CH 115

". I'm sure you'll be back in  our country again. We'll see you off later."

"Yes, Your Highness. I look forward to seeing you then, "

I told Elias in the Palace that my father was returning to Bardia and ended the audience with a farewell speech.

Me and my father moved to the front of the guest house to make a final check of our luggage and personnel.

"A few days ago, I had no idea that I would be going to Bardia. Hey, Alex."

'Goodness ...... phew. It's true, my sister and I were wondering what we were going to do about our debts."

The two dwarven brother and sister were supposed to go to the Bardia territory together in the Christie Trading Company's carriage.

The two had been drifting from place to place, so they were used to horse-drawn carriages.

They are now helping me load their luggage onto the Chamber of Commerce's carriage.

The people at the Chamber of Commerce told them that they were fine, but they offered to help, saying, "We're going to give you a ride, but we can't do nothing.

, "Sis, you can load the carriages over there."

"Yes, I know. ......"

At that moment, Ellen lost her balance at the same time she was holding the luggage and almost fell down.

But before I could move, someone else quickly appeared to support her .

He supported her from behind, preventing from falling, and spoke softly to to her.

, "Miss, are you all right?"

"What?　I'm fine"

". I'm glad you're not hurt."

I'm glad you're okay. I'm glad you're not hurt.

He accepted Ellen's package while speaking softly to her, though he had no expression on his face.

"Sister, are you all right?"

"Ellen, did you hurt yourself?"

I and Alex worriedly called out to Ellen, who was about to fall down.

"I'm sorry, I'm fine. "

"You look a little red, sister.　Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yes⁉ No, I'm fine, as you can see."

Ellen was a little upset when Alex pointed out that her face was red and she was moving her body.

I'm not worried by the way she looks.

"Capella, thank you for helping Ellen."

'No, of course, since they are the people whom master . Rid personally asked for help."

I thanked Capella, the person who saved Eren.

He joined us this morning.

When Zack and Capella came to my room earlier this morning, I wondered what was going on.

"I was very upset when I suddenly heard that you were going back to your home country. The formalities have been completed. Capella will be Master Rid's squire from now on. I am sure he will be of great help to you. Please take good care of him.'

" Capella Didor. I am officially becoming Master Rid's follower from today. Please take care of me ".

When they finished, they bowed to me.

When I saw Capella looking up at me, I smiled and said, "Y

"Yes, it's nice to see you again. I am pleased to working with you , . Capella.'

Since then, he has been staying close to me and working with me.

Deanna, who has been ordered by my father to keep an eye on him, does not seem particularly alarmed, and she interacts with Capella in a normal way.

Well, I don't do anything to let them know that I am watching them, do I?

"What can I do for you, Master ...... Rid?　Something on your mind?"

What?　Oh, I was just thinking about Capella and Zack's visit earlier today.

I seemed to be a little lost in my thoughts, and Capella seemed concerned about me, although he had no expression on his face.

Deanna looked at him with a bit of dismay.

" Mr Capella, you are going to be Master Rid's squire, right?　Why don't you try to show a little facial expression?　You may have been doing a job that didn't require facial expressions before. But as you are going to be Master Rid's squire, I don't think you should always have a blank expression on your face."

Deanna, you may call me "Capella". But you are right, . I have been training to smile since I was chosen to be Master Rid's squire, but I am having trouble getting it right. If you don't mind, may I see it once?"

Deanna and I looked at each other suspiciously.

What kind of training is "training to make you smile"?

I quietly nodded to Deanna.

Deanna coughed in response to my nod and said,

"I understand,. I will call you 'Capella' from now on. Capella can also call me 'Deanna. Also, since Capella and I will be the squire for Master Rid, you can change your vocabulary".

"I understand. I am used to speaking this way, so please forgive me."

I felt a delicate atmosphere between the two of them, but I decided that it could not be helped since today was the first time they met.

I'm more concerned about something else.

"Capella, if you don't mind, show us the results of your 'smile training."

"I understand. I'm not too sure. ......"

He replied to me and took a deep breath before concentrating.

I wondered why it took a deep breath and concentration to make him smile, but I swallowed it down.

. For some reason, there was an indescribable tension around us.

I'm ready ......."

Capella said one word and then smiled.

Deanna and I felt a slight tension in our faces, and our faces tightened up.

The corners of his mouth were up, so to say, but his eyes were not smiling at all.

Is it like his mouth is smiling but his other facial muscles are not moving?　

He may be quite dexterous to be able to make this kind of face.

Other than us, there were people who noticed Capella's smile, but all of them pulled a face.

What should we say to him?　

Just as we were thinking that, a bright and cheerful voice echoed around us.

"Capella's smile is wonderful!"

I turned my head to look at the person who had spoken.

The voice belonged to Ellen, who was blushing a little.

Alex next to her said, "Hey, sis?" He looked indescribable.

Capella recognized Ellen's voice and thanked her with that same look on his face.

".... Ellen, was it?　This is the first time anyone has ever told me I have a nice smile. Thank you."

d, "No, no, well, if it's okay with me, I'll help you practice your smile in the future. ...... ."

Ellen's response to Capella's thanks seemed very curious.

He looked at Ellen with curious and fond eyes after a moment of contemplation.

"Is it good?　Your smile is so bright and wonderful that I would rather ask you to do it for me."

"I'd love to work with you next time if it's okay with me."

Why?

The actuality that the air was awkward and drawn out by Capella's smile just a few minutes ago, but now it feels like there is some kind of sweet and sour air in the air.

As for Ellen, she blushes and murmurs primly, "...... my smile is bright and lovely?

Alex was a little taken aback by Ellen and mumbled, "My sister's taste is ......."

"I'll leave it to you, Ellen, to deal with Capella's smile. Let's get back to work, everyone."

Deanna clears her throat and speaks to the people whose work has been halted by Capella's "smile."

Everyone was startled by her voice and began to get back to work.

Ellen and Alex also huffed and resumed their work.

I had something on my mind, so I called out to Capella.

"Speaking of which, is there anyone in this country that Capella is interested in, a good person or something?　Are you okay?"

"me?　Yes, I am. I used to have a childhood friend I was interested in, but now I don't have anyone."

" I see. Are you okay with this childhood friend of yours?"

I'm not sure if Capella had a childhood friend that he was interested in.

But he will be living in Bardia territory from now on, will it be okay?　

Capella seemed to realize the intent of my words and gave me an awkward smile.

'Thank you for your concern. She's married to someone else and has children, so there's nothing to worry about in that regard."

'Oh, really?　I'm sorry for asking you such a thing. ......"

I felt like I had asked him something that was hard to say, and I felt bad.

But he didn't seem to mind.

'No, Master Rid, you really don't have to worry about it. Besides, yes, it is. Since it's a good opportunity, maybe I should look for new encounters in this new place too."

Capella said to me, smiling awkwardly.

From the looks of it, he really didn't seem to care anymore.

It was then that I noticed some people coming toward us as we were working.

I was a little panicked.

It was the entire royal family, including Elias.