Part 6
On the way to the room I was having a conversation with Luxion.
“I knew the Republic of Arzel was here, but I didn’t expect Loic to be with them.”
[They have dispatched the tiger flying battleships left behind by Ideal. Alberg and Louise must have worked behind the scenes to get it.]
“——I appreciate that”
I didn’t think I needed anyone’s help.
But it is very reassuring to know that there are people out there who are willing to help.
“There was also a fleet of Fanose.”
[I see that the nobles of the kingdom have also dispatched their fleet. ——Bartfalt family’s flying battleships have also been confirmed. They will be angry later.]
My dad or big brother or both are probably here.
I don’t blame them for being mad at me, considering what I did.
“I won’t complain if they hit me. Anyway, are Ange and the others in the room we’re going to?”
[No, that’s——]
When Luxion was unsure to answer, we came to the destination room and knocked.
I heard a response from inside, so I opened the door and went inside.
“Ara ara, I see you’ve been very reckless. Aren’t you losing some weight?”
Inside the room was Claris-senpai.
“I heard you were missing, but I’m glad you’re safe.”
The one with the fan open and covering her mouth is Deirdre-senpai.
It doesn’t surprise me that they are both in the room.
The reason is that they are the daughters of the kingdom’s nobles, so it is not surprising that they would be at the royal palace if they had business to attend to.
However, the other two are unusual.
“As usual, you’re getting yourself into a trouble.”
“Long time no see, Louise-san. Shall I call you oneechan?”
She’s [Louise Sarah Rault].
With shoulder-length yellow-blonde hair and purple eyes —— and a glamorous figure, she is Louise-san, who took care of me in the Republic of Arzel.
When I jokingly called her “Oneechan,” she blushed a little.
As she walks up to me, she reaches out her right hand and touches my left cheek.
“If you can tell a joke, you seem to be doing okay. I’m glad you’re doing well.”
“Of course. I have so much energy that I could sell it.”
“I don’t think you have enough to sell. And you’re still the same liar.”
As we are having a friendly conversation, Hertrude-san interrupts the conversation.
“Do you mind if I get a minute? I need to talk to him.”
As I tilt my head back, Claris-senpai smiles at me.
It must have been my imagination that the smile seemed to hide her true feelings.
“What a coincidence. I have something important to discuss with Leon-kun, too. So I wonder why there are three insects intruding?”
As Claris-senpai’s gaze swept over the other women, Deirdre-senpai closed her fan.
“I should have noticed when there were other people in this room. Angelica——no, is this Milene-sama’s arrangement? What a mean thing to do.”
Why are Ange and Milene-san’s names mentioned?
Not understanding the current situation, Louise-san speaks to me.
“Leon-kun, onee-san has something to say to you, would you mind listening to it?”
“Something to say?”
I glanced at Luxion, and he nodded, as if we still had time before our next appointment.
I nodded, and Louise put her hands together.
“We sent a fleet to the kingdom of Horfalt, but our country is also quite reckless. So we can’t convince Hugues and the opposition to come back unless we get something in return. ——Will you cooperate with us?”
Louise-san, who looks down a little and pleads with an upward glance, seems to have become a more mature woman after not seeing her for a while.
The Republic of Alzer seems to be doing something reckless to save the Kingdom of Horfalt.
It is only natural for a country to demand compensation.
I feel a little uncomfortable with Louise-san telling this story.
Even Hertrude-san is jumping on board.
“Fanose family is the same way, we are being reckless. We can’t just save the kingdom and that’s the end of it.”
Their argument is valid.
I look at Luxion and he talks about rewards instead.
[At present, we can provide platinum coins. If you have any other items you would like——]
Claris-senpai is the one who waits for me to say that I will personally prepare a reward.
“You can’t just talk about it. This is a matter between countries, isn’t it? It is not appropriate to discuss this with Leon-kun.”
Deirdre-senpai agrees with her opinion.
“That’s right. And when it comes to rewards, we come first. The nobles in the country are working hard for this matter, as well. Of course, the Roseblade family is doing its utmost to cooperate.”
Claris-senpai and Deirdre-senpai’s parents’ house are also moving.
So if I prioritize Louise-san and Hertrude-san, it’s not interesting for them.
As I think about it, Luxion whispers in my ear.
[Master, don’t you think something is strange?]
“What?”
[Look at the four of them.]
When I turned my gaze to the four of them, they were facing each other and talking with a smile.
Louise-san and Claris-senpai.
“It’s your own country’s problem, isn’t it? I think it’s strange to ask for something in return.”
“I don’t think you are irrelevant either, do you? But if you say it’s irrelevant, I wish the foreign princess would stay out of it.”
Deirdre-senpai and Hertrude-san.
“Are you plotting to revive the principality? You’ll have to wait and hope for a pardon from the new Majesty after the war. I’ll put in a good word for you.”
“The Fanose family has moved on because you people are disappointing. The kingdom needs to show some sincerity.”
I looked at the four of them smiling and I understood.
“It’s called nobility talk. They want to get paid more than anyone else.”
I am also a person who lives in an aristocratic society, so I can see that the smiles on the faces of the four of them are not sincere.
I guess they’re trying to convince me so they can get a bigger reward.
Therefore, the four of them are keeping each other in check.
I seem to have adapted to aristocratic society quite well, to understand aristocratic conversation.
[——Do you really think so?]
“By the way, isn’t this room a little cold?”
[Yeah, that’s right.]
It feels colder than it was in the hallway.
Luxion informs me that the next business is coming up.
[It’s taking longer than I expected. If this continues, it will interfere with our next appointment.]
“I get it.”
I look at the four people who are still arguing and clap my hands to get their attention.
The four of them turned to me, so I said this to end this conversation.
“I understand the situation. I will take responsibility for the reward.”
Then, Hertrude-san smiles..
Although her height and body shape should be the same as before, she has started to give off a much more mature impression.
Is it the result of being a proxy Duke and having been subjected to noble society?
The way she was forced to grow up, even if she didn’t want to, makes me feel a little sympathy for her.
“Will you take responsibility in your name? Can you write one?”
“If that makes you feel better.”
I would have enjoyed spending some time reminiscing if I could, but I didn’t have much time.
I regret to leave, but I’ll just sign the papers and leave the room.
Claris-senpai seemed a little dissatisfied.
“——Well, I guess it can’t be helped.”
Deirdre-senpai is smiling and covering her mouth with a fan.
“I’m kind of sorry about that. But I can’t miss the chance.”
Louise-san smiled when she saw my face.
“I think I’ll be able to give a good report to Otou-sama.”
That’s good to hear.
As Hertrude-san began to prepare the documents here, the other three gave instructions about this and that.
The finished content, in brief, reads, “I promised that I would prepare what the four of them wanted on this occasion.”
It is written in more difficult words, but the general content is the same.
Hertrude-san nods.
“Well, it’s better than a verbal agreement. I hope you don’t break it later.”
After signing the papers, I say with a wry smile.
“So you don’t trust me —— Look, I signed it properly.”
“I confirmed it. Well then, see you next time.”
Having said that, this was the end of my discussion with the four of them.
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