HTDD 30

Chapter 30

Time seemed to stop.

Natalie and Edward were frozen in place — and as for the lion, it paid them no mind at all, merrily pressing its soft paw pads against Edward’s face, going “nya, nya.”
It seemed to be enjoying itself quite a bit.

“…Heh, haha.”
“L–Lord Edward…?”

Natalie hadn’t expected that — that the lion would actually touch Edward’s face with its paw.
The sweet, delicate atmosphere from earlier was gone, replaced by the sound of Edward’s laughter. When Natalie glanced at him, she saw that the lion’s latest target was still Edward himself.

“Phew… Lord Lion, you’re a bit too energetic, aren’t you?”
“Ah…”
“Hmm? What’s the matter?”

Edward picked up the lion sitting on Natalie’s lap and brought it toward himself, gently stroking its fur.
His expression was calm and refreshed — or rather, that was exactly the problem.

“Um… your face, it has… Lord Lion’s paw prints on it…”
“Huh? …Ha, you little rascal…”

Apparently, the lion had pressed hard enough to leave faint paw-shaped marks on Edward’s cheeks.
But instead of getting annoyed, Edward only chuckled.

“How about this — I look like a man blessed with Lord Lion’s luck, don’t you think?”
“Hehe, that’s certainly a rare blessing.”
“Right? Seems like I’m lucky today.”

His cheerful attitude made Natalie smile without realizing it. After giving the lion one last affectionate pat, Edward released it and stood up.

“…Well then, it seems your father is getting restless to leave.”
“Eh?”

Edward’s gaze drifted toward a nearby window that led to another room. From that direction came the familiar voice —
“Nataaalieee, where did you go? Nataaalie!”

“Forgive me for keeping you so late.”
“N–no, not at all!”
“But I’m really glad we could talk today.”
“Hehe, the pleasure was all mine.”

The awkward tension between them had softened — Edward seemed back to his usual self. He turned toward her again.

“Allow me to escort you back to where your father is waiting.”
“Ah, thank you very much.”
“Not at all… and also—”

Edward’s gaze shifted past Natalie’s shoulder.
From behind her came a small, hesitant voice.

“Brother…”

It was the Third Prince, fidgeting nervously as he stepped out.

“Hehe, I’m not angry. You were just worried about me, weren’t you?”
“…Yeah. Brother, are you feeling better now?”
“Of course. Perfectly fine, thanks to you.”

Edward ruffled his younger brother’s hair, then offered his hand to Natalie.

“Well then, shall we? May I have your hand?”

“Yes, please.”
“Ah — and one more thing.”

Just as Natalie was about to place her hand in his, Edward leaned closer, mischief sparkling in his eyes, and whispered near her ear:

“I like you. I’ll be asking for your answer next time — so think about it, alright?”

“…!”
“Brother?”
“Come on, let’s go.”

With a sharp snap of his fingers, the scenery around them began to warp again — something she’d experienced several times before.
But this time, Natalie was far more aware of the warmth of his hand and the burning heat on her face than the distortion of the world around her.

◆◇◆

“N–Natalieeee! Are you alright? You’re not hurt anywhere, are you!?”

Her father was waiting in the grand entrance hall, illuminated by glittering chandeliers.
The moment he saw Natalie arriving with Edward, he rushed over with surprising speed and pulled her into a tight embrace — firmly separating her from Edward as if to make a point.

“Hahaha… I told you not to worry so much, didn’t I?”
“Hehe, how heartwarming,” Natalie said with a smile.

The King and Queen watched the scene with indulgent, gentle expressions.
Natalie wasn’t sure what had been said while she was away, but given that her father’s usual antics were being tolerated, they must have shared a pleasant conversation.

At least, she hoped those gazes weren’t disapproving.

