Chapter 111: The Black Knight, His Name Is(2/3)
Lilyana’s making a sincere appeal.
Takahisa’s face warped as if he’s being cornered.
Both of them is staring silently for few seconds.
「I-If that’s the case........」
Right after that, Takahisa started to speak with a irritated tone.
In the next moment,
「I’ll stop being a hero! And take Miharu and the others into my custody! 」
Takahisa made that declaration with a frightened expression.
「Wha-....」
As expected, even Lilyana’s staring at him with a shocked face due to his shocking declaration.
Silently, even Kiara and Alice are also taken aback in hearing such a conversation.
「Didn’t you say that you want to become the hero of our kingdom. ...... And then make the kingdom a better place along with me. That vow, was that vow a lie? 」
Lilyana’s saying those words with a sad voice.
「It’s not a lie! I don’t want to lie to you, nor am I trying to! Because I just can’t do something like that. BUT........! 」
Takahisa’s shouting with a desperate voice.
「I HAVE TO DO THIS. THERE’S NO WAY I CAN LET MIHARU AND THE OTHERS TO GO TO THE SIDE OF SOMEONE WHO CAN KILL WITHOUT BATTING AN EYELID!」
A slight tremor is running across Lilyana expression in hearing Takahisa statement.
“――What does he mean by killing someone without batting an eyelid?”
Lilyana’s gazing into Takahisa eyes, a while later.
「I will act as if I never heard your words from before. ..... But, is there any feasibility in your statement? Will you stop being a hero and then take along Miharu-san and the others to live with them? 」
She asked.
「I will. No, I definitely will do that」
Takahisa’s replying with enthusiastic words.
He’s unstable, and dangerous.
Lilyana’s judging that the current him will completely have no intention to even reason for whether his thinking is right or wrong.
She doesn’t know whether it’s possible to make him listen to her even just a little in his current condition since there’s a possibility that he might be acting recklessly in his desperation.
「...... Reality is far more cruel than what you might expect, Takahisa-sama. If for example you choose that option, the time you come to regret that decision won’t be that far」
「...... I don’t know unless I try」 [TL : Rio already mastered that area long time ago]
「the result is as obvious as day even without you trying to do it」
Lilyana mercilessly cut down his remark. [TL : Crush him little girl]
「That won’t happen. You know about that too right, Lily. My power as a hero. I can protect my most important people with my power」
「You can’t protect someone with only brute power. Though I’m one to say something like this, royalties and nobilities were a being that excel in using their wits. Many will turn into a completely merciless person if it was for their own benefit」
「.... Any more than this will only open the gap between us, Lily. I won’t let things go as you say, I won’t let Miharu and the others meet him. If you keep hindering me, I’ll take along Miharu, Aki and Masato to leave with me」
Takahisa is telling her that he won’t talk any further than this.
Since he doesn’t know when Miharu and Masato will come back from their stroll.
From this point is the worst, he can feel the unrest to even force them to go along with him.
「Lilyana-sama......」
Kiara and Alice took one step forward when they guessing such heavy atmosphere.
「Please stop this」
Lilyana’s restraining both of them.
「Do you really have no intention to step back, Takahisa-sama?」
「...... Nope. Since I can’t protect everyone unless I do this. I will do that so that everyone can live in peace」
Takahisa replied calmly with a extremely distressed face.
Lilyana’s showing a troubled face.
「That is.......... Of Takahisa-sama」
She stopped what she’s about to say in the middle of her sentence.
Since she feels that the relationship with Takahisa that she built up till this point will be completely broken beyond repair once she says those words.
The silence dominated the place as Lilyana’s breathing lightly.
「No, so be it right. ........ Understood. Let’s follow Takahisa-sama’s wish」
She muttered those words.
There’s a slight tremble in her voice.
Is this really okay to?
Or so, as if she’s asking herself――
「Lily......」
Takahisa said so while heaving a sigh.
「But, I have a few conditions. And you must promise me to never go against those conditions. From now on, don’t do something like this again ever. In the worst case that Takahisa-sama isn’t abiding this condition, I won’t back down in delivering the punishment to you. So that you won’t regret your actions later on. Will you pick this choice by betting on your life? 」
Lilyana’s asking him with a cold voice as if to ask him to make his resolution.
Though Takahisa’s pushed by her pressure for a moment,
「..... I’ll choose that choice. If that choice will let Miharu and the others to live in peace」
So he spoke of his vow with a resolute tone.
