After departing from my brother, I headed for another destination without returning to my room.
Arched ceilings decorated with intricate stucco, the cast metal lighting fixtures that hung from it, and the magnificent columns of pillars were a familiar sight to see. I’ve gone through this corridor that leads to the greenhouse countless times in the past.
Even still, It all feels nostalgic.
It was only six months, but six months nonetheless. I slowly walked down the hallway with a strange feeling in my chest.
Arriving at the greenhouse took twice as long as usual. I told the guard to wait for me at the entrance. Before, if it was Klaus, he would have been quick to tell me ‘no’ and, with his good intuition, follow me inside.
Pressing the door of the greenhouse made it spread open with a creak. The scents of overgrown plants from within swept my nostrils.
The sunlight was so blinding that I intuitively used my hand as a cover. I moved to escape the light rays under a tree a few steps away.
A boy watering the plants in the back noticed my footsteps and stopped his hands. As he turned back to look over his shoulder, his silky silver hair fluttered in the air.
When his indigo eyes caught sight of me, he blinked multiple times in confusion, like he didn’t know what he was seeing.
“…Huh?”
A stunned voice leaked from his lips.
The watering can slipped out of his hand and loudly clattered to the floor, spilling the contents onto the toes of his boots. But the man didn’t care in the slightest… No, it was as if he couldn’t be bothered to. He continued to stare at me with wide-open eyes.
“Hey, Lutz! Your shoes are soaked!”
His companion, who came running up to him, pulled his—Lutz’s—hand and moved him away from the puddle. Lutz, right in the middle of being scolded, took a few staggered steps back, probably because he was distracted.
“What’s wrong…?”
Following Lutz’s gaze, Theo slowly turned in the same direction. His ruby-coloured eyes widened as soon as he saw me.
“…Princess?”
Dumbfounded, Theo could only let out a small voice.
A strange silence followed. Only the birds’ chirping remained echoing within the greenhouse.
Thinking back, our positions have reversed this time, haven’t they?
Last time, it was the two of them who had rushed to my side in the greenhouse. I’m sure I had the same surprised face as they do right now.
I wonder if they also felt this longing in their hearts at that time as well. Or perhaps they feel as relieved as I am now?
Their relaxed expressions gave it all away as if responding to my worries.
“I’m home.”
As soon as I said that with a big smile, their faces crumpled.
I think the two of them ran to me at the same time.
“Wait a-”
I unconsciously backed away when they came to me at full speed.
I don’t think I can handle two taller boys charging my way at the same time.
But there really was no way I could dodge them at this point.
I gave up on evading and closed my eyes, preparing for the oncoming collision.
“…?”
But it never came.
Concerned, I gave a little peek.
“…What are you two doing?”
Both of them stopped a bit more than two metres away. They stood next to one another, both their arms open wide.
When asked what they were up to, they brought their hands back down and looked at each other.
“No… It’s because of that, right?”
“Yeah… It really is that, isn’t it?”
What the heck is going on?
I didn’t understand and tilted my head.
“…Somehow, princess, you really look like a princess now.”
Lutz, with reddened cheeks, turned to the side and softly murmured.
I ‘really look like a princess now’? So you mean I became more princess-like?
Wait… So what did I look like to you both until now!? A fake!?
“I was quite sure that I have always been a princess from the start, no?”
My shock was so intense that I returned back to using formal language.
But it’s the truth, I have been a princess ever since I was born… Or at least I should’ve been. I sure did act nothing like one, though!
And like other girls my age, I swear I’ve got a delicate heart! I do! I really do…
“Wait- N-No! It’s not like that!”
Lutz shook his head in a hurry. So you don’t mean to imply I’m a knockoff princess, after all.
However, he didn’t come up with anything else and just muttered something while messing with his hair.
Theo, seeing him like that, could only give a wry smile.
“You have always been cute since long ago, but right now, I think ‘beautiful’ would be more accurate. Both Lutz and I were just surprised.”
“Oh…”
I was flustered from his honest flattery.
It caught me so off-guard that I couldn’t give a proper reply.
You’re pretty cool, Theo. To not be shy like every other boy your age and be able to tell a girl that she’s ‘beautiful to her face… That’s not something you see every day.
“Thank… you?”
I answered surprisingly normally. Not only that, why did I phrase it like a question? I wasn’t even blushing.
I don’t think a girl who just got complimented should respond like that, right? And, as expected, Theo ended up laughing it off with a troubled face.
“How refreshing. I thought for sure that you would at least be a little bashful.”
“I was… surprised. You were such a smooth talker. Maybe you’re quite the popular guy, Theo?”
