Dominate Another World with a Brainwashing Skill!? No, If Anyone Finds Out, I’ll Be Executed, So I’ll Live Honestly and Upright! - Chapter 75: I Was Looking at Myself

Chapter 75: I Was Looking at Myself

After leaving the cathedral, we wandered around the royal capital on our way back to the academy. We browsed through general stores, stopped by a bakery for some snacks, and overall, it felt like a fun day.

But as noon approached, I couldn’t shake off the thoughts creeping into my mind about what was coming in the afternoon.

Was it really okay to keep Loug in the dark about it…?

“Hugh… did you not have fun today?”

“Huh?”

We were sitting on a park bench, enjoying the bread we bought, when Loug peered at me with a worried expression.

“What makes you say that?”

It wasn’t possible for me not to enjoy being with Loug, but…

“You’ve been making this serious face for a while now.”

“I-I have…?”

I touched my face and even checked with my pocket mirror, but I couldn’t really tell. …Then again, doing this probably made it obvious that something was bothering me.

“Hugh…”

“Ah—uh, it’s not that I didn’t have fun or anything like that! I’ve just been… struggling with whether or not I should tell you something.”

“Tell me…?”

Is it really okay to bring it up like this, so suddenly?

But I knew I couldn’t keep dodging it any longer. If hiding the truth might end up hurting her, then I’d rather face it head-on. If anything happens, I’ll protect her—no matter what.

With that resolve, I decided to come clean.

“The thing is… about this afternoon.”

After making sure no one was around, I told Loug about Recty treating the king’s illness. I explained that the king’s condition was critical and that this next week would be crucial.

“No way…”

Loug’s eyes widened as she covered her mouth with her hands.

“Prince Lucas said that if it’s as Recty’s friend, you could come along too. But… I wasn’t sure if I should tell you or not. …Sorry, Loug.”

“You… should have told me. But… you were thinking about me in your own way and trying to figure things out, right?”

I nodded in response to her soft question.

“Then, thank you. And I’m sorry for making you worry about me… If I go, I’ll probably just end up being a burden to Brother Lucas and everyone else, right?”

“Loug…”

“It’s okay, Hugh. I can stay behind and wait.”

Even though her face looked like she was about to cry, she forced a smile.

…Is this really the right choice?

I asked myself that question and thought about it.

—The regrets from my past life still lingered.

In my previous life, my father had suffered from heart disease and had been in and out of the hospital many times. That day, when my mother called, telling me he had been rushed to the hospital and asking me to come right away, I brushed it off. I was so caught up with work that I thought, he’ll be fine, he’s been through this before.

I learned about my father’s death half a day later. If I had boarded the bullet train as soon as I got the call, I would have made it in time to see him one last time.

Even now, fifteen years after being reincarnated, I still can’t forget the emptiness and regret I felt that day.

I didn’t want Loug to experience the same pain I did in my past life.

So—

“Loug, if even a small part of you wants to see your father, I think you should go. I’ll be there to support you all the way.”

“Eh… but, is it really okay? What if I end up being a burden…?”

“I’ll figure it out. …Sorry, I should’ve just said this from the start.”

I hesitated too much and ended up making Loug sad. I should have just made up my mind earlier and told her straight away. As I bowed my head in apology, Loug gently patted my hair.

“You told me properly in the end, so it’s okay.”

After waiting for Loug to calm down, we headed back to the academy. We grabbed a quick lunch at the cafeteria before moving to the meeting spot. We arrived a little earlier than expected, but Alyssa and Lily were already there.

When Alyssa saw Loug with me, she let out a sigh and looked up at the sky, while Lily simply gave a soft smile. While Alyssa’s reaction was expected, Lily seemed to approve of my decision.

“…Sorry, Ms. Alyssa.”

“Well, it’s not really a problem, you know? His Highness probably expected this outcome anyway. But since you brought her, make sure you take full responsibility, alright?”

“Understood.”

She patted my shoulder a couple of times, and I nodded in response.

Alyssa climbed onto the driver’s seat, and the rest of us boarded the carriage. Loug and I sat on one side, while Lily and Recty took the opposite seats. It was the first time we were all traveling together like this.

When I glanced across, I noticed Recty looking around restlessly, fidgeting in her seat. The moment the carriage started moving, she let out a small yelp, “Eep!”

“S-Sorry! This is my first time riding in a carriage…”

“You don’t have to apologize… but, uh, are you okay?”

“Y-Yes! I’m totally fine!”

I wasn’t exactly asking about her health, though.

It was clear Recty was nervous. I shifted my gaze to Lily, who smiled wryly and gently stroked Recty’s light blue hair.

“She didn’t really grasp how serious this all was yesterday, but when morning came, the reality of it hit her hard, and she’s been tense ever since.”

“Ah, that explains it…”

As someone who played a part in this situation, I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of guilt.

“U-Um, I’m really going to be treating the king, right…? I-I’m worried if I can actually do it…”

Recty clutched the hem of her uniform skirt tightly and lowered her head.

Well, of course, she’d be nervous… Treating an injured classmate after a fight was one thing, but this was completely different. Meeting royalty alone would be nerve-wracking, and on top of that, she had to treat the gravely ill king. If I were in her shoes, I’d probably be throwing up from the pressure.

I wanted to say something to ease her nerves, but with Loug sitting right here, I couldn’t just throw around empty reassurances. Even Lily seemed at a loss for words, simply holding Recty’s hand in silent support.

An awkward silence settled in the carriage until—

“You don’t have to be so nervous, Recty.”

Loug spoke gently, offering a warm smile.

“Your <Saintess> skill is amazing, but whether or not it can heal an illness is something we won’t know until we try, right? That’s why Brother Lu…cas asked you—because it’s worth a shot. Even if… the king’s illness doesn’t get better, it’s not your fault. So don’t worry so much, okay? “Loug…! Thank you so much!”

Recty’s eyes welled up with tears as she bowed her head to Loug. Loug, looking a little embarrassed, smiled and said, “You’re making a big deal out of it.”

…It didn’t seem like she was just comforting Recty. It felt like she was also trying to convince herself. And honestly, I couldn’t blame her—there’s no way she wasn’t feeling anxious too.

After a while, the carriage finally arrived at the royal castle without any trouble. Alyssa guided us through the halls and led us to a certain room inside.

It was a spacious reception room, and inside were Lucas, Roan, and… Lucretia.

…Oh shoot.

“Fue—?! Ehh—?! Mmmpphh!!!???”

Before Loug—the real Lucretia—could scream at the sight of her lookalike, I somehow managed to cover her mouth just in time.

Phew… that was close.