Why Is It Always Girls...?

“At first, I had no idea what had happened. I thought being summoned to another world was something that only happened in manga.”

Her Majesty Sakura began speaking quietly, little by little.

“But everyone in this country was so kind to me. Even His Majesty, despite being an utterly hopeless scoundrel, truly loved me deeply in the beginning…”

As she spoke, she lowered her eyes. What I glimpsed there was a profound sadness that had yet to heal.

I narrowed my eyes. …Judging by the way she spoke, could it be that Her Majesty Sakura still loved the former king even now…?

“Um… Forgive me for asking such an impertinent question, but Your Majesty Sakura, do you not resent the former king?”

“Of course I resent him. I’m angry with him, too. …But more than anything, I’m sad.”

Sad. The quietly murmured word struck my ears.

“He was a terrible man, but it’s also true that the days I spent with him were happy ones. They were peaceful, fulfilling days that could only be described as blissful. The truth is, losing those days is what saddens me most of all. I keep wondering where exactly things went wrong. …How pathetic of me. I should be more resolute.”

“No, that’s not true at all.”

Being betrayed by someone you loved was a painful thing.

Even when my own engagement had been broken off in the past, I’d been terribly hurt despite not even loving the other person. If the betrayal came from someone you truly loved with all your heart, the pain would surely be even greater.

If only there were some way I could comfort Her Majesty Sakura…

Just as I was thinking that, Ai, who should have been hiding behind me, toddled over and stood in front of Her Majesty Sakura.

“Grandma, does something hurt…?”

I nearly jumped out of my skin.

Calling Her Majesty “Grandma”!? I should have taught her the proper form of address beforehand…!

But paying no attention to my anxiety, Her Majesty Sakura looked at Ai and smiled sadly.

“Perhaps… Perhaps something does hurt. The pain in my heart just won’t go away.”

Ai’s eyebrows drooped sorrowfully. Then she reached out a tiny hand toward Her Majesty Sakura.

“Then Ai will make the pain go away for you.”

“My, you will?”

“Uh-huh. Mama always does it for me.”

Hearing that made my cheeks flush. “Pain, pain, go away” was something I often did for Ai whenever she fell down. But I never imagined she’d try doing it for Her Majesty…!

Although her eyes widened in surprise, Her Majesty Sakura obediently offered her head. Ai gently patted it with a serious expression and declared,

“Pain, pain, go awaaay!”

“Hehe… Thank you, my kind little Saintess. I think I feel a little better now.”

“Really?”

Ai smiled happily. As she gently stroked Ai’s head, Her Majesty Sakura continued.

“…We’ve gotten a little sidetracked, but every Saintess summoned to this country has been a girl who grew up in a terrible family environment. …Although none of them were ever quite this young.”

Then Ai really had been chosen because of that, too…?

“Tell me. What condition was this child in when she arrived?”

I hesitated for a moment at Her Majesty’s question before answering.

“…She was absolutely terrified, unable to speak, and suffering from malnutrition. According to the physician, if she’d arrived even a little later, she might not have survived…”

Remembering how battered and frail Ai had been back then made my heart ache painfully.

Her Majesty Sakura lowered her eyes with a pained expression.

“…I see. But judging by her appearance, she’s healthy now, isn’t she?”

Her Majesty gently stroked Ai’s soft cheek, as though confirming it for herself. Ai looked ticklish but allowed her to do as she pleased.

“Lately, she’s been eating so much better, and she’s been smiling more often… I feel as though she’s finally beginning to regain her natural cheerfulness.”

“That’s wonderful. …Houghtley told me about your request. You want me to become this child’s patron, is that right?”

Hearing Her Majesty Sakura unexpectedly bring up the very subject we’d come to discuss made my heart skip a beat. I hurriedly explained.

“As you can see, she has not yet reached adulthood, so she may face criticism from the people. To alleviate that criticism, even if only a little, we would like to ask for Your Majesty Sakura’s assistance.”

I deliberately explained the situation in the most complicated terms I could manage. After all, Ai was listening right beside us. I didn’t want her to think that something troublesome was happening because of her.

When I glanced at her, Ai looked completely bewildered, apparently unable to understand the meaning of my words. I breathed a sigh of relief.

Beside her, Her Majesty Sakura was deep in thought, wearing a troubled expression. Then, slowly, she opened her mouth.

“I understand how you feel. …But unfortunately, I cannot do that.”