Chapter 206: Stevie’s Recollection 2

If it had been only me who was to serve as Prince Robin’s escort, I would have refused without question. But because Sister Lily was there, I accepted. Sister Lily had once served as Prince Robin’s night watch and had come to know his true nature then, so she said it would be all right. It was true that after Prince Robin recovered from his illness, there were rumors that he seemed like a different person. But rumors are only rumors, and it is common enough for them to leave one disappointed after one has trusted them.

While I waited with Sister Lily for Prince Robin, he appeared quite normally. He raised no bizarre cries, nor did he act restless or suspicious. He was an entirely ordinary prince. For going out he wore clothes that would make him look like a wealthy commoner among ordinary people. I had heard that in the past, when he was dressed, he would undo the buttons the maids had just fastened, and that after they fastened them again he would undo them once more for amusement. But now he simply kept the buttons fastened in a perfectly ordinary way. And for some reason he was calm.

When we left the Rear Palace I wondered where we were going, only to learn it was the cathedral. Eeeeh!! Wasn’t that a bad idea? Sister Lily agreed, but the corner of her temple was twitching. She looked composed, yet wasn’t she panicking inside? Her worry was showing through, wasn’t it?

I remembered the anecdotes about the time Prince Robin went to the cathedral. He had gone with Lady Doreen, found the sermon boring, and poured the water from a pitcher that happened to be at hand over the priest. Or he had tried to climb the sacred statue, or had unfolded every folding chair and lined them up in the aisle — nothing but things whose amusement I could not understand.

None of the things I had worried about happened. While looking at Lord Robin’s back as he prayed fervently, Sister Lily and I had spoken every possible insult about him, yet he said nothing afterward. The way his back sometimes trembled must have meant he had heard the insults. Even so, he said nothing later. Even though his face had turned bright red.

After various events, I ended up being held by Robby-sama.

I never told anyone that I had been held by him, yet everyone noticed. The reasons given were "she became more womanly," "her manner toward people softened," "the rough edges thinned," "she gained composure," "she stopped being so nervous," "she no longer kept more distance from people than necessary," and so on. The one that made me happiest was being told "you became beautiful." The colleagues close to my age never said it, but the slightly older aunties praised me, and I was honestly glad. Still, does a woman normally change that much just from being held by a man?

Word that I had been held by Robby-sama reached Lady Doreen, and I began to be summoned by her from time to time. Lady Doreen was kind even to someone like me who stood at the very edge of the maids.

"Please think of me as a substitute for your mother. If Robby does anything that troubles you, tell me. I will scold him sternly from my side. I wanted a girl like you to keep company with Robby."

she said. In truth I only understood the meaning of those words after I learned that Robby-sama carried the nickname "Granny-killer." Apparently he had only kept company with older women, and Lady Doreen had been worried that he had no interest in young girls.

Strangely enough, I even came to be treated affectionately by the Queen herself. I think that was because I always accompanied her on her outside meals and attended to her front and rear. And because I was a maid who had been touched by Robby-sama’s hand. For some reason the Queen would summon me to her room and strictly instruct me in how to prepare tea, how to present the cup, how to drink, and how to clear away. All of it under the pretext of "so that no matter where Robin-sama goes, he will never be embarrassed." But that is surely the role of the woman who will become Robby-sama’s lawful wife. Even though Sister Lily and I were to accompany Robby-sama to the Mainz Kingdom, as long as Sister Lily was there I did not think there would be any stage for me to appear on.

After we departed the capital, dense time passed among the three of us — Robby-sama, Sister Lily, and me. Robby-sama kept repeating

"I’m bored, I’m bored, I’m bored,"

yet for me the time spent together with him was pure happiness. Time in which I could look at Robby-sama without caring about anyone’s eyes.

But I myself knew very well that such happy times would not last.

Pursuers who seemed to be agents of Prince Maxim from the capital appeared and attacked us. Sister Lily was struck by the enemy’s magic and became unable to move. Robby-sama was fully occupied just carrying Sister Lily on his back. Therefore it was now that I had to protect the two of them. This was the moment for me to become their shield and their sword.

On the night of our flight, Sister Lily collapsed the moment we reached the hut. Yet at that time I was able to speak with Robby-sama at leisure for the first time in a while.

When I mentioned my birthday, it turned out that Robby-sama’s birthday was also near, and we decided that once we arrived in the capital of the Mainz Kingdom we would celebrate together. I was so happy, so happy, that even while standing night watch that night I could not suppress my excitement.

But the birthday celebration never came to pass.

The final enemy we encountered was so strong that one glance was enough to know it. Even if the three of us attacked together, it was uncertain whether we could match him. And that enemy was heading for Robby-sama. I had to go quickly! But first I had to defeat the enemy in front of me! This one was strong too! Even if I overdid it, I had to defeat him somehow and reach Robby-sama’s side!

I was being pushed by the enemy in front of me; I was losing in strength. Even when our swords clashed I was the one bounced back. The enemy stepped in; I dodged and cut in. I was repelled. The enemy swept. I dodged by a hair’s breadth. My clothes were cut, but the blade had not reached the flesh. Only a thin cut on the skin. That much was nothing.

