CH 173

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After Percival and I ate a delicious breakfast, I headed to Vanderwall-kyou’s office. I feel a little uncomfortable because of the matter of “I love you”, but I don’t think we can continue not seeing each other like this……

Since it’s become like this, I’ll have no choice but to make up my mind and pretend like nothing happened. Percival and I were the only ones there. Yes, it was just the two of us! I’ll leave it as that.

“What’s wrong, Sapphiras? Is there something bothering you?”

Next to me, holding my clenched fists and trying to keep my spirits up, Percival was still as dignified as ever and didn’t look too happy. I think Percival, who remained here alone after I was transferred, might have felt more intolerable, but he didn’t act like that at all.

……Certainly, if you think about it, there’s nothing to be ashamed of. It’s true that I love him, and if that’s the case, then I should be proud of it too.

“No, it’s nothing!”

‘Sapphy, I’m really glad you’re back safe and sound……! I would like to thank Goddess Fortina from the bottom of my heart.”

I love Percival, so what? I entered the office pretending to be have that air about me, but before I could say my welcome greetings, I was welcomed into the embrace of Madam Adeline and was enveloped in her soft, pleasant fragrance.

“Mother, it’s not fair to have him all to yourself. We too, have been waiting for Sapphiras’ return for a long time.”

“Curtis is right, Mother.”

“Yes, yes, he’s right. I’m sorry. I was so happy to see him……”

“It’s good to have you back, Sapphiras!”

“Oh, good thing you’re all right!”

As soon as Madam Adeline leaves me, Theodore-san and Curtis-san now take over and embrace me. Then Vanderwall-kyou gets up from his seat and comes over to me and puts his big hand on my shoulder. It’s a strong, warm hand.

“Sapphiras, thank you for coming back safely.”

Everyone gave me a kind look. There is even a glint in Madam Adeline’s eyes as she smiles at me.

Everyone in the Belisario family has been waiting for me to come back. The atmosphere in this room conveys this feeling very clearly.

I felt a little embarrassed, but I was overjoyed.

“Um, I’m back……oh, by the way, how is Veritas doing?”

I had completely forgotten, but I had left a troublesome person here. I’m guessing he’s probably thrown into a dungeon or something.

“Yeah, we threw him into the stables.”

“Eh, the stables?”

Curtis-san says something I didn’t expect.

“Because Orthus was with us, we kept him in the stables instead of the dungeon. Vanderwall’s horses are used to magical beasts, so they won’t be surprised if Orthus is there. Do you want to go see him?”

“Yes.”

I’m curious to see how he is doing.

When Curtis-san led me to the stables, I found Veritas lying in an empty stall, still in the state of a caterpillar. Orthros is sitting there, behaving as if he is keeping an eye on Veritas.

“Thank you for your hard work, Orthus!”

When I called out to him, he wagged his tail like it was about to break into a thousand pieces. 

But why is Veritas still a caterpillar?

“……Oi! Don’t think you guys can treat me like this and get away with it for free!”

I’m stunned. What is this person who conspired with the Crown Prince of Sternkurst to revive Insania Metus saying? If you say that, the king and people of Et Ketra, would not give you a free pass.

“I mean……Do you really think you can get away with this? You are a nobleman of Solmontana, yet you have betrayed the kingdom, and on top of that, you have nearly turned the whole continent against us. So why do you think you have the upper hand?”

“I-if he ruled the continent……!”

“I don’t know if the outrageous Crown Prince is alive or not. One of his arms was eaten by Insania Metus, and it would be a miracle if he was able to escape safely in that situation. Besides, I wiped out Insania Metus without a trace. Crawler ate all of its heart too, so it won’t be able to revive again.”

“Th-the dragon I poured my magical power into…….”

“Come to think of it……you, perhaps you still haven’t got your magical power back?”

Otherwise, it’s strange that Veritas, who is a massive egomaniac, is still a caterpillar.

“Th-that’s not true!”

Veritas called out, but I’m sure his magical power is still depleted. This is just my speculation, but if Insania Metus absorbs your magical power, I think it will never come back to you. Otherwise, I think it would take an extremely long time for the magical power to recover. In any case, this is some kind of curse.