「Then I’ll take your words as your vow. Never make a mistake on your choice」
Lilyana’s saying so with a calm tone.
Thereupon, after taking a short breath,
「Well then, since we have not much time left I’ll explain the detailed condition later but, first please let me have the letters. I’ll be the one who will dispose of it」
She spoke those words.
「These letters?」
「Yeah, otherwise how are you going to dispose it? Since we’ll be in trouble if those letters are disposed half-heartedly, I want to be the one who’ll dispose it」
Lilyana’s replying properly to Takahisa who is asking timidly.
「No, even so........」
「I have the privilege for the matter of disposing the letters as the condition of going along with Takahisa-sama. Please decide it right now, we’ve no time」
「....understood」
Though Takahisa’s somehow showing a hestitant expression, eventually he agreed to give the letters to Lilyana when she pressed for a reply.
Lilyana’s giving her cooperation, after all she can’t read these letters.
After receiving those letters from Takahisa, Lilyana’s giving those letters to Fril who stood quietly by her side.
「You know what you have to do right, Fril?」
「Yes, my princess! 」
Fril is nodding happily as she keeps those letters.
After Lilyana confirmed that she keeps those letters, she’s looking back at Takahisa.
「Takahisa-sama, I’ll explain the necessary arrangement. We need the cooperation from one of the three people but, will you persuade one of them? 」
「 If I’m the one who asking, maybe Aki will......」
Takahisa replied with a slightly matured tone.
「Well then, please go to persuade her」
「O-Okay. I’ll try it」
「Best regard. Well then――」
☆★☆★☆★
Takahisa returned to the room right after hearing the necessary arrangement from Lilyana.
Since it’ll be bad if Miharu and Masato come back when Takahisa is persuading Aki, they’ll do that in the bedroom of Lilyana.
「Aki, there’s something that I wanted to tell you」
Takahisa’s suddenly speaking to her.
Lilyana’s also sitting nearby in silence while listening to their conversation with a slightly gloomy expression.
「Uhm......... What’s the matter? 」
Maybe because she can somehow feel the heavy atmosphere, Aki’s asking with a timid voice.
「The truth is, we decided to leave this kingdom this afternoon」
Takahisa’s frankly telling her.
Thereupon, Aki’s staring with a dumbfounded expression at her.
「EH? A-Aren’t you going to meet Satsuki-san and Haruto-san in the afternoon? 」
「Sorry. That is impossible」
Takahisa’s saying so with a awkward face in seeing Aki being shaken by his words.
「Impossible you say, even though the discussion has yet to be done.........」
Aki’s showing a troubled expression.
「Well, aren’t you going to go with me?」
Takahisa was going straight to the point with a face as if depending on it.
「O-Of course I’ll go with oniichan but..........」
Maybe because the direction of the talk is way too absurd, even Aki’s confused in how to react to it.
「In that case, can I ask for your help?」
Takahisa’s asking with a impatient face.
「.............. What are you going to do about Masato and Miharu-oneechan?」
Aki’s completely unable to understand the flow of the conversation.
Since her brother is always obsessive with going along with everyone and yet, is he going to leave those two in the Galwark kingdom.
Or else, he’s going to persuade them after this―― Masato aside, Miharu’s clearly stating that she’ll go with Rio.
「I’ll take them along」
Aki gasped when she heard Takahisa say those words with a resolute tone.
「H-How will you do that?」
「That’s why I want to ask for your cooperation, Aki. Can I ask your help in this matter? 」
「EH? T-That’s impossible」
The diligent Miharu won’t easily change her mind once she’s made a decision.
Moreover, she doesn’t think that she can persuade those two by the afternoon.
「Please! We’ve no time left and I have no one but Aki to rely on」
「B-But, even if you say to cooperate, what should I do........」
When seeing Takahisa bowing frantically in front of her, Aki showed the attitude of wanting to cooperate with him in spite of being a little timid about it.
「First, I want to give a greeting to the king along with Lily」
「T-The king?」
「Yes, since all you have to do is basically be in there」
Takahisa’s speaking with affirmation to the confused Aki.
「.......... What about Miharu-oneechan and the others?」
「you’ve to pack your luggage by telling them “it’s because we’re going to change our room” when they returned」
「y-you’re going to cheat them? what about Haruto-san and Satsuki-san? 」
Aki’s asking with flustered voice.
there’s no way those two will do nothing when they heard such action.
since they have yet to have a proper discussion.
