Formerly, The Fallen Daughter of the Duke

43. Invitation from Veek

A golden hair transparent to the sun, a familiar outfit.

With backlight, I can’t even confirm the color of my eyes, but there’s no way Claire could have seen them wrong.

“… why…”

Claire shrugged so much that she was surprised and the words didn’t last.

“I’m not from the Noston Nation mission, Vic.”

It’s Lui’s voice.

The nostalgic four shadows come closer and closer down the coast to Claire.

Distance from Claire, 10 m, 5 m, 3 m, … approx. 1.5 m. So, the four stopped.

“Wow, it’s so cute. What’s your name?

Donnie asks with a nostalgic smile like her youngest.

“… Yes, my name is Claire Martino from the Duke of Martino, Noston Country. Today, I came as part of a mission. I’m sorry I walked in on my own.”

“I’m so sorry to bother you. This is His Royal Highness Vique, First Prince of the Paft Nation. I’m Keith from the Marquis Spencer family in the Paft Country”

“I am Lewis of the Count Clark family in the Pfeet-country. We’re here to welcome you to the Noston National Mission.”

“I’m Donnie from Count Ward’s house. So, you’re going to the royal palace with me? Nice to meet you.”

Keith, Lewis and Donnie name in turn.

Claire then took Veek’s hand and played Cartesy. Thus, Claire thought it was not since the night club of the Queen’s Seeker that she would formally greet her.

(To the four of you, I can’t believe I saw you so soon…. but this encounter may not be the same relationship as before)

At the same time as the pleasure of seeing them, Claire was feeling a little sorry for herself.

“It’s Veek. Could it be you? The son of the Duke of Noston, who studied at the Royal School of Paft from Noston,”

“Yes, it was just decided a week ago… you already know that”

It’s been three weeks since these emerald green gentle eyes have been directed at Claire. Even though she knew it would be rude to keep staring at the person she met for the first time, Claire couldn’t let go of her sight without wanting to miss it for a moment.

“Oh, I have a sudden request from King Noston’s family to respond to royalty as a guest. Arrangements are under way for you to use the corner of the Royal Palace as a residence.”

Claire turned blue as she heard Veek smile and say.

(… it’s Asberto!

Claire remembers Asbert’s expression the last time she visited the office. It wasn’t my fault that my cheeks seemed slightly stained.

(You did the last thing you could, didn’t you? Diagonally… it looks like him…. but!

Claire says, bowing her head.

“We apologize for the inconvenience. My father told me he was arranging a mansion near the Royal School, along with deacons and escorts. It is an extra privilege for me to stay at the Royal Palace in the Paft Country. Please, don’t forget.”

Hearing Claire’s words, Vik looks surprised.

“In addition to having decided to study abroad so suddenly, were they sent out without having finished swinging their ways? I don’t know…”

“Pfft. I’m a translator, me.”

Speaking of which, I remember having this conversation when we met in the city of Aeas. Claire smiled like an unbalanced courtier with the shattered words.

“… so we were out of season playing with water, you mean”

Vik turns his teasing gaze to Claire’s feet. Claire, who had just finished her baptism, was still barefoot.

…… Sorry!! This is… what do you say makes you want to come in? ”

Now Claire notices her outfit turns bright red.

“All right, so are we!

“Whoa! What are you doing, Donnie?

Donnie, who notices Claire looking embarrassed, pulls Keith’s hand and runs out on the wave. Keith, who was supposed to be big, was somehow quickly dragged into the ocean.

“You guys… you’re on duty”

Vike looks frightened across the street from Claire.

“You know, I don’t want to play myself.”

……

Calm and gentle Louis’ voice, Claire missed it.

Seeing as if they were two. I thought you looked nostalgic earlier, but they’re both somewhat younger than Claire remembers. Especially Vik, who was almost still a boy.

“This beach is where the church of the former Lindell Nation was.”

Louis, who noticed Claire’s gaze, continues with a cool smile.

“The god of the former Lindell Country, surrounded by the sea, is the goddess of the sea. This beach is also known as the Holy Springs that heal people’s hearts. We have a sad history and the Lindell Nation is gone, but this is where we keep it, and it’s never going to change.”

“Right. It’s impossible to bury it.”

……

Claire is surprised that there has been talk of landfills on this beach.

(Again, it was true what your brother was saying. The past is changing… I wonder what that means)

“Um, is it true that we’re talking about burying this beach?”

Claire heard terribly.

“Oh. A nobleman in my country told me we should bury this place and make it a cliff because of defensive issues. I wish I could have kicked it right away if it wasn’t possible…. It’s a very powerful nobleman who’s rubbing it a little.”

“Who is that nobleman?”

It’s Count Meade’s house in the Pfeite Country.

……

(Count Meade’s house…!

The Count Meade family failed by releasing ‘Magic Sharing’ to Claire, Dion’s house. It’s too well done by chance, Claire thought so.

“Why bother crushing the Holy Springs… It’s not strange to have other plans.”

Vique stares at Claire with her hands on her cheeks. Lewis noticed his gaze, subtly changing the subject.

