episode_0081

After that, the atmosphere became much more relaxed, but Amelia kept that ‘bad girl face’ on until Adele returned home.

“Phew… … .”

After sending Adele back in the carriage, Amelia gently massaged the corners of her eyes with her hands and sighed.

Actually, Amelia’s eyes were a bit sharp even on a regular basis. But perhaps because I had gotten used to her usual eyes, as soon as she relaxed her eyes, her eyes softened and her overall aura became a little rounder.

“Elsie—”

“I’m sorry.”

As Amelia called me, I quickly apologized.

“Huh?”

“When you and the crown prince were arguing, a little while ago, I almost stepped in and ruined the whole thing.”

“Ah.”

Amelia closed her eyes at my words. But it didn’t seem like she closed her eyes out of bewilderment. Should I say that she looked a little relieved, or that she looked drowsy after finishing work? At least, she looked much more peaceful than before.

Amelia said, leaning back in her chair with that expression on her face.

“You don’t need to worry too much about that. It’s just to help me.”

“But still—”

“What do you mean to say if the results were not good?”

“… … .”

When I was completely dumbfounded by those words, Amelia laughed with her eyes closed.

“But the result was good. It was resolved almost completely without me having to intervene.”

Amelia relaxed her body and spoke lazily.

“And, in fact, if the Crown Prince hadn’t said that much, Adele might not have fallen for our words.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Actually, if we are to be serious about what we are saying, it is a story of ‘we will just help you’, right? If the crown prince hadn’t done such a ridiculous thing in front of us, our story would have sounded just as absurd.”

Amelia opened her eyes and looked at me.

“But after listening to the conversation between the crown prince and Lord Matap, you must have thought something like that. ‘Do I really have the ability?’ Although he may not have shown it outwardly. Of course, he must have been doubtful until he got to this point.”

“So you’re saying that you didn’t really believe what we said?”

“Probably half and half. I would have believed your story, but not mine.”

When I tilted my head, Amelia slowly explained.

“I’m a little sorry to say this, but when I looked at you, I wouldn’t have guessed that you were plotting something. You looked really desperate when you said that. You were almost hanging on even though your face was red.”

“… … .”

At Amelia’s words, my face burned again.

“Moreover, Adele respects the people of Delkisi. Considering the way she behaved towards you, the Delkisi clan must have known this as well. ‘Nature does not lie.’ The knowledgeable knight inherited the clan’s way of thinking. Since you’re Adele, you’d think you’d be faithful to his words… … In reality, it is like that.”

Those words stung quite a bit in my heart. I’ve told quite a few lies while being by Amelia’s side.

Moreover, he was ready to lie again if he could stay by Amelia’s side for a little longer. It stung a little for deceiving Adele, but deceiving Amelia stung even more.

But that doesn’t mean I can’t reveal everything. I don’t know what kind of expression Amelia will make when she finds out that I betrayed her trust.

“So, it is you who actually changed Adele’s heart. Who wouldn’t want to listen to a person they respect making such a request? There is always a dark part of a person’s heart. There is no one who wouldn’t feel joy when they see a situation where the person watching is in the position of asking for a favor, even if just for a moment.”

Would I feel the same way when I see Amelia?

… … Certainly, if Amelia were to ask me to stay by her side for the rest of her life, I would also feel joy. It would be proof that I have become an invaluable person in Amelia’s life.

“But Adele didn’t have the money to take the class. But she couldn’t have asked you to pay it, and she wouldn’t have had anywhere to borrow it.”

“So, I agree with what you said.”

“That’s right. Of course, even in that situation, if I had just offered it, I wouldn’t have accepted it, so I made up for it by saying I would get something in return.”

indeed.

… … But then, in the end, the person who played the biggest role was Amelia.

In the end, it was a problem that couldn’t be solved without money.

“Really, Adele is so knowledgeable. If a favor comes in front of you, you can just take it, but what made me go around in circles like this.”

However, while Amelia was grumbling like that, there was a calm smile on her lips.

Is it because the opponent is Adele?

… … I became a little anxious when I saw Amelia’s expression.

*

When Elsie blushed and said those words to Adele, I felt like my heart sank.

Why did that happen? Adele wasn’t going to take Elsie with her, and Elsie wasn’t going to suddenly move to her position as Adele’s escort.

The cause of the anxiety I feel every time the Crown Prince approaches Elsie is obvious. If the Crown Prince takes Elsie as his wife, I will have no choice but to meet her in the future.

Although it is a country right next door, in this world, even going to that country takes several days or at most several weeks. If the road conditions are not good, it is impossible to get there at all.

As it takes a long time for people to travel, the time it takes to send and receive letters will also be equally long. After all, letters and items are also moved by people.

But, Adele… …

Adele is not in a relationship with Elsie to marry her. And even if Elsie stays close with Adele, there is no way I will lose Elsie. If I sit down in the royal capital, we will be able to see each other every day.

Still, why am I so reluctant to get close to Elsie and Adele?

I wiped my face.

… … What kind of teenage girl are you to feel an exclusive desire for a friend who is not even your lover?

Even though Elsie is someone I can’t replace in my life.

But still, in the end, I feel relaxed when I think that Elsie’s actions are for her own benefit. Even after Adele left, Elsie stayed by my side, and she didn’t even say or do anything about wanting to follow Adele.

As I relaxed my body, stretched out in the chair, closed my eyes, and rested, I felt someone place a hand on my shoulder.

I knew it was Elsie’s touch.

Because it was just me and Elsie in the room.

Elsie’s hand holding my shoulder gained strength.

Of course, it wasn’t that I held it in a painful way. Rather, I applied it much more gently and slowly.

“Umm.”

That sound escaped my mouth.

“My shoulders are very tense.”

Elsie said as she grabbed my shoulder, which was hanging on the chair, and massaged it.

“Were you very nervous?”

“No, not at all—ugh… … !”

“The body doesn’t lie. If you’re not nervous, you haven’t exercised until now.”

“Not like that—ah!”

As if she had no intention of listening to my excuses, Elsie’s hands moved mercilessly and pressed on sensitive areas of my body.

… … At best, it was just a strained shoulder, but whatever.

“I know that you are trying hard. Now that you have entered the main story in earnest, you are trying to search the information guild’s tower or the royal palace, or the families connected to it… … There will be a lot to investigate and a lot to worry about.”

Elsie’s soft voice pierced my ears.

“But still, you don’t have to be too nervous, right? I will be next to you. At least I can definitely protect you from physical threats.”

“… … .”

I know that much. I also know how much effort Elsi is putting in for her.

“Well, the accident I had may have played a part in why you’re nervous.”

It’s not like that.

In fact, I hate it even more when Elsie is intimidated and doesn’t do anything. Because I knew very well that she wasn’t that kind of person.

The countless memories we have accumulated over the past 10 years prove this.

“… … Elsie.”

“Huh?”

When I called quietly, Elsie, who was gently touching my shoulder, answered. Even with her eyes closed, it wasn’t that difficult to imagine what Elsie’s expression was. She would definitely be looking at me with her eyes wide open. I said in a serious voice. Because whenever I called Elsie, she always had that look on her face.

Should we make that expression a little more surprising?

“Would you like to sleep together today for the first time in a while?”

“… … .”

When I opened my eyes, I could clearly see Elsie’s reversed expression standing behind me on the chair, lowering her head and looking at me.

And the expression on Elsie’s face was exactly as I imagined.