“I think me being there will have the opposite effect.”
“Aw, c’mon, how’d it wind up like that?” I ask, wondering how things could have gotten so bent out of shape after just one night with him home.
What he tells me has me clutching my head in pain.
So basically, Sei caught wind of the marriage proposal addressed to Commander Indolark, and when the commander didn’t want to talk about it, they had a scuffle and Seiichirou ran out.
That’s, like, the textbook definition of a lovers’ quarrel. What are we even doing here?
“I have yet to reapply the barrier because of that. So be quick.”
Uh, so why are lives at stake over a lovers’ quarrel?
Anyway, there are only two places Sei would stay the night: the residence hall or there, so I rush outside before I can even do my hair. This would have been so much easier if Sei came to me first.
Just as I predicted, he’s in the nap room at the Sorcery Department, which he had established himself. When I approach him, he calls me “Aresh’s dog.” What a low blow! I’d take his side any day over Commander Indolark’s!
Listening to Sei’s side of the story, it turns out that he isn’t mad about Commander Indolark getting a marriage offer so much as the fact that he didn’t communicate it. Which made me think…
“I see how it is… He thinks little of me, and so does everyone else.”
“That’s not true…”
There isn’t a single person in Romany’s royal palace who would underestimate Sei at this point, but I also know that isn’t what he’s getting at. Basically, what I am trying to say is…
“Yeah, Commander Indolark could have said more, but you’re not being reasonable, either.”
It really was a lovers’ quarrel. All I can do is shrug and sigh over being tossed around by these two having a miscommunication.
Then Sei flicks me on the forehead. I really don’t get him.
Activity Report No. 38
Commander Indolark has joined the Egorovan delegation as a bodyguard. He did not stay around long enough to manage Sei’s condition. Despite finishing his guide duties, Sei returned to the Accounting Department, where he not only completed his work backlog but even applied himself to future tasks. I believe urgent support is necessary.
Activity Report No. 39
I will be going to Egorova.
It appeared to be an impulsive decision by Her Holiness Yua, yet apparently Sei had been making plans from the start.
I find my own presence on this journey incomprehensible. This was not the kind of support I meant. My capacity to help is limited, in my view.
Activity Report No. 40
I write this report from inside my carriage.
I believe that the carriage arranged by Her Holiness and Lady Erene of House Indolark is quite speedy. It is a new model, pulled along by four horses. Furthermore, we are proceeding at a considerable pace due to a reckless method proposed by Sei and implemented by Her Holiness, the assistant director of the Sorcery Department, and the vice commander of the Third Royal Order. As groundbreaking as this method may be, I cannot recommend it enthusiastically. I imagine Sei will submit the details when he returns, so I ask that you await his report.
And so I arrived in Egorova. It is my first time setting foot in another country as either a member of royalty or the nobility, but I have no time to get cold feet. I swear that mad dash shaved years off my life. God forbid a ruthless guy (read: Sei) ever join forces with a competent person. I learned my lesson: don’t get involved if you know what’s good for you.
I’m surprised that Luciano turned out to be Lufina, the third princess (I knew I’d seen her somewhere). But what really catches me off guard is how much the fourth princess’s situation resembles mine—although in her case the royal family openly acknowledges her as one of their own. That explains why Prince Lars is so weirdly considerate toward me. I guess he sees me as a success story.
The silver-haired princess—Sofia, apparently—is sickly and low on magic, but Sei fixes that in an instant. Isn’t he kinda too brilliant? When did he come up with that whole plan? Isn’t he doing a whole bunch of other work, too?
But anyway, he solves the problem, and Princess Sofia gets the opportunity to recuperate in Romany and contribute to a national project. So, basically, there is nothing to worry about anymore. I mean, she already has her older brother and sister, who went to such incredible lengths for her. Likewise, I had my mother, father, brother, and sister, who all cared about me even though we weren’t related by blood. As long as somebody has that, they don’t really need anything else.
So I say: “Not to worry. Long as she’s got a family who loves her, she’ll be just fine!”
Activity Report No. 41
Under Sei’s proposal, Romany will take custody of Princess Sofia of Egorova. I am sure that there will be many details to process, but Lady Erene of House Indolark has volunteered her home for the stay. I believe that this will advance our diplomatic relations significantly.
Then, all of a sudden, a way for Sei to return to his original world appears. Apparently, the local specialties in Agiral, where Father made that agreement, will come in handy for completing the spell. Who would have thought that my family could pay Sei back for everything he’s given us!
Sei’s absence will be a big loss for the kingdom, and I’m going to feel lonely without him around, but it is Sei’s decision to make. I made up my mind to support him no matter what he chose.
Activity Report No. 42
Sei will be remaining behind in Romany. To be precise, he chose both options: to stay and return.
It appears that a method to facilitate two-way travel has already been established. However, it is not simple to achieve due to its cost. Nevertheless, I would very much like to see the world Sei grew up in if the opportunity ever presents itself to me. I wonder what kind of world can produce a person so full of surprises.