Ai wo ataeru kemonotachi Volume 1 – Chapter 53

Translator/Editor : Léabyss

Johann’s POV (a new character)

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Our family has served the Leonidas royal family for many generations. My main job was always to protect them no matter what it takes.

My twin brother serves the current King Albert, and I serve the former King Hector.

However, I am not just an escort.

The work behind the scenes in a world like this involves many things, assassination, military tactics, destruction, infiltration and manipulation of information. There is no one who can hear about this work without first making a face.

However, I am very proud of this work. Above all, I am really impressed with the personality of Hector, who took care of all the work in the country on his own. Motivated by his skill as a politician, as the man who brought prosperity to Leonidas. I don’t mind my hands getting dirty if I can help him.

I’ll never get a partner, because I’ve given up on this just to be with him.

To prevent the clan’s blood from ending, my brother should be able to connect his blood to a companion from some important household and I honestly wish him all the luck in the world in this endeavor. Anyway, even if Hector didn’t exist, my whole body is full of old war wounds. Even my face has large, deep and scandalous wounds. Because of this, my skin expands horribly and makes it difficult for me to make facial expressions.

Once, I helped a little boy who had fallen at the gate of the palace entrance. As soon as I picked him up and he saw my face, he started crying so hard that I had a lot of difficulties afterward. Since then, I have always tried to hide my face. I stayed away from people. I don’t talk to anyone unless I need it for my job and I haven’t felt any significant emotional change in years.

It wasn’t difficult, it was convenient.

Hector, whom I serve, has never had a problem with me. I guess it’s because his partner was human too. The immense love that the king felt for this man is known only to his relatives and his closest disciples, which caused him to also earn the title of “The Silent King”.

While trying to remain useful to him, Hector eventually went to live near his son Douglas, who settled in a district of Ichii along with his two companions. He didn’t care that he was retired, nor did he care that he still had great power. The truth … I had an honest feeling of jealousy. He didn’t understand how cool someone could have to lead him to act so outrageous.

It was around the time a new secret security system was administered to monitor Hector’s life on Ichii that we learned that Douglas’s partner was expecting a baby. Hector’s joy was something impressive. So strange in him. I had never shown that face to anyone … And I did not think that he would call me because of the exact same situation.

When I got to his house, there was a human boy with dark hair and eyes of the same color. It must be Douglas’s boyfriend … However, his current appearance contrasts completely with me. My body is wrapped in a black robe and my head is covered with a cloth that shows only my eyes.

I don’t want him to see my face if it will scare him off.

“I know very well about all the hard work you’ve done. I know you suffered multiple injuries because of me, I have no apologies … But you are the most expert person I know and you are the only man I would trust all of me.”

“You don’t have to say all that. I am dedicated to the country and to  Hector-sama, so I am prepared to fulfill any order that he entrusts to me with my life. What can I do for you?”

“I think you are aware of the situation, but he is Douglas’s partner. His name is Chikayuki and right now he is waiting for my grandson.” When Hector talks about him, he seems so worried that he gets up from the chair in which he was fully accommodated. “Since I have told him that I want you to be his personal escort, he has come to greet you.”

The child was very small, he did not even reach my chest.

“Chikayuki-sama, it’s nice that you thought of me. My name is Johann and I am currently working as Hector’s guard.”

I put my knee on the ground and bowed my head.

“Thanks a lot. If you don’t mind, can you show me your face? I think you look like a ninja and that looks cool but …”

What is a ninja?

However, I am very concerned about his request. He’s a boy, what will he think when he sees my face? If he is afraid of me, I will no longer be able to be his escort and when this happens, I will cause trouble for Hector.

“Johann, don’t worry. Show him your face.”

I remove the cloth that covers my face, very slowly … When I feel my skin exposed, he breathed, I hold my breath and say:

“I’m sorry to show you something so disgusting. I’m sorry.”

I tried to wrap myself in the cloth again, but was stopped by his hand.

“Johann-san, how did you get this wound?”

“This is a disgraceful wound that I received during my first mission. Because I was an immature man and I didn’t think about the consequences of my actions. It was too deep and the healing was not effective.”

