“Is this Rizeria you’re speaking of, Lady Mira’s daughter?”
After Elicia successfully received the credential token and departed from the castle, the Emperor was personally being updated on Elicia’s every move within the castle, unlike anyone else.
“Yes. If I recall, you had a chance to meet her face-to-face not too long ago.”
“Ah, yes, that did happen. But tell me, is it true that Mira’s beloved daughter had a tea time with the Hero?”
“It seems news of Miss Elicia’s activities reached Lady Mira. Perhaps Miss Rizeria, finding interest in that, invited Miss Elicia to join a gathering.”
Only a few people knew the detailed movements of Elicia. The more famous she became, the more advantages there were, but for Elicia, who primarily used assassination as her weapon, the disadvantages outweighed the benefits.
But Mila, the General of the Empire, was one of those few people who did know. Naturally, she was fully aware of Elicia’s activities.
“Hmm, this isn’t the end, is it? Surely, there’s more to this story?”
“…The next day, Miss Rizeria invited Miss Elicia alone to her residence, without inviting the usual group of young ladies.”
“Kuk… I’ve heard that Lady Mira has been worrying about the marriage proposals coming for her daughter, who recently came of age. It seems our Hero personally resolved this concern for the General.”
“And now she’s given Mira a new concern, though Lady Mira might not know it yet.”
The Emperor, who was fully aware of Rizeria’s motivations due to his knowledge of Elicia’s usual actions, didn’t need to ask to understand the reasons behind Rizeria’s invitation.
“Though you seem amused, Your Majesty, shouldn’t we start curtailing Miss Elicia’s actions? It seems she’s unaware of the gravity of the situation, at least she seems unconscious of it.”
It was surprising how every word and action of Elicia’s was unintentional and natural, rather than planned.
“Aah, thanks to my insight, I can just sit back and watch, but she can be difficult for even me to handle. Moreover, even if she realized, I doubt things would change much.”
“Still, if you continue to let this go…”
“Don’t worry about that. Soon, someone will appear to handle her for me, and all these worries will resolve themselves.”
Despite his calm tone, the Emperor quietly added in a nearly inaudible voice:
“But with her, it might be different. She might remain unchanged even in such situations.”
In reality, Elicia surpassed the Emperor’s expectations, even captivating one of the Four Heavenly Kings.
“And one more thing. Isn’t it time to reveal your true identity to Miss Elicia? She keeps mistaking you for my mother.”
“Sorry, but I can’t help with that. After all, this misunderstanding benefits me immensely without causing any harm. It’s enjoyable, to say the least.”
“But this misunderstanding harms me.”
Of course, Isis, who had watched over the Emperor since he was young, treated him like her own daughter. Having lost his mother at a young age, the Emperor also regarded Isis as a maternally figure.
But there’s a clear difference between treating someone like a daughter and actually having one.
“Just endure it. After all, you are around the age of a mother.”
Despite this, the Emperor responded with his usual carefree attitude. While the Emperor’s words nearly caused Isis to lose her temper, she managed to calm herself down thanks to her extreme patience, which had significantly contributed to her reaching the level of Archmage.
“Ah, by the way, avoid setting further appointments with Lady Mira for a while. I predict it might get annoying to face her for some time.”
The Emperor was simply this kind of person.
*
Having received the credential token, there was no reason to stay in the castle long, so the next morning, I immediately departed. My next destination was Dephel, the city where Lindy’s Information Union was based. According to Lindy, the systems were all set up, and the handover was complete, allowing her to step away. Thus, I decided Dephel as my destination to meet her.
“Master! What’s that thing in your hand?”
Since there was no need to walk, I waited for the carriage provided by the palace, and during that time, Lilith noticed the item in my hand and questioned it.
“Oh, this? Hehe… a token of friendship, you could say.”
In just a day, I managed to completely win over Rizeria. Fortunately, the other young ladies invited by Rizeria had conflicts, so they couldn’t attend the tea party the following day, which worked in my favor. Because of this, I could interact with her more deeply.
Moreover, before leaving, she personally gave me this amulet. She earnestly instructed me not to leave it until I returned victorious from defeating the Demon King.
Suddenly!
“?”
