'I've heard about Master Nord!　'Everything he did was to drop the head of a dragon with a single shot.'

'I've heard that a dragon is as big as a royal castle, is it true?

''That was only possible because of the help of everyone. And I don't think it was as big as the royal castle.

　In the middle of the hall, today Father Nord is still surrounded by young men from the young boys who want to be daughters and knights.

　Father Nord slayed the dragon before me and my sister Elinora were born.

　So the kids here now must have grown up hearing about dragons, not seeing them. They seem to have a lot of enthusiasm for them.

'Hey Eric?'

What?

Have you ever seen the Dragonslayer play in King's Landing?

　I asked, and Eric looked dumbfounded.

'What?　Have you not even seen your own father's play?

'This was the first time I'd been to King's Landing. I haven't seen it yet.

　Of course I'll watch it. I'll definitely watch it.

In that case, you want me to show you around?

'What?　Eric?

"Thank you for the mayonnaise. I'll at least give you a tour of King's Landing.

　I didn't expect it. I didn't know Eric would say such a thing.

　It's true that the royal capital is vast and complicated, so it's better to have a guide to help you get around the place more efficiently. I'm not from King's Landing, but he even suggested it himself, so he must know a certain amount about it.

''I'll take care of it then.

When is the date?

Are you still available tomorrow?

All right, tomorrow. The place is in the square. It should be about noon.

Okay.

　We had just made our appointment when the door to the entrance was suddenly opened and someone walked in.

　Everyone in the hall froze with their eyes on the door. No, I should say they were fawning over it.

　Even though the girl in the red dress is exposed to such gazes, she doesn't care and gracefully advances her feet as if it were natural.

　Every time you click your heels, your long, brightly colored red hair sways with every click of your heels.

　Her skin is as white and fine as snow.

　Her face is terrifyingly well-defined and her eyes are as clear as crimson balls. However, his slit eyes are thin and cold.

　He had sharp eyes that reminded me of a bird of prey, like the Duke of Leengrande of yesterday.

　Could she possibly be the daughter of the Duke of Leengrande?

　Or rather, she must be. With the same hair color and eyes as that duke's, she must be his daughter, of course.

　Especially those eyes. The eyes are dangerous. I'm sure she's a little older than me, around 10 years old. There is a calm atmosphere and it seems to be a little older, but if you look at her slender body, you can clearly recognize that she is a girl.

　Behind her as she walked proudly, the elderly butler followed reluctantly behind.

　I didn't notice her at all, perhaps because her presence was too strong. Some of the people who were watching in love with her may not have noticed her at all.

　As she walked to the middle of the hall, she grabbed the hem of her dress and bowed gracefully.

''Thank you for participating in the social gathering held by our Lean Grande family today as well. Today, His Royal Highness the Second Princess of Couderia will also be in attendance. Ladies and gentlemen, please take the time to enjoy another evening of fellowship among the nobles who support our kingdom.

　When she finished her greeting, the room returned to its buzz of applause.

　As it was, she went to the Duke of Vladimir and other nobles of high rank to greet them.

''Wow, a duchess, huh? I don't want to get close to you...''

　I muttered and looked to the next side and saw Eric with a fond face.

''........Oi Eric?''

　When I call out to him, he doesn't respond, so I wave my hand in front of him.

　Then Eric slaps my hand as if he were swatting away a fly.

'Ouch. What are you doing?

　I shout accusations and Eric finally comes to himself.

"Oh, it's you. I didn't think I'd see anything foul in my vision.

You son of a b*tc*, are you trying to pick a fight again?

　He said it with a straight face, you bastard. My hands are dirty?　These guys wash their hands with good soap.

　While we're having this conversation. The duchess's greeting circle continues. Some go to greet her on their own, others just watch from a distance.

　The ones who were coming up to her are probably those who are intimately acquainted with her or have such a plan.

　It's a good idea to be able to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

　I thought to myself that I could understand the general relationship between the nobles just by looking at them like this, and I put my hands on my table's food.

　If we were at the other end, the duchess wouldn't even bother to call out to us, the baronesses, if we were at the other end.

　Even if she did pass by, it wouldn't be a problem to lightly bow to her.

　That's what I thought.

''Oh Eric, I heard that?　He said he did it yesterday.

　When the duchess saw Eric, she called out to him good-naturedly.

　I almost choked on my mouthful of steak, but I managed to swallow it with the fruit water.

　You know Eric? Then you should have stayed away from this guy and stayed with Mother Erna.

''Yes, I'm sorry to have disturbed you yesterday.

Eric's cheeks turn red and he lowers his head lightly.

　Eh, what should I do? Should I bow my head or something since I'm also a party to this?

