episode_0178

We decided to wait until the Crown Prince had had enough of Baron Gavin.

If you move too hastily and immediately hit Count Hoover, public opinion may turn to pity him.

“But I think it’s also important to check the area.”

Adele told us.

“I’ll send Alexander. If Alexander learns the terrain of Hoover’s territory, he might be able to help us later when we go there.”

After hearing that, Amelia and I made eye contact.

“… … Why is that?”

“No, that’s it.”

Adele asked with a puzzled expression, and I answered.

“Are you planning on going with me when I go to rescue Diane?”

“Of course.”

It was Adele’s aunt.

“Did you really plan on going alone?”

“No, I was planning on going alone… … .”

This time, Amelia’s face returned.

No, it’s dangerous.

Last time I robbed an intelligence guild, I heard something from Brother Do. Couldn’t Adele, Diane, and Amelia who went in together be in danger?

Of course, since they were able to do something like that against an intelligence guild with a lot of sword masters, I wonder if there’s anything different about Hoover Territory… … .

Because the area itself was different, any number of variables could have arisen.

“What do you mean, Elsie? Were you planning on leaving Seolma behind?”

“… … .”

I had nothing to say to Amelia, who said those words with an expression of disbelief.

“You weren’t planning on asking the animals again, right? There was no clear evidence of what happened on the Demon King’s Island, but if the bears seen on the King’s Island are seen in the Hoover Estate this time, it will be clear evidence. And Elsie’s wolf. These are all species that cannot be found around here.”

I couldn’t find anything to say in response to Adele’s worried voice.

“But you can’t use other people. Because no one can trust each other as much as the people sitting here right now.”

“… … .”

In the end, Manna completely forgot what to say to what the two people said and could only nod.

*

The silence after sending Adele home was much heavier.

Amelia, who was sitting with her arms crossed and quietly looking at Ana, looked a little angry.

I had already ignored Amelia’s words and invaded the royal palace. If I did this again, not only would I get scolded by Amelia, I might really disappoint Amelia.

I was scared of that fact.

Because I’ve liked Amelia ever since I was little. The relationship we’ve built so far can be destroyed by just one mistake… … I do not want.

“… … Haha.”

Seeing that I was depressed, Amelia sighed softly.

“I know you care about me, but I want you to know that I don’t plan on always being protected.”

“But I’m your escort… … .”

“You are my escort, so it would be difficult for you to fall from my side.”

I felt my heart pounding as Amelia spoke so clearly.

It wasn’t a confession of love, but at least I could feel that Amelia was taking my existence for granted.

I am a part of Amelia’s life, just as Amelia is a part of mine.

I don’t yet know if it will last forever, but I was reassured that Amelia had no intention of letting me go.

“If you want to protect me, stick close to me and protect me. Don’t make me anxious by falling away for no reason.”

Amelia grumbled and sat down on the bed.

I also got up from my seat and sat down next to Amelia.

The feel of the soft bed was so familiar now. The feel I felt with Amelia every day.

When I sat down next to Amelia, she naturally leaned her head towards me.

I’m used to it now, but when I look at it objectively, Amelia leans her face against my big chest in a way that feels a little uncomfortable.

Well, there are some similar parts to Amelia.

It was good too.

“I also have my own thoughts. I only know the basics of swordsmanship, but I am confident in magic. I have some talents. I have learned various things to use when I need it.”

Amelia said in a whining tone.

When I came to, my hand was already stroking Amelia’s hair.

Amelia didn’t say anything else.

I feel a little guilty about enjoying this atmosphere while having a couple friend who is in a crisis right now, but what can I do? There is this peerless beauty right next to me.

What if Amelia were in the same situation as Diane?

I know that the Grand Duke would not do such a thing. In fact, he is in a position where there is no need to do such a thing.

But even so, if your daughter says she wants to be with a woman instead of a man, you don’t know what the reaction will be.

“I know.”

I answered that way.

Amelia just held me like that for a while without answering.

Although I didn’t ‘practice’, it wasn’t a bad idea to just stay like this.

*

In fact, when I first heard about Diane’s situation, I thought, ‘Why don’t I just go in and destroy everything?’ But I couldn’t give up the reputation that Delkesey and Gratton Mount had built because of my own thoughts.

This is because I love my family in my own way, and I am also deeply grateful to Grand Duke Grattonmount for protecting me.

Besides, when I had the accident of attacking the royal palace, there were other Grattenmounts in this house besides Amelia.

“Elsie noona.”

“… … .”

Ted asked, looking at me as I tried to avoid eye contact while sitting across from me.

“What happened in the royal capital was your sister’s fault, right?”

“… … .”

Ted sighed as he saw me not answering again this time and turned his gaze to look at Amelia.

But Amelia was just concentrating on her tea with a faint smile on her face. Ted sighed even louder when he saw Amelia like that.

“I don’t know what the sisters are doing, but I hope they don’t do anything that would put the Grand Duke’s family in a difficult position.”

“You don’t have to worry about that.”

Amelia said, putting the teacup on the table.

“Because it was a conversation with the next emperor and the next king.”

“… … So, before colluding with such important people, I ask you to inform the Grand Duchy, sister. If it was something that needed to be reported to the Grand Duchy in the first place, you would have spread the news a long time ago, right?”

“… … .”

Amelia lifted her teacup without saying a word.

“The reason my sister is here is to objectively judge and process news from the royal capital and send it to the Grand Duke. If anyone wants to talk to the Grand Duke, they can do so through my sister. However, if I do not convey such important news, … … Ugh, that’s it.”

Ted stuck out his tongue when he saw his sister drinking tea without answering.

“Well, the older sisters have had their own secrets since they were young. They don’t tell others.”

“… … .”

“… … .”

It was a secret that couldn’t be told exactly.

Even if I say it, I’m sure I’ll be judged as crazy.

“But,Ted.”

In the end, I couldn’t stand it anymore and opened my mouth first.

“This is a story about love.”

“Love?”

Ted looked at me and tilted his head.

“Yes, we are trying to somehow connect the love that is difficult to achieve. So, can’t you just look at it a little bit?”

“Love… … .”

Ted mumbled at my words.

And Amelia, who was quietly looking at Ted,

“Hmm.”

He made that kind of snorting sound.

“… … Sister?”

“There seems to be something sticking around, Ted.”

“Yes, yes? There is no way I know what my sisters are doing—”

“No, not that one.”

Amelia said with a grin.

“This is a story about Ted. He reacted to the word love. It was also a love that was difficult to achieve.”

Ted’s mouth opened slightly.

“Now that I think about it, Ted never told me who he was in love with.”

“No, sister, that’s why—”

“Are you by any chance a woman with a different status?”

“… … .”

Amelia’s words seem to have hit the nail on the head.

“Well, you don’t have to worry too much. No matter who Ted likes, I will be on his side.”

“Sister… … .”

From a political point of view, a woman’s support does not have that much power. Unless all the male members of the family have disappeared in an unexpected accident and the woman is in power, such as a fief, or someone like the queen.

However, within the family, a woman’s words carry different weight. Especially since Amelia has been directly educated by her father since childhood. If Amelia supports Ted, that alone will be a great help.

“But, if you want my support, Ted has to pretend not to know what we’re doing.”

“… … .”

“Depending on who the other person is, we could be of great help. Can you tell us who it is?”

“That… … Is it true?”

In response to Ted’s question, Amelia nodded.

In many ways, he looked like a snake.