I Will Not Allow Marriage (3)

“It’s late. For Her Highness.”

“Yeah.”

“I’m starting to get a little worried.”

After finding an inn and successfully securing rooms, we spent some time relaxing inside.

I had intended to reserve rooms for everyone, but unfortunately there were not enough available, and we could only get two double rooms.

We decided to discuss who would share a room with me after Erika returned, but…

“It’s already evening.”

Erika still had not returned.

Even if she had gotten lost, she had magic—coming back should have been easy.

At this point, it was only natural to feel worried.

I opened the window of the room and looked outside to see if Erika was nearby.

“She’s not close… huh?”

Something seemed to be flying toward us…

“Ow!”

“Hero!”

“Are you okay!?”

“Y-yeah… what is this?”

A paper airplane?

It had magic infused into it.

The only one who could do something like this was Erika.

At least she seemed safe—that was a relief.

“Let’s see…”

I unfolded the paper airplane and read the message inside.

Just one simple line.

-I will be staying at the royal castle tonight.

“…What?”

Even the next day, Erika did not return.

Originally, we were supposed to leave after spending one night in the royal capital, but…

“A letter came!”

“It seems she’s still at the royal castle.”

“……”

What the hell is she thinking?

Ignoring the schedule and staying at the castle like this.

I was curious why she was remaining there, so when I replied to her letter, I included a question as well…

“There’s an answer to your question in the letter!”

“What does it say?”

“Um… she says she happened to meet Prince Kaiser in the city!”

“A prince?”

By chance in the city—does that really happen?

“If it’s a prince, perhaps there are diplomatic reasons involved.”

“Maybe? Then will it take more time?”

“…For now, I guess we wait.”

I had thought she might have found her ideal man and followed him without hesitation, but if her counterpart was a prince, then perhaps this was simply an unavoidable matter of state for a princess.

Still—if that were the case, she should have had us join her.

I waited, irritated.

Two days later—

“This is way too late!”

Erika still had not returned.

Letters arrived every morning, but they all said she had no intention of coming back yet.

Even when I asked for the reason, there was no reply.

Finally running out of patience, we decided to go directly to the royal castle to ask in person.

“Excuse me. We believe Princess Erika is here.”

“And who might you be?”

“We are the Hero of the Kingdom of Etoile and his companions.”

“The Hero, you say! Yes, Princess Erika has indeed been staying here for several days now.”

“Could you take us to her?”

“Of course. Please follow me.”

After explaining the situation to the castle guards, we were allowed inside.

At times like this, the title of Hero was extremely convenient.

People automatically assumed you were trustworthy rather than suspicious.

Perhaps it was also because our countries were allied, but thanks to that, we entered the royal castle without issue.

We proceeded down the castle corridors.

Whether by coincidence or intuition—

“Erika.”

“Oh? Soji… you came.”

We ran straight into Erika.

Beside her stood a handsome man with distinctive blue hair.

I immediately understood.

He must be Prince Kaiser.

“What are you doing here?”

“I came to get you. It’s time to leave.”

“…I’m not going.”

“What?”

“I’ve decided to become engaged to him.”

As she said this, Erika clung to Prince Kaiser’s arm.

Arka and Semirena both gasped in shock.

On Erika’s left ring finger, there was already a ring.

“E-engaged!?”

“That’s quite sudden.”

“Hey… Erika.”

“I’m staying here. You can go defeat the Demon King without me.”

I felt anger surge up.

“Don’t say whatever you want. Are you messing with us?”

“I’m not joking. You knew this, didn’t you? I joined this journey to find my destined partner. Defeating the Demon King was just a side objective.”

She said it outright—a side objective.

My irritation only grew.

“I’m sorry, Hero. I know this is improper, but I couldn’t suppress the urge to stay by her side.”

“…An urge? What is that supposed to mean? Lust?”

“That’s rude to a prince, Soji.”

“What’s rude? You’re the one acting selfish.”

I couldn’t help it—I was furious.

At Erika, yes, but…

This wasn’t just ordinary anger.

Something was churning deep in my chest.

Why was I this irritated?

“So you weren’t joking.”

She had said that if she found her ideal partner, she would leave the Demon King to me.

She had laughed when she said it.

Those words back then…

“I told you. This was my goal.”

“……”

“So go back now. I’ll pray for your safe victory over the Demon King.”

“Oh, fine. I get it. Then that’s that!”

“Soji!”

“Hero!”

I turned my back on her and walked away, fuming.

“I guess I was the only one who thought we were companions.”

“……”

Ah. Now I understood.

I finally knew why I was angry.

Somewhere deep down, I had trusted her.

I had believed that we would continue traveling together, fighting the Demon King, laughing side by side.