Chapter 48

Having accepted Ria's invitation, I found myself spending the day in Vestaria on a date.

It was one o'clock in the afternoon.

Since we hadn't had lunch yet, we decided to enjoy some street food while sightseeing.

"Ah, look, Allen! They're selling buttered potatoes! Let's eat them together!"

Ria, who had quickly found something she liked, pointed to one of the stalls with sparkling eyes.

"Hehe. Sure, go ahead."

"Yay!"

When I nodded, she ran to the stall with a smile like a blooming flower.

"Excuse me, two buttered potatoes, please!"

"Sure thing, always a pleasure! Wait, isn't that Lady Ria!?"

The stall owner was a bear-like woman wearing a blue apron.

She was probably about a size smaller than Pola.

—In other words, very large.

Then the bear-like woman asked with a sly smile,

"Oh? Is that handsome guy over there... your boyfriend?"

"Eh, um... well..."

I couldn't answer right away.

(How should I respond to this...?)

Currently, due to King Gris's misunderstanding, we are considered to be in a relationship.

But this is something only we and the king know.

(A relationship with a princess... Shouldn't this be something we shouldn't spread around...?)

While I was thinking about this, Ria answered with a red face.

"Hehe... Actually, that's right..."

"Wow, you've grown up so much, Lady Ria... Anyway, this is great news! Alright, I'll throw in an extra one for free!"

"Thank you!"

After that, we took the buttered potatoes and left the stall.

"I... I said it..."

"Are you okay?"

"Y-Yeah! I'm fine... definitely!"

Then we visited various stalls and enjoyed a variety of street foods.

"Still... *munch*. I called you here... *ngh*! And then told you to go home after I was done...! Dad is really so selfish! ...But it's delicious, Allen!"

Ria, eating a strawberry ice cream, mixed her anger at King Gris with her thoughts on the ice cream.

"Yeah, it's delicious. But... you know, if we stay too long, King Gris might change his mind, right? In a way, leaving tomorrow might not be a bad idea?"

When I answered carefully,

"That... is possible... Yeah, let's definitely go back tomorrow!"

Ria nodded in agreement.

As we enjoyed our street food tour in Vestaria,

"Ah, I can see it. That's one of our tourist attractions—the National Vestaria Museum."

She pointed to a large building in the distance.

"...Wow, that's huge."

The National Vestaria Museum.

Its architecture resembles a temple.

It's about three stories tall but very wide.

In terms of area alone, it might even surpass the Vestaria Castle.

"Let's go in."

"Sure."

It seemed there was no entrance fee, so we entered through the main entrance.

There were many tourists inside, but the museum itself was so large that it didn't feel crowded.

This way, we could calmly enjoy the exhibits.

"Still, a 'museum'... I've never actually been to one before..."

"Really? ...Alright! Then I, Teacher Ria, will explain a lot of the exhibits to Allen!"

"Hehe, that would be great."

Then I toured the various exhibits with Ria.

The skeleton of a giant, said to have existed long ago.

A statue of the legendary hero Gran-Vestaria.

As the name suggests, he is Ria's—Vestaria family's ancestor. There's a legend that he defeated a dragon that once plunged the country into terror.

A historically famous painting.

If my memory serves me right, I've seen this in a textbook before.

"Actually, this strange painting is said to have been created by the artist Henry while blindfolded. That's why, as you can see, various colors are splattered on the frame."

"Wow, really..."

Ria, who received a gifted education from a young age, had extensive knowledge of art.

Her explanations were neither too shallow nor too deep—just the right amount, making it very enjoyable. I think she adjusted the amount of information based on my level of interest.

As we walked through the museum, looking at various exhibits,

"..."

One particular mural caught my attention.

It depicted seven animals, including a dragon and a wolf, in a painting that exuded a mysterious charm.

It was strange that no one seemed to be looking at this work, which was displayed in the center of the grand hall.

"Hey, Ria. What's this mural about?"

"Oh, this one... The artist, the creation date, and the place of origin are all unknown. It's a genuine 'mysterious mural.'"

"Mysterious mural..."

"Right. Despite not meeting the museum's display standards, it has been displayed here since ancient times. When I asked my father why a painting no one looks at is displayed in such a good spot... he dodged the question."

Ria shrugged.

"Wow... Is it one of King Gris's favorites?"

"Hmm, it doesn't seem to be. I've come here with him a few times for inspections... and he always glared at this painting..."

"Really... It truly is a mysterious mural..."

After enjoying various exhibits, we left the museum, and it was already dusk.

"Phew..."

"Mmm..."

After being in the room for a long time, we both stretched at the same time.

"Phew... Thanks, Ria. I had a lot of fun."

"Hehe, I'm glad."

Her smile, illuminated by the sunset, was very beautiful.

"Well... It's getting dark, so let's head back."

"Wait, one more place... Can we go to one more place?"

"Sure, where are you taking me this time?"

"Of course... 'Hill of Hope'!"

■

Then, following Ria's lead, we headed straight through the capital, Arond.

After walking on a flat road for a while and climbing a gentle slope, we arrived at our destination, the Hill of Hope.

"Phew, here we are..."

Despite it being dark, there were many people gathered there.

"Look, Allen! Over here!"

