4-01: Around Him Shall the Flags Be Raised (3/3)
He said that with such confidence it was as though it was sothing that had already been decided.
The princess scread, w-what a terrible accusation to make! I was just curious! I might be ignorant of the ways of the world, but Im not so ignorant as to lay my hand on the taboo!
She rushed to defend herself against the completely unexpected statent, but since her desire for knowledge(true motive) had been laid bare, her words lacked persuasiveness, and Shinichi only continued to look at her with suspicion.
Its not very convincing hearing that from the girl who kidnapped a boy(Kite) from another world(Earth)
I told you I didnt kidnap Kite-sama! The magic formation I used had all sorts of conditions that needed to be fulfilled! For example, there being a threat to his life, him accepting, and him not having a lot of bonds with his original world!
I explained that to you, right?
I showed you the magic formation too, right?
You said there were no problems too, right?
You also agreed after asking the person in question, right?
The princess was so flustered, and the sight of that brough a smile to Shinichi.
Surely, there was no way that he said that just so he could get a reaction from her Right?
Umu, thats true.
Yes, exactly! Just why did you suddenly
In a sense, Shinichi was finding fault with her just like she wanted him to, but for so reason, his sharp words did not tug at her heart.
It was curious if her not reacting positively to every little thing he did was sothing to be happy about or not, and it was just as curious if Shinichi was actually testing the boundaries that set her off.
Ah, sheesh! A person like you is really
But Lilisha was intelligent by nature, and she was starting to get a grasp of Shinichis personality.
Indeed, she would have long puffed up her cheeks if he was rely doing this to get a reaction out of her, but she could tell that he was also being considerate of her since she had more problems now, and that brought a smile to her face.
At the sa ti, she thought he was really cunning, and a kind of warmth spread within her chest.
But then Lilisha asked him a question.
Shin. What do you think of homunculi?
That question ca out way tenser than shed intended.
And for a mont, Shinichi made a blank face before answering with a curious expression.
Nothing in particular.
Lilisha-sama, excuse .
The Head Maid entered the study at almost the exact ti as she knocked, leading Shinichi and Lilisha to look at her in shock.
Though the head maid stood there with her usual getup and expression, it was unthinkable for her, who ever maintained perfect etiquette, to enter a room on her own without asking for permission despite there being no ergency.
Stella?
Lilisha called out to her with suspicion, but she just ignored that and casually said.
I apologize for intruding while youre in the middle of a conversation, but if we dont get started on your preparations soon, we wont be able to make it for the welcoming party tonight.
Huh? Oh, no. Its that ti already?
Lilisha finally realized why she ca when she checked the ti, but she still didnt bother to hide her displeasure.
But its still fine, right?
Theres no point even if you make a face like that, Princess. Let us quickly go to your room. Even now, well only barely be able to make it.
But you maids could always get ready in an instant.
I am confident that we wont have to keep you waiting for a long ti once we have decided on what look you will go with, but we cant prepare for anything unless you decide on the direction of your outfit yourself.
Perhaps, Stella had already predicted that the princess would throw a tantrum like this, as she quickly and fluently shut down her argunt.
Maids, or to be more precise, a ladys attendants, could advice their master on what to wear, but they were not allowed to make the decision on their own.
Uuu.
A princess of a great nation shouldnt hate dressing up so much. I an its basically your duty, isnt it? Shinichi said.
I cant do anything while theyre dressing up, though. I could get an inspiration for a new magic formula and be unable to jot it down. I could dictate it, but that could only go so far
A very Earthgant-like princess, huh. But you know
Shinichi made a smile full of dismay and admiration, then with frightening familiarity, caressed her face.
By the ti Lilisha had noticed that, she had already been made to turn to him.
Eh!?
It was curious if he hadnt noticed her surprise or was rely ignoring it, but regardless, those dark brown eyes of his peered into her own green and reflected her face.
He looked at her for only a mont though for her it must have felt like so dozen minutes then with a curious voice said.
You were born with such a beautiful face. Dont you think it would be such a waste not to dress up? When all dolled up, Im sure youd be so charming that no one would even be able to rember your reputation.
Shinichi genuinely lanted how her beauty would remain unpolished.
Not a hint of his usual teasing, or a mans vulgar desire, or even any flirtatious intent could be felt from those words, only the desire to see her beauty polished as his words dictated.
Thats why she felt as though he was sincerely praising her beauty and wished for nothing more than to see her beauty polished.
But the lack of any extraneous emotions made such a desire so earnest that this princess, who has long grown tired of flowery words, actually froze.
That was less because she was embarrassed and more because it took her awhile to understand.
There was no falsehood in the boys expression or face or words, leaving the princess mind struggling as she pondered about how hot her cheeks felt.
