The King’s younger brother, “Wilhelm von Univance”.
Currently, he is not involved in national politics at all and is effectively retired.
His hobby is gardening, and he loves breeding plants, so his skills were valued, and he moved to the eastern part of Univance, which is the kingdom’s granary.
「And what else?」
「Hmm～. Let me see.」
Krea, who was from the east, pressed the tip of her fork against her lips, pondering.
Was his presence so thin that she couldn’t remember unless she thought hard? He was the King’s brother, after all.
「He is a person with no particular stories to tell. Since he moved here from the capital about ten years ago… he has been devoted only to his hobbies ever since.」
「In a sense, he is truly retired. It’s quite enviable.」
My ideal form was right there. I really wanted to meet him and hear his story once.
As if remembering something, Inel turned to face me.
「His only son works in the capital. I hear he is a serious person under Schnitt-sama’s command.」
「…So I’ve heard.」
「Have you not met him?」
「Although we are relatives, due to our positions and such, it is not easy to meet. That is the Royal Family for you.」
Yes. Was that excuse acceptable? In reality, I had simply forgotten.
Since Inel seemed satisfied, it was probably fine. But Krea tilted her head and then looked at me with slightly downcast eyes.
「Besides, I believe your former family home and…」
「So, I’ve heard.」
「Eh? What is it?」
It seemed Krea knew, but Inel did not. If that was the case, it wasn’t a famous story, was it?
「It seems my original family home did various bad things. And because of that, it is difficult to meet.」
The Lucefert family, the original home of the real Argusta, had targeted them over the order of succession to the throne. Although no evidence remained, it seemed the King’s brother’s wife and children had been assassinated.
Even after doing such dangerous things, there were still two older brothers remaining… perhaps they had done something as well? I hadn’t asked because hearing it would likely make me depressed.
Since the two of them were satisfied with my vague explanation, it was probably fine. Though it really wasn’t fine. But in reality, I had just completely forgotten.
Indeed, with matters concerning Noie and the hearing, I had forgotten. I should properly greet them as a couple at least once.
The reason I remembered such a thing now was that I looked around and saw the letter left on my desk. The seal was still unbroken.
After all, the addressee was not me, but 『Noie von Draguknight-sama』.
Certainly, since they came from a family that had done various things, the other side probably disliked sending letters to me.
I would take it home today and open the seal together with Noie.
The problem was… Noie herself.
-0-
It was lunchtime, and a generally white beauty with a dazed expression was floating around.
Lutte, having switched her vision from her blessing back to normal, checked her attire and left the building. As expected, the Captain was moving with unreliable steps, heading toward the water source.
「Captain? Are you alright?」
「I’m fine. I’m okay.」
Chasing after her and catching up, Lutte called out.
Hearing Noie’s reply as she washed her face made Lutte even more anxious. The reason was,
「…That is Mische-senpai’s spare underwear, isn’t it?」
「……」
Looking at what she had been using to wipe her face, Noie slammed it onto the ground.
She must have reached for the cloth hanging to dry, but apparently, she had grabbed the filth next to it.
「For some reason, I sensed an ominous aura from the Captain toward me!」
「It’s fine. Dirt comes off when you wash it.」
「Why are you saying that while looking at me～!」
Throwing aside the small, thin person who had retorted, Noie sat down on a tree stump.
「Here. Captain… this is your lunch.」
「Hmm.」
Placing the plate handed to her by the large-chested person on her lap, she began eating, starting with the chunk of meat.
Watching the meat shrink rapidly… Lutte observed her superior.
Her appearance was certainly as usual, but she felt like she was spinning her wheels somewhere.
Her husband, who was also her superior, had said, 『If you don’t understand, look at her hair.』
But that advice was not helpful.
The ahoge of Captain Noie was spinning in an incomprehensible spiral motion.
「Captain.」
「Hmm.」
「Are you really alright?」
「I’m fine. I’m okay.」
She only returned that answer. Her state was making Lutte increasingly anxious, but Noie, unaware of this, silently continued chewing the chunk of meat.
To be blunt, Noie was currently at her limit in various ways.
-0-
「A letter?」
「Yes.」
「……」
Today as well, I patted Noie’s head to distract myself.
Having physical contact limited to head-patting was quite tough, Noie-san.
When I stopped patting after doing it plenty, she, exuding an unsatisfied atmosphere, stared at me intently.
Her hands were twitching, giving off the vibe that she was about to pounce at any moment.
The rule of 『No touching』 had become a restriction that caused mental damage to both of us.
Noie opened the seal of the handed-over letter and returned it to me.
Since she had opened the seal, there should be no problem if I looked at the contents.
「Let’s see, what does it say…」
The content of the letter was a standard greeting.
Belated congratulations on our marriage, and an invitation to visit if we had free time.
However, as I read further,
「…!」
Noie, who had been peeking in, also found it and her ahoge stood up.
「Arg-sama.」
「…Yes.」
「I will go. Absolutely.」
「…I suppose so.」
Noie was fully intent on going. Her ahoge was standing up in excitement.
I see. So, there are such indirect tactics… The opponent is several steps ahead.
I don’t know if the king’s younger brother, the sender, had set this trap, or if the shadowy Head Maid had guided it from behind.
While raising my hands in surrender in my heart, I looked at one sentence in the letter.
『…I heard that Argusta-sama, your husband, is looking for documents regarding Camiue. If so, Her Majesty the Queen surely possesses them. Why not come over for a visit?』
If that name was mentioned, neither I nor Noie could refuse.
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