WNAIY 11

Chapter – 11

Proposal

“Lucia, would you like to come to the royal capital with me?”

Lord Ricardo said that to me some time after I woke up.

“Together, you say? Do you have plans to go to the royal capital?”

“Yes, regarding the Graces matter. I can hardly let it end with just a messenger. And more importantly, there’s the magic you discovered. That must never be released to the world. It needs to be strictly regulated. This isn’t just Eldia’s problem, is it?”

“That’s true.”

“This incident will be reported to each country. Graces should behave itself for a while after this.”

—

The woman still hasn’t woken up. We broke the magical contract, but it’s uncertain whether she’ll recover.

When the boy learned the woman was safe, he cried and repeated his thanks over and over.

It seems Graces was told that both of them died. That the magic couldn’t be dispelled in time, and the bodies were too badly damaged by the explosion to return.

They’ll never see their families again, but it’s to protect each other. Probably, Lord Ricardo intends to take them both in at Valeriano. That’s probably part of it, too.

“But I still have time left on my contract. Is it really alright for me to return to the royal capital?”

“It would help a lot if you came this time, for the sake of the magic we discovered. There’s so much I don’t understand about it.”

But Garan is there too. You’re doing this because you know I want to see Cecilio, aren’t you?

…Even after all this time, there’s been no word from him. The only news that reached the frontier was that the ceremony had ended safely.

“Besides, I’m taking Rafael along too. Can I count on you as both a doctor and a playmate? Rico is staying behind this time since the journey is long.”

On the same level as Rico? I’ll accept that as being in the “cute” category.

“Thank you. I’d be delighted to accompany you. Please take care of me.”

Now I can finally see Cecilio.

There’s so much I want to talk about. I want to get rid of this uneasy feeling as soon as possible.

…I want to trust him. It’ll be okay. Right?

—

◇◇◇

Valeriano’s carriage is wonderful! When I came here before, it was really tough, but this time it’s fun.

I’m riding in the same carriage as Lord Ricardo, Rafa, and Lady Iris, a female knight. Lady Iris is a count’s daughter, yet she’s a knight—how cool is that? She’s a slender, sharp-featured beauty, and I couldn’t help but get flustered. I’m so glad we’ve become good friends. Truly, I think Valeriano is full of wonderful people.

“Rafa, aren’t you tired?”

“I’m okay! Going out with everyone is fun! But… I hope Rico’s okay.”

“Let’s look for a souvenir for Rico in the royal capital. I’m sure he’ll be delighted.”

“Yeah! Royal, royal, are we there yet~?”

She’s singing—how adorable.

“Lady Rafael really does adore Lady Lucia, doesn’t she? It’s heartwarming.”

“I wuv Luu-chan!”

“This is going to be quite a commotion when it’s time to return to our country.”

“Return? To the frontier?”

“No, I mean Lady Lucia’s real home.”

Ah—dangerous topic! I hurriedly make an X with my fingers. Lady Iris also seems to realize she misspoke, and—

“Lady Rafael, look—the castle is coming into view!”

—she hurriedly points outside.

“Luu-chan stays with Wafa.”

No good. She’s not fooled.

“Um, Rafa? That’s not happening anytime soon, you know?”

“Wafa wants Luu-chan to stay at Wafa’s house forever! …Nooo~, I don’t want Luu-chan to go away, I’ll be so lonelwy!!”

Oh no, I made her cry!

“Rafael, you’re troubling Lucia. Boys are supposed to protect girls, right?”

“But~~! She’s gonna weave! Daddy and Mommy went away too, and Luu-chan’s gonna go away too—I don’t want that!!”

“Then you can just go visit her, can’t you?”

“…I want us to be together forever.”

Ugh, now I’m going to cry too! That’s right—it’s only been a year since she lost her parents. Goodbyes are painful for her.

“That’s right! I’ll come visit you too. And we’re still going to be together for a long time yet, okay? Don’t cry over something so far away!”

No good. She won’t look at me. I’m happy she’s so attached to me, but I can’t exactly take the heir to the frontier back with me~

“Oh! I know! Mawwiage! Luu-chan, mawwy Wafa! Then we’ll be fwiends fowevew!”

Whoa—a proposal came out of nowhere!