Chapter 7 ◆ My Cute Wife and the Merchant Sisters

Two hours later.

We were at the lodging prepared by the Kingdom of Luminous.

It was a single-story manor owned by the royal family, used during hunting season, they said. As explained, it was close to the mountains, styled like a log cabin.

The knights, upon arrival, first tended to the horses, checking and preparing their tack.

I helped Shitoen set up a room for Monet and Roze’s treatment, then met with the Luminous knights.

Originally, we were to leave the lodging tomorrow morning and reach the Kingdom of Tania the day after, but Monet developed a fever in the carriage.

Even without asking Shitoen, it was clear her condition wouldn’t stabilize for a few days.

So, I requested they send word to Tania that our arrival would be delayed.

The Luminous knights promptly dispatched a messenger.

The Kingdom of Tania would likely understand if told it was for the protection and treatment of their citizens.

More importantly, a Tania merchant, conducting legitimate business in Luminous, was attacked by bandits.

Quick action was crucial to avoid future complications.

The Luminous knights scrambled to assist.

After the meeting, I instructed Raul to arrange meals and lodging for the knights.

I also asked Eton to help in the kitchen.

The unexpected addition of injured people and extended stay had thrown the kitchen into chaos.

“Leave it to me!” Eton replied, heading straight to the kitchen.

It was the first time I’d seen Eton so confident. Maybe she’s better at cooking than her maid duties…

After giving instructions, I headed to the treatment room where Shitoen was.

Stopping by the kitchen, I had them pack a basket with light meals for Shitoen, Monet, and Roze, then went to the west end of the first floor.

Next to the linen room, a space usually for maids was being used as the treatment room.

As I raised my fist to knock, the door opened from the inside.

Out came Shitoen in a white apron.

“!”

She looked up at me, startled.

She held a ceramic water pitcher but quickly closed the door behind her.

I glimpsed the bright room—Monet might be sleeping, but Roze was probably awake.

“Prince Saryu, what’s wrong?”

“Figured you hadn’t eaten.”

I raised the basket to eye level, and Shitoen smiled happily.

So cute…

If she smiles like that, I’ll carry anything for her. Every day!

“Monet-san is sleeping, but Roze-chan must be hungry.”

Shitoen glanced at the door.

“Wait inside. I’ll go get water.”

“I’ll get the water. You haven’t eaten either, right? Here, trade.”

I held out the basket and pointed to the pitcher in her hands.

“No way, making Prince Saryu fetch water…”

She shook her head vigorously, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

“If you put it that way, we’re all guilty. We’re making the princess treat the injured.”

Shitoen blinked, then let out an adorable laugh.

“You’re right. But I’ll get the water. So, Prince Saryu, will you wait inside until I return?”

“Of course. But Shitoen, don’t push yourself if you’re tired, okay?”

As she started to walk away, she paused, clutching the pitcher tightly and looking up at me.

“Hm? What?”

“Well… I’m tired, I suppose.”

“What!? You are? That’s bad! You need to rest right away—”

I panicked, still holding the basket, but Shitoen shook her head again.

“Not… tired like that. It’s just, we haven’t been together much…”

Her face flushed red, even in the dim hallway, as she glanced around nervously.

“If… Prince Saryu doesn’t mind… a hug might cheer me up…”

Her soft, trembling voice said it, and I didn’t hesitate.

“Of course, of course, of course, of course!”

I’ll hug her!

Right now!

What’s there to hesitate about?!

Still holding the basket, I wrapped my arms around Shitoen.

It was sudden, and she yelped, “Eek!” but it quickly turned into a cheerful laugh.

The pitcher was in the way, but Shitoen seemed content.

She leaned into me hesitantly, staying still for a moment before letting out a soft sigh.

“Shitoen?”

“I’m sorry. I know we should prioritize official business and head to Tania… but I couldn’t leave them.”

She must mean changing plans to stay here a few nights.

I looked down and saw her brows furrowed with worry.

“It’s my fault for getting involved in the first place. You don’t need to apologize.”

I found those sisters and suggested treating them, yet Shitoen seemed to feel responsible, making me panic.

