Chapter 13: Smells of Blood and Burn

I knew it.

Ever since I wrote down that line in the letter, I knew it would come to this.

Now, it is time for me to face the consequence of my actions.

"Thank you all for coming today. I believe everyone here is aware of the crisis that has befallen Tristain at the moment."

Duke of Anjou: "By crisis does Your Highness mean the accusation from Albion that we interfered with their internal affairs and their threat to wage a war with us, or the scandal that tarnishes Your Highness's reputation, for which Germania is asking for an answer?"

Duke of Anjou speaks from the right side of the table. He has no intention to hide the sarcasm in the slightest, does he.

Mazarini: "Duke of Anjou, I understand that you feel uneasy with our current situation, but I have to ask you to refrain from words that could be interpreted as an insult to the Royal Family."

Mazarini, of course, warns politely, as he always does. Duke of Anjou scoffs.

Duke de Anjou: "Hmph, Royal Family, you say. My father was also a cousin of Queen Marianne; I am also included in the Royal Family you speak of, in case you are not aware of the fact, Cardinal."

In terms of blood relation, he is indeed considered quite close to the throne. It is most likely because he believes that he is more suitable to be on the throne than I and Mother, who are both women, that Duke of Anjou has always tried to discredit the current Royal Family every chance he could.

Supposedly, his father had also objected to Mother's will to entrust most of the important decisions to Father, who was originally from Albion. They are meaningless squabbles I do not want to involve myself with, but cannot avoid doing so.

Duke of Bretagne: "Cardinal Mazarini, you are responsible for this matter as well. As the chancellor, you should not have let such a thing happen. Our Royal Family is now ridiculed across all Halkeginia. Germania is looking to cut ties with us, and Albion is waiting for a chance to invade; the future of Tristain had turned bleak in a matter of days."

Duke of Bretagne: he is another who is close to the throne. His critical tone seemed to be a genuine complaint toward the current situation and the Royal Family and Mazarini's responsibility without hidden agenda.

Of course, it did not end with just those two. Two or three more spoke up with similar complaints toward me and Mazarini; ones that we are all aware of since before this conference started; when can we get to the point?

Enough is enough.

"I know well of the danger we are in, and so I wish to ask for your opinion on how to help Tristain survive this crisis. The longer we wait, the worse it will become."

They finally found control of their mouth.

Anyhow, there are two main issues that have the nobles pulling on their hair and attacking me with.

The first one, the scandal that is spreading all over Halkeginia at the moment, being the topic both nobles and commoners amuse themselves with, is the rumour that I and the Crown Prince Wales are involved in a relationship exceeding that of cousins.

Well, it is true.

The second one being the accusation from Albion's new government that Tristain had interfered with their internal affairs and had helped the former Crown Prince Wales escaped into our country. If we do not return Lord Wales to them within a week, they will declare war with us.

And since the second one acts as a supporting evidence to the first, Germania's government has asked us for sufficient explanations, or they will cancel the engagement between I and the Emperor Albrecht the Third.

Mazarini is the only one I told what really happened in details; I don't want Mother to have to worry herself over this more than she already does. The only ones in the royal palace who know Lord Wales has been staying in Tristania in the past week are me and Mazarini. The issue with Wardes discouraged us from trusting any of the royal guards to protect Lord Wales.

This urgent call for meeting is supposed to be a brainstorm for ideas of what to do. But of course I should have known nobles are full of people who just cannot seem to keep their overabundance of opinions to themselves even for a moment. If we have to listen to every one of them, we will not get anything done today, or tomorrow.

This happened because of me, so I will be the one to lead the attempt to fix it. Because I do not regret asking Louise for help, nor do I the fact that Lord Wales had come to Tristain in the slightest.

"First, there are circumstances pertaining the present situation you need to be made aware of. The week before, I had entrusted a group of confidants to make contact with the Royal Family of Albion and take back a certain object. The object had the potential to fan the flame of the rumour to spread even further: the very same one that Germania is demanding an explanation of."

I did not confirm the rumour, but exclamations and the frowns and the scowls follow as expected; that is why I have already raised my hand to signal silence in advance.

"One of the group was Viscount Wardes, a captain of the royal guard: the Gryphon Squad, at the time. However, during the course of the mission, it was made apparent that the viscount had in fact been a member of [Reconquista], whose true objective was the assassination of the Crown Prince Wales and the acquisition of said important evidence. They had hoped to use the object to break off the engagement between me and the Emperor of Germania."

The commotion grows. The matters regarding Wardes is now revealed for the first time, and many here has been staunch supporters of Wardes. I have to remember the expressions and reactions of each of them.

Count of Tours: "Your Highness, may I have a word?"

"What is it, Count of Tours?"

Count of Tours: "About what you said...the secret mission and Viscount Wardes, is it the truth? Without a doubt? Who had informed you of it?"

"The person I had tasked with the mission was the one who gave me the report. In the first place, the duty I gave Wardes was only to protect the person on their journey, not the acquisition of the evidence itself." I hope that got through their heads whom I really trust.

Count of Tours: "And just who was this mysterious person? Was he more worthy of trust than the captain of your own royal guards, Your Highnes?"

So it did not. What a foolish question.

"That person did not possess authority nor station that would have given them a chance to come in contact with Albion's nobles, nor were they directly bound by duties to serve me as many in this Royal Palace are. Yet they were willing to risk their life traveling to Albion in the middle of a war the moment I asked, and successfully brought back an object crucial to Tristain's future. Meanwhile, a captain of the royal guards who had sworn loyalty to the Royal Family was instead a turncoat who had sided with the arrogant rebels aiming to conquer all of Halkeginia. Given what had transpired, the merits of the person should be crystal clear, or am I wrong?"

