CH 65

********************************************************************************

AN: This story was originally published as a side story at the end of the first volume of the book, and has been revised for the web version.

The author basically only writes from the hero’s point of view, but sometimes he writes about the psychology of the heroine from the heroine’s point of view for light novel specials.

There are parts of this story that are similar to “Princess Mifa’s Love Affliction” in chapter 41, but it’s written from Mifa’s point of view instead of the hero’s.

This will give you an idea of Mifa’s feelings from chapters 13 to 30.　

*********************************************************************************

It seems we are currently being ambushed by bandits and there’s a fierce battle going on outside the carriage.

Today I was on my way from the royal capital to the Marquis territory for my official duties as a first-class inquisitor.

This time my father has given me specially selected knights, but from the sound of it, it seems that a considerable number of people are attacking us, so I am very anxious.

“Princess, there seems to be a large number of attackers, so I will also participate in the battle outside. Please wait in the carriage.”

I don’t have good eyesight, so I have no idea what’s going on outside…

“Erica, how many enemies are there?”

“As far as I can see, there are about 30 people, but if you include the blind spot of the carriage, there may be more…ah! The person in charge of recovery is under a concentrated attack of arrows and magic! I’m going to help!”

“I understand! Be careful!”

It would be quite a situation for her maid, Erica, to join the battle.―――

It must have been about 15 minutes since Erica joined the battle…Erica’s voice finally called out to the carriage.

“Princess, it’s alright! Someone who rode a dragon joined us!”

I’m glad to hear that…it would be okay if the dragoons helped us. Did my uncle send reinforcements?

“Erica, I’m so glad you’re okay, are you hurt?”

“I received a throwing knife on my shoulder, but it’s okay because the healing agent I applied is working. Moreover, it’s the dragoon reinforcement! The battle ability of the dragoon is really amazing!”

“I wonder if Uncle Guile sent reinforcements?”

“There was only one drake and two people on it, but they slaughtered the archers and the wizards first, and the battle situation suddenly turned to our advantage. The dragoon wore a plate mail belonging to the kingdom of Wolg, so I think it’s probably a Dragoon of the Kingdom of Wolg. The other person is His Royal Highness Luke, who is going to be a son-in-law to the Duke’s family, as the King said the other day.”

“Ah! Then, is his Highness done helping?”

“I can’t say for sure…there are still remnants left, so I’ll call you again when the battle is over.”

* * *

Some time has passed since then, and it seems that the bandits have surrendered and the battle is over.

From the conversation coming from outside the carriage, it seems that the two people who saved us are both princes of the Wolg kingdom. They seem to be very brave princes who weren’t afraid to join forces and help against a large number of thieves.

“More than that, brother, apparently I’m not suitable to be a knight…It’s hard to stand with my limbs because I killed a person…I have nausea and heart palpitations and I feel I’m about to collapse…”

“Well… rest assured…that’s normal. I’m no different from you…look.”

From the conversation between them, you can tell that it was the first time they killed a person…I’m very sorry for what we’ve done to you. I can’t thank you both enough.

“Princess, after all,  it was His Highness Jail and His Highness Luke.”

“Yes, I overheard their conversation.”

Erica took me by the hand we were walking towards them, greeting and thanking them when Erica suddenly collapsed.

I had a slight panic when my maid, childhood friend and confidant, Erica, collapsed. But, Master Luke calmly said that he wanted to see the wound and diagnosed her as being affected by the poison of the arrow poison frog. Luke seems to have not only recovery magic but also appraisal magic that can understand in detail.

Not only that, but he also possesses a large amount of advanced recovery potions and advanced antidotes, saying, “I think that the people in the royal family who are most likely to be assassinated should possess various recovery potions for their own self-defense. It must be a very peaceful country if the princess doesn’t have one.”

The people who usually say this to me, who is qualified as a first-class inquisitor, are only Erica and my parents, so it’s very refreshing.

When everyone’s detoxification was over, I heard a “Kan! It was a high-pitched metallic sound of an arrow hitting a shield. Luke suddenly shouted loudly, “Get the princess into the carriage!”

“Princess, get in the carriage! It looks like there are still enemies!”

It seems that some bandits were still hiding, and I was saved by Luke again.

“Tsk! I can’t catch up now even if I chase after him!”

Apparently the bandit escaped on horseback, and the knight captain shouted with great regret.

“Princess, Master Luke seems to want to shoot the bandit who had escaped with a bow. But he’s already 150 meters away…”

“Is that so…it’s unfortunate, but it seems like he’ll escape.”

“Oh! It hit his leg! He fires the second one…it hit the bandit in the back! The third one…It hit the rear of the horse causing it to go wild, and the bandit falls off the horse! Amazing! Every one hit its target!”

