[Screech—]
“Le—Leya!”
The instant the door swung open, a loud shout instantly reached her ears.
Erica, who had initially spread her arms as if to rush forward, froze the moment she saw Elina enter right behind her. She stood there, utterly stunned.
“Um… well, hello there, Miss Erica~”
“…………”
Although Elina had offered a friendly greeting, Erica merely scoffed dismissively. She then turned her head away in a huff, as if nothing had happened, refusing to look at either of them.
“Uh… this…”
“Oh, it’s fine. Just leave her be.”
Erica’s attitude struck Leya as utterly baffling. She simply assumed Erica was still sulking with her, so she decided to ignore it.
“No, Miss Leya, I was referring to Miss Erica. She’s…”
‘She’s an elf, isn’t she!?’
‘How… how incredible!’
“Hmm? Erica, did you touch the draft paper on my desk?”
“Hmph—” Erica, still pouting, turned away again. Without a word, she climbed onto the bed and pretended to be asleep.
“…………”
‘Hey, hey, hey, what kind of attitude is that?!’
‘Ah, well… never mind. I’ve already memorized what needed remembering anyway.’
‘But speaking of which…’
‘Yesterday was the day I promised the Sixth Prince I’d watch the performance, wasn’t it?!’
‘I broke my promise? Did I actually break my promise?’
‘Tsk, this is truly upsetting!’
“Um… Miss Leya?”
“…Hmm, my apologies. I was a little distracted just now. Right, didn’t you say you had something important to tell me? What is it? Oh, wait, before that, let me pour us both some drinks. You must be tired after waiting so long downstairs, aren’t you?”
“Uh… that would be a great bother, Miss Leya!” Elina expressed her deep gratitude.
‘Well… it’s not a bother at all. If anything, Leya herself was thirsty and wanted something to drink.’
****
“You found someone… investigating me outside this tavern, is that right? *Sip—*”
Leya was seated directly opposite Elina, having just downed her fourth cup of a juice-like beverage in one go. Still feeling unsatisfied, she held the pitcher of drinks, ready to pour herself a generous fifth cup.
“Yes… and from their conversations, it seems they are also connected to someone named Harvey.”
Elina, however, was noticeably more cautious and reserved. She hadn’t drunk much of the water she’d poured earlier, her hands tightly gripping the cup. Her eyes darted around constantly, particularly towards the large elf lying on the bed in the room.
‘Honestly, Elina was extremely curious about the relationship between Miss Leya and this elf!’
‘After all, don’t elves generally detest humans—no, rather, they detest all races except their own? So how could an elf be living so peacefully under the same roof as a human now?’
“Harvey? Oh, it’s him… Well, if it’s him, then there’s no problem.” Leya waved her hand, answering with a seemingly naive air.
“Ah, um… Eh… Eh?! Are you really sure it’s alright, Miss Leya? They all looked quite sinister! And it seems they suspect you’re connected to the ‘Blonde Sword Princess,’ who’s been the subject of the most widespread rumors recently…”
Elina asked, quite worried, while also feeling that Miss Leya truly lacked any proper sense of danger.
Yet, despite Elina’s earnest and heartfelt persuasion, Leya remained perfectly unhurried. She calmly picked up her juice and drank it.
“‘The Blonde Sword Princess,’ you say? Hmph… even if there is a connection, what of it? She’s just a somewhat noisy, rather self-important fellow. I don’t really pay her much mind… Oh, by the way, why did you come alone? Where’s your brother?”
“Ah?” Elina, who had been relatively composed until then, suddenly became flustered at the mention of Dean. “My bro—my brother… he…”
“He?”
“Oh, right, my brother has something he needs to do recently, so he had to go out. Yes, that’s what he said!”
“…………”
‘Well now…’
‘Miss Elina… has anyone ever told you that you’re truly terrible at lying?’
‘Honestly, if you want someone to believe you, the least you could do is turn your head and look them in the eye when you speak, instead of just staring blankly at their wall! And also, your hand holding the cup has switched to your left! It was your right hand before, wasn’t it…’
‘Ah… truly… it’s as if I know exactly where your brother is…’
“But speaking of which, that’s truly wonderful…”
“Eh?”
“I never expected you to recover so quickly… To be honest, I was rather startled.”
Elina lowered her head. At Leya’s words, she simply gave a soft, obedient “Mm.”
“Is there anywhere else you feel uncomfortable? Hmm… I mean, are there any lingering after-effects?”
She vigorously shook her head.
“Ah, is that so? That’s truly excellent then…”
Suddenly, she stood up. Her gaze, sharp as a sword and filled with resolute determination, fixed on Leya. Then, the young woman spoke.
“Miss Le—Leya, though this is an unreasonable request, please… please allow me to remain by your side always! Truly… truly!”