CH 354.5

–After returning from the theater, the group from Sandiola were relaxing in the castle of Reflexion.

The warriors took turns guarding Afmand, but Afmand told them to stay back and relax after the long journey, as it was safe.

“Fuh …… This alcohol is delicious too.”

“Yes, the Kingdom of Reflexion is a good country.”

“No doubt. They have enough forces that were present at the meeting, and it’s not a good place to go to war with. Our country won’t win even if we stand on our heads.”

Afmand laughed and tipped his glass to drink. Abor opened his mouth, looking at him with a troubled expression. 

“If we do this, our country will disappear in a flash. And you never know where you might be heard from, so be careful.”

“There’s no need for us to initiate anything. Anyway, that live performance by the idol was interesting, wasn’t it?”

“Yes, it was. However, it’s an entertainment that their country can provide because of its wealth …… It really makes you jealous of them.”

When Abol said something pessimistic, Afmand pouted and put his cheekbones on his face.

“Seriously, Abol just talk about gloomy things. Never mind that, do you recognize that girl from our hometown? She was very pretty, though.”

“Yes, I think it’s about twenty years ago. When the former king was still alive, I had my eye on the wife of a certain couple. She was a very beautiful girl, but she resembled her.”

“…… So?”

Afmand dared Abol to speak, even though he knew what would happen next. Abol looked at him once and then opened his mouth.

“The king took action to get that girl. He plotted to reduce her husband to slavery in order to get his wife. But the husband was a clever man. He noticed the disturbing atmosphere and the couple disappeared from the capital to leave the country.”

“I see. So he couldn’t get her.”

“That’s right. I was told that her husband was captured and forced into slavery. I don’t know if he’s still alive.”

“So you’re saying that his wife is pregnant and that’s his daughter ……? Interesting. ……”

“Wha-?”

Afmand narrowed his eyes and muttered, and Abol made a strange sound. The next moment, Afmand said something surprising.

“Okay, I’ll make that Helena or whatever her name is, my wife!”

“What!? What are you talking about, Afmand-sama!? That idol is a special kind of performance, and she’s at the top of the list. There’s no way she’ll come.”

“Fufu, but there are ways to do it, you know? Her father might be a slave, right? On the way back, we’ll contact the separate unit that has waiting in the forest outside the town and find out where Helena lives. Would you like to see your father? Wouldn’t it be fine if we just tell her that?”

“Mmm ……”

It’s true that she might come with you if you say so, but it was twenty years ago, and Abol twisted his head, wondering if it would move her to talk about her father when both mother and daughter had forgotten about him. In the first place, we don’t even know if he is still alive.

“What are you going to do if her father is nowhere to be found? She might not even care about her father.”

“Well, it’s like a game. A game where I would try to get the daughter that the previous king couldn’t get. That scum is still alive, isn’t he?”

“Yes, he is. He’s in jail …… All of us were fed up with that man, so we cooperated with Afmand-sama to overthrow him. We don’t want to see you behave like the former king.”

“Ahaha, you’re right. But the truth is, that girl is cute and I need a wife. As a reward for overthrowing the previous regime,  cooperate with me for once.”

Afmand laughed and said that Abol was reluctant to do so, but Sandiola was going in the right direction thanks to Afmand, so he let out a sigh.

“I understand. Then let’s arrange it. But we refused to go sightseeing ……”

“I’ll ask for that. I’ll tell him that I want him to buy some souvenirs and comfort the guards that I brought with me.”

Afmand chuckled as he poured himself a glass of wine and began to think about what to do.

◆ 　 ◇ 　 ◆

“Take it easy today.”

“Fufu, don’t plop down on the table. You’re so cool when you’re dancing.”

“Don’t say that …… Mom ……”

“Oh, you didn’t go to the boy’s place today, did you? Even though you always go there when you’re on vacation.”

Helena was stretched out in the living room of her house, talking to her mother. Since the theater was closed today, Helena had to take the day off as well, and she was relaxing, even though it was the time when she usually performed.

Her mother came in with juice and mentioned Lars, to which Helena replied in a stretched out way.

“Lars’ house? Well, it seems like he’s building some kind of monsters’ garden right now, and he seems to be very busy. And with his brother, and Urka, and the others visiting recently, it seems like Lars and Makina don’t have much time for each other ……”

“Oh, you’re so considerate, aren’t you? You became an idol thanks to that kid, so–.”

“Mom, stop it!? …… I gave up on him when I came to the Royal Capital! He’s saying that he’ll only choose one person even though he’s a nobleman. So it’s okay.”

Helena’s cheeks puffed up as she covered her mother’s mouth, but she smiled and shook her off and sipped her juice.

“Well, I can’t say anything since you seem to be enjoying yourself as an Idol, and I can take it easy too.”

“Leave it to me! I’ll show you how to make enough money so you won’t have to worry about it when I’m an old lady!”

“Don’t overdo it, okay?”

“Of course♪!”

Helena and her Mom winked at each other and laughed together. Then there was a knock on the front door of the house.

“……? I wonder who’s here? I don’t think it’s your fan, though …….”

“That’s unusual. Well, not many people know where you live.”

Helena’s family did not rent the quarters behind the theater, but lived in a residential area where they could easily afford to live. It wasn’t the upscale area where Lars lived, but it was a nice place to live. However, fans sometimes pack the place, so she has to be careful, including her neighbors.

Most of the time I’m at a concert at night, so I don’t get many people asking me questions, but unusually, I heard a knock on the door and my mother answered.

“Yes, who are you? ……!?”

“…….”

“Mom, what’s wrong?”

Helena, worried about her mother who hadn’t come back, went to the door–

What will happen to Helena!?

Thank you for reading!

[Afterword Theater]

“It’s a tough one, it depends on how much the mother cares about the father. ……”

Next time, Lars and the others will report back to us: ……

(T/N: I wonder if Lars will break his word that he said that he will only choose one person, and be forced(or not forced) to take Helena too as his girlfriend, since Helena is Makina’s friend.)