Episode 60

Having stepped down from the carriage, I looked up at the court I hadn’t seen in a long time.

I wasn’t here on business today; the social gathering would be held at the royal castle attached to it.

This is the Levanand Empire.

There were many nobles from other countries like us. Inside the castle, servants bustled about busily. It’s a familiar sight.

Alicia and I walked toward the court, holding hands.

We planned to attend the social gathering being held here today.

My position is as Alicia’s husband… Lord Goral said he hadn’t accepted that quite yet, but it’s easier to understand it that way.

We had rooms prepared within the court. Many nobles would rest there for just tonight.

They say the rooms in the court exist because some people take someone they meet there back to their rooms.

In our case, it was simply to rest for one night.

We walked toward the room prepared for us with Alicia.

We entered the room shown to us by a servant, and seeing the large bed I wanted to sigh.

Alicia and I were sharing the same room.

…It wasn’t that I disliked it.

But I couldn’t imagine being able to relax in a place like this.

“…Hah, since we’re being treated like a married couple, we ended up in the same room, huh.”

“…Y-yeah.”

That was all either of us could say. We turned our faces away from each other and fell silent.

Alicia and I hadn’t reached that kind of relationship yet.

Lord Goral’s earlier words flashed through my mind, but I forced them out desperately.

Silence ruled the room for a while, but then someone knocked on the door.

Was it the maid Refy who had come with us? She had accompanied us to serve as guard and assist with personal chores.

I turned to the door, and Refy glided into the room.

“Lady Alicia, the nobles have come to pay their respects.”

“…Understood.”

Alicia glanced over at me.

“Should I go and greet them with you?”

“You don’t mind, do you?”

“Of course not. As Alicia’s fiancé, I should at least do that.”

When I said that, Alicia smiled happily.

Then we went to greet the nobles who had come to visit with her.

They showed a momentary surprise, but the nobles quickly composed their expressions. Still, the twitching of their cheek muscles made it obvious.

Among them were nobles I’d seen before. They didn’t seem to notice me, though.

It was while we were greeting people like that that it happened.

“Excuse me, Lady Alicia.”

A familiar voice sounded.

When I turned my gaze that way… there was Morgan.

Perhaps because he had a squint-like smile, he was a moment late in noticing me.

“La-Lady Alicia!? Wh-why is he here!?”

Because I hadn’t told him I was coming here, Morgan reacted with great surprise.

“He’s my husband.”

“H-h-h-husband!?”

Morgan’s eyes widened at Alicia’s words.

“B-but… wasn’t Lady Alicia looking for a skilled blacksmith…?”

“Yes. That’s why I made Faik my husband.”

“H-he’s at best only competent as a handyman—”

…It seemed he had reconsidered my Enchantment.

“His smithing ability is excellent. My father has acknowledged it as well…. And also, I have a letter to give to you. Here you are.”

Alicia handed the letter to Morgan.

Morgan glanced at me with a displeased look, but then opened the letter and his eyes widened.

“…H-hey! Faik! Are you saying you won’t return to the court!?”

He, still holding the letter, yelled at me.