The enemy seemed to think I was weak, that he could defeat me. Looking down on me, he licked his lips. Perhaps he was imagining what would come after he defeated me. Thinking such unnecessary things created an opening. At that moment I stepped in low. The enemy who had shown a momentary opening regretted the carelessness he himself had displayed. But it was already too late. I swung my sword toward his wrist. I sliced the underside of the wrist. Yet without regarding that, the enemy brought his sword down. The enemy’s sword bit into my shoe!

Pain!? Through the shoe the tip of the sword reached my toes and cut them!? But if I paid attention to that I could not go to Robby-sama! I had to hurry! Ignoring my foot I cut the enemy’s abdomen, then with the returning hand cut his neck. The enemy pressed a hand to his neck and, making gubi gubi sounds, sank down to sit.

Hurry, hurry — I am Robby-sama’s shield and sword! I must protect Robby-sama! Even if I exchange this body for it, I must protect him!

Where is Robby-sama? He is fighting the enemy. No margin!? Right away, right away! I leapt in and charged the enemy. Kuu, my step-in is insufficient!? I took a blow to the abdomen and was sent flying. I can’t breathe — uhoh, gehoh, guguguu, g-guh... but, but, Robby-sama!

Somehow I stood and charged again, but the enemy had been watching my attack. He received the sword I brought down with his one-handed sword and flicked it away. Then with that sword he swept across my completely exposed abdomen and cut me.

Gyaa— , I’m hit! My abdomen is hot, as if fire is coming out!!

No! I mustn’t show weakness! Robby-sama, somehow I have to help Robby-sama! What can I do? Something, something, something, anything!

The enemy turned his back. Now! Now I will hold him and stop his movement! I jump! I intended to jump, yet for some reason no strength entered me and I ended up clinging to the enemy’s waist. At that moment I released the only attack magic I possessed — ’Electric Shock.’ A magic I had never once used before. I gathered the mana from my entire body and released it! Bariii!! Did it work?

The enemy turned and cut my back! Gyaaaaaah—!! I could feel my back being split open. When I rolled I felt my own blood. Blood was flowing and flowing. Robby-sama? What happened to Robby-sama? Is he all right? Huh, my eyes are growing hazy.

I can hear Robby-sama’s voice calling me. From far away Robby-sama is calling me. Ahh, surely Robby-sama has defeated that man. Thank goodness, Robby-sama is unharmed... Sister Lily? She’s calling, calling me? Ah, is she trying to save me? It’s all right, it’s fine... I think it’s already impossible... I’ve seen plenty of people who were cut as badly as I was and died...

When I came to, I could see Robby-sama and Sister Lily from above. The two of them were clinging to me and crying.

Huh? I can see myself? Oh my, does this mean I’ve died and become a soul? Me. Ahh, so that’s it — I no longer feel pain or suffering. I was that covered in blood. My intestines are spilling from my abdomen. How embarrassing — I want them to tidy it up quickly. My clothes are cut too, and the inside of my trousers is visible almost to the dangerous place. Robby-sama, Sister Lily! Hey, hurry, hurry and hide it!

Sister Lily suddenly draws a sword and tries to stab her own throat. Don’t! Sister Lily must not leave Robby-sama’s side as well!! Somehow Robby-sama stopped her.

Suddenly Sister Lily raised her face. Huh? She’s staring this way. Huh? Can she see me? I try waving my hand. Ehe, she’s rubbing her eyes. She’s making a puzzled face. Come on, Sister Lily, look, it’s me, it’s me, look!

Ah, did she understand? Sister Lily’s face twisted a little. Don’t, Sister Lily — from now on you have to support Robby-sama.

Um, some way to let her know... ah, Sister Lily’s soul is hollow. It feels as if it is about to leave her body. I have to stop the soul — Sister Lily, no, no! Aaaah, I intertwine with Sister Lily’s soul. I mingle with Sister Lily’s soul. Sister Lily, support Robby-sama for my share as well! Don’t cry! Hey, pull yourself together! Sister Lily, keep helping Robby-sama, keep walking together with him! Hey, you understand, don’t you? Teach Robby-sama! Hey, hey, please! Please!

Sister Lily’s soul began to settle. It returned to her body. Yes, that’s good. Sister Lily will have a hard time, but please look after my share as well. Robby-sama says mature things, but he is still a child, so Sister Lily, teach him. Ahh, I can tell that Sister Lily’s soul has settled.

I’ll be watching the whole time, all right? Before long a cute girl like me will appear in front of Robby-sama! Don’t forget me, don’t forget about me! I love you, Sister Lily! Please take care of Robby-sama!!

When I was held by Robby-sama, I would stretch out my arms and open my legs, and Robby-sama would come to lie on top of me and enter inside me. I would feel Robby-sama and become one. I can no longer do such things, yet my beloved Robby-sama, I will always remain at your side. Please do not forget me. Together with Sister Lily, I will protect Robby-sama.