When the meeting to decide Lutes family name was over, I the second princess of the High Elf Kingdom of Enol, Lyss Enol Mema, went back to my room.
Shia, my guard maid, served as the waitress of the room and was currently pouring me a cup of scented tea with a cool expression.
Overcome by my emotions, I unintentionally criticized her speech and behavior from a while ago.
Shia, what were you thinking back then? Lute-san has two wives already, so why did you do something like making me get closer to him?
Is there a problem? I was certain that your highness was yearning for the young master, so I intend to give your highness a push, but-
Y-yyyyearning for? To yearn for a gentleman who is already married is!
Your Highness, please calm down. High Elves are known to bind to only one person in their whole lifetime, and according to history, there were cases where one married a second or even a third wife. Also, I think that in those cases, their feelings werent forced, you know?
Ce-certainly, there were cases like those, but W-what about Shia? You also want to be tied to Lute-san, right?
Well, Iamyoung masters slave.
Shia said with a proud expression, as if wanting to say that shedidhave a visible bond with Lute.
The slave money used to buy her had already been paid back by Enol. The money Lute-san borrowed from Meiya-san was already repaid, too. However, Shia declined Lute-sans proposal of being released as his slave.
I still want to continue being young masters slave, she said.
I thought Shia was a little sly.
My feelings for the young master are closer to that of a fellow soldier, rather than a lover or a married couple. Therefore, please dont worry about me, and convey your own feelings to the young master. Im sure madam Snow and madam Chrisse will understand.
I had a dream, albeit a small one.
The days spent with Lute-san, Snow-san, and Chrisse-san.
It was very sweet dream, full of warmth and happiness. But
Shia, I understand what you think. However, I am the next-in-line as the queen of Enol, and I plan to fulfill my duty, so I cant do something like having feelings towards Lute-san. Thats why, please dont worry about me anymore.
Your highness
Theres nothing else left to do today, so Shia, please take a rest.
With lowered brows, she curtsied and left the room.
The steam from the cup of the scented tea swayed heartrendingly.
I stood up from my seat, and fell onto the bed.
Something like having feelings for Lute-san
I murmured that, but I couldnt deceive myself.
I really yearned for Lute-san.
But when had I fallen for him?
I closed my eyes and thought back.
I could still remember the words from that time clearly.
I dont know what kind of person Lyss older sister is. But for me, I think its really great that Lyss is my comrade. Thanks to Lyss, we were not worried about the baggage anymore, I was saved from the brink of death when I received the sting due to your detoxification, and we were able to defeat the giant scorpion safely with the Panzerfaust.
Thats what he said.
He looked straight at my eyes and told his true feelings.
Therefore, Ill say this no matter how many times you want. I am so glad to have Lyss as my comrade
His smile, which would make one think that those words were from the bottom of his heart, got through to me.
That time, I felt that I had become a friend in the truest sense.
I felt that it was possible for a person like me to stay next to him.
Then Lute-san rescued my kidnapped younger sister, Luna. Then, just like a real hero who had come out of the picture books, he dashed to save me, who was in a pinch and surrounded by large crowds of enemies.
Back then, when I saw Lute-sans face --- my chest tightened so hard and so painfully, and tears of joy overflowed like it was natural.
I dont know when I started to yearn for Lute-san as a member of the opposite sex.
However, I could not lie to my feelings.
Right now, I am sureI love Lute-san.
Thats certain.
My true feeling that had always been hidden, for I was bound by this country.
I wanted to continue being by his side, even if I couldnt be number one.
I wanted to forever support his dream, helping people in need.
I wanted to save people, weak like me and asking for help, together with Lute-san.
I wanted to follow Lute-san, whenever, wherever.
But I could not abandon this country.
It was natural for the royalty to throw away our selfishness. Hadnt I resolved myself to be engaged to another party back then?
I thought I could, but I wasnt able to stop the sadness oozing from my chest being torn apart, and the tears wouldnt stop flowing.
It stained the newly washed pure white sheets, causing wrinkles with every drop.
(Today, just for today, lets cry it all out. So that tomorrow, everything will be back to normal...)
I made such an excuse to myself, letting the tears flow from my eyes.
Lute-sanmy heroI
I pressed my face against the pillow further, until the sobbing stopped.
Without caring about how much my tears would stain them anymore