Jobless Reincarnation: The King with a Mental Problem

But my tears kept flowing.

Finally, I burst into tears...

"I'm sorry." His voice came from above me, muffled and a little hoarse, "I just..."

"No!"

I grabbed his hand and refused his apology...

"You didn't do anything wrong! It's my fault!"

"..."

"But... I was still wrong..."

"...If I had to put it bluntly, you're just planning to leave without saying goodbye, aren't you...?"

"Actually... I left a letter..."

"What kind of way is that to say goodbye...?"

"sorry......"

"I already told you you didn't do anything wrong..."

"..."

"..."

What kind of chat is this...?

We fell silent for a while...

But he didn't let go of my arm.

The campfire was almost out, with only a tiny flame flickering, casting a warm, orange glow over the entire camp. I listened to his breathing, and his heartbeat gradually slowed down.

After waiting for a very long time, I finally mustered up the courage to speak, but my voice was still a little hoarse.

"Although I feel so happy just being held by you like this, I still want to talk to you properly. Would you be willing to listen to what I have to say?"

"That's what I think too, and I also want to have a good talk with you, Witch."

"...Then...you can start first..."

"What? Is my witch scared?"

"Um... I'm scared..."

What I'm about to say might sound harsh.

"It doesn't matter, I won't hate you no matter what you say."

He took a deep breath and then spoke.

"I was really angry just now..."

Because you almost died, if you were to lose your life for such a foolish reason, I don't know what I would do... If something really happened to you, do you want me to feel guilty for the rest of my life?

"I'm sorry... I thought that since Kisherica was fine, I wouldn't be in too much danger using healing magic. I underestimated her."

"No... I was also at fault in this matter. I should have explained things to you clearly back then..."

"Don't always take all the blame upon yourself..."

"Um......"

"Any more hurtful things to say?"

"Of course there are..."

"Then please continue..."

He was silent for a moment, as if hesitating whether to speak, but he did speak anyway...

"Did you sneak out again?"

Why don't you spend more time with your parents?

They clearly love you so much, they're clearly so happy...

I'm so jealous! Why don't you appreciate it?

I see......

He loves his family deeply, which is why he reacted this way...

but.......

"I...I didn't sneak out...I left a letter......"

"Huh? You had the nerve to say that to me just now, witch? And what kind of farewell is this...?"

I didn't expect the boomerang to come back so quickly...

I could even feel my face starting to burn...

"It's all your fault."

"Why is it all my fault again? Don't try to pin all the blame on me."

"It's all your fault! It's all because of the idiotic things you said during the day!"

I was getting along really well with my parents last night, but after what you said, they lectured me for ages this afternoon!

How old are you anyway!

To say that I went too far by hitting my own students!

The crazy things you say now must all be because I spoiled you, because you're exactly like me when I was a kid!

They said I was a terrible teacher and had distorted your values.

They even said that Rudy, who was two years younger than you, looked more mature than you!

It was clearly you—

"Pfft~~~"

"You're still laughing!"

Feeling his chest gently vibrate against my back really made me furious!

I was so angry that I grabbed his hand and gently bit the back of it.

But instead of dodging, he casually scratched my chin...

"It's good that you know."

I loosened my teeth, leaving two very faint rows of teeth marks on the back of his hand, and then gently wiped away the saliva with my hand.

Are you... still angry?

"I'm not angry anymore. If I had to say something, I'd only have one request."

"What are your requirements?"

"Don't be so impulsive next time. Don't do dangerous things when you're in love. Think about the consequences more carefully."

"I understand, I'll change..."

"Okay, that's good..."

I could feel that he had indeed relaxed, and with his other hand, he started playing with my braids, just like when we were kids.

Next, it was my turn.

It's my turn to speak, but I don't know how to start.

Because I have so much to say, every word is stuck in my throat, and neither of us is willing to speak first.

"Trevor, I... I probably just happened to enter your world when you were still young and your views on love hadn't formed yet."

"Um."

"Look, Sylphie is gentler, kinder, and smarter than me, and she's closer to your age too."

The words had barely left my mouth when tears started flowing uncontrollably again. My voice was trembling, but I didn't want to stop.

"If it were her, she probably wouldn't do something so stupid."

He did not answer immediately.

I heard him take a deep breath, and then the hand that had been playing with my braids hugged me tightly again.

They hugged me even tighter.

This wasn't a gentle, comforting hug; it was the kind of hug that wanted to press me into his bones, a hug that felt like he was desperately trying to hold onto something.

"What you're saying is something I was thinking about just now too." His voice was deep. "It's because my... filter for you is too strong, and I've imagined you as a perfect being."

I was truly disappointed and saddened that you acted irrationally and without considering the consequences when you were in love.

It's not that I'm disappointed in you, it's that I'm disappointed in my own illusions.

So I was just wondering if I really like you as a person, or the perfect witch I've imagined.

Was that what he was thinking about just now?

"So... have you found the answer?"

My heart almost stopped after I asked the question...

"I don't know, and I don't want to know, because I feel that once I find the answer, pursuing happiness might become very difficult. Besides, my instincts have already reacted before I even find the answer."

"What?"

"Because I don't want to see you cry."

"What kind of reason is that? It's just being a pushover, isn't it? You're so smart, I... I hope you can find the answer to that question, because I have the same question I want to know..."

And what exactly is it that I like...?

