After everyone left, it was only then that Scar stepped forward.
"What's wrong, Scar?" asked Krillin.
"Sigh…" Scar heaved a deep sigh.
"I shouldn't have mentioned the King of Perseus. The princess has always wanted to be a qualified leader, but to become one means giving up so much."
"For all these years, the princess has held herself to strict standards, yet she has always been lenient with us. We know the heavy responsibility she bears on her shoulders, but what we truly wish for is her happiness. That ethereal duty she holds herself to… it wouldn't matter if it didn't exist. We'd rather just live as natives of this star than as the so-called remnants of Perseus…" Scar's voice carried a note of sadness.
Krillin listened intently and nodded, gesturing for Scar to continue.
"The princess carries the weight of this responsibility in her heart. When she was with you earlier, I could see how happy she was. Perhaps, for a moment, she forgot she was the daughter of the King. But my careless mention of it brought her crashing back to reality…" Scar said, his tone filled with regret.
"It's not a big deal. I'll talk to Ciel," Krillin said, patting Scar on the shoulder to reassure him.
Scar gave Krillin a skeptical look. A sudden ominous feeling crept into his heart. "Wait… Krillin carried the princess back earlier, didn't he? Could it be that they…?"
Tears welled up in Scar's eyes as his thoughts ran wild. Everyone had been so worried about the princess. Given her personality, it wasn't impossible to imagine her living out her days in solitude. But now it seemed—despite Krillin being an alien—at least he wasn't bad-looking...
Krillin noticed Scar's odd gaze and felt a chill run down his spine.
"What nonsense are you thinking about?" Krillin slapped Scar lightly.
"N-Nothing!" Scar said, jolted back to reality.
"If it's nothing, then I'll be going!" Krillin said and disappeared instantly using Instant Transmission.
Scar watched Krillin vanish and couldn't help but nod approvingly.
Krillin reappeared just outside the Temple, unwilling to directly materialize inside and risk an awkward situation.
"I'd like to see the princess," Krillin said to one of the attendants outside.
"I'll need to ask the princess for permission," the attendant replied.
"Sure, go ahead," Krillin said with a polite smile.
The attendant noted Krillin's respectful demeanor and regarded him a bit more favorably.
After a moment, the attendant returned. "The princess is inside; you may enter."
"Thank you," Krillin said with a smile before heading in.
Inside, Ciel sat in a daze, lost in thought. Krillin walked in, sat beside her, and gently took her hand. "Why did you leave so suddenly without saying a word?"
Ciel had already sensed Krillin's presence and wasn't surprised by his actions, but his question made her panic slightly. She cared deeply about Krillin's opinion, but her mind was a jumbled mess, and she didn't know how to respond.
Her eyes filled with tears as she looked at Krillin, feeling wronged.
Seeing her expression, Krillin immediately realized he had made a mistake.
He leaned closer, pulling Ciel into his arms. Gently wiping away her tears with his fingers, he said tenderly, "You don't have to say anything. I understand you."
Those four words—I understand you—struck a chord deep within Ciel, releasing all the pent-up emotions she had been holding onto. She buried her face in Krillin's chest and sobbed uncontrollably.
Krillin gently patted her shoulder, speaking softly as if to a child: "From now on, you have me. I'll share your burdens."
Ciel nodded slightly but kept her head buried.
After a while, her sobbing subsided.
Krillin stroked her silver hair and teased, "Alright now, if you cry any more, you'll turn into a little kitten. Let me see your face."
"No way! I must look terrible right now. You're not allowed to look!" Ciel said playfully, shaking her head vigorously.
"You look beautiful. If anyone dares to say otherwise, I'll take care of them! I love seeing your face," Krillin said shamelessly.
Ciel couldn't help but laugh at his words, her heart feeling sweet and light. Slowly, she lifted her face.
Her eyes, slightly puffy from crying, glistened with unshed tears, making them even more luminous and captivating.
Krillin was momentarily stunned by her beauty.
"Do I look bad?" Ciel asked nervously, noticing Krillin staring at her.
"No… not at all. You look absolutely stunning," Krillin replied earnestly.
Seeing his genuine reaction, Ciel finally let out a soft giggle.
"There, that's the smile I love. You're so beautiful when you smile; you should do it more often," Krillin said warmly.
"I used to smile a lot... but then…" Ciel thought, a fleeting shadow crossing her heart.
But as she looked at Krillin, her resolve strengthened. "If Krillin likes my smile, then I'll smile more from now on."
"Let's go for a walk. It's too stuffy staying indoors all the time," Krillin suggested.
Ciel nodded in agreement.
As Krillin stood up and offered her a hand, Ciel playfully opened her arms, grinning at him.
Krillin chuckled, bending down to lift her gently by the waist.
"Let's go!" Ciel said, grabbing his hand and pulling him toward the door.
Seeing her so carefree, Krillin felt a pang of emotion. This is the real Ciel. What kind of pressure could have turned her into someone so different?
Ten days passed like grains of sand slipping through an hourglass.
During this time, Krillin and Ciel were inseparable, like a pair of lovestruck teenagers.
Despite their closeness, Krillin maintained restraint, simply holding her hand or carrying her as they explored the planet. He wanted to ease her into a new chapter of happiness rather than rush her into anything overwhelming.
Ciel, for her part, felt deeply cherished by Krillin. His presence brought joy without burden or pressure, a balance she deeply appreciated.
That evening, Ciel was resting when Scar came rushing in, his expression grave.
"Scar, what's wrong?" Ciel asked, sensing that something was amiss.
"Princess, we've received news from the Outer Survivors. The Twilight Star has reappeared," Scar said, his tone heavy with anguish.
Ciel's heart sank. She closed her eyes and focused all her mental energy, searching for confirmation. Moments later, she sat down slowly, her expression somber.
"Begin preparations," she said quietly, her voice laced with sorrow.
Scar hesitated, his throat tightening as he tried to speak but ultimately said nothing. This was the duty of every King of Perseus—a burden he had no right to question.
"Yes," he said at last, his voice tinged with resignation as he left to carry out her orders.
As Scar walked away, Ciel's eyes filled with tears. Her heart, heavy with the weight of her duty, longed for Krillin.
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