4-42: Blue and Red’s Declaration of War I (4/6)

4-42: Blue and Red’s Declaration of War I (4/6)

I did it! Im his first, Aristel said.

Um, phrasing please? That kind of phrasing is really misleading, Shinichi pointed out.

Aristel intended to mutter that to herself, but she was right next to him on the bench, so of course, he heard her loud and clear.

It mightve been because of the difference in the Garestonian language and Japanese, but Aristel herself did not notice the implication of her words, words that were bound to cause a misunderstanding if not for the expression on her.

Understandably, Shinichi had to warn her, and Aristel did nod, but it was doubtful that she truly understood. Helpless, Shinichi could only shake his head and return to the original topic.

So those two were your head servants, huh. Its admirable that they put you above all else, but They were really excessive.

I-Im sorry. Ive been telling them to clean their act up again and again, but it seems to have had the opposite effect.

Since Aristel did have an abrupt change in attitude, she decided to only give them a verbal warning so long as their attitude wasnt too bad, but the two servants were so spoiled that their heart only grew harder by the day, and she had no choice but to strongly reprimand them again and again only to make them even more stubborn.

Servants with no will of their own who just do whatever theyre ordered to like a puppet are plenty problematic, but servants like these that dont listen to their master are an even bigger problem. I know that you know that a servants mistake is the masters responsibility, but those two didnt think they were doing anything wrong at all.

Y-Yes, its very embarrassing.

Aristels face turned beet red again, but this time it was for a different reason.

The way her servants had been acting made it seem as though they had zero idea how they looked to others.

Since she was right there when they were strutting their stuff, she found the matter even more embarrassing.

Well, they are still young, so theres still plenty of leeway to correct their mistakes. I just pray that their attitude wont reach a point of no return.

If it reaches that point, I will cut them down myself.

Shinichis scathing remarks were met with a resolute response.

Her words were so resolute that even Shinichi found himself with eyes open wide and his tongue caught.

The golden eyes beneath the pair of glasses were decisive.

Ive known Rizet and Ortho for a long time, but at this rate, they wont just hurt the people around them, but the House of Padyuel and the people of our territory as well. I will do my best to fix their behavior while they are still children, but Should my efforts prove to be futile, I will not hesitate to exact judgment even if theyre my childhood friends.

Although it was clear as day that she was conflicted from her shaking shoulders, that was only because she had a clear image of what she would do if things reached a point of no return.

Because of that if such a time were ever to come, she would not hesitate.

Was it her lineage? Was it her duty? Or was it simply her own disposition that she could be so decisive?

Youre strong. I could never be so decisive.

Shinichis eyes fell. He couldnt judge his own childhood friend as resolutely as her.

Uu.

He could have just fabricated something completely to fool her, but when those pure eyes that have found their mark so perfectly gazed into him, he couldnt find it in himself to.

He could easily lie to villains and enemies, but it was hard to do the same to someone that neednt be deceived.

This was one of the reasons why people close to him describe him as clumsy or overly sincere.

Fu fu, you really are bad at a lot of things.

Well, excuse me. Sheesh.

He started grumbling when he realized shed found out how bad he was at being praised, but Aristel found that charming too, and the smile on her grew even bigger.

Embarrassed by that or perhaps simply finding her smile too dazzling, he turned away and stuffed the crepes into his mouth in one go.

The way he grumbled was truly just like that of a childs, drawing the smile on the girl to bloom further.

As she faced that back so full of opening, Aristel dropped a bomb.

Its not a bad thing at all, you know After all, I love you like that too.

Aristel cheerfully said as though her affections for him were a matter of fact.

For a moment, the world seemed to pause, then Shinichi hastily turned and was greeted by a carefree smile.

Aristel wasnt the slightest bit flustered, so Shinichi quickly found himself analyzing her words, but

D-Did you just Umugu!?

When he was about to ask her about what shed said, something blocked his mouth.

Caught off guard by the sudden confession, Shinichi could not help but become flustered, and in the midst of that confusion, something soft gently touched his lips, a sweet aroma wafting up to his nose.

At the same time, it was so delicioushe could melt.

Ahh.

To think that she would say ahh now of all times.

Aristel had fed him her remaining crepe.

Previously, he had indeed said he wanted a taste of her crepe, but he likely only said that to tease her two servants.

Moreover, this ahh was clearly meant to stop Shinichi from talking.

And just to make it clear, the love Im talking about here isnt the kind between friends, but the passionate love between a man and a woman.

Muuu!?

How could she say something like that with such a nonchalant face?