CH 305

Someone called Takeru interrupted the duel midway and fired a spell at me, now he’s being interrogated by the people around him. How did this happen…? Somewhere along the way, I got a battle high and didn’t know what to do.

If I remember correctly, he got in conflict with Mikoto’s elder brother, Subaru. Takeru is also mixed in with the duel, and yet, for some reason, it is Takeru who is being interrogated and grilled now…

I don’t know the situation. How did this happen…?

“Don’t make lazy excuses! Takeru!” Emperor Sumeragi yelled.

“Chi-Chiue… please listen…” Takeru said.

“Damare!” Emperor Sumeragi snapped. “I understand Subaru’s motivation. But Takeru, I do not understand the purpose of your actions! Answer me truthfully.”

The Emperor and Takeru are arguing about something. I, who should be one of the involved parties, am left behind on the sidelines. In the first place, is it okay to do this in front of me, a guest, or a foreigner? Aren’t I unauthorized for these sorts of insider information?

Well, I have no idea what they’re talking about. I can’t just sit back and relax in this situation. Besides, I was the one who destroyed the building and the garden. I don’t really understand the circumstances, but for the time being, I nod with a solemn look.

For quite a long time we were arguing that it was a whole lot of this and that, but it was temporarily disbanded because it was not clear what was going on. Mikoto and I are escorted out to the guest room.

“Are? You don’t have your own room, Mikoto?”

“If you want to sleep in my room, Floto, I’ll let you in, but if you want to sleep here, I’ll be with you,” Mikoto said.

I suppose this is how it goes, right? I was told that with a casual expression, but is that natural? don’t know……. What about the customs of this country?

“By the way… what was with that fight just now?” I asked.

Since I was able to be alone with Mikoto, I was now clear to discuss such a matter. I nodded with a strange expression, not knowing what was going on, but frankly speaking, I don’t know anything about this country.

“Haa… I thought you might ask,” Mikoto said. “Where should I start? For now, Subaru is the eldest son and Takeru is the second son. Sorede…”

I sorted out what Mikoto said piece by piece.

First of all, it seems that the head of this country is not a king, but an emperor. That’s why they’re called Dakara-oji and Dakara-ojou, not Ouji or Kojou. And there is no rule that the succession to the throne is for the eldest son or the first son. In other words, this country is currently in the middle of a power struggle for the succession of the throne.

Primogeniture is not recognized in this country. Therefore, Mikoto can succeed to the throne, but Mikoto’s children cannot succeed to the throne unless Mikoto’s husband is of the male line. However, since it is possible for a female in the male lineage to become Empress, it seems that the succession battle will become more complicated.

There are times when succession to the throne is decided smoothly and easily, and there are times when it is difficult to decide due to disputes. This time it’s a pattern where they can’t decide.

Since succession to the throne in this country seems to be a meritocratic affair, at first Mikoto had almost no “Me“, or “the look,” of a successor. Since she was a girl who didn’t get involved in the succession as a dropout, it seems that she was quite neglected and forgotten, and it was around that time that she met me in the forest a long time ago.

Eventually, while playing with me, Mikoto’s talent for magic blossomed, and it seems that she was recognized as qualified to succeed to the throne, but she abandoned the succession warfare because she wanted to meet me again. It seems that she studied abroad in the Kingdom of Ploiss shortly after. After that is what I know of.

As for Mikoto herself, even if she succeeds to the throne, she has no intention of getting a husband to continue a male lineage. She seems to want anyone to be put forward as soon as possible, as there is no reason for her to force herself into the fight for the throne if it is the end of her lineage anyway.

The problem seems to be that no matter how much Mikoto says she is not interested in succession or has no intention of succeeding, she cannot give up her birthright or not participate in succession disputes.

Even if Mikoto’s case is fine, the other brothers can’t laugh at that. They thought Mikoto was unqualified to fight for the throne until she suddenly joined as a promising candidate. Even if she doesn’t care, she may overtake them as the most qualified candidate, and she can’t be ignored.

Even so, it is said that the eldest son Subaru is considered to be the favorite to succeed to the throne, and the second son Takeru is the one who does not approve of it and is ready to fight for his place.

Subaru seems to say that if someone else was chosen based on their strength, he would gracefully step down, but unfortunately, it seems that there is currently no candidate who surpasses Subaru. Naturally, Takeru doesn’t agree with that, and it seems that they often get into fights.

This time, for some reason, Takeru cut in while Subaru and I were engaging in a friendly duel. Mikoto says she can’t figure out why.

