Chapter 11 - The Mermaid Princess's Little Brother

Translator's Note:

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Here you go, and I wish you a good read.

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Spring always came early in Fyun, but this year, it seemed the warmth had come even sooner than usual. Rito, who had swum from the southern seas to the north, remembered the icy landscapes he had seen before.

 

The ice that encircled the northern kingdom held a stillness so profound, it seemed the very world itself stood silent. Yet from time to time, it would shatter with a sharp, thunderous crack. The frozen floes, breaking and scattering, would drift out to the sea and disappear into its depths. Never had Rito imagined that the sight, once so wondrous to him, could fill his heart with such dread… until he knew what it was to love another.

 

The coming of spring would bring his death, but for Glen, it would carry the joy of marriage. Rito knew that the prince did not wish it so, but when he married and a child was born, Glen would rejoice—perhaps even more than when his younger brother came into the world. The boy longed for Glen's happiness, for him to find joy in his new family. Glen had always borne the weight of princely duty, but when he could at last reveal his true self to his wife, the burden would surely lighten, and happiness would follow.

 

"..."

 

A sharp pain pierced Rito's chest, and he clung to the curtain for support. It was as though he had forgotten how to breathe, and the harder he tried to draw breaths, the more labored it became. His heart clenched as though caught in the cruel grasp of unseen talons.

 

"Ugh..."

 

Though nothing had truly happened, the pain in his chest was so great that he could no longer stand. He sank to his knees as translucent droplets, shimmering in every hue, fell from his eyes and turned into perfect white pearls. They bounced and scattered about, rolling merrily across the floor in varying sizes.

 

Though the ache in his heart was so fierce it seemed as though he ought to weep tears of blood, they still became beautiful, pristine pearls… as if to remind him that he was not even human.

 

(Oh, God… I truly am not human. Is this torment because I cannot sincerely wish Lord Glen happiness? Am I, in truth, envious of the woman who has become his bride? But please… believe me. I do want him to be happy... ugh...)

 

Gathering the large pearls, Rito wiped his eyes with his sleeve. This was not the kind of miracle he had wished for… all he had wanted was to stay beside his beloved, as a human. But if he could not remain near him even as a simple page… Would it not have been better to stay a dolphin?

 

(No, that's wrong… I shouldn't think like that. I mustn't regret it. In this form, I was able to speak with Lord Glen many times, serve him tea, help him dress… I was so happy. Even if only for a single night, he held me close, and that brought me indescribable joy...)

 

He needed just one more chance, before the truth was discovered and he would be taken away. He longed to say, "I like you." He yearned for Glen to hold him once more, whispering, "My Rito" in the quiet of the night.

 

Perhaps it was too selfish a desire, but please… just once more…

 

"Lord Rito, may I come in?"

 

"...!"

 

As soon as he had finished gathering the pearls, he heard a knock at the door. From the hallway came the voice of none other than Glen's betrothed—Elsa. Her voice was so sweet and melodious, it could only be hers.

 

"Y-Yes. Just a moment… I'll open it."

 

Flustered by the unexpected visitor, Rito slipped the pearls into his pocket and rose to his feet. He wiped his eyes once more and steadied his breath before opening the door.

 

"My apologies for calling on you so suddenly. I heard that you have been promoted from His Highness's page to one who tends to the queen's shoes, so I thought I must congratulate you."

 

"Promoted?..."

 

"Yes, isn't that so? Congratulations. You must be highly regarded by His Highness. Otherwise, he would not have recommended you to his mother."

 

Elsa smiled warmly, dressed in a white gown that contrasted beautifully with her sun-kissed skin. Her long, ebony hair was gathered in an intricate style, adorned with silver and pearls.

 

"Thank you kindly."

 

The dress she wore, so much like a wedding gown, caused Rito to avert his gaze. It pained him even to look at her. While he was filled with despair, the woman before him radiated confidence. She would marry Glen, bear his child, and even one day become queen. It was no wonder that she stood so proudly, her chest held high, as though she retained all the happiness in the world.

 

"But I did not come merely to offer my congratulations. There is something I need help with—something only a person trusted by His Highness can assist with. Do you recognize this item?"

