Published at 27th of April 2021 9:37 am

Chapter 186

This chapter is updated by NovelFree.ml

Galwark Kingdom, Royal castle. After Galwark’s King, Francois, and the first prince, Michael, left the room, Rio and the others also left the parlor. They were headed to a courtyard that was limited to people of a certain social status. Only through being led by Charlotte, did Rio along with Flora, Christina, Liselotte, and Satsuki were able to enter the indoor courtyard with an open ceiling design.

「Well then, please take a seat.」

Once they arrived there, Charlotte urged them to sit. She then waved her hands to the maids, ordering them to bring in the delicacies. And soon, the sweets and teas were brought in, suitable for the tea party, which was composed of women of amazing status.

「Well, this is the tea that is sold by my firm, no?」

With just a sip of tea, Liselotte had guessed the origin of the tea.

「Yes. It’s one of my favourite tea leaves.」

The second princess, Charlotte, replied happily.

「The tea of Rikka brand is popular even amongst the members of Restoration.」

「I often enjoy its elegant taste during my work.」

「It’s my honor hearing such praises coming from such honored patronage.」

Flora and Christina joined in the conversation. With them joining in, the topic expanded beyond the usual scope of conversation during the noble women’s tea party. This tea party consisting of an Earl daughter, a Duke daughter, three Princesses, and a female Hero was indeed brilliant and different from usual. As such, any young nobles of appropriate age who saw this would shoot an envious gaze at Rio, who’s participating in it. If they were placed in Rio’s current position, their verboseness might soar high like Hiroaki’s speech normally.

However, Rio was different from the other noble men. He was comparatively silent amongst the ladies, and didn’t try to say anything since the start of the tea party. And it wasn’t because he had nothing to talk about. Perhaps, the reason was because of his social position. Or perhaps it was because he was surrounded by girls from all sides. And, all these reasons wouldn’t be lies. However, the most prevalent reason was because of Rio’s, this youth’s, own natural disposition.

Therefore, he only looked on at the lively conversation between the girls in silence. Nevertheless, it was not for long, because after some time passed, the topic would naturally stray to other topics. So, soon, the girls turned to talk to Rio.

「Come to think of it… Haruto-sama, do you have any plans for the rest of the day? 」

Charlotte asked, eyes containing inquisitive glint in it.

「After my stay in Galwark kingdom, I think I’ll be going back to Rodania to settle some matters. Once I’ve finished with that, I’ll rest for a while before leaving to visit and greet my acquaintances elsewhere since it’s been a while since I met them. Perhaps after that I’ll come back if possible.」

He disclosed his overall travel plan after this time’s visit. Then, as if he was just remembering, he added ‘A house had already been prepared for me to return to after all’.

「I see……does that mean you have no urgent business for the time being? 」

「Yes.」

Rio nodded in response to her question.

「In that case, please accompany me and Satsuki-sama. It has been a long time since we saw you, you know…and…and we have missed you so much. Right, Satsuki-sama?」

Charlotte said, subconsciously raising her face, showing a lovely gesture to Rio. Not only that, she even asked Satsuki for reinforcement.

「EH？ A-ah, n-no, it’s not like I feel lonely or something like that, but…but still…ngh. Maybe I’ll just make you accompany me with just the two of us alone during your stay in this Kingdom. After all, who knows when I can meet you again if you disappear again like last time. Besides, there’s something I want to ask you too…」

Satsuki’s voice when she responded to Charlotte’s prompting was shrill. She looked as if she didn’t know where to look so she just stared intensely at Rio. However, Rio only heaved a sigh before he smiled.

「Please don’t be too hard on me.」

「Any problem with that? it’s not like I’m just coming to play and eat.」

Satsuki stared at Rio as she pouted.

「Satsuki-sama is constantly worrying since she can’t get in touch with Miharu-sama and the others following the Demi-Dragon incident. And since Haruto-sama has a good relationship with Miharu-sama and the others, you must be looking forward to meeting them again right? So, please hear Satsuki-sama’s story during your absence.」

Thus, Charlotte appealed to Rio, smiling.

「…. Understood.」

For an instant, Rio’s smile clouded slightly when he heard Miharu’s name, but it was only for that instant for soon he restored his usual polite smile.

「Geez….」

Feeling slightly embarrassed, Satsuki averted her gaze from Rio. On the other hand, Christina, Flora, and Celia were looking at their conversation with great interest. Maybe, just maybe, Satsuki and Rio’s relationship was more intimate than what they’ve shown? This thought was floating in their mind.

