CH 72

As Father left the room I called Deanna and asked her to prepare the bath.

While I was waiting for her, I called out a memory.

"Hi, Rid. You had a good night, didn't you?

I called up Memory while I was waiting for her. I was really tired this time.

Memory looked happy, but kindly gave me a word of encouragement.

I thanked her and told the purpose of my call.

Did you figure out how to make soap and what substitutions to use?

"The substitute that you can find in nature is 'mukuroji berries."

The peel of the berry seems to foam up and become soap.

All you need is oil, water, and lye.

(Mukuroji berries?　I've never heard of it, but I wonder if it was in a book or something.　)

"And 'fats and oils'?"

I asked Memory.

"Is a mullein a weed or a tree?"

"that kinda sends an image to my eyelids.

When she said that, what came to mind behind my eyelids was an acorn-like fruit.

I wondered, When have I ever seen something like this?　

"Okay. Thank you very much. By the way, is it OK to use "fats and oils" or anything else?"

"Yes, I think beef fat and pork fat are good but vegetable oil is also fine."

"Thank you very much. 'll ask you again if I need anything else."

"Wait a minute, Rid."

When we finished talking, the memory stopped, me which was unusual.

"Don't push yourself too hard."

"I was worried inside too, you know. See you later."

Memory only said what it wanted to say and the communication ended.

I was not going to say anything to anyone, but I mumbled something right there and then. "Thank you, Memory."

Just as I finished my conversation with Memory, Deanna came back to the room.

It's seems hot springs were ready

"I tried to refuel deana to join me in hot spring , but she didn;t listen to me .

◇

In a different place, in one of Fara's rooms in the Palace, Asuna was sighing in dismay.

"Hah,...... you don't have to be in such a hurry, Master Rid will be here any minute. Please calm down a little."

He......⁉ Oh, well, no, , I am calm."

This morning, there was a message from Rainer to Fara.

The main point is that Rid has regained consciousness safely.

The message said that Rid had regained consciousness and that he would like to visit her to apologize for the worry he had caused her.

Fara was very happy and immediately replied.

She did, but then she suddenly felt an indescribable sense of embarrassment.

She felt like she couldn't stand still and was wandering around the room all the time.

Asuna was taken aback by the situation and said.

......" And, Lady Farra. With all due respect, your ears are moving, aren't they?"

"Huh?　Oh⁉"

She sat down on a nearby chair, holding her ears with both hands.

She has a constitution that causes her ears to move up and down when she feels favorable feelings.

There are only a few dark elves who have this trait.

If she is conscious of it, they do not move, but if she is not careful, they move in accordance with her emotions.

As Asuna pointed out, Fara blushed a little and took a deep breath.

She then recalled the events that had taken place from the time she had met Rid until now.

Rid, I was present when he greeted my father.

I was very surprised at his face.

He did not realize it, but   I  remembered it well.

It was very shocking.

I was so busy with my education from Eltia that I had little or no contact with certain people.

Therefore, the boy who helped me when I was lost in Bardia territory left a very strong impression on me.

And I couldn't believe he was the same age as me, I was surprised at his self-introduction, but I was thinking about something else.

I remember my heart began to pound very loudly when I thought, (There is no doubt, it's definitely him .......)

At that moment, Father asked Rid about his marriage to me.

I felt a little minor pain in my heart.

Everyone comes to me with the talk of me marrying into the empire, saying how pitiful it is.

But I am royalty, and as I learned my mother's words and many other things, I understood, in my own way, the connection between countries and the role of a princess.

So, I am prepared for this marriage in my own way.

However, everyone looked at me with pity or , or for my value as a princess.

And when it came to the marriage, no one congratulated me or cheered me on with just a few words.

So I was sure that he would say something safe and straightforward. That's what I thought.

But he was different.

He said, "I believe that the marriage between Renalute and Bardia should be performed for sure.:

I was a little taken aback by what he said.

And then, perhaps realizing this, he looked at me and smiled back.

At that moment, I felt a great sense of relief.

Then, his words gradually resonated in my mind and my heart pounded even faster.

He told me that he wanted to marry me himself, even if it was a country-to-country relationship.

He told that we should get married not by the agreement of the country or his parents, but clearly from his own words.

That made me very happy.

He was the one who willingly said that he wanted to get married, while everyone else was hesitant to do so.

His confidence was very reassuring.

At that time, Mother had told me not to let my heart go to him, but I think I did.

After that, he argued with Father and Norris without backing down.

And he was able to convince Norris and even my father.

His appearance was very reliable, dazzling, and cool.

When it was his turn to introduce himself, he suppressed his nervousness and greeted Norris in a calm manner.

Then my mother pointed out to me.

She said, "Your ears are moving. It's not very flattering."

I was so shocked by her words that I took a deep breath to calm myself down.

But then I realized at the same time that I was attracted to . Rid.

(I am charmed by . Rid-sama. ......)

