Chapter 142: Jealous Nathaniel
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 142: Jealous Nathaniel
“I suppose I sounded a bit like I was interrogating you. It’s fine, so please, speak freely.”
“Yes, Mother.”
Though my mother belatedly tried to soften her tone, I was already thoroughly intimidated.
Between Dantalion and my mother, I couldn't tell exactly how much they knew or why they were pressing me about my escort. I clasped my trembling hands together.
“I was thinking of asking either Niel or Abel.”
“Mhm, I see.”
My mother, who had been questioning me so sharply just moments ago, nodded with a suddenly calm expression. I watched her warily.
Did that work? I had intentionally been vague because I felt like she would start prying again if I chose between Nathaniel and Abel right now.
“Dia.”
“Yes, Mo—... Your Majesty.”
Because she called my name as affectionately as she used to, I almost called her ‘Mom.’ As I hastily corrected the honorific, she continued with a gentle gaze.
“Don’t worry about what we think. Just do as you wish.”
“….”
“You don’t need to worry about what others think, either. Do you understand?”
At those words, I realized she knew everything.
So much for a secret romance.
I let out a hollow laugh and opened my mouth.
“Yes, I will.”
“Good.”
In the end, all my agonizing had been for nothing. Swallowing a sigh, I went back to enjoying the dinner, which had returned to its previous warm atmosphere.
As time passed, I actually felt a sense of relief. I didn't have to walk on eggshells around anyone anymore.
With that thought, I rose from my seat.
*
“You think both their Majesties already found out?”
“Yeah.”
“Hmm.”
Nathaniel tilted his head at my words. I looked at him seriously. Soon after, Nathaniel set down his chocolate dessert and spoke in a casual tone.
“I naturally assumed they already knew.”
“What? Really?”
“Yes.”
I was shocked to see him nod so readily.
Was I really that obvious? Enough for even the stoic Nathaniel to take it for granted?
Unable to believe it, I muttered with a slight shudder.
“I can’t believe I made it that obvious. No way.”
Nathaniel shook his head and corrected me.
“It’s likely they found out because of me, not you, Dia.”
“Because of you? Why?”
If we were talking about being stoic, wasn't Nathaniel far more extreme than me? Sometimes, in front of people other than myself, he looked like a doll devoid of emotion.
But that wasn't what Nathaniel meant.
“I think His Majesty the Emperor already knew I liked you when we were children. And Her Majesty the Empress probably realized it seeing me come to treat you every single day.”
“Ah, I see.”
While I might have been a bit obvious myself, it seemed they both knew because Nathaniel never bothered to hide how much he liked me.
The fact that we went to the Magic Tower together must have been the deciding factor. They probably guessed that I had finally accepted Nathaniel’s feelings after that.
“But exactly when did you start liking me?”
“….”
“Niel?”
I asked because something felt strange the more I thought about it, but Nathaniel avoided my eyes.
Nathaniel and I were very young when we first met. I was only five years old back then. While I was an adult on the inside, that was how I looked on the outside.
“Surely it wasn't from the moment we first met, right?”
“….”
“Haha, that would be ridiculous.”
I laughed, unable to bear the awkward atmosphere. Nathaniel was also very young back then, so there was no way he could have understood the emotion of love.
However, at my joke-like remark, Nathaniel snapped his head toward me. He stared at me with a serious expression.
“Is that not allowed?”
“Huh?”
“Am I not allowed to fall in love at first sight?”
“No, it’s not that….”
Instead, Nathaniel questioned me as if he were the one being interrogated. I found myself at a loss for words.
“Well, we were both very young back then, Niel.”
“Even children know what they need to know.”
“Right, okay. You’re right.”
I never imagined Nathaniel had liked me since we were that young. I cleared my throat, feeling a ticklish sensation flutter in my chest.
“But why do you keep trying to give the escort duty to Abel Gideon?”
“What?”
This time, Nathaniel asked in a grumbling voice. I was flustered by his question.
“Last time, you tried to have Abel Gideon escort you, too.”
“That’s because Abel is a relatively comfortable person to be around.”
“Then why did you do it this time?”
