North of Aqualate stretched a vast forest…
Beyond that lay a range of mountains.
The town that spread out at the foot of those mountains was Lenoglade.
Mining tunnels branched out like an ant colony…
And the various ores extracted from them were the town’s main industry.
Because of that, it was also known as a mining city.
The person we had saved was Albert Hildis—
the son of Lenoglade’s lord.
Apparently, he had gone to Aqualate for a small errand…
and on his way back, he was attacked by monsters.
We happened to pass by at that moment… and that’s the situation.
"Oh—"
After safely finishing the escort job, we were taken straight to his mansion.
Aisha’s eyes sparkled as she looked around at the spacious estate full of beautiful furnishings.
She’s called a priestess or princess, but in the end, she’s still a kid.
Places like this must be exciting for her.
"Please, this way."
A maid guided us to the guest room.
"Please wait here. If you need anything, feel free to let me know."
Saying that, the maid quietly stationed herself at the edge of the room.
Albert wasn’t here—he said he needed to first report to his father, the lord.
He had said he really wanted to talk with us right away…
He didn’t seem to be lying, and it showed the kind of person he was.
…Which only made the kiss he gave to Sofia’s hand bother me even more.
"What’s wrong, Fate?"
"Eh?"
"You look like you're angry about something…"
"N-No, nothing like that."
I thought I was controlling my expression so my feelings wouldn’t show.
But Sofia smiled gently at me.
"You certainly look the same as always… but I can tell. No matter how much you try to hide it, I can understand Fate’s heart."
"…Sofia…"
"What’s the matter?"
Hearing that soft voice, I couldn’t keep hiding it.
"Um… earlier, he kissed your hand, right?"
"Ah."
"And, uh… how do I put it… it made me feel kinda… fuzzy…?"
"…!"
For some reason, Sofia started trembling—
"Aah geez, Fate, you’re too cute!!!"
"Uwah!?"
She threw her arms around me in a tight hug.
"Is that jealousy!? You’re jealous, aren’t you!? Oh, Fate, doing something like that… It makes you so unbearably adorable I just have to hug you!"
"You’re already hugging me…"
"It’s because Fate is too cute—obviously you’re at fault."
Wait… it’s my fault…?
"But… don’t worry."
Her grip softened, and she spoke in the same gentle tone as before.
"The only one who exists in my heart is you, Fate. If it’s about liking someone, there are many I care about… but the only one I love as the opposite sex is you. This room belongs to you alone."
"S-Sofia…"
"So, it’s all right."
"…Yeah."
I was happy.
And warm.
And without thinking, I reached out toward Sofia—
"You two sure have guts, flirting even in the lord’s mansion."
"!?!"
At Licorice’s voice, Sofia and I jolted in shock and instantly separated.
Th-That was close…
She was right—this was absolutely not the place to be doing that.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
Whether it was perfect timing or the worst possible timing,
the door opened and Albert appeared.
"I invited you here and yet kept you waiting—my apologies. I tried to finish my business as quickly as possible, but… hmm? Your faces are rather red—did something happen?"
"N-Nothing at all!!"
And so, Sofia and I frantically shook our heads side to side.
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