Count of Tours has gone silent. He most likely has no more words to speak on this matter. After all, to further question this matter would be to question my decision, which had already led to success.

But I hope there could be more. I hope anyone here in contact with Reconquista would change their mind, or at least reveal some signs for me or Mazarini to spot. In the end, I could only hope.

"Next is the rumour that the Crown Prince Wales has since escaped to Tristain. The truth of it has no bearing on the situation."

Count of Tours: "No bearing? How can you say that, Your Highness? It is directly related to the impending invasion by Albion! They would be justified to send an army into our land: a move that would seal our fate!"

"Are you saying that, without a suitable justification, Albion as it is now would let us be?"

Count of Tours: "! Uh, they have no other reasons to invade us...do they?"

"Every one of you here knows of what Reconquista had declared as well as anyone in Halkeginia. Now that Reconquista has Albion in their hands, we would be their next target. If they have an excuse to claim, they would; if they do not, they simply have to create one. If my father is still alive, they might be requesting us to give them some gifts of goodwill as proofs that my father is not an ally of the old royal family, or other such ridiculous claims."

In fact, I do not know for certain, but as long as there is a possibility, this should be enough to present the next idea.

"Albion's military far outstrips that of Tristain. Right now when the alliance between Tristain and Germany has yet to happen, Albion would try everything they can to bring a fight to us. In this case, they do not even need to prove their own accusation. If we simply cannot provide them the person they requested, the Crown Prince Wales, that would be all the justification they need to bring their army down on us. After all, Tristain has yet to acquire allies that would defend us from such an accusation."

Count of Tours: "By that, Your Highness, you mean..."

"Do you think Gallia, Germania, or Romalia has access to the true list of casualties in the Siege of Newcastle?"

My message is clearly felt by everyone in the room. Discussions spring up from every part of the table.

I know what kind of look Mazarini is giving me right now. In his mind, complying and giving them Lord Wales presents the best chance at stalling for time for us to complete an alliance with Germania, as the move would also serve to discredit the current scandal plaguing my engagement with the emperor.

But that is unacceptable. I will not accept it.

Lord Wales's life in exchange for but a possibility that we will be given time of unknown length, at the mercy of such despicable people, is not a deal I can agree with.

I am still not done here. This still need the last push.

"Moreov—"

Richemont: "Your Highness, if I may. I have something I need to inform you and the members of the royal council."

"...What is it, Lord Chief Justice of the High Court?"

Chief Justice of the High Court, Richemont: with thirty years of service, beginning from Grandfather's reign, he is one of the most trusted servants of the Royal Family. I was also of the same opinion.

Up until the matter of Wardes happened.

Richemont: "As a matter of fact, I have in my possession a relevant piece of information regarding the whereabouts of the former Crown Prince Wales of Albion."

"An—" Ugh, be calm. "...Information, you say?"

Richemont: "Yes, Your Highness. One of my servants had reported to me that he had seen someone thought to be the Crown Prince Wales."

Don't show surprise.

"...Please tell us in details."

Richemont: "The person in question was witnessed in Tristania on the day of Albion Royal Family's defeat at Reconquista's hand. Even more surprising was that the group of people who had accompanied the person in question were wearing the uniform of Tristain Magic Academy."

...Don't shake.

Noble A: "Students? Students did this?!"

Noble B: "What is this madness?! How dare mere children meddled in political affairs!?"

Noble C: "Is this not some kind of misunderstanding? Lord Chief Justice?"

"I—I concur." No. My voice... "Are you truly sure of your information?"

Richemont: "I am absolutely positive, Your Highness. The witness was my most trusted servant, in matters of loyalty and sharp wit."

"...I see..."

There is nothing more to question, barring a direct accusation that Richemont had lied.

Noble C: "If this is true, the principal has to know something!"

Other members of the council starts to consider Richemont's claim

How shameful. Such a disgrace. Mere words with no evidence to back up, but they are all ready to take it, like fish are to a bait. Are they so eager to push responsibility to another?

Noble A: "We need to conduct a thorough investigation! First we need a list of all the students absent from school on that day!"

I can't. I can't stop shaking.

Noble B: "What they did was a threat to the national security! There will be severe punishments even if they are children!"

I need to contact Principal Osman.

Noble A: "Strip them of their titles! Such thoughtless lots do not deserve to be nobles!"

I can't let them find Louise no matter what.

Richemont: "Peace, gentlemen. There will be no need for that."

...!

Count of Tours: "Lord Chief Justice? By that you mean..."

Richemont: "Though it was for but a moment, my confidant could clearly see one of the student's distinctive feature. She was a daughter of an influential noble in Tristain who possesses striking hair colour."

No...

My body...It won't stop shaking. My expression is crumbling.

Duke of Anjou: "Who? Who was it, Lord Head of the High Court?"

Richemont: "Louise Françoise: the youngest daughter of Duke de La Vallière. If I recall correctly, she was Her Highness's playmate when she was young and should be close in age, which means she is currently at an age one would be in school. Is that correct, Duke of La Vallière?"

I...I can't...

Duke of La Vallière: "I—Impossible...Louise...My daughter could not..."

Duke of Bretagne: "Then we have to call her in for questioning right now! Just why would the girl do something so thoughtless!"

