After returning to the beekeeping village, I had my leg properly treated.
It seemed to be broken after all. It would take one month to heal…
I had things in my mind such as the beekeeping techniques of this village, but since the schedule was already delayed, I couldn't continue my observation.
(If I have the opportunity, let's ask Prince Emirya.)
We departed from the village after I obtained the minimum necessary information.
Ryuze, Ricardo and I were boarding the same carriage, while Maria was on another carriage.
Marlow, Merrill and Emirya had already departed from the village due to the schedule. That's understandable…
There's also the matter about engagement, and it's a little awkward for the three of us to be in the same carriage.
However, the two of them seemed surprisingly normal. Moreover…
[…Onii-sama, this position is dangerous. Won't this break your legs?]
I was now sitting on Ryuze's lap while being hugged by him for some reason!
Ryuze's argument was that stability would be hard due to my leg injury, but this position made me unable to calm down.
Although I was supported firmly, I felt afraid and Ryuze's knees would press onto me according to some tempo.
I didn't want to increase the number of broken bones.
[Ryuze, let's release Britney sooner.]
While I was in trouble, Ricardo came to my help.
[It's fine, my knees are not that weak. Besides, according to the size of this carriage… won't Ricardo and I sit side by side while Britney occupy two seats alone? I'm worried since her leg is broken, so I am supporting her.]
Ryuze shrugged his shoulders, as if saying that this was the most efficient.
Certainly, it would be narrow if one of them was to sit side by side with my fat butt.
(…Wait, isn't this weird! What Ryuze-niisama said was straightforward at first, but the theory is obviously strange! I can sit alone normally!)
Moreover, it's not just Ryuze who developed such weird theory.
Ricardo who was sitting opposite of us bent his body forwards.
[Then, I will support her this time! Won't it be hard if it's just Ryuze alone?]
Although I was being cautious of Ryuze's lap hug, I did the same thing to Ricardo when he said such a thing.
[Aren't you tired after searching and protecting Britney? You may take a good rest while in the carriage.]
[No, Ryuze. You had arranged the rescue team and preparing for our return trip. You should rest now, I'll look after Britney.]
They were being considerate for their opponent and tried to take the heavy luggage = me.
[Ano, I'm alright sitting alone though? I won't fall off from the carriage seat.]
[…Britney, are you seriously saying that?]
[That's right, you just rolled down the cliff.]
For some reason, the two of them were kindred spirits in this situation.
It seemed that I was the strange one for saying it.
[No, but… aren't you tired? Really, I'm fine, you guys should sleep even just a little!]
[…With Britney on my lap, I feel like I can sleep in relief.]
[Me, me too!]
[That's why it's no good with the two of you! The carriage's center of gravity will tilt and your laps…]
[The carriage is fine. Besides, I said it many times before, but my lap is alright.]
[I, I habitually train! I won't be hurt easily!]
Already, it seemed that I could only choose to sit on either of their laps.
(…I want to cry.)
In order to not break their bones at the very least, I could only propose to seat on their laps alternatively.
(I absolutely have to lose weight.)
I didn't want to experience such unpleasant heart-throbbing situation like this again.
I pledged to lose my weight steadily.
It took a while, but in more than a week, we arrived at the capital city of the middle country.
Since I broke my leg, I was taken to my room at once.
When I sat on my bed while being supported by Ryuze, Merrill popped out from outside of the door.
[Britney! I'm glad that you came back safely!]
Her nature was honest, she took my hands with tears in her big eyes.
[I'm sorry, Britney. It's all because I didn't move from that spot…]
[No, its' my fault. I didn't mean to fall down. I caused inconvenience to other people…]
[No, no. If I kept my calm, I know I shouldn't have gone there. I knew what my action would bring about, but I moved according to my emotions at that time.]
While she did behave erratically, Merrill was by no means a fool or ill-natured.
She grew up day by day just like in the manga, and she could reflect on her mistakes just like this time.
Until now, I had subconsciously disliked Merrill.
In the manga, she was sometimes the enemy of Britney, not to mention of her casual attitude and behavior towards Ricardo.
But… her content was really straightforward, and she would reflect on her actions.
(Perhaps a day will come when I can get along with her…)
Somehow, I thought such a thing.
TN: Does that mean that Merrill wouldn’t be such an annoyance anymore in the future chapters? I hope that it will be like that sooner than later.