"I see... Well then, let me explain my previous thoughts. Although I claim to be a person of pure love, I didn't even know the real you, yet I presumptuously said I liked you. That's too superficial. Isn't that just lust at first sight?"

It seems... that makes sense...

"But...maybe I'm just that shallow? Maybe I was attracted to your heroic act of saving the damsel in distress, and maybe if someone else did the same thing, I would fall for them too?"

"Then let's spend more time, more time falling in love with each other more truly. Besides, I have very high standards for my partner..."

"Hmm...but...how high are your requirements?"

"Very high. I hope my lover is someone who can understand me and someone I can completely trust. I will love her with all my heart, and I hope she can love me with all her heart as well."

This standard is really high! Suddenly I feel like my previous attempts to find my soulmate in the maze were just a slap on the wrist...

but......

"Is there mutual understanding?"

"Yes, mutual understanding."

This word suddenly reminded me of something.

I remembered an evening in the village of Buena, and the child sitting alone under a big tree.

He always refers to himself as "this king," always acts arrogantly, and always makes statements that are so childish they make you want to dig your toes into the ground.

But he would stand up for Sylphie when she was bullied, teach Rudy swordsmanship again and again when he couldn't learn it, and pretend to be impatient when Senis kissed his forehead, but he would never dodge away.

That arrogant and disdainful demeanor, yet so gentle at heart, always kept himself aloof from everyone else, even among family and brothers; he was always putting on an act...

I don't know why, but I feel he's a lot like me when I was a child; we're both just as lonely...

His acting was just so good, so good that I admired him...

I thought he was amazing back then because he could live with such pride even when he was all alone.

But I still instinctively wanted to be friends with him because I wanted to make him less lonely.

Because I felt... we should be able to understand each other... and he truly trusted me back then...

I slowly said these words.

He remained silent for a very long time, so long that I thought I had said something wrong.

Then he buried his face in my hair and tightened his arms around me a little more.

I could feel his every breath, but I had no idea what he was thinking. For some reason, I felt... he was a little sad...

"Your standards are really high... But this witch isn't going to settle for a casual relationship, and I'm going to take my time... However... our age gap is still too big... Maybe Sylphie is more suitable for you."

"No." His answer was faster than any of his previous ones, almost like a reflex. "I've already made my choice."

"What choice?"

"Didn't I just explain that?"

No matter what I'm thinking, I don't want to see you cry. When you cried just now, I couldn't help but want to come closer. My standards are way too high, and besides, I like being with you.

"Really? That's... wonderful... but you're still too young. When you're older, if you still like me—"

"I have already confirmed it." He suddenly interrupted me, his tone leaving no room for argument. "But I, like you, plan to wait until we're older before making any decisions. For now, let's just be siblings or friends, just like before, a relationship where we can joke around together."

"That's...wonderful...but..."

"But what?"

"I think, I think that was exactly what I planned to do. To travel together like before, slowly build up our feelings... and then..."

"Hmm~ Witch, your plan is brilliant."

"Stop making fun of me!"

"Actually, that's what I was planning too. If the witch is still infatuated with me when I grow up, it's not impossible for us to have a relationship with marriage in mind."

I gently bumped his nose with my head.

"If you keep bullying me like this, I might not like you anymore."

"That's troublesome, because I love to bully people, especially the girls I like."

This guy's sweet talk skills are really good... but... I suddenly remembered there's another problem.

"You always seem to bully Sylphie, don't you?"

"Is there?"

"Of course! Do you like her?"

"She's just a younger sister. I don't like young children. I only take advantage of children when they're young and don't know any better. I've never had any designs on her."

"You! You scoundrel! Are you provoking me again?!"

"Hmm? I don't have any~"

"I don't believe you! I want a straight answer!"

"Alas... Witch, as the saying goes: love is limited, but favoritism is unconditional."

"So... I'm the one you favor, is that right?"

"Of course, and Hilfi isn't as clueless as you; she wouldn't embarrass me."

yes......

Hilfi definitely wouldn't...

That child never makes things difficult for anyone.

After turning over, we were finally snuggled together face to face again, just like before. It's just that I used to hold him. How come this guy has grown so fast?

But... this doesn't seem so bad.

Finally, it was my turn to bury my face in his chest.

Then, like a cat, I rubbed against his chest and listened to his heartbeat rhythmically in my ears.

He looked really tired; he hadn't had a proper rest for many days.

Now he's holding me as we lie in the sleeping bag, his breathing gradually slowing down.

"Can I say goodnight now, witch?"

"Mmm... Goodnight..."

I snuggled into his arms, pulled his hand to rest my face against his cheek, and closed my eyes. I listened to his heartbeat, slowly amplifying in my ears, like distant waves lapping against the beach.

I hope I'll have more opportunities to say goodnight more often in the future...

[Sylphie's Perspective]

"Wow!!!"

Suddenly waking from a nightmare, this queen gasped for breath...

"Huh?! Sylphie? What's wrong?"

"N-nothing...it's nothing...just a nightmare..."

Honestly, is it because of the recent plan to secretly rule the kingdom that you're under too much pressure?

"What kind of nightmare was it?"

"I...I can't remember clearly, I only remember dreaming that many people were laughing at me..."

"With your skills, who would dare laugh at you? Are you out of your mind?"

"Hmm? Ariel? How dare you joke about the Elf King? Are you asking for a beating again?"

"Spare me...please have mercy on me, Your Majesty the Elf King! I won't do it again!!!"

Seriously...