第２９０堀：姉御肌の姫 (Part2)
"Honestly, stop playing dumb. I am an emissary of Principal Popuri, who is both my mentor and the mentor of this old master here. If you have questions, just ask them directly. I don't care for beating around the bush."
When the Princess said this, the old man shook his head as if to say, 'Give me a break.' He’s certainly having a rough time.
Ah, no matter how I look at it, her personality overlaps with Seraria’s. Well, at least she isn't yapping constantly, so she’s an improvement over the old Seraria.
"My apologies, guests. Please, take a seat. There were more of you than I expected, so I’m sorry about the awkward sofa arrangement."
As everyone took their seats, Eris forcibly sat Amanda down, who had been trying to avoid sitting directly across from the Princess.
"No, thank you for your consideration. But are you sure it’s alright for you to meet with such a large group of us, whose backgrounds are unknown?"
I sat down next to Amanda and decided to ask why the Princess was even here in the first place.
"What of it? When I walk through the city on official business, or visit other towns and villages, I’m surrounded by far more people than this. Besides, you’ve already surrendered your weapons, and the Academy has vouched for your identities. The purpose of this audience is a greeting from a Dragon Knight. However, since my father, the King, is away, I cannot hold an audience on the throne. This is the bare minimum of courtesy. But, the truth is, I don't want to waste time on such tedious formalities. I want to finish the greetings and the letter exchange quickly so I can hear stories about my alma mater and my mentor."
She’s as straightforward as the rumors suggest. I imagine the people around her are at constant risk of dying from overwork just trying to keep up. I truly sympathize with the knights who had to guard her back when she was a student.
"Then, if I may take you up on your offer, Princess, let’s start with the introductions. Amanda, please."
"Y-y-yes!!"
Following the Princess's wishes, I had Amanda stand up to introduce her. Naturally, I stood beside her to provide support.
"She is Amanda, who has recently succeeded in taming a Wyvern and was granted the title of Dragon Knight by the Academy Principal, Popuri. I hope you will get to know her."
"My name is Amanda. It is a pleasure to meet you!!"
"I see. I am Inis, the Princess of the August Kingdom. Feel free to just call me Inis."
"T-that is far too presumptuous..."
"Don't worry about it. In this continent, you could count princesses on both hands, and even a hundred or two wouldn't be enough. By comparison, Amanda-dono is the only Dragon Knight on this continent. Normally, I should be the one bowing to you, but please forgive me if I don't. The people around me are far too noisy, you see."
"Princess."
"See? Just like that, the old master and the maids start in on me. Well, it’s not good for us to be all tense with each other. We have a convenient relationship we can exploit, don't we?"
"A convenient relationship?"
"Indeed. I am also a graduate of the Academy. That means we are senior and junior. There’s no need for formalities, right? I am technically the senior, after all. Isn't that right, Master?"
"...*Sigh*. I suppose so."
"There you have it. We’re from the same school, so talk to me freely."
"...Yes. Inis-senpai."
"Mm. That’s a nostalgic way to be addressed. Alright, Amanda-kohai, first, let me give you a tour of the royal castle!!"
As the two of them stood up, the old man and I forced them back into their chairs.
"Eek."
"Whoops."
"I believe we should deliver the letter from the Principal first."
"Indeed. Putting official business on the back burner is hardly appropriate."
"I-I’m sorry."
"I get it, I get it. Stop glaring at me with that look."
The two of them quieted down after seeing our expressions. I can't tell if she’s acting this way on purpose to break Amanda’s tension, or if this is just her natural personality. She’s definitely the intuitive type. Seriously, being around her must be exhausting.
While I was thinking this, Amanda busily pulled the letter entrusted to her by Popuri from her pocket.
"This is the letter from the Principal of the Lancer Magic Academy, Popuri. Please, check it."
Amanda placed the letter in front of the Princess. In situations like this, the standard procedure is for an aide to receive it first to check for traps or authenticity, but before the old man could even reach out, the Princess snatched the letter up immediately.
"Princess!?"