Chapter 38 - Volume 3 (2/2)
Rick went directly into the nearby salon, and in the end, he still didn’t release my arm until we got inside.
Eh, could it be? Does he have some kind of restraint hobby……?
＊
In the salon, the sound of a piano being played quietly could be heard.
It was a relaxed melody that made me want to sleep, a tune that I liked.
“………”
For some reason, I’m alone with Rick, listening to him play the piano. ……why.
The tea that I drank while sitting in the chair, was not brewed by me, but rather by him. I’m strangely annoyed that he’s so skilled at that.
Is it detestable? Is it detestable that I have this clumsy skill? I sulked.
Although since Tina, who was stuck outside the salon, is leaking out an intense bloodthirst, I wonder if it’s alright…
“…Don’t fall asleep, Yurushia.”
The music stopped suddenly, and Rick said something rude.
“……I’m not sleeping.”
I was only slightly sleepy, you know.
Assured that I wasn’t sleeping, Rick smiled and parted from the piano, walking to me.
“Have you calmed down?”
“……What?”
“………”
Ahh~… I see. As I thought, when my mood is bad I have a scary face.
Although now I’m as calm as I am normally, my spirits don’t raise and lower as intensely as a human in the first place. Probably.
“…Ah, oh well. Leaving that aside, Yurushia. Did you know that there’s a new cathedral of the Kostoru religion in the Colto territory?”
Rick sat down lightly next to me with a sigh and finally got to the main subject.
“Cathedral…?”
“That’s right. For this fifth cathedral in Tariterudo, the lord of the territory put up half of the construction budget.”
Did the country properly budget…… Is that actually okay? Is it because it’s the state religion? We don’t enforce the separation of church and state, after all.
“What happened…?”
“No, nothing’s happened as of yet. ……But either tomorrow or the next day, Honoured Uncle… Duke Verusenia thought of declaring Yurushia the Saint of the new generation and the [Princess] of the Holy Kingdom together with the new Archbishop and the lord over there, and he wants you to come.”
“……Haah?”
What a way to ask…… how rough.
“So I go over, and then…… what am I supposed to do?”
“Weeeelll……… It seems likely that they want the residents of the territory to see your Holy Magic, for you to heal the seriously injured and sick and to preach to and recruit people for a long time……It’s quite unreasonable.”
“Muuu…”
How detestable… and stupid. But,
“It’s not for forever, is it? How long?”
“Although the other side hoped for a year, it’s up to Yurushia’s convenience. It’s generally be around several weeks.”
I’ll of course I’d reject if it’s a year, but what about several weeks?
I was a little interested in what he said, but then I saw Rick’s face.
“If that’s the case…… why are you telling me about this now, Rick?”
If that was the only thing, there’d be no need for Rick to bring me into the salon alone to talk. So what were the other reasons? As I gazed at him inquisitively, Rick looked strange.
“Uh, um, well …… It’s because you’re the daughter of a duke? More or less.”
“Wha-, what”
“The Colto territory……… It’s the territory of Duke Kaperu.”
“A…Aah~”
The one with terrible relations with House Verusenia, House Kaperu.
“Sorry, I didn’t think of that.”
“………”
Rick’s face became even more strange. …I wonder if it’s a face of resignation.
“Anyway. It seems that Honoured Uncle doesn’t want you to go to such a place. However, as the matter concerns the nation, and it’s a formal request for the [Princess], so you can’t ignore them if they say that they want Yurushia to go.”
“…Yeah”
It’s suspicious that Duke Kaperu is calling for me specifically. But I can’t refuse as I am the [Princess] and receive treatment like that of a member of the royal family. As part of the royal family, I can’t just refuse them with the excuse that [It’s Suspicious].
Well, that is entirely the fault of Grandfather-sama.
Moreover, if I heard correctly, the schedule matches when Father is going overseas on business exactly.
Wow…… how blatant. I’m getting a little excited now.
And the new [Archbishop] too ……
“Therefore, when Yurushia goes, I will as well.”
“……Eh?”
Why is that.
“Uh, ehrm…… I’ll probably be fine?”
“I know that Yurushia has more than enough [Power] to be called a Saint. But I think the danger is not towards your [Life] but rather your [Reputation] and your [Spirit]. If I go along with you, they will not be able to play their hand easily.”
As a matter of fact, even if it is Duke Kaperu, I don’t think that he would be so foolish as to aim for my life when I am so beloved by Grandfather-sama, His Majesty the King.
Therefore, as Rick said, it’s quite likely that he’s aiming at the [Reputation] and the [Honour] of House Verusenia, and intends to torment my [Heart].
Although, that is my favourite dish to serve………
“………”
Rick went silent, and just stared at me with serious eyes.
If he said that I was in danger, then wouldn’t Rick who would be protecting me be in danger too?
…… Because you look at me with such eyes, various girls have already started to misunderstand our relationship.
It can’t be helped………
Rick…… I will protect you.
Author’s Notes: As always, thank you for pointing out my mistakes.