My housewarming party is coming up tomorrow, and I'm supposed to
visit the royal castle of Symphonia Kingdom today. Incidentally, it seems
that a pickup is on the way, and I'm currently waiting for them at the
entrance of my house.
The reason why I'm visiting the royal castle is that I received a letter
from the King, Ryze-san, asking me to come to the castle before the
housewarming party.
To summarize the contents of the letter I received… Errr, for some
reason, even though I built my house in the royal capital of Symphonia,
they're not treating me as a Symphonia citizen.
At a quick glance, it looks like I'm being treated as an outcast, but in
reality, it's something much worse.
Because, apparently, my house has become something like a special
zone or an independent state… and that it isn't subject to the laws of
Symphonia Kingdom.
In addition to that, I'm not obligated to pay taxes, and the government
is forbidden to issue any kind of orders to me or anyone living in my
house, except in cases of dire emergencies.
In order to make it known to the other nobles, simple formalities…
where they would just give me a note that proves how I'm under special
treatment, would be conducted and thus, he's asking me to come and
pick it up.
No, I honestly have no idea… as to why this situation is happening… is
what I'd like to say…
[Hey, Alice.]
[What is it?]
[This situation… Is it perhaps related to, errr, a certain God from Earth
that I'm thinking about right now?]
[…I mean, I'm the one who suggested it… but she is indeed the reason
why this is implemented.]
[…I knew it.]
I so knew it. Looking back, I should have known that her presence
would have some influence on my surroundings. Ryze-san… and
perhaps, Chris-san and Laguna-san too. I'm really sorry for giving you
unnecessary trouble just because I didn't think about the situation
enough.
As I waited at the entrance, feeling apologetic, I saw Lilia-san, who
would be participating in the formalities as the head of a noble family,
and her entourage walking out of her mansion.
Lilia-san and I live next door, so even though the size of our houses
makes it a bit distant, I can still see her from where I stand. However,
Lilia-san would be participating as the head of Albert Duchy, so we will
be going to the royal castle separately.
As I watched Lilia-san's entourage prepare their carriage, I saw a
gorgeous carriage stop in front of my gate.
Thereupon, a woman about 150cm tall alighted from the carriage's
driver seat. She had wavy golden semi-long hair, red eyes, and was
dressed in silver and white armor with a large sword on her back that
looked twice as tall as she was. I have no clue as to how she would be
able to unsheathe such a sword.
I've never talked to her before, but if I remember correctly, she should
be the one guarding Ryze-san back at the Six Kings Festival. Is she a
knight of the royal guards?
Walking through the opened gate and through the garden, the woman
arrived in front of me, brought her hand on her chest and lightly
saluted.
[My apologies for making you wait. I am Rachel, I've been assigned to
guide you today.]
[Ahh, errr, nice to meet you. I'm Miyama Kaito.]
[Thank you for your courtesy.]
She had a rather peculiar way of speaking, but her gestures made me
feel the elegance of someone within the upper class.
As I was thinking about this, Rachel-san fixed her posture and with a
wry smile on her face, she spoke.
[Miyama-sama, for the trouble "my husband" had caused you before,
please accept my apologies.]
[Husband? Errr… Ryze-san?]
When I heard her mention her husband, the first one that came to my
mind was Ryze-san, who has many wives. At my words, Rachel-san
shook her head with a smile.
[His Majesty, the King is indeed an attractive man… but unfortunately,
he is not to my liking. My husband is "that fashion-conscious skeleton"
that also interacts with Miyama-sama.]
[…Eh? Skeleton, you mean Sechs-san?]
[Indeed.]
It seems like Rachel-san is Sechs-san's wife. This may sound rude, but I
honestly was a little surprised.
No, even though I understand that people of differing races fall in love
in this world, it is still difficult to imagine the Lich Sechs-san being in
love.
[Is it surprising? I don't really think that was the case though.]
Saying this, Rachel-san took off part of her armor and showed me her
exposed arm. To my surprise, I saw what seemed to be the spherical
joint of a doll in her elbow…
[I'm a Living Doll, a Demon who belongs to the so-called "Undead", so
it's not that unusual for me to marry the fellow undead Sechs.]
[I- I see…]
I see, I had felt that there was something slightly off about her earlier…
but looking closely, I can see that Rachel-san's eyes weren't blinking at
all.
Does that mean she's the same race as the magic doll, Zwei-san?
Hmmm, when it comes to Demons, there are new things I learn
whenever I meet one.
As I was having a light conversation with Rachel-san, thinking about
such things, before I knew it, Lilia-san and Sieg-san had approached us.
The two of them moved up to Rachel-san and after bowing politely,
Lilia-san spoke on Sieg-san's behalf.
[It's been a while, "Knight Commander" Rachel.]
[Ohh, well, well, if it isn't Lilianne and Sieglinde. It has been a long time,
hasn't it?… Ah, excuse me. You're now the Duchess Lilia-sama, right?]
[Fufufu, I'm glad to see that you're as energetic as ever.]
[I think it's strange to describe a Living Doll such as I as energetic. It
seems that both of you have become much stronger than when you
were in the Knight Order. Especially Lilia-sama, I don't think I could
compete with you anymore… As your former superior, I'm proud to see
that both of you have grown.]
Apparently, Rachel-san is the commander of the Knight Order of
Symphonia Kingdom, and she's an old acquaintance of Lilia-san and
Sieg-san, who used to belong to the Knight Order.
From the expression on Rachel-san's face as she said that she's no
longer Lilia-san's match with a happy smile on her lips, somehow… I
could feel what kind of person she is.