“If anything, you being here saved us. We couldn’t have handled Monet’s wound alone—it could’ve been bad. Thank you for helping.”

I tightened my arms around her slightly.

I worried it might hurt, but Shitoen’s eyes crinkled happily.

“Thank you. I… feel better.”

So cuuuuute!!

What do I doooo?!

She’s too adorable!!

I’m losing it!!

No, no, hold it together.

I’m getting energized in a different way…!

Wait a second.

That’s right. Changing plans and staying here a few nights means…

It’s outside official business, right?

Unplanned, yeah?

So, tonight or tomorrow…

I could spend the night with Shitoen, right!?

“Hey, Shitoen—”

“Yes?”

“Tonight—” I started, but the treatment room door clicked open.

“Shitoen-sama?”

“Eek!”

“Guh…!”

Shitoen jumped at the sudden call, smacking her head into my chin.

My jaw…

Her head hit my jaw dead-on…

Punishment for my impure thoughts?

I reflexively grabbed my chin, and Shitoen quickly stepped away.

“I-I-I’ll go get water! Prince Saryu brought food, so Roze-chan, eat first!”

With that, she bolted like a startled rabbit.

“…Good evening, Prince Saryu-sama.”

The greeting was noticeably less enthusiastic than “Shitoen-sama,” more like a flat “Prince Sal-yu.”

Rubbing my chin, I looked over to see Roze leaning casually against the doorframe.

She must’ve borrowed nightclothes. Her hair was tied into two bunches behind her ears. She’s eighteen, I heard, but her baby face made her look much younger.

“I had no idea you were a prince, so sorry for everything.”

Her apology felt half-hearted.

“I’m not very princely, so it’s fine.”

“Right.”

She laughed, and I couldn’t help but chuckle too.

“Here, wanna eat?”

I held out the basket, and she approached quickly.

She flipped back the cloth, peeked inside, and grinned, “Fruit!” before clinging to my arm.

The older sister’s sultry, but the younger one’s like a kitten.

Whimsical, sometimes overly friendly.

“Eat the bread or salad. There’s sausage too. Picky eating leads to anemia, you know. A guy I know struggled with that. Eat nutritious stuff, fill up, and grow strong.”

“Hmm.”

With Roze clinging to my arm, I entered the room.

It was bigger than I’d imagined.

Simple, but with two beds.

Monet slept in the back, while the front bed was empty.

The sheets were a mess, with discarded clothes scattered—Roze must’ve been rolling around.

Shitoen’s leather bag sat neatly on a chair, beside a round table with a basin of water and a towel.

Looking around for another table, I spotted a side table by the window.

I’ll grab it for Roze to eat at.

“Here, hold this.”

I handed the basket to Roze, who was hanging off my arm, and pushed her away.

She’s such a hassle.

Plus, for a kid, she’s got some chest—surprising.

I don’t want her accusing me of “touching” or whatever, so I’ll keep my distance.

I lifted the side table—cheap wood, lighter than expected.

Setting it down in an open spot, I looked at Roze.

“Come on, grab a chair and eat here.”

She gave me a sullen look.

“What?”

“…Just thought it’s nice.”

She muttered gruffly, then shuffled over and placed the basket on the table.

“When we got here, this table was in a bad spot. Shitoen-sama and I tried to move it, but it was too heavy.”

“Then you should’ve called someone—any knight, or me.”

“That’s not it…”

Roze hesitated, then stared at me.

Not me—my arms?

“I wish I’d been born a guy. Then I’d have a big body and thick arms. I could’ve protected Sister.”

She twirled her tied hair around her finger, muttering.

She glanced at Monet, sleeping on the bed, her face flushed with fever.

“Do you two always work together?”

I pulled up a chair for Roze and grabbed one for myself.

“We always work together. Sister wants to do it alone, but… I worry, you know?”

She said, looking up, and I nodded, understanding.

With incidents like this bandit attack, she wouldn’t want Monet going alone.

“Ever since I was little, Sister’s always protected me. I want to protect her someday.”

She glanced at my arms again.

