Chapter 10 - The Mermaid Princess's Little Brother

Translator's Note:

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When he opened his eyes again, before him was a soft golden light. Rito's hair shimmered in the dim room, catching the faint morning sun with a glow of its own will. His fair skin gleamed, as though dusted with a delicate layer of pearl powder, its milky-pink hue stirring an irresistible desire to touch it.

 

"Rito..."

 

Glen gently kissed his soft cheeks, then his forehead, and finally, the delicate curve of his ear, whispering, "I like you." But once was not enough, and "like" did not capture the depth of his emotions. He whispered again, this time with more weight, "I love you."

 

Rito, likely tired from their nighttime revelry, was sleeping soundly, his breaths soft and even. Though the boy did not hear his words of love, Glen felt an overwhelming contentment simply being beside him.

 

What he had done the night before was far from the decorum expected of a crown prince, and even now, he couldn't bring himself to think about what lay ahead. He knew that the harder he tried to control his desires, the more terrifying the consequences might become. That's why he had turned to alcohol, to intensify the urges he could no longer suppress.

 

(I am a man, just like you. Marriage is out of the question... I can't even call you my lover in the face of society's objections. And I can't throw everything away and run off with you. In the midst of all these rules and restrictions... I wasn't prepared for this.)

 

Yet, he had longed to touch Rito, and so he reached out. While the future seemed daunting, the sleeping boy's peaceful face brought Glen immense joy, and he wished he could remain in that room forever.

 

All of Glen's dreams were different from his reality. Had he been born the third or fourth son of a common nobleman, he could have taken Rito as his beloved. The church would still pose a challenge, but he knew of nobles who, hiding their natural inclinations, retired to the countryside and lived happily with their lovers. Once, he even considered how things might be different if Rito were a girl... but that was not what he truly desired.

 

"Rito…"

 

Rito was perfect just as he was. Glen dreamed of living in a small manor by the sea, surrounded by books. In the winter, they would take long rides on horseback, and in the spring, swim in the ocean together. He wished to meet their dolphin friend once more and live as three happily ever after.

 

"Goodnight..."

 

Glen kissed Rito again, though the boy showed no sign of waking. He tidied himself, knowing he had to sneak back to his chambers before the ladies of the court began their morning duties. He left the peacefully slumbering boy and regretfully made his way to the door. Listening carefully for sounds in the hallway, he slowly cracked the door open.

 

But the moment he peeked into the corridor, it was as though a bucket of ice-cold water had been dumped over him.

 

"Gh?!"

 

Standing there, in the place he had hoped to find empty, was the last person he wanted to encounter. Seated in a chair he had never seen before, dressed immaculately, was the queen—his own mother.

 

The queen rose as soon as their eyes met and asked with an unsettling calmness, "Did you enjoy your night?"

 

"Mother... what are you doing here?"

 

Paling instantly, Glen lowered his voice to avoid waking Rito. He stepped out into the hall and gently closed the door behind him. Though he wished to believe it was all a dream, everything was far too real. He could feel the difference in temperature between the cozy warmth of the room and the chill of the corridor. And the piercing gaze of his mother felt as sharp as a blade. He stood before her in his nightshirt, robe, and slippers—attire he hadn't worn in her presence in years.

 

"Elsa was in tears. What could you have done to hurt such a lovely, well-bred girl?"

 

"Mother, I... about Rito..."

 

"Stop. I don't want to hear it. I was foolish to even ask. Glen, there is no need for you to say anything more. Just hold your tongue."

 

"No, listen to me. I have something to confess."

 

"Silence! That is an order from your queen, not your mother."

 

The queen's face, youthful enough that one could hardly believe she had a grown son, twisted with fury. Her elegantly arched brows rose as she glared at him, stepping closer with a fire burning in her eyes.

 

"In our land, the church strictly forbids such unnatural inclinations. The prince must be an example to the people, and should not break such laws. But who could possibly punish you? It is the corrupt soul who seduced you that must face judgment."

 

"Gh... no, that's not true! Mother, it's not like that at all. He's innocent. It was I who fell in love and led him into this..."

 

"Enough! I commanded you to be silent!"

