Chapter 17: 16

When I returned home after being sent by His Highness, I was bombarded with questions from Melinda. In particular, she seems to be curious about His Highness’s reaction to my appearance.

“Wasn’t there something more? For example, that I’ve never seen anyone more beautiful than you, that I would run away barefoot like a fairy, or that I’m so grateful to God for having such a fiancé.”

“Melinda, that’s not His Highness anymore.”

He’s probably not an ordinary person. Maybe he’s a poet or something.

I was really happy enough when I was told that I was beautiful for the first time, but Melinda seems unsatisfied.

“Well, I’ll ask for more details when that girl is here.”

Melinda pouts. In fact, Emilia is coming to the Cuey house in five days. She has many younger siblings and said that she doesn’t want to leave home for too long, so it’s just for one night and two days.

[It seems that she wants to have a sleepover party for girls again during the summer vacation]. This is the reward that Emilia, who took third place in the recent test, requested.

I was caught off guard by her cute request and asked if it was really okay. I was thinking of giving her two or three jewels that would suit her.

Five days later, Emilia came in a carriage. And as soon as she arrived, she was exclaiming in amazement. She seems to have been overwhelmed by the size of the Cuey house.

On the other hand, Melinda and I were overwhelmed by the size of the thing that Emilia was holding in her arms.

“…Emilia, it looks like the egg has gotten bigger since the last time I saw it, don’t you think?”

Melinda asked with a puzzled face.

“Do eggs get bigger…?”

Melinda’s confusion is understandable. If I didn’t know from the strategy book that Phantom Beast is growing at an abnormal rate thanks to Emilia’s kindness and vast magical power, I would have been just as puzzled.

“That’s right,” Emilia laughed.

In the scenario, Emilia will be the winner of the Phantom Beast Festival.

***

Even as the night grew later, we continued talking while lying next to each other on one bed.

Today, Melinda and I taught Emilia horseback riding and held a cooking competition, and acted like little kids by lying on the grass in the yard and taking a nap. It was a fulfilling day, to say the least.

The two of them kept insisting “We’re not going to sleep” even as the night grew late. Emilia in particular said “Being able to spend an all-nighter with friends was my dream.” in a way that I didn’t quite understand.

But past 2am, the two of them happily set off to dreamland. I’m not sleepy because I took a nap on the grass during the day.

The sigh I let out dissolved into the dark room and disappeared. I look at the two of them sleeping and think to myself.

The big event that we’re talking about is at the beginning of August, that’s in half a month. The story goes like this: one day, when Emilia was out shopping in the town, she gets kidnapped by the villainous Rebecca, who had planned on using this as an opportunity to make sure she couldn’t participate in the summer event, and almost loses her Phantom Beast’s egg.

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Of course, I wouldn’t do something like that, but when I think about what’s happened before, it’s likely that someone else will do it instead.

The important thing is that the person who comes to save her at that point is the protagonist’s final love interest.

After that, whether it will lead to a happy ending or not, the route is completely branching here.

However, I intend to save Emilia myself. Various events are all being handled by me, even if I’m just watching, what would I do if no one came. Or rather, I want to prevent it from happening if possible. It’s uncertain whether I can win against the game’s compulsion.

For me, there is one extremely pleasing fact.

His Highness cannot absolutely come to help. The reason is that this is a physical problem. From the end of July to the early part of August, His Highness is scheduled to visit the Duke of Slutarch. His Highness intends to continue the engagement, and it was my father’s advice after confirming that I accepted it.

My father helps out with His Highness’s busy work to some extent, and he can go to places that would normally take four days by horse-drawn carriage in two days because of the one-year-old Grue who has grown up so well. Because of such a schedule, I couldn’t go with him.

With this, no matter how strong the game’s compulsion is, His Highness cannot come to help and it is decided that Emilia and His Highness will not be bound in the scenario. I couldn’t be happier.

I suddenly stopped thinking and looked out the window. The cool wind was coming in from the window and stroking my cheeks. The room and the outside were dark, but the sky was bright with shining stars. Seeing that, I renewed my determination.

It’s okay, Emilia. I’ll definitely protect you.

***

“I invited Emilia to my father’s house in the Royal Capital in August. I called it just for one day, but I plan to have her stay for a while. She told me before that there were many small siblings and it was hard, so I have already sent Duke’s servants to help and report at Emilia’s house.”

My father is not in the mansion today either, because he decided to take a week off from his work.

This morning, he hugged me once and said, “If it’s for your sake, it’s not painful.” and left while laughing. What a wonderful father.

Currently, the security of this house is at double the normal level. In order not to trouble my father, I directly instructed the servants. No one can enter, no matter who they are. Even if Emilia wants to go out, I will never let her.

Even if she is kidnapped, it will be at that time. I will help with all my might while wrapping my tongue around the scenario’s compulsion. Even though this is almost house arrest, I will do my best to make it fun for Emilia, so I hope she can bear with it.

In my prediction, the time limit is until Emilia’s Phantom Beast’s eggs hatch. Emilia’s Phantom Beast will hatch during this event and will have the role of turning the tide of the war. The Duke has already left yesterday, so there are no problems.

It happened that evening that something strange occurred.

Emilia and I were talking about our impressions of the book while drinking tea. I thought that the incident was already over in the game’s scenario, but the butler came and announced a visitor. I tried to refuse saying that I didn’t feel like entertaining guests today, but since it was my father’s mentor, I couldn’t just turn him away. I left Emilia’s side to tell the visitor that my father was not present as the representative of the house. I made Emilia promise me not to see anyone or go anywhere before I left.

Although she found it quite suspicious, Emilia said “if that’s what Rebecca-sama wants.” So, I felt relieved and entertained the guest, but when I returned and found Emilia was not there, I was shocked. Instead, the butler was there alone.

He said “she” was talking to Emilia in the other room now. That person is one of the Five strongest, Kyaran, Marquis Goudes’ daughter. Furthermore, she came alone without any followers.

The room, where there were supposed to be two people, was empty.

 

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