第２９１堀：暴れん坊お姫様 (Part3)
"Sigh, understood. I understand, so please, stop doing things that shorten my lifespan any further. Everyone, I am truly sorry."
Feigel-san bowed his head on behalf of Princess Inis.
...What a stomach-churning position to be in.
With Principal Popuri and now Princess Inis, it’s no wonder he has a hard time dealing with women. I’m truly glad my husband didn't turn out like that.
"Now, let's go to Amanda-dono, deliver the letter, and go see the dragon immediately!!"
...She really is an incredible person.
And so, Princess Inis stormed into the room next door where Amanda and Eoid were, dragged the two of them out just as they were about to kiss, and handed over the letter right then and there. Amanda’s face was twitching; if it were me, I’d have sent her flying.
After that incident, we returned to the barracks within the same day.
"Princess!? W-what happened!?"
Princess Inis had put Amanda on the back of her mount, left our carriage behind, and ridden off solo. Vixen-san, who had returned to look after Wai-chan, was stunned to greet her. It’s no wonder—seeing a princess charging toward the barracks on her own would surprise anyone.
"Vixen, I’ve come to have you show me the dragon!! And while I’m at it, I’m going to fly in the sky!!"
"Huh?"
Vixen-san seemed unable to keep up with the situation.
"Dragon Knight Amanda-dono is here too, so there’s no problem. Besides, I heard that only you and your subordinates got to fly in the sky!! I can’t overlook such an enviable thing!!"
"Ah, no. That was a matter of duty, so it couldn't be helped..."
"That doesn't matter. I’ve come to fly, too."
"W-well, I can't exactly give a princess permission to do something so dangerous..."
"What? Are you saying the dragon is dangerous? Or is it the act of flying? The barracks are safe, and you’re perfectly fine, Vixen, so I don't see a problem with either."
"I am not in a position to grant such permission on my own authority."
"Don't worry about that. Look, Feigel-roushi is here too."
As she said this, Vixen-san finally noticed us as we were busily climbing down from the carriage. Incidentally, the escort knight who had been riding alongside Princess Inis was standing there looking like he was holding it together, but seeing him unable to join the conversation between the Princess and Vixen, he must be absolutely exhausted. Even from a distance, I could see his shoulders heaving ever so slightly.
As I observed this, Vixen-san hurried over to Feigel-san to ask for clarification.
"Feigel-sama. Is this really alright?"
"...You know as well as I do. Once she’s like this, she won't stop. We must accompany her to keep the damage to a minimum. Honestly, dragging along a Dragon Knight and mercenaries who are still tired from their travels..."
"What about the guards? The dragon's cage is safe, but having the Princess alone is not good."
"I suppose. For now, I will accompany the Princess as the person in charge. Vixen, tell everyone at the barracks that the dragon is flying at the Princess's request. Make sure they don't attack it under any circumstances."
"Yes. Understood."
While the two of them discussed how to manage Princess Inis’s runaway behavior, the person herself was...
"Amanda-kouhai, let's go to the dragon!! Old men talk too long, it’s unbearable!!"
"E-eh? Is this really okay?"
Amanda was doubtful, but since it was a request from the highest-ranking person there, she couldn't exactly refuse. Seeing this, my husband hurriedly stopped their meeting and chased after them. To think she could even push my husband around—she’s a terrifying person.
"So this is a dragon!!"
When we caught up to Princess Inis, she was moved at the sight of Wai-chan. Wai-chan looked perplexed, but since she hadn't received any specific orders from Amanda, she didn't attack. She glanced over at my husband to confirm we had arrived, but he slowly shook his head, telling her to give up.
"Yes. It’s a Wyvern."
"A Wyvern, is it!! I heard they were called lesser dragon species in the distant past, but this is a 'lesser'!? Even a full regiment of a hundred men couldn't hope to defeat this!! The pressure it gives off is immense!!"
Princess Inis’s eyes sparkled as she gazed at Wai-chan. However, despite her excitement, she didn't try to reach out on her own. She seemed to have a good sense of boundaries.
"Um, would you like to touch her?"
"Is that possible? I heard that monsters who become subordinates to this hand only allow their master to touch them."
"It’s fine. Wai-chan is very smart and kind, so she won't get angry or rampage just from being touched."
"Wai-chan, is it? ...No, the very spirit required to give such a name is likely what made Amanda-kouhai a Dragon Knight."
Actually, the one who named her was Aslin. And if I had to rank the hierarchy, it’s Aslin >> us >> Steve and the others > Amanda > Eoid.
"Wai-chan. May I touch you?"
Princess Inis asked, looking Wai-chan straight in the eyes. She really is a woman of courage. In response, Wai-chan lowered her head until it was level with the Princess's waist. Startled by the gesture, the Princess slowly reached out and stroked her head.
*Kyuu.*
The sound of Wai-chan’s cry echoed through the air.
"How docile."
"It seems Wai-chan likes you, too. Let's climb onto her neck."
"What? Won't we fall off?"
"It’s fine. Wyverns have a power that creates a special force field for those they carry to prevent them from falling. Plus, we have a saddle on her. As long as you hold onto the railing, you won't fall. Look."
With that, Amanda hopped onto Wai-chan’s neck and let go with both hands to demonstrate. Seeing that, Princess Inis followed suit, jumping onto Wai-chan’s neck and clinging on.
"...So this is the force field. Indeed, there’s no fear of falling. I don't know why, but I can just tell."
"I think this is the reason why Dragon Knights were able to be so active."
"Indeed, one cannot be called a knight just by riding a dragon. But with this, one can fight while wielding weapons. Not 'man and horse as one,' but 'man and dragon as one.' Truly, a Dragon Knight!! Now, Amanda-kouhai, show me how you fly!!"
"Yes! Here we go!!"
The two of them were fired up, but Wai-chan didn't make a move to take off.
"?"
The two of them tilted their heads, but Wai-chan quietly turned her face toward us.
"Ah."
I don't mind them getting excited, but it’s a problem if they forget about us. Princess Inis is one thing, but Amanda is getting carried away too easily. Eris is twitching her temple beside me. I’ll have to lecture her later.
If we don't hurry, it’ll be evening soon. First, I’ll let them enjoy the sky, and we can talk afterward. It’s busy, but the thought of another date in the sky with my husband makes me happy.
"Abare-bo Shogun" or "Mito Komon"—"Do you not see this cherry blossom crest?"—is that too old-fashioned? I used to watch those a lot with my grandpa.