They Say an Age Gap Like This Doesn’t Even Need Matching - Chapter 71

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

After finding two more magical circles in the same manner and marking them, dawn was already breaking.
“Let’s head back now.”
Now that Kei and I had gotten the hang of it, we could search for the remaining magical circles separately.
As long as we avoided dangerous places like the Imperial Palace.
We returned directly to the Separate Palace.
“Get some rest, even if it’s just a little.”
“Yes, well… you should get some proper rest too, Commander.”
Kei nodded, but his expression suggested he had much on his mind.
In truth, none of us looked particularly exhausted.
Kei and I, who had spent considerable time on expeditions in the Demon Realm, were actually more unaccustomed to sleeping at regular hours, and Elhart possessed exceptional stamina.
However, the mental fatigue was impossible to ignore.
These days felt like walking on the edge of a blade.
The moment I entered the room, I naturally moved my hands to organize my equipment and positioned necessary items within easy reach in case of emergency.
Elhart and I took turns bathing and dressed in soft robes.
Once I completed the series of habitual preparations, the tension finally eased somewhat.
Only then did I lie down on the bed.
Though soft blankets enveloped me, the moment I closed my eyes, what surfaced was the scene Elhart must have witnessed today.
Excavated earth, corpses buried haphazardly, and the magical circle hidden beneath them.
‘I made him see something so horrific alone.’
That was my one regret.
It was then.
I felt movement beside me.
Opening my eyes and turning my head, I saw Elhart just climbing onto the bed and settling down.
As always, Elhart lay facing me, and I turned my body to meet his gaze.
After a moment of hesitation, I spoke.
“Elhart. Are you alright?”
It was a brief question.
Yet the meaning contained within it was far from simple.
Elhart kept his gaze on me but didn’t answer immediately.
I waited quietly, watching him.
After a little more time passed, he finally opened his mouth.
“…I’m not sure.”
It was an uncharacteristic answer.
Suddenly, he drew his body close to mine.
Then he opened his arms to me.
I laughed softly and nestled into his embrace.
Strong arms wrapped around my back, and his breath fell just above me.
Elhart murmured lowly.
“I think I can breathe now.”
Yes, I think so too.
My body and mind, once filthy with corruption, finally felt purified.
No matter how hard I’d scrubbed earlier, I couldn’t shake the feeling of contamination.
“I’m accustomed to seeing the dead on the battlefield. That’s… they died fighting.”
He took a short breath and continued.
“But what I saw today… it feels strangely vile.”
“….”
I remained still, my face buried against his chest.
“Why are all the Imperial royal family like that? They don’t seem human.”
His voice was low and heavy.
“You’ve dealt with demons. Are they more cruel than these people?”
I couldn’t answer his question immediately.
The moment I opened my mouth, memories of my time in Hell flashed through my mind.
After a brief pause, I spoke.
“Demons always have consistent motivations. That makes them somewhat predictable.”
For them, only desire mattered—nothing but desire.
They became completely consumed by a single craving, indifferent to all else.
In other words, to satisfy that one desire, they could slaughter thousands, tens of thousands.
“You have to face such terrible beings without me there.”
Elhart’s arms tightened around me slightly.
I blinked and looked up at him.
“Are you worried about me?”
“If you are… will you be angry?”
“No, not at all.”
I laughed softly.
Now I understood it clearly.
It wasn’t worry born from distrust or inability to rely on me.
It was simply concern that I might feel even the smallest pain while he wasn’t there.
Because he was so important to me, the very possibility of something going wrong felt immense.
“Sometimes….”
After careful consideration, I shared my conclusion with him.
“Humans can be more terrifying.”
I spoke slowly, feeling Elhart’s warmth.
“But still.”
I exhaled softly.
“There are people like you.”
Though my presence had changed his values, his noble character remained unchanged.
That’s why he could grieve over the deaths of those who had nothing to do with him.
“So it’s alright.”
I held him tighter around the waist and buried my face against his chest.
“This world won’t become a hell.”
A moment later, his low voice drifted into my ears.
“…I’m relieved to hear that.”
I offered no response, and he too fell silent, drawing me closer with greater intensity.
Our breathing gradually slowed.
Body heat mingled, tension dissolved, and thoughts grew hazy.
And so we fell asleep, holding each other.
Two days later.
The Crown Princess visited the Separate Palace.
***
“What?”
The Crown Prince’s footsteps halted.
The Steward delivering the report bowed his head more deeply.
“Her Highness the Crown Princess… has proceeded to the Separate Palace.”
A brief silence fell.
The Crown Prince stared down at the Steward without uttering a word.
“Now?”
“Yes, we received word from there just moments ago.”
It was strange.
How could she head straight to the Separate Palace so soon after being released from the Tower of Repentance?
If anything, I would have understood had she come seeking me instead.
The Crown Prince rapidly sorted through several possibilities in his mind.
Could it be retaliation?
Or perhaps…
The Crown Princess was someone who did not conceal her desires.
She was easily swayed by emotion and prone to impulsive action.
“…Let’s go.”
He spoke curtly and turned on his heel.
“What of the conference, Your Highness?”
“Tell them to wait.”
The grand conference set to commence shortly at the Central Palace would be attended by numerous high-ranking nobles.
Though it concerned matters of great importance, nothing mattered more than Iserna’s safety.
‘I cannot predict what reckless act the Crown Princess might commit.’
She was already seething with venom from the scars upon her face.
Recalling how he had abandoned her without a single word of concern, the Crown Prince’s pace naturally quickened.
Since he had already been heading toward the Central Palace, it did not take long to reach the nearby Separate Palace.
Upon arriving at the Separate Palace, he was greeted by the Maid assigned to the Crown Princess.
“Your Highness…!”
The Maid, who had been pacing anxiously through the corridor, rushed toward him in alarm and bowed.
“Where is the Crown Princess?”
“In the Reception Room over there.”
The maid guided him to the very reception room where she had conversed with Iserna not long ago.
Despite reaching the door, no raised voices echoed forth—only an eerie silence greeted him.
Sensing something amiss, the Crown Prince pushed the door open without bothering to knock.
The moment he stepped inside, his gaze immediately fell upon the Crown Princess.
“You….”
The Crown Prince’s eyes widened with astonishment.
The wound that had marred the Crown Princess’s face had vanished without a trace.
It had been a deep gash that should have left a permanent scar.
Yet somehow….
“What are you doing here?”
The question was brief, but its implications were weighty.
The Crown Princess glanced toward the opposite side of the room before lowering her gaze.
“As you can see, I’ve simply….”
A smile graced her lips.
“Come to apologize.”
Upon hearing those words, the Crown Prince’s eyes reflexively turned toward the opposite side of the room.
Iserna, who had been sitting quietly on the sofa, rose to his feet and bowed when their eyes met.
“Welcome, Your Highness. Shall I have tea brought in?”
Seeing her unharmed and as composed as ever, the Crown Prince released a small sigh of relief.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————