Chapter 141

「Um…Amelia-sama?」

Ria nervously looked at me .

Seeing Ria standing there, I stopped .

「What is it?」

「U, um, sorry . The conversation just now, I was eavesdropping . 」

When Ria apologized, I shook my head .

And continued walking .

Flustered, Ria followed behind me .

Something like that, I had noticed that Ria deliberately came in at that time .

I didn’t have Akira’s『Detection』skill, so I didn’t know when she started listening in, but to come in at that time just when the conversation had come to an end just meant that she was listening in .

「I don’t mind . …Ria, what do you think? Did it look like I forced by Akira to go with him?」

She looked a little sad, and nodded, though it was barely noticeable .

「This might be prejudice, but when a summoned hero is together with an elf, the elf is either a party member, or was taken away . In father’s case, he knew how strong Amelia-sama id, so he probably thought that it was the former . 」

In other words, I was thought of as a party member .

In short, I was being pitied .

「O, of course, not everyone is like that . The women within the castle and I, naturally, everyone noticed it!」

When I tilted my head in confusion at Ria who was flustered for some reason, Ria glanced down at my left hand .

「That “ring” on the left hand’s ring finger is what lovers wear and it’s rumored that in doing so, they will be happy for eternity! Akira-sama also had a mark on his ring finger on his left hand, and there are many people, even within the castle, who had that mark, so we knew immediately!」

Ria’s eyes were sparkling as she said that .

I didn’t know that it was that famous .

At that time, something strange was going on with both Akira and I, so the ache the day after after waking up, nor the sting when entering the bath didn’t register in our minds .

I would have hesitated a little if there was .

「Is it popular?」

「Yes! If I’m not mistaken, it was written in a book that’s published by the humans . It seems that it’s popular even among humans, and even within the beastmen territory, there are many people who have read it!」

While I was wondering if Ria had read it, we arrived at the courtyard that Akira was in .

「Isn’t it fine! One or two cups of wine!」

「If you don’t drink wine, then you won’t become a fine adult!」

「Like I said, I won’t drink it!!」

Akira and the general of this country were having a get-together in the courtyard where it was boisterous .

「Afterwards, the soldiers who wanted to be Akira-sama’s opponent crowded the courtyard, and it seems that he was encouraged to drink by the general who came after he took up all their challenges . He’s taken a liking to Akira-sama . 」

Thanks to Ria’s explanation, I’ve grasped the general situation .

Certainly, it seems that in Akira’s country, you could not consume alcohol if you’re not an adult .

「Or rather, if I don’t get back by sunset, I’ll be sleeping outside . That’s how it is, so get out of the way!」

He tried to push his way through the soldiers, but unfortunately, there were too many of them and Akira was besieged .

「Well then, I will take care of the soldiers, so Amelia-sama, take Akira-sama to the boat . See you tomorrow, I will visit you at the hotel!」

Ria said that, and without waiting for me to say anything, she walked towards them .

「General Zaras! Are you finished with your official duties today?」

「Geh, Ria-sama… . 」

The instant the generals saw Ria, they all grimaced .

「Moreover, General Ceila, your wife should’ve told you to abstain from alcohol though!?」

「Lila…she tell Ria-sama, huh . 」

While Ria was suppressing the generals, Akira broke out of the crowd of soldiers .

「Oh! Ria-sama’s preaching has begun!」

「Ria-sama who is angry at the generals is lovely… . 」

Ria herself said that she was an adopted child or something like that, but it seems that the people in the castle have accepted her .

Ria, who was like a younger sister, was treated like a mother, which was a little improper .

「Akira, if we don’t hurry, we’ll be sleeping outdoors . 」

When I said that, Akira quickly took my right hand and started running .

I looked down at the ring finger on his left hand .

Because it was a deep cut, that “ring” was still a profound red .

My left hand had the same “ring” .

「Sorry, Amelia, let’s hurry!」

I tightly held onto Akira’s left hand .

When we used Ria’s name, we were able to board the boat that Ria had already prepared for us .

Akira leaned his body into the sofa and took a short rest .

「In the end, we didn’t have much of a date . 」

Akira muttered this .

I shook my head when I heard him say that .

「The scene of Akira fighting, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen it . I like watching Akira fight . You were cool, today as well . 」

When I said that and smiled, Akira put a hand over his mouth and turned away .

Surprisingly, Akira was a shy person .

「Is that so . Then that’s good . 」

I wanted to be a bit mean, so I sat down next to Akira .

I gently leaned forward and studied Akira’s face .

I couldn’t really see his face, but his ear that I could see through his hair was a deep red .

「I, I’m glad that I came along with Akira . If I was in the elven territory, it wouldn’t be like this where it’s always exciting . I wouldn’t be able to eat delicious food either, and best of all, Akira is here . That’s why, for me, each day is a reward . …thank you . For taking me outside that place . 」

To be told that we were playing around, I was shocked .

However, even if leaving the elven territory was of my own volition, the one who took away from there was Akira .

That’s why, I wanted to formally thank him .

When I did so, Akira put on a serious look on his face and faced me .

His face was still red, but it seems that he considered this to be a serious conversation and turned towards me .

「I didn’t take you with me . The one who wanted to go with me, and chose to do so was Amelia . Amelia decided for yourself what you wanted to do . That’s why, I should be the one thanking you . Thank you, for going with me instead of staying with your family . 」

It seems that King Igsam’s words bothered me more than I myself realized .

That’s why, Akira’s words truly made me happy .

I was so happy that even I knew that I was grinning .

「Wow . Akira always says the words that I want to hear . 」

「That’s good . …now then, we’re going to head towards the central water fountain . We need to get ready to disembark . 」

Akira, who looked a bit shy, said that, pulled on my hand, and we went up to the deck of the boat .

We could see the setting sun just over the central water fountain .

It seems that we made it before sunset, that’s good .