[TTH] 10 – ⚝ Zinon's perspective: The childhood friend I viewed as a man suddenly appeared as a woman. ⚝ (1)

"Zinon, how is Richeli doing? Since Richeli collapsed in the royal palace a few days ago, you've been visiting the Duke's mansion daily, haven't you?"

"Well..."

Zinon and his father, King Elrand, talked during a late lunch break between official duties.

Zinon, picking at his salad with a fork, kept his gaze lowered.

(Hard to answer...)

At Zinon's hesitant response, his younger brother, Prince Axel, and Queen Mariebel, who had been gracefully indulging in chess at the reception area by the dining table, looked up.

"Really, what happened? Maybe seeing Richeli, who usually acts tough, in a weakened state, sparked some love in you?"

"Axel, don't tease your brother. But yes, I've been receiving daily reports from Richeli's doctor. Her health condition is not a problem, but she seems to have memory problems. And her magical power is significantly reduced. Is that right, Zinon?"

Axel and his mother Mariebel, who have the same light silver-blond hair and eyes, looked alike. Their eyes shone brightly as they stared at me intently. Despite their delicate and beautiful appearance, like that of a sprite, their curious and mischievous nature was more like that of a dwarf, as they pressed me with questions one after the other as if they had been itching to interrupt all along.

"Well... It seems like she's trying to regain her memory gradually with the help of her family and Wanda. And her magical power... Indeed, I can't feel anything from Richeli at the moment."

As Zinon explained, he sighed and looked up to meet the gaze of Jack, who was sitting opposite him. As Axel and Mariebel resembled each other, Zinon and his father Jack also had the same sparkling blond hair, bright blue eyes like precious stones, a firm and intense gaze, and a wise character.

The two met each other's gaze and let out cool breaths.

"Speaking of which... Zinon. You did say you wanted to talk about something that night, didn't you? It got lost in the confusion when Richeli collapsed, didn't it?"

"Ah... Yes... I did say something like that..."

At Jack's reminder, Zinon stiffened for some reason and stood up to hide his agitation. He pretended to be looking out the window. Though it was only a few days ago, it felt like a distant memory. For some reason, he felt like something, everything, had changed. Zinon looked down at the garden path outside the window. The image of Richeli from that day surfaced—Richeli in her champagne blue dress.

"Richeli."

That day, after Richeli had finished her queen training at the palace, Zinon, who had been waiting for her downstairs, naturally met her gaze and went out to the courtyard together. On the days Richeli went up to the palace, Zinon, the king and queen, and Prince Axel would have dinner together. Usually, the time until dinner was just a moment to kill time. But, that day, Zinon and Richeli went out to the garden with a clear intention.

"Let's talk to everyone tonight. About revising the engagement."

"Yes. But I wonder how the king and queen will feel about it. It's depressing."

"If we break the engagement, we'll probably be given new partners immediately. We need to make them understand that it's futile to rush things tonight."

"Hey, should we delay the timing a little more?"

"Why? You said the sooner, the better, right?"

"But... I wonder if they will agree to the dissolution of the future king and queen engagement, based on our inability to have marital affection for each other? Everyone knows you and I have been close friends since childhood, right? I've been receiving education as a queen for many years, so if I can't have feelings for a man, I feel the punchline will be that they'll tell me to find a lover elsewhere."

"Like the nephew of the gardener at your mansion?"

"!"

Zinon, with his sparkling blue eyes, turned back to Richeli, who was gaping at him.

"Did you think I wouldn't know?"

Was she regretting her carelessness? Richeli closed her eyes momentarily and, seemingly frustrated, punched the air with her clenched fist.

"One should be able to fall in love, right? No one can stop feelings that naturally well up."

"It's fine to fall in love, but we should break off the engagement as soon as possible."

Zinon cut his words there.

"You're drinking Majiram, aren't you?"

"!"

Looking at Richeli, who was unusually turning red and covering her face with her palm, lost for words, Zinon chuckled.

"Don't be so embarrassed. It's fine to have sexual desires. But if we were to get married as it is and enter the bridal chamber to have children, we would need Pathuram. Without a strong aphrodisiac, you wouldn't get wet, and I wouldn't get hard for you. So, we should break off our engagement now..."

He was about to continue, "Let's break it off." That's what he had planned to say back then. But...

"Zinon?"

Feeling a gaze on his back, Zinon turned around. King Jack's bright blue eyes seemed to be trying to see through something happening within Zinon.

After a moment, Zinon opened his mouth.

"At that time, we were going to say we also wanted to go to the magic academy. Once Richeli and I turned eighteen."

"I see... That's right. Now that Richeli's magical power is also declining, that might be a good idea."

King Jack nodded with a smile.

***