His rapid growth continued after that.

He treated my brother like a baby and challenged Asuna's swordsmanship without giving up until the very end.

Seeing him like that, my heart grew higher and higher.

Then, an incident occurred at the magic performance.

I don't know the details, but I heard that Norris's terrible provocation made him furious and he performed a great magic.

Everyone was horrified by the huge scale of the spell.

But what he was looking at was not the target, but Norris.

I knew immediately that he was going to hit Norris with that magic.

At that moment, I was running to him.

He shouted something and my father and Master Rainer, who had rushed ahead of me, were blown away.

The sight of them scared me a little, but I ran through with a single-minded determination to stop him.

Suddenly, I noticed that my brother had come up next to me.

Then we both looked at each other and nodded, and I hugged him and tried desperately to convince him.

Asuna also ran to me.

Then he nodded to her desperate persuasion and shot his magic high into the sky.

At that moment, there was a great roar in the air and I was very scared.

But he was holding me tenderly in his arms as if to protect me.

As expected , it took a lot of magic power to release that much magic.

After that, he immediately fainted.

Father and Master Rainer hushed up the magic he had cast to the people present.

Then they hurriedly carried him to his room in the guest house.

I accompanied them and stayed with him as long as time allowed.

When it was getting late at night, his room was occupied only by me, Asuna, and his escort, Deanna.

Then there was a knock at the door and Master Rainer entered the room.

I heard that he had come to check on him.

He looked at me with a surprised look on his face and suddenly said that he wanted to talk with me here and now, alone with me.

When I responded with my agreement, Asuna and Deanna bowed and left the room.

The sound of the door closing echoed in the quiet room.

Then, Master Rainer gently whispered to me.

'I am sorry that my son has caused you so much worry."

'Oh, no, rather it should be us who should apologize. I am sorry."

I was sitting in the chair next to the bed where he was lying.

But I was so surprised by Master Rainer's sudden apology that I hurriedly got up from the chair and answered him.

Mr. Rainer's stern face fell and he looked a little kinder.

Then, in the same mood, he asked me a question.

'With all due respect, what does Princess Farah think of Rid?

"Ha.....⁉ well, you know, I think he is a very nice person......."

I was startled by the sudden question and tried my best to keep my composure as I answered.

I did not realize it, but at this time, my ears were violently rising and falling.

Hearing my reply, Master Rainer continued gently.

"I am relieved to hear that. Rid was eager to make the princess as happy as he could if he was to marry her. I had hoped that Princess Fara would take a liking to Rid, but it was a meddling of parent. I would like you to keep this matter a secret from Rid."

I said, " ...... yes."

I turned over as I replied.

I felt my face turn red, knowing that he had a feelings for me.

And I was so happy that tears filled my eyes.

No one would look at me, not my father, not my mother.

The marriage partner would only see me as a political marriage partner.

I had always thought so.

I thought he was wonderful, and in fact, my heart was touched by him.

But somewhere along the way, I was worried that he was just like everyone else.

But he was different.

He really looked at me from the beginning.

When I thought that, tears naturally welled up.

Master Rainer seemed to have noticed something wrong with me, but he kept quiet for a while.

I took a deep breath to calm myself down, wiped my tears and said to the Master Rainer,

"I don't know what will happen yet, but if we decide to get married, I will do my best to make Master Rid happy."

Hearing my words, Master Rainer smiled at me with a happy face.

But after I said this, I remembered my mother and felt a little uneasy.

Then, Master Rainer said anxiously.

'...... what is the matter?　You look a little anxious?"

"Oh, I'm sorry."

Is it all right to ask for advice?　I was a little worried, then I made up my mind and said to Master Rainer.

, "...... Actually, my mother has always told me that the royal family of the empire is the right person for me to marry. Therefore, even if I were to be given the chance to marry Master Rid, I am afraid that my mother would not be satisfied with it. ......"

"I see. However, this marriage is a matter of diplomatic decision. I am sorry to say, but the will of Miss Eltia has nothing to do with it. There is no need to think that deeply about it."

Master Rainer's words were right.

But I think there was a wish in my heart that my mother would give her blessing to our marriage.

I turned my head down without replying. In this state, Master Rainer continued his words.

, "Hm...... these are my words as a parent, but why don't you try to express your feelings to Miss Eltia with your own words once?"

"What do you mean ......?"

I asked back, not understanding what Master Rainer meant.

"There is a saying that the opposite of love is indifference. I have heard that Princess Fara has been educated strictly by Miss Eltia. But why is she so strict?"

.".... Isn't it for the sake of a political marriage?"

I am sure that the marriage is for the sake of political scheming.

"It is true that one needs to be educated for the sake of a political marriage. However, the education of your's that I have heard about is beyond the level. I believe that Miss Eltia has some kind of intention in giving you that much education."

"...... Does that mean that she dared to give me a harsh education?　But I don't understand why she would do such a thing."