To me with bad eyesight, Erica told me what was happening with excitement. The knights around me were all saying, “Wow! That’s is amazing!”

It’s a shame that I can’t see it with my own eyes…

“Bals! Catch him! Don’t kill him! He uses poison, so you can hurt him first so that he can’t use it.”

“Kururu ~!”

When Master Luke gave instructions to the Drake, he made a very happy sound and quickly caught the thief. It seems that Drake, who has a rough temper, is very fond of Luke.

“Luke! You were feeding Bals weren’t you! He’s more attached to you than he is to me!”

Oh? Apparently, this drake is Jail-sama’s dragon… he’s so fond of Luke-sama that I thought it was Luke-sama’s dragon.

Around the time I took a breather, one of the knights seemed to have tried to attack a bandit in captivity, and Luke seemed to stop it. I understand the feelings of the knight, but I can’t admire the killing of those in custody.

However, Luke seems to have stopped him for a different reason. On the contrary, Jail has detained the knight…why?

“I don’t know how things are done in this country, but even though it’s on official duty, the actions of the royal family are usually not well disclosed so as to avoid danger. You can’t ambush without someone’s guidance.”

That’s true…Luke goes on to say:

“And this knight tried to kill the only one of the bandits who left alive, this skilled man, first. I suspect he was trying to kill him to seal his mouth. If he was a proper knight, normally, he wouldn’t have tried to kill him but would have interrogated him first. It’s to prevent him from being brought back and tortured.”

That’s right!

Luke seems to be a very intelligent person.

“I understand the reason…but I don’t want to be treated like a criminal…”

The knight pointed out by Master Luke muttered in tears. It would be frustrating to be treated as a companion to those who killed your colleagues…I guess this is where I come in.

“Are you a companion to these bandits?”

“No! I swear to God!”

“That’s right! I’m glad! Please release this knight immediately. This man is not one of the bandits.”

Good! He doesn’t seem to be a companion to the bandits.

Oh? I have a feeling His Highnesses looked at me in a pitiful way…I’m sensitive to that…I will show them my credentials as a first-class inquisitor and convince them.

Shortly after starting to interrogate the bandits in custody, it seems that Luke suddenly stabbed and killed the one in his custody, according to Jail’s story…

Given his actions so far, there must be a reason he had to do so.

From Luke’s demonstration, we learned that the [Magic Seal Bracelet] can be unlocked without the key. Around the dead bandit, there were a lot of dangerous poisoned weapons…I was saved by Luke again. This makes three times today alone. He’s really an amazing person.

* * *

When Uncle Guile’s rescue team arrived, the knights of the Duke’s family took a rude attitude toward Luke, but Luke said, “I want to know the reason rather than an apology without gratitude.” I think it’s really cool to not be affected by the intimidation of the knights.

But if you don’t even know the name of your fiancé, you can’t blame the knights for being angry…

“Princess…why don’t you ask Master Luke to ride with us in the carriage?”

I think this is the first time Erica has invited a lord to ride in the same carriage?

Unlike ordinary maids, Erica is an extraordinary combat maid who can also fight.

Aside from taking care of my surroundings so I don’t get any bad bugs, eliminating men without appointments is one of her jobs… Apparently Erica is interested in him. I’m also a little interested in him, so I’ll invite him in…

Luke seemed to be a bit hesitant to join us in the carriage, but he did.

Luke is a very fun person!

Erica, unlike usual, also seems to be having fun and is actively participating in the conversation.

Ufufu, what is that sad poem…I wondered if he didn’t like to be a son-in-law, so much that he sang sadly, as if he were a calf for sale.

Most people, when faced with me, shut up and try not to tell lies, but he doesn’t seem to do that.

“No one would take me because I could see through their lies…”

When the marriage story came out, I complained to Luke…

“Is that so? It’s okay if you can’t even lie…if you’re as cute as the princess, I think it’s attractive enough to make up for that.”

Am I cute? Attractive?

“Master Luke, is that true?”

I asked because I wanted to confirm it.

“Yes, the princess is very cute.”

“It’s not a lie! I’m so happy!”

When I found out that it wasn’t a lie or flattery, I was so happy that my face turned bright red.

* * *

I arrived at Uncle Guile’s mansion, and I seem to have a job of interrogating the bandits.

My uncle seems to leave only, Lara, Anna and Luke in the guest room…

You can understand how awkward it is to meet someone for the first time and suddenly find yourself alone with them……

I don’t know what my uncle’s true intentions are, but he seems to have something in mind. I gave Erica some orders and decided to leave her there.