"Sure."

Called by Ria, I headed towards the steep part of the hill,

"..."

I was speechless at the beautiful scene that unfolded before me.

"...It's beautiful."

"...Yeah, I've never seen such an amazing view before."

The many lights floating in the darkness.

The lights from the stalls, the fluorescent lights, and the lanterns carried by people walking on the main street moved like living things.

(Though it's a different kind of beauty from nature... This can also be called a 'spectacular view'...)

As we enjoyed the beautiful scenery together,

"—Thank you."

Ria suddenly said thank you.

"Huh?"

"I was really happy that Allen fought for me. Thanks to you, I can continue living with you. So... thank you."

"Ah, you're welcome."

...Reflecting on it, it had been a hectic three days.

After the summer camp ended and I thought I could take a break, I was suddenly attacked by Claude. The next day, I came to Vestaria. That day, I had a meeting with King Gris over lunch, and the duel at the arena was decided. In the middle of the night, I saw Claude naked... Let's forget that.

And today—after defeating the three swordsmen sent by the king, it was decided that I would study swordsmanship with Ria at the Thousand Blades Academy.

(I really need a break now...)

I was more mentally tired than physically.

As I was thinking this,

"What did you think of my father?"

Ria asked a very difficult question.

"Eh, um..."

He was a very distinctive person, but if I had to describe him in one word, it would definitely be this.

"Right... He really cares about Ria."

"Ahaha, that's true. Sometimes his overprotectiveness can be a bit hurtful..."

"Yeah, I'll leave that part uncommented."

It felt a bit inappropriate to criticize a king in front of so many people.

After we gazed at the beautiful scenery for a while, Ria began to speak in a low voice.

"You know... My mother... passed away shortly after giving birth to me..."

"...Really?"

Surprised by the sudden serious conversation, I managed to respond.

"Yeah... My mother was originally weak, and she couldn't withstand the strain of childbirth... So, I only know her face from photos... My father said she was a very bright and strong person."

"I see..."

"I heard from one of the people who have served us for a long time... My father promised my mother just before she died, 'I will protect the child no matter what...' I think that's why he cares for me a bit excessively."

"...I see."

So, he's pouring his love for the deceased queen—his wife—into Ria. That explains his overprotective nature.

"This incident—adding the hidden mechanism to Allen's sword is 100% my father's fault... But, it was out of his concern for me... So, I don't want Allen to dislike my father..."

"Ah, I understand."

It seems Ria is very family-oriented—truly a kind-hearted girl.

"Thank you... But, sorry... I suddenly got all serious..."

"It's okay, don't worry about it."

When I spoke kindly, Ria whispered "thank you" again.

"...I don't know why, but I wanted Allen to know... It might be a bit heavy, right?"

"No, not at all. I'm glad to know more about Ria."

Then I started to talk about myself.

(Not exactly as a 'return favor'... but...)

I also wanted Ria to know about me.

"...I'm the same."

"Huh?"

"In my case, I don't have a father. He died from an epidemic shortly after I was born."

"...Really?"

Ria looked at me with a slightly surprised expression.

"My mother raised me on her own. She worked hard every day... I'm very grateful to her."

"Right... She must be a strong person."

"Yeah, I respect her."

After I finished my story, Ria spoke softly.

"...Allen's mother. I want to meet her someday."

"I appreciate that, but... it's a really rural area, so you might be surprised. After all, there are more livestock than people."

"Hehe, it's fine. Since it's where Allen grew up, it must be a wonderful place."

"True. I'd be happy if you like it."

After that,

"..."

"..."

Silence fell between us.

But it wasn't uncomfortable.

It was a warm, gentle silence as we understood each other.

A few minutes later,

"...Hey, Allen. Since we're here, let's make a wish?"

Ria made this suggestion.

"A wish...? Oh, right, the Hill of Hope is said to grant any wish, isn't it?"

I remembered her mentioning this when we moved from the Thousand Blades Academy to the Kingdom of Vestaria.

"Right. See that big tree over there?"

"Um... Oh, that one?"

Ria pointed to a huge tree whose top couldn't be seen.

"That tree is said to have been growing for hundreds of millions of years. ...I don't know if it's true, though."

"Wow, really..."

Hundreds of millions of years...

(This tree must have gone through a lot...)

For the first time in my life, I felt a deep empathy for a tree.

"So, if you put your hands together under that tree and wish for something from the bottom of your heart—no matter what it is, it will come true."

"Wow, that's great. Let's try it."

"Sure!"

Then we moved to the base of the tree.

After exchanging a glance, we quietly put our hands together and made our wishes in our hearts.

(May I always be with Ria.)

(May I always be with Allen.)

After making our wishes, we opened our eyes and quietly returned to our original spot.

"Hey..."

"Hmm?"

"What did you wish for, Allen?"

"Hmm, well... It's a bit embarrassing to say, so I'll keep it a secret."

It's a bit embarrassing to say "I want to be with you" in front of the person.

"Pfft... At least give me a hint!"

"A hint... Well, if I had to say... I'd be happy if Ria wished for the same thing."

Hearing this, she smiled happily.

"Hehe. Maybe we made the same wish."

And so, I spent the last day in Vestaria with Ria.