“Those arms are nice.”

“That’s a creepy way to say it. Sounds like you’ll rip them off.”

She laughed innocently.

“What about your parents?”

With a wagon that big, I thought they were from a wealthy family, but maybe not.

Leaning back in my chair, I asked, and Roze took an orange from the basket.

“Mother passed when I was little, they say. Father’s around sometimes, probably fine.”

“That’s lonely.”

“Nah. I have Sister. Plus, I don’t like Father.”

Holding the orange, Roze smiled, savoring its scent.

“Sister seems grateful to Father, but… I just need her. I want to be useful to her, but…”

Her eyes dimmed slightly, and I let out a “Hmm.”

“I’ve got two older brothers. Siblings are give-and-take. The eldest carries the most, so my other brother and I try to help. Knowing that, he doesn’t overdo it. If Monet knows you want to help, she’ll probably ask for it herself. No need to stress.”

Roze looked surprised.

“What?”

“Didn’t think you’d think like that.”

“Who says my brain’s all muscle?”

“I didn’t say that!”

Holding the orange, Roze kicked her legs and laughed.

Good, her mood’s brightening.

“Hey, Shitoen-sama’s that Shitoen-sama, right?”

“Which Shitoen?”

I asked cautiously.

In Luminous, thanks to that idiot Crown Prince and Meil, false rumors about Shitoen spread.

“The one whose engagement was broken by Luminous’s Crown Prince, then married into Tidros’s royal family and cured all sorts of diseases in a flash…”

“That’s her.”

I cut in eagerly.

“I knew it!”

Roze’s cheeks flushed as she squealed.

“Sister and I were talking about how amazing she is! Meeting her is a miracle!!”

Still kicking her legs, she suddenly leaned toward me.

“So, Prince, you like women like Shitoen-sama?”

“…Well.”

I hesitated, but in my head, I screamed, She’s my type!

“Hey, what about someone like me?”

“Huh?”

I recoiled, but Roze leaned closer, eyes sparkling.

“Young, cute, and, you know, got some chest…”

“Young? You’re just a kid. By that logic, newborns are the youngest. Cover up your chest.”

“Chest!? You’re the worst!!”

“You’re the one showing it off!”

“You tried to look at my back after the bandit attack!”

“I was helping Shitoen see better!”

“Liar! You had a pervy bear face!”

“Seen a pervy bear before, have you!?”

Knock, knock, knock. Three knocks, and Shitoen entered with a scolding look.

“I can hear the commotion in the hallway. There’s an injured person in here, you know.”

“It’s not my fault, Shitoen-sama.”

“Not my fault, Shitoen.”

We spoke in unison, and Shitoen, holding the pitcher, widened her eyes before giggling.

“Is that so? Then maybe it’s my fault for taking so long.”

She laughed, shoulders shaking, and set the pitcher on the table’s edge.

“No way, it’s this prince’s fault.”

“Don’t point at me!!”

I shooed her hand away, and Roze pouted grandly, digging her nails into the orange. She peeled it deftly, and a sweet-tart scent filled the room.

“Roze-chan, eat some bread or sausage too.”

“Okay♪”

Hey, her attitude’s totally different now.

I crossed my legs, propped my cheek on my knee, and glared. Roze smirked smugly. This kid!

I was about to say something when the bed creaked.

Monet sat up, pushing off the quilt, trying to get out of bed.

Her long hair was tied and draped over her left shoulder, but her bangs stuck to her sweaty forehead.

She wore a long button-up shirt, clinging to her from sweat, outlining her body clearly.

Let’s just say… she can’t go out in front of the knights like that.

She’s all curves.

But more than that, she looked rough.

The fever and wound pain must be intense. She pressed her left palm to her face, sitting still.

Makes sense. She seemed fine right after the injury, but that wound’s serious.

“Did we wake you?” Shitoen approached, subtly checking her temperature at her neck.

“No, I… need the restroom.”

She spoke hesitantly, slowly lowering her feet to the floor.

She tried to stand but swayed.

Shitoen caught her, taking most of her weight.

“Sister!”

