Episode 7

I boarded the carriage with Alicia and we left the Levanand Empire.

We continued south from Levanand and arrived at the kingdom of Narstei.

From there it wasn’t far to the territory owned by her father.

After about a day’s travel by carriage, we reached the Barnast domain owned by Alicia’s father.

When we arrived in town and moved to the lord’s mansion, I finally escaped the long carriage journey and straightened my back.

“It’s been a long trip so far… aren’t you tired?”

Alicia looked at me with concern.

“I’m not saying I’m completely without fatigue… but it’s no problem at all.”

Compared to when I was forced to work from morning till night every day without rest, the current situation was nothing.

When I answered honestly, Alicia smiled.

“That’s good. …I’ve already contacted my father. So he’s probably waiting already.”

“Understood.”

I felt nervous.

It’s a sham, but that’s only between Alicia and me.

No one else must suspect a thing.

As I thought that, a soft sensation enclosed my right hand. Looking, Alicia was holding my hand.

“H-hands… I-I thought it’d look less suspicious if we held hands.”

Indeed, that’s true. But… it was very embarrassing.

Her ears were bright red, and she gave off the atmosphere of a girl who had just gotten her first boyfriend.

Even though it was a sham relationship, Alicia’s acting was superb.

I—I had to learn from Alicia.

I had to repay Alicia here for the help she gave me.

I squeezed Alicia’s hand tightly in return. As I interlaced my fingers with hers, Alicia let out a “Hyaa!?” cry.

“S-sorry! I-I thought this would cover it up better…!”

“I-it’s fine…! I-I was just surprised since it was so sudden, that’s all…”

Indeed, I should have warned her beforehand. It was often not a problem for a woman like Alicia to touch, but a man touching a woman often caused trouble.

The word “sexual harassment” was common even in court, so I was cautious about such things.

From Alicia’s perspective I was a compromised sham fiancé. Since I was her sham partner, it wouldn’t be strange for her to think she’d been sexually harassed in the same way.

“I’m sorry, really.”

If I were kicked out of the house like this, there’d be no way to fix it. When I said that, Alicia reddened and fidgeted at her mouth.

“…Th-this sort of, um, surprising move… m-might not be bad… so you don’t have to worry about it, okay?”

What did she mean? That being caught off guard produced more natural acting?

I tilted my head and entered the mansion.

When I arrived at Alicia’s father’s—Lord Goral’s—room, he was staring at me intently.

Lord Goral’s gaze was constantly directed at the joined hands between Alicia and me.

“So you’re the blacksmith Alicia approved, are you?”

His voice was calm. However, Lord Goral’s expression did not change at all.

At Lord Goral’s words, Alicia nodded once.

“…His blacksmithing skill is exceptional. First, take a look at his Enchantment, Father.”

At Alicia’s words, Lord Goral looked at me intently.

Then he tossed a sword that had been on the desk toward me.

The sword, still sheathed, spun through the air and I caught it.

“I want you to handle the Enchantment on that sword. Repair the Enchantment currently applied as it is.”

…That was probably a test.

I nodded and then drew the sword from its scabbard.