It had been about a month since Kazuma had parted ways with Katrina and Timothy. He hadn't seen either of them around the guildhall since and suspected they'd left Axel. It saddened him a little, but he'd more or less moved on. Aqua (of course!) was a fixture in the guild's bar. The blue haired goddess of debt was still pleading with him to be let into the party. She also had the nerve to say she should get to live with him in the mansion. He'd offered to very generously get her, her very own pen in the stables. For all her whining and complaining and pleading they hadn't worked together since returning from the dungeon. Kazuma didn't plan on asking for her help again unless it was an absolute necessity, and even then, it would only be as a freelancer and NOT as a member of his party.
The guild was still providing her with a room, meals, and all the booze she could suck down. She'd had a few offers to go on quests as hired help for a fixed rate. But apparently that was beneath her dignity and had refused. She did heal people and remove the occasional curse, but only if they came to her at the guildhall. He was starting to hear grumblings from his fellow adventurers about her. The money to pay for her room and board and especially for all her alcohol came out of their pockets. And while people were still grateful to her for having resurrected all of them and for her part in stopping the Destroyer, there was also a mounting annoyance. He'd heard more than a few people suggest that her healing and blessings should be free of charge, to help compensate for their monthly donations. A lot of them also complained that she should at least work as a waitress or in construction to help cover her own costs. Folk were most definitely getting tired seeing her just sitting at the bar drinking all day on their coin. But though the guild members were finding her behavior more and more annoying no one was talking about throwing her out.
Yet.
Kazuma had gone out on a few missions with his party, none of them too dangerous. Despite whining from his teammates, they avoided jobs involving faeries, dragons, or dungeons. He'd actually spent most of his time buying printing presses and wagons and expanding Satou Industries. The popularity of HeroMon was still growing and Kazuma wanted to take advantage of that. He also had some ideas about expanding the business.
So, life had settled into a fairly comfortable routine when Darkness received a message from home. As soon as she read it, the girl had a worried expression on her face. Before Kazuma could ask her if anything was wrong she'd excused herself and left the mansion. She returned early the next morning, rubbing her hands together and avoiding eye contact.
"Ah, Kazuma?"
"Yes, I'm Kazuma." As he watched, she was shifting her weight from foot to foot and fidgeting. That's always a bad sign, he thought.
"Ah, I need to ask a small favor of you."
Bingo. "If this involves that black dragon you're always on about-"
"No, no, no it's nothing like that! Ah, what I actually need is your help with a… social matter."
"Huh?" Kazuma raised an eyebrow. That definitely wasn't something he'd expected to hear from her.
"The king's daughter, Princess Iris, is celebrating her twelfth birthday today. I actually know the princess, and due to my position within the Dustiness family I absolutely must attend."
"Okay, not really seeing the problem so far. You're getting invited to a royal birthday party, that should be fun, right? Especially if there's free food and booze."
"Well… this is not a small gathering of friends to exchange gifts. It is a major event and nobles from across Belzerg will be attending."
"Okay."
"I… I will be expected to interact with my peers within the nobility."
"Uh huh."
Darkness stopped fidgeting and let loose an aggrieved sigh. "I won't be attending as Darkness the crusader, but as Dustiness Ford Lalatina, daughter and heir of a royal house."
"And that's bad because…"
"B… B… Because there w… will be young men there tr… trying to win my heart." Her face turned a bright red. "G… Given my age, status, and wealth m… many men are interested in me."
Kazuma shrugged. "Makes sense I guess, I mean you have got a rockin' bod, and none of those guys know your personality."
"Kazuma!" Darkness grabbed him by the collar and started shaking him like a rag doll. "This is no time for stupid jokes!"
"Who's joking?"
She let go of him and glared. "Do you really not care about other men trying to take me away from you?!"
He blinked. "Wait, what?"
Her cheeks somehow got a couple shades darker, and she quickly looked away.
"W… What I m… mean is, those men want to marry me and make me a wife and mother. I would no longer be a crusader or adventurer."
"Oh, yeah I guess that's true. Well, you know I would hate to lose you. I mean, crazy as you are, you're still absolutely the best!"
Her eyes turned to his. "Really?"
"Sure. No one could ever be a better tank than you."
"O… Of course, that's what I meant too." Darkness coughed into her hand and tried to compose herself. "Listen Kazuma, I… I uhm, have been telling my father and the rest of my family that you and I are close. In order to dissuade him from trying to make a match for me. That means he and everyone else will expect you to accompany me to the celebration tonight. Af… After everything I've told him it will look suspicious if we don't attend together."
"Oh, is that all? Geez Darkness, you had me worried this was something serious."
