A Single Determination and Rings
I decided to head to Christina-sama’s place with Caro. But there’s just one problem and it’s the fact that she said to bring the fiancees over as well.
It’s not particularly a problem to bring the fiancees over. If that’s the case then what’s the problem; the problem becomes who I’ll bring over.
I’ll naturally bring Caro over, I suppose. Conversely, I’ll be murdered if I don’t bring her over. I’ll bring Alexia and Ferris over as well. Since it’s officially recognized by their parents. Chrona isn’t around so I’ll naturally omit her.
It’s Helen-san and Aerith who are the problem. I understand what kind of feelings both of them are harbouring towards me since we’ve been together for these 4 years. I’m not some dense protagonist like those in my previous life’s light novels after all. But they aren’t my fiancees. Far from that, I’ve never asked about those feelings of theirs before. ……I wonder if it’s my misunderstanding?
As I’m anguishing about it, Caro
“If it’s on your mind then you can just try asking, right?”
No, it’s easy for you to say, but I can’t ask something like,「Do you like me?」, right. Let alone the fact that Aerith is my half-sibling. She probably won’t answer even if I ask her. In this world, although consanguineous marriage is recognized, the numbers for it is few. Besides, the nobles around probably won’t keep quiet about it.
Aerith is quite popular. Her grades are excellent, her appearance is unflawed, she’s kind towards anybody(in the academy)she’s also given the position of the Student Council Vice-President, which only somebody who’s recognized can become. Owing to that, proposals from nobles are unceasing.
Aerith was saying that it’s also written in a letter from Sieg that’s addressed to her that the proposals from the surrounding nobles are unceasing.
Helen-san is popular in her own way. The fact that she’s Marquis Ralgus’, this country’s Prime Minister’s, eldest daughter, and the fact she’s quite the genius; which is something that I found out after entering the academy though. It seems she even deciphered books that were indecipherable until now.
……I do also have this feeling that it doesn’t particularly have to be me though. Well, if I were to say that then Alexia and the others are also women who are too good for me.
It’s just that, my feelings, it may be despicable, but I want to be together with them. I’ve spent these 4 years with everybody and I can’t consider something like leaving even 1 person out.
“……As I thought, I have to ask huh”
“Of course. It’s to the extent that even I could tell, ‘Aah, they like him huh’, when I saw the faces of Helen-neesan, whom I haven’t met in a long time and Aerith-neesan. It’s to the extent that I’m surprised by Helen-neesan’s change when I met her after a long time, alright”
Caro who says and laughs. I head to where everybody is even as I’m becoming slightly heavy-hearted. I can’t be leaving things complicated as it is after all. As for now, I have to meet with them.
It seems everybody is in Alexia’s room. I arrive with Caro at Alexia’s room and have the maid, who’s attached to the room, confirm it. After a while, the maid came out and the permission was given so we went inside and,
everybody was inside. ……I wonder what they’re doing. It doesn’t look like they’re having tea either after all.
“Oh, Lei, what’s the matter? Caro as well”
“Aah, the truth is, I was called from Christina-sama. I’m just about to go from now on though”
“?”
Perhaps they noticed my poor articulation, everybody tilted their head. It’s difficult to say but I guess I’ve got no choice but to say it.
“I was told by Christina to come, not just by myself, but to also bring my fiancees over”
I say that and two are without change, and another two avert their eyes slightly awkwardly. Naturally, the former is Alexia and Ferris and the latter is Helen-san and Aerith.
“Is that so. Let’s go then”
Alexia who then immediately tries to stand up. I
“Alexia, can you wait for a bit”
stop her. It’s because I have to talk about it. Thereupon, Alexia grinned broadly and nodded at me. ……I’ve been seen through huh. I walk until the table while scratching my head and look at Helen-san and Aerith.
“What’s the matter? If you don’t quickly go, you’re going to keep Christina-sama waiting, you know?”
“Exactly. It is bad if you keep her waiting”
Both of them say. But I can’t say it anymore if I back down here.
“I want both of you to come as well”
“”……Where to?””
Why did both of them collectively respond in interrogative there. It’s apparent from the flow of the conversation until now, isn’t it.
“To Christina-sama’s with us”
I say and the two of them make a surprised expression. I fire off before they say anything.
“I believe I understand both your feelings. It’s because we’ve been together for these 4 years. I’ll also properly talk to Chichiue and Alene-hahaue about Aneue’s matter. I’ll also talk to the Prime Minister about Helen-san. It’s me, who says such a despicable thing, but I want both of you to come together. In the life hereafter……I want everybody to walk with me”
Come to think of it, I didn’t convey it clearly to Alexia and the others either. I look around at Alexia, Ferris, Caro, Helen-san, Aerith, in sequence.