“To be told that by a princess who wasn’t even embarrassed in the slightest…”
“Like I said, I was caught off guard. It’s not your fault. You’re a handsome boy yourself, and to top it off, you’re kind. I’m sure there’s no girl out there that wouldn’t want your company.”
I rushed my way through excuses as an apology, but Theo’s expression didn’t change. Though it was subtle, I could tell he was a little frustrated.
“I was pretty sure I wouldn’t lose in terms of looks either, you know?”
It was probably because I might have left him out of the conversation, but Lutz sulked his way in, pouting.
I mean, you’re a pretty boy yourself. Right, right. Then why are you picking a fight in this?
“Rather than handsome, I think Lutz is pretty.”
“What’s with that… I’m not happy even if you say that, alright? It’d have been better if you told me I’m kinda cool or something instead.”
Lutz frowned when I praised him.
Theo put his hand on Lutz’s shoulder.
“Guess we’re still nowhere near the princess’s eyes.”
“Then, princess, what kind of man would you prefer?”
“Eh… I’m more into someone manly… If that makes sense.”
I answered because I was asked the question, but honestly, why are we all standing here talking about this?
We haven’t seen each other in half a year and this is what you wanted to talk about? There’s nothing wrong with discussing one’s ideal partner, but isn’t there anything better to talk about than this?
Theo was in bewilderment about something, but he then quietly muttered, ‘I see,’ under his breath.
“It feels like we’re talking nonsense even though it’s supposed to be our emotional reunion, doesn’t it?”
“It’s definitely important… Well, maybe not to the princess who just came back from a long trip, I suppose.”
Lutz shook his head, before murmuring something with a troubled face at the end.
“No, no! We’ve all completely messed this up, haven’t we?!” I exclaimed.
Theo, with his hands behind his head, broke into a smile.
Is it my imagination that you have a smug look under that grin of yours?
…Well, it’s fine I guess.
What a relaxed and carefree conversation.
It’s sad if I’m the only one who feels at ease at times like these.
When our eyes met, Theo’s gaze softened.
“Allow me to say it again: Welcome home, princess.”
“Eh—We’re doing this now!? Uh… Welcome back, Your Highness!”
Pushing Theo aside, Lutz said his part and bowed.
What a lively and comforting place.
I felt so happy to have finally come home.
“Yep. I’m back.”
After departing from my brother, I headed for another destination without returning to my room.
Arched ceilings decorated with intricate stucco, the cast metal lighting fixtures that hung from it, and the magnificent columns of pillars were a familiar sight to see. I’ve gone through this corridor that leads to the greenhouse countless times in the past.
Even still, It all feels nostalgic.
It was only six months, but six months nonetheless. I slowly walked down the hallway with a strange feeling in my chest.
Arriving at the greenhouse took twice as long as usual. I told the guard to wait for me at the entrance. Before, if it was Klaus, he would have been quick to tell me ‘no’ and, with his good intuition, follow me inside.
Pressing the door of the greenhouse made it spread open with a creak. The scents of overgrown plants from within swept my nostrils.
The sunlight was so blinding that I intuitively used my hand as a cover. I moved to escape the light rays under a tree a few steps away.
A boy watering the plants in the back noticed my footsteps and stopped his hands. As he turned back to look over his shoulder, his silky silver hair fluttered in the air.
When his indigo eyes caught sight of me, he blinked multiple times in confusion, like he didn’t know what he was seeing.
“…Huh?”
A stunned voice leaked from his lips.
The watering can slipped out of his hand and loudly clattered to the floor, spilling the contents onto the toes of his boots. But the man didn’t care in the slightest… No, it was as if he couldn’t be bothered to. He continued to stare at me with wide-open eyes.
“Hey, Lutz! Your shoes are soaked!”
His companion, who came running up to him, pulled his—Lutz’s—hand and moved him away from the puddle. Lutz, right in the middle of being scolded, took a few staggered steps back, probably because he was distracted.
“What’s wrong…?”
Following Lutz’s gaze, Theo slowly turned in the same direction. His ruby-coloured eyes widened as soon as he saw me.
“…Princess?”
Dumbfounded, Theo could only let out a small voice.
A strange silence followed. Only the birds’ chirping remained echoing within the greenhouse.
Thinking back, our positions have reversed this time, haven’t they?
Last time, it was the two of them who had rushed to my side in the greenhouse. I’m sure I had the same surprised face as they do right now.
I wonder if they also felt this longing in their hearts at that time as well. Or perhaps they feel as relieved as I am now?
Their relaxed expressions gave it all away as if responding to my worries.
“I’m home.”
As soon as I said that with a big smile, their faces crumpled.
