Chapter 703: Lets Have a Housewarming Party ⑤ (1/2)
My housewarming party is coming up tomorrow, and I'm supposed to visit the royal castle of Symphonia Kingdom today. Incidentally, it seems that a pickup is on the way, and I'm currently waiting for them at the entrance of my house.
The reason why I'm visiting the royal castle is that I received a letter from the King, Ryze-san, asking me to come to the castle before the housewarming party.
To summarize the contents of the letter I received…… Errr, for some reason, even though I built my house in the royal capital of Symphonia, they're not treating me as a Symphonia citizen.
At a quick glance, it looks like I'm being treated as an outcast, but in reality, it's something much worse.
Because, apparently, my house has become something like a special zone or an independent state…… and that it isn't subject to the laws of Symphonia Kingdom.
In addition to that, I'm not obligated to pay taxes, and the government is forbidden to issue any kind of orders to me or anyone living in my house, except in cases of dire emergencies.
In order to make it known to the other nobles, simple formalities….. where they would just give me a note that proves how I'm under special treatment, would be conducted and thus, he's asking me to come and pick it up.
No, I honestly have no idea…… as to why this situation is happening…… is what I'd like to say……
[Hey, Alice.]
[What is it?]
[This situation…… Is it perhaps related to, errr, a certain God from Earth that I'm thinking about right now?]
[……I mean, I'm the one who suggested it…… but she is indeed the reason why this is implemented.]
[……I knew it.]
I so knew it. Looking back, I should have known that her presence would have some influence on my surroundings. Ryze-san…… and perhaps, Chris-san and Laguna-san too. I'm really sorry for giving you unnecessary trouble just because I didn't think about the situation enough.
As I waited at the entrance, feeling apologetic, I saw Lilia-san, who would be participating in the formalities as the head of a noble family, and her entourage walking out of her mansion.
Lilia-san and I live next door, so even though the size of our houses makes it a bit distant, I can still see her from where I stand. However, Lilia-san would be participating as the head of Albert Duchy, so we will be going to the royal castle separately.
As I watched Lilia-san's entourage prepare their carriage, I saw a gorgeous carriage stop in front of my gate.
Thereupon, a woman about 150cm tall alighted from the carriage's driver seat. She had wavy golden semi-long hair, red eyes, and was dressed in silver and white armor with a large sword on her back that looked twice as tall as she was. I have no clue as to how she would be able to unsheathe such a sword.
I've never talked to her before, but if I remember correctly, she should be the one guarding Ryze-san back at the Six Kings Festival. Is she a knight of the royal guards?
Walking through the opened gate and through the garden, the woman arrived in front of me, brought her hand on her chest and lightly saluted.
[My apologies for making you wait. I am Rachel, I've been assigned to guide you today.]
[Ahh, errr, nice to meet you. I'm Miyama Kaito.]
[Thank you for your courtesy.]
She had a rather peculiar way of speaking, but her gestures made me feel the elegance of someone within the upper class.
As I was thinking about this, Rachel-san fixed her posture and with a wry smile on her face, she spoke.
[Miyama-sama, for the trouble ”my husband” had caused you before, please accept my apologies.]
[Husband? Errr…… Ryze-san?]
When I heard her mention her husband, the first one that came to my mind was Ryze-san, who has many wives. At my words, Rachel-san shook her head with a smile.