Before I even realized, Presia slapped my buttock. Though it didn’t hurt, it startled a shriek out of me.
When I asked Presia what that was about, she had already entered the prepared carriage. There was no need to hit me when the carriage was already there—she could have just told me as much, but Presia does seem to have a mischievous side.
After safely tucking the amulet deep into my inner pocket, I boarded the carriage. True to its reputation as a royal carriage, it offered comfort throughout the journey to Dephel, reaching the destination before the sun had fully set. After dropping us off, the carriage promptly returned to the castle since it wouldn’t be picking up any other passengers.
Normally, one would find lodging upon entering a town, but it wasn’t necessary in Dephel. Given we came to meet Lindy, it was simplest to just stay at her house, saving unnecessary expenses.
“Lindy! We’re here!”
I naturally opened the door and loudly announced our arrival as if it were my own home. After all, I had the spare key already. Though I rarely visited Dephel, I hadn’t thought where such a spare key would be useful, but here we were. Lindy probably hadn’t foreseen a day like this either when she handed over the key.
“Seems like no one is home, huh?”
There was no sound inside the house, nor any lights lit, indicating that Lindy hadn’t yet returned from work.
Left with no choice but to wait in the empty house, each of us settled down in our respective spots.
Presia lounged on the rocking chair placed by the window, while Lilith stood behind her, willingly volunteering to rock the chair. Though I momentarily wondered if calling her “Master” and “High Master” had instilled a slave-like nature in her, Lilith seemed genuinely happy, so I decided not to dwell on it.
Luna, finding the rocking motion amusing, stared intently at Presia. However, unlike with Lindy, Luna couldn’t be as carefree with Presia, and after politely asking her to move, Luna started inspecting elsewhere in the house for another rocking chair.
Meanwhile, Bear and Tokki rummaged through the kitchen cabinets as though it were their own home, eventually finding a teapot and some snacks.
As Bear boiled water and Tokki arranged the snacks on a dish, Luna, unable to find another rocking chair, returned with a dejected look and plopped down beside me on the sofa, resting her head on my thigh.
“Why don’t you go rest on the bed if you’re sleepy?”
“It’s not that I’m sleepy, but the bed smells like an aunt, and I don’t like it!”
Concerned she might be tired, I asked Luna, but she casually made a comment Lindy would have been furious to hear, wriggling closer toward me instead. Though this was also Lindy’s sofa.
“Heh. Besides, I prefer senior’s thigh to any bed or pillow!”
At any rate, Luna is getting older but still loves to act childish. And so do I, for repeatedly indulging her.
As I was gently stroking Luna’s head, the creaking sound of the rocking chair ceased.
Presia elegantly stepped down from the chair and walked over to where Luna and I sat on the sofa. She lightly tapped Luna’s shoulder.
“I’ll give you the rocking chair. Take it.”
“Really? You won’t change your mind later? You clearly stated that you’re giving it up!”
Presia must have found it hard to see Luna looking so dejected. Despite seizing the chair immediately upon entering, she decided to give it up for Luna.
“Yea, I don’t need it.”
The moment Presia confirmed her decision, Luna leapt up and joyfully dashed to the rocking chair.
“Luna! You should thank Miss Presia!”
“Heh! Thank you, Sister!”
“I should be.”
Despite Luna’s rather perfunctory thanks, Presia didn’t seem bothered.
Lilith, instead of following Presia, continued to attend to Luna in her new seat, gently rocking the chair. However, Luna, finding the gentle motion insufficient, rocked herself vigorously, swaying the chair back and forth.
In the meantime, Presia had now taken Luna’s earlier position, resting her head on my thigh. Noticing a hopeful glimmer in her eyes, I lifted my hand and began gently stroking her hair as I had done with Luna earlier. Fortunately, this seemed to please her, and she slowly closed her eyes, surrendering herself to the moment.
Clatter.
With everything prepared, Bear and Tokki placed cups of tea and plates of snacks on the table in front of the sofa.
With one hand still stroking Presia’s hair and the other free, I took a sip of tea and a bite of the snack.
This felt like being at home. A simple house like this was much better for resting than being confined in a grand castle, despite not being my actual home.
While we’re waiting, it wouldn’t be bad to prepare dinner so we can eat as soon as Lindy arrives.