Roze tossed the orange and rushed to Monet, wrapping her arms around her waist.

“I’ll carry her.”

I stood and offered, but Monet glared fiercely.

“No, thank you!! It’s improper for a prince to do such a thing…”

Her expression screamed “disgusting” more than “improper.”

“Then let’s head to the restroom. Roze-chan, help.”

“Okay.”

The three shuffled out, practically in a four-legged race.

I worried they’d fall backward, but they balanced perfectly and left the room.

Monet’s piercing glare stirred my dark history.

That winter, I got that same look and was called “smelly”…

Well, the restroom’s nearby.

If anything happens, I can rush over, so I waited quietly in the room.

Sitting back down, I heard footsteps return.

“Emergency! Prince-sama! The basin!!”

“Huh!?”

Roze burst in, and I handed her the water-filled basin from the round table.

What’s going on!?

I stood and sat repeatedly, confused, as Roze returned, supporting Monet.

“Where’s Shitoen?”

“Sister vomited, and Shitoen-sama’s cleaning up. I offered to help, but…”

Roze answered glumly.

I considered helping Shitoen, but Roze was struggling to get Monet to bed.

Complaints or screams be damned—getting her safely to bed comes first.

“Let’s get her down. I’m touching her.”

I approached, pushed Roze aside, lifted Monet in my arms, and laid her on the bed.

“Feeling okay? Still nauseous?”

As I pulled the quilt over her, Shitoen returned.

“Shitoen, you okay? Need help—”

“Thank you. It’s fine now. You helped with Monet-san, thank you. I was worried Roze-chan couldn’t manage alone.”

Shitoen smiled brightly. I noticed she’d taken off her apron.

She opened her leather bag, sprinkling liquid from a bottle onto her hands. The strong alcohol smell meant it was disinfectant.

“Let’s check the wound.”

Monet, too weak to lift her eyelids, lay limp.

Shitoen rolled up Monet’s right sleeve, removing the bandage.

“Shitoen-sama’s amazing. Even with the clothes,” Roze whispered, stretching to my ear.

“When we got here, Sister was barely conscious. I tried to change her into nightclothes, but it was hard. Shitoen-sama laid her on the bed, rolling her side to side to undress and dress her. Maybe she has a disabled family member?”

“No…”

I couldn’t say it’s because she was a doctor in a past life.

“Hmm… She should be okay, but let’s keep watching. It’s tough, but we’ll get through this. I’m right here,” Shitoen said, brows furrowed with concern, touching Monet’s forehead.

I glanced at the wound—she hadn’t stitched it.

The tight compression must’ve worked; the bleeding stopped. No pus either.

The wound was red and swollen but not puckered. It’ll scar, but it’s the best treatment possible.

I’ve seen plenty of wounds on frontier duty, and I was impressed by Shitoen’s skill.

“Now, Roze-chan. Monet-san should be fine for a while, so let’s eat.”

Shitoen urged Roze.

Roze hesitated, worried, but seeing Monet asleep, she nodded and joined Shitoen at the side table.

“Prince Saryu, I’ll stay here. Please rest.”

Shitoen bowed slightly.

“Got it. But don’t overdo it. Call me if you need heavy lifting.”

I said that and had to leave.

But still.

I haven’t just watched wounds in frontier skirmishes for nothing.

I’m no Shitoen, but my gut and experience tell me Monet’s fever and pain will last about two days.

After that, it’s observation, so Shitoen can sleep in her own room.

Of course, her room’s separate from mine, but I was hoping to find an excuse to visit and talk alone.

That’s what I thought…

◇◇◇◇

“Why’s Shitoen in the next room!?”

Beyond the wall was Monet and Roze’s room.

For Shitoen’s convenience, we moved them from the treatment room to next to mine once the fever dropped.

Lively, cheerful voices came from the other side.

“Doesn’t matter. Shitoen-sama’s making friends her age. With Eton in the kitchen, she needs someone to talk to,” Raul said, exasperated, scribbling in a ledger. He was calculating trip expenses.

Luminous covers lodging and meals, but we record other necessities to bill later.

