As Rekka left, all of the girls sat down. Although it was clear to everyone that Leila is the leader of all the girls around Rekka… she wasn't that bossy really, she was used to handling people since she was the guild master, that too a talented one, so this job just fell right on her lap. although she never thought her talent in managing people and keeping their trust would be able to help her in cases like this too.
"Well Lana, let me introduce you, there with red hair like mine is Alice, she is my little sister also Rekka's soon to be Fiancée." As Leila dropped such a bomb on Lana, she got even more crushed. She had already realized that Leila was someone who was so accomplished in life, a sheltered girl like her couldn't possibly hold a candle to her. And now someone else who had the advantage of being strong and fit to be Rekka's bride was here. Her small heart was left tattered just thinking about those stuff. Only the Surprises were still to come..
"Hey guys, whatcha doing?" A small girl the size of a palm came flying from the back yard. They were on the 2nd floor balcony where they were having tea and doing a meet and greet. the place was light up by the sun but with large a large canopy over their head the rays of the sun had been blocked, Rekka made a place like this so they can gather here anytime they want and have a gathering or even tea parties like these. there was a nice breeze flowing through the balcony which cooled all of them, it wasn't that the temperature was too hot, but winds like these had a calming effect, more so since they actually were in front of a war.
"Lana, she is also one of Rekka's Fiancée and she is a spirit." Hearing this, Lana only got more shocked. If even prodigy and self accomplished girls weren't enough, that man had also captured one of the spirits' hearts, which was harder than taking over the world as the saying goes in this world. Before she could recover though, Leila started introducing more people.
"And this here is Systy… well she hasn't declared yet but she should fall in line soon enough!" As Leila said that teasingly, Systy got red and refuted with embarrassment.
"My lady, why would you say something like that? I-I can not be in the same league as you.."
that was right, Systy was 100% in love with Rekka but what she wanted was just to be his servant since she thought of herself as someone who worked for Rekka wholeheartedly and taking his kindness even more would make her even more of a bad girl, he had already gave her so much, she was now strong enough to even contribute to a whole country. Still everyone could hardly avoid seeing the passionate gazes she gave to Rekka. It was plain as day to see. still maybe since taking any more kindness would make her feel miserable, she did consent to giving herself to him, she didn't say yes for marriage, she wanted to stay as a servant even then.
But as Rekka was, he had declined such an offer and told Systy that if he would be with her, then it would only be as a husband. Since Systy was stubborn enough to not let that happen and make her master's gratitude to gain high status, her current relationship was quite messed up…. Still there was no denying the fact that Systy was someone close to Rekka, He even said that he wanted to marry her… they clearly treasured one another making it hard to let go of each other's convictions.
"And that is Rose… hmm.. Rose, have you fallen for him yet?" As Leila asked the beautiful blonde knight with fluffy hair, Rose turned red.
"N-Not a chance Miss Leila! I-I am not captivated by him at all!!! that deeply disturbed man gave me such indecent clothes to wear! I can't believe I even thought of him as a good guy, I implore you won't you please cut him off from your life!" when she got back last night and went to change, she undressed only to find herself wearing extremely sexy lingerie, it was black in colour and had many laces that made it cute, but the most disturbing thing was, it was not doing it's job at all, it was nearly see through so you can see everything albeit not clearly but still, for a moment Rose had completely blanked out seeing herself in the mirror, she hated to admit it, but she found her self liking how the texture of the clothes felt good, but it was a nasty clothing that would probably arouse that insufferable man!
Although Rose didn't say all that in embracement of the event, she had turned so red that her attitude clearly dictated she was on her way to being conquered... The girls wondered just what had happened in merely a day's worth of time to make her red like that. of course Rose was a late bloomer so even if she tried to explain it, she can't from the embracement over whelming her.
On their Mission to stop the War, Rekka had done many things. He had carried her to the Stein kingdom's Capital the whole way. She was so relaxed in his sturdy arms that she hadn't been able to even stay awake.
