Magic Gems Gourmet

Chapter 310

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ED: LonelyMatter

Chapter 310 – Everything Is Sorted

The commotion caused by those wearing the robes of the Dragon Faith was intense. Despite the investigation team having just been dispatched and things still being chaotic, a beautiful woman kissed him.

He could never say such a thing out loud, but that was besides the point.

“I think I’m the first Crown Prince to spend the twilight hours in a place like this.”

Ain climbed to the top of a spire on the edge of the castle.

The winter wind cut deep, but its chill now soothed his overheated brain.

Would climbing up here be scary? He quietly wondered. Yet he felt surprisingly calm. Whether this was because of his conversation with Chris or simply because he felt no fear remained unclear.

“I love you, Ain-sama!”

He recalled Chris saying that just minutes ago.

“Not so much whining… more like, ‘What the hell are you thinking?'”

Ain said he would take responsibility.

Chris said she would make him fall for her.

However, all of the couples he knew were monogamous, so he’d never really thought about it.

For example, there was the current king and queen, Sylvird and Laralua, as well as the irregular couple, Lloyd and Martha.

Examples of polygamy included the former King of Heim, Ralph, and, of course, Logas in Roundheart. Ain had no good memories associated with polygamy, like some kind of trauma.

Ultimately, these were other people’s stories, and he didn’t think he’d end up the same way.

Krone, and then Chris, who was as close to him as he was to her.

They met in the port town of Roundheart before crossing the sea. Since then, she had been both Olivia’s and Ain’s escort.

She told Ain why she fell for him; it’s all intense memories. The more he thought about it, the more moments came to mind when her attitude began to shift.

From Ain’s perspective, he lamented this development happening behind his back as disloyal, as he had only ever thought of marrying Krone. Yet, after his conversation with Chris, he considered whether he could treat her the same as before and realized it would be difficult.

To be blunt, he could have started seeing Chris as a romantic interest at any time.

The trigger was just sudden.

“Leaving things as they are is no good. So, what I must do is—”

He resolved his firm intention within himself. He must tell Krone openly and without hiding it.

Saying, “I’ve decided to accept Chris,” without any explanation or hiding it, would be the height of betrayal. As husband and wife, that alone would be grounds for her to demand a divorce.

Despite his special position as royalty, Ain hadn’t forgotten to follow through.

“I told Chris, who was influenced by me, that I’d take responsibility. I can’t go back on that. Since I caused this mess by failing, I should start by bowing my head.”

Chris accepted the bond and confessed her feelings to Ain.

Ain said he would take responsibility, and she said she would make him fall for her. The only one left was Krone.

There was no hint of pleading; his apology came from the conviction that his failure had caused this.

Let’s stop having similar thoughts.

Ain stood up and slapped his cheek with a loud smack.

“Let’s change. I can’t go to Krone’s room like this.”

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

It was just past eight o’clock.

Ain arrived at Krone’s room just as she had finished getting ready for the day.

“…Oh, what brings you here so early?”

Krone approached Ain immediately upon opening the door.

Seeing Ain in formal attire with a solemn expression in her room within the castle, Krone sensed the unusual atmosphere. She took Ain’s hand and sat down on the sofa.

Today, however, she didn’t sit beside him. Instead, she sat directly across from him, matching the tense atmosphere.

Ain hung his coat over the sofa.

“It’s not that I thought it shouldn’t be this early in the morning. I thought we should make time to talk in the evening, but I felt I should apologize sooner, so I came.”

“Apologize… to me? Did you do something that requires an apology?”

“I did. Without realizing it, I did something that requires an apology.”

Unconcerned about ruining his styled hair, Ain bowed his head forcefully.

This wasn’t the behavior of a crown prince. He knew he shouldn’t do this. Therefore, Krone could only sense the gravity of the matter.

“…Before we discuss forgiveness, may I ask what you’re apologizing for?”

“I understand. I only found out just a moment ago.”

He recounted what had happened at the training grounds and what had transpired in his room with Chris after he woke up.

After recounting every detail, Ain bowed his head once more.

Her eyes widened, and she blinked repeatedly before Krone tilted her head slightly.

She pressed a finger to her glossy lips.

“So…that’s why Chris-san suddenly made such a strong resolution and declared it to me…”

She recalled their exchange at Strohm the other day and understood.

She realized there had been many conflicts beyond the feeling that things couldn’t continue as they were.

“Sorry. Because of me, both Krone and Chris…”

“I’m sorry. Could you wait just a little while? I need to sort things out for myself, too.”

Krone had already sorted out her feelings. As she had told Chris the other day, she had finished that period of conflict some time ago.

“Really… Ain is so serious.”

