CH 71

“Alphana, may I come in?”

“Sure, please do.”

On the night Kanata and Maria went to Spirit Lake, Maria visited Alphana’s room. They had promised to talk about something important during dinner. Of course, the topic was Kanata, and it was also because Maria wanted to talk with Alphana again.

“I confessed to Kanata-kun, you know.”

Without any hint of unease, Alphana looked straight into Maria’s eyes as she spoke those honest words.

“I guess my behaviour may have been a stimulus for you?”

“Yes. I couldn’t lose. I also wanted to confess my feelings to Kanata-kun.”

“I see. I thought I could keep the lead a little longer, though.”

Alphana chuckled, and Maria couldn’t help but smile along. 

She sat down next to Alphana on the bed, both of them in their nightwear. It was an artistic and beautiful sight to see the Princess and the Saint side by side like this.

Surely, Kanata would be satisfied with the sight if he saw it.

“Hey, Alphana.”

“What is it?”

“It’s nice to fall in love, isn’t it?”

“Yes, it is.”

“It warms your heart and makes you feel so happy.”

“I know. It can fill you up, but at the same time, you can become selfishly wanting more.”

Maria nodded yes.

When she had been interacting with Kanata by the lake, she felt a slight twinge of jealousy and envy upon learning that he had kissed Alphana.

Kanata had fulfilled Maria’s wish, and they had shared a kiss. The happiness that came over her at that moment was immeasurable… and furthermore, she even wished to experience more with Kanata in the future.

“Even though I have been educated as a princess since childhood, I was willing to throw it all away just to be with him. Love is scary, isn’t it?”

“I feel the same way. Sometimes, I think the title of Saint is a hindrance because it makes Kanata-sama hesitate to further our relationship.”

Since Alphana, who has always devoted herself to serving the country as a saint, had said this much, love must truly be terrifying. 

Although she had intense feelings for Haishin, her interactions with Kanata transformed into a deep love and made her the person she is today. This is true not only for Maria but also for Alphana. 

Even though it is a heavy burden to bear, they have no intention of troubling Kanata, and they both wish to serve him with all their hearts.

“It was the same for me, but I’m sure Kanata-sama was troubled?”

“Yes, that’s why I told him not to worry too much and just be himself. Alphana, you probably did the same, right?”

“Yes, even if we can’t expect things to change right away, I wanted him to know my feelings. That way, we can naturally become closer no matter how much distance separates us.”

“Fufu, you’re quite the strategist.”

“It’s not like that.”

Knowing each other’s feelings and becoming closer versus getting closer without knowing each other’s feelings can make a big difference. If they like Kanata, there is a reason for them to be intimate, but if he doesn’t know their feelings, it could create unnecessary caution… The difference is too great.

“But I’m happy,” Alphana continued. “As your best friend, I feel a sense of destiny that you and I would fall in love with the same man.”

“I feel the same way. It’s especially gratifying because it’s you, Alphana,” Maria commented.

Although they were rivals in love, they could never think of each other that way because they were best friends. In their current situation, their thoughts were in alignment when it came to Kanata.

“Hey, Alphana.”

“Yes, Maria?”

“Hehe.”

“Ufufu.”

They laughed, shaking their shoulders while looking at each other, imagining what the other was thinking. The first to speak was Maria.

“Polygamy is not uncommon in this country. So even if Alphana and I were to become Kanata-ku ‘s wives, it wouldn’t be a problem, right?”

Among commoners, polygamy is not a realistic option due to financial constraints, but it is not uncommon among the wealthy, like nobles. 

Kanata earns quite a bit as a Haishin, but even if he didn’t, both Maria and Alphana have substantial personal assets—enough to live their entire lives with just love without worrying about finances.

“There’s no problem, but… Maria? Regardless of Kanata-sama’s answer, haven’t we already decided to be together?”

“That’s just our enthusiasm. Alphana wouldn’t want to be with anyone other than Kanata-kun, right? Can you imagine being with any other man?”

“It’s impossible.”

“See?”

So Maria suggested respecting Kanata’s will and continuing to convey their feelings to him until they can be content with just loving him even if he doesn’t agree to polygamy.

Although it should have been Alphana who led the way, Maria’s ability to look ahead and charge forward was her strength.

“It wasn’t long ago that I said I wouldn’t burden Kanata-sama and would just support him from the sidelines… We’re quite the troublemakers, aren’t we?”

“Yeah, but we can’t stop this feeling.”

That’s right. Once love has been set in motion, it cannot be stopped.

Maria and Alphana may become each other’s biggest obstacles, but their friendship and unity are unbeatable.

Will Kanata be able to endure the battles between the two? 

Well, only time will tell.

“Well then, let’s finish this serious talk! Let’s play around a bit since we’re in your room like this!”

“Huh? W-wait, Maria!”

Saying that, Maria hugged Alphana and fell onto the bed.

Alphana, who was smaller than Maria, fit perfectly in her arms.

“Hey, stop it!”

Neither of them had close friends from the position of a princess or a saint. Despite that, they met and became best friends, so it was not unusual for them to interact like this, and they may even trust each other more than family.

“Alphana, you still haven’t grown, huh?”

“Stop it! It’s not good to say things that make others self-conscious!”

“Kanata-kun said that when he hugged Alphana, you fit perfectly in his arms, and it felt good.”

This was one of the conversations they had at the lake. Alphana, who had a complex about her small stature, blushed at the comment.

“Then it’s good that I’m small.”

“You’re so simple-minded.”

“Women are cute when they’re simple-minded. That’s enough to make a decision.”

Alphana beamed proudly as she spoke of her small stature. Her simplicity was so endearing that Maria hugged her even tighter.

“Your height may be low, but your chest is so impressive.”

As Maria gently touched her, Alphana sighed and said, “You too, Maria.”

As they played around like this, they naturally started talking about the past. Despite their upbringing as Princess and Saint, they were surprisingly mischievous and active when they were young.

“You remember, on your 8th birthday, you pushed me into the pond in the castle garden.”

“I was young then. It was a youthful indiscretion.”

“What do you mean by youthful indiscretion!? Who does that to the birthday party host!? Father and Mother were laughing too! It was abnormal!”

“It’s because you didn’t have the elegance expected of a princess they laughed.”

“… That’s right. I was like that back then.”

They continued to talk and even got excited about Kanata.

“Oh, it’s about time for Kanata-kun’s stream to start.”

“Yes, let’s listen to it together.”

Just a moment ago, they were love-struck maidens, but now they have become mere followers.

“Hey, everyone! Let’s get started!!”

“Kyaaaaa!”

“Kyaaaaaaa!”

It’s no wonder they were later scolded by their classmate next door to keep it down.

And so, these two maidens teamed up.

What the result will be and what kind of strange events they will bring to Kanata is unknown, but it’s certain that their days will be lively and noisy.

Kanata may need to brace himself for what’s to come.