Episode 132

For a while after that, Sir Rigard kept clinging to me in tears, but I was finally released and left the study.

Sir Rigard had been huffing angrily, but once he calmed down he started thinking up another plan—wondering if someone could be a stand-in that day.

Anyway, since I needed to deliver the rapier to Alicia, I was walking through the manor when I found Lady Aurera.

She’d been humming as she walked, and when she noticed me she approached with a delighted expression.

“Oh, Faik. Weren’t you doing some smithing today?”

“Yes.”

“What’s that you’re holding… a present for Alicia?”

“A present, you could say… I made it for the dungeon expedition. Alicia said she didn’t have her own, so…”

“Yeah, that’s right. Wow, that’s a fine rapier.”

“…R-really?”

“Yeah. You can feel the affection for Alicia. Thumbs up.”

Lady Aurera gave a firm thumbs-up.

“By the way, I’m looking for Alicia now—have you seen her?”

“Ah, Alicia is probably in her room? She went off to play a little while ago.”

“I see.”

“Yeah. I went to find out what kind of flirting she and Faik have been up to.”

What on earth was she going to find out like that!?

If I talked with Lady Aurera for too long, she might rope me into another weird promise.

I gave a wry smile and started walking away as if to escape.

“W-well, then I’ll be off around here.”

“Ehh, I wanted to chat a little longer… But I shouldn’t disturb Faik and Alicia’s precious time together, right?”

“It’s not ‘love time.’ I’m just delivering the rapier.”

“Eh, there’s no love?”

“Ah, there is, but… this time it’s not that kind of thing.”

“So there’s time to enjoy love too, then? Mother-in-law is relieved. Well then.”

Lady Aurera waved her hand flutteringly and left.

…Ah, she was like a storm.

After watching Lady Aurera’s departing figure, I headed toward Alicia’s room.

When I arrived at Alicia’s room, Refy was standing at the entrance.

Refy noticed me, bowed once, then tilted her head.

“Lord Faik, thank you for your hard work. Could it be that you’ve come to deliver Lady Alicia’s sword?”

She saw right through it in an instant—impressive.

“That’s right, but is Alicia okay right now?”

She’d been talking to Lady Aurera not long ago, right?

She acts differently around me, but if she was talking with that kind of energy earlier, wouldn’t it be quite taxing for her?

Refy nodded and answered my question about Alicia’s well-being.

“No, there’s no particular problem. Lady Alicia, Lord Faik has come—may I admit him?”

As Refy spoke through the door, there was a rustling, bustling noise from inside.

Then, the door opened.

“Sorry for making you wait.”

Alicia appeared from beyond the door, looking like she hurriedly adjusted her clothes.

I might have been at fault for making her rush like that.

“Sorry—were you busy?”

“Not really, I’m fine. What’s up?”

“Remember I said I’d make some swords? Alicia’s is already finished, so I came to give it to you.”

When I presented the sword in my hand to Alicia, her eyes lit up.

Alicia drew the sword from its scabbard and inspected it from tip to hilt.

Then she swung the sword lightly.

Of course, since we were indoors her movements were restrained, but that was enough for her to check it.

Alicia smiled happily.

“Faik, this is amazing. It fits my hand.”

“I’m glad. I tried pretty hard to make a sword that would suit you, so it was worth it.”

“Thanks, Faik. If my sword’s done, does that mean that the others’ swords are finished too?”

“Yeah. I delivered them all to Sir Rigard, so we can head into the dungeon for the expedition anytime.”

“I see. I have to keep an eye on my brother so he doesn’t run away.”

So he might actually try to run off.

I smirked at Alicia’s words and glanced out of the room.

“Well then, see you later.”

“Yeah. Oh, right—Faik and Refy are free tomorrow, right?”

Taken aback by the sudden question, I stopped and turned back.

“We’re free, but what’s up?”

“Refy suggested having a spar with Faik once. Like a warm-up before we enter the dungeon.”

“With Refy… you mean fight?”

I swallowed hard.

When I looked, Refy bowed her head gracefully.

“I might not be enough of a challenge, but please be kind to me.”

“…Refy trained Alicia, right? Does that mean she’s pretty strong?”

“No, no, it’s nothing like that.”

Refy let out a soft chuckle and smiled.

…She’s definitely not someone to be underestimated.

“A-and also, I was thinking we could go out and play together in the afternoon… is that okay?”

Alicia asked shyly.

Go out together, to play.

The moment I heard those words, I found myself nodding.

“Y-yeah! That’s fine!”

“Great. Then I’ll count on you tomorrow.”

“Got it.”

It’s been a while since I went out to play with Alicia.

I looked forward to tomorrow, but I couldn’t afford to let my guard down.

…First I have to survive Refy’s instruction.