Knights of The Dauntless Princess

Chapter 54: Reason

They were able to obtain and find the necessary ingredients that Louie needed to create medicine for Pollie and Pete's grandfather's illness. Louie did everything within his power to heal the old man to the best of his knowledge.

"I hope he can tolerate the medicines I gave him," said Louie as he looked at Pete, the older of the siblings. "He needs to take these medications consistently. We also need to monitor if there will be any side effects. It's important to be vigilant about the possibilities that might occur."

"W-Wait!!! What are you saying!?" Pete asked nervously. "I thought you were a skilled doctor!? Why!? Why don't you just cure my grandfather!?"

"P-Pete," Amara intervened.

"It's like he's saying there's no hope for my grandfather!!! We're hoping that you can heal him!!! You said you're a great doctor!!!" Pete shouted, tears streaming down his cheeks. "If he's so good, then why isn't my grandfather healed yet!?"

"Yes, I might be a skilled doctor but... a doctor is still just a doctor. I'm not a mythic God. What we can do as doctors is try to prolong people's lives using medicine and our knowledge, but we still have limitations because we don't possess the kind of power you believe we do. If a patient's body is weak and they can't respond to treatment, do you think the responsibility still lies solely with the doctor? We don't hold our patients' lives in our hands; only the Creator can determine their fate, so why not try praying instead," Louie responded.

Pete seemed disheartened by Louie's words. He understood the point Louie was making, but he struggled to accept the possibility that this could be the fate of his beloved grandfather.

"Pete," Amara called out to the young man again. Pete turned to her, tears welling up in his eyes. Amara smiled gently and patted his shoulder. "Stay strong. Louie didn't say there's no hope! Let's pray that your grandfather can endure this! Let's believe that he'll recover!"

"P-Princess..." Louie uttered, unable to hold back his tears. He hugged Amara tightly, and his tears flowed freely.

"P-Pete!!! A-Amara!!!" Pollie also cried and embraced them tightly.

Meanwhile, in the cave where Nina, Ranz, and their companions were located, they continued to wait for their return.

"Morning has come, but they're still not here. I wonder why?" Ranz asked.

"Do you want us to look for them?" Orson asked.

"No, let's not. I know they'll be back shortly," Ranz replied. "You should go hunt in the forest so we have something to eat when they return."

"Alright, I'll also make sure to fetch clean water for all of us. You just stay here for now, and let Nina continue her peaceful sleep. She seems to have stayed up late last night waiting for the princess," Orson responded.

Ranz glanced at the young woman still sleeping peacefully. He sighed softly and shook his head slightly.

"What else can we do!? Fine," said Ranz, and they left even though the surroundings were still dark.

Once his companions had left, Ranz took on the role of guarding the cave and waited for the others to return. He picked up his sword and idly sharpened it to pass the time. Slowly, Nina's eyes began to open as she stirred awake.

"Where are they?" Nina asked, rubbing her eyes as she sat up.

"Hunting for our food," Ranz replied immediately, not even glancing at Nina. "Why did you wake up so quickly? It's only been an hour."

"Hm? I don't know," Nina also asked sleepily.

Ranz didn't speak any further after Nina's response. Nina just stared at Ranz, unsure why she still felt a cold distance from him. After what had transpired between them recently, Nina had hoped that the young man would become a bit more affectionate towards her, but from what she observed at that moment, she realized that nothing seemed to have changed.

Nina felt a mixture of annoyance and sadness, but she decided it was better not to mention it. She clenched her fists tightly and took a deep breath.

Just as she was about to drift back to sleep, the young man called her name again.

"Nina."

Nina halted in her steps, yet she still didn't face Ranz. "Why!?"

"How are you feeling? Are you hungry?" the young man asked in succession.

Nina's heart wanted to rejoice at Ranz's inquiries, which seemed to hint at his concern for her. However, it wasn't enough to soften her.

"I'm fine, I'll go back to sleep," Nina said and lay down. She covered herself with a blanket after saying, "Just wake me up when they're here."

Ranz sensed Nina's irritation. He ran his palm over his face out of frustration with himself. He wondered why he could use flowery words to impress other girls, but when it came to Nina, he struggled to express the words he truly wanted to say.

Ranz took a deep breath and released it before he put down the clean sword he was holding, realizing that Nina hadn't spoken again. He stood up and walked towards the girl covered by a blanket.

"Hey," Ranz called softly, sitting down like a frog while resting his chin on his palm. Nina glanced at him briefly and just as quickly ignored him. She even turned away from him, which further stoked the leader of the bandits' irritation. "What's bothering you again!?"

