Chapter 14: A Gift of Freedom.

「This is…？」

「It has wheels attached to a chair…」

「It’s called a wheelchair.
I thought with this, you might be able to take walks around the mansion’s garden.」

I can’t help but widen my eyes when His Highness arrives for his visit carrying this strange chair.
It seems like a miniature version of a carriage, perhaps?

I find myself staring intently at this thing called a wheelchair.

Large wheels at the back, smaller ones in front.
There are handles at the rear—someone must push from behind to move it.

It’s surprisingly well thought out.

「I’ve heard that common folk use hand carts in the streets.
Apparently wheelchairs like this are fairly common in neighboring countries.」

「You’re right… with this, I could enjoy the garden without getting tired.」

「Yes. I consulted with craftsmen and had it made based on descriptions I’d heard.
…Would you sit in it?
Of course, the durability is solid—I tested it by sitting in it myself and moving around.」

His Highness isn’t wearing his usual confident expression.
His brows are slightly lowered, and he looks faintly anxious.

I’m certainly surprised by this sudden gift, but… he must have thought of me when he arranged it.

「You sat in it yourself, Your Highness?」

「Yes. I couldn’t risk you getting hurt if something went wrong.」

「His Highness… sat in this…」

The Crown Prince of the kingdom, discussing details with craftsmen—this way or that way—to make something just for me?
The image alone makes laughter bubble up from the corners of my mouth.

「Fufu… thank you so much.
I’m feeling quite well today—shall we try going out to the garden right away?」

「Ah! I’ll carry you to the entrance.
Cyril, take the wheelchair to the hall.」

「Understood.」

Cyril, who had been standing quietly beside the chair, lifts it effortlessly and leaves the room ahead of us.
Then His Highness gently scoops me up from the seat in a sideways embrace and carries me slowly out.

He’s held me like this before, but this position is truly embarrassing.
When I glance up just a little, his perfectly handsome, cool face is right there.

Still… a wheelchair.

Thanks to the meals, I’ve regained a bit of strength, so I’ve been trying to walk inside the house as much as possible—even if I have to pause and rest several times.
But even just moving around drains my energy quickly.
I’ve felt so sorry for Sara, who always brings chairs to me.
With this, though… I might not have to trouble her as much.

When we reach the hall, His Highness carefully lowers me into the wheelchair.

「We’ll be back shortly, so please wait here.」

It seems he’ll be the one pushing.
He moves behind me.

「How’s the seat?」

「Yes, it’s fine.
It doesn’t seem like it would hurt even if I sat for a long time.」

「Good. Then let’s go.」

「Waah! The chair really moves!」

「Yes. I’ll go as slowly as possible—if it’s too fast, just tell me.」

「Miss, your hat! The sun is quite strong outside.」

「Oh my—I completely forgot! Thank you, Sara.」

Sara hurries over to our moving group and hands me a wide-brimmed hat.
I haven’t gone outside in so long that I’d even forgotten about hats and parasols.

Then, with a quiet 「Here we go」, His Highness begins pushing slowly.

The moving chair is far more comfortable than I expected.
More than that, though—moving at such a low eye level feels strangely novel.

We pass through the grand entrance doors.
The first thing I feel is the outside air I’ve missed for so long.
I close my eyes and take a deep, deep breath.

Ah… the sky is so blue.
I can hear birds singing.

How… how beautiful everything is.

The wheelchair pushed by His Highness glides slowly into the garden.
Dahlias, roses—the gentle autumn breeze carries the sweet scent of flowers, wrapping around me like an embrace.

「The outside world is shining so brightly.
The blue of the sky, the sweet fragrance of flowers, the sparkle of the fountain’s spray…
It was all so ordinary that I had forgotten.」

「If I weren’t here with you, I probably wouldn’t have stopped to look at the flowers or gaze up at the sky and think how beautiful it is.」

He stops the wheelchair near the blooming flowers and the central fountain.
Then he kneels beside me so our eyes are level.

「Your Highness… thank you so much for such a wonderful gift.」

Emotion wells up, threatening to bring tears to my eyes.
As I gaze out over the garden, I must look truly happy right now.

Surely… I will never forget this moment.
That I’ve come back.
That I’ve been able to notice this beauty again.

His Highness murmurs softly, 「I’m in trouble…」

「You’re dazzling.

Thank you, Rachel.」

「Why? I’m the one who should be thanking you…」

「No. This is fine.
Feeling the world so beautiful, cherishing this moment—it’s all a first for me.
I can’t put my feelings into words properly, but… everything is because of you.」

I don’t fully understand what thoughts lie behind his words.
But the clear, refreshed expression on his face—like something has been resolved—leaves me speechless.

Soon after, he says, 「Come, let’s head back before you catch a chill」, drapes his own coat over my shoulders, and turns the wheelchair toward the entrance.

On our way back—

「I probably won’t be able to visit for a while, but I’ve arranged for the tutor.
If anything comes up, write to me.」

With only those words, he leaves swiftly.