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.