"I want to rest some more, I'll just sleep," Nina replied, covering herself with the blanket until part of her head was hidden. "Leave me alone and don't disturb me!"

"Why are you getting angry again!?" Ranz asked irritably.

"Are you sure, I'm angry!?" Nina suddenly retorted as she sat up.

"Why, isn't that anger? Your eyebrows are furrowed and you've got a frown!" Ranz said, his forehead now wrinkled too. "What's your problem!? Did I do something again!?"

"No," Nina said, emphasizing it strongly. "No!"

"If there's nothing, then why are you mad!?" Ranz asked.

"Because there's nothing!!!" Nina exclaimed in frustration, tears welling up as she said it, seemingly catching Ranz off guard.

"W-Wait! Wait!!! Why are you crying!? W-What's really the problem!?"

"I said there's nothing!!! Nothing!!!" Nina burst into tears.

"N-Nina!?" Ranz said, staring at her in astonishment.

He observed her for a moment, and only then did he grasp what she meant. He held onto Nina's arm, which startled her. Facing Ranz again, as she turned her gaze back to him, her eyes widened as he suddenly kissed her.

She hadn't expected Ranz to do that, but after the night they had spent together, she found herself yearning for his kisses once more. Slowly, she closed her eyes and savored his lips.

When the sweet kiss ended, Nina stared at Ranz.

"I'm sorry," the young man said, causing Nina to cry once again. Ranz embraced her tightly, and she reciprocated the gesture.

"I really thought... that everything that happened that night was just a dream. I wondered, why? Why are you still distant from me? I pondered if what you told me before was true, that you love me, or if it was just a way to ease my mind. After that night, I hoped... I-I hoped that the two of us would officially be a couple, but why? Why does it seem like it doesn't matter to you!?" Nina lamented, her voice muffled as she buried her face in Ranz's chest.

"N-Nina," Ranz responded, tightening his embrace. "I'm sorry. I didn't know you were feeling like that. I'm sorry because I really don't know how to handle it. The truth is... I didn't want them to find out about the two of us because—"

"Because what!?" Nina interrupted. "Are you ashamed to have me as your girlfriend!?"

"N-No! It's not that!"

"Then what!? Do you have feelings for someone else? The princess, perhaps?" Nina's tears welled up again.

"N-No! I just have a lot of respect for the princess, but that's not how I feel about her," Ranz explained.

Ranz loosened his embrace from Nina and sat beside her. His gaze shifted into the distance, but his mind was absent.

"Do you remember when we were kids?" Ranz began. "The truth is... the conversation our parents had about us getting married was just a joke. It wasn't a real agreement."

"W-What? What are you saying!?" Nina asked, startled.

"But it's true... my parents liked you for me... and I actually liked you a lot from before, but..." Ranz paused as a memory rushed back into his mind. "Your father."

"Y-My father?" Nina asked, confused.

"During those times, your father was still in charge of the town of Priya. He was strict, and I know it was only because he wanted to protect you. Five years ago, I went to him to ask for his permission to court you, but... he said... I should first take Priya away from him before I take you from him. That was his condition. I asked him why I needed to do that, and his response was... if I couldn't stand up for you in Priya, I wouldn't be able to stand up for you to everyone and in the whole world!"

"W-What!? My father said that?" Nina exclaimed in disbelief.

Ranz nodded, "Don't be angry with your father. I also thought he was right, especially since you were accustomed to a luxurious life, unlike our life back then. It was simple, and we had to work hard for every bit of money. I thought... you didn't deserve to end up with me! I knew your feelings for me were deep, so I tried to push you away and show you that I wasn't the right man for you. That there were other wealthy men who could give you anything you wanted, not just Priya but anything you desired—"

Ranz was surprised as Nina suddenly pulled his shirt to face her. Nina kissed him, a kiss that silenced Ranz.

Nina.

After that kiss, Nina looked at Ranz with a serious expression.

"You don't have to give me Priya! I don't need anything or anyone else!" Nina firmly stated and then smiled sweetly at Ranz. "As long as I have you, I don't want anything else because you're my dream! Your love is all I've ever wanted!"

"N-Nina," Ranz said, his heart touched. He grinned and placed his hand on Nina's head, "You're really stubborn, but... I love you. I love you, Nina."

Tears welled up in Nina's eyes again upon hearing those words. Her smile grew even sweeter, and she nodded.

"When we return to the castle, I'll face your father again. Even if he's no longer in charge of Priya, I want to fulfill the agreement between us! I'll take Priya... and we'll get married!"

"R-Ranz," Nina said, her joy causing her to nod vigorously. "Even if you can't get Priya, I'll marry you, and they can't do anything about it!"