Before The Departure
As I thought about various things like, ‘I’m meeting the King huh~’ or, ‘I’m meeting my brothers huh~’, the day to depart for the Royal Capital arrived.
It apparently takes about two weeks by carriage from here to the Royal Capital. As one would expect, it’s far. Filia and Chrona looked very happy when they heard about the trip to the Royal Capital. I caressed their heads instinctively.
On the contrary, I wasn’t able to speak with Aerith. I’m avoided even when we encounter each other inside the mansion, though she also watches when I’m training with Sensei, she leaves when it’s over. Thinking that perhaps I did something, I ask Sensei about it and
“Wait for her until she’s able to decide by herself”
is what I was told. Though Sensei seems to know circumstances, it doesn’t look like she’ll tell me. I guess I can only wait for the person herself to come and say it.
I trained in my own way for this one week. There are several reasons and, as I thought, I can’t just dismiss it as somebody else’s problem after I heard about Regalia Empire. Rather, I’m already dragged into it. The recent training is devoted to the coordination with Hikarin and the lightning magic’s practise.
Just like the title, I was surprised by the overwhelming power when I was able to use the magic that’s one level above. It’s just that, the consumption of magic power is great so I can’t really use it consecutively.
And then now. Because there’s still time before the carriage arrives, I thought about doing a final check on the luggage and shut myself in the room. The room that I used since I was a baby was turned into my room as it is. When I was preparing in that room, a knock was heard from the door.
Who is it?, I thought as I answer and
“I, I’m coming in”
The one who entered was, Aerith who’s awfully nervous. She’s somewhat fidgety without any composure. I look at Aerith as I’m thinking what’s wrong and,
“Thank you for saving me the other day!”
, she thanked me. I thought about what I’ve done and, nothing besides the time during the large march comes to mind.
“At that time, Lei lose consciousness immediately, I also wasn’t around because of the town’s reconstruction and such after you wake up, it somehow gets harder to say the longer it dragged on so it dragged on until today but, thank you very much!”
Aerith who says that as she lowers her head. To the guise of Aerith who’s different from her usual cool self, I instinctively caress her head. Recently, it feels like I caress the head whenever I see a lovely guise. Though it’s fine now because we’re a family, I’ll be careful from now on. But it’s cute so I caress instinctively.
“It’s nothing to worry about, Aneue. Since I only did what I want to do. Rather than that, I’m sorry for letting you get hurt. Though it’s not like it’ll work out somehow had I arrive earlier, it’s nevertheless because I didn’t make it in time”
“That instead is something to not worry about. Since it’s because I wasn’t competent. Furthermore, just being alive is better than nothing”
Aerith who smiles as she says that. After that, she suddenly became fidgety. What’s wrong? I wonder if she needs to go to the toilet.
“Th, then, since I haven’t erm, give thanks for having Lei save me I, I’m thinking of doing it!”
What, she’s thinking of such thing. I thought for certain that she wants to go to the toilet. I’m glad I didn’t say it.
“That’s, it’s fine actually. Like I’ve said just now, I only did as I wanted”
“If that’s the case then I won’t be able to settle down! I can’t?”
Won’t I be unable to refuse if you look at me with those moist eyes!
“No, you can!”
I instinctively shouted out. Aerith who saw that giggles.
“I’m glad. Then, close your eyes”
I closed my eyes as I was told. As I was waiting after that, I feel something very soft pressed against my cheek. I open my eyes thinking what is it and, at an extremely close range was Aerith’s face. And then I realized. That I was kissed on the cheek by Aerith.
Aerith who separates from me has her face dyed even redder than it was before, it’s so red that it looks as though it’s going to steam.
“Th, th, that’s, th, thanks so! It’s not like there’s any deeper meaning behind it!”
Aerith who makes a mad dash out of the room as she says that. I couldn’t do anything but see her back view off. I realized after feeling the lingering softness that I also felt just now. Even though it’s on the cheek, including my previous life, it’s my first time being kissed!
When I’m giggling as I think about that, a knock was heard from the door again. I answer it and
“Excuse me, Lei-sama. Oh, did something good happened?”
Chloe said that as soon as she enters the room. I wonder if it shows so obviously on my face.
“Well, lots. Putting that aside, is something the matter, Chloe?”
“Yes, Sieg-sama has something he wants to talk about before departing so he calls for Lei-sama”
If that’s the case, I have to go immediately.
“Understood. I’ll go now. What about Chloe?”
“I will also follow along”
The two of us left the room and headed towards the study. There’s an answer after I knocked on the study’s door so we enter and, Sieg and Eris are sitting down.
“Chichiue, I heard you have something that you want to talk about”
“Aa, that is with regard to your status”
“My status is it?”
“Aa, there’s also the need to talk about the surprise attack when it comes to talking about the large march this time. Though we have to have Lei who encounter it first-hand talk about it, who’s going to think that an 8 years old boy defeated a B Rank Orc General? In order have it be recognized, we need to have the King take a look at Lei’s status. Since the King is a wise man, he’s unlike the other nobles. There won’t be any leaking of the status from the King but, the figure of Lei fighting during the surprise attack this time was seen by the soldiers and residents. There shouldn’t be any mistake to think that it’ll be leaked from there”
Sieg says that. Indeed, I went all out without a care for the surroundings at that time. I was seen by a lot of people huh.
“We’ll deal with the nobles so, Lei, be careful”
“Understood”
When I thought that this is the end of the conversation
“Lei, here comes the main topic!”
Eris called out to me with a broad smile.
“Wh, what is it, Hahaue”
“Among the businesses that we have at the Royal Capital, there’s the second princess’ birthday party. This kind of royalty’s birthday party and such, it’s mostly left to Eliza and the others since we’re by the border though Sieg also participates in it if he’s able to. However, it seems like we’ll be able to make it this time so we’re participating as well. It’s Lei-chan’s high society debut!”
Second princess huh. If I’m not wrong she’s the same age as Aerith.
“And we’ll have Lei-chan pick someone you fancy there”
……What is this person going on about.
“Well, it’s not that urgent of a matter. It’ll be fine if you just talk to the girl you think is nice or you’re interested in. We’re a Margrave family so you probably wouldn’t be ignored when you talk to them”
Sieg who smiles as he says that. Ee, there’s such thing as being ignored as well? Isn’t it harder to start a conversation now that I’ve heard something like that.
“Do your best, Lei-chan”
After that, I was made to listen endlessly about the men’s high society from Sieg until the carriage arrives.
