第８８３堀：同盟参加国の心配事と友の門出 (Part2)
"Well, if they couldn't even grasp that much, they would have perished long ago."
"Are there any further questions?"
"……There are various minor points, but I shall handle those through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, yes?"
"Yes. I would appreciate it if you could do that."
"Very well. Then, my questions end here. My apologies, King Haiden, King Findal, Archbishop Enol. I have taken up your time."
"Not at all. It is better to resolve any doubts now so that they do not become problems later."
As King Haiden said this in response to the Queen of Emerald, the other two nodded in agreement. Seeing that the discussion had reached a natural pause, King Haiden spoke up once more.
"……By the way, Princess Stasia, the marriage of Bishop Enola is a joyous occasion, but why are Kagura and Mikos nowhere to be seen?"
"Yes. Yuki-sama, why aren't Kagura and the others here? I heard the talk about accepting them as concubines, but……"
King Haiden and Princess Carrie asked with worried expressions. Naturally, they would be concerned if those two were missing from such a gathering. However, as someone who knew exactly why they were absent……
I was debating whether to be honest when the conference room door opened, and Kagura and Mikos stepped inside.
"Oh, perfect timing. Wait, what happened to you two?"
"Ah, yeah. Nothing at all. I just learned that women shine even when they're single!"
"Y-yeah, exactly!! Lady Catherine is beautiful and still very much in her prime!"
"……"
Hearing those words, everyone in the room looked at them with gentle eyes, as if they had instantly grasped what the two had done. They had all likely experienced Catherine’s "hospitality" themselves; there was no way they couldn't guess. Princess Carrie stepped forward to represent the group.
"Haa. To think you’d do that to Catherine…… You must exercise some self-restraint from now on. Understood?"
"Yes!!"
Kagura and Mikos replied immediately to Princess Carrie’s words. It was clear they had received a very stern lecture. As I was thinking this, Yuki turned directly to Princess Carrie and King Haiden.
"Well, putting that aside, King Haiden, Princess Carrie, I’ll be taking Kagura and Mikos."
"Eh!?"
"Y-Yuki-sensei!?"
He had moved the conversation along quite briskly. Well, there was no reason to drag it out any longer. Besides, King Haiden and Princess Carrie were the ones who had been worried in the first place.
"Oh, thank goodness. I was actually terrified that things hadn't worked out for them. Yuki-dono, I leave them in your care."
"Yes. I am relieved. They can be a bit scatterbrained, but please, take care of them. And Kagura, Mikos, congratulations on your engagement."
"Princess…… Yes, thank you. I will live with Yuki, and for Yuki!"
"Yes! From now on, I, Mikos, will also do my best to support Yuki-sensei!"
The greetings with Haiden were concluded without issue. It was as good as settled from the start, after all. Just as I was thinking that……
"I'm so glad. ……I'm truly so glad."
Princess Carrie was shedding tears, her voice filled with genuine relief.
"P-Princess!?"
"Is something the matter!?"
"Carrie? Are you alright?"
"Princess Carrie, are you okay?"
Not only Kagura and Mikos, but Stasia and Enola also gathered around her, concerned by her sudden change in demeanor.
"Ah, no. These are, I believe, tears of joy."
"Tears of joy?"
"Yes. So many things have happened—more than words can express—but to see everyone successfully engaged, and above all, to see peace finally arrive…… it makes me so happy."
"Princess……"
"Kagura, Mikos, you have served me so well until now. Enola, Stasia-oneesama, congratulations on your engagements. With Yuki-sama as your partner, I have nothing to worry about. ……But, perhaps I am just feeling a little lonely."
Saying this, Princess Carrie covered her face and began to weep. She must have had a lot on her mind. The path Princess Carrie had walked to get here had been quite arduous, after all. Perhaps everything she had been holding back had finally overflowed.
"It’s alright, Princess. Mikos and I will come running to your side whenever you need us!"
"That’s right. It’s only an instant with the Gate. We’ll come visit you whenever we say we’re going for a 'meeting' or something."
"Exactly. We are sisters. Our bond won't be severed just because we’ve married, and Yuki-sama would never do such a thing."
Though their remarks were perhaps a bit lacking for high-ranking officials, the kings of the various nations didn't say a word about it. They simply watched over them with gentle eyes until Princess Carrie calmed down.
"……Wait, don't I look like the villain who tore them away from Princess Carrie?"
"Indeed. That is not entirely incorrect."
The conference concluded, having successfully eased the worries of Sea-Cypho. Princess Carrie wept tears of joy seeing her friends find happiness. Her journey had been a long one, after all.
In this case, I wonder—is Yuki the villain?