Moreover, someone like her who had nearly no experience with boys being in close proximity of Rekka's face which was quite handsome she was charmed not even realizing it. Still, the thing that really made her take attention to Rekka was his quick judgement.
He took such swift decisions like saving the knight which made them able to get the info about the situation in the capital. then move into the enemy country's castle. Even if it was being sieged to not even bat an eye before entering such territory and then even rescuing the king.
Taking risks as if it were breakfast, lunch and dinner. She hardly could deny that a man like Rekka wasn't suited to be respected… and even through all this, she had hardly seen him boast about a single thing. The sheer focus on the mission kept him so occupied that he didn't even think of other things while he was going around fixing the problems.
Now he was setting up a meeting between 2 nations which were practically at each other's necks for 100 years or so. For a Knight of her caliber, she understood all too well just how impossible these things Rekka had done…. Such heroic deeds happened in front of her. How can she not be fascinated by a man like that. Still as naïve as she was, she still couldn't figure out why she gets so flustered just thinking about him or speaking about him… the only thing she would admit is That man is a pervert going around feeling girls! Even at home, he never stopped flirting, as if every girl here was to be conquered by him. not to mention, he had the gal to dress her up in something like that! it was a shame that she couldn't even say this to her High miss, he was a man who worked in schemes that defeated Rose in every way possible, that was why she greeted her teeth even though the cookies served here was as soft as it was delicious.
Well, you couldn't fault Rekka for not taking the chance, even though he didn't see Rose in that lingerie, just making her wear it was something that soothed his perverted mind, the maids were head over heels for their master who had grown up to look as sharp as he was gentle… the change was intoxicating for the girls here. They just couldn't get enough. but Rose believed that deep inside this man was probably doing this like this even without the maids knowledge, she wanted to save these girls from him, as such, she wanted to confront him and make him straight for sure. in any case, such a feeling formed inside Rose that went unnoticed by each and everyone sitting there, well everyone did understand the girl was already involved with him, she can't run that far, in the end, she might just come back one day and say yup I lost and am here to join you.
As every one was introduced, Leila looked at Lana who now after seeing her competitors had lost all her motivation… She couldn't compare to any of the girls here, each of them had a different air around them… even though she was a princess, these girls looked like True Elites in front of her….
......…...
Lana was a simple minded Princess. She would stay in the castle each day, learn about different things from books then go to her room and look out the window. She had no knowledge about fighting. Her only magical aptitude was Light but since her mana pool was ordinary, she couldn't learn magic, there was only one thing she liked and that was cooking. Although she wasn't allowed to do any cooking since she was a princess, she still searched about those books and read them whenever she found them….
Even though she was a princess, it could be said that it was certainly an ordinary commoner girl's life… only where a commoner might have some more freedom, Lana only had shackles binding her… her father getting ill only worsened that life of her.
And then suddenly one day chaos broke out. The castle guards and workers were mercilessly killed. She was afraid and had felt sad that she couldn't try to cook even once in this little life of hers… The regrets kept hurting her chest, even when the enemy soldier's had taken out his dagger to pierce her heart to kill her, she was already feeling regrets much worse then what the measly dagger can cause her… but before her regrets could come into fruition, she had already been rescued. And a man who couldn't but live an exact opposite life as she had, had saved her.
When she came to this mansion the workers here had many stories to tell about that man. The stories made her think that when she was living an ordinary life with small problems, someone was also living an irregular life which common sense couldn't dictate.
Moreover, the food here also got her curious. As she asked, she had been told these were also the creations of that man…. In one day… or rather not even in 24 hours Leilana, an ordinary princess, had fallen so madly in love with Rekka that even she couldn't think how it all happened…. Since Rekka and Leilana were more like opposites of the same coin, the saying of opposites attracts really fit in this case.
That's how it came to the current situation.. Where she was left comparing herself to that man's Companions.
