AN: This story was originally published as a side story at the end of the first volume of the book, and has been revised for the web version.
The author basically only writes from the heroās point of view, but sometimes he writes about the psychology of the heroine from the heroineās point of view for light novel specials.
There are parts of this story that are similar to āPrincess Mifaās Love Afflictionā in chapter 41, but itās written from Mifaās point of view instead of the heroās.
This will give you an idea of Mifaās feelings from chapters 13 to 30.
It seems we are currently being ambushed by bandits and thereās a fierce battle going on outside the carriage.
Today I was on my way from the royal capital to the Marquis territory for my official duties as a first-class inquisitor.
This time my father has given me specially selected knights, but from the sound of it, it seems that a considerable number of people are attacking us, so I am very anxious.
āPrincess, there seems to be a large number of attackers, so I will also participate in the battle outside. Please wait in the carriage.ā
I donāt have good eyesight, so I have no idea whatās going on outsideā¦
āErica, how many enemies are there?ā
āAs far as I can see, there are about 30 people, but if you include the blind spot of the carriage, there may be moreā¦ah! The person in charge of recovery is under a concentrated attack of arrows and magic! Iām going to help!ā
āI understand! Be careful!ā
It would be quite a situation for her maid, Erica, to join the battle.āāā
It must have been about 15 minutes since Erica joined the battleā¦Ericaās voice finally called out to the carriage.
āPrincess, itās alright! Someone who rode a dragon joined us!ā
Iām glad to hear thatā¦it would be okay if the dragoons helped us. Did my uncle send reinforcements?
āErica, Iām so glad youāre okay, are you hurt?ā
āI received a throwing knife on my shoulder, but itās okay because the healing agent I applied is working. Moreover, itās the dragoon reinforcement! The battle ability of the dragoon is really amazing!ā
āI wonder if Uncle Guile sent reinforcements?ā
āThere was only one drake and two people on it, but they slaughtered the archers and the wizards first, and the battle situation suddenly turned to our advantage. The dragoon wore a plate mail belonging to the kingdom of Wolg, so I think itās probably a Dragoon of the Kingdom of Wolg. The other person is His Royal Highness Luke, who is going to be a son-in-law to the Dukeās family, as the King said the other day.ā
āAh! Then, is his Highness done helping?ā
āI canāt say for sureā¦there are still remnants left, so Iāll call you again when the battle is over.ā
* * *
Some time has passed since then, and it seems that the bandits have surrendered and the battle is over.
From the conversation coming from outside the carriage, it seems that the two people who saved us are both princes of the Wolg kingdom. They seem to be very brave princes who werenāt afraid to join forces and help against a large number of thieves.
āMore than that, brother, apparently Iām not suitable to be a knightā¦Itās hard to stand with my limbs because I killed a personā¦I have nausea and heart palpitations and I feel Iām about to collapseā¦ā
āWellā¦ rest assuredā¦thatās normal. Iām no different from youā¦look.ā
From the conversation between them, you can tell that it was the first time they killed a personā¦Iām very sorry for what weāve done to you. I canāt thank you both enough.
āPrincess, after all,Ā it was His Highness Jail and His Highness Luke.ā
āYes, I overheard their conversation.ā
Erica took me by the hand we were walking towards them, greeting and thanking them when Erica suddenly collapsed.
I had a slight panic when my maid, childhood friend and confidant, Erica, collapsed. But, Master Luke calmly said that he wanted to see the wound and diagnosed her as being affected by the poison of the arrow poison frog. Luke seems to have not only recovery magic but also appraisal magic that can understand in detail.
Not only that, but he also possesses a large amount of advanced recovery potions and advanced antidotes, saying, āI think that the people in the royal family who are most likely to be assassinated should possess various recovery potions for their own self-defense. It must be a very peaceful country if the princess doesnāt have one.ā
The people who usually say this to me, who is qualified as a first-class inquisitor, are only Erica and my parents, so itās very refreshing.
When everyoneās detoxification was over, I heard a āKan! It was a high-pitched metallic sound of an arrow hitting a shield. Luke suddenly shouted loudly, āGet the princess into the carriage!ā
āPrincess, get in the carriage! It looks like there are still enemies!ā
It seems that some bandits were still hiding, and I was saved by Luke again.
āTsk! I canāt catch up now even if I chase after him!ā
Apparently the bandit escaped on horseback, and the knight captain shouted with great regret.