I think the two of them ran to me at the same time.
“Wait a-”
I unconsciously backed away when they came to me at full speed.
I don’t think I can handle two taller boys charging my way at the same time.
But there really was no way I could dodge them at this point.
I gave up on evading and closed my eyes, preparing for the oncoming collision.
“…?”
But it never came.
Concerned, I gave a little peek.
“…What are you two doing?”
Both of them stopped a bit more than two metres away. They stood next to one another, both their arms open wide.
When asked what they were up to, they brought their hands back down and looked at each other.
“No… It’s because of that, right?”
“Yeah… It really is that, isn’t it?”
What the heck is going on?
I didn’t understand and tilted my head.
“…Somehow, princess, you really look like a princess now.”
Lutz, with reddened cheeks, turned to the side and softly murmured.
I ‘really look like a princess now’? So you mean I became more princess-like?
Wait… So what did I look like to you both until now!? A fake!?
“I was quite sure that I have always been a princess from the start, no?”
My shock was so intense that I returned back to using formal language.
But it’s the truth, I have been a princess ever since I was born… Or at least I should’ve been. I sure did act nothing like one, though!
And like other girls my age, I swear I’ve got a delicate heart! I do! I really do…
“Wait- N-No! It’s not like that!”
Lutz shook his head in a hurry. So you don’t mean to imply I’m a knockoff princess, after all.
However, he didn’t come up with anything else and just muttered something while messing with his hair.
Theo, seeing him like that, could only give a wry smile.
“You have always been cute since long ago, but right now, I think ‘beautiful’ would be more accurate. Both Lutz and I were just surprised.”
“Oh…”
I was flustered from his honest flattery.
It caught me so off-guard that I couldn’t give a proper reply.
You’re pretty cool, Theo. To not be shy like every other boy your age and be able to tell a girl that she’s ‘beautiful to her face… That’s not something you see every day.
“Thank… you?”
I answered surprisingly normally. Not only that, why did I phrase it like a question? I wasn’t even blushing.
I don’t think a girl who just got complimented should respond like that, right? And, as expected, Theo ended up laughing it off with a troubled face.
“How refreshing. I thought for sure that you would at least be a little bashful.”
“I was… surprised. You were such a smooth talker. Maybe you’re quite the popular guy, Theo?”
“To be told that by a princess who wasn’t even embarrassed in the slightest…”
“Like I said, I was caught off guard. It’s not your fault. You’re a handsome boy yourself, and to top it off, you’re kind. I’m sure there’s no girl out there that wouldn’t want your company.”
I rushed my way through excuses as an apology, but Theo’s expression didn’t change. Though it was subtle, I could tell he was a little frustrated.
“I was pretty sure I wouldn’t lose in terms of looks either, you know?”
It was probably because I might have left him out of the conversation, but Lutz sulked his way in, pouting.
I mean, you’re a pretty boy yourself. Right, right. Then why are you picking a fight in this?
“Rather than handsome, I think Lutz is pretty.”
“What’s with that… I’m not happy even if you say that, alright? It’d have been better if you told me I’m kinda cool or something instead.”
Lutz frowned when I praised him.
Theo put his hand on Lutz’s shoulder.
“Guess we’re still nowhere near the princess’s eyes.”
“Then, princess, what kind of man would you prefer?”
“Eh… I’m more into someone manly… If that makes sense.”
I answered because I was asked the question, but honestly, why are we all standing here talking about this?
We haven’t seen each other in half a year and this is what you wanted to talk about? There’s nothing wrong with discussing one’s ideal partner, but isn’t there anything better to talk about than this?
Theo was in bewilderment about something, but he then quietly muttered, ‘I see,’ under his breath.
“It feels like we’re talking nonsense even though it’s supposed to be our emotional reunion, doesn’t it?”
“It’s definitely important… Well, maybe not to the princess who just came back from a long trip, I suppose.”
Lutz shook his head, before murmuring something with a troubled face at the end.
“No, no! We’ve all completely messed this up, haven’t we?!” I exclaimed.
Theo, with his hands behind his head, broke into a smile.
Is it my imagination that you have a smug look under that grin of yours?
…Well, it’s fine I guess.
What a relaxed and carefree conversation.
It’s sad if I’m the only one who feels at ease at times like these.
When our eyes met, Theo’s gaze softened.
“Allow me to say it again: Welcome home, princess.”
“Eh—We’re doing this now!? Uh… Welcome back, Your Highness!”
Pushing Theo aside, Lutz said his part and bowed.
What a lively and comforting place.
I felt so happy to have finally come home.
“Yep. I’m back.”