「But, if it’s only you and Satsuki-sama alone…hmm, I’m going to get jealous if you only favor her like that. That’s why you absolutely have to let me in too, right? Naturally, just the two of us alone as well…」

Charlotte said mischievously, wearing an impish smile as she did so.

「Please stop teasing me like that, Charlotte-sama.」

Rio wryly smiled as he replied.

「Well, haven’t I told you before? Haruto-sama is like my own brother. So, please spoil me like you would a little sister. 」

Charlotte said playfully, discreetly taking note of Satsuki, Liselotte, Christina, Celia, and Flora’s reactions.

She observed as Flora got flustered as she surreptitiously looked at Rio’s face; as Celia looked at Rio with a slight anger on her face. While those two’s reaction was open and easily observed, Christina and Liselotte’s reaction was what she expected from experienced ladies. They were looking at the unfolding situation with a poker face. Catching all of these within her eyes, Charlotte then turned her attention to the one in the middle of those girls’ attention.

「The matter of meeting with your highness alone without His Majesty’s permit is…just too awe inspiring.」

As always, Rio adapted his response, letting Charlotte’s sure-kill move pass by him through the safest reply. But――,

「If it’s about dear father, I’m sure that he’ll permit it. He did say that it was fine if I wanted to visit Haruto-sama’s new mansion. And, that just show how much he held Haruto-sama in high regard.」

Charlotte said, suddenly getting up and approaching Rio. All the while, she hinted to him to recall what Francois had told him not long ago.

「That is an undeserved honor for someone like me. Well, as long as His Majesty allows it…」

Rio was troubled with Charlotte’s words and it showed in his expression. But he could only give those conditions to her.

「Fufu, I’m looking forward for it.」

Charlotte said with a delighted smile. And those who saw it would say that it was an extremely captivating smile. But, at this time, Satsuki, the first person who said that she wanted to have a private conversation with Rio, chewed her lips as she glared at Rio.

「Haruto-sama, though you ended up making a promise with them, may I still ask for some of your spare time during your stay in Royal Capital? I think it’s about time we continue our conversation about the matter before.」

Without any warning, Liselotte joined in the fray.

「The matter from before… Yes, I will.」

Rio, who recalled the matter about Liselotte’s previous life, agreed with the meeting immediately. Unlike the extreme reluctance he showed others.

「Oh my, you readily agreed when it’s Liselotte who’s asking for a private meeting like we did, no. How curious…」

Charlotte pouted cutely.

「Please understand. Because in Liselotte-sama case, it’s purely business relationship.」

「I see. So~ the meeting with me was not purely business, in other words, our meeting will be unrelated to our status. Shall I take our meeting like that, Haruto-sama? Fufu~ now including Haruto-sama’s new house, I guess I have another matter to look forward to.」

Charlotte smiled. However, this smile was unlike her impish smile. It’s an insincere smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

「Fufufu, it seems that we have unintentionally neglected the others while we were talking. My deepest apologies everyone. I’m just really excited since it’s been a while since I met Haruto-sama.」

Then, Charlotte turned her attention to the others, expressing sincere apology while looking at Celia, Flora, and lastly Christina one by one at the eyes. It seemed that they were showing some restraint right now since they had Rio all for themselves during his stay in Rodania. And that’s why they didn’t try to interject into the conversation.

And at present, from Galwark Kingdom’s side, the one chosen to interact with Rio were the Hero, Satsuki, the second Princess, Charlotte, and the president of a giant firm, Liselotte. From the lineup only, it was obvious just how much the Royals had placed an importance in building friendly relationship with the honorary knight, Haruto Amakawa.

「… We don’t mind, Princess. Besides, we should be able to meet him since Haruto-sama did say that he plans to go back to his mansion in Rodania, so please take your time conversing with him since we won’t stay in Galtouct for too long after all.」

Christina said, smiling at Charlotte while sending a sidelong glance to Celia, who lived with Rio in his mansion in Rodania.

「I’m glad if you feel so. Nevertheless, Haruto-sama should’ve received an appropriate mansion in Galtouct too, no. It is just right that dear father had prepared to reward Haruto-sama. It makes me wonder what sort of wonderful house he’ll give to him. Ah, if you’re fine with it, shall we go together to inspect it later? This, of course, includes you, Liselotte.」

Charlotte once again reaffirmed that Rio’s mansion in Galtouct would be completed not that far in the future. Thus, it would be fair for everyone to visit there using the inspection as a cover. And, in this way, the competition for private time with Rio unfolded like usual.

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