Ch. 7: His Kindness... (SUN)
Tiga: "Don't lump me in with you. You don't even understand how good she is."
The next day…-
Perhaps because I couldn't get used to what had been happening day after day, I felt even more exhausted and couldn't get myself out of bed.
Maybe I should get a little fresh air.
Lured by the light shining through the window, I forced myself up despite how heavy my body felt and went outside.
The fresh air was invigorating and spread throughout my entire body.
I feel a little better having come outside…
I stretched out my body, now feeling a little lighter, when…-
Tiga: "OO, you're finally up."
OO: "…yeah."
Tiga fixed his eyes on me as he led his horse.
OO: "Tiga, are you going out on business?"
Tiga: "Yeah. I'm going to check the town. If you want, you could…-"
OO: "I could…?"
Tiga: "No…never mind, it's fine."
Tiga stared at my face, paused, then started to move the horse.
Tiga: "You don't look so good, get some rest."
He's being ever more pushy than usual.
I felt something strange, and sat on a nearby bench.
…
……
I sat on the bench for a little while, and the sky began to turn crimson as dusk came.
It's pretty…
As I watched the evening glow, the things Luca had said the day before suddenly popped into my head.
Luca: "I mean, OO is the Princess of Träumere after all. Well, that's why I don't have any interest in that girl other than that. She's so unsophisticated, definitely not my type."
I…
My heart was filled with those gloomy thoughts when Tiga came down the road, having returned from his business.
OO: "Tig-…"
Tiga: "What're you doing, go sleep in your room."
He passed right by me without even stopping.
Tiga? He's acting different than usual.
I watched as Tiga got further away, then I squeezed my eyes shut.
Because I'm the Princess of Träumere, Tiga is…
Is that why he did so many things for me?
Thinking of Tiga's behavior, those dark feelings were like a riding spur dug into my side.
I stood there unmoving with my head down when…
Tiga: "Hey, what're you spacing out for?"
Along with that voice, my body was suddenly lifted into the air.
OO: "Eh!?"
I didn't know when Tiga had come back, but now he was carrying me in his arms.
Tiga: "I told you to rest didn't I? Your face is pale and you're unsteady."
That voice sounded like it was really worried about me…
I felt ashamed that I had been thinking he was being nice to me just because I was the Princess of Träumere.
Tiga…
I gently leaned my head against his chest, and heard the beating of his heart.
Tiga: "Hey…are you ok?"
OO: "Yeah…sorry."
Held in his strong arms, I was returned to my room.
Tiga was careful as he laid me down on the bed, then he gently poked my head.
Tiga: "Geez. What's the point in going through all this trouble?"
Eh…?
Tiga looked surprised, then averted his eyes as if embarrassed.
He was worried about me…
Tiga: "Anyway, you're sick, so rest. Once you're better, I'll take you to my treasured place OK?"
OO: "OK."
Tiga stroked my head and gently brushed away my hair.
Tiga: "Get better soon."
I watched his back as he left the room, and I felt my heart warm.