I guess this is what they call âthe daimyoâs processionâ.
Prince Arch lead numerous personnel, who came from the capital for the autonomous feudal lord inauguration, creating an unimaginably long line. Prince Arch was overlooking the situation with a contented look. Since I have not greeted him yet, I rushed over to his side.
âPrince Arch, this journey must have been long, Iâm so pleased to welcome you.â
âWhat is with that formality? You are probably just curious about the value of the ceremony gift, right?â
âThat is a thing of the past. The Helan hall is now brimming with gold and treasures. I have become so used to them that Iâll probably not be delighted by your gift.â
âI totally thought that you would be crying out of joy⌠ Helan territory has gotten that rich now?â
âYes, thatâs right. To the extent that itâs laughableâ
âIs it okay if I take back the ceremony gift then?â
âNo you canât. I was a little concerned about where I can place the gift, but now that youâve said that, I donât feel like returning the gift.â
âYou are such a devil.â
âI will lend you money if you are ever troubled with financial matters. After all, there is such a relationship between Prince Arch and I.â
âI am concerned about the interest rate you are going to ask for. Sigh, you have really climbed up to such a high position. I kind of envy you for that.â
Oh? To think that the prince will say something like this, I should be the one envying the princeâs position.
âThe prince is envious of me? Is it because I look handsome? My nose and other parts are after all much more charming than yours.â
âThatâs not it. Iâm talking about how you have paved a way to the top with your own strength. That kind of life seems fun to me. By the way, my nose is far more charming than yours.â
âIs that so? While this life may look good to others, there are many painful moments. Prince Arch, your life as a royalty is much more enviable. Well, my mouth is definitely much more charming than yours.â
âTsk, I guess it always end up like that. The grass will always seem greener on the other side. Stop talking nonsense, my mouth is obviously much more charming than yours.â
Is this a battle!? Ehh!?
Prince Arch looked like he was prepared to rebuke any attacks. Well then, we are definitely going to settle this and make it clear once and for all someday. For fairness, we shall have Neko-sensei as the judge!
ââŚâŚBoth are plain, meow.â It seems like she will say something like that.
âHey Kururi, congratulations on being inaugurated as the autonomous feudal lordâ
âEh? You are saying that at this timing?â
âThatâs because this is the probably the only time where I can say my own thoughts. Iâm not going to say it anymore so be sure to savor the words Iâve just said.â
âI wasnât able to savor them and it was so quick that it doesnât leave any aftertaste. Can you please say it one more time? And please add âLordâ to my name too.â
âDonât be so demanding. The royal family doesnât say the same thing twice. Remember that.â
âI will remember that. I will make sure to bring it up when you say something more than once.â
âWhat a jerk.â
âOnly to Prince Archâ
âThatâs even a bigger problem.â
âOnly Prince Arch is special.â
âI have never heard of that kind of âspecialâ before.â
Right when Prince Arch has finished fooling around, the work progressed quite smoothly. We moved to another location and borrowed the number one inn of Helan territory. Having been visited by the royalty and feudal lord, I am sure the innâs good reputation will increase even further.
A party, called âThe Place of Independenceâ, will be held in this place later. The seating arrangement preparations for the grand party have been completed, and we started to stream into the splendid hall one by one.
Prince Arch and I were seated at the furthest end. Rahsa, Eliza, Iris, and Toto were invited, and of course the others like Old Moran, Mister Petal, Eyan Deauville, Neko-Sensei, Rail and Mister Lotson, were also called to this venue. Important people of the Helan territory and my life have gathered here.
âEveryone came despite being busy. Prince Arch is here too, it seems like we will finally be able to advance one step ahead. The inauguration ceremony will be held in the next few days but I want you all to think of this as a pre-celebration. Please drink, eat, and enjoy to your heartâs content.â
Everyone took their favorite drinks and we cheered. The social drinks and sound of everyoneâs laughter- A celebration with these, I really do not mind if they let themselves go today.
Hey, Neko-sensei is lying down, sloppily drinking alcohol straight from the bottleâŚâŚ Thatâs fine! For today!
Hey, Prince Arch looks so pitiful trying to get Iris to pour drinks for himâŚâŚ Thatâs fine! For today!
Hey, Rahsa is challenging himself with drinks for adult and adorably vomitingâŚâŚ Thatâs fine! For today!
Hey, go ahead and drink, eat and sing!! The bills will be covered by Prince Arch today!!
Muahahahaha, I cannot wait to see Prince Archâs angry face when he knows about this later. Just thinking about it whets my appetite.
Quite a while has passed since the start of the party, some people were knocked out from overdrinking, and some people left as they pleased; without realizing there was only Eliza and I left, drinking while facing each other.
âThe food here is really delicious, right? Even though I was in the Helan territory, I have never been here before.â
In order to not make the situation awkward, Eliza talked quickly.
âThatâs because we didnât lead an extravagant lifestyle and were also strapped for cash. This is going to change from now on and we are going to spend more in the future.â
âNo, it is fine the way it is now. Letâs use the money well in investments.â
Of course. Our life leading to now has been quite blissful too and thereâs nothing that should be changed.
âEliza, will you come and live with me together like how you did when you were Eli?â
âHmm. I wonder if that will work. Both of our memories returned after all.â
âWe ended up fighting because only part of my memories recovered back then. Iâm sorry about complaining back then.â
âMe too. Sorry I said everything I wanted to without thinking.â
Things became awkward after the quarrel with Eliza, but I guess we have reconciled with this?
Eliza poured drinks for me and I did the same for her. Both of us exchanged drinks. Enjoying our casual chat, we stayed up all night.