The Doll and The Prince - v3 Chapter 23, v3 Chapter 24, v3 Chapter 25 (Patreon)

Akari (7)
Nicely said!
Marriage is a vow to live the rest of your life with the person you love the most. What a wonderful vow that is.
I wanted to see Akemi. Let's wrap this up quickly. Naruhito looked too pale as well.

"Silence! Know your place, you sacrificial offering, and stop your nonsensical ramblings. You can't even bear children, and you brought ruin to the Nijou family by abandoning your duties as a sacrificial offering, you plague!"

Before Uika could finish her sentence, the three guards of the Sanjou family were blown away.
Whether they were trying to protect Uika or were blown away before they could even move was unclear.
It was also impossible to tell who had done it, as everyone was standing nonchalantly in their original positions.
This has become troublesome. I'm not confident I can protect Uika...

"Good day. Naruhito, you're out of the hospital. You still look pale. Let's get you inside quickly."

With these words, I approached Hiiro. Hiiro also had dark circles under her eyes.

"Go take a nap together."

When I pushed their backs, they obediently started walking towards the entrance.
I'll keep hold of Rikimaru.
We need him to collect the Sanjou guards. This kid definitely blew at least one of them away. … Even though I didn't see it.

"Otoha. Thank you for your companionship. And thank you for teaching me those wonderful words of vow. I've decided I want to see Lord Akemi. I plan to make my vow later. Why don't you rest with Hitachimaru for today?"

I spoke to Otoha, who was standing still, embraced by Hitachimaru.

"Naru has-"
"Yes."
"Naru told me that there's nothing more important to me than my vow with Hitachimaru."
"Yes."
"If I can't uphold that, then everything else is already lost."
"Naru is right. You did well to uphold that, Otoha."

When I smiled, Otoha returned a faint smile. Good, she's okay. I looked at Hitachimaru, who nodded, lifted Otoha, and left.

Left behind was Sanjou Uika stood in a daze.

"... I have done nothing wrong."

I must acknowledge the courage it takes to speak despite the trembling.
Himari dragged one of the guards over.

"Thank you."
"Sure."
"Please make Rikimaru withdraw as well."

If I let Uika's words continue, I wouldn't be able to stop Rikimaru from attacking her. It would be best if Uika would back down.
But my silent wish did not reach her, and she continued speaking in a trembling voice.

"I love Prince Hiiro the most, so I can make a vow. There's no problem with that."
"You can't make a vow by yourself."
"Trying to deceive with a broken doll like that..."
"Didn't you see how carefully he was being held, like a treasure?"
"I, Sanjou Uika, love Prince Hiiro the most. More than anyone else. Our statuses, our ages, everything matches perfectly."
"You're free to love whomever you want. But to make a vow, you need the other person to feel the same way about you. The chance that the person you love the most also loves you the most is very small. If that happens, it's a miracle. A very fortunate thing. In the face of such a miracle, status, age, even gender are trivial!"

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Akari (8)
Himari gasped. He looked at me with a very surprised expression. It seems my brother understood. However, Uika did not seem to comprehend.

“It’s not such a simple matter.”
“It is simple. If you don’t understand, that’s fine.”
“You impudent fool. How dare someone like you from the Shichijou family interfere. If I do not marry His Highness, he will be left without a partner.”

I almost sighed, realizing she didn't understand that being introduced to Naruhito was an act of kindness.
Rikimaru dragged the blown-away guards over, and Ichinose Murashige also gathered the remaining one and placed him down.

“Do you know why Lord Sekitora was demoted from nobility?”
“Wasn't it because an important laboratory was blown up? How terrifying.”
“That was Prince Hiiro’s doing. He is terrifying indeed.”
“... What?”
“The reason for the demotion was that he kidnapped His Highness’ partner to use as a test subject in the lab and even shot and injured his leg. The lab was destroyed during the rescue operation. It was His Highness Hiiro who destroyed the lab.”

Did she understand now? Or does she still not get it even after hearing this?

“Because Lord Sekitora angered His Highness, he was expelled from the Royal family. The Royal family considers His Highness Hiiro more important. My judgment was correct… My Father will praise me.”

It seems there's an unbridgeable gap in understanding between us.

“I said he was demoted because he harmed Prince Hiiro’s partner. Understand that the Royal family acknowledges that person as His Highness’ partner and go home.”

Finally, a look of shock appeared on Uika’s face.
I heard the sound of a security vehicle arriving within the castle grounds.

“Princess Akari, Lord Himari, we have arrived to transport the injured.”

A person in security uniform saluted and greeted us.

“Thank you. Sorry for the trouble.”
“No problem. Call us anytime.”

They promptly loaded the three immobile guards into the vehicle.

“They’re alive, right?”
“I didn’t kill them!”

Rikimaru’s voice responded to my muttered question. As expected, you did it. I didn’t see it, though.

“Lady Sanjou. Perhaps you should leave together.”

Himari rarely spoke up.
He coldly conveyed with a beauty that resembled our Father’s to the hesitating Uika.

“By the name of Himari, I command you. Do not let her approach this palace again.”
“W-w-what!”

Let's finish this.

“By the name of Akari, I command you. Do not let her approach Prince Hiiro or his partner again.”
“I acknowledge the command given by your noble names. Now, Lady Sanjou, let us go.”

The security personnel nodded once in response and escorted the bewildered and emotionally overwhelmed Sanjou Uika away.

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Naruhito (48)
It’s warm. It feels nice. I’m happy.

I opened my eyes and saw Hiiro. Hiiro’s hand was on my body, and our bodies were close together, warm.
Thinking I could stay like this forever, I grabbed Hiiro’s clothes with my right hand. Soft futon and Hiiro’s firm chest. I want to feel his skin directly.
I slide my hand and gently stroke his neck. I sniff, thinking it smells like Hiiro. Always clean clothes and a body washed in the bath. A nice smell.
I remember that I haven’t washed and feel a bit anxious. I twist my neck and sniff myself. I hope I don’t smell bad.
I never worried about such things before.
Getting washed hurt, so it was more convenient to stay dirty. I used to sleep better alone.

“What’s wrong?”

Hiiro’s voice was husky from sleep. He took the hand I was stroking his neck with and kissed my palm.

“You smell good, Hiiro.”
“… You don’t smell much.”
“Because I haven’t washed.”

I hear a sharp intake of breath, and he moved up slightly.

“Do you want to take a bath?”
“Yeah.”
“I see…”

For some reason, he replies thoughtfully. Before, I didn’t like being washed.
He kissed me softly, and my head filled with pleasure. I pressed my lips for more, more. Hiiro’s tongue entered my mouth. Tangling our tongues feels even better. After a while, the pleasure spread through my whole body, making me relax. I feel light and incredibly good. It’s the best I’ve ever felt.
I melted into the futon.
Hiiro pulled away and said,

“That was intense.”

He took a deep breath. What’s wrong? I looked at his face, still feeling the pleasure, my face too relaxed.

“… When you feel better.”
“Yeah?”
“Let’s do something even better.”

If I feel any better, I might melt into Hiiro.
That sounds wonderful to me, so I smiled with joy.

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