Chapter 43

It has been two weeks since the ball at the palace.

...After Mr. Fil was punched by my brother Albes, he was immediately surrounded by knights and taken away somewhere, so I don't know how swollen his face was. I was also led away by my brother Albes and left the palace in a flash.

A carriage was ready, so perhaps His Majesty had thoughtfully arranged it for us. I thought I heard children's voices right after we left the north wing, so it seems we managed to escape from those twins as well. I was a bit disappointed because I wanted to see their cute faces again, but my brother had a subtle aura of killing intent, so I couldn't say anything. Despite all the trouble they caused, I thought it might be better for my heart not to say goodbye properly, as there were only people who would be kind to me.

Anyway, we returned to the Raguuren territory in a flurry. According to what my brother Albes told me quietly after some time, Mr. Fil actually didn't have the leisure to attend the ball. He had to return to the north in two weeks and was taken to the military the next day for preparations.

I wanted to talk to Mr. Fil more... but I felt embarrassed, and it's a bit complicated. When I think too much about such things, the best thing to do is to move my body.

Finally, I calmed down a bit and decided to start by polishing the pot. As I scrubbed the heavy iron pot with a bundle of grass, the accumulated burnt-on residue gradually peeled off. Daily maintenance is important, but a thorough cleaning like this isn't bad either. It's especially suitable when you want to clear your mind.

But when my hands stop, I start thinking about various things. In particular, this pot is often used for stews, so I can't help but picture Mr. Fil eating it with relish.

Even if I make a large pot of stew, it disappears quickly with Mr. Fil and the knights. When it was just my brother Albes and me, it lasted for several days. But eating with a large group is fun.

The knights are boisterous and hearty, yet never lose their manners. On the first day Mr. Fil came, they were very quiet. Looking back, they must have been nervous. But as the second and third meals passed, the liveliness returned, and Mr. Fil was laughing happily among them...

I stopped my hands and smiled, but suddenly felt embarrassed and shook my head, gripping the scrub brush.

"Lucia, no. Now, focus on polishing."

I muttered to myself and tried to return to the pot polishing.

Just then, the outside became suddenly noisy.

The loud voices seemed to be from the knights staying at our house. And... did I hear Mr. Fil's voice? No, that can't be, right?

"Is something happening?"

The moment I looked out the window, something came at me with incredible speed. By the time I realized it was a person in a knight's uniform, they were already right below the window. And when I recognized the beautiful silver hair, I was being carried out of the window.

"Great! You were at home!"

"Eh? Mr. Fil?!"

It was Mr. Fil. To be precise, Mr. Fil is now in a knight's uniform, so he should be referred to as Sir Filode, the commander of the Third Army.

"Why are you here? I heard you were supposed to leave for the north by now!"

"I did leave, but I just had to see you again. I rode my horse here as fast as I could."

"...What?"

The north and the Raguuren territory are in completely different directions. Of course, the routes from the capital are also different, so it's impossible to just ride a horse here.

While floating in the air, I turned to the knights. They seemed to have abandoned their farm work to come here. Some were still wearing large hats, and shovels were scattered nearby. They all looked pale.

"Was it okay to stop by here?"

I knew it shouldn't have been, but I asked anyway. Mr. Fil didn't answer. He remained silent, pressing his cheek against my shoulder.

"Hey, Mr. Fil!"

"...I just want to stay here. Eat salty stew, delicious bean dishes... I want to drown in you, Lucia."

His breath touched my neck, and a moment later, something soft touched my skin. The hand that was against my back slid down to my waist, seeming to have a will of its own, making me shudder involuntarily.

But before I could react further, Mr. Fil's hand was roughly twisted. I was still being held in one arm but was slowly lowered to the ground.