...No...No. This can't be happening...

Louise...Lord Wales...

"...Louise...I am so sorry..."

{...}{...}

{...}

In the morning, Louise wakes up and goes to class. In the afternoon, she either socializes or reviews lessons. After dinner, she takes a bath and goes to sleep. I wake Louise up in the morning, clean the room, do the laundry, generally following after Louise when there's no work.

Our routines are exactly the same as before we set out for Albion.

Something did change though. Louise is treating me somewhat better: she has me sit at the table, allows me to sit on a chair even when not in classes, doesn't insult me every opportunity like before (but still complains just as frequently), doesn't forbid me from speaking with Siesta and other staffs either.

Sometimes, I think she's treating me too well, like when she tried to get me to sleep with her on the bed.

That was genuinely shocking. It's a good thing she hasn't said anything more about that since then. Even though she feels like an overgrown daughter sometimes, she actually is not. That was out of question.

Well, all in all, it seems my quality of life has improved quite a bit. Now there's only the thing with that sauna-bath, and I'm going to fix that now.

"I guess this is the spot."

*thud*

The huge cauldron makes a dull sound, even though I tried not to put it down too hard, and the ground was covered in grass. It is as heavy as its size suggest; big enough for two people to sit inside.

The sun had set a while ago. This western court also doesn't see much people compared to the eastern one. This spot is shielded by a tower, and nothing here is prone to catch fire. I should be in the clear.

Marteau-san gave me firewood generously, which are now lined under the cauldron, also lent to me by Marteau-san. Now, I'll take this flint and fire striker here...

*clack* *clack*

Got it. The school's firewood are really high quality; they caught fire in just two tries and burn really well. The cauldron is already filled with water; now I only have to wait.

...

Should be about time. Let's try a finger... Just the right temperature. I have to douse the flame before it gets to boiling.

No one is coming this way; I'm still in the clear.

I strip and place my clothes somewhat away from the cauldron.

I'm ready to go in now.

"Haaahhh~~"

The second bath in a month, and the first one in this school. Even someone who doesn't take a proper bath that often like me still let out voice involuntarily.

"Haaahhh~~"

I can't let anyone see my expression now.

Ever since I got to take a real bath for the first time at that luxurious hotel last week, I have wanted to take one again. I'm not—well I hope I'm not the kind of person who got too used to luxury and comfort; I travel all the time and is fine bathing in a river or even skipping a day or two.

Actually, before coming here, an idea that a bath might be a luxury had never crossed my mind. Even a village far off the road enjoys some kind of bath, or is close to a river.

Instead, I've never seen anything like that sauna-bath thing before. I'd rather just wipe myself with a wet towel, but Louise once got mad at me for not cleaning myself properly every once in a while. That's why I've been forcing myself to go there at least once a week. Still, if there is an alternative, I will take it.

And this is a good alternative.

...Still, this makes me feel a bit guilty. This, is a wasteful use of resources isn't it?

Yes it is. It's one thing if a noble does it since that's the common sense here; trying to stop them would be more trouble than it's worth, but when I'm the one doing it...Well, I feel bad for other commoners who doesn't have the luxury, though water seems to be pretty much free here; everyone can use as much as they want. Supposedly it's because Tristain is the [Water Region] as Louise told me, though she didn't know why it is called that herself, aside from the legend that Founder had granted a blessing of Water to the country or something.

Speaking of elements: do they have Spirits of Nature here too? I'll ask Louise next time, I guess.

For now, I'll relax with the bath as much as I could. I probably won't be doing this often; maybe once a week so Louise won't be disgusted of my hygiene.

Now, if only I can get a bed too...

...

I wonder how things are over there. Neris was pretty attached to me; I hope she isn't still crying her eyes out. Nero would probably try his best to console her. Maybe I am depending on my son a bit too much. Tamamo and her colleagues are probably looking for a way to bring me back. If my disappearance is known to the public, the effect it might have on the relation between humans and monsters...I hope it never comes to that.

...

Alice...Being the intelligent and smart woman she is, even if she has to take on both the duty as a mother to Nero and Neris and the responsibilities as the Demon Lord, she will probably manage just fine.

...But, even though she appears strong, deep inside Alice is actually lonely. Normally she has me, Nero and Neris, Tamamo and other Heavenly Knights, so it doesn't show. But whenever someone is missing, like when she has to leave Nero and Neris with Tamamo and travels somewhere faraway, she will sometimes show it unintentionally. And now, I have been missing for over a month.

That strong and proud Alice should never have to be in tears for something like this. I have to get back as soon as possible no matter what.

Now that I think about it; I do know the princess. Louise was the one who accepted the mission, but I should probably be counted as having helped the princess as well. I don't want to act like she owes me anything, but the princess of a country should be able to help me. Just sending me to the edge of that elves' country would be enough; I'll find a way on my own after that.

Louise said they are humans' enemy, but the elves I know are peaceful folks. Unless I intentionally try to harm them, they probably won't attack me first. As for whether they would let me through or not, I'll just deal with it as it comes.

*crack*

...Crack?

Siesta: "L—Luka-san...?"

"—! S—Siesta."

I'm seen! And by someone I know, no less!

On one hand an acquaintance is more likely to listen to my excuse, but on the other hand being thought of as an exhibitionist by an acquaintance is gonna hurt.

Siesta: "W—What might you be doing?"

Siesta turns her back on me and hurriedly collects the broken pieces of cups and pot she dropped along with the serving tray.

