared for me. The maid Magot and the attendant Enzo had politely stepped out.

Perhaps it was because I used fire magic for the first time, or maybe it was due to exposure to time magic.

It could be both, I thought. The burden on my body, which had been reverted to four years old, must be immeasurable.

“Your Highness, I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t apologize. I’m the one who should be sorry. I never expected you would take such a reckless action, putting you in danger.”

Looking up from my lying position, I noticed that Prince Folkhardt’s usually sharply raised eyebrows were now drooping dramatically.

I couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.

“What’s wrong?”

“You’re cute.”

“Cute? Me?”

“Uh-huh.”

“I’ve never been told that before.”

Seeing the bewildered expression on Prince Folkhardt’s face, he stood up from the chair beside me and sat directly on the bed. The mattress creaked as it sank, causing my body to naturally slide toward him, and I felt his hand touch me through the sheets as he tried to support himself.

The imperial crown prince had a mischievous look on his face as he formed an ice cube on his index finger and blew on it. He brought the spinning ice cube closer to my face.

“Your cheeks are red. You look like you’re in pain, but this should distract you, right?”

I felt dissatisfied with his childlike way of comforting me.

“I’m fine. I’m not a child.”

“Ha. Hahaha. Hehehe.”

Watching him start to laugh, I felt confused.

“Your Highness!?”

“No. A four-year-old saying they’re not a child. Hehehe. Hahahaha.”

Now that he mentioned it, that was indeed true. I suddenly felt embarrassed.

“Geez!”

I instinctively sat up and lightly punched Prince Folkhardt’s arm.

The sensation in my stomach was new to me, and I didn’t know how to handle it. In this moment, I decided to take it out on the person nearby.

Even as I playfully hit his upper arm, he just shook with laughter. Was it really that funny?

“I’m glad you seem to be doing well.”

“I’m doing great!”

“I see, I see. Well, don’t get so angry. You’re just cute when you’re angry.”

His aquamarine eyes, narrowed slightly, gazed at me gently. I felt as if he accepted every part of me.

“Hmph. Yes, I’m four years old after all.”

“Ah. I want to walk with the lady Ria soon.”

Suddenly, my chest ached.

It was my choice, but Prince Folkhardt was engaged to a four-year-old. Moreover, I heard that Chevran was beginning to enter into political strife, and tensions at the borders were rising.

If relations between countries worsened, a mere duke’s daughter would be unnecessary, even if she were a princess of Chevran.

And if another suitable woman appeared.

“A four-year-old has their own good points too.”

“Eh?”

With a sly grin, Prince Folkhardt quickly slipped both hands under my armpits and lifted me up.

“Kyah!”

Before I knew it, I was placed on his lap and hugged tightly.

As he gently stroked my head, I instinctively pressed my cheek against his chest, allowing myself to relax.

“This way, I can hold you right away.”

“Your Highness…”

Thump, thump, my heart raced a little faster, sounding pleasantly in my ears. I felt his strong chest through the well-tailored tunic, and my own heartbeat began to quicken.

The situation was different from when we were looking at documents together in the office. Now, in the bedroom, even though we were engaged, being so close together was—

“Is that bad?”

As I was lost in thought, he cupped my cheeks with his hands and looked into my eyes. His cool, large hands felt nice against my flushed cheeks.

“No. I feel reassured.”

“Ah! Ria always gives me the words I want to hear.”

“Is that so?”

He gently bumped his forehead against mine.

“Ah. You stay close to me, even when others distance themselves from me in fear.”

“Your Highness, you’re cute.”

I meant it.

Pouting, getting worked up with Enzo. Now, laughing out loud and playfully using magic.

I thought this person was very cute.

“Only you say such things, Ria.”

“Just me?”

“Ah. Now, I want to reward you for all your hard work. It can be anything, no matter how selfish. Just tell me your wish.”

Still holding my cheeks, Prince Folkhardt peered into my eyes.

It felt as if he was saying, don’t lie, don’t hold back.

(My wish. My wish is…)

“I want to stay by Your Highness’s side forever.”

I looked straight back into the eyes of Prince Folkhardt, who gasped.

He was different from Enzo, who could be a companion. For the first time, I wanted to completely entrust myself to this person.

No matter the relations between countries, no matter the status, I wanted to be by his side. It was the utmost selfishness, disregarding my position.

Feeling anxious at Prince Folkhardt’s continued silence, I asked.

“…Is that not okay?”

“No. I think that’s my wish, not yours.”

“Eh?”

With a melting smile, Prince Folkhardt leaned in closer and kissed my forehead.

The soft touch of his lips was warm and gentle.

“Ria. Stay in my arms forever. I will wait for you as long as it takes.”

“Your Highness!”

My vision blurred with tears. Something hot trickled down my cheeks.

My throat felt tight, making it hard to breathe.

“Don’t cry, Ria. It’s okay, I’ll be by your side from now on.”

As Prince Folkhardt gently wiped away the tears flowing from my eyes, he placed soft kisses on my cheeks, eyelids, and forehead.

Each kiss felt like a careful conveyance of his feelings.

“Should I save the kiss for when you become a lady?”

“Ah! Yes, I’m sorry for being a child.”

“Don’t apologize. It’s because you decided to become four years old that we met. Then I too will endure the trials of fate alongside you. That’s all there is to it.”

“Ugh, ugh.”

“Let’s overcome it together.”

As he gently stroked my back, overwhelmed with emotion, I returned his kisses on his cheeks and neck with my tear-streaked lips. Clinging to his neck, I buried my face in the scent of his cologne mixed with his natural scent.

As I did so, I eventually felt safe and fell asleep.

◆

It seemed I had been holding onto Prince Folkhardt’s clothes tightly.

When I realized it, I was resting my head on his arm, still gripping the sleeve of his shirt, and beside me was the sleeping Prince Folkhardt.

“Ughhh! No way, is this a pre-marital negotiation!? No, no! This is a crime, Your Highness!”

“…Silence, Enzo.”

—The battle of black mist and blizzards that began between the attendant who shouted at the bedside and the awakened crown prince is another story altogether.