“… Miss Claire’s protection is very beautiful and of good quality”

“Thank you”

“The flow is pleasant. I’m sure you’d like a teacher.”

Claire’s protection was taught by Lewis, not the magician at the Royal School. Lewis trained me well to combat the sharing of magic.

“Pfft. He’s a very nice teacher and I love him.”

Claire replied so, staring into Lewie’s eyes and smiling.

Says Veek, who was listening to the two conversations.

“Hasn’t Miss Claire just been baptized at her age? It will be hard to stay away from teachers in the Noston Country. If there’s anything you don’t know about magic, you can talk to the magician at the Royal School, but you should talk to this Louis. He’s quite a specialist in magic bloodline, technically, and in the Paft country.”

“Well.”

It was something Claire already knew with herself, but I dare to surprise her here.

“I’ll help you with anything. If that’s what I can do.”

“So… can I really talk to you if anything happens”

“Yeah, sure.”

Claire’s chest jumped with joy for the first time in a long time.

“Time to go back? I want to change.”

Just there, Keith and Donnie pulled him out of the water game, two totally spooky.

Lewis, change your clothes.

“No.”

I also miss this conversation between Lewis and Doni.

“Dear Doni, Whatever clothes are for women”

When Claire said with a shuddering laugh, three other people besides Lewis solidified.

“We just met, and this is the first time Miss Claire has ever spotted Lewis as a female knight.”

“Yeah. I didn’t realize I was here for about three years.”

“… Shall we go back, Miss Claire? Watch your step.”

Lewis ignores the conversation between the Vikes and takes Claire’s hand and leads the way.

“Thank you, Master Lewis”

Claire also answered with a full grin and continued.

Lewis took Claire up the coast, a little distance apart, and Veek watched.

“Keith.”

“What is it”

“She said she wanted to resign herself to the royal palace.”

“Right. So, will you stop making arrangements, Your Highness?”

“No. You can keep it that way. If an offer to resign from the Noston Nation is officially made, don’t accept it.”

“… Your will”

“Uh, favorite? Rarely, Vik.”

Vike blushed and listened to Donnie tear up.

―――――

The next day.

At the end of the morning shift, the door to the room was knocked.

“I’m leaving, Master Claire.”

Sophie smiles and opens the door instead.

“Oh, Master Oscar. That’s a long time ago. I was wondering if we still had a few more hours before we left.”

Do you have a sister?

I hear Oscar in a hurry.

“Brother Oscar, what’s wrong?”

Claire also stood up from the back of the room to peek into her face, looking like it wasn’t just a joke.

“Claire. The First Prince of the Paft Nation, His Royal Highness Veek,”

“Yes.”

“When I was traveling today, I told you to get in the same carriage.”

(… Huh?

“What is that…”

Claire’s not too surprised, she can’t turn her head.

“Claire, wasn’t yesterday the first time you met His Highness Vike?”

“Yeah, well…”

The first encounter Oscar refers to that scene where after returning from the beach on Lindell Island, the five of us showed up in the salon at Lindell Castle with no eating faces and then greeted each other back in white.

Strictly to answer, Claire is not at all first-person, but the Vike side is definitely first-person yesterday.

Claire’s poor toothpick in her answer is for a reason. That was because the Vikes had asked the four of them to keep it to themselves, on the pretext that they did not want the Duke’s Lady and the others to know how to stand on the beach called water play.

“Then why is such a life coming from His Highness Vik?”

“That’s good for me too…… but I’m close in age and maybe you want someone to talk to”

Claire didn’t look her brother in the eye and smiled deceptively.

Oscar glances at the dress Claire just changed. As I accompanied the royal family, I chose a dress close to the outfit, but with no decoration, it was a simple one that took advantage of the good fabrics and sartorial qualities.

“… Anyway, not with those clothes. Sophie, give me a better dress.”

“Yes, sir, Oscar.”

(I don’t know, something’s gone wrong)

Claire was puzzled by the back of her brother Oscar and Sophie, who would prepare as if they were going to attend a night club.

Claire, who has set the pace for departure, heads to the carriage.

Until this point, it was the only line of troops in the Noston Nation, but from here on out it will be quite a large area with the addition of the Pickup of the Paft Nation. In addition to the royalty, Claire and the samurai were supposed to travel in carriages and their other knights on horseback.

On both sides of the carriage that Veek rides were Lewis and Doni, and Claire knew immediately at a glance which carriage to ride.

“Miss Claire…. You look very nice today. Vik’s already here.”

Lewis speaks to Claire. Claire couldn’t wait to be happy that Lewis started talking to me yesterday in a shattered tone after a little talk.

“Good morning, Master Lewis”

“… dude. This way first.”

From inside the carriage, peek into Vik’s obstinate face.

“… ah. Thank you for inviting me, Your Highness.”

Claire smiles as she remembers.

“” “… Huh” ”

Behind you, there are signs that even Keith and Donnie have leaked laughter, not just Lewis.

“Nice, Miss Claire.”

(Guys, you really haven’t changed for a long time. That’s sweet and warm.)

She smiled back at Lewis’ words and Claire thought so as she boarded the carriage.