Though used to flattery, the princess had little to no contact with n, rendering her that much more vulnerable.
B-But then if I dress up just because you told to, Ill look like an easy woman!
Nonetheless, her ntal faculties, that were either innate or cultivated to grant her the degree of control she had over magic, went into overdrive for no good reason all so she could weave such a childish(contrarian) argunt.
It was such that even the princess herself bla herself for not coming up with a better excuse, but Shinichi just smiled provocatively at her and said.
What are you going to do then?
She knew she had to dress up, but she really didnt want to prepare for the evening party.
She wanted to do it even less after he told her that since it would sound like she was doing it because of him.
In that case, she might as well try to co up with an answer(excuse) that would satisfy both her and him.
Or at least, the smile on him seed to be saying that.
Lets make a deal, the princess said.
What kind of deal? Shinichi said.
It wont be possible now, but if an opportunity like this ever cos again, you have to dress up, so that I might be able to et your expectations No. Dress up well enough to take your breath away. And at that ti, youll have to accompany for a dance.
Thats A pretty big request.
Indeed.
The unexpected request took him by surprise and made his face twitch.
The princess smiled in satisfaction upon seeing that and responded in a cheerful tone.
Considering what she was asking him to do, it was actually an inexpensive request, perhaps one that could even be thought of as a reward.
Yet Shinichi was hesitating.
After spending half a month together, the princess knew full well the reason behind that.
Shinichi hated standing out in public unless he really had to.
He was just a commoner as far as everyone else was concerned, so there was no reason for him to attend a party with the princess of a great power and even dance with her.
Just the very thought was enough to make veins bulge on his forehead, but in the end, he nodded.
Fine. Ill look forward to it then.
It was curious what sort of thought process went inside him before spitting that out, but whatever it was, all hints of dissatisfaction vanished from his voice and expression, leaving behind only a provocative laugh that seed to say, just try it if you can.
I will be looking forward to it as well Now then, I will have to go and dress up, so please excuse .
Perhaps that was a good enough excuse, for Lilisha happily bid him goodbye in a lady-like manner, and Stella followed after.
However, before Stella could leave, Shinichi approached her in a way that the princess wouldnt notice.
He approached so quickly and so silently that it shocked her, and then he tiptoed to get up to her level and whispered by her ear
At that ti, please teach how to dance.
In a tone that was more timid and more sincere than ever.
Stella blinked for a mont before turning to him and asking, you made such a provocative face yet you actually cant dance? And Shinichi imdiately nodded.
He was smiling as he looked up at her, but his eyes were clearly shaking from anxiety.
So much so that Stella felt like she could hear him screaming, what am I going to do!?
The boy before her was just that pathetic.
Very well.
Perhaps thats the reason why
She had an inexplicable urge to prepare and serve the best tea along with her favorite pastries, but she suppressed that urge before it could break free and just quietly responded before following after the princess.
She hadnt been delayed by that much, so Lilisha didnt even notice that such an exchange happened between the two of them.
Regardless, for so reason, both master and servant alike seed so happy from behind, leaving Shinichi to tilt his head.
As he saw them off, he let out a sigh of relief and closed the door.
Suddenly, like a fire that had been extinguished, all of those emotions that one would expect from a boy his age vanished from his face.
With a grim expression, he looked at the book he and the princess sealed.
To think that your na would appear here, King Johan That ominous feeling is getting worse. Its when people lower down the priority ss up that things beco problematic, you see What a pain, Shinichi muttered as he sat on the sofa.
As he sank into the soft cushion, he moved his eyes away from the forbidden book and glared at the supposedly empty air space.
Was it you? Did you lead here?Isis.
He could see the illusion of a beautiful blonde nun sitting by the desk.
The way she looked down at him with an indignant face was so like her that it actually felt fake. It didnt feel at all as though hed reunited with her.
But then again, this was nothing but an illusion anyway.
Not funny. Even if its you, Im the one who will decide what I do.
The illusion smiled at that then vanished.
It was as if the illusion was satisfied by his answer. Or perhaps that was just him hoping that that was the case.
Either way, he let out a breath in exhaustion.
This illusion would appear before him from ti to ti, and it was never a good sign.
I hadnt seen it in awhile too Tonights going to be a long night.
He looked out the window and gazed into the sky of this quiet sumr villa.
It was a clear and quiet sky with nary a cloud, but that was only the calm before the storm.
At the very least, thats how he felt.
But since he knew it was coming, he could just rest until then.
Thats why he erected 26 layers of barriers around him half the usual amount and closed his eyes.
He would sleep until Lilisha was done getting ready, but
Seeing that thing never ends well for , does it?
As he said that feebly, he fell into a shallow slumber.
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