Chapter 54

Jin left the room in a hurry. "You can't run in the hallway, you know."

Jin is always strange, but today he's even stranger. I just saw him, and now he's gone. I thought we would spend the time until dinner together.

Feeling disappointed, I pouted, and Barry looked at me with an amused expression.

"Barry, did something happen to Jin?"

"Yeah, it seems like something as shocking as a lightning strike happened."

Barry, smiling, said something I didn't quite understand. The maids exchanged glances and giggled.

Everyone is talking about things I don't understand today.

"I'm glad you're back safely, Barry. How was your journey?"

I was getting daily updates from Jin, but he only said everything was fine, which made me even more worried.

"Yes, we occasionally encountered A-class monsters, but the number was manageable for our squad, so there were no issues. No one was injured, and we returned safely. The repellent incense really is powerful."

"So, you did encounter A-class monsters..."

On the road. Jin and the others are strong, so they're fine, but what about others?

"There are plans to station knights on the road in shifts. Shina, please don't worry too much. Don't try to do everything on your own. There are many capable people in the Marita Kingdom. Let's think about it together."

Barry's gentle words calmed my anxious heart.

"Right, I will. If I have any good ideas, I'll help out!"

"I would be grateful for your assistance. Shina, your help is a great support."

As I looked at Barry's smile, I suddenly realized something.

"Barry! Something big happened while you were away!"

"I've heard from Prince Alan and Prince Lute. The capture of the criminal organization and the development of toys. Leave it to you."

Barry, who smiled wryly, seemed like a god to me.

"Ugh, sorry for giving you more work."

"Don't worry about it. Please act as you see fit, Shina. However, it would be helpful if you could consult with us in advance. We also need to make arrangements."

"Got it! I'll consult with Jin and Barry if I need to do something!"

Barry is so reliable. I'm sorry for thinking he was just a big-breast enthusiast. He's a capable big-breast enthusiast.

"Thank you, Barry. I'll do my best to help."

Kiri smiled and said that, and Barry visibly flustered.

"Kiri, are you smiling at me? Could it be... Haha, I must be dreaming. I must still be in the tent at the campsite."

"Barry, snap out of it! It's not a dream. It's the real Kiri!"

I whispered to Barry.

"While you were away, we had a lot of trouble with contract negotiations and financial matters. We realized that you handle all these difficult tasks. So, pull yourself together, Barry! This is your chance to clear your name."

Barry's eyes regained their light, but I didn't forget to lay down the law.

"However, if you try to woo Kiri, my standards won't be lenient. Treat Kiri well, keep your relationships clean, and if you make Kiri cry, you won't get off easy."

"To win Kiri's heart, I must be able to do at least that. Shina, if Kiri chooses me, can I have Kiri then?"

Barry whispered back, his voice filled with determination.

"If Kiri wishes it."

If Kiri is happy, I won't oppose it, even if it makes me a bit sad.

"As a couple, we will serve you just as we have before."

Just smiling and imagining being a couple! You're confident, Barry.

"What are you two whispering about?"

Kiri asked, looking curious. I felt a bit sorry for Kiri.

"Good luck, Kiri. I don't think you can escape."

"...Huh? Good luck?"

Kiri's face was full of question marks, but she nodded. Barry's eyes were set on his prey.

At that moment, the door opened with a loud bang.

"Jin?"

Jin, out of breath, entered the room, holding a single flower.

Barry whistled.

"Master Jin, it's not even night yet."

"Can I wait for the moonlight?!"

At Jin's words, the maids let out a collective squeal.

"Even if you're not calm, it can't be helped, given how beautifully you've transformed. We'll take our leave. Kiri, I have something I need your help with. Can you come with me?"

"...Yes. Shina, I'll be back soon."

Kiri, concerned about me, followed Barry. The maids also left, saying they had work to do for the dinner party, they needed to water the flower beds, and they would shout in the backyard.

The head maid was the last to leave, turning to me and saying:

"Shina, I have lived more than twice as long as you and have been fortunate enough to serve as the head maid. I have also been a confidante for young ladies and maids. I have raised a daughter and now have a granddaughter, so I believe I have a fair amount of life experience."

The head maid smiled softly.

"I can't give advice, but I can share your worries, cry with you, and be angry with you. I can also listen to your complaints and concerns. So, Shina, worry a lot, cry a lot, laugh a lot, and be happy. Remember that we are always thinking of you and will be by your side."

"Head maid?"

The head maid bowed beautifully and left the room.

Left alone, I looked at Jin, who was still in the room.

"Jin, what's going on?"

What's happening with everyone? What do I need to fight today?

Jin smiled at my anxiousness.

"Don't worry. Everyone just left to give us some privacy. I have something I want to tell you alone, Shina."

Jin approached me and gently took my hand.

"Do you know, Shina? There's an old story in this country... Long ago, a king proposed to a woman he desired by sending her a single flower on a beautiful moonlit night. Their love was successful, and they lived happily ever after. Moreover, the king's reign was peaceful and prosperous."

The white flower in Jin's hand emitted a faint fragrance.

"Since then, it's said in the Marita Kingdom that couples who propose on a beautiful moonlit night will be happy."

It's a good luck charm. That's a happy story.

"Normally, we should wait for a beautiful moonlit night... But seeing such a beautiful Shina, I couldn't wait."

My heart pounded.

Jin's eyes, looking at me, were filled with passion.

I had noticed that Jin sometimes looked at me with such eyes, but they usually turned gentle when our eyes met.

But today, his eyes remained passionate as he stared at me intently. I felt a tingling in my stomach.

Jin, still looking at me, knelt in front of me.

The single flower in his hand made me feel uneasy.