Chapter 123

Elefas looks in the direction Neifa is pointing. The knights’ brigade is training in front of an audience. Since the entertainment is geared toward young ladies from good families, Aileen is hosting it in Claude’s place. It’s a demonstration of Imperial Ellmeyer’s military might. Or it sounds good when described that way, but it’s basically an event where young ladies are shown handsome knights and allowed to squeal over them. It’s a bit of an experiment; apparently the way Sahra’s eyes shone at the mention of knights gave them the idea. It also serves to keep other nations in check, so Lilia, the wife of the second prince, has also been put to work. She’s grabbed the opportunity to cling to Aileen, and Aileen’s expression looks rather strained. Even in this cold air, they’re bursting with energy. He can hear cheerful cries all the way over here. “That’s right. The one in the deep blue dress is Her Majesty the empress, and the one clinging to her is her sister-in-law, Lady Lilia.” “I see,” Neifa says simply. Elefas blinks at her. I brought her here because she said she wanted to see them… In the end, Neifa forced Elefas to tell her everything about the culprit who had marked him so heavily with lip rouge. And in order to explain Lilia to her, he also told her about Aileen. Considering her personality, he avoided saying anything like Lilia was my first love, or Aileen was actually the second woman I fell for, and tried hard not to let her catch on—but could she have figured it out after all? Her instincts for that sort of thing seem terribly sharp. The silence begins to frighten him. At the same time, he feels strangely restless. If Neifa’s concerning herself with them, it probably means she’s jealous. Of course, it isn’t as if I can afford to have her picking fights with Lady Aileen or Lady Lilia!! Still, what should he do? Was he actually happy about this? His feelings naturally lead to action: He embraces Neifa’s slender body tightly. From how fearsome she normally is, one would never believe she was this soft and delicate. He doesn’t want to let her go. The moment that thought goes through his mind, it seems like any more training would be pointless. Neifa is still staring at Aileen and Lilia. He wants her to look at him instead. “…Um, Nei—Miss Neifa?” “What is it?” “Would you mind if I quit my training…?” he asks timidly. She turns to face him, looking up at him mischievously. “Am I to understand that you’re prepared for the consequences of this decision?” “Y-yes. But, um, I won’t do this by inches, so… I’ll do my best tonight.” It’s an incoherent answer, but she pats him on the head. The fact that it makes him happy is frustrating. “Shall we go home, then?” “…Are you sure?” he asks. Neifa smiles. It’s a very lovely smile. “Yes. Their figures are obviously meant for an ‘All Ages’ rating, so they’re no match for me.” “Whatever you do, please don’t say that to Lady Aileen or Lady Lilia, all right?!” Elefas holds out his hand, and Neifa takes it immediately. If we’re doing this properly, we’ll need wedding rings. On that completely natural thought, Elefas squeezes her hand.