Chapter 26

Chapter 26: Judgment of the Royal Family, Part 1

After hearing about my life in the Rajnia family, the dinner ended, and I returned to my original room, bidding farewell to the king and others.

Chloe seemed to be unaffected by my story, but the princess appeared slightly down, as if it had been too shocking.

"...I'm sorry, Jin-san. I ended up doing such a thing because I wanted to investigate about you."

"Ah, so meeting the king was orchestrated by the princess, after all."

"Huh? Is that so!?"

When the princess returned to the room, she apologized for what had happened earlier.

In response, I thought to myself, and Chloe looked surprised.

"Since I knew you were secretive during the investigation, I asked Father for his cooperation."

"That's what I thought. I've been wondering since then how it was possible for me to coincidentally meet the king in such a place. What kind of probability is that?"

"...So you did notice. Somehow, I had a feeling that you did."

The princess, who had a somewhat apologetic expression, said with a faint smile.

"By the way, why did you go to such lengths to investigate me? There are other former nobles besides me, right?"

"Yes, but no one else was in a mysterious state like you. About a month ago, when I was observing Father's work, I happened to come across you and became slightly curious, so I investigated you privately."

"And because of that curiosity, you did what you did?"

When I asked that, the princess nodded in agreement.

Hmm, well, considering the princess's personality, she would definitely pursue someone like me who was shrouded in mystery, just for the sake of amusement...

According to the reference material, the princess was getting bored with her current life and was plotting various things to make her life more enjoyable.

"Well, I understand. I won't say anything about this incident, but please refrain from doing such things in the future, alright? I'm just a commoner now, it's unnecessary to involve the king."

"I'll keep that in mind. You're secretive, and I never know when you'll hide something from me."

"...It's fine to keep things hidden, it doesn't concern me that much."

"Oh? How cruel of you to say. From now on, I intend to have Jin-san and Chloe-san occasionally come here."

"Huh? We had that conversation? I don't remember..."

Chloe trembled as she spoke to me, echoing the words of the princess.

Well, Chloe hadn't been able to participate in the conversation much, so it must not have registered in her memory.

"Seems like it wouldn't matter if we declined the request, right?"

"Hehe, in that case, shall I go meet Jin-san and the others myself? Of course, I can't go out alone, so the soldiers will accompany me. Perhaps Father will come along too, as he tends to worry?"

Ah! Why do I always attract troublesome people like this!

It's not like the escape was taking too long, right? I was planning to go to a country unrelated to the story once I had enough money!

"Understood. You don't have to come. But please refrain from calling me too often when things start going well for us as adventurers, as it might interfere with that side."

"Yes, I understand that. Besides, if I call you every day, there won't be any new stories to hear, right? I'll call when Jin-san and the others are doing something remarkable, or when I have some free time."

After hearing those words from the princess, I lowered my head and sighed in resignation.

Observing our exchange, Chloe, who had been timidly watching, asked me, "Am I included too?"

"Today, it was mainly about me, but it seems the princess is also interested in Chloe... I think next time it will be Chloe who will be pursued."

"Eh?! I-I'm just an ordinary girl, you know..."

Chloe said with tears in her eyes in response to my report, but the princess smiled and directed her gaze at Chloe.

Her gaze was like that of a predator that had found its prey, and I understood that Chloe was completely targeted as well.

"I'll save Chloe-san's story for next time. I'm satisfied because I heard more than I expected today."

"That's good, Chloe. Thanks to me, you escaped today."

When I said that to Chloe, who had shrunk behind me, she replied with a voice on the verge of tears, "But you'll come next time, right?"

Afterward, perhaps the princess felt guilty for what she had done. Normally, she would have continued talking, but today she sent us back, saying it was enough.

Leaving the royal palace, we looked at each other and sighed, then boarded the carriage prepared by the princess and returned to the guild.

"Jin-san, Chloe-san, you both look exhausted. Did you just go to have a conversation?"

"Yes, well, we just went to talk... but various tiring things happened..."

As I said that, Chloe also said something similar, and Fine-san and Ricola-san tilted their heads and looked at our faces with curious expressions.