A Dejected Kainster?

“Your Highness, the rain has stopped.”

Zona slowly drew the curtains in Kainster’s room a fraction.

But Kainster lay on the bed, staring blankly as if his very soul had been hollowed out. Even as his eyes, which hadn't seen light in three days, faced the sunshine, he didn't blink once.

“...”

“You have shut yourself in your room for three days now, ever since that day.”

Though Kainster had been eating enough to keep himself alive, ever since Zona had asked that succubus lady to cast her dream magic, Kainster had fallen into this state of deep contemplation. He had completely closed himself off, utterly indifferent to the outside world. And when Zona went to ask the succubus, she couldn't get a straight answer either.

...

On the morning after Aliviel cast the dream magic, Zona knocked on Kainster’s door as usual.

“Your Highness, are you awake?”

“Your Highness?”

Hearing no response for a long time, Zona frowned. According to what that succubus lady had said, His Highness should have woken up feeling refreshed by now. She had clearly claimed to have created a beautiful dream for him.

Recalling Aliviel’s past failures, Zona grew a little nervous.

“Pardon the intrusion, Your Highness.”

After waiting a bit longer without hearing any sound, Zona knocked a few more times before gently pushing the door open.

“Your Highness?”

The curtains in the room had been drawn at some point. Knowing His Highness, he wouldn't normally have closed them at this hour.

“Don't open them, Zona.”

Just as Zona reached the window, Kainster spoke from the bed, stopping the elf from drawing the curtains.

“Your Highness, you need some fresh air.”

The moment Zona had entered the room, her sharp elven hearing had caught the rustle of fabric, proving His Highness was already awake. This only proved that the prince was currently in a very dark place.

“Please, just let me be for a while, alright?”

Kainster’s voice was low and muffled, but Zona had no idea what had actually happened to the prince in his dream.

“Very well, Your Highness. I hope you recover soon.”

Zona withdrew her hand from the curtain and slowly backed out of the room.

“Please rest well.”

The room plunged back into darkness, leaving only Kainster alone with his unknown thoughts. And after that, Zona had gone to interrogate Aliviel.

“Hey! You succubus! Didn't you say there wouldn't be any mistakes with this dream?”

“W-Wait a minute!”

“Please, let me take a proper look. Stop shaking me first!”

The dizziness Aliviel had felt while hanging upside down was nothing compared to how sick she felt being shaken like a ragdoll by this elf.

“Alright, elf, calm down for a moment. Tell us what happened first.”

Cecil suddenly appeared, catching the elf who was currently shaking the unreliable succubus.

“Phew...”

“So what exactly is going on right now?”

Zona took a deep breath, glaring fiercely at Aliviel.

“Don't rush, don't rush.”

Aliviel placated Zona while the dream dust in her hands began to swirl. It was like trying to recall a specific dish from a grand feast she had eaten the night before; it would take a bit of time.

Under Zona’s terrifying gaze, Aliviel finally located the record of Kainster’s dream.

“But the dream your prince had... according to the feedback, it was definitely a sweet dream?”

“How is that possible?!”

Zona immediately mimicked Kainster’s half-dead, lifeless voice.

“No matter what you say, my senses are telling me that the energy Kainster felt in the dream was pure joy.”

Seeing how firm Aliviel was, Zona could only swallow the words she wanted to say. After all, maybe it really wasn't the succubus's fault?

And so, Kainster’s catatonic state continued for three days.

...

Staring at Zona’s back as she stood by the window, Kainster spoke of the thoughts that had consumed him for the past three days.

“Zona, Mother told me to do what I want to do.”

“But what is it that I want to do? And how do I even do what I want?”

What did Kainster want to do? Fight for the welfare of Camillaya's citizens? Strive for the throne he had never dared to covet?

Zona found herself unable to answer. Because she felt that while Kainster might have wanted to do those things once, the current him could not, and would not, do them.

Knowing this, Zona walked over to Kainster and knelt down before him.

“Your Highness, as long as you take action, whatever you do will be what you want to do. Even if you just want to go out and see the fields after the rain, or observe the living conditions of the demon race, those are things you want to do.”

“Do you remember? When the Emperor had me choose a prince to serve as an aide, I chose you without a single doubt. So, no matter what you wish to do, I will support you.”

Zona said, taking Kainster’s hand in hers.

“What you need to do is take that step forward once again. Don't worry, I will always be by your side.”

Just as the atmosphere between them grew emotional, the bedroom door was pushed open once more. Miss Saintess stumbled into the room, frozen in a blatant eavesdropping pose.

Fortunately, Ivelia reached out from behind and pulled her into her arms, helping Miss Saintess regain her footing.

“...”

With Lin Ling’s sudden intrusion, the atmosphere in the room instantly became incredibly awkward.

“Ah, haha...”

“Miss Saintess heard that her soulmate was feeling down lately, so...”

“Miss Saintess didn't mean to eavesdrop...”

Lin Ling clutched the hem of her clothes and apologized to the two of them. Eavesdropping was never a good thing, after all.

“It's fine,” Zona said, letting go of Kainster's hand and standing up, relieved that the oppressive atmosphere had been shattered by this clumsy Saintess.

“Oh, right, right! If my soulmate is in a bad mood, why don't you come on an adventure with Miss Saintess!”

Lin Ling marched over to Kainster. Seeing the confusion in his eyes, she gave the brooding prince a vigorous shake.

“Instead of brooding in your room, why not put things into practice with Miss Saintess? Come on, soulmate!”

With that, Lin Ling grabbed Kainster’s hand and pulled him up, giving him absolutely no time to refuse.

“If you can't figure out those heavy thoughts, just put them aside for now! The great Miss Saintess is right here with you.”

Staring at Lin Ling’s bright smile, a spark of light slowly returned to Kainster’s dull eyes.

“I suppose you're right. You always see things so clearly, my soulmate.”

“Exactly! Now, let's go check on how everyone is living!”

With that, Miss Saintess dragged Kainster over to the window. Right before she jumped, she even gave Zona a cheeky wink.

In the next instant, the two of them vanished over the sill.

“Honestly, she even overheard that? It seems I've been taught a lesson by Miss Saintess as well. At times like this, she's right. Sometimes, setting things aside is indeed the best choice.”

Shaking her head, Zona looked over at the calm and collected Ivelia, who was already making her way toward the window.

“For an elf with a vast lifespan, any problem can eventually be solved given enough time to ponder. But humans are different. They cannot afford to wait that long.”

“No wonder the rarely seen Guardian Dragon has always been reluctant to teach humans.”

Seeing that Ivelia had already leaped out, Zona shook her head and clambered out after her.

[Record—]

[Observation of Miss Saintess’s Behavior]

[The act of jumping out of windows is highly contagious. Even the Demon King and individuals of strong will are susceptible to infection.]

[Transmission route: Suspected human-to-human transmission.]

Watching Zona fly out of the window, Phelan put away his recording stone and trailed after them.