Time Healer Ceres

Ceres took another step back from him. She quickly rubbed her face, trying to hide her dismay.

Just like at the last imperial council meeting, it felt as though warning bells were going off inside her head. It told her to get out of there before this became a headache.

“Excuse me.”

Ceres sighed as she felt the sharp gazes coming at her from every direction.

This is a shop where a bunch of people are eating. If you show up carrying a ridiculous bouquet like that, I’m the one who ends up embarrassed.

“Did you come here just to give me flowers?”

“While I was at it...”

The Crown Prince Aseraian’s smile deepened.

“I thought we could talk for a bit, too.”

Ceres glanced at the mercenaries, who had completely forgotten about their stew as they watched the scene unfold. She let out another sigh.

Am I going to be in tomorrow’s newspaper?

Would she end up making the headlines as the scandal of the century, after Kainel and Cheion?

Ceres clicked her tongue.

“Why don’t you sit over there?”

She couldn’t exactly send the Crown Prince away after he’d come all the way here. Ceres led him to a seat in a secluded corner, hoping to keep them out of sight.

“You didn’t come here just to give me flowers. What brings you here?”

The moment they sat down, Ceres asked him directly. It wasn’t as though they were close enough for him to seek her out like this.

We’ve only seen each other a few times at the imperial council meetings, haven’t we?

Ah, I suppose I’ve seen him at the Magic Tower a few times, too.

“But I did come to give you flowers.”

“.....”

“Haha.”

Even as Ceres stared at him in disbelief, he only gave a quiet chuckle.

This is why I don’t like people from the Imperial family.

They’re always laughing like that while keeping their true thoughts to themselves. Then they try to pry into what you’re thinking, too.

They really know how to get on your nerves.

“Then I suppose we’re done here.”

Ceres stood up immediately. She wondered what she was supposed to do with a hundred roses.

“Do you think Marquis Merial is involved in the Saintess Yuness incident?”

The Crown Prince Aseraian suddenly dropped the question.

“.....”

Ceres stopped in her tracks.

She hadn’t even mentioned the connection between Yuness and Marquis Merial to Kainel. There was no point in doing so when she still had no proof.

“Why are you asking me that?”

Ceres stared intently at the Crown Prince.

Why would he ask me that? What does he know?

“You seem busy today.”

The Crown Prince Aseraian simply smiled at her sharp gaze and rose from his seat.

“I hope you’ll let me have a cup of tea with you next time.”

“.....”

...He’s just leaving like this?

Ceres could only stare at the Crown Prince in disbelief as he casually waved and sauntered away, leaving her with more questions than answers.

“Haa.”

Those Imperial people...

***

“My older brother?”

“Yeah.”

Ceres hadn’t visited the Magic Tower in a while. After Cheion greeted her warmly, she followed him to the reception room.

Once they sat down, she got straight to the question that had been bothering her: the Crown Prince Aseraian, who had unexpectedly come to see her a few days ago.

“Hmm.”

The sudden question made Cheion tilt his head. Why was Ceres asking about his brother?

“My brother? He’s a really good person.”

His confusion quickly faded. Cheion’s eyes lit up as he launched into praise for the Crown Prince.

“He always gives in to me, and he’s never turned down a single thing I’ve asked. He probably doesn’t even know the word ‘no.’ He’s just such a positive person.”

“Really?”

“Yeah! He’s not greedy at all, and he never abuses his power as Crown Prince. He’s really good to his subordinates and staff too.”

“Hmm.”

As Ceres listened, her gaze drifted to Luca, the secretary sitting off to the side. The longer Cheion went on, the more awkward Luca’s expression became.

“He must’ve been a model student at the Academy, too. My brother is so responsible—Luca, why are you coughing all of a sudden? Did you catch a cold?”

“...No. My throat just suddenly felt tight.”

“Drink some water. Anyway, my brother never leaves his work for someone else—Luca, drink your water. You’re still coughing.”

“...Yes.”

“He’s even diligent enough to take on other people’s work.”

“.....”

“He wouldn’t hurt a fly, either. I’m worried the staff might take advantage of him because he’s too easygoing... Hey, why are you spitting out your water again? That’s gross.”

“...Sorry.”

“Well, he does get physical with me sometimes and nags me quite a bit, but that’s just because he cares. He’d never treat anyone else like that.”

Cheion’s face grew brighter and brighter, his voice rising with pride as he went on about his brother.

“My brother really is a great guy. He’s also very understanding.”

Cheion nodded proudly, seemingly pleased to have such a wonderful brother.

“Haa...”

Luca, who was quietly sipping his water beside him, looked more miserable than ever. The occasional hollow laugh made it obvious just how absurd he found all this.

This feels familiar.

It was exactly like this when they talked about Prince Alex. Cheion was beaming with pride, while Luca had that same awkward look on his face...

And how did that turn {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} out again? I ended up seeing Prince Alex smiling as he beat someone up.

“Cheion.”

“Hm?”

Ceres reached out and patted Cheion’s head.

“Just stay this way.”

“Huh?”

Cheion’s eyes widened as he tilted his head, but soon he broke into a happy smile, clearly enjoying her touch.

Right. There’s no need for me to ruin those innocent eyes.

She wasn’t the only one who felt that way. Everyone seemed to hide their true selves around Cheion.

Prince Alex, the Crown Prince Aseraian... They’re all the same.

“......”

“......”

Ceres and Luca exchanged a glance. After silently looking at each other for a moment, they both nodded.

“This tea is good.”

“Really? Want some more?”

After that, Ceres didn’t ask Cheion anything else about the Crown Prince Aseraian. She was sure she wouldn’t get a useful answer from him.

***

“It’s a gift.”

“.....”

Ceres woke to a commotion early that morning and came downstairs, only to be rendered speechless.

The Crown Prince Aseraian was standing there with an extravagant bouquet in his hands.

I told him I didn’t like roses... Did he bring every other flower instead?

The bouquet was made up of dozens of different flowers. There were so many that it was almost overwhelming to look at.

“Seriously...”

Could someone please explain what was going on? Ceres stared blankly at the Crown Prince Aseraian, who had come all the way to her house first thing in the morning.

We’re not exactly close enough to be meeting this early, are we?

What time is it, anyway? It can’t even be eight yet.

“I’m a little busy this afternoon.”

“...I’m not a morning person.”

“Haha. Thanks to me, you got to enjoy the morning air today. Isn’t that nice?”

...Who was it that said he was so considerate and understanding?

He’s certainly very understanding.

So understanding that he just comes whenever it suits him.

Ceres rubbed her throbbing brow, unsure whether the headache came from not being fully awake yet or from the person standing in front of her.

“Did you come to give me flowers again today?”

“And maybe have a cup of tea while I’m here.”

Ceres stared at his cheerful smile before letting out a short sigh.

She needed to find out why he was suddenly acting like this. She also wanted to ask about Marquis Merial, whom he’d mentioned at the shop.

“Please, come this way.”

Ceres led him to the reception room. When Butler Colin offered to make the tea, she stopped him and prepared it herself. She also sent the others away. There was no reason to let anyone overhear their conversation.

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