āPrincess, Master Luke seems to want to shoot the bandit who had escaped with a bow. But heās already 150 meters awayā¦ā
āIs that soā¦itās unfortunate, but it seems like heāll escape.ā
āOh! It hit his leg! He fires the second oneā¦it hit the bandit in the back! The third oneā¦It hit the rear of the horse causing it to go wild, and the bandit falls off the horse! Amazing! Every one hit its target!ā
To me with bad eyesight, Erica told me what was happening with excitement. The knights around me were all saying, āWow! Thatās is amazing!ā
Itās a shame that I canāt see it with my own eyesā¦
āBals! Catch him! Donāt kill him! He uses poison, so you can hurt him first so that he canāt use it.ā
āKururu ~!ā
When Master Luke gave instructions to the Drake, he made a very happy sound and quickly caught the thief. It seems that Drake, who has a rough temper, is very fond of Luke.
āLuke! You were feeding Bals werenāt you! Heās more attached to you than he is to me!ā
Oh? Apparently, this drake is Jail-samaās dragonā¦ heās so fond of Luke-sama that I thought it was Luke-samaās dragon.
Around the time I took a breather, one of the knights seemed to have tried to attack a bandit in captivity, and Luke seemed to stop it. I understand the feelings of the knight, but I canāt admire the killing of those in custody.
However, Luke seems to have stopped him for a different reason. On the contrary, Jail has detained the knightā¦why?
āI donāt know how things are done in this country, but even though itās on official duty, the actions of the royal family are usually not well disclosed so as to avoid danger. You canāt ambush without someoneās guidance.ā
Thatās trueā¦Luke goes on to say:
āAnd this knight tried to kill the only one of the bandits who left alive, this skilled man, first. I suspect he was trying to kill him to seal his mouth. If he was a proper knight, normally, he wouldnāt have tried to kill him but would have interrogated him first. Itās to prevent him from being brought back and tortured.ā
Thatās right!
Luke seems to be a very intelligent person.
āI understand the reasonā¦but I donāt want to be treated like a criminalā¦ā
The knight pointed out by Master Luke muttered in tears. It would be frustrating to be treated as a companion to those who killed your colleaguesā¦I guess this is where I come in.
āAre you a companion to these bandits?ā
āNo! I swear to God!ā
āThatās right! Iām glad! Please release this knight immediately. This man is not one of the bandits.ā
Good! He doesnāt seem to be a companion to the bandits.
Oh? I have a feeling His Highnesses looked at me in a pitiful wayā¦Iām sensitive to thatā¦I will show them my credentials as a first-class inquisitor and convince them.
Shortly after starting to interrogate the bandits in custody, it seems that Luke suddenly stabbed and killed the one in his custody, according to Jailās storyā¦
Given his actions so far, there must be a reason he had to do so.
From Lukeās demonstration, we learned that the [Magic Seal Bracelet] can be unlocked without the key. Around the dead bandit, there were a lot of dangerous poisoned weaponsā¦I was saved by Luke again. This makes three times today alone. Heās really an amazing person.
* * *
When Uncle Guileās rescue team arrived, the knights of the Dukeās family took a rude attitude toward Luke, but Luke said, āI want to know the reason rather than an apology without gratitude.ā I think itās really cool to not be affected by the intimidation of the knights.
āPrincessā¦why donāt you ask Master Luke to ride with us in the carriage?ā
I think this is the first time Erica has invited a lord to ride in the same carriage?
Unlike ordinary maids, Erica is an extraordinary combat maid who can also fight.
Aside from taking care of my surroundings so I donāt get any bad bugs, eliminating men without appointments is one of her jobsā¦ Apparently Erica is interested in him. Iām also a little interested in him, so Iāll invite him inā¦
Luke seemed to be a bit hesitant to join us in the carriage, but he did.
Luke is a very fun person!
Erica, unlike usual, also seems to be having fun and is actively participating in the conversation.
Ufufu, what is that sad poemā¦I wondered if he didnāt like to be a son-in-law, so much that he sang sadly, as if he were a calf for sale.
Most people, when faced with me, shut up and try not to tell lies, but he doesnāt seem to do that.
āNo one would take me because I could see through their liesā¦ā
When the marriage story came out, I complained to Lukeā¦
āIs that so? Itās okay if you canāt even lieā¦if youāre as cute as the princess, I think itās attractive enough to make up for that.ā
Am I cute? Attractive?
āMaster Luke, is that true?ā
I asked because I wanted to confirm it.
āYes, the princess is very cute.ā
āItās not a lie! Iām so happy!ā
When I found out that it wasnāt a lie or flattery, I was so happy that my face turned bright red.
* * *
I arrived at Uncle Guileās mansion, and I seem to have a job of interrogating the bandits.
My uncle seems to leave only, Lara, Anna and Luke in the guest roomā¦
You can understand how awkward it is to meet someone for the first time and suddenly find yourself alone with themā¦ā¦
I donāt know what my uncleās true intentions are, but he seems to have something in mind. I gave Erica some orders and decided to leave her there.
Around the time the interrogation was over, my uncle received an email, but when he saw it, my uncle began to give off a strong killing intent. What happened?