She murmured softly, out of his hearing. Being honest without holding back, apologizing immediately, and taking responsibility made a good impression.

While it was only natural for a Crown Prince to have several consorts, he had gone out of his way to change into formal attire just to apologize, whether he knew about her so-called “troublesome personality” or not. It was endearing.

Whether it was weakness from being smitten or not, her affection for him remained unchanged.

“Chris-san’s family line traces back to His Majesty the First,”

Krone stated.

“The reunification of the divided royal family is beneficial for Ishtalika. .. Besides, with Chris-san, there won’t be anyone to complain. It will solidify the foundation for Ain’s future reign.”

What else? Krone paused for a few seconds.

“This next part is about feelings, but Chris-san is a woman who would stake her life for Ain. As a knight and as a woman.”

“…I think so too.”

“I think Chris-san and I are similar. In the sense that we could throw everything away for one man…or something like that.”

Krone sipped the tea from the cup on the table.

“Actually, just the other day… I spoke with Chris-san about Ain.”

“When did you talk about that?”

“After Ain returned from your business trip? Chris-san relayed it to me that very evening.”

What had they discussed that day? Krone relayed only the bare essentials.

“Practically speaking, and emotionally too, I’ve come to terms with it. A woman marrying the Crown Prince should perhaps be a bit more sensible, but I can’t completely abandon my desire to have Ain all to myself…”

Ain opened his mouth, but before he could say anything, Krone continued.

“I said I wouldn’t oppose it if you decided to accept Chris-san. For now, let’s set aside talk of romantic feelings.”

Setting her cup on the table, Krone fixed her amethyst eyes directly on Ain.

“So, I want to know just one thing. When you eventually bring Chris-san close to you, what will become of me?”

A hint of unease, perhaps? Krone’s expression hardened as she inquired about an uncertain future.

Ain opened his mouth quietly.

Without needing to think, the answer slipped naturally from his lips.

“No matter what the future holds, it will bring greater happiness than we have now. And I, having grown to like Krone even more by then, will definitely remain by your side.”

Krone’s eyes widened in surprise for the second time. Before she knew it, her eyes softened, and the corners of her mouth turned up.

“Oh, come on. Why say something like that all of a sudden?”

She suddenly stopped herself from saying more, reaching a finger to her own lips.

Chris had just kissed him moments ago. She respected Chris’ feelings.

Krone chuckled softly.

“You should tell Chris-san the words you just said someday, too. After all, Chris-san has long harbored feelings for Ain.”

“Someday” meant after Ain and Chris grew even closer.

Though that day was still far off, change had already begun to stir through her actions.

“I’ve only ever shown her my clumsy side, but from now on, I’ll be careful not to let her see that anymore.”

“Fufu, right. If you had said, ‘I was confessed to. What should I do?!’ then even I would have scolded Ain.”

“I was just thinking I should apologize for everything first. It’s all my fault.”

Then, Ain slowly rose to his feet.

(There was the matter with Father—Logas and the others—but I am me.)

For example, it would be sad if parents ranked their children like they did Ain.

It was still far in the future, but he didn’t want anyone else to experience what he had. He swept away that feeling akin to trauma.

“Next time I have free time, I’ll visit the Elf Village too. I can’t remain silent about the chief who’s guarded Raviola-sama’s secret.”

“Yes, that’s right. I’m sure the elder would be pleased, too. Would you like to join me for breakfast? Hearing apologies first thing this morning made my heart race.”

Ain readily agreed. “Then I’ll go tell Martha-san,” he said, leaving the room.

Krone gazed at the door that Ain had just left and murmured,

“He’s the Crown Prince yet so unpretentious. Even though having countless consorts is the norm, he still treats me with unwavering respect. Even though I’m a woman who speaks inconvenient truths about the Royal Family, you truly cherish me, don’t you?”

It was only natural that Chris would fall for him while spending time with him.

Perhaps it was precisely because Krone had been by Chris’ side that she had developed the resolve to accept her.

“Strange. I thought my heart would be more unsettled, but instead, I feel calm and amused.”

Was she more accepting of Chris getting closer to Ain than she had imagined? Or did she believe it should be that way? Even if she couldn’t quite grasp it, the warmth in her heart remained unchanged.

“Well then.”

Krone stood up and picked up the coat that Ain had left behind. Instead of hanging it up, she slipped it on herself.

Because of its size, it covered her entire upper body and enveloped her in his scent.

“I held back earlier, but since we’re done talking, it’s fine now, right? Hmph, how should I spoil him?”

Her tone softened as she smiled sweetly.

Despite the abrupt conversation since morning, her expression and heart held no trace of bitterness or sorrow. As she’d murmured earlier, she felt strangely amused. Enveloped in Ain’s scent, she could embrace happiness.

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