Was there some kind of intention behind everything Mother had said and done?　

I could not understand it no matter how much I thought about it.

I looked at Master Rainer with a troubled expression, and he coughed and spun his words.

"parental love is not only about being kind. Sometimes you have to be harsh. There are times when you have to be a devil at heart. Even if the child hates you, a parent should care for the child. I believe that is 'parental love."

"That is ......."

Master Rainer looked at the sleeping Rid with kind eyes as he narrowed his eyes.

Hearing those words, I began to have doubts about what I had been thinking of Mother.

I have wanted to be recognized by my mother and father.

But I had never really thought about things from their point of view.

As I was looking at him thoughtfully, Master Rainer looked at me and said,

"It's getting late today. According to the doctor, Rid will wake up tomorrow at the latest. When he wakes up, I will tell him to pay a visit to you , so please leave for today."

"...... Yes. I understand.'

The soldier told me that my mother was calling for me as soon as I returned to the Palace, and I immediately went to her room.

On the way there, the contents of my conversation with Master Rainer came back to me, and I felt mysterious.

"Have you arrived ......? Asuna, you are needed to leave the room.

.".....Yes, ."

When Asuna and I entered the room, Mother quickly sent Asuna out of the room.

Asuna bowed, gave me a worried look, and left the room.

It was just me and my mother in the room, and the atmosphere was somewhat heavy and tense.

Then, as usual, my mother said in her usual cold tone,

"Where were you until this late at night?""

"I was staying with Master Rid, who has collapsed earlier ."

At my words, Mother's eyes sharpened and she spat out,

". You are married to a member of the royal family, and yet you are expected to stay up this late at night accompanying a 'monster with no common sense'?"

For the first time, I felt anger at my mother's words.

Even my own mother couldn't tolerate the idea that Master Rid could be treated as an "out-of-this-world monster."

'Mother, with all due respect, Master Rid is my marriage candidate. Please refrain from such disrespectful words".

, "...... Farah, do you think you are in a position to give me an advice?　A child should shut up and listen to their parents. It is the imperial family you should be marrying. Such a "monster" is out of your league. I will ask His Majesty to do something about it."

What part of Mother's words do I hear of "parental love," Master Rainer?　

I do not understand.

For the first time, I became angry at Mother's words and shouted in an angry voice.

"Mother, that is too harsh a word. I heard it from Master Rainer. that Master Rid said that he would do his best to make me happy when he decides to marry me, even if it is a political marriage."

...... Do you think those words are accurate?　The imperial nobility is powerful. Do you not think that he said that to confuse your mind?　You are shallow, my child, and I am ashamed of you."

Mother looked stunned at my words.

I continued in an angry voice.

"The one who is ignorant is you, mother. Isn't Norris the other day a good example of this ? "

'I am ......?'　If you have something to say, say it clearly."

I told her clearly with tears in my eyes.

"I adore Master Rid, and I would be more than happy to marry him if I could, so please take back what you just said."

"foolish, you are a princess, to speak out of your feelings."

Mother's words angered me.

I myself had no idea that I had such feelings.

But I could not allow my mother's words to go on.

Perhaps realizing that my mood of anger was not fading, my mother let out a sigh of exasperation.

Then she said coldly, as if to shun me.

'Hah,...... if you insist that much, then do as you please. However, my relationship with you is over today. I will have nothing to do with you at all. You , Princess Fara, think of me as a stranger and forget me. Is that clear?"

I did not immediately understand the meaning of Mother's words.

But was she that unwilling to acknowledge Master Rid?　

I realized that I still had expectations of my mother.

I wanted Mother to say, "I hope your marriage with Master Rid will be successful"

I guess that will never happen.

I still don't know if I can really marry Master Lid.

Still, I could not allow anyone to humiliate the person I had fallen in love with.

I took a deep breath and then said.

'...... I understand. I will not get involved with you. I too will stay away from you at any cost."

, "That's all right, ....... I am done talking to you. Get out of here. Princess Farah."

"Yes, I will. Excuse me."

I bowed to Miss Eltia and left the room.

Then I hugged Asuna who was waiting outside and cried loudly.

I was sad.

I was very sad.

I don't remember what happened after that.

◇ ◇.

The next morning, when I woke up, my face was awful.

And when I woke up, Asuna with a worried look on her face spoke to me softly.

, "Princess, are you feeling all right?"

"Yes, thank you. Asuna."

I responded with a look of unconcern on my face.

But Asuna's next words brought me back to my senses.

"I've got a call from Rainer-sama. He said that Master Rid has woken up, and he has requested to visit you."

"Oh⁉ visit?"

Yes, I remembered that Master Rainer had said something like that yesterday.

I'm sure that's what Master Rainer had said to me yesterday.

I"'ll hurry up and get myself cleaned up and ready for the visit.'

'Yes, please."

Asuna smiled a little at Fara, who seemed to have regained some of her energy.