“Father, I’m fine…”
“Uuuh, to think you’d be apart from me for so long — my poor heart can’t take it!”
“F–Father, you’re exaggerating…”

Natalie tried to appear composed before the King and Queen, as if to say: He’s not always like this, really…

“My lady,” the King asked, “did you enjoy your time in the castle town with Edward today?”
“Yes! Very much so.”
“Oh? That’s good to hear.”

He seemed pleased with her answer, nodding in satisfaction. “It’s already night, so I thought to invite you to stay the night… but your father refused quite firmly, hah.”

“S–so that’s what happened…”
“Yes. I see now that Lord Pettigrew is quite an honest man. Though… there may be more to him than meets the eye.”
“I–is that so…?”

The King’s tone was oddly hesitant, but before Natalie could ask, her father quickly interjected, “We should hurry home before your mother worries!”

“Oh my, you’re right!”
“See? Now then, Your Majesty, Your Highnesses — thank you for your gracious hospitality.”

Her father bowed politely, and the royal family graciously saw them off — perhaps a bit too warmly, but Natalie chose not to dwell on that.
With a graceful curtsy, she turned to leave.

“Take care on your way.”
“See you soon, Natalie.”
“Bye-bye, Sister Natalie!”
“Ah, y–yes…”

She thought she saw her father’s ears twitch slightly at the Third Prince’s words, but they managed to make a smooth exit and boarded the Pettigrew family carriage together.

Once Natalie was out of sight—

“Heh… That family is quite interesting,” the King mused. “They value their daughter more than wealth or prestige. Edward, you must tread carefully.”
“Of course, Father.”
“…Hmm. Very well, then.”

It wasn’t the King speaking as a ruler now — but a private conversation between father and son, with meanings hidden beneath the surface.

◆◇◆

At about the same time as when the ball had ended, Natalie rode home with her father.
Along the way, he talked nonstop:

“That King is scheming, I tell you!”
“That prince wasn’t getting too close, was he?”
“I told them just how adorable my Natalie is!”

Almost every topic was about her.
Yet, since the royal family had treated her father kindly despite his… bluntness, she couldn’t help but think—

(Maybe the royal family isn’t as cold as I thought…?)

It was a small misunderstanding, caused by her father’s eccentric ways.
Still, chatting like that made the journey home seem short, and soon the familiar view of their mansion came into sight.

◆◇◆

“My dear! Natalie! Welcome home!”
“Welcome back, my lady!”

Her mother and the servants had stayed up late to greet them.
Though only a day had passed, it somehow felt like she’d been gone forever.

After saying, “I’m home,” Natalie returned to her own room.

◆◇◆

“…The Duke hasn’t woken up yet, has he?”
“No, my lady.”
“I see…”

As she asked Mina that question, she’d already expected the answer — yet it still made her heart sink.

“I think… I’ll check on him one last time before bed.”
“In that case, I’ll escort you.”
“Please do.”

Having seen him so often suffering in his sleep, Natalie wanted to make sure he was resting peacefully tonight.
With that thought, she followed Mina to the room where Julius lay asleep.

He was as before — eyes closed, brows furrowed.
Was he in pain? Did he have a fever? She quietly leaned closer to check.

“…Na…talie…”
“Eh?”

She thought she heard her own name.
Leaning in to confirm, she realized he was indeed murmuring it — “Natalie,” again and again, in a faint, hoarse voice.

“What’s wrong? Are you in pain?”

Thinking he might be calling for help, she moved closer still, straining to hear his words clearly—

“…Li…am… o…ka…”
“…Liam…?”

Natalie froze.
She knew that name all too well.

It was a name she had never spoken aloud in this world — the name of the child she had given birth to.

The instant she recognized it, her entire body began to tremble, her voice lost.
She couldn’t catch the rest of his words — but it didn’t matter.

Why… is he saying the name of the son I bore…?

Eyes wide in disbelief, she looked at Julius’s face—

And there, at last, the eyelids she had longed to see open… slowly lifted.
His hazy gaze met hers — clearly, unmistakably.