35 Episode 35: Illias Treasures (2/2)

”For eternity, I said. You are irreplaceable. It wasn't your identity, it was your personality that made me want to be on your side. Are you...”

Ilia slowly looks up,... a little lost face, then stands up and stops by my side.

I can wrap my cheeks with both hands so I can lift them and gaze at them. Ilaria had a smile she'd never seen before.

”You were my treasure. That's why I don't want you to do anything more than be happy.”

”Ilia......”

”He was a really laborious kid. My best, no clapping, and I'm going to have to keep my eyes open. That's why I was allowed to be on your side, too. It was above all forgiveness to me. It was what I meant by living. If you die, I'm sure you won't hate it.”

Bite your lips. Because otherwise there was going to be a weird voice. Oh, I knew, I can't believe it.

”If you mean reward, I will return the life I have deposited with you. I don't want to die for you. Even if you die, I swear I will think of you and I will mourn you.”

”And it's a far-flung threat...! You threaten to keep resenting me if I die...!

”If you want to make me happy, keep living. If it's hard to live because you're not happy, please be happy.... If they thought I was their sister, I really don't mean it...”

I, too, think the same thing.

The hand that was wrapped around my cheek is turned to my head and held tight.

Huh, and. My voice leaked out of my mouth. Bad. Bad, Ilia.

Now, if you say that and they hold you tight, you're going to cry.

”... it's all right now. You have Uphilia. I, Raini, Your Majesty and Queen are there. It's enough to count with one hand, isn't it comforting?

”... yeah. Enough to hold my fist.”

”Please stand. Please move forward and reach out happily. Ilia vows to keep an eye on its back. Even if you go far away. As a landmark to remember where you're going. As your sister's replacement.”

”... will Ilia be happy with that?

”If you don't think you need to worry anymore... right. Let's increase my happiness again. Raining Raini has also become fun. I was wondering if it would be a good future to be the first to grow your own.”

”... well”

Reach out to Ilia's back. Hold Ilia tight so she can catch him, and bury him in the face.

”... I love it”

”I know you do.”

”Hey, Ilia. Say it from your mouth.”

”What is it”

”Can I be happy?

I wonder if I can live with what I want. I wonder if I can want to change the world.

Because this world is cramped and boring. We all have magic, but we only look at it when we're in a position of right. Even magic studies are full of faith and theology. No matter if anyone tries to extremes magic, they don't even try to pursue what magic is.

Wonder if it's something you'd like to know about. Maybe that's because I'm a reincarnator in the root part. So the world I want is far away.

”I hope you'll be happy.”

”... yeah. Ilia will be with you then.”

”It's an honor.... please go ahead, don't you?

”Terrible. I don't trust you.”

”I trust you”

Then let's win both credibility and trust. Then I'm sure you'll be happy.

”Thank you, Ilia”

”Yes, Master Anisphere”

The wine still tastes on my tongue. Even if I wanted to get drunk, I wasn't good at the taste of alcohol.

But this flavour is special. So even if I'm not good at it, I think I'll remember it all the way ahead.

”Lainey, can I ask for your help?

”Are you using it? Yes, what do you use?

The next day, after breakfast, I was calling Raini and handing him a letter. Raini stops by me once and for all to receive a letter.

”Apply for an interview with your father and mother. I'm not in a hurry, so please let me know for your convenience.”

”I'm in awe. Then you will come to the royal palace.”

”Be careful.”

”It's okay. I've been working out a little lately!

Raini laughs innocently as she makes her fists with both hands. Well, in our position, if we can't defend ourselves somewhat, we're in trouble. You can defend yourself if you remove the shackles of Raini's mental interference, but don't forbid it at the same time that you're your wife.

I'll take a look at it for you once in a while. I know a little about personal protection, but I remember my arm. Yeah, but you said Ilia was starting to enjoy growing Raini, so I guess I shouldn't give it a bad little bit?

”... are you interviewing Your Majesty and the Queen?