「........ it’s okay. since Satsuki-senpai........... and Haruto-san will definitely come to visit Saint Stellar Kingdom in the near future. we can have a proper discussion during that time」
Takahisa’s line of sight moved awkwardly as he replied to that question in a roundabout way.
but with only that, Aki can guess that Satsuki and Haruto isn’t involved in this fiasco.
「we can’t just leave without saying anything to Haruto-san and Satsuki-san you know. won’t that make them worried instead? 」
「that’s why there’s no need to worry since i want Aki to resolve that matter in front of the king. and then, i want you to write letter of agreement for Miharu and Masato」
「such things........」
「i mean i’ve told Satsuki-senpai and Haruto-san last night that everyone will go with me. so i think they’ll believe it as long as Aki write the letters」
「are you............ really saying that?」
it’s a makeshift lie that will be revealed when the afternoon comes but, it definitely be enough to get the consent of Satsuki and Rio.
since their persuasive power will increase by not only using the letter from Aki but also by calmly leaving after giving their greeting to the King.
”but, this topic is just too absurd, is it really okay to do such a blatant lie?.”
Aki is extremely worried inside.
「Please! since i can’t turn back anymore. but, i hate to be separated like this even though we finally reunited after such a long time. and yet, i don’t even know when we’ll be able to meet again!」
Takahisa’s making a desperate plea while bowing his head.
「oniichan............」
Aki was at a loss for words seeing her brother lowering his head.
because Aki also doesn’t want to get separated from Takahisa.
because she finally reunited with her important family.
moreover, it’s because Miharu is the first love for Takahisa.
it might be love at first sight but, Takahisa is still in love with Miharu ever since their first meeting.
it doesn’t mean that he loves Miharu only for her appearance, that feeling is definitely inferior to the real thing.
because Aki knows how painful it was for Takahisa.
「........... Understood. fine then. i’ll be cooperating with oniichan. as long as it is something that i can do」
Aki unintentionally sent a rescue boat to Takahisa who keeps bowing at her.
though she still has that troubled expression on her face, her declaration to help him is genuine.
「Aki...........! Thank you very much! 」
Takahisa face instantly turned brighter.
「even so, you will properly persuade Haruto-san and Satsuki-san as soon as you meet them again right. since no matter how much you say that you have to return immediately, i think everyone won’t give their consent with only those reasons」
Aki’s drawing a minimum clearance that he has to do.
「........ yeah, indeed. i think it’ll be depending on Haruto-san who has something to do but, i think i’ll be able to meet Satsuki-san faster. right, Lily」
saying so, Takahisa’s turning his gaze in a slightly awkward manner to Lilyana.
「....Yes. both kingdoms have a relationship but, since it’s an alliance it’ll be handled with care」
so Lilyana’s gave her consent.
「Thank you very much」
Aki’s saying her gratitude with a timid voice.
Lilyana’s replying with a slightly awkward smile and then,
「well then Takahisa-sama, our time is almost up. now we need to give the necessary explanation.........」
she’s putting a stop to the conversation.
but, Takahisa then said the following words with a slightly hesitated expression.
「Sorry. one last question. can i ask you one more question, Aki? this is completely unrelated to our conversation from before though........」
「yeah, what is it?」
Aki’s replying while tilting her head.
and then with a slightly hesitated expression,
「do you know about Amakawa Haruto?」
Takahisa asked that question.
「Eh......? 」
maybe because she just heard an extremely unexpected name in this place, Aki’s showing a dumbfounded face.
Lilyana who on Takahisa side’s is showing a brief change on her expression.
「the one who Miharu is in love with. uhm, could it be that his name is Amakawa Haruto? 」
Takahisa’s timidly asking another question.
thereupon, having come to understand the meaning of that question just now Aki is,
「w-why do you know about that person, oniichan?」
started to inquiring back as if losing her cool.
her look is a bit, no, her expression is extremely gloomy.
「no, well..........」
Takahisa’s about to elude her with a astonished face due to how grim Aki’s reaction toward that name.
「maybe you heard that name from Miharu-oneechan.........」
Aki’s trying to find the origin of the information.
「no........ i’ve happened to heard about him long time ago. from father. uhm, he was your big brother right? 」
when Takahisa’s telling a lie as if deceiving Aki,
「WRONG!」
was Aki’s declaration.
