To prevent the conversation from turning into an R18 scenario, I hugged Noie from behind to restrain her.
Noticing my arms restraining her upper body, Noie turned her face toward me.
「Arg-sama.」
「It can’t be helped because Noie was doing strange things.」
「…Why the chest?」
「……」
Because the atmosphere in the room had turned peach-colored, I had inadvertently held Noie’s chest firmly.
Hurriedly moving my arms below her chest, I somehow felt a sad atmosphere emanating from her.
You were the one who made the rule against touching, weren’t you?
「Haa… Nnh. Have you calmed down?」
「Yes.」
Adjusting her slightly disheveled dress, Her Majesty the Queen offered a soft smile.
「It had been a while for me as well, so I inadvertently…」
「Your Majesty. Let us forget that topic. So, Noie?」
「Yes?」
A response with a nuance of 『Why are you calling me?』 from my wife! I couldn’t keep up with the retorts anymore!
「…Was Her Majesty’s skin something you knew?」
「I don’t know. It’s my first time.」
「Is that so.」
If Noie didn’t know it, then the Queen’s dragon skin was not from a species inhabiting this region.
The diligent Dragonslayer had knocked away most of the dragons living in the vicinity of the Kingdom of Univance.
Well, since she hadn’t punched all the dragons on the continent, there must be some she didn’t know… but in that case, what could be considered?
「I heard from the Head Maid that it was a 『curse』.」
「Yes. But since no one understood, it seems they applied the word 『curse』.」
「Is that so.」
In an indescribable atmosphere, Her Majesty took out a small bell and rang it.
When it chimed ‘chirin’, someone came from outside the screen.
「Please prepare some drinks.」
「Yes. Your Majesty.」
It seemed to be a maid. However, since the voice was not the Head Maid’s, she was probably dealing with the sudden event (the Idiot Prince).
「I am hopeless. Come now, both of you, stop standing and sit here.」
「Yes. Then we will accept your offer without reserve.」
Yes. Her Majesty probably preferred this kind of response.
Sitting on the chairs recommended without reserve, I also pulled Noie’s chair closer and sat side by side.
Since Noie was prone to running wild today, I would restrain her firmly.
Basically, I crossed my arms and pressed closely against her. It was definitely not because I longed for Noie’s warmth or anything like that.
「You two are truly affectionate.」
Chuckling, Her Majesty picked up something placed on the table beside her.
「I have heard from Sieck. You were looking for this, weren’t you? I am sorry… I had been borrowing it for so long.」
Bowing gently, she handed over a bundle of papers.
However, the cover read 『Regarding Camieu』. Noie’s ahoge, which had peeked at the cover, started spinning rapidly, hitting my face several times.
「I heard that she had passed away… but I could not forget her, so I occasionally read it.」
「Excuse me, Your Majesty. Do you know Camieu-san?」
「Yes. That is also why I wanted to speak with Noie once.」
Clapping her hands in front of her chest with a ‘pon’, Her Majesty looked at Noie.
「Those eyes of yours… they must be the same Demon Eyes as Camieu’s, correct? I heard from that child many times. That eye color is proof of possessing Demon Eyes.」
Casually, Her Majesty dropped a tremendous bomb.
-0-
Prince Halfren, who had thrust the tip of his sword into the ground and knelt to catch his breath, and Head Maid Sieck, who was also bent over, panting heavily.
The battle between the two was a clash of technique and power that connoisseurs would appreciate.
But the content of their conversation… could only be called childish.
「You old hag. Hurry up and go to your grave! Weren’t you older than my mother?」
「Huh? Women stop aging after a certain point! Besides, Her Majesty Linea seems to be getting younger every year since she became like that… It’s so unfair!」
「Who cares, you ugly hag!」
He pulled out his sword and rushed forward, swinging it down from above.
Sieck dodged it lightly and jumped into his guard.
But Halfren was used to it. He lifted his leg and attempted a knee strike.
Sieck, having anticipated the attack, placed the sole of her foot on his knee and kicked him away to escape backward.
「Geez. Fighting just like Mische.」
「She was an unlovable disciple. Is she still alive?」
「Unfortunately, she is healthy. You probably know that, right?」
「On paper… but if she isn’t dead, does that mean you are still giving her boring work?」
「No… I removed her from that work. She became too famous.」
「That’s why I told you. 『Don’t use them too much』.」
Her tone, returning to that of the strict instructor from when she used to train him long ago, was as cold as back then.
Thinking about how much she usually hid her true nature… cold sweat broke out all over his body.
Halfren lightly slapped his cheeks to regain his composure, raised his sword, and stared at his opponent.
「Your eyes are at least professional. You, Mische… and was it Frea? The fools who repeatedly defied 『me』.」
「Yes.」
「Since that day ten years ago, your eyes have changed. No… you probably became the same as those children who ran wild in this country, were captured, and executed.」
Pointing the dagger in her right hand directly at Halfren, Sieck stated clearly.
「You happened to be on the battlefield that day. Therefore, no matter how many people you killed, you were not charged with a crime. Rather, it was probably an honor… since the three of you nearly annihilated the enemy army.」
At those painful words, Halfren gave a wry smile.
But she was right. On that day, at that time… he had no memory from the moment he felt like he was being watched by something. Before he knew it, he had been massacring enemy soldiers on the battlefield.
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