Around the time the interrogation was over, my uncle received an email, but when he saw it, my uncle began to give off a strong killing intent. What happened?

“Luke has broken into my wife’s bedroom…”

“Eh! That guy! He’s already causing trouble! I’m sorry for my foolish brother!”

We hurried to the bedroom, where Aunt Sasha, who was very energetic, sat on the bed and laughed. It was said that Luke had improved the illness that even the Pope couldn’t cure…how amazing is this person.

People’s rumors are really unreliable.

Now, we invite my aunt to dinner and are served homemade dishes prepared by Luke, but I thought it was better than the ones made by the court cook.

It was a little pitiful how Erica was looking like she wanted to eat beside me.

Lara and Anna are very happy to see Aunt Sasha for the first time in a while.

“Lara will thank Luke by playing the piano!”

The concert started at Lara’s suggestion, but Luke surprised me here as well.

Lara, who is always shy, enjoyed singing along with Luke’s accompaniment. It seemed that the lyrics were easy enough for Lara to remember…the kind consideration is wonderful.

After that, Luke surprised us again!

The performance was so wonderful that it brought tears to my eyes…what should I do…my heart is pounding.

* * *

That night—

“Erica, how was it when I went for the interrogation?”

“It was awkward at first, but Master Luke is amazing! Like at dinner, Lara, who is very shy, has grown quite fond of him!”

The command I gave Erica was to use the [Crystal Plate] function to record a video of the three of them, Anna, Lara and Luke.

Erica is also my eye.

Actually, even for me who has low vision, if you send me the recorded video as an attachment using the mail function, I can project the [Crystal Plate] on my retina without seeing it directly, so I can see it in a clear, unblurred image.

Master Luke’s paper folded wyvern was fantastic and wonderful.

It seems that Erica had also recorded the battle at noon, and she showed me. Both Luke and Jail were fighting bravely and valiantly without fear.

They are both very cool!

The only thing that bothered me was that Erica’s gaze was initially on Jail-sama, but halfway through she was only looking at Luke-sama on his dragon.

“Erica, why are you looking at only Luke from the middle?”

“Well, at first, His Highness Jail cut into the back where wizards and archers were crowded and changed the course of the battle, which I thought was amazing, but after that, his movements were slightly inferior to those of the knights around him.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. The knights are far more skilled in terms of swordsmanship than I am. The escorts this time are a small number of elites. And then, there is His Highness Luke! He was exceptional! He accurately provided cover fire with his bow and the drake’s breath to the outnumbered and inferior knights and healed them with recovery magic as soon as they were injured. He also threw and distributed advanced recovery potions to everyone and used it to heal my shoulder injury. “

In Erica’s story, she explained with excitement that there was no more death thanks to Luke’s accurate support.

It’s unusual for Erica to praise him so much.

It seems that Luke was an exceptional person after all.

* * *

The next day, we were the only ones to return to the royal capital by horse-drawn carriage, but as we moved away from the duke’s estate, my heart began to ache. I’m not sure what’s wrong with me…

“Erica…I’m feeling pain in my heart in my chest…”

“I’ve been watching the princess all this time, isn’t it related to His Royal Highness Luke?”

“Master Luke?”

“How was it when my cousin, Iris, became his exclusive maid?”

“Ah…that made my heart skip a beat again…”

“After all… hasn’t the princess fallen in love with Luke?”

The moment Erica said that to me in the carriage, I understood.

This is love …

It seems that I was jealous of Iris for being able to be by Luke’s side all the time while attending school.

But he was Emilia’s fiancée… and it made me feel bad again.

* * *

“Mifa-neesama, I have a little consultation…”

A few days after I returned to the royal capital, I was consulted in a call from Emilia on the [Crystal Plate], but it was about Master Luke…she said, “I had to go and say thank you for my mother’s recovery, but I couldn’t go.”

Emilia has a severe case of androphobia. This would make both Luke and Emilia unhappy…

In that case, if I, who admires him, can go for it–

When I thought about it, I couldn’t stop myself anymore …

I got permission from Emilia and told father my true feelings for the first time since I was born.

“I’m in love with Luke and I really want to marry him, so please let me transfer to the Magic Academy!”

“But he’s already been engaged to Emilia…”

I got the answer I expected…but I just can’t give up on him!

“Then I will not marry anyone else in the future!”

With strong determination, I told my father how I felt.

“You’ve thought that far…I understand…I’ll immediately proceed with your engagement and transfer you at once.”

There were unfavorable rumors about Master Luke, so I wasn’t expecting father to agree to this.

After that, things progressed quickly, and I was at the school a few hours later.

Luke…I wonder if you’ll accept me…

He said that I was cute in the carriage that day, but I’m very nervous…