Ring Schwartz Main Story: Chapter 20
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I finished up writing the letter to Crown that same night, detailing everything that had happened so far and requesting their help to capture Riverford.
First thing in the morning, I mailed it out disguised as a fan letter addressed to Liam.
Had I mailed it directly to Crown’s castle, there was a possibility it would be discarded as a suspicious letter from someone pretending to be me.
I was counting on the slight chance that Liam himself would read it if it was a fan letter.
And then — that afternoon, there was a knock on my apartment’s door.
William: It’s been a while, little robin. Good to see you’re well.
William’s smile was as calm and elegant as I remembered.
Kate: It’s been a while indeed. And… I’m sorry for not reaching out all this time.
William: Don’t worry about it.
William: I read your letter. It’s completely understandable you’d be cautious about making your whereabouts known after having someone try to take your life.
As he spoke, William shifted his gaze to Ring who stood next to me.
William: You wrote in your letter that you’ve been living with Ring Schwartz—
Ring: Yeah. Kate and I have been living together ever since we fell into the river that day.
Kate: Affer surviving the fall and recovering from severe injuries, I’ve been doing well till today.
Kate: I owe it all to Ring.
William’s crimson eyes narrowed.
William: So Ring was hiding you… that’s why Crown couldn't find you despite all our efforts.
Ring: I have a safehouse in a rural town, away from Her Majesty's sight.
Ring: That’s where Kate and I lived in while she recovered.
William: I see…
William lowered his gaze.
That subtle move carried enough weight to make my breath catch in my throat.
William: At present… there is suspicion of Vogel’s involvement in Riverford’s plans.
William: There’s no definitive evidence, and considering how meticulous Darius is, I highly doubt there will be any in the future.
William: However, we fear that Vogel will pose a threat to England.
Ring: …
William: It remains only a suspicion as of now, but even so… why did you, a member of Vogel, help Kate?
It felt like my lungs were being crushed by the tension in the air.
And yet, amidst what seemed like an interrogation session, —
Ring: — I’m Ring Schwartz first, before a member of Vogel.
There wasn't a hint of hesitation in Ring’s response.
Ring: Even if it goes against Vogel’s goals, I will walk the path I believe is right.
Ring: Just like Kate told me before — I want to live a life I won’t be ashamed to have lived.
William: And helping her was what you felt was the right thing to do?
Ring: Yes. Because she’s a precious person I can’t live without.
(Ring…)
William: … Fufu. I see.
William smiled, and the tension in the air finally eased.
William: Now then… as for your request regarding the capturing of Earl Riverford—
William: Crown will lend you its support.
Ring: Really…? Thank you, William Rex.
William: No need for thanks. We benefit from this cooperation as well.
William: Crown has already narrowed down several possible hiding spots for Riverford, but with the information you have on hand, I want to determine where exactly he is.
William: You stated in your letter that you were in the process of obtaining information from a reliable source. Do you have a specific time or date for when you will receive it?
Nica: — It’s right here.
We looked up when we heard that voice — and saw Nica opening the door.
William: So your source was Nica Schwartz. And your information must be from…?
Nica: As you guessed, Darius.
I thought Nica would dodge the question, but he instead told the truth.
William: Then — are you admitting Vogel has connections with Riverford?
Nica: There was a small connection.
Nica: I believe Crown already knows Earl Riverford approached Vogel when we arrived in England.
Nica: But what happened the other day had nothing to do with us.
Nica: Riverford just mailed us a letter out of desperation.
William: … Let’s assume that’s the case for now.
Nica: Now that the scary king is satisfied, I’ll share the information you’ve been waiting for,
Nica pulled out an envelope.
Nica: Written here is Riverford’s hideout–
Nica: – Number 1.
Ring: Number 1…?
Nica: And this is hideout number 2.
A second envelope was placed in front of us.
Ring: Why would he reveal two hideouts? That doesn’t sound like someone asking for help.
Nica: Riverford’s a wanted criminal right now. If he were to ask for help, he can’t know for sure whether the other party is a real ally.
Nica: So he most likely did this to seperate me and Dari.
Nica: That way, even if an enemy were to find one of his hideouts, he wouldn’t have a problem fighting back.
William: So it’s all up to our “luck” which location we will find Riverford at.
William: In that case— leave one location to Crown. You will take the other.
Ring: … Okay.
William picked up one of the two envelopes.
William: You wanted travel restrictions to be loosened… correct?
Nica: If we tell Riverford that Vogel will help him flee to Germany, he will definitely take the bait.
