Carlisle stood before the dressing mirror in his room, meticulously adjusting the cuffs of his white Knights Order uniform with his Fingertips. The Royal Selection hadn't officially begun yet, so he didn't actually need to wear this formal attire every day, but he inexplicably liked it. The reason was so simple it was almost childish: he just thought the uniform looked cool.
This was his second day since waking up. Yesterday, as soon as he tried to get out of bed to move around, he was'suppressed' back by the combined efforts of Subaru, Rem, and Emilia. Even his three meals were brought to his bedside. What made him laugh and cry at the same time was Subaru's 'threat': if he didn't rest properly, his meals would become 'boring dishes focused on nutrition' in the future. Such a powerless threat.
Thinking of Subaru, Carlisle's thoughts drifted back to yesterday. He couldn't help but let out a soft sigh. That stubborn girl had so earnestly pleaded with him not to use that forbidden surgical procedure again, yet he could only clumsily evade her request by changing the subject.
Wait... something felt off. He was, after all, a Knight whose strength ranked among the top in the Kingdom. He believed he could even contend with an Archbishop of Sin from the Witch Cult. In the field of self-healing magic, although he couldn't compare to his friend granted the name 'Sword saint,' he was still considered top-tier in the entire Kingdom. As for defensive magic, he could even cast the highest-level defensive barrier spells, making his life-saving methods quite comprehensive. So why did she look at him with eyes that suggested he could pass away at any moment? Even though this time required burning his soul to save Rem, he didn't think it would cost him his life.
It seems I haven't been reliable enough in my usual demeanor... Just as Carlisle was lost in thought.
Knock, knock.
A cautious knock gently tapped at his consciousness.
"Carlisle-sama? It's Rem... may I come in?"
"Please do."
Hearing the familiar voice, Carlisle instinctively responded. The door slowly opened, and Rem walked in, her head bowed.
"What is it, Rem? Is something wrong?"
Rem raised her eyes, her lips pursed slightly: "Carlisle-sama, are you really determined to get out of bed and move around now? Why don't you... rest for a few more days?"
"Don't worry, I've fully recovered," Carlisle said with a gentle smile, indicating that she didn't need to worry.
"But... you were unconscious for five days. When my sister brought you back, Betty-sama said... said you might lose a certain sense forever..."
Her voice grew softer and softer. "Why can you still... say you're fine so easily?"
Carlisle gently patted her shoulder: "See? I'm perfectly fine now, aren't I? Beatrice-sama also said that my soul is much more resilient than an ordinary person's. That little bit wouldn't take away my senses."
Rem gazed at his feigned relaxed expression, understanding that he was deliberately downplaying his injuries.
"But..." Her shoulders trembled slightly. "What if... what if something was really lost?"
Carlisle was silent for a moment, realizing Rem was deeply caught in self-blame and couldn't extricate herself. He sighed softly, looking at her with gentle eyes.
"Even so, I have no regrets."
"Why...?" Rem's voice trembled slightly. "Is saving someone like me... worth such a price?"
Carlisle feigned annoyance and scratched his temple with his Fingertips, a warm curve forming on his lips.
"Rem..." His voice was like coaxing a child who had done something wrong. "Do you know? Trading the possibility of one sense for a living, breathing person who laughs and cries to continue existing in this world"
"It's not even comparable. If you insist on calling it a transaction, it's the most profitable deal I've ever made in my life."
"But... Rem still doesn't understand..." Rem's Fingertips unconsciously gripped the edge of her skirt. "Someone like Rem..."
"That's not right," Carlisle gently interrupted her.
"Rem is Rem. You are never'someone like this' or'someone like that.'"
"And, saving you, to some extent, is also for myself."
Rem suddenly looked up, her azure eyes filled with confusion and bewilderment.
Carlisle looked out at the bright sunlight. "I truly love this world. I love my friends, the laughter of children chasing each other, the continuous hawking in the marketplace, the warm candlelight in restaurants, and the ribbons fluttering on the streets of the Royal Capital during festivals."
"It is precisely because I have seen so many beautiful things that I am even more convinced... that to make anyone lose their smile is the cruelest betrayal of this beautiful world."
He turned around, his gaze firmly fixed on Rem:
"Since fate has bestowed upon me the power to protect others, then using this power is not a choice, but an inevitability."
"But!" Rem's voice suddenly rose, filled with unprecedented agitation. "If Carlisle-sama's soul wasn't so strong... if... if something truly irreversible happened, you could have saved so many more people who needed help!"
"That's impossible," Carlisle's reply was decisive.
Rem's breath hitched.
Carlisle slowly raised his hand, gently caressing the position of his Knights Order medal on his shoulder. "Before I put on this medal, I already swore to my soul, with the Knight's code as my sword and the oath of protection as my shield. This is not a profession, but the way of life I have chosen."
His voice gradually deepened.
"If I give up saving the person in front of me because I'm afraid of losing, if I turn a deaf ear to cries for help because I'm worried about the consequences... then every time I face someone in need, wouldn't I have to weigh the pros and cons?"
Carlisle's eyes suddenly became incredibly sharp.
"What kind of Knight would I be then? Nothing but a coward in a Knights Order uniform."
He took a step forward, his voice soft yet full of power.
"Rem, listen. If one day I fall while protecting others, that will be the most complete moment of my soul. Conversely, if I betray my oath and cling to life, that would be my true death."
Rem stared at him blankly, crystal tears streaming down her cheeks at some point, sparkling with tiny glimmers in the morning light. She wanted to say something but found that even her breathing was trembling.
Carlisle gazed at the tear-filled girl before him. He gently raised his hand but stopped it midway, finally saying softly, "Since Rem cares so much... how about you repay me properly?"
Rem nodded vigorously. She opened her mouth, but all her words turned into a choked sob caught in her throat, only able to produce a small gasp.
"Then, the first thing..." Carlisle raised his index finger, a mischievous smile in his eyes. "From now on, don't call me 'Carlisle-sama' anymore. Just call me by my name, like a friend."
Rem's pupils widened slightly, and tears welled up in her eyes again. This seemingly simple request, to her, meant... "The second thing..." Carlisle leaned down slightly, his azure eyes meeting Rem's. "Let me see Rem's smile. Not Ram's business smile, but a genuine smile that accidentally shows her little fangs, that makes her eyes crinkle."
Rem's Fingertips trembled as she touched the corners of her mouth. "Can Rem... really smile? Can a person as sinful as Rem... truly be qualified to show a happy expression...?"
Carlisle's palm gently rested on her hair, warmth radiating through her blue strands.
"Of course you can, because every sincere smile is an invitation to the future."
"Future..." Rem murmured, repeating the unfamiliar and heart-stirring word, as if tasting an unknown candy. "Rem's... future..."
"Don't be afraid," Carlisle's Fingertips slid down her hair, wiping away the tear stains on her cheeks. "All the shadows that frighten you, I will cut them down one by one. After all," his voice suddenly took on a boyish pride, "I am the second strongest of the Kingdom's Knights Order. Though the title is a bit embarrassing."
Rem looked up with tear-filled eyes, a warm tremor spreading through her chest. This feeling was so unfamiliar, yet so enchanting... Was this what it felt like for her heart to beat...?
"Ha... hahaha..."
At first, it was just a breathy chuckle, then it gradually became clearer. She laughed while futilely wiping away the constantly flowing tears, eventually giving up the resistance and letting both tears and laughter bloom together.
Rem looked at Carlisle's gentle smiling face through her blurry vision. Was this... the feeling of being allowed to be happy?
T/N- Finally we get to see Carlisle's character in depth.
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GIVE ME YOU POWER STONES.