“Well….”
Even after becoming a couple with Nathaniel, I firmly believed we should keep it a secret, which is why I tried to settle on Abel as my escort.
And now, Nathaniel, having realized that, seemed to be angry.
Is he really mad?
It felt strange to see him—someone who rarely expressed emotion—being so persistent and showing a bit of a temper. Still feeling a bit uncertain, I asked.
“Niel, have you been jealous of Abel this whole time?”
“….”
“Is that why you two fought when you were little?”
Nathaniel fell silent at my question. Silence was as good as an affirmation.
Only now did I realize the reason why Nathaniel and Abel didn't get along.
I didn't know about Abel, but Nathaniel had viewed him as a romantic rival and had been sensitive toward him. Ever since they were that young.
I used to find it difficult whenever the two of them fought, but knowing the reason now, I found it quite cute. My lips curled into a grin.
“Am I not allowed to be jealous?”
“Uh….”
My silly grin froze when Nathaniel’s face suddenly drew close to mine.
Unlike his usual self, Nathaniel’s face was flushed red. His pale gray eyes, filled with a hint of resentment, were shimmering with moisture, looking as beautiful as sparkling gems.
His mysterious appearance—so striking that I had mistaken him for an angel when I first opened my eyes in this world—was right in front of me. I stared at him blankly, dazed.
“Don’t even think about being escorted by Abel Gideon from now on.”
“….”
“Understood?”
“Y-Yes.”
Was it because I was surprised by Nathaniel’s uncharacteristically forceful tone? I ended up nodding helplessly.
But no matter how much I thought we should keep it a secret, Nathaniel was someone precious to me. It had been very rude of me to try and decide on Abel as my escort without even asking for his opinion.
Belatedly reflecting on my actions, I took Nathaniel’s hand.
“It won’t happen again. I promise.”
“Okay.”
And more than anything, seeing Nathaniel jealous made my heart race. I didn't know because I’d never been in a relationship before, but it seemed I was the type who enjoyed it when my partner got jealous.
[I think anyone would be happy about that.]
[Exactly. Isn't it weirder if your lover doesn't get jealous?]
Is it?
I tilted my head at the demons’ comments.
Then, naturally, another image popped into my head. A scenario where the person Nathaniel was escorting wasn't me, but someone else.
The moment I imagined Nathaniel escorting another lady in the ballroom, I felt my blood run cold.
The color must have drained from my face instantly, because Nathaniel, who had been eating his chocolate dessert again with a look of relief, widened his eyes.
“Dia, what’s wrong?”
“Huh? Oh, it’s nothing.”
I suddenly lost my appetite and didn't touch the dessert. Nathaniel continued to worry as he watched me.
“Are you tired because it’s been a while since you’ve been to the palace?”
“Yeah, I guess so.”
I couldn't bring myself to tell him the truth, so I brushed it off. My hands were still trembling slightly.
I really need to be careful from now on.
If I were in Nathaniel’s position, I probably would have lost my mind and demanded answers, let alone just being jealous. Thinking that made me feel so sorry for him.
At the same time, I worried that our love might still face a rocky road. There was no way we wouldn't become the talk of the town for people who loved gossip.
Perhaps Nathaniel might even be kicked out of his position as successor despite his abilities. I, too, was a half-princess, so my standing wasn't great either.
“It’s okay, Dia.”
“Niel?”
“I’ll take care of everything.”
“…?”
Nathaniel spoke in a suddenly serious tone.
What exactly was he going to take care of?
“What do you mean?”
“Just… you only need to wait quietly, Dia.”
“…?”
But Nathaniel didn't answer my question until the end. I could only tilt my head as I watched him sip his tea.
*
Preparations for the ball proceeded steadily.
Since my birthday coincided with the event, I became the star of the ball and spent my time busier than anyone else.
My mother helped with most of it, but since these were tasks I might have to handle in the future, I lent a hand as much as possible.
In the midst of that hectic schedule, I heard some bad news while I was at the Empress’s Palace.
“A Kraken appeared in the Eastern Sea and blocked all the trade routes?”
My mother nodded with a grave expression.