“You see, I have someone I’d like to introduce to you, Eurushia-sama.”
“An introduction…?”
This doesn’t sound good…Aunt Camille’s warning comes to mind. Without even asking if I would allow the introduction, Calisto turns and beckons a few men and women who were standing apart.
“As you know, this is the ‘Hero’ Alfio.”
“…Really now.”
Don’t give me that, old man.
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“It’s a pleasure to meet you, beautiful princess. I am the hero of this country, Alfio. But please, call me ‘Al’.”
This…so-called ‘hero’ Alfio flashes a bright smile.
He’s around late teens to early twenties, with an average build and a somewhat attractive face, but…there’s just something ‘missing’.
If it’s romance, I’d prefer someone closer to my age. But if I’m looking for someone to lean on, an older man would be better. Come back in ten years when you’ve matured out of that flirtatious attitude, young man.
Pardon me, I let my true feelings slip out. (How rude of me)
As I silently stare at him, this ‘hero’ (laughs) steps forward and kneels before me, about to kiss the back of my hand.
Slap!
Just before he could, Noel swatted his hand away.
“Please do not approach recklessly. It would cause a great commotion.”
“Hmm…”
Noel’s firm voice makes Alfio’s expression turn slightly angry for a moment.
Noel’s words certainly carry the weight of experience, having been on the receiving end of a punch from mr bear.
Well, regardless, Noel is right. I haven’t even agreed to this introduction yet, so as my guard, his action is perfectly justified. …And if he had been a second later, Nia, who was radiating a murderous aura in the background, might have cut off something important. Good job, Noel.
Unaware of his near-miss, Alfio hides his irritation behind a strained smile as he stands up.
“I see the princess has an excellent knight by her side. Though he is still young.”
He looks down on the 10-year-old Noel.
“Oh, how childish… Shouldn’t adults avoid acting so immature around children?”
In any case, what should I do? I’ve come this far, so it would be strange not to greet them.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lord Alfio.”
While thinking “How tiresome…” I called out his name in a proper princess-like manner, and as I glanced at his companions, a shock ran through me.
“…Eurushia-von Versenia, is it?”
Uh oh, my cheeks are twitching. Someone, please help me.
Alfio looked puzzled at my strange behavior, but soon broke into a smile, as if he understood.
“Haha, there’s no need to be so nervous, my lovely princess. Was the ‘hero’ from the Holy Kingdom a bit too stimulating for you? Now, let me introduce my companions.”
No, that’s not it.
“First, we have our healer, Anticova!”
“Pfft!”
“Wha-?!”
At that moment, my outburst of laughter caught Anticova, the one introduced, by surprise.
“W-What is the meaning of this?!”
Unable to stop my fit of laughter, holding my stomach and trembling, Anticova – the lady of the salt Daifuku dumplings – looked at me in indignation.
“I-I apologize. Eurushia-von-Versenia… that is.”
Oh no, I can’t stop laughing.
I never expected to meet them here of all places! It’s not right that elves in this world are pronounced salted-dai-fu-ku is just too much!
Despite my indignant greetings as a noblewoman, Anticova, with a mocking smile tinged with disdain for a mere child, introduced herself in a haughty tone.
“Well then, your highness? I am Anticova. I don’t think it’s appropriate to call the hero Alfio by a nickname, but you may call me ‘Anko’ if you like.”
“Bwahaha!”
“Kyaaaaa?!”
‘Anko’? Geez, you’re being so cruel, Lady Shiodaifuku!
///
***
***
///
As I continued my unexplained convulsions, Anticova, with a puzzled expression but perhaps also a touch of elven arrogance, looked down on me and continued the conversation.
“…Hmph. How rude! If you’re feeling unwell, shall I heal you? You must be having a hard time being called the ‘Saint’ just because of your lineage. I can introduce myself in your stead, if you like.”
The dumpling girl looks down on me as if I’m recoiling.
Her appearance matches the image of an elf perfectly – slender, golden-haired, green-eyed, and long-eared. But not now. Just seeing her face makes me want to laugh.
My companions, including Noel, seem bewildered by my uncontrollable laughter.
But then, a savior finally appeared to break the situation.
“Eurushia! That’s enough of that!”
