Chapter 49

By the way, Eyan Doville mentioned it.

There was interference from someone above the king.

Someone above the king...

However, objectively, such a person does not exist.

"Eliza, did you say something to your father by any chance?"

"What do you mean?"

"Like, did you ask for something regarding the Helan territory?"

"Well? What are you talking about?"

She said, smiling a little.

She looked like a girl who had just pulled a prank. It seems that was indeed the case.

"Is that so, then it's fine. ...But, thank you."

"I have no recollection of being thanked. I simply came to visit a friend during the summer vacation."

"That's true. Then let's enjoy the Helan territory together."

"Yes, I would love to."

Naturally, I took Eliza's hand and led her into the mansion.

She reacted with a small "kyah" and I finally noticed my own actions, but oh well.

I was feeling so high-spirited that I didn't seem to be paying attention to the small things.

I guess it's okay to hold a girl's hand.

I invited Eliza into the mansion and had her sit in a place facing the garden.

Then I went to get a watermelon.

I cut the watermelon in half, then into quarters, and handed it to her.

I took a piece for myself and sat next to her.

"What's this?"

"It's a watermelon. It's sweet, juicy, and delicious."

"Wow, you have such interesting things here."

She said, and without hesitation, took a bite.

"Mmm! So delicious!!"

She opened her eyes wide and looked at me.

Her face was beaming with a full smile.

"Isn't it?"

I took a bite too, and it was cool, sweet, and juicy.

"Mmm, so good."

"By the way, what should I do with these black seeds?"

"Well..."

I let out a "puh!" and spat them out with all my might.

The professional way is to spit them as far as possible, hiding them in the bushes.

"You spit them out like this. This is the proper way to enjoy a watermelon."

"But isn't that vulgar?"

When she said that, I felt the same way.

"Indeed, it might not be something a refined lady like Eliza should do."

"Puh!"

Next to me, Eliza spat out with force.

"That's great! That's the essence of enjoying a watermelon."

"Hehe, do you think I passed?"

"Of course! I think you even spat farther than I did."

"Should I aim for a longer distance?"

"Yes, hiding them in the bushes is the best."

Hehe, Eliza laughed beside me.

I glanced at her, and indeed, she had a beautiful face.

When she smiled, she became even cuter.

And her lips, moistened by the watermelon, were...

I pretended to take another bite of the watermelon and glanced at her again.

Yeah, she's beautiful.

Thinking about it, this might be the first time I've talked to Eliza like this.

And in my home, just the two of us...

Oh, I should stop these improper thoughts.

"Still, it would be nice if we could eat the delicious flesh without the seeds."

"Yeah, but I think it would be a bit lonely without them."

"Is that so? I have a tendency to thoroughly eliminate anything that gets in my way."

Ah, that's right.

I felt a slight shiver down my spine.

"Can you stay in the Helan territory for a while?"

"I can only stay today."

"Then let's tour the Helan territory together today. There are many places I want to show you."

"That sounds wonderful."

After finishing the watermelon, we prepared to go out.

Before that, let's introduce the person in the library first.

We went to the library and met the person.

"That's Grandpa Moran.

Grandpa Moran! This is Eliza Doville. She's a friend from the academy and is visiting the Helan territory now."

"Nice to meet you, Eliza Doville."

Eliza bowed gracefully.

"Ho ho ho, what a beautiful young lady we have here."

Grandpa Moran, who was reading a book, raised his head and greeted us.

"Grandpa Moran knows a lot. He used to help me with my studies a lot. I've caused him a lot of trouble since I was little, but he's always been kind to me."

"That's not true. You were a well-behaved child."

"He's always been good at flattery. He doesn't have much time left, so if you have anything you want to talk about, do it now."

"You've become quite good at spitting out venom. But this Grandpa Moran won't die until he achieves his ambition."

Grandpa Moran crossed his arms, showing that he was still in good shape.

He won't die anytime soon.

I felt a bit relieved.

"You should take care of the elderly," Eliza pointed out.

"That's true. Lady Eliza understands well. I would love to have her as a daughter-in-law in the Helan territory."

Eliza covered her face with a "kyah," and Grandpa Moran laughed heartily.

They seem to get along quite well.

After just a few minutes, Grandpa Moran and Eliza were already chatting comfortably. Eliza, who I thought was a bit stiff, was surprisingly able to chat with Grandpa Moran.

After leaving the library, we went to the blacksmith who taught me.

On the way, we rode a horse together.

Eliza was in front, and I sat behind, holding her.

I got quite excited.

She smelled so good.

The horse seemed to sense my excitement and was unusually restless.