William: Crown will forge merchant travel permits and hand them over to you before then.
With that, every other detail of our plan was decided.
Kate: Thank you for everything, William.
William: I told you, there’s no need for thanks.
William: … Ah, there’s one more thing. Do you plan on staying in this apartment until the operation?
William: Returning to the castle is an option for you, but…
Kate: … I think I’ll stay here for a while.
(Ring can’t return to Vogel at the moment.)
(And if he stayed in hotels, people would eventually start to recognise his face. Besides, being apart would make it much more difficult for us to communicate.)
(Considering that his best option would be to stay in this apartment, it makes more sense if I stayed too.)
Having spent a long time living together at the safehouse, the idea of living under the same roof together with Ring felt almost natural to me.
Kate: You’re fine with that too, right, Ring?
Ring: Y-Yeah… I’ll take you up on the offer.
William: Living in sin— hm.
The words William casually muttered nearly made me jump.
Kate: Y-You misunderstood! R-Ring’s only going to be lodging here temporarily…!
Nica and Alfons teased us about this before, but apparently people tend to get the wrong idea when an unmarried man and woman are living together.
Ring: Living in sin…? What does it mean?
Nica: Just like in Germany, the people in England believe it’s inappropriate for an unmarried man and woman to live under the same roof.
Nica: That’s why it’s called living in sin.
Ring: Ohh… wait. No! Kate and I aren’t doing anything sinful! We’re being very wholesome!
William: As far as I’m concerned, I think both are perfectly fine.
William: “Living in sin” — when thinking of it in the literal sense, it seems it’d be a lot of fun.
It was impossible to tell from William’s smile whether he was joking or not.
William: Kate, come to Crown’s castle once everything with Riverford is settled. I’ll explain the situation to the rest of them.
Kate: Okay.
…
Several days after meeting with William, there came another knock on my door.
(Huh…?)
But when I opened it, there was no one.
Just as I wondered if it was a prank—
Liam’s Voice: Hiiiii, Kate. It’s me.
Kate: Liam!?
(Oh, right. He can turn invisible.)
Kate: Please, come inside.
Liam: Pardon me then～
The moment I closed the door, Liam reappeared.
Liam: Will already told me, but I’m so relieved to see you’re doing well!
Liam: Here you go. These are the travel permits.
Kate: Thank you.
Liam: … By the way, is Ring around? I heard you two are living together.
Putting a hand at his forehead above his eyes like he was searching somewhere far away, Liam looked around the room, visibly curious.
Kate: He went out with Nica to get some requisites ready.
Liam: I see… I’ve never had a proper chat with Ring before.
Liam: You should introduce me sometime… to the man you're in love with ;)
(Wha—!)
Kate: I- I never said I was in love with him.
Liam: Ahaha! I can tell from your letter that you are :D
Liam: When I read it, I was like “Kate really loooves Ring～”. Everyone in Crown thinks so too.
My letter was carefully worded such that Crown would understand the type of person Ring truly was.
(It’s definitely because of that letter Crown agreed to help us without needing much discussion, but…)
(It's so embarrassing to know I poured so much of my feelings into it that now everyone knows I have a crush on him…)
Kate: Um, I’m sure everyone understands this, but please absolutely never tell Ring how I feel about him.
Kate: To Ring, I’m just… his very first precious friend.
Kate: I don’t want to ruin our current relationship, so I’m going to let go of these feelings.
Liam: So that’s how it is? Sorry, I got too carried away.
Liam: Don’t worry, I won’t tell him.
Kate: Thank you…
Liam: — It’s a little sad, though.
Kate: … Huh?
Liam: I think it’s something wonderful when two people meet, come to depend on each other, and then fall in love…
Liam: So it makes me sad to think you’re throwing away such a beautiful feeling.
Kate: ……
Liam: I know it hurts to keep loving someone when you think they’ll never realize your love.
Liam: But personally, I don’t think you need to force yourself to give it up.
…
— The night before we were going to infiltrate Riverford’s hideout.
Ring: … You prepared quite a big meal tonight.
Ring’s eyes widened as he looked over the dishes spread across the dining table.
Kate: I wanted to make something that’ll give us enough strength for tomorrow.
Ring: Thanks, Kate. I’ll definitely be in perfect shape after eating your cooking.
Kate: Y-You praise me too much… it’s my first time making some of the dishes, so I won’t know if they taste good until you try them.
Ring: Then can I start eating right now?
Kate: Of course. Go ahead and help yourself out.