 

From the folds of her silk gown, Elsa produced a small box. Glancing around to ensure no one was near, she opened it, revealing a golden brooch set with rubies and diamonds. However, it was damaged—five small diamonds were missing from the intricate design.

 

"This, Lord Glen showed it to me once."

 

When she asked if he had seen the brooch before, Rito remembered the time Glen had presented it to him. He pretended it was the first time he laid eyes on it, praising its beauty, though in truth, he had seen it before.

 

"Did you ask what it was, and why it was broken?"

 

"Yes, I heard it was a gift to the prince from Their Majesties on his last birthday. It broke when His Highness fell from the ship—the clasp was damaged, and a few stones were lost..."

 

"Indeed. He seems worried about how Their Majesties will react. He will need to have it repaired before the wedding, but if the palace artisans do the work, word will surely reach the king and queen that the brooch was broken."

 

The word wedding stung Rito like a dagger, but he still forced a smile. He then quickly realized such an expression didn't suit the gravity of the moment and allowed a solemn frown to take its place.

 

"You're right… It is truly a dilemma. Might I be of assistance in some way?"

 

"Thank you, I was hoping for your help. There is a craftsman who once worked in the palace but has since retired and now keeps a small shop in the town beneath the castle. If you were to ask him discreetly, I'm sure he would agree to the task. His skill is beyond question, and he is both diligent and trustworthy..."

 

Elsa handed him the small box and began eagerly explaining how to find the shop and the craftsman's name. She wished for him to visit the shop and secretly request the repair. Rito understood her request, but to one as unfamiliar with the world beyond the palace and the sea, it seemed a daunting task.

 

"His Highness must not know of this either. When the brooch is restored, you will need to collect it and present it to him personally. Oh, I can already see how happy he will be!"

 

"Y-yes, but..."

 

"Ah, don't worry about the cost. When the time comes to retrieve the brooch, I'll provide the funds for the repair and the replacement stones. And there's no need to tell His Highness. Let it be only your merit."

 

With those words, Elsa smiled warmly and began to carefully explain the way to the shop. She treated him as if he were a stranger to the kingdom, beginning with directions to the town below the castle and describing the notable towers and gates near the shop. She went to great lengths to ease the anxiety of a youth who had never set foot beyond the palace walls. Yet curiously, it never occurred to her to simply draw a map.

 

She repeated the directions twice, and one part of the instructions she mentioned three times: "The shop is nestled between an old wooden tower and stone gates adorned with seashells. Look for the terracotta sign."

 

***

 

The title Footwear Royal Keeper sounded grand, but in truth, it was far from it. Each day, Rito was given tasks that he finished swiftly, and so, with the permission of the chief lady-in-waiting, he set out for the town. Following Elsa's directions, he left after sunset, covering his pale hair and alabaster skin beneath a hooded cloak to avoid drawing attention.

 

Just a short walk from the palace was the square where carriages stood waiting. Several drivers chatted, holding lamps and pipes. Rito overheard their conversation: "It's already warm during the day, but the evenings are still chilly." "Aye, spring's still far off."

 

(Spring is far off...)

 

Those words brought a quiet relief to Rito's heart. Indeed, the days were growing warmer, but the mornings and evenings still held a lingering chill.

 

The day when the truth would be uncovered, the day when Glen would marry, was coming… but it won't be today, nor tomorrow. For a little while longer, he could remain in the same palace as him.

 

(Lord Glen, I will fulfill this task properly. I wish to come to you with the brooch restored to its former beauty. Just one more time, no matter what...)

 

He knew that when he saw him, such a thing would not happen again. And yet, he longed for one more moment to speak face-to-face with the prince. He wished to repair the precious brooch and return it to Glen, to see up close that smile he so dearly loved.

 

With all his heart, Rito touched the box in his coat pocket. He kept careful watch over it, making certain it didn't slip from beneath his cloak. At first, the task had seemed overwhelmingly difficult, but now, he felt a deep gratitude toward Elsa. Without this chance, he might never have had the opportunity to stand before Glen again.

 

When the brooch was restored and shone with its former brilliance, his love would surely have its moment to glow.

 

That would be enough for him… He wanted to preserve, deep within his memory, this small spark of happiness, the last one that would flare before his life was extinguished.

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