"I'm taking a bath. ...I didn't think anyone would be passing by here."

Siesta: "I—I am sorry I just...We got a rare commodity so I want Luka-san to try some as well. But Luka-san didn't come to the kitchen today, so I..."

Oh, yeah, I met Marteau-san outside, and the cauldron and the firewood were brought from the storage; I really didn't visit the kitchen today.

"A rare commodity?" Anyway, let's change the subject first.

Siesta: "It is called [tea], imported from the foreign land in the east."

"Tea? Is tea considered rare here?"

Siesta: "Eh? Is it different at Luka-san's home?"

"Hm, it's not common but not really rare, I think?"

It is mainly cultivated in Yamatai region, becoming the region's famous product since the boom in cultural exchange. Tamamo has always liked it, but Alice said it was too bland for her if not paired with sweets. Neris said it was too bitter, and Nero thought so as well but tried to keep it with himself to not make Tamamo sad. Tamamo thought the manner and thoughtfulness was cute; very unexpected from this bloodline. Though as a father and a friend I can't help but be worried about what she was thinking when she said that.

...I forgot myself for a bit there. That was a long time I took reminiscing; I almost don't notice Siesta speaking.

Siesta: "Then Luka-san is not a native. I heard that tea doesn't grow in Halkeginia, so only rich countries can purchase them in large quantity."

I never thought about it, but I guess Tristain is not what the people here would call rich; even though the meals here are so extravagant. I guess it's because this is a nobles' school. From how bad the treatment the non-nobles received from the nobles are, the financial gap between the classes must be pretty big, so I can't use the economy of the school as the standard.

...Now I feel even more guilty for enjoying this bath alone.

Siesta: "Luka-san...please try it."

Some of the cups survived the impact; one is now being offered to me along with the tea in it. Siesta is trying her hardest to look away as she did so though.

"O—Okay." I guess I have to, since she did went to trouble to bring it to me.

*sip*

Siesta: "...How is it?"

"...Good...I guess? I don't drink it that often."

Siesta: "What does it taste like?"

...I don't think it's likely, but is Siesta using me as a guinea pig?

"I think you should try some yourself."

Siesta pours herself a cup, and stares at it hesitantly.

I almost said 'don't worry, it's not bitter' on reflex like when Neris tries something for the first time; but in this case I can't, because Neris herself said it was bitter.

Siesta takes a sip, and makes the face Alice made when she tried something that doesn't look too tasty for the first time.

Siesta: "...It tastes...I don't know how to explain it."

"I think that's one way to explain it."

Siesta laughs, then continue to sip until the cup is empty.

Siesta: "Haa~ I don't know about the taste, but it has a pleasant smell. ...Luka-san, is there something on my face?"

"Ah, no, I just thought Siesta looks like a girl when she laughs."

Siesta: "Eh~ But I am a girl. You mean you didn't see me as a girl before?"

"It's not like that. It's just, every time we met you always seem so polite, so I've always thought of you as a maid before anything else."

Compared to those times, even though she was wearing a maid uniform, only without the hairband, Siesta looked just like any girl when she laughed.

Siesta: "...Luka-san? Is there anything troubling you?"

"Eh?" Did I let my feelings show on my face again? "It's not exactly troubling, but...I've never seen Louise laugh like that."

Siesta: "Ms. Vallière..."

"Hm. She looks like she is in a bad mood most of the time anyway, but even when she smiled or laughed it looked forced, or restrained. When she's with the—her childhood friend, she still looked tense." But the childhood friend is a princess, so there's that.

Siesta: "It can't be helped. She's a noble. They always care about their images first."

"Uh, I guess."

Siesta tried to say it neutrally, but her tone was a little sarcastic.

Right, Siesta isn't too fond of the nobles, though not to the same extent as Marteau-san. Well, if her only experiences with the nobles are all similar to what happened with Guiche, it wouldn't be too surprising.

Prejudices born of bad experiences: it's something I know very well. It's something that concerns all of us back home.

Siesta: "...Ms. Vallière..."

"Hm?"

Siesta: "Ms. Vallière...How was she like when she was with Luka-san?"

"How was Louise...?"

Siesta looks away again, but it's probably not because I'm naked this time. The effort to appear neutral when she talked about Louise earlier was probably because she was afraid I'd be mad if she outright said she doesn't like Louise.

"Uh, and how was Louise when she's not with me?"

Now that I said it, I kind of want to know too.

Siesta: "When not with Luka-san...Before Luka-san came, I don't really know, but I don't think she was any different from how she is now. Uh, about her mood, I mean."

"Moody, right; she really is."

If I say it like this, it should help her to be more open somewhat.

Siesta: "Y—Yes. And...she didn't talk much, only argued with other students. And she...didn't have any friend, I think."

"No friends...What about now?"

Siesta: "Now...she talks more, I guess? I don't really know Ms. Vallière all that well."

Hm, if what Siesta said is true, Louise kept to herself even more than she does now.

Siesta: "I guess it's because of that rumor—*gasp*...!"

"Rumor?"

Siesta: "I—I—It is nothing to worry about...! I—It was just a rumour...They don't even talk about it anymore. There is no need to concern yourself with it!"

"I see...?"

What kind of rumor could make Siesta panic like that? Should I ask? No, pressing someone for what they don't want to say just for curiosity isn't a nice thing to do.

Siesta: "...By the way, Luka-san, c—can I ask you something?"

"What is it?"

Siesta: "Luka-san and Ms. Vallière, a—are you..."

