“.. And with that said, right now Sana, together with the guards, are heading to retrieve them.”
After I arrived home I reported this time’s incident to Mother.
Mother properly knew about the reason I returned to our territory already.
As expected of her.
“Ririina , it all must have been tough. Leave the rest to me and go rest up a bit. Travelling and fighting for the first time in a while must have been exhausting.”
“Thank you very much, Mother. that reminds me, I have been entrusted with a letter from Father. Here it is.”
I handed over the letter that had been entrusted to me by Father.
“Ara, thank you.”
“Father has said he wishes you to read it right away.”
“Is that so. I understand. Then I will read it before Sana and the guards return.”
Having handed over the letter I headed for my own room.
Behind me followed Salie who had been an attendant for a long time.
By the way, Salie was Sana’s mother.
She has been looking after for me since a long time ago.
“I am sorry, Salie. Sana couldn’t return just yet.”
“That is nothing Ririinsama would need to apologize for. Sana is happy that she can work for Ririinsama’s sake. Of course, so am I.”
“Alright, as always, thank you.”
“Well then, Ririinsama, for the sake of removing your travel weariness please rest now. I have already prepared a hot bath for you as well.”
Incited by Salie I entered the bath.
Haa, this feels great.
Afterwards I had fallen asleep before I noticed.
Hn?
This is ..
Ah, my room in our territory.
Had I been that worn out after all?
Looking out of the window the sun had begun to sink and it had turned dim.
I got my clothes in order and left the room.
First let’s go to Mother’s room.
I arrived in front of my Mother’s room.
I called out my name as I knocked (konkon) on the door.
I received permission from Mother who was inside and thus opened the door and entered.
“Ririina, how are you feeling? Have you been able to rest a bit?”
“Yes, Mother . After I took a bath I fell asleep just like that. Thanks to you I feel completely refreshed now.”
“In that case let us have a talk for a bit. There are lots of things to adress, after all.”
I was offered to sit down on a chair by Mother.
When I sat down Mother preprared some tea for me.
Maa, following from the contents of our talk it would have to be about clearing out the people, I guess.
“Mother, first of all, has Sana returned safely?”
“Eeh, she has. Together with the guards she came back with all 8 of the rolled up men (the guruguru tumbling about, wrapped up like a roll men).
We then asked those men at once to tell us the whole story .. but it seems like they didn’t hold much information. We tried all sorts of things to make them talk but it seems from the beginning they didn’t even know who it was that hired them.
It seems they were asked by someone hiding their face, and were only told that Ririina would pa.s.s through that place. Well, they’ve guaranteed (getting) punishment from the moment they attacked you though.
I figure even their employer hired them with the intention to cast them away.”
Maa, I didn’t think we would find out the ident.i.ty of the mastermind right away but zero results, huh~
While I was thinking about this and that Mother opened a new conversation.
“That being that, Ririina, about the matter of breaking off the engagement ..”
While I was thinking about this and that Mother opened a new conversation.
Ah, right. I have to properly report this.
“I am truly very sorry, Mother! I only continue to cause you trouble unknowingly (without meaning to?)..”
“Ririina. I do not think of it as a bother. Rather, you have done very well until now.
The Queen has been the one requesting it so far which is why I have turned a blind eye to things up until now, but this time’s breaking-off the engagement .. won’t do~.
Even I won’t stay silent this time around. Ririina, you take it easy here for the moment,- though even if I say that it is you after all so I’m sure that you’re thinking of going out monster hunting.”
As expected of Mother, I have been seen through.
I’m not particularily a battle enthusiast or anything but excersise in moderation is a necessity.
“Ah- also, Ririina. Have you by chance seen the face of that new fiancee of Prince Leon? Who was it?”
“.. About that, I think it is someone I have not been made aquaintances with so far.
I may not have throughoutly looked at her face but I shouldn’t have seen her at any parties or the like before.
If I recall correctly her name was .. Anjiu-sama I think.”
“I see, it is someone you haven’t seen before. Her name was Anjiu-sama .. indeed, I don’t know of her either. I’ll get in contact with Leaf and have him investigate her.”
Indeed, if it is Father he should be able to investigate something like that.
Give it your best, Father.
“Saa, let’s leave the tedious matters at that. Today I’ll be able to have dinner together with you for the first time in a while~
The head chef is going all out, you know. I’m sure he’ll bring out only and all the things you like.”
Oo~ my favourites, it is~?
Then, that means the head chef’s special ExtrLarge Hamburg Steak will make it’s appearance!
And also surely, as for the dessert a tart that makes you say ‘as if those weren’t enough fruits already’!
Wa~i!
As I was performing a small dance within my mind I headed to the dining room.