　When I was wondering like that, the duchess turned her face towards me.

''Fine, I don't mind. Thanks to you, I've learned some interesting things.

What?

No, never mind. By the way, are you a friend of Eric's?

...I thought you were one of those...

Hey, you can't talk to me like that. You're being rude to me.

　And he's bitter and slurred his words.

Shut up. No, you don't have the decency to do that.

What?

　Eric sniffles and spits, and I can hear the duchess laughing where I grab at him.

'You're so close,'

That's a bit...

　Hearing our combined voices, the duchess chuckles and turns her gaze to me.

'Nice to meet you, Mr. Alfried. I'm Alecia-Lean Grande.

　He greets me politely and I break my hip politely.

'It's nice to meet you too. I'm Alfried-Slowett.''

　For a moment, I wondered how he knew my name, but I was convinced that my name was known because of all the commotion yesterday.



　× x x x



　Then I thought Alecia was going to leave, but surprisingly she was still talking to us.

　I'm not sure if she's tired of going around saying hello to adults.

　It's a good idea to be able to have a casual conversation with other children of this age.

　By the way, Eric and Alecia are just acquainted with each other.

　They only talked lightly at the last party. I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this in the future. I'm not sure if it's a hint of a red face or a hint of a hint, either.

"Oh, Eric doesn't have a fiancée either?

Yes, I'm not ready.

'Really?　I'm sure Eric would be popular...

Oh, really?

　No, Eric. Don't be confused. There's a great deal more to that word than meets the eye.

　We men can't just take a word for it.

'Well, I can't, but I'm sure you can make it work.　Go for it if you're not popular.'

　That's the message.

　Here's the thing: "Then go out with me! When you say something like that, you're not going to see it coming.

'Then me and--'

'Idiot!　No!

　I smack Eric on the head for trying to run his mouth about something stupid as soon as possible.

'What the hell are you doing?!'

Excuse me, Lady Alecia, excuse me.

I don't mind.

　I move to the edge, grabbing Eric by the collar as he screams next to me.

'Come on, let go!　You!　What do you mean by that?

I'm going to ask you what you were going to say. What were you going to say to me?

What? I was going to ask for your hand in marriage.

　I say, and Eric responds with a raised eyebrow. I think this guy is too clumsy for love.

'Didn't you listen to what Alecia said?'

I heard that. I heard that Eric was going to be popular.

　He took it in stride.

"Idiot. That's not the kind of thing you can take for granted," he said. What's more, he said 'you're going to be popular'. That's a very different thing from 'you're going to be popular'.

What do you mean?

　I tell nibbling Eric exactly what Alecia means when she says that.

　Alecia's lack of a fiancé is the equivalent of standing in front of a vending machine wondering which juice to choose. In comparison, me and Eric's lack of a fiancé is like looking for a lost needle in a vast desert and not being able to find it.

　Yes, there is a big difference between us in terms of knighthood and looks.

　I explained to Eric that he couldn't understand the vending machine, so I explained to him that he was in a state of trying to choose the food on the table instead.

　When I said that, Eric held his head in his hands, as if he was aware of it, and grunted, "What.......?

　I think it's too soon to ask for an engagement based on a general acquaintance.

　However, Eric said he would ask for an engagement after they had gotten to know each other a little better.

　That deepening rift is shallow and small....

　Why is it that there are so many challenger men around me, like Thor and Eric? I can't help but wonder.

　It's true that Aleixia is a beautiful person, but she's the kind of woman you look at from a distance.

　I can't help but notice that she has a fake smile, but I don't think she's an ordinary young lady.

　Is it just me or is it just me who feels that way?



　When we returned, Alecia asked the same question to me.

'I wonder if Al doesn't have a fiancée too?'

　By the way, Alecia started calling me Al because she had trouble calling me Alfreet.

　I thought she was surprisingly friendly, but I guess not, since the people I've met so far have also been like, "It's too much trouble, Aluna.

'Yeah, I'm not here,'

　I answer categorically. I'm not there, I can't, and I don't intend to make one.

　I don't even have twelve-year-old sister Elinora, and I'm sure I'll still be fine. And I have a sister, Emma.

''There was a rumor going around that you may have been engaged to Miss Lana, the daughter of the Misfeed family?

Absolutely not. Hey, who is the source of that rumor?

　Alecia's mouthpiece asks with a good smile. I answer this immediately.

'Oh really?　Sometimes you've had a fiancé since birth. Don't be shy, even if the other person is a little girl of childish temperament. It happens a lot in our kingdom, you know?

　Or rather, you're silent on the source of the rumor?　

　Is it really all right, the nobles of this country?

''It really isn't, so........''