For some reason Siesta is looking so tense; it's making me nervous too.

Siesta: "A—are you...you...something...like...more than a familiar and his master?!"

"Eh?"

...Ha? Does she mean—!

"No, not at all! Definitely not! Impossible!"

Siesta: "R—Right! Of course, y—you are of different statuses! S—Silly me!"

Actually I meant I would never cheat on Alice, but if that's how she interpreted I guess it's fine; I won't have to explain more.

...Siesta's gone silent. She's clenching her hands like she's posing, for some reason.

Siesta: "...Luka-san!"

"Wah!" She suddenly snapped her head back. She might have forgotten since we've talked for a while, but I am naked under the water right now.

Siesta: "Is the temperature okay! Do you want me light the fire?!"

"E—Eh!? You don't have to; the water is warm enough." What's with her all of a sudden?

Siesta: "I see! That's good! Then! C—Can I...uh...I just w—want to know, I—I mean, I w—wonder how does it feel to take a warm bath...I, uh..."

Her voice disappears at the end and she covers her face. If I'm not mistaken, she was asking if she can take a bath with me, but her energy fizzled out midway. I don't know why she had to psyche herself up that much in the first place; if she resists the idea, she wouldn't be asking in the first place.

Oh, right. This isn't like back home; men and women bathing together isn't allowed, according to Wardes. He was a traitor, but he probably wasn't lying about this.

So she wants the bath despite knowing it's not really okay socially. I guess anyone would long for a good bath if all they have here is that sauna-thing.

If this is like back home it would've been completely okay. The bath in the Demon Lord Castle is big enough for more than a hundred; I have even bathed there with dozens at once, and I definitely have bathed with two or three between Tamamo, Alma Elma, Granberia, even Erbetie that shouldn't need a bath in the first place. Or at the Grand Noah Castle with the Queen of Grand Noah, or with Sara at the Sabasa Castle. Of course in those two cases Alice was with me; it was like a form of socializing, from what I heard.

...But it's different here; though how serious it is I wouldn't know. Rather, shouldn't Siesta know better than me? Since she's asking, it's probably not something serious.

If I ask her about what Wardes said, that would sound like I'm indirectly rejecting her, wouldn't it? The water is from the school, the cauldron and the firewood are borrowed from the kitchen; it'd be selfish of me to use them alone.

"Uh, Siesta...Do you want to try it?"

Siesta: "C—Can I...?" She looks startled and relieved at the same time. I was right.

"Well...all these are borrowed; I'd be selfish if I try to hog them all to myself..."

Siesta: "T—Then...Can Luka-san please turn the other way?"

"Okay, I can do that."

Ever since I've come to this place, every one seemed to tell me to turn around when they strip; which actually should be a very normal thing to do. I forgot about it, since usually the people around me are like...that.

The cauldron shakes a bit, and the water rises. Siesta had just gotten in.

Doesn't this mean I can't turn around anymore?

Siesta: "Luka-san...You can turn around."

Siesta said it herself, though I still should...look with the edge of my eye first...then turn my head fully once I've confirmed it to be safe.

Mostly safe, anyway; only a bit of the upper part of her breasts is over the water. The water is clear, but unless I look straight at it I won't see a thing under it. I just have to hold back the curiosity.

Why am I even this nervous anyway. It's not as if I've only seen naked women in a bath just ten or twenty times; and I was almost completely fine with that back home. Compared to how it was back there, the nudity here is ten times lighter.

I guess being in a completely foreign place kind of reset my view. The rules and traditions here are very close to Iliasvile when I was growing up; the importance of decency and staying clothed and all that. I've gotten pretty used to the norms of the new age in the last few years, but now that I'm back in a similar culture again, the old rules are resurfacing subconsciously.

People here get embarrassed for the same things I would back then, so I completely understand where they're coming from. That makes it so easy for me to get back into the old mentality.

It's just like what I told Neris; what we're taught when we're kids tend to stick with us for a very long time.

Siesta: "Haaa~~"

"*gasp!*"

Siesta: "L—Luka-san? What's the matter?"

"N—No, it's nothing..."

That was dangerous, that voice. It's Alma Elma's fault. I blame her for burning it in my head. Now I can't help but react a little whenever I hear the voice women let out when they get in a bath.

Siesta: "Do you bathe like this as well back home?"

"Ah, yeah, I kind of do."

Actually, I bathed in what might have been an entire room dedicated to that, back in Demon Lord Castle. But I'm not gonna say that; it would sound like I'm a noble, which I'm not; my wife just happens to be the current Demon Lord.

Siesta: "Actually, we did it sometimes at my home as well, but it was cramped because I have seven younger brothers and sisters."

"So you have siblings."

Siesta: "Yes. I'm the eldest, so I found a job outside and send money back home."

"I see."

...

Maybe it's the atmosphere, but we are now talking about mundane things, little things, without worry, not even caring about the fact that we are both naked. Well, I, at least, got used to it. I don't know about Siesta; maybe she just kind of forgot. Still, this is the first for me since I came here, to be able to talk freely with someone.

Siesta told me about her home: a village around the edge of this country, past the port town we went to on our trip to Albion, a farming community like any normal one the countryside.

In return, I told her about my home; my 'country'. Siesta thinks I'm from a different country, which is technically right. I had to make up a lot of things to not weird her out, but I managed to tell her about my time in Ilias Village; that was the phase of my life I could avoid talking about monsters. Now that I'm telling it to someone, my life back then sounded completely normal; I helped around the villages, trained with a sword so I could fight when needed, the usual things we do in countryside where there's very little to occupy ourselves with.

