After that…
We were treated to a warm and generous welcome.
There was plenty of food and delicious drinks.
And with the townspeople joining in, everyone enjoyed a big feast together.
The idea of having the townspeople join us was actually Aisha’s suggestion.
She wanted everyone to have fun together…
It was quite an unexpected idea, but in truth, it turned out to be extremely effective.
Because of what the former lord had done, the town was now filled with suspicion and dissatisfaction toward the Hildis family.
Although the problem had been resolved when Albert defeated the former lord, people couldn’t easily shake the doubt that his son might do the same.
So, the banquet.
By enjoying themselves together, the townspeople were able to ease their doubts about Albert, at least to some extent.
It also helped relieve their stress and anxiety—making it a brilliant plan with triple the benefits.
To think of something like this… as expected of Aisha.
Our daughter is amazing.
That aside…
“Phew…”
Even after night fell, the feast was still going on.
Feeling tired, I stepped outside the mansion—Albert’s estate, which served as the venue—and let the cool night breeze wash over me.
“The wind feels nice.”
“It really does. What a lovely night.”
“…Since when were you there?”
Before I realized it, Licorice was perched on my shoulder.
“Spending time with the cuticle-miracle beautiful fairy Licorice-chan makes you happy too, right, Fate?”
“…Maybe.”
With a wry smile, I gazed up at the night sky.
Albert had prepared a high-speed carriage for us.
In a few days, we would depart…
And we would likely reach the royal capital fairly quickly.
What awaited us there…
“Fate, Fate.”
Licorice poked my cheek from my shoulder.
“Look over there.”
“Where?”
Following her gaze…
I saw Sofia and Albert.
They were talking with serious expressions.
Probably…
Albert was confessing his feelings to Sofia again.
Now that everything had settled down, he must have decided to do it properly once more.
“This is bad, Fate! If this keeps up, Sofia’s going to get taken from you!”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean she’s going to get stolen away!”
“…I don’t really get it, but that sounds like something very inappropriate, so don’t ever use words like that in front of Aisha, okay?”
Honestly, where did Licorice even learn words like that?
Maybe from that friend she said loved traveling?
If so, that would mean all fairies have cheerful personalities like Licorice’s…
…Somehow, thinking about it too deeply felt a little scary, so I stopped.
“Hmmm… We can’t hear what they’re saying from here. Fate, let’s get a little closer.”
“Let’s not.”
“Eh, why? Aren’t you curious?”
“I am a little… but not as much as before.”
I don’t feel intense jealousy toward Albert anymore.
I’m somewhat curious, but only to the extent of thinking, Well, it’s fine.
“Really? You’re not curious about what Sofia will answer?”
“Not really.”
“Why not?”
“Because…”
I love Sofia.
And I feel that she loves me too.
Doubting that would be like betraying her feelings.
“I trust Sofia, and I think she trusts me too. So there’s nothing to worry about.”
“Huh… Have you gotten stronger?”
“Maybe this whole experience trained me.”
In a way, I found myself grateful to Albert.
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