第２９１堀：暴れん坊お姫様 (Part1)
Chapter 291: The Rampaging Princess
Side: Rurua
The audience—if you could call it that—with Princess Inis has concluded. To be honest, she is a different type of person compared to Seraria, Shera, Lady Elju, or Lady Lowell.
No, wait. I suppose she feels somewhat similar to Lady Lowell of Gartz. She seems to enjoy fighting and leaves the heavy lifting to her younger brother.
However, judging by the conversation I heard with my husband, she has a very pleasant personality. I don't think we need to worry about Amanda or Eoid. She even granted us permission to use the library without any fuss; I believe her judgment of character is sound.
Well, she does feel a bit impulsive, perhaps.
"This will be your room. If you need anything, please ring that bell."
"Yes. Thank you."
The room assignments this time have Amanda the Dragon Knight and Eoid sharing one room. We, the mercenary group, have been put into a single room together.
This was thanks to Principal Popuri, who wrote in her letter that she wanted us to be accommodated in a single room. If we were to stay in separate rooms, we might end up being accosted, much like what happened in Zilba.
Tori, Riel, and Kaya might have been satisfied with just blowing the soldiers away, but in my case, I would likely kill anyone who saw my skin other than my husband. Since I’m also worried about young Aslin and Firia, being in the same room is for the best.
"So, Master. What about that story where you confessed to Principal Popuri?"
"Guh! You remembered that?"
After the maid who guided us left, Cleena asked her father, Feigel, about the confession she had heard earlier. Naturally, we are all burning with curiosity, so we’ve gathered around to listen.
Only my husband seems uninterested; he is looking out the window at the garden and refuses to look our way.
"Come on, just tell us and get it over with."
"I could choose to stay silent, you know."
"If you do that, I’ll just go back and ask the Principal myself. Since you wouldn't tell me, I’d have to believe everything the Principal says."
I could go and ask for the full details right now, but it would probably be better to listen to Feigel’s side of the story first and then quietly verify the facts later.
"Argh! That old hag’s words aren't worth a damn!"
"Then tell me."
"Guh... fine. But I have a condition."
"What is it?"
"It’s an embarrassing story for me. Since you’re going to hear it, Cleena, why don't you tell us how you and Yuki-dono first got together?"
"Hmm. I don't mind. I’ll even talk about our first time. I’m full of happiness."
"W-wait, Cleena. That’s embarrassing for me, too."
My husband hurriedly interjected.
For Cleena, it’s a wonderful memory, so perhaps she doesn't find it embarrassing at all. Still, I agree that such stories should only be shared among family.
"No, I won't listen to that. It’s too painful for me... Yuki-dono, she’s quite a handful, but are you really okay with her?"
"Well, that’s part of Cleena’s charm. Being a married couple means supporting each other where the other falls short."
"...How is it? Are we lovey-dovey?"
"...Cleena. Do you have any self-awareness that you’re being a nuisance right now?"
"?"
"Haa... I’m truly glad you have such a good husband. If it were me, I would have thrown you out already."
Yes, just as Feigel said, my husband is a wonderful man! To us, he is the best in the world!
"Now then, about the confession to the Principal."
Feigel said this as he sat down on the sofa. We followed suit, taking seats wherever we could find space, preparing to listen.
"Well, it’s exactly as it sounds. Back then, I was a dashing, go-getter of a beautiful young man..."
"Liar."
Cleena immediately shot him down. Well, that was to be expected.
"Shut up! It’s common sense to just let that kind of thing slide."
"Yuki, is that true?"
"Well, yeah. That kind of preamble is necessary to liven up a story."
"I understand. I’ll interpret it as Master desperately trying to save face."
"...Honestly, why did she grow up to be like this?"
"It’s Master’s fault."
The two of them sparked for a moment, but Feigel quickly folded and continued his story.
"Whatever. Back then, I entered the gates of that academy as a pure and excellent student. That was when I met a girl—let’s see, about the same age as this young lady here—a shitty old hag."
"Unyu?"
Aslin seems not to fully grasp that "shitty old hag" refers to Principal Popuri, and she tilts her head in confusion.
"Oh, my apologies. By 'shitty old hag,' I mean Principal Popuri."
"But Popuri-oneechan isn't a shitty old hag?"
Feigel tried to correct himself to make it easier to understand, but to Aslin, Popuri is just a kind, helpful older sister figure. It seems Popuri is quite fond of Aslin and Firia as well; perhaps she feels a certain kinship with them regarding their... physique.
...Though she loses to them in terms of raw ability.
But, putting that aside, let’s get back to Feigel’s story.
"That’s the nasty part about Principal Popuri. Well, she might treat you young ladies with kindness, but back then, she was pretending to be a child, a newcomer in the junior group."
Ah, I see. She was using her trademark appearance to conduct some strange investigation.
"I had a normal, kind heart back then. Seeing her wandering around the gate alone—well, I didn't know who she was, so I thought she was a lost child. I took her hand and led her to the staff room, but all the teachers were looking at us with such strange expressions. I understand it now, but I suppose they were just pitying me."
...That’s not exactly a story that makes Popuri look any better.