"Basically, my birthplace was just another village you can see anywhere; everyone knows everyone, like a family." I can't help but smile at the memory.

Well, at least after the plague anyway. I guess it's also normal for a remote village to be closed off to outsiders. Not that it changes anything.

Siesta: "That's just like my village."

Huh? Oh, she means the happy part.

...It feels like I'm lost in memories more often these days. I must be more homesick than I thought...

Siesta: "Hmm, does your village have something unique to it?"

"Unique?"

Siesta: "Yes, what your village has that others do not."

There's one thing that instantly pops up.

"Hmm...There's an old temple in my village."

Siesta: "A temple?"

Siesta blinks, more surprised than confused, for some reason.

"Yeah. It...was for a goddess that used to be worshipped...in the past." Around five years ago. "It used to be a very important place that had visitors all year round." It still is, but now as the hometown of the World Savior.

Siesta: "He~h. So there really are places like that. I've only heard that people long ago worship other gods besides ours and Founder, but didn't know the details. If possible I would like to see a place like that."

"I guess Siesta's village has something unique to it too, doesn't it?" Or she wouldn't have asked.

Siesta: "Yes. In fact, it is quite similar to your village; it's an ancient ruin, depicting an old religion."

"An ancient ruin? In your village?"

Siesta: "It's not actually in my village; it's a bit away, near the edge of the nearby forest. It's nothing big either; there's barely anything left, only a few crumbled stone walls. Most of them are in so bad shape no one can tell what it used to be anymore. We only knew it was something from an old religion because royal researchers went to investigate it a long time ago. People were only allowed to settle where it is now my village after the researchers concluded the ruin had nothing to do with Founder Brimir, or so I've heard from the old people."

An old religion...Was it like the past San Ilia and Sabasa before Ilias's faith took over, when people worshipped Sylph and Gnome?

"What kind of religion was it?"

Siesta: "I don't know. I don't think anyone in the village know, either. The nobles were never interested in any religion besides Founder Brimir's, so maybe they didn't bother to find out. Even if someone is interested, I don't think they would dare to bring it up, since everyone is afraid to be branded a heretic."

"I see..."

The way people here worship this 'Founder Brimir' is kind of similar to how we used to worship Ilias, with how widespread it is; even making it into lessons. It wouldn't be strange if there are people who strongly reject other faiths.

Siesta: "Oh, the water is cooling down. I guess it's time to go, or the head maid will scold me."

"Okay. Thanks for talking with me."

Siesta: "Oh no, it is fine, really...If Luka-san wants to talk again...you can call me anytime..."

Siesta lowers her head, and speaks kind of meekly all of a sudden.

I turn around, wait through the shaking of the cauldron and the rustling of clothes, and turn back to see Siesta fully clothed.

Siesta: "Thank you for today. The...bath was very good."

"Yeah."

I almost said 'any time' out of force of habit, but I'd better not. It might have turned out okay this time, but that doesn't mean it wasn't risky.

Siesta: "Then...See you tomorrow."

Siesta hurries off. Is the head maid really that scary?

Alright, I should go as well. It's going to take time getting everything back to its place; if I'm late Louise is gonna be grumpy again.

[...]

[...][...]

We finished the breakfast pretty early today; there's still some time to spend in the classroom before the morning lessons begin.

...But, there seems to be a strange air here.

"Louise, isn't everyone acting kind of weird?"

Louise: "Now that you mention it...Everyone looks kind of restless."

Students grouping up to gossip about whatever they do before lessons is everyday thing, but today they all look anxious; all of the groups seem to even huddle close together.

Montmorency: "Louise! Come here, quick!"

The girl with the long, big blond curls—her name is Montmorency if I remember correctly—waves Louise over hurriedly.

Louise: "What's going on? Why do you all look so spooked?"

Montmorency: "News just came in this morning. Albion accused us of granting refuge to the Crown Prince of Albion, and was going to declare war on us if we don't return him."

Wha—!?

Louise: "P—P—Prince Wales?!"

Montmorency: "That's right. Shocking, isn't it? I don't know what the heck is going on myself. Tristain's army is really weak; there's no way we would dare to interfere with other countries."

Students (M) A: "The Prince could've run here on his own."

Students (M) B: "Then it's the rebels' own carelessness at fault."

Students (F) A: "Maybe some of our nobles helped him?"

Students (M) C: "Who would be stupid enough to do that."

Students (M) D: "If someone really did, I'd want to ask them what were they thinking, bringing a war to our doorstep."

Louis looks at me with the most panic I've ever seen from her, before she predictably drags me to the side, where someone wouldn't overhear.

Louise: "Hey! What are we gonna do now?!"

"I want to ask that myself."

A national problem: this is beyond the scope of what we can do.

Chevreuse: "Ahem. Everyone, please take your seat."

The familiar female teacher clears her throat, and all of us are in our respective seat, but the anxiety is still on everyone's expression.

The lesson is proceeding as usual, but it's clear barely anyone can focus on the lecture; not even the teacher herself. Not surprising; they have just heard their country might be going to war.

Chevreuse: "...Listen, everyone. I am aware you are all worried about the rumor that is spreading in the moment. But I would ask you all not to forget where you stands right now. You are students; your duty is with the education. Leave external affairs to the Royal Court. It is in everyone's best interest that you all strive to better yourselves, so you would all be ready when the country next faces crisis."