“Then why are you still a caterpillar?”

‘Shit! Shit! You! If only you weren’t here! You’re useless and unloved and you should have just died……!”

Curtis-san kicked the stable fence as hard as he could, interrupting the cries of caterpillar Veritas. What’s more, the fence, which is much thicker than usual to fit the big Vanderwall horses, is about to break.

As expected of a man of Vanderwall……this is the power of just one kick.

Moreover, for some reason, Orthus was stomping on Veritas’ head with all his might. You guys liked Veritas, didn’t you?

“Watch your mouth. Sapphiras is a member of my clan. Please don’t disrespect him.”

Curtis-san, who usually has a somewhat good-natured air about him, says in a low voice.

“Shit…….”

Veritas’ face contorted in frustration, but he didn’t seem to have the energy to say anything back anymore.

“I feel bad for Sapphiras, but I will leave this man’s treatment to the kingdom. Considering what he did, it’s no longer a matter that can be left at Vanderwall.”

Well, I think that’s true. No matter how much he looks down on me, resurrecting the Calamity Dragon is definitely going too far.

Velitas was arrogant, but if he didn’t care about me, he would have inherited Aldridge’s name as the Magical Earl.

My former father was undoubtedly the culprit behind this, but even though Aquila was raised by the same parents, he did not become like Veritas. If you glance at Veritas, you will be glared at with terrible eyes.

……I guess it’s a question of one’s qualities as a person.

I don’t give a hair’s breadth what happens to Aldridge, but I’ll do everything I can to keep Aquila from getting involved as much as possible.

“Well, it looks like we have nothing more to say to him. Percival, take Sapphiras to the mansion.”

“Yes, brother. Let’s go, Sapphiras.”

“Eh? Ah, yeah.”

I left the stables with Percival and Curtis-san looking out for me. The two brothers are very close, so Veritas’ words must have been a little unbelievable to them. I think it was particularly irritating for Curtis-san, who was hearing it for the first time. I’m told the same thing every time, so I’m a bit bored. I would have liked to hear some unexpected cursing once in a while, but I don’t think I’ll ever get that chance again.

Then, a conversation we had at a leisurely afternoon tea party.

“We should probably start thinking about the unveiling soon.”

“What? An unveiling of what?”

“Of course it’s Sapphy.”

I was about to pick a pastry when Madam Adeline responded with a very nice smile, and my hand stopped immediately.

Vanderwall-kyou summarised the events and sent the Wind Falcon to the royal castle, leaving Veritas in Vanderwall’s custody. I’ve been told to take it easy for a while, so I’ve taken their advice and am enjoying my time more than ever.

Even though I defeated Insania Metus, I don’t feel particularly tired or that my magical power is unstable or anything like that, but the Belisario family is very overprotective of me.

While Percival was busy, and I was in a daze, not being allowed to do anything, I was invited to tea by Mrs Adeline and Mr Sandrion, so I nodded my head without a second thought. Delicious tea and sweets are essential to me.

We were supposed to be having a peaceful conversation over a cup of tea in the bright salon, but somehow, before I knew it, we were talking about my unveiling. It’s amazing the way the ladies take the conversation to the next level.

But what exactly am I going to unveil?

“Sapphy will soon become Percy’s official partner. The royal family has been very welcoming of your union, so it’s not every day that someone makes an objection to such an engagement, but some people can be quite pushy and you never know who might insert a horizontal spear1横槍 (yokoyari): to interfere, meddle, butt in (on somebody’s affairs). I decided to use the literal translation cos of Sapphiras’ thought in the next big paragraph. . So I think we have to be very careful and make sure that the relationship between the two of you is clear to everyone.”

Sandrion-san, who is also present, nods deeply.

A horizontal spear, in other words, is that? ‘Someone like you doesn’t deserve Percival.’ But I don’t care what anyone says. In the first place, Percival himself said he that was fine with me.

“No, I don’t need you to go that far…….”

I can deal with the people who get in the way of our relationship on my own. If the unveiling turns out to be a big deal, I’ll probably have to prepare costumes and other things. It wouldn’t be a good idea to spend too much money on me.

“……Sapphiras-sama, the unveiling is also for Percival’s sake.”

Eh? For Percival?