211 Confession (1/2)

”Well, I'm just going to leave these lovebirds alone.”

”But you said you're invisible, Eugene. So...”

Eugene winced and narrowed his eyes at me. I gulped, somewhat regretting what I just said—somewhat. I didn't know much about him except for the fact that he was Maltyie's younger brother, and Caesar's as well in this case, but he had proven himself to be a nice guy.

A trustworthy individual. Someone that wasn't in it for himself, but for others. Eugene portrayed his unwillingness to back down in a difficult situation.

Okay, wait. I didn't actually see him do stuff, but Maltyie (and a few others) said these about him so it must be true.

”...”

”I'm outta here. Oh, and Sis, be nice to Mister Derrick if he rejects you. Alright?”

A visible vein popped up on Maltyie's forehead, and that was Eugene's cue to run away for his life... and he did just that.

All said and done, everyone's attention s.h.i.+fted back to Maltyie and Derrick. And Elle too but it seemed like she would burst into tears at any moment. Ah, no... she cried on Maltyie's lap.

”Maltyyyiiiee! Waaaaah!!”

”E-Elle? Don't cry...” Maltyie patted her head ever so gently.

”I missseed yooou! I miss you sooo muuuch! Maltyiiieee!” Elle hugged Maltyie and refused to let go. She shook her head several times, but Maltyie herself seemed to not mind it. Elle rubbed her eyes and tried to restrain herself from any more crying.

”I miss you too, Elle,” said Maltyie softly.

”Maltyie...”

”Yes?”

”Can you be my Mama?”

”...H-Huh? Wait a minute... Eeh?” Maltyie's cheeks flushed and she glanced at Derrick, whose face was red as well. Maltyie's eyes locked with his, and they stared at each other for a few moments.

”I never know how it feels like to have a mother. But my friends, all of them have their own mother. So... can you be my mother then, Maltyie? Please?”

”...”

Derrick and Maltyie looked at each other bashfully. Well, if I had to really describe it in detail, Maltyie cast expectant glances towards Derrick and he knew what she had in mind—or wanted to say. At a few points, he looked at the rest of us in that infirmary.

To me, it seemed like Derrick loves Maltyie as well. Maybe.

”...You can't?” asked Elle. Oh no, she was about to tear up again.

”I-It's not that I don't want. I love to—”

Maltyie covered her mouth quickly. She slowly s.h.i.+fted her gaze to Derrick, and voila, the guy's jaw dropped. I didn't get it. Is it that surprising? I mean, Maltyie had confessed to him not too long ago, so...

”...Derrick.”

”Y-Yes?!”

Maltyie called his name softly. She took a deep breath and affirmed her gaze. ”I know what you truly feel. Deep inside, you don't really feel the same way. I understand that. Remember that promise I made? In the future, I will become the C.U's ruler, and I have no intention to renege it now. So... S-S-So, when that time comes, with the authority that would be given to me, I will try to express my love to you. Maybe I'll send gifts or something along that line.”

”W-What? Huuuh?!”

”I will do everything I can to make you love me the same way. I know this is like me being obsessive. Maybe I am.”

”No, you're not. You're just... determined,” muttered Derrick, almost like a whisper to himself.

”As I was saying, I...”

”YAY! Maltiye's gonna be my mother!” Elle jumped around excitedly and shouted over and over how Maltyie would be her mom and all. Besides me, everyone else in that room smiled at that.

Derrick let out a loud sigh, which was unexpected.

”...Derrick?” asked Maltyie.

”I was hoping that you would give me the chance to explain myself.”

”...Hmm? Wait. You...”

”I actually love you, as well, Maltyie,” said Derrick with a serious expression.

”...W-W-Wha... Eh? Oh, well... I... Ah... That's... kind of... cheating, Derrick. You said it too late...”

”...My bad. Anyway, from what you, um, said, it was like you proposed to me.”

”I want to be your wife as quick as possible. I'm tired of waiting,” said Maltyie smoothly, and then she blushed from it.

”Papaaaaa!” Elle leaped into his father's embrace. ”Will Maltyie be my mother?”.

”I don't know a lot about this... but, when proposing, one should have a ring, and I don't have one right now,” said Maltyie.

”It's fine. Wait. I should be the one who does the thing!”

”Too late! I can't wait any longer.”

”...Maltyie, I don't have a ring too, you know. Even so... will you be my wife?”

Maltyie looked at Elle, whose eyes sparkled in antic.i.p.ation.

”Haha... Yes. Yes, I want to.”