Chapter 83

After dinner, that night.

I returned to my room in the mansion for the first time in a while and took a deep breath.

The room was spotless. It seemed the servants had cleaned it before I came back.

“Phew… Still, the princess of this country is a strange woman, isn’t she?”

Yuki poked her head out from my hair, looking somewhat tired.

Fiona continued to act strangely after that, making the dining table feel awkward.

Yuki grumbled a bit, sounding a little unhappy.

“I don’t like women like that.”

“You would, wouldn’t you?”

“Seika-sama, you really can pick up on such whimsical ramblings, even when they sound like someone who’s high on marijuana.”

“No one else would pick them up, and it would be awkward.”

“That’s true, but… it felt like you were used to it…”

“Hmm… Yeah, I guess so.”

After a moment of hesitation, I finally said it.

“It’s because my former wife was like that.”

“Huh… Huh!? Was your wife like that!?”

“It’s not about her appearance. It’s about her personality.”

“I understand that… but… Seika-sama must have had a hard time…”

I chuckled at Yuki’s sympathetic tone.

“Surprisingly, we got along quite well.”

Back then, thanks to her, I was somewhat saved.

“Besides, I wasn’t exactly the best person to judge others when I was young… I might even want to apologize.”

“…I see. Seika-sama… Could you tell me more about that…?”

“Well, I should get some rest for tomorrow.”

“Hey!!”

At that moment,

the door to the room suddenly opened with a creak.

“Seika?”

I almost jumped.

The door was fully open just as Yuki, equally surprised, hurriedly hid in my hair.

I said to the girl who opened the door,

“A, Amu… At least knock next time…”

“You’re overreacting. What were you doing?”

Amu entered the room, looking somewhat exasperated, and then collapsed on my bed.

“Haa…”

She buried her face in the pillow. The hem of her private room garment, the贯頭衣 (kantōi), flipped up and fell.

Since I usually only see her in her uniform, it felt quite fresh.

Still, I had to voice my concern.

“You… coming to a man’s room alone at night…”

“What, are you going to tell me to be more modest?”

Amu glared at me from the side of the pillow.

“It’s fine, really. It’s not like it’s the first time you’ve seen me naked.”

“N-no, that was out of necessity… and you’ve been ignoring my efforts to avoid bringing up that incident.”

“Hahaha. Just kidding.”

Amu laughed heartily, rolled over to face me.

“So, what’s the sudden visit?”

“Nothing much? I just felt a bit tired and came to visit.”

“…Sorry for bringing the princess without telling you.”

“It’s fine. I probably would have come anyway if I knew you were here.”

Then, Amu sighed deeply.

“Being a noble must be tough.”

“Finally, you understand.”

“You were always far from that kind of life.”

“Well, yeah, but…”

Amu continued,

“It’s good that you came. There are many nobles in the academy, but just hearing about their lives didn’t really give me a clear picture.”

“I’m glad you didn’t graduate without knowing.”

“Don’t get so high and mighty.”

I quickly caught the pillow Amu threw at me.

Hey, it could be dangerous if it hits the light.

“…Hey.”

Amu’s voice dropped a bit.

“Have you decided what you’ll do after graduating from the elementary school?”

“Huh…”

“You don’t like being a bureaucrat, right? Since you seem to enjoy studying, will you go to the high school? Or will you return to your territory and help with the management? With your achievements in Astiria, you could also become a disciple of a famous scholar and continue your studies elsewhere.”

“…What about you, Amu?”

“Me? I… will go back home and continue being an adventurer.”

Amu smiled.

“My classmates talk about becoming bureaucrats, scholars, or marrying into a noble family for a good life… but I can’t imagine myself being like that in the future.”

“…”

“It might be a waste of my parents’ efforts, but it’s fine. I think coming to the academy was worth it just to realize that I’m not suited for those things. I’ve also gotten better at magic. Now, I can confidently say that I will be an adventurer.”

“…I see.”

I whispered softly.

This girl has grown. Two years ago, when we met at the entrance exam, I couldn’t imagine her speaking about her future so confidently.

I vaguely recalled the days I spent with my disciple in my previous life.

“So… what about you?”

Amu asked hesitantly, and I smiled and said,

“In that underground dungeon where you suddenly started taking off your clothes…”

“What, that’s already over.”

“I promised. To go on another adventure with you.”

“…!”

Amu, lying on the bed, looked away and said,

“I wasn’t really serious about that promise… You have your own life to live…”

“I was serious, though.”

“…”

“Besides… I can’t imagine myself as a scholar or managing a territory either. I think I’m better suited for rough work. It’s the truth.”

“You don’t look like that at all.”

“I wonder why. It’s a mystery to me too.”

“Huh, huh…”

“But, just like you didn’t know much about nobles, I don’t know much about adventurers. So… after graduation, could you teach me about it?”

“Fine, fine!”

Amu, with a grin, suddenly stood up on the bed.

“Then, let’s make a promise again.”

She put her hands on her hips and said in a confident tone,

“Let’s go on another adventure together.”

I smiled and replied,

“Yeah, it’s a promise.”

“Haha.”

Amu, in high spirits, jumped off the bed, put on her shoes, and grabbed the doorknob.

“See you, Seika. Good night.”

“Going to sleep?”

“No, I’m going to Maybel or Eifa’s place.”

“Oh, I see.”

She’s so energetic.

When Amu’s presence faded down the hallway, Yuki’s face appeared from my head.

“Seika-sama. Do you… still remember?”

Yuki said quietly.

“That the reason you are by that girl’s side… is because she is the hero, and to use her as a cover for your own power.”

“Yes.”

I answered Yuki in the same tone as before.

“I could never forget.”