TMLOH 29

Chapter : 29

Pession had recently fallen into a grave dilemma.

‘How can I make Arellin even more, more, more healthy?’

From the moment he first met Arellin until now, the more he got to know her, the more amazed he became each time.

“Listen to this, Sir Jade.”

Location: Training grounds.

Host: Crown Prince Pession.

Participants: Sir Jade, Harun (who was dragged along as usual), Chief Attendant Griam, and their master, Duke Mubisk.

Thus, the very first “Arellin Health Council” was formed.

“Arellin takes a whole two and a half hours just to stroll through a garden not even a quarter the size of this training ground.”

“What?!”

“Good heavens.”

“……”

How could such a fragile body actually exist?

Sir Jade and Duke Mubisk gasped in disbelief at this unimaginable reality.

Only Griam, who had seen the truth with his own eyes, calmly nodded in acceptance.

“But that’s already a big improvement. At first, she couldn’t even walk for ten minutes.”

The reason it took two and a half hours to walk the garden was because she had to stop and rest frequently.

“She absolutely can’t run. She stumbles and collapses right away.”

“Good heavens…”

Another sigh echoed through the air.

Weaker than the weakest imaginable.

That was Arellin.

“And so, this is my current worry. Do you think Arellin can become healthy?”

The reason such an impromptu meeting happened during training was because Pession couldn’t concentrate at all.

Sir Jade had stepped up to help solve the Crown Prince’s worries.

His firm belief: when many minds come together, a better solution can be found!

“Health, hmm…”

Duke Mubisk had originally come to check on his disciples but found himself pulled into the discussion.

“Your Grace, do you have any wise insights?”

“Insight… well…”

Pession, Sir Jade, Lord Harun, Duke Mubisk, and even Griam—none of them could truly understand the concept of a ‘weak constitution’ because they were all naturally healthy.

“Exercise, right?”

Sir Jade’s face lit up in admiration.

“Obviously exercise, right?”

“Has to be exercise.”

“The more you push the body, the stronger it becomes.”

Sir Jade and Duke Mubisk exchanged satisfied looks, smiling warmly.

“A healthy mind resides in a healthy body.”

“Only when the body is in balance can the soul truly heal.”

“Ooooh. I don’t get it, but it sounds impressive!”

If Arellin were here, she would’ve protested their belief in exercise as a cure-all, but unfortunately, the only people present were ones who found joy in physical training.

“I think so too! But how do you get good at exercising?”

Everyone fell silent and glanced around awkwardly at Pession’s question.

What kind of discussion could a bunch of naturally athletic people even have?

“Just…”

“Do it…”

“Right?”

They might’ve had plenty to say about swordsmanship or philosophical insights, but when it came to working out? Nothing. They just did it with their bodies.

“!”

Pession was deeply impressed by their serious demeanor.

And earnestly wrote down:

“Just do it.”

…Having witnessed this muscle-filled conversation from start to end, Chief Attendant Griam could only look to the sky and mourn for someone.

‘Dear God…’

These days, does the Crown Prince only value sincerity and diligence?

Week 4 of the Crown Prince’s daily visits.

I was now being chased by a workout-obsessed maniac.

“Arellin, let’s exercise—!”

He had already been pushy about going on walks, but now? What had happened in the meantime?! The Crown Prince had leveled up into a full-on workout villain.

“I found something good!”

“Get away from me!”

“Just work out! You’ll get healthier if you exercise!”

“What kind of nonsense ‘exercise is everything’ logic is that?!”

My body wasn’t sick because of that, okay?

If it was the kind of illness exercise could cure, I’d have been the first to sign up and do it better than anyone.

And so, a game of hide and seek began around the mansion, and 30 minutes later—

The winner: Pession.

“Got you!”

“Ugh!”

Why? Why must I suffer like this?

With this pathetic body of mine, I never stood a chance against the Crown Prince. I only lasted thirty minutes thanks to the home-field advantage.

“Hah…”

Dragged along, I looked around.

“You two get along so well~”

“So adorable~”

There wasn’t a single person in this world on my side.

Now I was just depressed.

“Let’s exercise! Come on!”

This was torture.

“I didn’t sleep at all last night.”

“What?! Why?!”

What do you mean why? Isn’t insomnia basically standard for modern people?

