203 Twenty-fifth, on the wedding day. (2/2)

Well, it wasn't far off.

When I think about it... wasn't it amazing that I was able to fight the Demon King so well?

'What?　What do you mean?　How did you work it out without knocking him down?

The result was a draw. That's how I convinced Guru ...... the Demon King that the result was a draw.

The princess's question was answered as straightforwardly as ever by Leo .

Why don't you tell us a little more ...... story about being taken to the Demon King's Castle or something?

'Yeah. ....... Well, as long as Kite's okay, that's all that matters.

Oh, it's okay.

Yes, it is. I'm okay with that, too, as long as you're okay, Leo.

When Miss Rihanna agreed with Elaine, she hugged Leo.

'Oh, it's not fair!'

Soon after, the princess also hugged Leo.

Seeing this, Hélène looked at me with a slightly envious look on her face.

'...... please?'

This is the right thing to do, right?

I held out my arms and invited Elaine to join me.

”Mmm. Then I'll take you up on your offer.

Smiling, Hélène jumped at me.

'Isn't it about time we went back to the royal castle?　Tomorrow, or rather, today's wedding is early in the morning, right?

The princess and Rihanna hugged me and Hélène, who were also attached to each other, and asked me this.

You could've let me linger a little longer. Now you have to show me the reality of waking up early.

You're right. Haha, even if I went to bed now, I'd only get an hour or two of sleep. ......

Well, it's a big night for you and your family.

Yeah. Whew~

Wow. It doesn't look like you were having a party a few hours ago.

When we returned to the castle, Elaine muttered something like that to the changing party.

It's dimly lit by the dead bodies of demons and broken lights. You can't feel the happy atmosphere of the party.

Let's just clear the demon corpses. It stinks.

Huh?　Now we're going to get rid of this demon!

I'm tired. You should be in bed.

That's right. You know, Leo fought a lot of demons, too.

I don't think I'll be awake for an hour, so I'll be awake. I'll finish up here while I'm doing that.

Well, I'll stay up too: ......

It's bad enough that Leo's the only one who has to do the cleaning.

”No, I don't think you should get out of this mess and go take a bath. It's not a good idea to go to a wedding in the dirt.

You're right, I should take a bath because it's dirty.

Can you get the smell of blood off ......?

Well, I'm sorry, but I'm going to go back to my room.

Good night.

Good night.

Hmm. You're getting along great.

As soon as we left the party, Hélène laughed and made fun of me and Leo for getting along with each other.

”That's the kind of person Hélène is, who gets along with the Princesses.

As I recall. I've had a great time in the short time I've been here.

Were you taking a bath or something while we were dealing with the Demon King?

I thought I smelled good on Hélène when she hugged me.

Maybe she's just obsessed with baths.

I'd like to have a chance to take a bath sometime.

That's good to hear. Whaaaaat? I'm sleepy. I'm too sleepy. I think I'm gonna fall asleep at the wedding.

'I've had a rough day. ....... I honestly think I'm going to fall asleep too.

I know. ....... It's gotta be patient.

And a few hours later.

”Huh?　The nobles aren't awake?

After we had finished getting ready for the wedding, with our outfits and hairstyles and all, Leo came to me with something like that.

”Yes, I know. I totally forgot that the music box lasted half a day.

Oh. How could I have forgotten? Then you could have decided to do it at noon so you could get some sleep, you know?

Then I could sleep for two more hours.

That's a big difference. .......

I'm sorry. I was too sleepy to think straight. Please forgive me.

Okay, but I've got ...... Hélène ready to go.　What are you going to do?

Yeah ...... what were you planning to do in the morning?

”I was going to pray to God in church and then go out to greet the people. Speaking of which, we had a long list of congratulations from the king.

I was told the prayer ceremony would take about three hours, and the address to the people would take an hour. The king's speech was about 30 minutes long.

She can talk for 30 minutes?　That's doubtful.

”Well, since I hear the priest and the king are still sleeping, let's cut the prayers and the King's talk. Just kiss the vows and say hello to the people.　And a wedding ring.

No, that's just the other side of the world: ......

I think you have to follow the rules when you're in a village.

”That's fine. They're all asleep anyway, so they won't know. All right. I'll make the ring for you. Hold on a second.

I didn't seem to have veto power and Leo went off on his own.

”See, it's made of mithril, so it's shiny, strong, and rustproof. It's the best material for a wedding ring. I also cast a spell to keep you two together forever.

When I came back, I was handed two beautiful wedding rings.

Both rings have my name and Hélène's and my name engraved on them, so they don't look like they were made in a very short period of time.

Oh, thank you ......

Don't thank me. Come on, your bride is waiting for you, let's go to church!

'What?　What do you mean?

Why did Hélène come to church?

I was metastasized to the church before I could even think of such a question.

Ah, .......

In front of me stood Hélène in a white wedding dress ...... but not a white wedding dress, but a bright red dress .

Yeah . You look amazing.

It's exactly the same outfit as when I was summoned to this world,...... but Hélène is more mature and even more beautiful than that time.

'You're late. What have you been doing?

'Sorry, I'm sorry: ......'

Just kidding. Remember?　That I was upset with Kite when he was summoned and the next day he didn't come right after I called him.

Yeah, I've heard that one before. Hélène was unreasonable at the time.

I miss it. Hélène was so cute, that bullheaded Hélène.

I'm sorry. But am I being nice now?

”Yeah. That's very sweet. I can't live without Hélène's support anymore.

”Hmm. Thank you. If it weren't for Kaito...I would have died quickly too. We've come this far because of Kite. Thank you for everything. And I hope you continue to do so.

As I said this, Elaine put her hands on my cheeks and kissed me as hard as she could.

'Is this what a vow kiss should feel like?'

Yeah. It's good, right?　Right?

It's a good thing you're sweet.

Yes. I think that's good.

The three people sitting in the front row of the processional table were nodding their heads in agreement.

Well, this is a different world, so I guess it doesn't matter if it's appropriate.

Oh, yeah. Wedding ring.

'What?　A wedding ring?

Where I'm from, it's a tradition for couples to wear the same ring.

Then he showed Hélène the two rings.

Oh, I see. Then give me one of the rings to wear.

Yes.

Do you have a specific finger you're going to wear this on?

Left ring finger.

Yeah. Okay, give me your left hand.

I held out my left hand as you asked, and Hélène happily put the ring on my finger.

”Mm-hmm. Then it's my turn.

Hélène held out her hand to me and I gently put the ring on her.

”Mm-hmm. It's nice to have them together.

Yeah. That's a great idea.

I guess my mission is to keep that smile from now on.

Elaine's happy smile made me feel that sincerely.