I probably am not even suited to be one of his mistresses…
As such thoughts passed her mind, she did all she could do to hold on to her feelings.. And to see what more she could see about Rekka before she could go back to her ordinary life…
....
Leila had been able to sense Lana's feelings just from the way she behaved around Rekka. Like the first time when she said she was Rekka's fiancée. Lana showed such shock as if a boulder had dropped on her.
Even while she introduced Rekka's other partners, she very keenly followed what Lana did or said. If Leila knew Rekka well enough, then the only way for Lana to be Rekka's partner was Lana confessing her love for him straight.
It had been more than a month since Leila and Rekka had gotten together but in that time Leila understood one thing, even in the guild, there were a lot of beautiful girls, still no matter how those girls looked at him or gave him signals he practically looked over them as if Rekka never even saw them. Was it because Rekka was not attracted to them? Probably not, the reason was simple, He was already satisfied. And even if he wasn't, until a girl comes up to him and says her true feelings, Rekka would probably stay oblivious to her. It was a wonder how Rekka had gone for Leila disregarding his denseness about women. of course it was unknown to Leila that Rekka still thought that since he already had multiple partners there just wasn't any need to go out and get even more, sure he pranked girls like Rose without any mercy, but that was just how he was, he just enjoyed his life the way he wanted, a trait that one gets after they face a life as harsh as he had.
Leila, knowing Rekka was Melinda's grandson thought that although a slow start, he won't just be stopping at 2 or 3 partners, in due time he might just get more and more girls that won't just stay passive, actually the maids were already waiting for their time, she was sure, as soon as he was married they would flank him without any reservation.
So Leila waited to see what Lana would do…. Leila herself liked Lana because of the unique personality Lana had… it was like Lana was a box of mystery. If you search well enough you just might be able to get something unthinkable.
With a beauty and elegance incomparable to anyone, Lana was the essence of down to earth kindness, those eyes were so pure even Leila was baffled how such a princess could live, as if the whole world's malice was no were to be seen, that was just how pure Lana looked.
Even Leila had to admit that looking at the girl right here, Rekka might have solidified his want to stop the war just after finding this girl. It can't be helped… Lana was just that much impactful… even Rekka couldn't ignore feeling to protect her, even if that feeling just began with a passive effect.
The tea party continued With these thoughts and many other thoughts concerning the man they all liked.
.....
I was in the room which had suddenly been turned into a Royal court for debates….
I saw everyone was sitting around the room and they looked like they had made a big decision..
"So Rekka. We have discussed the matters at hand. The king here has said that he was already willing to make a peace pact with us and start a trading relationship but the Nobles had been blocking that path."
It's the same old story: nobles were bad guys here and the king who had resisted them for so long had collapsed under pressure. Taking that chance, the Duke's family, who also got himself a cursed item, showed the nobles a good way to get what they wanted. and as the nobles got in the trap, the Duke acquired power and money equaling the king to a point where he could literally do Coup d'état and get the throne.
"Hmm but you guys, why are you telling me that?" That was the question, I was told to stop the war and that still was what I was doing…. I don't know why they wanted to talk politics with me.
Everyone was surprised to hear me.
"I mean you saved the king right? so I thought that you had some of your plans too…" said gramps.
"I mean I told you guys that I would stop the war that's it… and I am still doing that you know? I just happened to save the king at some point and since Miss Rin told me to patch things up with you guys, as things happened... I made this meeting happen." As I said, everyone was even more surprised…
"Wait…. What if our decisions were made and it was to kill the king and his daughter, what would you do?" Lilith asked… that was a messed up question. These 2 people were good natured. Why would anyone do that…. Even if the king has lost his rule… it doesn't mean he just became a bad person...
"I would have saved them again from you.. Can't let good people die." hearing me Lilith chuckled…
"Defying one's Ruler so nonchalantly…. I can't understand if you're noble or just an idiot…."
