n

nThe rest of the day passed by, ever more slowly.

nNoel was doing nothing.

nHe wished he could fall asleep sooner.

nPerhaps it was because he had been bored all day, he hardly slept.

n“If you had given it any sincere concern, it would have been a great comfort to the Princess.”

nAs he recalled his father’s words, he made a tsk sound and pulled the blanket over his head.

nThere was no sincere concern for Rieta, none. Just . . .

nHe wondered how sick she was, to be forced to keep taking the tasteless medicine.

nShe couldn’t even get out of bed. He wondered how bored she would be.

nHe wanted to know how the cold became so bad.

nHe wondered if she had received the snowman, flowers, and handkerchief he brought.

nHe wanted to know if that had entertained Rieta in the slightest.

nIt was just that. It wasn’t that he was really worried about Rieta’s illness, not at all.

nHe struggled a little more under the blanket, then jumped up.

nHe couldn’t contain his curiosity.

nHe hurriedly ran to his desk and pulled out a large, thin piece of paper.

nHe pondered what to write, and decided to write a word that would suit this late night.

nAre you sleeping . . .?

nAfter that, he grabbed a piece of paper and snuck out into the hallway.

nHe heard at dinner that his father would catch up on his work at night.

nSo no one could stop him now.

nHowever, when passing in front of his father’s office, he did not forget to walk on his tiptoes.

nAfter he crossed the deserted hallway, he ran again and arrived at Rieta’s door.

nPromise you won’t open this door, father said.

nNoel, remembering what he had heard from his father, carefully slid the paper between the floor and the door.

nHis heart raced loudly, wondering if his father might scold him for this.

nWhen will Rieta check the letter? Shall I wait here? Or return to the room . . .?

nAs he turned his head to and fro, as if uneasy, he heard a rustling sound in front of the door.

n“. . .”

nAnd, soon, the paper had returned through the crack in the door.

nNo, I just woke up.

nIt was Rieta’s handwriting!

nNoel was so happy that he almost screamed.

nBut he soon calmed down and ran back to his room.

nOf course, as he passed in front of his father’s office, he did not forget to pass quietly. He even held his breath.

nAre you in a lot of pain?

nAfter he hurriedly wrote down his question, he grabbed a pen and ink and hopped back to Rieta’s room.

nAgain, he slipped the paper under the door.

nRieta was also waiting for a reply, and he felt the paper tugged from the other side.

nIt was kind of fun.

nNoel squatted in front of the door and grinned.

nAfter a while, the thin paper stuck out again.

nNoel quickly grabbed it.

nAgain, there was a reply.

nI’m fine now. What are you doing?

nHe sat down on the cold floor and wrote the answer.

nI’m not doing anything, Princess. What are you doing?

nAs soon as he wrote it down, he got a reply back quickly this time too.

nThe snowman outside the window is so cute that I keep staring at it.

nNoel was so happy that he thought his heart was going to burst out through his mouth.

nShe said the snowman was cute! That’s what I made!

nHe quickly wrote a reply.

nHe also wanted to hear about other things.

nWhat about the flower? The handkerchief?

nThis time the reply was a little delayed.

nHe lowered himself as far as he could and peered through the narrow doorway.

nOf course, all he could see was darkness.

nAfter a while, a white piece of paper slipped out of the darkness.

nThe flowers must have a nice scent, but I’m upset that my nose is stuffed up. And you lent me your handkerchief. Thank you.

nIn response to the answer Rieta gave, an answer that displayed her lack of understanding, Noel poked out his lips in a small pout and wrote his reply.

nSilly, I’m giving you the handkerchief. And as many flowers as you want . . .

nHe was going to write that he could give her more when her sickness was over, but he scribbled it out and erased it.

nGiving flowers to people who are not sick. Well, that was a bit . . . embarrassing.

nIt’s a gift! Thank you, I will cherish it. But isn’t the hallway cold?

nThe people of the Empire do not call this cold.

nHe shrugged and wrote it down.

nHe was actually only wearing thin pajamas, but it wasn’t cold at all.

nRather, he was so nervous that sweat ran down his back.

nI’m glad then. Actually, it’s fun to talk like this with you. I was very bored when I was lying in bed.

nLook at this. Look at this.

nNoel was happy that his father was wrong, and he was able to confirm that he was right.

nHe became very elated.

nSo, he confidently wrote down the words that he would never normally say.

nRight? Don’t you think that you can’t do without me?

n* * *

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