Episode 44: Victory Celebration
It seems Elmia will only be staying at Bangwall Fort for today and will be returning to Ortenatris tomorrow.
The one who informed me of this was the female Military Official who serves as Elmia’s attendant, who entered the fort after her.
This Military Official told me everything about how Elmia came here.
Even though I had said that reinforcements were unnecessary, she apparently went through great lengths for my sake.
The more I heard, the more I realized she was an even bigger tomboy princess than I could have imagined, which made my blood run cold, but I was even more delighted.
However, that means the Naked Brother Incident must have deeply wounded Elmia’s heart.
She came to check on her brother, praying for his safety, only to find him naked and flirting with a maid—of course, she’d be upset.
By the way, my father, who was left behind, apparently trudged back to Ortenatris.
As expected, the head of the House couldn’t stay away from Ortenatris for too long.
“Um, Lord Sharka, I am terribly sorry for what happened because of me.”
“No, it’s not Nicoletta’s fault. It’s all due to my own lack of crisis management.”
Nicoletta and I had returned to my room after that.
We couldn’t quite get back to our original mood, so we quietly washed ourselves and left the bathhouse.
“No, but…”
“Nicoletta, this is a matter between me and Elmia-sama. If you get involved, it will only complicate things further. So, just forget about it, okay?”
Well, I’m the one who wants to forget about it.
“Yes… But Lord Sharka, please don’t do such things.”
“Hmm, what is it? Am I doing something strange?”
“Y-yes. It’s unbecoming of the eldest son of House Ortenos to be lying face down on the floor like that.”
“Even if you say that, my reputation has already hit rock bottom. So, it’s only natural to merge with the ground.”
I was currently lying face down on the floor.
If I’m not going to be arrested for public indecency, then I have no choice but to become the floor.
“That makes no sense at all, and you haven’t hit rock bottom just because someone saw you naked. If others see you, they’ll worry about what’s going on, so please.”
Nicoletta says this, trying to get me back on my feet, but what happened earlier was even more shocking than when my mother in my previous life caught me masturbating.
My beloved sister saw me in such a disgraceful state… Ugh, my head.
“I’ve become the floor, so please just leave me alone.”
“I can’t!”
Nicoletta grabs my limp armpits and pulls me up.
As expected of a Satella-Class, to lift me up so easily.
“Lord Sharka, we have a Victory Celebration coming up, so please pull yourself together.”
“Victory Celebration?”
“Yes, there’s no reason not to hold a Victory Celebration on this auspicious day. There’s a dining hall for nobles, so we’ll hold it there. By the way, the White Princess will also be attending.”
“Elmia-sama…?”
I felt a glimmer of hope.
Maybe I can have a peaceful conversation with her during the Victory Celebration.
“Yes, that’s right.”
“I see… Then I have to make amends.”
“Yes… By the way, I have a plan to improve your relationship with the White Princess.”
“…Let’s hear it.”
◇◇◇◇
The Victory Celebration was held on a small scale.
Many of the soldiers seemed to be having a large-scale celebration outside, but this venue was attended by those among the Military Officials who were near me.
Around the time the lights were lit, Elmia appeared in the dining hall.
Since the Military Officials were all men, they gasped at her beauty.
I touched the Gold Coin in my sweaty right hand, trying to calm myself down.
The first words are important, so stay calm…
“E-Elmia-sama, g-g-good evening. About earlier…”
“You’re the worst.”
“Guh…”
Elmia suddenly threw a jab at me.
One down.
Crap, I’m too nervous and got off to a bad start.
No, calm down, me. I still have Nicoletta’s plan.
“We’ve been waiting for you, Princess. Today, we have prepared a modest celebration for Lord Sharka’s victory. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it…”
“You’re the maid who was in the bathhouse with Sharka earlier, right?”
Nicoletta also gets off to a bad start.
“Y-yes.”
“Since when did you become Sharka’s attendant?”
“Hah, Getrude-sama appointed me as Lord Sharka’s attendant as of today.”
“Getrude did? …How meddlesome.”
“Um…”
Elmia makes a Noh mask-like face and whispers to Nicoletta.
“…Listen well? If you lay a hand on Sharka, I will never forgive you.”
“Hii!”
I don’t know what the two of them were talking about.
After Elmia whispered something, Nicoletta left for the kitchen with a pale face.
It seems like Nicoletta is also down, but is that just my imagination?
“…Now then, we shall receive words from our general, Lord Sharka.”
Getrude requested a speech from me.
Well, that’s only natural. What’s the point of having the main character of today not take the lead?
This is a chance to touch on Elmia in a businesslike manner.
I spin the Gold Coin rapidly in my right hand, assembling the speech in my head.
“Ahem, everyone worked hard today. This victory is thanks to your dedication. I hope you will all replenish your energy here and devote yourselves to your work from tomorrow. I’m sorry that the first job is cleaning up after me. And as you may have noticed, rejoice, everyone, the White Princess Elmia, who Ortenos is proud of, has come to commend our Military Achievement. Elmia-sama, thank you very much for rushing here for our sake today.”
“…Hmph.”
I turn to Elmia and bow.
In reality, it was Elmia’s runaway act, but I won’t say it honestly.
Elmia turned her face away from my words.
That’s kind of cute.
“Everyone, even though it’s a celebration, please don’t get too carried away. With that, cheers.”
“Cheers!”
I somehow managed to finish the speech.
Elmia and I sit facing each other at one of the several round tables that were arranged.
(Our eyes aren’t meeting at all. Am I dead?)
From experience, I know that talking to Elmia when she’s in a bad mood will only make her angrier.
I also know that this is not a problem that can be left to fester.
But how am I supposed to interact with my sister, who I accidentally showed my di—to, even though it was an accident?
I didn’t have any sisters in my previous life, so I don’t know…
The dishes that the cooks made with great care tasted like nothing.