Vol 5: Chapter 71
His Majesty had a fever the next day. He seems to have gotten too excited.
While bedridden, he seems to have informed the Secret Service and the other High Elves that it was not my fault, so the matter was solved with just having people glaring at me and nothing more.
The message from His Majesty to me was, “I had a lot of fun yesterday. Don’t forget your promise.”
I did not make that promise, though…
「Good morning, Reiji-san.」
Asha came into my room while I was having breakfast.
Her flower-like smile was so cute… I absentmindedly wondered if Asha likes me.
「Is there something wrong?」Asha asked.
「Ah, uh, no… you’re wearing pants today.」
Instead of yesterday’s dress, Asha wore slender pants similar to the riding clothes she wore in the Lev Magic Empire.
「Yes. Apparently it was His Majesty’s command that I should wear this today.」
「…………」
Does he mean to say it will help in long trips?
「And there was also an order to pack my luggage in one travel bag…」
「…………」
Is it really starting today?
「…Asha.」
I left my half-eaten meal and walked towards Asha.
And I held her hands in mine.
「Listen carefully.」
「O-Okay?」
「I will be leaving this country in a while.」
「E-Eh, what?」
「So, please finish up whatever unfinished business you have. The time limit is 30 minutes. Be careful not to be noticed by the Secret Service. I’ll quickly go talk to Yuri-san.」
「Whaaaaaaaat–」
As fireballs popped up together with her loud voice, I quickly shut her mouth.
Your Majesty… I will fulfill my promise. But I will become a wanted man…
**
I asked about Yuri-san’s whereabouts and was led to the same terrace as yesterday. The scene of her reading a thick, large picture book spread out on a table looked like a wide painting.
「Yuri-san. I’m sorry to disturb you while reading.」
「I don’t know if you can actually call it reading. I’m just rereading it over and over again.」
「Over and over?」
「This is the history book of the Sylvis Kingdom.」
It was in a language that I have never seen before. The language Yuri-san speaks is basically the same as common language in other countries, but each race has its own language before the introduction of the common language.
The Chant that Asha sang was also of the ancient elven language.
「His Majesty told me to read it carefully… because history repeats itself.」
「…………」
I couldn’t say anything.
History repeats itself — probably referring to the calamity that falls on the king.
「You talked to His Majesty last night, correct? I am ready to accept my destiny when I become king.」
「Yes, I know.」
「I see… then go now. You are taking Asha with you, right?」
Did Yuri-san see through the plan, or did she hear it from His Majesty in advance?
In any case, if Yuri-san becomes the next king, I should have no problem in this country.
At first glance, she was a strict person, but she was also kind. And she is tolerant of other races. Some of the other siblings were hostile to me just because I was a human.
「Even so, aren’t you going too much with the flow? I am sure His Majesty forced you into this plan…」
「Ah, ahahah…」
Did she already know that much? “Then you should’ve stopped it,” is what I wanted to say, but since His Majesty felt so strongly about it, I made my decision to take Asha away.
I may have been swept up too much in His Majesty’s flow. But this time, it’s fine.
If Asha truly did not want that from the bottom of her heart, I am sure she would tell me.
「Ah, Yuri-san, can I say something to you?」
「What?」
「You already know that His Majesty does not have too much time remaining, right?」
「…………」
This time it was Yuri-san’s turn to be silent. But that meant “affirmation”.
「I will come back to this country when you are enthroned. I will definitely come, so could you please make some time to meet me then?」
「……Alright.」
Yuri-san easily accepted it, contrary to my expectations.
I am glad. I can tell the truth in my heart at that time. I could not talk to His Majesty about it, but I can still talk to Yuri-san — it isn’t too late.
「Can I ask you something as well?」Yuri-san said.
「What is it? If it is anything I can do, by all means.」
「Asha… and Matvey, please take care of them both.」
「?」
I tilted my neck. Matvey-san?
「It seems like you don’t understand…. But that’s alright. Just keep them in mind.」
「But Matvey-san will remain in this country, right?」I asked.
「Of course. If you take that idiot out of the forest, he will only cause problems. Just keep them in mind, that is all.」
「Okay……?」
I am not sure if I understand, but I nodded.
I said goodbye to Yuri-san and left the place. I looked back before entering the mansion, Yuri-san was reading the history book in the same fashion as when I first saw her.