「that guy is not my older brother! Takahisa-oniichan is my only oniichan, case closed stop spouting such nonsense! 」
Takahisa trembled in seeing Aki’s trembling due to extreme impatience and fright.
though she’s just showing a slightly bad attitude just now, that is a completely unexpected reaction from the usual Aki.
maybe that shows how much of a land mine the existence called Amakawa Haruto is to Aki.
Takahisa could sense it in a moment.
while at the same time his self-confidence is overflowing as he feels that not showing those letters to Aki is the correct choice.
Takahisa felt extremely relieved without noticing such a feeling.
「Aki........ i’m sorry.. i just asked a strange question to you. please forgive me」
Takahisa’s apologizing.
「ah, yes. i’m sorry.. since i...... also suddenly shouted like that」
Aki suddenly snapped out from her rage and then apologized with a awkward manner.
Lilyana’s is staring at the two of them with a dumbfounded face.
☆★☆★☆★
afternoon.
after finishing lunch with Charlotte, Rio’s heading straight to Miharu’s room along with Satsuki.
Fril is waiting in front of their room to let them enter the room.
「we’ve been waiting. please take your seat」
they’re sitting on the chair that was set in the middle of the room along with Takahisa’s words.
「where’s Miharu’s?」
Satsuki’s asking while looking at the room devoid of people’s presence.
thereupon, Takahisa’s face slightly stiffened at that moment,
「I’m sorry. The truth is, we decided to return to the Saint Stellar kingdom............」
And replied to her.
Rio and Satsuki were staring at him with a dumbfounded face in the next moment.
「Eh? Is that so? W-Why? 」
Satsuki asked him with a confused tone.
「Though I can’t say about the detailed matter due to the secrecy issue, it’s in fact due to the newly formed defense-alliance......」
Takahisa’s replying with a stiff voice.
thereupon, Satsuki showed an expression as if she can’t take that matter as it is.
「Secrecy huh..........」
“Isn’t that completely off the topic if you just come with that explanation?”.
Though she doesn’t think that he’ll tell her what this secret is about if it’s actually a national secret.
Satsuki showed a bewildered face.
「............ What are you going to do about Miharu-chan’s group?」
when she regained her composure, Satsuki’s asking the most fundamental question.
「They’ve made their decision to go with me」
Takahisa said those words with a calm tone.
In short――
「Then......... where’s Miharu-chan right now?」
Satsuki’s asking with a impatient tone.
「They’re heading ahead toward the magic ship after packing up their luggage」
「such things........」
Satsuki’s heart is completely shaken by the sudden development.
”Meeting aside, are they really going to leave like that without saying anything?”
”Were they really going to do that?”
Certainly, she can feel that Miharu’s favor is tilting toward Takahisa in seeing their conversation last night but――
”Are they really going to leave without even greeting them?”
”Were they really that much in a hurry?”
So, Satsuki’s pondering about such problems.
That was the same case for Rio.
「Even if you say so, that’s too sudden..........」
Miharu’s omitted way too many necessary procedures to the point that they can’t even prepare themself for that sudden change.
“Why didn’’t they tell us about this matter beforehand?”
Though she doesn’t think that Takahisa’s lying, there’s not enough evidence to prove that, so she can’t decide which one is the truth.
「I’m sorry. Though I’m going to wait till the very limit, we have to prepare the procedure for them to leave the kingdom beforehand」
Maybe because he realized that he’s cheating them, Takahisa’s apologizing with a awkward tone.
His line of sight is mainly on Satsuki――
「well, my side is also a bit careless in that fact thinking that we’ve at least a little bit of time............」
Satsuki’s speaking in a reluctant tone.
It was decided before that they’re going to have a discussion with all members right in this afternoon since yesterday night during the evening party.
That’s why the talk about them going back to Saint Stellar kingdom is truly a bolt in the sunny day.
But then, they can at least come to Charlotte’s room to inform Rio and Satsuki about those matters, and yet――
Satsuki felt that kind of dissatisfaction.
「I’m sorry. It really is a sudden decision just a while ago which forced us to go back to Saint Stellar kingdom immediately......」
After Takahisa explained in that way,
「.......... Is that so?」
Satsuki asked Lilyana who sat next to Takahisa.
「Yes. An emergency contact just arrived from our kingdom. Since they were going to the noble district after the observation of the magic ship, it’ll be just right in the afternoon.」
Lilyana added to Takahisa’s explanation.
She’s somehow showing a troubled expression and then a slightly apologetic expression.