"Master! A cute disciple has come to visit!"

"Go away!"

"I won't go! That's Master Donga, who taught me blacksmithing. He's as stubborn as he looks."

"Yes, that's what I feel."

Eliza agreed with my words.

Master was still the same tough, work-focused person.

"Hey! Stop badmouthing me at the entrance and come inside! Do you want something to eat?"

"That's called tsundere."

"Tsundere?"

"Yes, it's a high-level technique where someone acts tough but then becomes affectionate. Master has always been like that. He always praises you after getting angry."

"Yes, that's what I feel."

"Shut up! Just come inside!"

We followed Master's orders, entered the room, and ate the sweets he offered.

Since it had been a while since I last visited, Master welcomed me.

He seemed to like Eliza, who came with me.

"Is she your fiancée?" Master asked such an unromantic question.

Eliza reacted cutely with a "kyah," and Master looked at her fondly.

"You have a skill. Don't worry about noble customs and settle down soon. I got married when I was young, and it's quite a good thing."

"Yes, I'll think about it."

"Besides, that girl is quite beautiful. I think she would make a good wife. When you have children, bring them to me."

"Yes."

It felt like a pre-wedding visit, so I quickly escaped from Master's place.

Eliza was in high spirits the whole time.

It seemed like she got along well with Master too.

After escaping from Master's place, we decided to take Eliza to the recommended hot spring in our territory.

We moved to the most recommended hot spring surrounded by a garden.

As soon as we arrived at the hot spring, we encountered my father, who was resting in the lounge.

He was holding a bottle of the finest wine, cooling his heated body.

"Father, you're here at this hot spring?"

"Yes, this hot spring is great. It's so relaxing. Oh? The girl over there... Is this it?"

He raised his little finger.

He was so carefree, not knowing that the girl he was teasing was the daughter of the person he had feared so much.

Hehe, let's give him a taste of hell.

"This is Eliza Doville, the daughter of Eyan Doville."

"Oh, the Prime Minister's daughter. What a pleasure."

Father hurriedly bowed, and the two shook hands.

What? Father didn't seem upset.

Why!?

The timid father, who usually feared everyone, didn't seem to be wary of Eliza at all.

He even approached her positively.

They chatted for a while and then parted.

Father was going back to the mansion.

Eliza and I went into the hot spring.

I relaxed in the men's bath, reflecting on the day's events.

It had been a busy day, but I was most surprised by Eliza's adaptability to the Helan territory.

I think everyone we met liked her.

Grandpa Moran, Master, and even my father, who was the biggest obstacle, had no issues.

It felt like she might really end up marrying into the family.

Well, I started to think it might be okay. To get such a beautiful girl would be a great thing.

I let my heated mind stop thinking and let my body stretch out in the hot water.

In the lounge after the bath, I waited for Eliza, who appeared with wet hair, looking seductive.

The way she came with a towel in her hand was incredibly erotic.

"Um, how was the hot spring?"

I felt a bit nervous.

"It was great. The scent of flowers is still on my body. It's wonderful."

I couldn't say, "You are more wonderful," but I wanted to.

Eliza, wearing a light robe, dried her hair next to me.

I kept glancing at her, feeling a bit pure and a bit naughty.

"Would you like something to drink?"

"Can I have some cold tea?"

"I'll get it right away."

I brought the tea, and Eliza immediately took a sip.

She drank it down, clearly very thirsty.

The sweat trickling down her neck and the occasional drops of tea from her lips were very vivid.

I felt the urge to reach out and touch her. I was overwhelmed by the impulse several times.

I couldn't take it anymore!!

Before I knew it, I had been staring at Eliza until she finished her tea.

"Please don't look at me like that."

I was startled by her words.

No, no. I need to drink my tea and calm down.

I couldn't believe I had been staring at her the whole time.

I wondered what Eliza thought. The thought made me incredibly embarrassed.

"Today was a very enjoyable day."

After finishing her tea, Eliza spoke.

"Did you like the Helan territory?"

"Yes, very much."

"It seems everyone liked you too."

"That's good to hear."

"If you can, come again. I think everyone would be happy."

"Yes, I will definitely come again."

By the time we left the hot spring, it was time for Eliza to return to the capital.

I felt a bit nostalgic as I watched her leave in the carriage.

After that, I quietly made my way home.

Today, I spent the day touring the Helan territory with Eliza. It was a lot of fun.

Now, I wonder why I spent the whole day introducing Eliza to my roots.

It's strange, but it didn't feel strange while I was doing it.

Maybe it's okay to have a day like this once in a while.

Most importantly, Eliza seemed to have a great time today.

That's the most important thing.

I made