A scolding voice came from behind Anticova, reprimanding my laughter. Well, I suppose I deserve to be scolded.
But I don’t care about such trivial matters!
Even if I don’t get to meet the hero, I was sure he’d be here in this grand occasion!
“Oh, oh, oh! I’ve been so eager to see you, dear sister!”
Ignoring the dumpling that triggered my fit, I’m sure I’m beaming with the brightest smile, overcome by a joyous feeling.
I’m shining brighter than ever now. (In the darkness)
“Y-Yes, the princess’s beautiful sisters have become my companions.”
Alfio, stunned by my radiant smile, reactivated and made way for my sisters.
Finally. They’ve come!
My half-sisters, Ataline and the one hiding behind her, Aureline, glaring at me in fear.
Ah, how wonderful. Twisted, warped, and hopelessly crooked, yet the pure scent emanating from their noble souls ensnares me.
They’ve matured and become even more fragrant than before!
“How dare you, you foolish girl, ignore Lord Alfio and even Anko-sama?! Do you think you’ll be forgiven?!”
Ataline seems slightly taken aback by my wonderful smile.
But please don’t call her ‘Anko’ too much. It’ll trigger another fit.
“Yes, yes! We’ve become companions of the ‘Hero of Sigres’, Lord Alfio! So you, of all people–!”
As Aureline hiding behind Ataline started saying something contemptuous, I slowly narrowed my eyes and smiled gently, which made her suddenly go quiet.
“If I have offended you, I apologize, dear sisters.”
“You… you…”
Despite my refined and meek apology as a daughter of my father, for some reason, Ataline stepped forward, seemingly to shield Aureline. Ah, how noble.
But there’s no need for a standoff between sisters. After all, while Ataline is glaring, I’m simply smiling.
Aureline-nee-sama has retired, but Ataline-nee-sama continues to glare intently, sweat beading on her brow. My, could it be that my sister…?
Am I beginning to realize that I’m not ordinary…?
Hehehehe.
“It’s about time, I believe. I must take my leave now, everyone. I do hope yyou’ll play with me again, sister.”
I mustn’t poke around too much until it’s matured.
Although I made a few missteps, I casually smile as if to end the conversation, and Ataline-nee-sama grinds her teeth in response.
“Remember…”
Seeming to take my sincere feelings as sarcasm, Ataline-nee-sama leaves with a clack of her high heels, taking Aureline-nee-sama with her.
Ah, geez!
You’re the absolute best, sister! (Wicked)
“…Well, I’ll be taking my leave as well.”
Calisto, who had remained silent throughout, bows his head as if coming back to his senses at the turn of events.
At the same time, Alfio also hastily bows to me, then disappears into the crowd, the two remaining women in tow.
Ah, that was fun. But did I play too much? Pondering this, I was about to leave the scene when Calisto, who had somehow remained, called out to me one last time.
“Ah, yes, Lady Eurushia. I have submitted a transfer request to Taliteld. I believe I’ll be able to see you again next year, or at the latest the year after, so I’d like to come pay my respects then…”
Eh…I don’t want that.
***
The self-proclaimed “Hero of Sigres”, Alfio-Petr, has a secret that he can’t tell anyone.
He was born the son of a wealthy orchard owner in the northern region of the Sigres Kingdom, born into a prosperous family but not a noble.
The change in him occurred when he was two years old. In a test to determine his magical aptitude, while Alfio lacked any affinity for holy or spirit magic, he showed potential in all four basic elements – earth, water, fire, and wind – surprising those around him.
Holy and spirit magic require a special mental state, a sort of purity, but general magic is influenced by the caster’s own originality and imagination in terms of the number of attributes and the power.
Convinced their son was a prodigy, Alfio’s parents spared no expense in providing him the finest teachers for his gifted education. Alfio himself seemed to get along well with his tutors, and eager to please them, he threw himself diligently into his studies.
The next change came when he was four years old.
His parents had the common Sigres features of dark red hair and brown eyes, but Alfio, their child, had black hair and black eyes, completely different from them.
Magical talent that differed from his family. His family could not comprehend the images of magic Alfio described, and he gradually began to feel alienated, realizing he was the only one different.
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