03-15 Commotion in the Royal Castle
Having concluded their discussion for the time being, Alysia and the King decided to leave the reception room. They planned to continue their conversation on the following day.
Handing her empty tea cup to a servant, Alysia stood up. After casting a glance towards the King, she exited the room ahead of him.
Click—
“Oh, Prince Leorl.”
“Alysia, has your conversation ended?”
Leorl, seemingly having waited by the door, approached Alysia as she stepped out. He gently took her right hand. However, from the expression on Alysia’s face, it was clear she was somewhat reluctant about this gesture.
“I wish to speak with you a bit further.”
“…As long as it’s not about a marriage proposal.”
“That’s a shame,” he replied with a chuckle. His response made Alysia shudder slightly, wondering if the proposal was actually entirely the King’s idea.
Unaware of Alysia’s concerns, Leorl made a suggestion.
“Then, what about meeting with Liesche?”
“If it’s just that, I have nothing else to do, so sure.”
Creak…
As Alysia voiced her agreement, the door opposite the reception room slowly opened, revealing Liesche standing there, her gaze fixed on her. Alysia was wondering if she was imagining it, but Liesche seemed to be wearing a dress that was even more adorable than usual.
Without delay, Liesche dashed towards Alysia and took her in an unexpected embrace.
“Alysia, I’ve been waiting for you!”
“Gh, it’s…tight…! Let go…!”
Thud.
“Oh… Are you alright?”
Just after Liesche had tightly squeezed Alysia, the latter weakly tilted her head backwards. Seeing this, Leorl wondered if she had fainted. However, Liesche unexpectedly exclaimed.
“No… Don’t die!”
“Who’s dying?!”
Reacting to Liesche’s dramatic statement, Alysia quickly snapped her head back into position and lightly tapped Liesche on the forehead, as if admonishing her. Their interaction resembled a well practised comedy routine, causing Leorl to let out a sigh of exasperation.
“Ah… Alysia?”
“What?”
“Will you be staying here tonight?”
Although Alysia initially responded curtly, her expression changed when she remembered that she had not booked any accommodations for the night.
Indeed, there were countless inns in the royal capital, whether it be the one she stayed at previously or the one on the third floor of the guild. However, she considered that staying in Illux Castle could be quite an interesting experience.
“I suppose I’m inclined to stay,” she admitted.
“In that case…”
“Allow me to make the arrangements,” the King interrupted, having emerged from the reception room. He stood before the three, his words addressing them all.
Liesche was insisting that the King arrange the finest guest room for Alysia, but Alysia interjected, not wanting to impose too much.
“Ah, I don’t need anything extravagant…”
“It’s okay! You’re worried about causing inconvenience, aren’t you?”
“No…I’m not really-“
“Worried about that, are you?”
Alysia and Liesche’s conversation was in a complete sync. The King, watching their interaction, thought that it was good that they have become such close friends.
“With that said, let’s prepare for your stay,” the King declared.
“Alright…”
Subsequently, Alysia was led to a guest room larger than any room in her own mansion.
The room was furnished with a clearly luxurious desk, and bright crimson curtains framed the windows. Yet, Alysia paid no mind to these, instead diving onto the bed draped with high-quality blankets, situated in the sleeping quarters at the back of the room.
“Mmm…”
She nuzzled her face into the soft fabric, moving her limbs to relish the comfortable sensation. Rolling over and stretching out in a star shape, Alysia slipped under the blanket after unbuckling her belt.
As she hadn’t had enough sleep in the carriage, she decided to take a nap.
“Good night…”
Murmuring to no one in particular, Alysia swept her hair to the right to avoid damage, erected a physical magic barrier around herself, and then drifted off to sleep.
Six hours had passed since Alysia settled into her bed. Gradually, the day began to lean towards its end, and the sun floating in the sky bathed the royal capital in an orange hue.
In such twilight, a solitary figure stood atop the roof of Illux Castle.
A man, his long white hair tied at the nape of his neck, made a grand leap from the rooftop, slipping into the window of the room where Alysia was staying.
He advanced into the depths of the room, into the bedroom where Alysia lay sleeping, standing beside her as she lay defenseless. Currently, the luxurious blanket that covered her had slipped down to her chest due to the heat.
Thinking she might catch a cold in this state, he reached out to adjust the blanket on her chest—
“…!?”
Just as his hand was about to reach the blanket, it was repelled by an invisible wall. It was a physical magic barrier set by Alysia herself.
“What…?”
Despite perceiving the barrier, he reached out for Alysia once again. Unfortunately, she happened to awaken at that moment.
Recognizing the figure standing beside her bed, Alysia called out his name in a sleepy voice.
“…Lisel?”
“Yes…”
“…! You, what were you trying to do!?”
“Woah, wait a moment. Alysia, this is…um…”
He had his hand reached out towards the blanket, cautious of the barrier.
The sight that the awakened Alysia saw was Lisel’s hand hovering just above her chest. Even if he was worried about her catching a cold, the scene could easily be misunderstood by anyone who saw.
“You couldn’t possibly…be trying to take advantage of me, could you…!”
“No, no, I was just worried you might catch a cold…see, over there.”
Lisel pointed out the position of the blanket to Alysia, who had unwittingly raised her voice.
“…Hmm!”
Swish!
Her face turning red, Alysia grabbed the blanket and quickly pulled it back over herself. Perhaps she was embarrassed by her own misunderstanding. She had already confirmed that his words were not a lie.
However, Lisel was powerful. It wouldn’t be surprising if he had some kind of ability that could help him lie…
“This is awful…”
“Cheer up, would you… How about we take a look around the royal capital?”
“Hmm… Well, fine.”
Though Alysia’s tone remained cold, Lisel settled down on the room’s sofa and told her to prepare as he waited.
In response, Alysia jumped down from the bed, wrapping the belt placed beside her around her waist. This was all her preparation involved.
“Is that all?”
“That’s all I need.”
“Alright then, let’s depart.”
With those words, Lisel swung his legs over the window. Realizing what he was about to do, Alysia lined up next to him and followed suit.
And so, the two of them leaped into the night of the royal capital, spreading the wings they usually hid wide and soaring high into the sky.
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