“Takeru-nii-sama should take advantage of the fight between Floto and Subaru-nii-sama and try to assassinate him, not you. I have no idea why he would prioritize you instead of interfering with Subaru-nii-sama.”

“Fu~mu…?” I went.

So it seems it’s as the king, rather, the Emperor said earlier? And his exchange with Takeru seems to be like that. I didn’t understand it at all, but it seems that anyone in this country would think the same thing as Mikoto just explained.

It would be fine if he pretended to have accidentally killed Subaru while he was playing around with me, but it would be strange to seriously use a magical spell to help Subaru turn the odds in their favor…

Certainly, when I hear that story, I know that it’s kind of suspicious. But that’s just a one-sided opinion and prejudice, and I, who don’t know anything about Subaru or Takeru, can’t make a judgment. Maybe Takeru is genuinely worried about Subaru and wanted to help… well, I don’t think he did, honestly…

Either way, I don’t remember why he got so involved with me. The emperor and the others may start talking about it, so for the time being I’m waiting for an investigation from the other side. Well, I don’t know if they’ll tell me what they discover, but…

I have no interest in that kind of thing… What’s important to me is the Japanese goods… it’s not about trying to take anything by force, it’s about getting it through trade. Remember that the goal is to create a relationship of equals.

“If you don’t know anyway, it’s no use worrying about it then,” I said. “Shall we rest for today?”

“Haa… honto, Floto, you are so easy-going, aren’t you?”

Hey… I don’t want Mikoto to tell me that… no matter how you look at it, Mikoto is more carefree or unthinking… I definitely think about this and that before acting.

“Maa, iiwa,” Mikoto said, shrugging. “Jya, oyasumi,” she said as she fell asleep in my futon.

“Ano... Mikoto…?” I said, looking at the second one lined up beside it.

I can’t help it, so I move to an empty futon.

“Wait, isn’t it meaningless if you come along anyway, Mikoto!?” I yelled.

She should have been asleep and now she was with me. I know you didn’t sleep even though you said “oyasumi.” Only a gunfighter who keeps a cat-shaped robot in his closet can fall asleep instantly on a futon.

“Floto, why won’t you sleep with me!?” Mikoto yelled.

“Iya~…” I started.

No matter how you say it…

“We all usually sleep together, don’t we?!”

“That’s right, but…”

But we’re always together, right? It’s not just the two of us, is it? As expected, I think it’s bad for two young people, a man and a woman, to sleep in the same futon together. Wait, ah! I was a woman now. Is it okay if it’s two girls?

“If I’m alone with you Mikoto, don’t you think you’re getting ahead faster than everyone else?” I asked. “Wouldn’t it be better for everyone here if we slept separately?”

“What are you talking about?!” Mikoto said. “Because it’s just the two of us, it’s fine! Because tonight is the night that I’m going to attack you, Floto!”

Ah~… yes… there is no such thing as an idiot who says, “Oh, I see.” in the face of that, right? And instead of me attacking Mikoto, Mikoto is the one attacking me?

Well, these days, it’s said that there are herbivorous men and carnivorous women, so this is also the trend in this world… what am I saying?

“I can’t say yes when you say you’re going to be on the attack, but…” I started.

“Wakattawa! Then I won’t attack you! So let’s sleep together!” Mikoto said.

Yeah. It’s a lie. She will definitely attack me. It’s written on her face. Even I know that much. But at this rate, it’s not clear. On the other hand, it would be impossible to push Mikoto into her room now.

“Haa…… wakaramishita,” I said.

“Honto?! Yattawa! Floto is now mine!” Mikoto said victoriously.

I know she’s saying something dangerous… but I’m not going to take all of it.

XXX

“Fuwaa~~~a,” I yawned as I stretched.

It’s another good morning.

“Chotto, Floto! What do you mean by this?! Untie me!” Mikoto yelled.

“I told you last night, didn’t I? I would tie you up if you attacked me. But who was it that said ‘Wakattawa.’ and then tried to attack me, anyway?” I asked.

Before I went to sleep last night, I told Mikoto, “If you attack me, I’ll tie you up.” Despite this, Mikoto attacked after saying “Wakattawa.” Hence, Mikoto has been bound up as agreed.

Well, even though I tied her up, I didn’t secure the ropes too tightly. I just tied her hands and feet so that she could only crawl like a bug. If you tie up her whole body, it could cause a lot of problems, such as stopping the blood flow.

“Untie me~!” Mikoto yelled.

“Hai, hai…” I said.