Ring: Thanks for the meal!
Ring started eating as usual, but then—
(Huh…?)
Kate: Are you feeling unwell?
Ring: … Hm? Why'd you think so?
Kate: I get the feeling you’re eating slower than usual.
Ring: Oh… no, I’m fine. I was just thinking that since this might be the last time I get to eat your cooking, I want to take my time to savour it more than usual.
Kate: I’m glad you enjoy it. But I'll absolutely cook for you again, Ring.
Ring: I said it might be the last time. … But yeah, I’ll definitely want to eat your cooking again.
Happiness welled up inside me, but Liam’s words resurfaced in my mind as well.
“Maybe you don’t have to force yourself to give up”.
(Keeping these feelings to myself… and continuing to love him in silence… doesn’t feel enough anymore.)
(Can I… take just one step forward…?)
Like a little plant sprouting from freshly watered soil, the hope that had once died inside me started coming back.
Kate: Um…! When this is all after, would you still be open to having meals together sometimes?
Kate: We’re friends, right? So I don’t think we need to think of this meal as the last time we’re going to do something like this together…
Ring: For some reason, I got a feeling this was where things between us would end, but… you’re right.
Ring: As long as you’re okay with it, I’d love to continue spending time with you.
(Seeing his smile, I’m so glad I found the courage to speak up…)
Kate: Of course! I’m going to invite you out very frequently.
Ring: I won’t lose to you on that. I just know I’ll be the one inviting you out more.
Ring: Even when we’re just sitting together like this right now, I’m thinking “I want to be a part of your future”.
Letters often began with “Dear…”.
It was certain what we had between us was the same kind of affection, one that came close to love yet it wasn't quite love.
(For now, we’re still just friends…)
(But I really don’t want to give up on my feelings for him. I want to keep trying to make it work.)
Kate: Ring, what are your plans for after the whole thing with Riverford’s over?
Ring: I… If it’s possible, I’m thinking of going back to Dari.
Kate: Huh…?
Ring: Ah, don’t get me wrong. I’m not going back to what I used to be — Dari’s puppet.
Ring: Meeting you taught me that humans and the Cursed can be friends.
Ring: Meeting Rupert taught me that even someone who’s made horrible mistakes can change.
Ring: Meeting the people in the village where the safehouse’s at reminded me how kind people can be.
Ring: That’s why — instead of the world Darius talks about, one where the Cursed rule over humans, I want to create a world where the Cursed and humans can live together as equals.
The new dream Ring had found after all we’ve been through was one as kind as he was.
Ring: But… in the current world, the Cursed are still in a vulnerable position.
Ring: I want to continue working with Vogel, to protect the Cursed from those who only want to exploit them, like Riverford and those at Haus.
Kate: So that's what you mean…
(He’s right that up till now, Vogel’s activities have always been for the sake of the Cursed.)
(If he stays with them, it’ll bring him one step closer to fulfilling his dream. But…)
Kate: Won’t you clash with Darius over your ideals?
Ring: Maybe. … But now that we’re on opposing sides, I want to find out what made Darius think the way he does now.
Ring: We’ve known each other for so long, but I feel like I never understood him at his core.
Ring: I want to face Darius properly, before deciding where to go from there.
(He gave it that much thought, and has chosen to carry that dream with him as he moves on in life.)
Kate: … I hope your dream will come true.
Ring: What about you? What are you going to do after this?
I briefly explained to him how I met Crown and ended up working for them.
Kate: From the start, the agreement was that I’ll only be Fairytale Keeper for a month.
Kate: Unless I say otherwise, I’ll just be going back to the life I had before.
Ring: So that’s why you’re still renting this apartment…
Kate: … Yes. Crown kept the lease going for me, so I could easily go back to my old life.
Looking back at all that’s happened, I asked myself again, —
What do I truly want to do?
Kate: But I find my job as Fairytale Keeper has been fulfilling.
Kate: If they’ll allow it… I think I’ll continue playing this role.
(Everyone has feelings they’ve kept buried away in their hearts, never being able to put them into words.)
Helping them bring out those feelings and conveying them through words… maybe that’s what makes this job so meaningful.
Ring: I think your dream’s amazing too.
Ring’s smile after listening to me talk about my dream was like a flower coming to full bloom.
Ring: Let’s do our best tomorrow… so that both our dreams will come true.
Kate: Of course…!
The days flew past, and our time together was coming to an end.
But knowing there would be more time in the future to spend with Ring, I no longer had anything to be afraid of.