 

Her fist struck him hard in the chest, but Glen stood still, suppressing the cough that rose in his throat. Never had he imagined that his mother would raise her hand against him, and in that moment, he truly understood the depth of her anger.

 

"Though he may have been recommended to me by my sister-in-law, I am under no obligation to show mercy. There would be no issue with having that boy seized at once, tortured, and beheaded. You'd do well to remember that."

 

"Why…"

 

"I am not afraid of being hated by my own child. I am queen first and mother second. That is what sets me apart from you, who act so foolishly under the sway of a fleeting impulse."

 

"Mother… please, forgive me for betraying your trust. I beg you, just spare Rito…"

 

"Glen, anyone can err once or twice. You are a prince, and though I am in no position to pardon such a transgression, I shall overlook this sin once."

 

Her words cornered him like a hunted animal, trapped by its own folly. Though it was the seed he himself had sown, Glen could see all too clearly where this conversation led. He knew, without needing to ask, what terms would be demanded in exchange.

 

***

 

Ten days had passed since that night with Glen, and Rito had now taken his place as a page in service to the queen. After the sweet night they had shared, the prince was nowhere to be seen, replaced instead by the chief lady-in-waiting who informed him coldly:

 

"From today on, you are to care for the queen's shoes."

 

He was moved to a chamber far from the prince's quarters, forbidden from performing any duties other than polishing the queen's footwear, and ordered to stay away from the heir. Though they might cross paths in the hallways, he was forbidden to speak to Glen, and the prince, for his part, didn't so much as glance in his direction.

 

No matter how often Rito tried to remind himself that he had always known this man was beyond his reach, that he should have been content just to be near him, his heart refused to believe it. He could not resign himself to this fate, and every time he saw Glen, the burning question arose: "Why? What did I do wrong?"

 

(Does he regret that night?)

 

Rito stood by the window, watching Glen train with the soldiers. The prince was drenched in sweat beneath the afternoon sun, swinging his sword with such fervor that his shirt was smeared with dirt. Battling several opponents at once, he sometimes tumbled across the ground or collided with the stone walls, but always recovered with deftness. Though the sword was dulled, the tension was palpable, and Rito's knees trembled just watching.

 

(Please, be careful. Don't hurt yourself. Your betrothal has been arranged… From now on, your precious body must bear the weight of the kingdom… Please, I beg you...)

 

Though they lived under the same roof, it felt as though they were separated by land and sea. Even when Rito saw him, even when he heard his voice, Glen's heart seemed miles away. What had happened that night was but a fleeting impulse, a moment of passion kindled by liquor, and Rito had been prepared to awaken from the dream when the dawn broke. He had been ready to live, or even die, cherishing the memory of that joyful moment for the rest of his life.

 

But reality had been far crueler than he imagined. Rather than live with the happiness he had once tasted, he found himself yearning for more.

 

Why had Glen gotten engaged to Elsa the very next day? Why had he sent his page to serve the queen? Why did he treat him so coldly? Rito was terrified to even think about it.

 

Please, look at me, just once more. Please, call my name.

 

"I truly like you, but I must marry..." Rito imagined Glen's voice repeating those words, over and over. "I like you," "I love you"—Glen's voice echoed endlessly in his mind.

 

But in truth, he had never heard those words. All he could recall was the phrase, "My Rito." Was it truly a proof of endearment, or simply the address of a prince to his humble servant?

 

Since learning that it was Glen who had arranged for him to serve the queen, the merboy's heart had been in turmoil. He had much to ponder. In the ten days that had passed, the warmth of the weather had grown stronger, heralding the early arrival of spring in the southern kingdom of Fyun. Soon, the king's elder sister, the duchess of the northern kingdom, would return home after the sea ice melted. And when the grand duchess would arrive, all would learn that the letter of recommendation Rito had presented had been forged. Suspected of espionage, he would face torture, imprisonment, and a certain death sentence.

 

Not much longer would he be able to gaze upon Glen from this window…

 

(Will you feel sorrow if I am condemned as a spy? Will you think I betrayed you? Or will you believe in me?)

 

No matter how many questions Rito asked himself, Glen would never hear them, and the heat he felt through the glass only deepened his impatience.

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