Little Pink Starfish

Led by Prince Hugo, Asher arrived at an ordinary-looking restaurant. He scanned the interior. The exterior was clean, and the area in front of the shop was well maintained.

“This is a nice place,” Asher commented.

“…Yeah. Let’s go in,” Hugo responded curtly.

Feeling slightly intimidated by Hugo’s cold demeanor, Asher followed him inside. As the door opened, a bell rang, signaling their arrival. But without waiting for the staff to guide them, Hugo, holding Noah’s hand, confidently made his way to a room in the back.

Is this a place he comes to often?

Just as Asher was about to follow them—

“This is a pleasant surprise! Congratulations, Prince Asher!”

A beastman with fox-like features suddenly appeared before him, speaking enthusiastically with a broad smile.

“Ah, thank you very much,” Asher replied, a bit startled but keeping his smile.

The fox beastman narrowed his eyes and stared at Asher. The loud greeting had drawn the attention of the other patrons, who were now looking in Asher’s direction.

“I never imagined that Prince Asher would visit my humble restaurant. It is truly an honor.”

“This is your restaurant?”

“Yes. My name is Fold, and I am the owner. Never in my dreams did I expect Prince Asher to set foot in a place like this… a restaurant run by a beastman…”

Though Fold continued to smile, the way he had emphasized the last part of his sentence felt strangely deliberate.

“That’s not—”

“Not what? Oh, of course, of course. It’s nothing. But you see, even in Dias, where beastman discrimination is officially banned, there are still people who despise us for no reason. When I opened this place, I faced quite a lot of hardship.”

“A-ah…”

“But now, many people visit my restaurant. Admittedly, most of them are beastmen. As you can see, thanks to them, business is thriving.”

Fold continued talking without pause, leaving no room for Asher to respond. He then gestured around the room and asked:

“Prince Asher, do you recognize anyone here?”

“Huh?”

Caught off guard, Asher looked around. Every person in the restaurant was staring at him.

However, none of the beastmen or humans in the room looked familiar.

“Really? Are you sure?”

“What are you getting at?”

Ward, standing behind Asher, stepped forward, his voice firm. He and Theodore moved to shield Asher. But Fold maintained his smile.

“Oh, nothing much. I was just confirming something.”

“Prince Asher only came here for a meal. It was Prince Hugo who—”

“Yes, that’s right. Prince Hugo brought us together with Prince Asher.”

At those words, Theodore finally spoke.

“…What did you say?”

“We won’t do anything. I swear. So please, remove your hand from your sword.”

Asher glanced at Theodore’s hand. He was gripping his sword.

When did he…?

But no one else seemed surprised by this.

“I’ve heard about Prince Asher’s recent behavior at the castle. I also saw how you accepted the flowers from the children earlier. It was wonderful… but.”

Fold’s smile disappeared as he fixed his gaze on Asher.

“Why are you suddenly treating beastmen this way?”

His expression was devoid of any emotion.

“Prince Asher, you don’t seem to remember, but among the beastmen here, there are those whom you punished unfairly. Some were forced to leave the royal guard because of you.”

“!!”

“They haven’t forgotten what you did to them. And yet, you don’t even recognize their faces.”

“…Your Highness, let’s leave. Brown, fetch Prince Hugo from the back—”

Before they could move, a large bear beastman blocked the exit, glaring at them.

“As I said before, don’t worry. We mean no harm. We simply want to talk to Prince Asher.”

“…Are you saying Prince Hugo arranged this?”

Fold nodded in response to Ward’s question.

Ward remained silent for a few seconds before turning to Theodore.

“They claim they won’t harm him. Maybe we should at least hear them out?”

“…Brown, go get Prince Hugo—”

But before Theodore could finish, Asher stepped out from behind them and faced Fold directly.

So that’s why Hugo-niisama suddenly invited me to eat with them…

This was planned from the beginning—to bring me here.

Asher had briefly entertained the idea that he and Hugo might be able to get along better. But now, he realized how naive he had been. The disappointment was sharp, but there were more pressing matters at hand.

“…I’ll listen.”

“Your Highness—”

“It’s fine. Hugo-niisama wouldn’t openly harm me in a public setting. This is just a conversation.”

“Thank you.”

“…You’re saying I unfairly punished the people here?”

Asher slowly looked around. Numerous eyes pierced into him—some filled with fear, others with hostility. A mixture of emotions was evident.