Well, last night I stayed up late because I was focusing on Mehen’s bedtime story voice, but still…

The moment we stepped outside, a chill spring breeze wrapped around us.

“It’s cold.”

“It’s still spring.”

Pession looked at me with a serious expression. Then looked at the garden. Then looked serious again.

“Just ten minutes of walking.”

He wasn’t giving up, huh.

“That’s annoying.”

“I’ll walk with you!”

“You better walk with me.”

“So let’s go.”

“Why should I?”

“Because you need to be healthy!”

“What if I collapse again?”

“Then I’ll help you before that happens.”

“How?”

Just as I was digging in my heels and refusing to go, the Crown Prince approached and easily lifted me up.

“Like this!”

Unrealistic strength.

Is this what average seven-year-olds are like in this world?

‘No way.’

Pession was an overpowered SSR character born with all the bloodline, talent, and luck of this world.

“Fine. Let’s go.”

Hands and feet surrendered, I trudged along like a turtle, and for some reason, Pession happily stuck by my side with a goofy grin.

‘Does he not have any pride?’

Despite my cold attitude and increasingly arrogant words, Pession never scolded or got angry at me.

Does he not even realize he’s the Crown Prince?

“Isn’t it tiring to come here every day?”

“Nope.”

“Aren’t I annoying?”

“Nope. Not at all.”

“I talk informally to you, do whatever I want, and act rude—how can that not be annoying? Are you some kind of saint?”

Pession widened his eyes in surprise.

“Even if you’re not annoyed, shouldn’t you at least scold me? I mean, am I your superior or something?”

“Should I scold you then?”

When I narrowed my eyes at his playful tone, Pession just laughed. Apparently, he liked getting scolded by me.

That ridiculous guy.

“Hah. Whatever.”

It was amazing that, even with me acting this prickly, he still showed no sign of backing off.

Why was he being so nice to me?

What’s the reason behind this kindness?

It’s not like I’m sweet to him. I don’t even speak politely.

Does he like me?

‘Wait… is he just shallow?’

That’s… possible.

I mean, I am pretty good-looking.

But that didn’t mean I was okay with this situation.

‘I need a stronger method.’

I had no idea what to do next.

How do you shake off a relentlessly sunny male lead who clings no matter how cold or rude you are?

“Ugh.”

I kept thinking I needed to push him away before we got any closer, when—

“But hey, Arellin.”

“Yeah?”

“Why are you always alone?”

…Me? Alone?

Is the childcare crew invisible or something?

“I mean, besides your butler or maids—aren’t there other people?”

“…Mehen?”

“He’s not really family, is he?”

Pession’s expression twisted into something strange.

‘Mehen is my mom, though.’

I thought about explaining that long backstory, but decided against it. I didn’t want to make things awkward for Mehen.

“Family…”

Hmm. Family, huh?

“I don’t have any.”

“You don’t?”

“Yeah.”

Unfortunately, the only biological family I had was far, far away.

“I do have a dad.”

“…?”

“But I’ve never seen him in my life.”

Was that unexpected?

The always-smiling Pession froze in shock.

“Uh… what?”

“Hm?”

“Are you okay?”

“…? Yeah, I’m fine.”

Why wouldn’t I be?

Watching the flustered Crown Prince worry over my complexion like I might shatter at any second made me oddly calm.

“R-Really okay?”

He looked like someone handling fragile glass, afraid it might break at the slightest touch.

“Why? Do you pity me?”

“What? Oh, no, that’s not it…”

He stammered clumsily, looking nervous in case I was hurt by what he said.

He was being so considerate it made me smile bitterly.

How kind was this kid?

‘I get that he’s watching his words because the mood suddenly shifted, but…’

Was it really necessary to be this apologetic?

He was acting like I’d just suffered some huge emotional wound.

“I mean, what I’m trying to say is…”

Still fumbling over his words, Pession suddenly clenched his fists as if making a firm resolve.

“It’s okay, Arellin!”

“?”

“I’ll be by your side from now on.”

Were his cheeks… slightly red?

“I’ll be here for you.”

With a bit of shyness and an earnest determination in his voice, he spoke as though making a promise to himself.

“What?”

“I said, I’ll always be by your side.”

Like the morning sun in midsummer, his radiant smile shone so brightly it stung my eyes.