āLuke has broken into my wifeās bedroomā¦ā
āEh! That guy! Heās already causing trouble! Iām sorry for my foolish brother!ā
We hurried to the bedroom, where Aunt Sasha, who was very energetic, sat on the bed and laughed. It was said that Luke had improved the illness that even the Pope couldnāt cureā¦how amazing is this person.
Peopleās rumors are really unreliable.
Now, we invite my aunt to dinner and are served homemade dishes prepared by Luke, but I thought it was better than the ones made by the court cook.
It was a little pitiful how Erica was looking like she wanted to eat beside me.
Lara and Anna are very happy to see Aunt Sasha for the first time in a while.
āLara will thank Luke by playing the piano!ā
The concert started at Laraās suggestion, but Luke surprised me here as well.
Lara, who is always shy, enjoyed singing along with Lukeās accompaniment. It seemed that the lyrics were easy enough for Lara to rememberā¦the kind consideration is wonderful.
After that, Luke surprised us again!
The performance was so wonderful that it brought tears to my eyesā¦what should I doā¦my heart is pounding.
* * *
That nightā
āErica, how was it when I went for the interrogation?ā
āIt was awkward at first, but Master Luke is amazing! Like at dinner, Lara, who is very shy, has grown quite fond of him!ā
The command I gave Erica was to use the [Crystal Plate] function to record a video of the three of them, Anna, Lara and Luke.
Erica is also my eye.
Actually, even for me who has low vision, if you send me the recorded video as an attachment using the mail function, I can project the [Crystal Plate] on my retina without seeing it directly, so I can see it in a clear, unblurred image.
Master Lukeās paper folded wyvern was fantastic and wonderful.
It seems that Erica had also recorded the battle at noon, and she showed me. Both Luke and Jail were fighting bravely and valiantly without fear.
They are both very cool!
The only thing that bothered me was that Ericaās gaze was initially on Jail-sama, but halfway through she was only looking at Luke-sama on his dragon.
āErica, why are you looking at only Luke from the middle?ā
āWell, at first, His Highness Jail cut into the back where wizards and archers were crowded and changed the course of the battle, which I thought was amazing, but after that, his movements were slightly inferior to those of the knights around him.ā
āIs that so?ā
āYes. The knights are far more skilled in terms of swordsmanship than I am. The escorts this time are a small number of elites. And then, there is His Highness Luke! He was exceptional! He accurately provided cover fire with his bow and the drakeās breath to the outnumbered and inferior knights and healed them with recovery magic as soon as they were injured. He also threw and distributed advanced recovery potions to everyone and used it to heal my shoulder injury. ā
In Ericaās story, she explained with excitement that there was no more death thanks to Lukeās accurate support.
Itās unusual for Erica to praise him so much.
It seems that Luke was an exceptional person after all.
* * *
The next day, we were the only ones to return to the royal capital by horse-drawn carriage, but as we moved away from the dukeās estate, my heart began to ache. Iām not sure whatās wrong with meā¦
āEricaā¦Iām feeling pain in my heart in my chestā¦ā
āIāve been watching the princess all this time, isnāt it related to His Royal Highness Luke?ā
āMaster Luke?ā
āHow was it when my cousin, Iris, became his exclusive maid?ā
āAhā¦that made my heart skip a beat againā¦ā
āAfter allā¦ hasnāt the princess fallen in love with Luke?ā
The moment Erica said that to me in the carriage, I understood.
This is love ā¦
It seems that I was jealous of Iris for being able to be by Lukeās side all the time while attending school.
āMifa-neesama, I have a little consultationā¦ā
A few days after I returned to the royal capital, I was consulted in a call from Emilia on the [Crystal Plate], but it was about Master Lukeā¦she said, āI had to go and say thank you for my motherās recovery, but I couldnāt go.ā
Emilia has a severe case of androphobia. This would make both Luke and Emilia unhappyā¦
In that case, if I, who admires him, can go for itā
When I thought about it, I couldnāt stop myself anymore ā¦
I got permission from Emilia and told father my true feelings for the first time since I was born.
āIām in love with Luke and I really want to marry him, so please let me transfer to the Magic Academy!ā
āBut heās already been engaged to Emiliaā¦ā
I got the answer I expectedā¦but I just canāt give up on him!
āThen I will not marry anyone else in the future!ā
With strong determination, I told my father how I felt.
āYouāve thought that farā¦I understandā¦Iāll immediately proceed with your engagement and transfer you at once.ā
There were unfavorable rumors about Master Luke, so I wasnāt expecting father to agree to this.
After that, things progressed quickly, and I was at the school a few hours later.
Lukeā¦I wonder if youāll accept meā¦
He said that I was cute in the carriage that day, but Iām very nervousā¦