“That’s right. You harbored an intense hatred for beastmen. And yet, now, you act as if none of it ever happened. I want to know why.”

“That’s…”

Asher hesitated, unable to answer.

Fold continued speaking.

“…There was once a nobleman who was kind to beastmen. He provided food and shelter for those in need and even helped them find work. He was deeply trusted by the beastmen community.”

Asher wasn’t sure where this story was going but remained silent and listened.

“But in reality, that nobleman was selling beastmen to slave traders. Upon investigation, it was discovered that he had always hated beastmen. Oh? Doesn’t this sound familiar?”

“That’s absurd! I would never do such a thing—”

Unable to remain silent any longer, Asher raised his voice in protest.

The beastmen around him snorted in skepticism.

“How can we be sure?”
“After all the terrible things you did to us… and now you expect us to believe you’ve changed?”
“There’s definitely something suspicious going on!”

The beastmen glared at him, their gazes unwavering.

“…You don’t even remember us, do you!?”

“…!”

Asher looked at the faces before him, but none triggered any memories.

He searched his mind desperately—but the truth was, the previous Asher had never cared enough to remember them.

“Now, now. Please calm down,” Fold soothed the others before turning back to Asher.

“We are not here to condemn you, Prince Asher. We only wish to understand. The story I just told you—it was a real incident. And there are beastmen soldiers in active duty who are now terrified of what your change in behavior might mean.”

They are afraid of me…?

“I… I…”

How should he answer?

Should he explain, like he had to Queen Angela and Marquis Clark?

Or—like he had with Theodore?

No.

It would be pointless.

He had already learned firsthand that no matter what he said, it wouldn’t be believed.

In his past life, he had suffered injustice many times.

Bullied, beaten, and ruled by fear throughout his school years.

If one of his past tormentors had apologized to him—if they had tried to justify their actions—would he have forgiven them?

No. It wasn’t that simple.

It was never that simple.

“What I did to you was… wrong. I will never treat beastmen that way again. I know you may not believe me, but… I am truly sorry.”

Asher bowed deeply in apology.

He knew his apology wouldn’t be accepted.

But this was the only thing he could do.

For a moment, silence filled the room. Then—

“What the hell is that?”
“After all this time, you think ‘sorry’ is enough?”

The beastmen murmured bitterly.

Fold sighed and was about to speak when—

A woman stepped forward.

“You think apologizing makes it all better?”

Asher recognized her voice instantly.

Her screams had once echoed in his mind.

And now, they did so again.

The moment Asher lifted his head, he saw a woman standing before him.

Her slightly disheveled brown hair and brown eyes burned with hatred as she glared at him.

He knew this woman’s voice.

Her screams had once echoed in his mind.

When he had fallen from his horse and regained his memories, the moment he recalled his past at the royal dining table, her voice had resounded clearly in his head.

“How dare you! A mere maid dirtying my clothes! Turn your back to me! I will have you whipped!”

“Please, Your Highness! Forgive me! Please, Your Highness!!”

“Silence!!”

Asher’s face turned pale, and his hands began to tremble.

The memories resurfaced vividly.

He could clearly recall the sensation of holding a whip, the force with which he swung it, and the sound of the woman’s cries.

The maid who had once screamed before him was now standing right there.

“…Lilian, I told you not to come out.”

“No!! No!! How can I stay silent after hearing such a hollow apology!? Do you have any idea what I went through after that!?”

“Lilian!! Stop it!!”

The woman—Lilian—tried to lunge at Asher, but Theodore swiftly stepped in and restrained her.

“…Didn’t you say no harm would come to him?”

“I apologize. Lilian, that’s enough!!”

Fold gently pulled Lilian into his arms. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she still tried to break free and reach Asher.

“What now?! Are you going to execute me?! Do whatever you want!! Because of you, I lost my engagement! I was cast out of my home!! If that had never happened… I would be living a wealthy life right now!! But instead…!! Do you think apologizing will make things right!? …Don’t be ridiculous!!”

Lilian’s sobs filled the room.

Asher stood frozen.

“Give me back my life!!”

Her anguished cries struck him deeply, just like before.

He wanted to say something—anything.

But all that escaped his lips was—

“I… I truly… am sorry…”

His words rang hollow.

His throat tightened, and tears welled up in his eyes.

No. I can’t cry. I don’t have the right to cry.

Swallowing his emotions, Asher clenched his fists and bowed his head once more.