第２２６掘：友人 (Part1)

第２２６掘：友人 (Part1)

**Dig 226: Friend**

**Side: Jessica**

Currently, most of the members present at the meeting are laughing after our conversation was interrupted. It’s embarrassing, but at the time, I couldn't help it. Honestly, the thought of being torn away from my husband right after our wedding was so overwhelming that the words just slipped out.

"My, my, this is getting interesting. And Jessica, you’ve really been completely won over, haven't you?"

"……My apologies."

"Don't be. Anyone who gets in the way of a maiden’s romance deserves to be kicked to death by a horse."

Well, surely a princess of a nation dying from a horse kick would be a bit of a diplomatic disaster.

"So, what happened after that? And really, how could you keep such an amusing story to yourself?"

"It’s only amusing to those listening. As the person involved, I was desperately trying to figure out how to proceed with the situation without things falling apart."

"Ah, I suppose that’s true. Wait, were you safe? Did they point swords at you or anything?"

"Well, I’m standing here, so I’m safe. But what would you have done if they had pointed swords at me?"

"““Eh? We’d punish them, obviously. If they intended to kill, we’d execute them.””"

"You wives are terrifying when you speak in unison!! What is with that 'it goes without saying' reaction? You all point swords and weapons at me during training all the time, especially you, Seraria!"

"That’s different. We do it to help each other grow as a married couple. But anything else is just an insult or a threat against you, isn't it?"

"I suppose that’s the only reason anyone would point a blade at me."

"Exactly. We have to dispose of anyone who thinks they can belittle you or remove you from this world."

Every one of my fellow wives, myself included, nodded. The others, like Mauve and Narjia, were smiling bitterly, but isn't that just common sense? I believe it’s only natural to dispose of those who would try to kill one's husband.

"Anyway, Jessica, continue the story. If you leave out too many details, Princess Miffy might lose her head."

"No, I think Princess Miffy’s situation was understandable given her position, even if she did draw her sword. Don't you agree, Seraria?"

"Yes, it would be quite a mess if we executed someone for every little thing. So, a punishment it is."

"It’s fine. I gave her some thorough guidance."

"Oh, is that so?"

"Yes. It was right after I declared my marriage..."

*“Listen here, Princess Miffy. No matter how high your status, there is no ridiculous law that says you can lay hands on a newlywed couple.”*

*“E-eh? Wait, what?”*

*“Are you listening, Princess Miffy!!”*

*“Y-yes!!”*

After I announced my marriage, I had lectured Princess Miffy, who had suddenly drawn her sword. Honestly, while I understand she was surprised by my marriage, drawing a sword is completely out of the question. And trying to tear a new bride away from her husband is simply unacceptable.

*“I understand that my marriage may have come as a surprise. However, I am a woman, too. If a wonderful man appears, I will be drawn to him. You may not be satisfied with that, Princess Miffy, as you have grown fond of me, but you must learn to endure such things.”*

*“……Yes.”*

*“Furthermore, Yuki is the leader of a mercenary group and a descendant of royalty. You must not draw your sword over personal feelings. Do you intend to point your blade at your own allies and create more enemies?”*

*“……I am truly sorry.”*

*“And regarding your previous order, I ask that you rescind it. You may not be aware, Princess Miffy, but Yuki and his companions possess power equal to or greater than that of the Magic Sword Users.”*

*“Eh?”*

*“It is the truth. Isn't that right, Marly, Olive, and Mist?”*

When I turned my gaze toward them, the three of them nodded their heads vigorously.

"Marly, won't you stop Jessica?"

"Impossible. Once she gets like that, even I can't stop her. She’s too logical; if I tried to interject, I’d just get lectured myself."

"Still, to think Jessica-sama was married..."

Honestly, it’s pathetic that even with three Magic Sword Users here, they couldn't stop Princess Miffy.

"Calm down, Jessica. Princess Miffy is already reflecting on her actions. Let’s not waste any more time on lectures."

"Hivia."

"Don't glare at me like that. You are at fault here, too. If you were married, you should have sent word in writing or told Olive; then Princess Miffy wouldn't have been so shaken."

"……I understand. I certainly had my faults. And we need to get this discussion moving immediately, don't we?"

"Yes. The conference room is ready. My apologies to you, Yuki-dono and the others, for keeping you waiting in a place like this."

"No, it wasn't a problem. And I apologize for the delay in reporting my marriage to Jessica."

"Not at all. We are in the middle of wartime, on the front lines. I understand the desire to be cautious and keep it hidden. It’s hard to justify sending newlyweds to the front lines, after all. But since you were trying to hide it, did you have some sort of plan in mind?"

As expected of Hivia; we haven't been friends for this long for nothing.

"What do you mean by that?"

"Princess Miffy, I don't believe Jessica was just 'exploding with maidenly feelings' and hiding her marriage for no reason. If she were truly just caught up in her emotions, she would have told us properly so she could be removed from the front lines."

"……That’s true."

"Let’s go to the conference room to hear the details properly. Are you coming, you three?"

Hivia said this while glaring at Marly and the sisters.

"Y-yes, of course. Let’s start the meeting quickly."

"That’s right, let’s go."

"……*Sigh*, my apologies, everyone. Now, Princess Miffy, this way."

"U-understood."

Urged on by Mist, Princess Miffy disappeared into the fortress as if fleeing.

"You should have taken the proper precautions, considering how attached she was to you."

"Hmph."

"No, that’s not it. You couldn't hold back and exposed it yourself, didn't you?"

"……Th-that is..."

"……Jessica, are you truly sure about this?"

"Eh?"

"I am happy for you, as a colleague and as a woman, that you found someone who makes you show your feminine side. But is the strategy we are about to discuss worth gambling that happiness on?"

"Hivia?"

"Yuki-dono."

I couldn't react to Hivia's words, and without waiting for my answer, she turned to face Yuki.

"I don't know how you made Jessica into the woman she is today. I have no intention of prying, either. But the Jessica I see now is very happy. And that look, that happiness, I can see it in the women you have behind you as well. You must have something that makes people like you that much."

Hivia said this while gripping a knife in each hand. She isn't blessed with a large frame, so she uses her small stature to fight like an assassin. The knives in her hands are her favorite weapons. But why is she holding them now?

"……Jessica, and the women behind you—are you going to gamble their happiness? Are you going to make them risk their lives in such a pointless war?"

Hivia glares at Yuki as if to pierce right through him.

"……I cannot accept this. I cannot adopt your strategy. You should take them and run. I will not allow you to gamble their happiness. ……If you run now, I will cover for everything."

"Hivia, what are you..."

"My friend has finally found happiness!! I will not allow you to throw it away for nothing!!"

She screamed. Hivia, who is always calm and quiet, screamed.

"If you win this battle, more battlefields await. ……Do you intend to gamble your friends' happiness there, too? ……I don't want to see you fall, or my friends fall, and have to watch either of you crying. ……People die eventually. As a soldier, I’ve felt that in my bones. That is exactly why, if you have found happiness, you must cherish it!! It’s okay to run!! There is no need to scatter your happiness over something so trivial!!"

What could have possibly made Hivia say all of this...?