Letting the kings talk on the side, I told them I would be going to the Stein kingdom tomorrow.
"Why tomorrow and wait! The thing I said was to not let the war happen but the war has already begun. I can't let you go now! I have got a report from my informant and they are already amassing troops and are going to be ready for war anytime." As Lilith said so. I remembered that really was the case since I threated them. Maybe I did all that thinking for nothing… not to mention, this battlefield looked as if it was made for me after all. if I can take care of that bastard in one fell swoop.
"But I am already ready… and he was amassing troops since I told him before coming back, I was gonna attack him next time." with sheer surprise colouring their faces, the residents of the room looked at me like I was an alien.
"What do you mean ready?" Granny asked.
"I mean I got a way to make that villain guy surrender. I even asked Systy to stop the army while I got that guy under control. Oh by the way, your Majesty, I think those nobles will be dead by the time this will all be over, so yeah, find some good guys next time. Now then is everybody clear?" I said nonchalantly, this isn't even a real war. The army was practically like a zombie force controlled by that Hitherto guy. No wonder I was feeling like it was just an extermination quest from the guild… of course Amanori's presence was the one thing that made me this certain for an easily victory, still I was prepared enough to end this with as less casualties as I can. in the end this problem began because of me, I won't be happy until I make things right again.
[Your just too good for yourself, you should be happy you caused a war to start.] Amanori was happy at the incident it seemed.
"If you could do all that and save my country. I could even give you the highest medal in the country. People would practically worship you!" said the king but his joke was a bit too far. I mean what would I do with a medal? and I was the one who caused this to happen you know? I am not a thug to take something just from fixing my own mess, seeing my blank expression the king said.
"Is that really not enough?"
"No, that's not it Claude…." Granny intercepted the king rather than calling him by his name?
"Say Dear, you said something you liked in Stein kingdom what was it?'' That's what granny asked me.
"Hm. It's a food ingredient you can use like tea leaves. I heard that in the Stein kingdom, they don't really use it for that but anyway, I like that fruit so I would like to have that around our nation too!" I said with much enthusiasm. We could start a coffee trend!
"Well, since we are helping the king, why don't you take that medal, you could have all the fruits you want if you have that you know?" Granny said some ridiculous things, what would I do with so much coffee… I mean it would be another matter if it were rice, I could use a lot every month still it would be going overboard.
"That would just go overboard. I mean what's the point of calling it help if I just take all the stuff I want? Besides, a bag of coffee would be enough for me." As I said so, Granny looked at the king. He was looking at me bewildered….. I suddenly felt I was an alien in their eyes….
"Very well, when I get back I will open a trade network first so that I can fulfill your wish." Well that was good but I have enough coffee for now since Alice brought me a whole bunch, she said she went to a black market to buy it. What a daring girl she was!
"Well then, I will take you after everything is over, is that fine?" the king nodded and bowed to me saying thanks.. I was glad that he could believe in me so much..
"Hey, who is going with you? Didn't you say you are gonna go to war?" said Lilith.. Let alone talk of gathering people, it may be looking as if I was jumping towards this situation alone.
"I didn't say I was going to war? I was gonna go and subjugate them till they surrender, and Systy will go with me. Don't worry, I won't take Alice; she would probably scorch half the country." As I said so and left I saw everyone nod.
The army of nobles as well as the army of the royalty were all normal soldiers; they had very low miasma towards them, so I was guessing the big wigs were the ones that were in the wrong here. If I wanted to save those soldiers, I have to subjugate the army and take that guy down in the quickest way possible. The army should be still savable. Unlike Amanori that cursed item was far too weak to be able to corrupt the army that fast.
"Take us with you too, we wanna watch!" Granny said so and I oddly felt that all the other people also wanted to say the same thing…
"Okay?" I said as I left to the 2nd floor where the girls would be having tea… I was thinking of making some new desserts. It had been a while since I tried to cook some of my home world's desserts!
It has to be something that goes well with coffee!