“Can I see you a little better?”

“No, I don’t want you to do that …”

“Johann, don’t be mean to Chika. You have to do what he tells you.”

“Then it’s okay.”

Wrap both hands around my face and gently rub his finger just above the scar.

“You feel pain? I think it must be difficult for you to make expressions …”

“Yes it’s correct. But I’m used to it.”

“Do you feel this?”

“No, not really.”

“There could be damage to the trigeminal nerve, that’s why you have this paralysis …”

Sing words I can’t understand while looking at my scars.

“Johann, Hector-sama. Can you keep this a secret from Douglas and Gale? I don’t want them to get mad at me later.”

When he says it, he runs his hand over my face again. Inspecting.

“What is it, Chikayuki-san?”

“I’m going to heal you now.”

After preparing and touching me again, I feel the magic power flowing from his hand. Is this a new healing technique? However, there are no specific complaints … I feel absolutely no pain.

Can’t he be my partner and are these about the feelings that are so much talked about? The magical power that flowed from him expands, and the bright light he gives off grows more intense before disappearing.

“What was that?”

“That is the famous power of our Chika. Isn’t it sensational? Look, he’s already made you as handsome as before.”

Inspired by Hector’s words, I put my hand to my face. There is no sensation of the scar, there was no deep groove and there was no pulling sensation.

“There is no spear scar …”

“Now do you see why we have to take great care of him? His gift is special.”

I still have not swallowed the events well so I cannot respond to Hector’s words.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t want to bother you … I know they say I should protect myself for having this technique, but I’m actually fine. Rather, what I wanted to say is, if possible, can you protect my child? He’s the one that worries me.”

And he leans deeply into me. It’s my mission, you wouldn’t have to tell me that.

“Please stop. It is my duty to protect Chikayuki-sama so there is nothing to worry about. Of course I’m going to protect your son.”

He raised his head and grabbed my hand.

So I hold that warm little hand against me.

“Thank you very very much.”

He smiled and looked at me … But then his brow furrowed. Was he scared even though the wound was gone?

“May I request another application?”

“What is it?”

“Can you smile a little?”

“Smile…?”

I never smiled, I haven’t done it for years … It can be said that I’ve even forgotten how.

I desperately try to remember how to smile and then I do.

“Well, is that so?”

When he saw me, he laughed a little … Was I not smiling well? Or it may be strange if someone with a face like me smiles.

“Oh I’m sorry. No, they often say that one of my spouses is scary because he doesn’t have many facial expressions … So I thought Johann-san was probably the same. It was very cute.”

I am surprised by his words. It was the first time that someone was not afraid when they looked me in the face. Furthermore, his attitude shows that it is not a lie . He really seems to think I’m cute.

“Oh, Chika is really good. I didn’t think I would ever see Johann’s smile. How scary.”

Hector laughs like it’s very funny. It seems he has even stopped breathing …

How can I follow such a scandalous king as this?

Only Hector and I stayed in the room to discuss in depth the details of the future mission.

After that day, I returned home and lay down on my bed. It’s a simple room because I’m only going to sleep and shower … but today I can’t concentrate. What comes to my mind is the image of that child who is not afraid of me and laughs while holding me and tells me to smile.

Soon I got hungry, so I remembered that I had some of the food Hector saved for me the other day. It’s a sandwich at first glance, but I’ve never seen the content. Is this the “chop” he mentioned to me the other time? When I bite into it, the flavor of the soft bread and soaked sauce spreads all over my tongue from the fried ingredients.

Somehow, I wanted to cry while eating it. And I did , I shed many tears … Every time I ate a bite, my tears fell without being able to contain it.

Why did i do that?

My hands are horrible in many ways. They’re stained with blood, they’re dirty … But he squeezed them anyway . I have been hated by countless people, but he smiled for me. I felt a warmth that I had never experienced.

Of course, I know he won’t be mine and I don’t want him that way. But I want to keep an eye on it. I wanted to get involved in his life.

My loyalty to Hector remains the same … But from that day on, I decided that I could also protect the boy with black hair, and the things that were valuable to him.

That decision has already been made.