【”Erica, is there something wrong?”】
【”Are you tired? Want me to go get some drinks?”】
【”Rather than that, let’s go get some fresh air outside, shall we?”】
【”Get out of my sight, you trash.”】
【”I’ll give you three seconds. If you want to experience the same thing as yesterday, then stay right here.”】
【”Thank you, Lord-sama.”】
【”It’s my job. Keep your gratitude to yourself.”】
【”Where were you?”】
【”I was just keeping Itsuki company.”】
【”Once again, allow me to apologize in my brother’s stead for troubling you.”】
【”Like I told you, if you’re gonna apologize, then just start managing that guy properly.”】
【”I already told him not to do this but he…”】
【”Which reminds me, are my brother and Francis-sama not with you?”】
【”I left those two behind but… Erica”】
【”Yes?”】
Just being called by her name made her heart throb. Erica hid that and replied while feigning calm as well as she could.
【”Just now, you called Francis by his first name, didn’t you?”】
【”Well, he said he prefers I call him that way.”】
【”In other words, you don’t think bad of him, right? “】
【”I was surprised yesterday because of his sudden actions, but I don’t really dislike him since I don’t even know his personality yet.”】
【”If you were asked to marry Francis, would you accept?”】
【”w-“】
【”…… Right. I’m aware that you’re not enthusiastic about getting married with me, so, though it would be difficult to do so right away, if it was my brother and father’s decision, if it was for the sake of the Sumeragi household then I――”】
I think I would accept that marriage. Those were the words Erica was about to say, however, she was interrupted by Harold.
【”You idiot. This has nothing to do with your relatives or your household. I’m asking you, Erica Sumeragi, as a person. “】
【”…. If I had the permission, then I would not accept the marriage. If at all possible, I…. I would like to be bound to the person I truly love.”】
【”….I see.”】
Erica might have been mistaken about this, but, as Harold said that with his cold voice, she saw some satisfaction on his face.
(Just now, that smile was…?)
【”Humph, so you’re back at last.”】
Following Harold’s line of sight, Itsuki and Francis were walking towards here, side by side. Upon seeing them approach, Harold moved his back away from the wall he had been leaning on.
【”If you’re together with these guys, then you won’t be approached by any of those disturbing insects. I’ll be resting in my room until the start of the celebration.”】
【”It’s a difficult talk to have here. Let’s go out to the garden. “】
【”So, what did you want to talk about?”】
【”I thought I’d apologize to you for yesterday. Sorry for my abrupt actions.”】
【”Please raise your head. I was certainly surprised, but you don’t have to apologize, I’m not angry.”】
【”Thank you. However, I’m not apologizing for you alone.”】
【”What do you mean? By any chance, were you told something by my brother?”】
【”No, I’m doing this for Lord…. or rather, Harold. Oh, hmm, I won’t tell anyone else about him, so please don’t worry.”】
【”….. How did you find out?”】
【”I had no proof of it, but when I went to Itsuki to confirm it, he easily confessed the truth.”】
【”He’s so…”】
【”So, as I was saying, I got quite the sermon from Harold.”】
【”A sermon, you say?”】
【”In summary, he said something like『Someone of your pathetic level can’t possibly handle Erica.』He turned out to be way scarier as an opponent than Itsuki.”】
【”….Aren’t you somehow mistaken? It doesn’t quite seem like Harold-sama to put in a word about these kinds of matters.”】
【”Wha-.. Could it be that Harold didn’t tell you anything, Erica? That man is so difficult.”】
【”What do you mean?”】
【”You seem to believe that Harold doesn’t think much of you, but it’s not that surprising. This is what he told me:『Erica isn’t some frail and fickle woman who can do nothing but be protected by others. She has the strength to fight, and an unwavering will to oppose her own fate. So don’t got thinking she’s just some pretty little flower.』”】
【”D, did Harold-sama really say that?”】
【”If you still have some doubts, then just ask Itsuki. Honestly, it felt like he was showing me the large difference between my feelings towards you, and his.”】
【”….Gee, if you show this kind of face, I won’t feel like being jealous anymore.”】
【”Huh?”】
【”I don’t know if you’re desperately trying to hide it or whatever, but your joy is clearly showing. I guess if it was me, I wouldn’t be able to get you to make that kind of expression, right?”】
【”No, that, this, it doesn’t mean that…..”】
【”Pft…… Ahahahaha”】
【”P, please stop laughing at me….”】
【”My bad, my bad. But with this, I understand clearly. It would be quite boorish of me to try to force my way in between you and Harold.”】
【”That’s…”】
【”I have no idea what happened between you two, but the both of you are seriously thinking of each other and you’re just not being honest. Looks like there is no room for anybody else to butt in.”】
【”Then, I couldn’t be happier…”】
In a voice low enough that Francis wouldn’t be able to hear it, Erica spoke her honest feelings.