Ugh… I hope that dream about 153 darins off doesn’t come true.

“How long’s Eton staying in the kitchen?”

“She’s thriving. Her cooking’s good too.”

Raul, clicking an abacus, looked up at the laughter from next door.

I recalled Shitoen’s apologetic request an hour ago.

“Um… Since it’s our last night here, Roze-chan wants to push the beds together to sleep…”

“Prince, push the beds together, beds!”

What does that kid think my strength is for?!!

I considered scolding her, but Shitoen whispered, “I want to bond and ask some things. Is that okay?”

…Well, Shitoen must have her reasons.

“Still, good they’re recovering,” Raul said, leaning back, looking at me.

“How far are we taking them?”

“Hm? To Tania’s border. Can’t take them to the palace.”

“Fair enough. But be careful, Commander.”

“What?”

“That younger sister’s got her eye on you.”

I gaped at his blunt words.

“No way.”

I laughed.

“She’s just a kid.”

“If she thought that, fine, but she doesn’t. And the older sister…” Raul sighed.

Then, “Eek! W-w-what’s that!?” Shitoen’s voice came, and I stood reflexively.

Raul and I rushed to the wall.

“Shitoen-sama’s skin is so smooth! What’s this, what’s this!?”

“Eek!! It tickles, Roze-chan!”

“So tiny. Like a body pillow!”

“W-wait, wait, wait… Monet-san, let go—mmph!”

“Sister! Shitoen-sama’s suffocating in your chest!”

“Oh my♡”

I trembled at the voices.

“What’s going on next door!?”

“Girls’ night,” Raul said.

“My Shitoen’s being devoured by those carnivores!”

“They’re girls.”

“Raul!!”

“Sure, sure,” he replied, exasperated, but have some urgency!

Shitoen said she wanted to bond…

Bond with what!?

“You two are so close. I… don’t have siblings,” Shitoen’s calm voice came as the noise settled.

I pressed against the wall, listening intently.

Raul returned to his ledger, exasperated. The abacus clicked quietly.

“Just the two of them, right, Sister?”

“Indeed.”

“Have you two always run the business together? Or helped family?”

“Our mother passed when Roze was young. Our family deals in fabric trade and tailoring, managed by our father, but… there were some complications. For the past five years, Roze, I, and Evans, who betrayed us this time, have been running things.”

“Five years ago? You were only about seventeen, Monet-san. That must’ve been tough.”

“But… Shitoen-sama, such stories are common. And I couldn’t let my sister end up on the streets.”

“I wasn’t going to let Sister do it alone either, right?”

“Oh, you.”

Laughter followed, then a brief silence.

“Um… I hope I don’t offend, being so naive, but…”

Shitoen spoke softly.

“If there’s anything I can help with, please tell me.”

“We couldn’t possibly ask more of you, Shitoen-sama…”

“We met for a reason. My father taught me that bonds can be tied or cut. Tie good ones, sever bad ones. That’s how we live, weaving and breaking bonds.”

“So, Shitoen-sama, you cut your bond with Crown Prince Arios and tied one with Prince Saryu?”

“Tch… that’s… yes…”

“Kyaa! Shitoen-sama, you’re bright red!”

Roze’s excited squeal mixed with Shitoen’s flustered, “N-no, Roze-chan!” and laughter followed.

But then, Monet muttered softly.

“Yet, some rotten bonds can’t be torn apart.”

“Huh…?”

“It’s nothing. But Shitoen-sama, your skin really is so smooth♡”

“Right! Especially here…”

“Eek! Monet-san, Roze-chan! W-w-where are you touching…!?”

“Enough! I won’t forgive you!!”

I roared, bursting out of the room.

Charging into the next room, a chorus of “Kyaa!” erupted from the bed.

I stormed toward the three girls tangled together, yanked Shitoen from the middle, and scooped her up in my arms.

“She’s coming with me!”

“Prince-sama, you’re the worst!”

“Such tyranny!”

“Say what you want! Tonight, Shitoen sleeps with Eton! Prince’s orders! Raul, drag Eton out of the kitchen!!”