Yufi, who was sitting face to face, raises a voice of doubt. I snort, too, to meet Yufi's doubts.

”Yeah. Let's officially pass on Yuffi's intentions to Father and Mother as well”

”... Really? You're nervous about boulders.”

”Right. Neither do I. I don't know if these two will snort happily.”

I wouldn't normally give a king a name, would I? I don't know if that's what Uffi said, not me. I guess it flips, Father.

I wonder about your mother. I know you're gonna listen to me, but I think I'm gonna get another headache. I'm sorry you're all in trouble, no, Uffi's a super good kid.

Then Raini came back after depositing his father's and mother's replies. Unexpectedly, the two of them took the time to get a meeting today.

Familiarise yourself by Ilia and Raini, then leave Ilia at the voicemail for me and Ufi and Raini to the royal palace.

”Waiting for you, Dear Anisphere”

”Oh, Chief Sprout Knights”

It was the Knights of Sprout who welcomed us. Give them a thank you and then look at each other.

I heard you wanted to talk to me in confidence, and you asked me to join you.

”Yep. If that's what your father decided, thank you.”

”No.... that's Baroness Cyan.”

Hitachi Sprout, the Knights Commander, turns his gaze to Raini. For a moment, Raini almost atrophied, but quickly regained his mind and stretched his spine.

”... my son has caused you a great deal of trouble”

”... Raini, the Knights of Sprout know what's going on.”

”... I am rather sorry for the inconvenience caused by that verse”

”Uhm. Then let's say we water each other with that apology.... I also want you to meet my son when you get a chance. He's still worried about how to cut off the untrained.”

”... Yes. Not right away, though. Be sure to be close.”

Reini returns it to the Knights of Sprout with perseverance. Navre, I wonder if you're still being discreet. I don't even know if they told me the truth, and I hope I'm not depressed.

Apologies are in order. I was taken by the Knights of Sprout to my room for an interview. Your father and mother were already waiting, and there were other Lord Grants there.

”Well done, Anis, and Uphilia.... So, what? What did you do, send out a letter and ask for an interview?

Is that the first voice, Father? No, it's definitely important, but I'm not the one who did it. I wouldn't deny it if they told me it was a day to day thing, but come on!

”I'd like you to think I've changed my mind, too.”

”... have you eaten anything bad?

”Aren't you really rude?

”Where else have you been so rude?”

It's me, I'm so sorry.

”Your Majesty, Anis”

”Ugh, um. … then, go to your seats. Why don't we talk?”

”Yes.”

Coho, and his coughing mother stares at us, and Father urges us to take a seat. Me and Uffi take their seats and stand behind them as Raini refrains.

Behind his father and mother stands Lord Grants and the Knights of Sprout. Thus began today's interview.

”Father, Mother. I have something to say from Anisphere, and thank you for your time.”

”Don't let your spine get itchy.... So, what's the point?

”I was awed at the corner...... well, that's fine. Father, mother. Would you be angry if I told you I didn't want to be king now?

I wondered if they would yell at me, and my father and mother shut up against my expectations.

”... you're a fool, but you don't know it won't come true.”

”Yes.”

”... all I have to say is that you can't hold the throne. No matter how much you cry.”

Father tells him to be quiet. My mother nods quietly next door. Well, that's right. Don't yell at me. I want to think it must be your father's kindness trying to teach me.

”So if I recommended a king other than me, I'd still be angry?

”... what?

”Father, Mother.... Aren't you going to adopt Yufi?

To my words, my father and mother opened their eyes in amazement. The two men standing in the back were also reacting in contrast.

The Knights of Sprout opened his eyes just like his fathers, and Lord Grants lay quietly down his eyes.

”Your Majesty, the Queen. I know this is a sudden surprise, but I need you to listen to me.”

Try to keep up with my words. Uffi keeps up the words. To convey my thoughts to my father and mother. That gaze looked that way, even as he looked at the two of them, pointing them at his father, Lord Grants.