After deciding to make Fran our companion, I took her back to the village.
" I have returned, Cecil."
As soon as I knocked on the door of the room, it was opened immediately.
"welcome home, Allan-sama. Also, I deeply apologize for not being able to attend you today"
But, as she lowered her head to me, I waved my hand.
"Don't worry about it, if-else, I should be the one to apologize for not holding back. Is your body alright now?"
"Yes, thanks to Allan-sama"
While hearing such a story, I was poked at the back by Fran. I think it would mean "hey, don't leave me out here". For that, I switched the mood to change the story.
"Oh, Uhm, Cecil, there is something I would like to introduce to you"
"Introduce...to me?"
Before Cecil went puzzled, I brought Fran in.
I asked for her to wear a hooded robe before we came here, but now I took it off.
"...I'm Fran Mason. As you can see, I'm a half-elf"
Fran introduced herself while looking down slightly. As expected, did she still have that resistance when talking to anyone other than me?
"Ah, while I was hanging around all day, I got acquainted with Fran along the way"
Because Fran went completely silent after speaking her name, I supplemented her.
"Fran-san, right? I am Cecil Mir. My role is to watch over the prince. Nice meeting you"
Cecil's reaction is still the usual, as if not minding Fran's issue of being a half-elf at all. It was a kind reaction, as expected of her.
"I, I am..."
Cecil extended her hand towards her, but Fran, seems to be puzzled on what to do, could only mutter.
"Don't tell me, you don't know what a handshake is?"
When I said so, she urged herself and extended her hand. And then, Cecil grasped it with hers.
"I hope to get along with you, Fran-san"
Cecil told smilingly.
As if pulled by the tension with that unexpected smile she received, which was different from others who have treated her, Fran in return grasped back her hand, too.
Seeing the two people's faces, I held a sigh of relief, then let the two people sit on the desk of the room. I then proceeded to the main topic immediately.
You see, I'm thinking of taking Fran along to our journey."
"That's, Isn't that quite drastic, Allan-sama?"
Cecil was caught in surprise. Well, it's natural because there were no such plans with someone joining us.
"To tell you the truth..."
From there, I told everything that happened today Cecil. Eventually, when I was done, she nodded once.
"I understand what Allan-sama is thinking. I approve of it. And because there is still room for your travel expenses, there won't be a problem"
"...Wow, though I somewhat expected something like this, you sure have admitted to it very quickly"
Of course, I didn't expect Cecil to discriminate against the half-elves, not one bit. However, I expected something like complaining about discipline or morals or so.
"We aim to unify the world after all. Something like being half-elves should be no big deal for us"
Well, if you say it that way, it certainly should.
As a matter of fact, about half of my head is already filled with the pleasure of travelling from hereafter, but of course, I won't say it.
"So, what can we do about Fran's position?"
"I am the prince's servant"
As if her self-introduction earlier was a lie, Fran speaks out bluntly.
"Servant, you say? Though here are some parts to which overlaps with my role..."
"I will do the miscellaneous chores around the prince. You can continue to just be his watchdog"
"...! I, even I have been with Allan-sama for many years..."
This is bad, a hair-triggering crisis has appeared.
Because Fran has been bullied until now, her communication skills are not that great. Though she doesn't mean any harm, her present words could be received as a provocation.
Cecil is usually gentle but becomes a little bit more emotional when it comes to relationships. I am glad to be surrounded by beautiful women, but spare me the scene of bloodshed!
"Both of you, let's talk of the plans from hereafter..."
By talking in a slightly louder voice, I split the bad atmosphere building up. The two got flustered but eventually regained their calm, so somehow, the quarrel was avoided.
It seems I have succeeded in getting them along while advancing the conversation between the two as it is. However, it seems that a small lump of a problem was still left out.
That night, though we would sleep like the "川" character with me at the centre as the bed is not big enough for us, both sides will be holding close contact with me, making it impossible even to do a slight movement. It seems that I will spend the night with agony in my hands.
※
The next day, we received the letter permitting us to cross over the border to the Country of Fairies. I talked with the village chief that I will bring Fran with me, but he then looked like he was very grateful.
For them, it seems, that the troublemaker in the village of theirs would be gone. This may be the Elves' common beliefs, but still, it's a little sad.
On the other hand, after entering the Country of the Fairies, the trip went smooth throughout. Did they tell everyone? There are too many places that welcomed us along the way.
In a few days, I arrived at their castle town where the King of Spirits resided. And now, I am waiting in that castle at this very moment. Having served with tea in a luxurious reception room, we were standing by.
Its beautiful decorations showed not single inferiority compared to our castle. In the Country of Elves, there are many articles made from natural wood and ores/crystals.
It seems that the Country of Fairies does not differ by much either. However, there are still some items that I could not imagine how they were processed on the inside.
Maybe it is the product of magic. Will I also be able to make something like this if I can use magic?
I went around the room while thinking those things but eventually I have finished seeing through everything. I sat on the chair afterwards and spoke to Cecil who was in front of me.
"As expected of a nation we're friends with, to be able to pass us through the castle very quickly"
"Quite so. In addition, though it is really similar to what I heard, we saw fairies from the first time"
I recall the figure of the fairy we saw so far. Its most noticeable characteristic is the wings that grow from its back.
As for its shape and size, it is quite similar to insects, its two pairs of wings are about one meter in size and are semi-transparent.
It seems that they could float in the air by channelling magic through their wings.
For their remaining characteristics, it's wearing clothes that are considerably thin. It was really pretty eye-catching. Because ordinary elves have elegant dispositions, they usually don't try to wear gaudy outfits like these.
It was almost practically like swimsuits, too. If Cecil and Fran were to wear them...
"Prince, did you think something naughty? In that case, shall I let it out for you?"
"Wait for a moment here, this is the royal castle!?"
Cecil stopped the tempting Fran. The air has tensed in an instant.
It seems that they haven't completely opened up to each other yet. At that time, a subject of the Fairy King returned.
"We apologize for keeping you waiting, Allan-sama"
"Nay, I didn't wait that long. So when could we meet His Majesty the Fairy King?"
"His Majesty is pretty busy at the moment, but he would like to meet with your by tomorrow"
"Understood. Then we will come again"
Certainly, if you are the ruler of a country, you'll have a lot of work to do. I should be thankful that it had made time for me. Besides, fairies are as long-lived species as the elves.
Judging from the time interval, you could already say that the next day is already too early.
"That is not it. His Majesty has told me to welcome and entertain the prince. Please stay in the castle in the meantime"
"I-I see. Then, shall we get going?"
Tch, and here I thought that I could get around the town and hook with some beautiful fairies!
I would have tied Cecil up and went to the bar already, where wonderful beauties might have been waiting.
Then if the mood goes better, we would have done it in a Fairy Brothel or something like that. Unfortunately, I couldn't decline the goodwill of the Fairy King. And thus, we stayed at the royal castle in the meantime.
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Well here is the new volume see you soon