「That was way too sudden right......」
Satsuki’s saying so as if sighing.
they almost have no time since its just before the afternoon.
「That’s why we came to give our greeting to your majesty Francois and apologize for our sudden decision」
「Aki who finished her packing ahead was the one who has come with us to greet the king. While Miharu and Masato is packing their baggage in the room. Thus, maybe they don’t know that senpai’s coming」
Takahisa’s adding the explanation as if riding over Lilyana’s words.
「I-I see...........」
Satsuki is muttering with a slightly astonished tone.
Certainly from the story that she heard last night from Takahisa, she knows that Miharu may be choosing to go with him to Saint Stellar kingdom.
But, she expected that she would have at least one more day to have a hearty conversation with Miharu.
Since she also has no intention to force Miharu if that is their answer from the very beginning.
Because she had decided with Rio to respect Miharu’s will from the very beginning, which she confirmed again last night with Rio on the way back from Takahisa’s room.
That’s why she was prepared with the worst possibility of not being able to meet Miharu for a while after this afternoon.
She is a hero but, they might be able to meet again since they’re at the same place.
Though she’ll be lying if she said that she’s not lonely, she knows that they can meet again after bidding their farewell properly, she feels that it won’t be this painful for her.
But, as expected if they were suddenly separated in this way――
「I wanted to greet them properly but, I don’t know when I will be able to meet them again........」
Satsuki’s showing a sullen expression while saying those words.
Though it’s not like she’s angry, she’s still dissatisfied by it.
「In fact, Aki was writing a letter. But, it seems that she couldn’t write the important part since she was in a hurry......」
Saying so, Takahisa’s taken out the letter at such precise timing.
Certainly, that letter is addressed to Satsuki since there’s her name written on the envelope with Aki’s penmanship, it’s sealed too.
「......... Let me take a look at it」
After receiving the envelope, Satsuki’s peeling off the sealing wax.
And then, after taking out the letter inside, she’s spreading the letter to read it along with Rio.
Though the content of the letter keeps it’s simplicity due to the time, she can feel that it is politely written in Aki’s style.
written in that letter was about Miharu’s group heading toward Saint Stellar kingdom without saying anything and their reluctance to part with Haruto and Satsuki, she also cleverly mentioned the part of not worrying about them since they’re going to meet again soon enough.
Satsuki’s eye is moving at a fast pace and after finishing the letter in a dozen seconds,
「Aki-chan.........」
She said her name with a slightly bitter tone.
Satsuki’s hand is holding that letter as if cherishing it.
But, she tilted her head a while later as if noticing something.
「But, is this letter........... Written for me?」
And muttered so.
Though Satsuki’s name is written on it, the name of Rio―― Or rather, Haruto wasn’t written in it at all.
「Yes. Though she’s trying to write two letter for both of you, she’s running out of time......... But, she left a message for Haruto-san」
Takahisa’s saying so with a slightly stiff smile.
「A message huh」
Rio muttered silently.
「Yes. Uhm, since this is also the matter regarding the content of the letter, can we talk with just the two of us? 」
So Takahisa’s proposing that in a reserved manner.
Rio is glancing at Lilyana who seems to know about this matter.
On the other hand, Satsuki’s showing a confused expression as she is unable to understand the flow of the conversation.
「My apologies for asking this, does the two of you know about the content of the letter?」
「......... Lily knows nothing about it」
When Rio’s asking, Takahisa is answering so while shaking his head in denial.
「I see. Then, may I confirm about one thing in this place? 」
So Rio said.
Thereupon, Takahisa shoulder is trembling lightly.
Surely, Rio didn’t want Satsuki to hear this story.
Since it’ll be slightly inconvenient for Takahisa if Satsuki knows about this.
Since this will turn into a messy situation if Satsuki meets Miharu again later in the future.
In the first place, he doesn’t want her to know the matter of Rio sending those letters which is addressed to Miharu’s group.
But, he couldn’t hide those facts unnaturally either.
「Yes, may I know what it is?」
Takahisa’s gulping his saliva as he asking that.
He’s wondering what is the thing that Rio wants to confirm about.
He can feel the increase of his heartbeat.
「Have the three of them read those letters properly?」
Rio asked while his gaze bored deeply into Takahisa’s eye.
It’s not only Lilyana by their side, there is also Satsuki.
If it was a “no”, he might not be able to explain afterward.
But, he has-->>