"…"
"So, you want me to go with you to a big party in the royal palace tonight that has free food and drink? Sure, it sounds like fun!"
"Why does that answer only make me feel even more nervous?" Darkness muttered.
"Come again?"
"Nothing," she sighed. "Kazuma, please keep in mind that not only will my father be there along with others in my family, but there will be dozens of high ranking members of the nobility. Not to mention Princess Iris herself. Please, be on your absolute best behavior."
"You got it!" Kazuma winked and gave her a thumbs up.
For some reason the expression on her face did not lighten.
"I need to head home and get ready, you know where my family residence is don't you?"
"Sure do."
"Then please meet me there before the seventh hour. Be well dressed and don't be late!"
"Okay, got it. Oh, what about Megumin?"
"Uhm, I don't think I'd be able to keep an eye on her too. Maybe it would be best not to mention anything to her?"
"Yeah, that makes sense, I mean can you imagine the kind of problems someone who says whatever they please and has no self control might cause? It'd probably be a disaster."
"…"
"Hey, you feeling all right? You suddenly look like you have a stomachache or something."
"It's nothing, oh and one more thing. This is a birthday party and as a guest you'll be expected to bring a present. As you're a commoner, it doesn't have to be anything too ostentatious, but it should still be something worthwhile."
"Okay, what would she like?"
"She is the princess of the kingdom and known as Belzerg Stylish Sword Iris. She has been trained to be a sword master since she could walk. Anything related to that will be appropriate."
"Oh, so she's a twelve year old who loves fighting? Then I've already got the perfect gift."
"Fine, I will see you tonight then," sounding a bit frazzled Darkness headed out the door.
XXX
Kazuma arrived at the gate to the Dustiness estate before seven. He was dressed in his best green cloak, shirt, trousers, and boots. In his hands was a box tied up with a big red bow. He was surprised to spot Darkness standing there by the gate waiting for him.
She wasn't in her armor or the black bodysuit she wore underneath. She wasn't even in one of the long robes she preferred when walking about the mansion either. No, she was in a scarlet evening gown slit down one side to reveal a lot of leg as she walked and cut low enough to show off her two most outstanding assets. Her hair was hanging loose past her shoulders, and she had lipstick and make up on, a rarity for her. There was no denying she looked absolutely amazing.
Still not as good as she did naked and tied up. But it was in the ballpark at least.
Kazuma looked her up and down with an appreciative grin. "Wow, you clean up nice, Darkness."
Her cheeks flushed a bit. "You pick the oddest times to pretend to be a gentleman."
"What are you talking about? I'm always a good guy."
She rolled her eyes and came over to his side. "That is not the same thing as being a gentleman, Kazuma."
"It's more important though."
"Perhaps, but just for tonight at least I'd appreciate you making the effort to not be the utter beast, you normally are."
"You know you're going to need to work on how you ask people for favors."
"I'll keep that in mind, Kazuma. Now come on, we need to get going." She wrapped herself around his arm and began dragging him to the front of the house.
Kazuma could feel his upper right arm being buried in boobie. It was a nice.
"Ah, you're kind of close, Darkness."
"W… We can't waste time, and this is the fastest way," her cheeks were a bright tinge of red. "I've, ah, told my father a lot about and that we are v… very close. Please, please be polite and don't say anything strange."
"What do you mean by strange? Like if I said I'd be okay being tied up naked to a tree to help distract some enemies? That sort of thing?" He had a huge grin and an evil glint in his eye.
Her face turned a brighter shade of red as she picked up the pace and dragged him along.
XXX
Two people were waiting for them near the front of the house. One was a mustached blond man in a trim black suit Kazuma didn't recognize. The other was a familiar face in a purple outfit.
"Wiz, what are you doing here?"
"I'm casting a teleportation spell for Lord Dustiness."
"You do that?"
The shop owner shrugged. "It brings in a little money. To be honest, besides selling HeroMon cards my shop isn't doing that well."
"That so? Tell you what, I may have something for you soon."
Wiz looked interested, but before she could say anything Darkness has hauled him in front of the guy in the black suit. Kazuma noted there was a sheathed broadsword on the ground by his feet. The man was looking Kazuma over with an expression that was an equal mix of expectation and worry.
"Father, this is Satou Kazuma. Kazuma, this is my father, Dustiness Ford Ignis."
Wanting to make a good first impressions, Kazuma bowed to the man. "It's an honor to meet you, sir."
The man nodded and offered him an uncertain smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Kazuma-san. Lalatina has told me quite a lot about you."
Kazuma laughed and rubbed the back of his head. "Well, I'm sure I'm not as amazing as she makes me sound. She and I have spent a lot of time together after all."