Alexia gives an, ‘I know’, atmosphere; Ferris is happily swinging her tail. Caro closes her eyes and nods; Helen-san is……bawling!? I wonder if she hates it that much. It’s my misunderstanding huh! Aerith is facing upwards and keeping quiet though.
“Wa, was it perhaps, my misunderstanding? I was just assuming at my whim that both of you like me……”
This is bad. I have cold sweat running down my back when I start to think that. An incredible amount is coming out. However
“It, it is nawt it! I, I am too harppy! I had actually thought of giving up. Around Lei, there is Alexia-sama, Ferris-sama, and even Aerith-chan, moreover, Caroline-sama has joined in as well, I was thinking whether somebody like me, who cannot fight, is a hindrance”
Helen-san who says to me while rubbing her eyes. Indeed, Helen-san can use magic but she’s incapable of combat. But
“To me, such things don’t matter. I like the Helen-san who stays by my side and teaches me various things. I want you to teach me various things from now on as well, Helen-sa……Helen”
Helen makes a surprised expression and looks at me when I address her without any honorific but she nods at me happily. I think this is probably also a reason why Helen is unmotivated. It’s because I address Alexia and the others without honorific and I was using ‘san’ only on Helen. I guess she had also been bothered by this.
Aerith is next, but she carried on looking upwards and wouldn’t look at me. What’s the matter?
“Aneue. What is the matter? As I thought, do you hate「that’s not it!」eh?”
When I’m about to say that, I was interrupted by Aerith. Tears are amassing in her eyes. She was holding back crying huh.
“I want to be together with Lei as well. But, we’re siblings and we don’t know what the world will say to us. So I was thinking of giving up. I planned to support you as an elder sister hereafter and followed on this trip and yet……if I’m told something like that, my resolve is going to weaken, isn’t it……”
Aerith who hangs her head as it is this time around. I embrace Aerith tightly as it is.
“Aneue, I won’t be bothered by whatever the people around may say. I’ll give up if Aneue says she doesn’t want to be pained by that, but if you say you want to be together with me nevertheless then I’ll do whatever it takes to protect Aneue. So be with me”
When I say that, Aerith nods numerous times while she buries her face in my chest. And at the back
“Yeah, my country even has marriage between men so there’s nothing to worry about!”
Ferris says. ……It somehow feels like it’ll be alright when I hear that. Perhaps they calmed down slightly, Helen and Aerith both giggle.
About a few minutes after that, I bring the pair, who stopped crying, and Alexia and the others with me and leave the room. At that time, Aerith
“I was told by Otou-sama to hand this to Lei. I was holding onto it. Look at it later. And then, address me without honorific”
I was told. In regards to the letter, her handing it over at this timing means, the details in regards to my relation with Aerith hereafter is probably written. I can only do my best in regards to calling her without any honorific.
“I got it, Aerith”
She has a sparkling smile just from me calling her without any honorific.
With such things also happening, we arrived at where Christina-sama is. It has been quite some time since I was told to come, it’d be great if she’s not angry though.
When we arrive at Christina-sama’s room, Caro tells the maid to relay our arrival and the maid goes inside. Immediately afterwards, the permission was given so we went inside and
“My, you’re late huh”
Christina-sama who’s drinking tea elegantly was there.
“Haha, there were some things”
As I enter while laughing, Christina-sama didn’t look like she particularly minds and she urges us to sit. Why did you say it then. was what I thought but I can’t say it out loud. And when everybody sits, Christina-sama looks fixedly at Helen and Aerith. I wonder what’s wrong?
“As I thought, you guys came as well huh”
When Christina-sama says that, Helen and Aerith get startled and shakes. This is
“Christina-sama, there’s a reason for「I’m glad it’s not a waste」eh?”
As I stood up and was about to give the reason, Christina-sama says that.
“What? Did you possibly think that I’m angry? If they don’t despise Caroline then I won’t get angry no matter how many people there are”
Christina-sama who says and laughs. What, I’m gladd. I feel relieved and fall back down onto my seat. At the same time as that, Christina-sama places some kind of box on the table. I wonder what is it.
“It seems couple rings that are endowed with the Goddess’ Blessing are in fashion since before. These are the rings that are the origin of that”
What she said and showed me were rings affixed with a gemstone that shines blue beautifully.