The words sounded reasonable, but the teacher herself can't hide her own anxiety, so it doesn't really help much.

It is as Prince Wales said. We might really be forced to sent Prince back. The princess wouldn't be happy with it, of course, but if pressured by other nobles, she might have no choice. And even if we do return the prince, there's no guarantee the other side will pull back.

What's going to happen to this country... What's going to happen to me, to Louise? Will I get to go back home...

*bang!*

A loud sound suddenly came from the door at the front of the room, drawing everyone's attention.

An aged man seems to have just burst in through the door. His blond hair and facial hair have some white mixed in. He's wearing a one-eye glasses on his left eye.

Chevreuse: "W—Who are you? We are in the middle of the class; you cannot simply barge in!"

The teacher talks to the man, looking a bit scared, probably because the man has a hard, stern face, and seems to be in a really bad mood on top of that.

Louise: "F—Father..."

...Did Louise just say that? That man is Louise's father?

Duke of La Vallière: "Excuse me for interrupting the lesson, but I am here for my daughter."

Chevreuse: "Your daughter?"

Louise's father looks in our direction.

Duke of La Vallière: "Louise!"

All the eyes in the room turn toward Louise. Louise slowly, and tensely stands up straight, then she walks down the steps. I follow after her.

Louise looks the most tense I've ever seen, more than even when fighting that golem or when the princess visited her room.

In the front of the room, before her own father, Louise looks like she is at the peak of her nerves, her hands shaking.

Louise: "Father...What is the matter...?"

Duke of La Vallière: "It is me who wants an answer; but we are short on time. Follow me."

The father pulls Louise by her wrist and rushes out of the room.

Louise: "F—Father! It hurts! I can walk by myself!"

Duke of La Vallière: "Bear with it! Do you know the trouble our country is facing right now?!" Louise's father says in a raised voice and doesn't slow down one bit.

He snaps his eyes at me, only now just noticing me behind Louise.

Duke of La Vallière: "...Who are you; why are you following us?!"

"I'm her familiar..."

The father's expression when he looks at me is full of disbelief. Then he looks at Louise, and she just looks down and nods. He seems to have accepted it for now, probably because of the urgency.

Duke of La Vallière: "Then come! But prepare yourself, both of you. This is a grave matter!"

Louise gets dragged out to the school yard, straight at—a dragon?

Next to it is a man dressing similar to Wardes; he's probably from the royal palace.

I have a really bad feeling. If what we heard from the students earlier was true, there's only one reason the palace would call for Louise...

Louise's father casts a spell, lifting us three up on the dragon's back. The man in knight's clothes mouths an order, and the dragon soars up the sky.

The dragon must be going at full speed; the wind is so strong communications are impossible. Even if any of us would dare to ask anything, we wouldn't be able to.

[...]

The flight took less than an hour. We lands in the palace's courtyard. It doesn't look any different from when we were last here. If the country is really facing a crisis, then the higher ups are probably still keeping it secret.

Louise's father half-drags her into the palace without break. I don't even have time to stretch my legs.

But he is slowing down. Now he's walking not any faster than we are, like he dreads reaching the destination. Louise must've noticed it too, as she glances between the back of his head and the hand holding hers; we are all tense.

The wooden door in front of us looks menacing, despite being no different from any of the ones we passed. I can almost feel tension seeping through the frame.

We passes through the door the guards opened for us into a wide room with a long table in the middle and all the seats filled; there are over ten people in this room. The princess sits at the head of the table; a man dressing like a priest sits beside her.

Duke of La Vallière: "I have brought my daughter, Your Highness."

This time it's Louise's father who is all tense, which makes this situation look even more severe.

The princess sends an apologetic glance at us, before she speaks.

Henrietta: "Louise Françoise...I apologize for the sudden call—"

Noble A: "Your Highness, there is no need to keep manner with the girl! She is the source of our country's current crisis!"

That noble dared to cut into the princess's speech, yet no one tried to stop him; they only keep glaring at Louise. They're probably all very furious about whatever this is.

Noble C: "Louise Françoise de La Vallière, the council has called you in for questioning on an important matter."

Louise: "Y—Yes, sir..."

Louise just got even more tense; any more than this and she might really pass out.

Noble C: "You might have heard of the accusation by Albion; the rumor has been going on for quite some time. Regarding that, we have a few questions we need you to answer."

One of the noble hurries into business, trying not to let us prepare ourselves maybe.

Noble C: "The first one: you were the one tasked by Her Highness to travel to Albion to bring an important evidence back from the Crown Prince Wales, is that correct?"

They know.

Louise meets eyes with the princess, who must be in just as much panic, but hides it better. The princess nods, and Louise gulps.

Louise: "...It is correct."

People in the room look half-in doubt; some even scoffs in derision.

Noble C: "...The details about the viscount's case will be kept for later. Next question; and this one is related to the future of Tristain, make sure to answer truthfully, and not leave anything out."

Louise gulps again, but it doesn't seem to be helping at all.

Noble C: "The one who brought the Crown Prince of Albion to Tristain was you, was it not?"

The question we all expected. This time even the princess is helpless, not giving us any sign on how we should answer. Louise gulps, probably on reflex by now.

Louise: "Y...Yes. It was I..."

*bang!*

Duke of Bretagne: "You thoughtless fool! How could you!?"

A man hits the table and rises up in rage. The others don't act out as much, but their words shows they all have similar opinion.

Noble B: "What has the school been teaching their students!? To think mere students are meddling in other countries' politics!"

