17 Seventeen. They found out.

I was invited to the roof balcony by Nigel.

"Wow... what a wonderful view!

Putting my hand on the fence, I look out at the city.

With the use of lightning magic stones, people were able to operate at night without any trouble after the magic equipment was produced to stably light the lights.

And the energy created by that magic device, people call it "electricity"... even though it's getting so dark at night, electric lights are lit up everywhere in the city.

It looks like diamonds are scattered throughout the city.

The night view of King's Landing is also beautiful, but Lynch Giham may be more than that.

I saw this view at night and somehow thought so.

When I look at the night view of Lynch Giham,

"How's it going? This is my beloved city, Lynch Giham. It took time to get here, but thanks to the cooperation of our citizens, we were able to develop. It must be pretty good."

Nigel proudly said.

"Yes, that's right. Very pretty."

"I'm glad Elaine said that."

Nigel stands next to me.

The sad side of her face is as much in love as I am in love with a woman.

Even when I was next to him, I felt my heart beating up.

"Eliane, do you know that the kingdom of Berkaim, a neighboring country, has a legacy like this?

Phew.

The name of the kingdom came up, and I almost jumped in surprise.

"A legend? I wonder what that is."

I ask Nigel in plain clothes.

The kingdom has the Virgin.

Phew, Phew.

"Virgin?"

"Yes, the Virgin is straddling the boundaries and keeping evil from the kingdom. Thanks to the Virgin, the kingdom continued to flourish and became one of the world's leading powers on this continent."

"You're a Virgin... you've never heard of her. Isn't it just like a giraffe?

I think the elderly know about the Virgin passed down to the kingdom, but I hear that it is not passed down much among young people.

"Virgin is the earliest thing to be shaped, and no one can do the business of building borders across the whole country."

... I hear you think so, but of course that's not true.

And I didn't expect Nigel to believe it.

I listen to Nigel while not being disturbed.

"In addition, the Virgin has the power of 'healing'. I've healed all kinds of illnesses and injuries and protected people. The Virgin who was blessed by the Goddess is beautiful, and people have admired her for many years."

"Me, it's superstition. There's no such person."

Uh-huh!

Why did Nigel suddenly start talking about the Virgin!?

Maybe...

Tell me something, Elaine.

He stared me in the face.

"You must be the Virgin."

and asked.

"--Eh!"

Your breath is about to clog for a moment.

What do we do now?

I thought I managed to deceive you about Ralph from Fenrir, but did Nigel still notice!?

I immediately tried to return "That's not true", but I couldn't move my mouth well.

After seeing my reaction, Nigel exhaled.

"... hah. If that's the case, it looks like a picture star."

and continued.

"That's right...."

"You don't have to delude me anymore. The journey from meeting Eliane to Lynch Guiham was strange in the first place. I barely encountered a monster. I thought this might happen... but they say there are a lot of monsters living around there. I'm sure Elaine kept us together then, too, didn't she?

Ahah... even though there's nothing I can do about it, I knew it was behind my back.

At that time.

In fact, it was possible not to encounter any of them, but I thought they would find out, so I put up a boundary as close as a weak monster.

"The healing magic that healed us when Behemoth attacked us and wounded us. A healer who has cured Fenrir's Ralph with all his healing magic. Too out-of-standard."

"Well, indeed, I'm a pretty good healer. I apologize for hiding that. But that's all...."

"Elaine"

"Hya, hya!

Nigel's eyes turned towards me.

My eyes are about to be inhaled.

He stared at me, and I couldn't say whether or not.

"That's not all. I'm sorry, but I also checked your background."

"Oh, how dare you reveal the privacy of a maiden?"

"This time it was urgent. If you were truly a saint, the kingdom of Belkheim and Lynchgiham might collide. If that happens, it's a war. I am also a royal ruler of the people. I can't imitate it very selfish. I'm sorry I did this on my own, but please forgive me."

Nigel lowered his head deeply.

But...

"No, please don't apologize! How dare you... just kidding. Suspicious people like me, you can't help but check their traits! That's what royalty takes for granted."

And I panicked and raised Nigel's head.

Thank you for forgiving me.

But his pursuit does not stop.

"I was surprised to find out who you are. [M] It's because (...) and (...) and (...) and (...) I..."

…………

"Whatever it is, this is weird... so I thought you were a saint. I thought so. Hey, Elaine, tell me. For me... and above all for this country."

... you can't tell any more lies.

"I see. I was certainly a Virgin of the Kingdom."

"No, after all....!

When I confessed, Nigel widened his eyes.

"Why is the Virgin of the Kingdom in such a place?

"That's...."

I explained everything to Nigel.

Prince Claude has deported and abandoned his engagement.

I wanted to leave the Virgin and live freely in this country.

I could tell a lie. But if you don't want to lie to this person...

Without covering up, she told Nigel about me.

"Oh, my God...! What the hell is the Prince of Belkheim thinking? I can't believe you banished such a great virgin! And you're breaking up the engagement!?

Nigel seemed very angry at me.

I was glad that he reacted like this.

But...

"I apologize for deceiving you. I will leave this country at once. I don't want to bother this country."

Now I apologize.

Oops, it's gone... I thought I found a place to calm down, but I think I'm leaving.

Where are we going next?

Next time they find out about the Virgin... they'll leave again.

But in either case, you will live by telling lies. You're going to fool people.

Perhaps... my place doesn't exist in this world?

"... what do you want to do now, Elaine?

Nigel asks me that.

"I... want to find a place to calm down. You don't have to be luxurious, you don't have to be poor. I just want a place where I can calm down with peace of mind...."

"What if it's Lynch Giham?

"Of course Lynch Giham is the best. But... if I'm here, I might be in trouble."

Claude and I are cut off.

I have nothing to complain about, and I can't complain about it... but there was a possibility that it would still lead me there.

"... then you can stay here, Elaine."

Huh?

I answer to unexpected words.

"There is a saying to the royal family of Lynch Giham.

Reach out if there are people in need. Whatever difficulties await, don't simply abandon the people in need. "

... and...

And yet, if they find out you're abandoning a girl in trouble, they'll be mad at you and your father. "

"But I'm not from Lynchgiham."

"My father said he'd have a place for you, didn't he? Then he's one of us."

I wonder... it's been a long time since I've been so kind to you, and I'm going to cry.

"If you had escaped, you'd have been banished unilaterally there, wouldn't you? Then they won't say anything."

"But...."

"Do you think Lynch Guiham is such a narrow country that even one Virgin is unacceptable?

"... I don't think so."

"Right? Then you can stay here. Of course, I'm going to take the back of your words, and I'm only going to tell His Majesty about it. Forgive me for that."

It's a natural thing to do as a prince.

It is possible that I am lying.

Sometimes we can't cope with unforeseen situations without telling His Majesty the King.

"Of course that's true."

"Good."

"But... are you sure I can stay in this country? Aren't you a nuisance?

"A nuisance? It's not a nuisance. Besides, it's personal from here on out....."

Nigel looked more serious and said:

"I want to be with you more."