Chapter 14
Me and Thoma called the free-roaming horse and returned to the estate.
I received my bag from Thoma at the entrance to the mansion.
“Thoma, thanks.”
“Nh, it was nothing, don’t worry about it. Well then I’ll be dropping off this bag at my dad’s so ..”
Just as I was also trying to enter (the mansion) in order to hand over the medical herbs to Mother:
” .. Say, Ririina.”
Thoma called out to me.
“If something happens tell me about it. I’m not very smart but I do have some power .. I’m sure there are things that might be hard to discuss but .. we’re childhood friends, so there!
I’m sure something must have happened at the royal capital but as for me .. I for one am happy that Ririina has returned here.”
Is what Thoma said while ruffling his head.
“Maa, in any case, it’s that. That, don’t go worrying about things on your own! Me and Sana are your allies, after all.”
Having said so Thoma entered the mansion.
But that was one of his good points, after all.
Thoma may have said something sounding like I was worrying about something, but there really wasn’t anything in particular that I was worried about.
If looked at from the outside was there anything that could look like it would be worrying?
Should I think about that for a moment?
・ Leon-sama had broken off my engagement.
・ My life was being targeted.
Nh?
Perhaps .. wasn’t this a surprisingly grave state of affairs?
that would be quite a big problem, wouldn’t it.
Isn’t it bad that I was merry about the breaking off the engagement and had my heart snatched away by the prospect of going monster hunting?
Thus I started to worry a bit after being told by Thoma to consult with him if I had any worries.
“For now let’s bring these herbs to Mother ..”
This time for sure I entered the mansion.
— 2 days after
In the blink of an eye the day of the scheduled return of Grandfather and Grandmother arrived.
In the morning a letter arrived stating that they would be arriving around noon.
For once even I did up my hair in order not to show a shameful appearance to my Grandparents that I was seeing after a long time. (1)
As I was thinking that they should be arriving any time now a the sound of a knock resounded through my room.
“Ririina-sama! The lord couple have arrived.” [1]
“Understood, Sana. I’m coming now.”
Since I was notified by Sana I too was now hurrying towards the entranceway.
As I began to descend the stairs I heard voices coming from the entrance hall.
In the entrance hall there were Mother, Grandfather, Grandmother, and also ..?
H-how happy but, h-how constricting~
Mother noticed that
I was struggling and stopped them while smiling.
“Fufu, Father, Mother as well, let’s leave it at that, would you. I understand that you’re happy after seeing her for the first time in a while but Ririina is getting crushed.”
The two, noticing my predicament upon those words, became flustered as they released their grip.
I was about to lose consciouss from their passionate greeting.
“Iya~ sorry, Ririina!”
“We’re sorry, Ririina.”
The two apologized simultanousely.
“Not at all, it may have been a bit painful but I too am happy that I got to hug you after such a long time.”
Hearing that the two had some very reliefed expressions on.
“We were thinking what to do if you disliked us after meeting us after such a long time.”
“We already made plans to leave on another journey of heart-breaking grief right away if Ririina had come to dislike us because of this.”
Heart-breaking grief you say ..
I’m sure you two are planning to leave on another journey very soon anyhow, is the feeling I get.
By the way, it seems we sort of forgot about the existance of one more person here during the emotional reunion, is that alright?
Are? Could it be that they have been looking over here from the beginning?
The one standing there was a tall .. man, isn’t it?
All the time while I was looking at him he responded with a nikoniko
opened his mouth.
“Do you remember who I am?”
Eh?
But among my aquaintances there wasn’t any beautiful man like that .. (2)
As I simply continued to think about it without answering Mother gave me a hint while laughing.
“Ririina, do you not remember? You have been shown his bow shooting figure often in the forest, haven’t you.”
?
Eh!?
Eeh—-!
“Ch-chri-chris-sa..ma?”
As I was staggering out that answer that person responded to his name with a smile covering his whole face.
“Thank goodness. You remembered my name, haven’t you, Ririina.”
Hi-hie—!
My goddess was a god!
As I was repeating silly thoughts like that in my mind Chris-sama said to me.
“Ririina is as interesting as always, isn’t she. If that’s the case it doesn’t seem like I’ll get bored.” (3)
Won’t get bored, you say.
Or rather, what is he even doing here?
As if responding to my thoughts Grandfather said:
“He will be staying at the estate too for a while. Ririina, I’ll be depending on you.”
Wha-what did you say~
My head was spinning as there was too much to think about.
But the final blows just kept coming.
“Ririina, let us get along well, you hear.” [3]
And there was I who felt a pain in her chest in response to Chris-sama’s words.