Duke of Anjou: "If you want to gain favors with foreign royals, at least choose one that were not on the verge of losing their own heads!"

Noble D: "Don't tell me you were doing it out of some young girl's romantic fantasy!?"

Noble E: "Blast it! Just what is it with La Vallière's women and their men issues!"

The princess looks like she's trying to say something, but the priest beside her raises his hand and stop her. She is left to just sending apologetic look at Louise.

Louise's father scowls, rage seems to have overtaken anxiety.

Duke of La Vallière: "I ask that all of you do not be hasty in your assumption before my daughter is given a chance to speak. If the former Crown Prince was the one requested that my daughter help him, it would be difficult for my daughter to refuse him."

Noble A: "Then why did she not report to the court! It is precisely because she kept it to herself that it has spiraled out of control and we now have a war on our hands!"

Actually it was the princess who first requested the escape. It's true that in the end it was us who decided to persuade Prince to come with us, but if we tell them the truth, the responsibility would fall mostly to the princess; not to mention the cover-up.

It's obvious what Louise would choose.

Louise: "...My deepest apologies. It is my fault..."

Noble A: "What would your apology do!? Can your apology turn back the hundreds of cannons aiming at Tristain at the moment?! You should have used your brain before you acted!" The noble points at his own head as he says the last part, being clearly and very furious.

The nobles speak amongst themselves, while some speak to Louise, one-sidedly; I can't catch all the words, but they're all insults. The words themselves aren't as rude as the ones Louise used on me in the beginning, but the intent behind them are all malicious.

This isn't like when Louise was teased by her classmates on her lack of magical ability. Unlike the half-hearted, childish bullying, these people are really trying to push responsibility on Louise, really trying to throw the weight of an entire country on a girl as young as her.

They are despicable adults.

"Stop pushing everything on Louise already!"

The voices in the room fade a bit. The eyes turn in my direction for the first time. But I don't feel anxious or scared at all.

Duke of Anjou: "Why is commoner here? Who allowed you to be here?"

"I'm Louise's familiar."

Duke of Anjou: "Taking a commoner as a familiar! Clearly, there is something wrong—"

"I was the one who brought the prince here, not Louise."

The voices in the room pick up again.

Louise: "L—Luka."

Louise and her father look at me wide-eyed. I must pretend not to notice it. The attention should be on me.

"Louise did ask the prince to escape to Tristain first, but he refused, saying he intended to die with honor. The one who persuaded the prince to come back with us was me."

Louise: "Quiet! I said be quiet!"

"If you are going to blame Louise for not stopping him, she still should only take half the blame. The one really responsible for bringing the prince back was me."

If Alice is here, I know what she would say, that all this is a waste of time. It doesn't matter who they blame; it wouldn't stop Albion's invasion.

But that wouldn't get through to these people; they desperately need someone to blame. I've seen this kind of scenes many times during the difficult negotiations we've had in the early years.

Duke of Anjou: "What impudence! How dare a mere commoner tell nobles what to do."

Louise: "Luka! What the heck are you doing! Sto—mmmph!"

Louise's father presses his hand on her mouth; I know what he's thinking, and I'm thankful for it.

All right. So, things look like they're going to blow anytime now, with me at the center. But I'm not going to say any more. In a time like this, there is always someone who steps in.

Mazarini: "Peace, everyone! Can we please calm down?"

The person is the man wearing priest's clothes sitting beside the princess.

Mazarini: "Whether the fault lies with the daughter of La Vallière household or the commoner is not the main issue. What is important right now is not finding the person responsible of the problem, but a way to handle it. What use would there be to punish someone, if we will all be under Albion's heel the next moment, am I not right?"

At his word, the atmosphere seems to have calmed down somewhat.

Mazarini: "At present, Albion is threatening to declare war on us, and Germania is looking for an excuse to cut its ties with us, yet we are spending our time and effort to find someone to blame instead of trying to save our land. Should we not be ashamed of ourselves?"

The remaining voices die down almost instantly, leaving only a few whisperings here and there.

Mazarini: "Louise de La Vallière and the familiar, your crime will be investigated and decided on later dates. In the mean time we will detain you in this palace. Do you have any objection?"

Louise: "...I have none, sir."

The priest nods.

Mazarini: "Royal Guards, please take them to their quarter. Duke of La Vallière, please remain here."

Two men in knight's uniform come in, grab our arms, and begin to drag us out of the room.

Louise looks at her father and the princess, sending fearful and apologetic glances. Both of them look back worriedly; the princess looks like she's going to cry.

But any words they have left are lost behind the shut door.

PBW: "No matter how many times The Author had gone over it, it was going to end up like this sooner or later. Taking a prince from another country; there's no way it will just go quietly."

Ilias: "Hmm. With this, the treasure hunt in the original novel would be difficult."

PBW: "Yep. In the first place there was no need to go on that kind of trip. Luka doesn't clash with Louise as much as Saito did, mostly because he isn't subjected to the same puberty Saito did in the original novel, and he has always been naturally passive; he's only ever assertive when it comes to his ideals about heroes and manly men."

Ilias: "I have thought so since long ago as well. Luka really is born to be an M."

PBW: "No argument there...Sometimes The Author can't help but wonder if Luka ended up like this because of...his mother...'s education..."

Ilias: "I regret to inform your corrupted mind that Lucifina raised him like any normal human mother would."

PBW: "...Hm, that's too bad. And here I thought that would be ho—"