I’ll untie her since it’s morning. It would have been a little painful to stay tied up all night. Even if I end up getting in trouble again, I don’t want her injured, so I untie her.

“Mikoto-sama, Flora-sama, this morning I… ah.”

“Ah……”

And then…, when I was untying the rope that bound Mikoto, the sliding door opened and I met the eyes of a maid in this kingdom. The maid looked at Mikoto tied up, looked at me, looked at Mikoto again, and when our eyes met, she turned bright red.

“Mo-Moushiwakearimasen! I haven’t seen anything. I haven’t seen anything~~~!” the maid squealed as she ran.

“A~aa…” I hit my forehead with a slap.

She must have misunderstood something… did she think that I and Mikoto were playing around?

But before that, wouldn’t you first worry about kidnapping or something like that if the princess of this country were tied? Even if Mikoto hasn’t been in this country for a long time, she’s still a princess, right? How about a maid who doesn’t care about the princess’s safety?

“I’ll have to keep her mouth shut later…” I said.

“It’s already too late,” Mikoto said. “There’s going to be rumors in the castle that you and I have this kind of hobby, Floto.”

Hmmm… I’m hardly going to come here anymore, so I can say it doesn’t matter… Even though I didn’t do anything to Mikoto, it’s annoying that such a misunderstanding spreads and people think that I have that kind of a hobby…

“In general, you’re a late bloomer, Floto, so why are you so aggressive about this kind of thing!?” Mikoto yelled. “Do you normally tie up your spouse and leave her like that overnight?”

“It’s all your fault, isn’t it, Mikoto…?” I said.

It would be troublesome for the maids to spread strange rumors, but… if it’s my House or territory, I’ll do something about it, but I don’t know what to do here. It’s not my territory or House, and it’s highly possible that the customs and rules are different. I don’t think Mikoto will do well even if I ask her… I’m in trouble.

I untied Mikoto’s ropes and went to breakfast, but nothing changed. The people I meet are normal, and nothing has changed with Emperor Sumeragi and Subaru who are sharing the breakfast table with us. Maybe that maid is keeping quiet, after all. Well, it was a misunderstanding in the first place, and Mikoto and I weren’t playing like that, but…

If that maid is literally pretending that she didn’t see anything, and if she’s just keeping it in her chest, there’s something I can do about it. It’s possible that rumors are spreading behind the scenes at this very moment, but for now, let’s search for that maid later.

“Is it okay if I want to discuss the future later in the day, Flora-dono?” Emperor Sumeragi said.

“Eh? Aa, hai. I understand. Onegaishimasu,” I said.

For some reason, I’ve been called Flora”-dono” now. The discussion was probably about trade or future relationships. There is no reason for us to fight with the Demon Country. Rather, I have a one-sided affinity for this country, which is very similar to Japan. I want to get along with them if possible.

After breakfast, Mikoto and I take a break from eating and leave the emperor’s presence. There will be government affairs and other jobs over there from now on. The discussion is scheduled for around noon. Breakfast time is quite early, so I have plenty of time till then. I was walking with Mikoto wondering what to do next…

“Ah, anata, you must be one of the soldiers who showed us around the town yesterday,” I said.

“Eh?! Ah, hai…” he said.

I found him while walking around the Japanese-style castle. I was just thinking of thanking them for all the money they gave us yesterday. I don’t know if the emperor paid the money or not, but they were obviously crying halfway through, so maybe they paid for it out of their own pockets.

“Thank you very much for yesterday,” I said. “I’m sorry that you had to put up so much of your own money. I don’t have any of this country’s currency with me, and I don’t know if this will be enough to make up for it, but…”

I take out a jewel from my purse and give it to the soldier. I’m not sure how much this is worth in this country. Since I can’t use the Kingdom of Ploiss’s currency, I’ve brought gold and jewels that I could use anywhere.

“Ah, that was just our duty,” the soldier said. “We can’t accept something like this…”

“Then please take this and report it to the emperor, and receive the amount you paid for the sake of the princess,” I said.

“So-Sorewa…” the soldier muttered, his gaze swimming.

They may have received some money, but it wasn’t enough for what we spent. There seems to be no doubt that this soldier cut part of it out of his own money. In that case, you should present this jewel to the emperor and ask him to pay the missing money instead. There is no need for this soldier to pay out of his pockets.

“Arigatou gozaimasu!” the soldier said.

“Ie, that’s my line. Thank you for the guidance,” I said.

With this, one regret disappeared. Before talking with the emperor, I started walking around the castle again with Mikoto to find the maid, which was another concern of mine.