284-256 Return to the throne (1)

The day after the reception, Haruka and I were lounging on the bed while Toya and the others went out for the final push to prepare for tomorrow's departure.

Thanks to the Marquis of Marmont, we had enough time to taste a lot of food, but the mental stress was still too much.

I didn't do anything, I basically just stood there, but it was hard.

I couldn't speak very well, and as an ordinary citizen, it was exhausting to be in a situation where I was constantly being watched.

Perhaps it was because I was an elf, but in the beginning, I was often noticed in Raffan, but since I had a fixed area of activity and it wasn't that big of a town, that stopped after a while, and the way I was noticed was different.

Rafan was just looking at me out of curiosity, and if I did something strange, he would just think that there was a strange elf.

But yesterday's scene made me nervous because it wasn't just about me.

"Oh, I feel so stiff all over.

That's true. I can feel my facial muscles tense up.

Haruka was making an expression. ......

It's not that Haruka is unsociable, but she's not the type of person who always has a gentle smile on her face.

It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

But the nobleman is also troublesome. It's like they're laughing and hitting each other with words.

"Master Ilias is only a child, but I'm sure he'd be even worse as an adult.

I don't even remember his name, but the first man who approached me was clearly trying to mount Master Ilias, using the fact that he had been attacked as an excuse.

He faded out easily when a higher-ranking nobleman appeared.

The Marquis of Marmont seems to have a lot of study and little freedom.

The Marquis of Marmont seemed to have a lot of freedom.

The Marquis of Marmont seemed to have a lot of freedom.

With all those nobles, he was the only one who stood out.

And yet, he didn't seem to be frowned upon.

Of course, this is because of his character and the title that allows him to do so.

It's probably easiest to be a well-paid adventurer when you think about it.

As long as you don't get into the hands of some crazy nobleman.

...... We need the protection of the nobility, don't we?

If it's purely brute force, you might be able to fight them.

But if you fight them off, that's not good.

If it is between nobles, it may be treated as a "conflict," but if a civilian kills him, it is murder against nobility.

No matter what kind of vicious aristocrat we are dealing with, the regime will naturally turn against us and kill us.

"It's not going to be a happy ending where the righteous side defeats the bad guys.

I guess it helps that the traffic is so bad.

You can't just drive up and down the street.

Not only the speed, but also the safety on the road is quite critical.

This is the reason why it is so important for you to have a good idea of what you are looking for.　I'm not sure if it's a good idea.

I'm not sure what to make of that. It's a problem that arose at the request of Viscount Nenus.

You could say that it was Haruka's good looks that caused the problem.

Oh, good looks. Is that a compliment?

There's no denying she's beautiful.

As Erlandy the Elf said, anyone who sees Haruka's appearance and thinks she's not beautiful must have a very different sense of beauty from the general public.

"Yes, yes. Thank you.

Haruka was a little embarrassed by my honest feedback and lay face down on the bed.

I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea.

...... Hey, hey, Nao. I'm not sure what to say.　You know, you're really stiff, right?

"Hmm?　That would be great, but ......

Yeah. Here, lie on your back.

If anything, my mental fatigue is greater than my physical stiffness, but it's hard to say that to Haruka, who is very motivated, so I honestly get down on my back.

Then, let's go.

I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one who has a problem with this.

Mmmm. Honestly, it's comfortable.

If it's just about healing, I can do it with magic, but there's something different about it.

"You're very stiff, sir~

Really?

No, I'm just saying.

What the hell is that?

I laughed lightly and Haruka laughed a little too, then proceeded to massage her hips and back.

But Nao's body is thinner than before. But your body is thinner than before.

But your body is thinner than before. You're a little bit taller, and you're obviously stronger, but ...... that tickles me.

I move my hand to get away from Haruka's hand, which is rustling the muscles in my arm.

I'm sorry. But it's the same for me. My body has gotten thinner and ...... my breasts, too.

I'm sure you'll agree that it's nice to be well proportioned.　Yeah.

Well, that's good. ......

.........

".........

Haruka's hands rubbed her shoulders and neck as if she were putting weight on them silently.

I'm not sure what to do.

...... But what's wrong, all of a sudden. Massage?

I'm sure you've heard of it.　You can do something like that, can't you?　Oh, you'll have to do it to me later.

That's what I said at the reception.

That's right. Haruka also has a ...... partner in mind, doesn't she?

Yes, I do.

.........

".........

We fall silent again.

Before I knew it, Haruka's hand had stopped and his face was right next to mine.

Even up close, her face is really beautiful.

I gently reach out and bring her face close to mine, and she closes her eyelids.

And then...

"Hey, Nao. I'm here for lunch.

Suddenly, without knocking, the door of the room was opened with a bang.

My gaze collides with Toya's as he walks in.

And then, with a bang...

The air in the room freezes.

I'm going out to eat. I won't be back for a while!　Me and Natsuki and the others!　Yes, specifically, about two hours. Then!

The door closes rather roughly with a bang, and you can hear Toya running away.

No, what's wrong with the air?

What am I supposed to do?

.........

...... said he won't be back for about two hours.

Yeah, I heard that. ......?

What are you going to do?

Haruka opens her eyes and stares at me with deep, clear eyes.

You can find a lot more information on this subject in this article.

I'm sure you'll agree.

In the end, Haruka and I decided to have our last lunch at the Crevilly with what we had stocked in our magic bags.

After a little more than two hours, Natsuki and his friends came back, and they didn't say anything, but they responded as usual. ...... The fact that they didn't say anything made me feel a subtle sense of embarrassment.

I'm not sure what to make of this.

I'm sure you'll be able to find something that will work for you.

"Yes. I was able to get enough rice and a large variety of spices, so I think I can make something close to curry if I try hard enough.

I also bought a lot of other unusual items. Maybe some of the spices can be grown in the garden?

"Yes. I'll give it a try!　I'll try my best! It'll only be a few spices, though.

I could eat a lot of good food!

It was just a normal conversation.

And she remembered the story about the curry.

Mitya was interested in eating.

We had eaten a lot of food at the wedding party, but we wanted to try eating out.

Haruka and I had only eaten on the first day because of our cramming education.

We spent a lot of money, though, right?

Well, if Natsuki and Yuki decide it's okay, then it's fine. ...... Wow, you really spent a lot of money. When I get home, I'm going to have to work hard for a while.

You're not going to get any cash for this escort request.

Haruka looked at the leather bag containing the common expenses and squealed.

It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

On the other hand, speaking of Toya...

"Uh, Nao, I'm sorry about earlier, okay?

What are you talking about?　What are you talking about? I was just getting treated by Haruka.　I was all stiff from the reception yesterday. Yeah, yeah.

No, it's obvious when you didn't come after me right away.

.........

I have no idea what's going on.

So, did it work?

...... I have no idea what you're talking about, and I have no idea what you're talking about, but I have no comment.

I don't know what you're talking about.　It's not like I'm asking for details. It's a good idea to have a little bit of time to think about what you're doing.

You know what ...... is?

You're obviously in a good mood.

Is that what it is?

Of course, I don't think he's bad, but I think he's always like that.

--No, maybe I'm not good enough to know that.

I'm far from a nobleman.

Well, I'll give you my blessing.

"I don't know what you're talking about, but thank you.

I don't know what you're talking about, but thank you," I replied, to which Toya shrugged his shoulders.

Early in the morning of the next day, we set out for the Viscount of Nenus.

As if retracing the path we had come, from Crevilly to Mijara to Pining.

As expected, we were not attacked by bandits this time, and since we had repaired the road on the way, the journey went smoothly.

Despite the rain, we made it back to Pining almost on schedule.