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Ch. 2: Grandma's Boy

Several days after Ritz had invited me to the Tonitrus castle…-.

I was curious about this unfamiliar country, and went into the courtyard to look at the flowers.

 

Then…

 

Young Woman 1: “Geez, Prince Ritz really said it was ok!”

 

Young Woman 2: “That’s right, if you just include us like that it’s not fair!”

 

Ritz: “Huh, why? It’s way more fun to hang out together!”

 

In the circus I could see from the courtyard were several women accompanying Ritz.

 

Since coming to the castle, this was a scene I’d seen play out many times before.

 

He’s always got a different woman with him…

 

I let out an airy sigh, and Ritz met my gaze.

 

Ritz: “Heeey! Come join us!”

 

OO: “...”

 

Ritz called out to me and waved his hand.

 

I…

[CHOICE]

  • Refuse and go next time (SUN)

  • Force a smile (MOON)

 

I don’t think he’s a bad person, but I kind of don’t like him…

 

As I thought that, I returned to spending my time alone in the courtyard…-.

 

 

……

 

The next day…-.

 

I left the room I had been staying in, and I heard an excited conversation coming from somewhere.

 

??: “---Oh, is that so?”

 

Ritz: “Haha, shocking I know, so then without thinking I…”

 

That’s Ritz’s voice...I wonder if he’s talking to a group of girls again.

 

I moved slowly to see what was going on and poked my head out of the shadow of a pillar…

 

However, the person Ritz was talking to was a much older woman.

 

Ah...when he’s talking to that older woman, Ritz almost looks like a kid.

 

The air around him was different from his usual casualness, and instead he looked kindly at the older woman with consideration.

 

Wondering who on earth this person could be, I accidentally stepped out from the shadow of the pillar…

 

Ritz: “...!”

 

Ritz noticed me.

 

In an instant, his eyes went wide and his face flushed red.

 

For a moment he stopped talking, then he moved away from the older woman and came over to me.

 

OO: “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to eavesdrop...who were you talking to?”

 

Ritz: “...so you saw huh, aaargh...how embarrassing! That’s my grandmother. I’m actually kind of a grandma’s boy.”

 

Ritz’s grandmother...which means she’s the crown princess.

 

Ritz: “Haha, it’s kinda embarrassing for someone as old as me. But I’ve always been her favorite, ever since I was little…”

 

His gaze drifted from me and followed his grandmother as she walked away.

 

The expression he had was still very kind…

 

I didn’t know Ritz could look like this.

 

OO: “It seemed like you and your grandmother were having a good time.”

 

Ritz: “Yeah I guess! Cause I like listening to my grandma’s stories.”

 

Ritz smiled and awkwardly scratched his nose.

 

I could feel the same kindness in that smile as the one he’d had when he was with his grandmother, and it warmed my heart.

I didn't know how to answer, so I just forced a smile.

Ritz: "…?"

Young Woman 1: "Hey Prince Ritz, let's hurry~"

Ritz: "Hm? Ah, yeah."

Ritz looked worried, his gaze still locked on me, as the women he was with grabbed his arms and they all left.

OO: “Sorry, maybe next time.”

 

Ritz: “Ya sure? Well when you wanna, just let me know.”

 

His answer was cheerful, and he blew me a kiss, but I only gave a faint smile in return.

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