Ultimately, brother didn't come back that day.
Apparently, he's having a hard time with cleaning up after that accident.
The next day, brother came back around noon.
He immediately started searching for Sana, but before he could find her, he was caught.
About the same time as brother came home, Elise-san came by to visit him.
"Ricardo-sama!"
Elise-san seems unperturbed by the kidnapping and attached to brother vigorously.
And… ah, again with her habit.
Sniff, sniff
She sniffled brother's scent more thoroughly than yesterday and tilted her head.
What in the world is this?
Brother doesn't know how to deal with Elise-san's mysterious behavior.
Despite our bewilderment, Elise-san actions aren't stopping.
With brother not stopping her, she thoroughly confirmed his scent.
As expected, brother thought something was odd, so he asked Elise-san.
"M, Miss Elise, you've also sniffled me yesterday… Perhaps, do I smell?"
Brother, you could have picked better words.
Smell… It'd be shocking to be told that.
Elise-san, who was questioned, had a blank expression.
And as she understood the meaning of the question, she panicked.
"S, smell! There is no such a thing! However, I was curious about your scent."
Curious about the scent?
She made me curious about it too, so I asked Elise-san.
"Elise-sama, are you sensitive to smells?"
"Ah, no, rather than being sensitive to smells…"
Elise-san seems to be hesitant to say something.
What in the world is going on?
However, perhaps thinking our talk wouldn't progress at this rate, Elise-san began talking bit by bit.
"Um… That is, actually, I lied a little bit."
"Lied… you say?"
"Yes. I said I fell in love with Ricardo-sama at first sight, but actually that's a lie. It's true I was saved, but I didn't see Ricardo-sama's face back then. However, those around me at that time were saying he was a great man of the chivalric order, so I thought it was Ricardo-sama. Also… that scent."
Brother asked Elise-san.
"What about that scent?"
"Yes, that scent, when I went to the chivalric order to see Ricardo-sama there was the same scent I smelled when I was saved permeating the air. That's why there could be no mistake… I thought. But when I hugged Ricardo-sama after being yesterday, I couldn't smell it. Even though I smelled it when I was carried before the blindfold was removed."
Eh?
That…
Brother and I looked at each other.
It occurred to both of us that a big misunderstanding happened.
Would it be better to call him as soon as possible?
While we were thinking such, Allen came with the person in question.
"Ricardo-sama, brother came to report on yesterday's case to Prime Minister… Is something the matter?"
Rather than explaining, it's better to let her experience it right away.
I gave Elise-san a suggestion.
"Elise-sama, I have a favor to ask of you. Without asking any questions, could you smell this person's scent?"
I pulled Alek-sama who was behind Allen-kun in front of Elise-san.
Then asked Alek-sama.
"Alek-sama, just for a little bit, stay near Elise-sama. Please."
Both of them found it strange, but they obediently followed.
Then Elise-san approached Alek-sama and smelled his scent.
"Eh?"
Elise-san made a surprised face.
But soon, she got closer to Alek-sama, and began sniffling him like she did to brother yesterday.
Alek-sama was surprised, but he let Elise-san do as she liked.
Elise-san finally stopped sniffing once she confirmed what she wanted.
I asked Elise-san.
"Elise-sama, how was it?"
"Um, umm! Err, what in the world?"
Elise-san seemed confused.
Of course she would be, it turned out it was a different person she fell in love with.
I asked Alek-sama a question.
"Alek-sama, have you ever helped Elise-sama in town? It seems she was involved with a drunkard."
Alek-sama after some thinking responded with 'Hmm'.
"I don't remember well, but I've saved a person who was involved with a drunkard. However, I think she had a different hair color than Miss Elise. However, I feel like the face was similar."
Elise-san asked Alek-sama about what he said.
"Um umm! By any chance, was the hair color reddish brown?"
"… That's right. I remember."
Elise-san broke into radiant smile hearing Alek-sama's reply.
"You were my prince after all."
Saying so, Elise-san hugged Alek-sama.