"Yes, I know. I can honestly say it was a revelation hearing her bring you up so often. She hardly ever mentions men at all."
"Well, I guess that makes sense. I mean she and I have been through a lot of tight spots together. It's only natural to grow close to someone when you see the best and worst of them."
"So… you've seen a lot of my daughter?"
"Well, I don't want to brag or anything, but I'd bet I've seen more of her than anyone else."
Her father nodded. "Especially during those three months when-"
"Father!" Darkness cut in. "Shouldn't we be going? We might be late!"
"Yes, I suppose so," Lord Dustiness picked the sword up and nodded to Wiz.
Wiz began to chant. A magical circle appeared at their feet. It blazed with light, and they were gone.
XXX
The next moment they were at the gates of a magnificent white marble castle with four towers. Guards in full plate armor confirmed their identities and passed them through. They joined a stream of well dressed men and women. It was only then Kazuma realized he was the sole man there dressed like an adventurer.
"Lalatina," Lord Dustiness handed the broadsword over to his daughter. "I'll let you present our birthday gift to Princess Iris, I'm sure she's eager to see you after all this time."
"Yes, father."
Darkness and Kazuma joined a long line that was snaking its way towards the middle of the ballroom. Everyone in front of them was also holding a present. Kazuma noted all of them were weapons, shields, or armor. This was also when Darkness finally paid attention to the box he was holding.
"Kazuma," she said sounding nervous. "What exactly did you get the princess?"
He had a wide smile. "Only the best present ever. It's something every twelve year old who loves fighting is one hundred percent guaranteed to love!"
"But that box is too small to be a weapon or armor, unless you got her daggers."
"You'd expect me to give a little girl daggers? Seriously? What's wrong with you?"
Both her eyebrows rose, and she waved the sword she had over her head. "My family is gifting her a weapon, so are most of the other guests. It's both practical and a great sign of respect. I didn't bother to specify what you should get because I thought it was common sense."
"Darkness, you wouldn't recognize common sense if you were wearing it."
She gasped and a tiny shudder ran through her. "C… Cruel, please, Kazuma not here. Just for tonight don't be yourself."
"Right, because I'm the problem here," he muttered.
"In all seriousness though, what's in the box?"
"Don't worry about it."
She gave him a resigned look and didn't say anything more. Perhaps realizing it was too late to do anything anyway.
As they snaked their way forward he caught more and more people in the crowd looking at him. Many of them having whispered conversations with a neighbor.
"I'm seriously underdressed, huh? Everybody's looking at me."
Darkness glanced about the ballroom. "K… Kazuma, tell me a joke."
"Huh, you want to hear a joke?"
She suddenly burst out in high pitched laughter and clutched his arm again. "Oh, Kazuma! You're so funny!"
He stared at her. "What's wrong you?"
"N… Nothing! Wh… What c… could possibly be wrong?"
He narrowed his eyes. "Don't play innocent, you're not good at it. What are you up to?" If they were in the guildhall, he'd assume she was trying to lead them into an ambush of ogres or something.
"I… I have n… no idea what you mean."
He sighed. It wasn't the time or place to deal with this. Her antics had only drawn more attention their way. He would just have to get the truth out of her later.
Eventually they reached the front of the line and met Princess Iris the Belzerg Stylish Sword. She was a lovely young girl with blue eyes, straight long blonde hair, free flowing for the most part but partially braided on the right side. Around her head, she wore a green headband, decorated with grapes and leaves. She wore a long white dress with a blue ribbon on the waist, a blue skirt and white pantyhose. She was absolutely adorable.
Standing on either side was a young woman in mage robes with a staff and a woman in a pure white suit with a sword at her hip. The woman in the suit was glaring daggers at Kazuma for some reason.
The moment they stood before her Darkness dipped into a graceful curtsy. Kazuma hastily followed her example and bowed.
"Princess Iris, it is wonderful to see you again."
"Onee-chan! It's been much too long. I want to hear all about your adventures!"
"Of course."
Iris shifted her attention from Darkness over to Kazuma. "And this must be your precious Kazuma!"
"Uhm, precious?"
Darkness stood back up with a nervous look on her face. "Y… You've heard about him?"
Iris nodded excitedly. "The rumors have been all over the palace about how you spent three months together in a forest. Everyone knows he's your lover."
Kazuma gasped. "I'm her WHAT?!"
That brought every single eye firmly on him. The girl in the white suit placed a hand on the hilt of her sword. Kazuma resisted the urge to immediately begin smacking Darkness on the top of her idiot head.
XXX
Author's Note: For any of you who may be interested in reading more of my work Amazon has a new program called Kindle Vella available. Visit Amazon and search for Nelson Chereta Kindle Vella.