Ch. 2: Innocent Smile
The forest was wrapped in gentle sunlight as Al led me through. We arrived at the castle, which was surrounded by plots of cultivated land.
Aldebaran: “I’m baaack!”
Butler: “L-Lord Aldebaran! You’re safe!!”
The butler ran up to us, tears in his eyes.
Aldebaran: “I made you worry huh!”
Butler: “Yes…Her Highness was quite worried as well.”
At those words, I saw Al’s face cloud over, but just for an instant.
Aldebaran: “Aw come on, I’m fine! Oh yeah! Are my fields alright?”
Butler: “Oh yes! In your absence my lord, I made sure to properly maintain them.”
Fields…
Aldebaran: “Hey, this is OO, she’s the one who saved me! Right!”
OO: “…yes.”
Butler: “Lady OO, you have my deepest gratitude!”
The butler politely bowed his head at me.
OO: “Oh no, I’m sorry for just showing up at the castle…”
The butler seemed embarrassed by my response, and Al’s loud voice cut in.
Aldebaran: “Alright, let’s have a welcoming party for OO!”
Butler: “Surely you jest my lord. Her Highness is in no state for holding a party.”
Aldebaran: “Oh come on, let’s just try. I’m sure Grandmother will…”
The butler let out a loud sigh as if to interrupt what Al was saying.
Butler: “You know that is not possible, my lord. Please do not joke about it.”
Aldebaran: “I’m serious~! If we just ask Grandmother, she’ll perk right up~!”
Butler: “Now then, please come this way. I shall begin the preparations for dinner.”
Making light of Aldebaran’s proposal, the butler left.
Aldebaran: “Ugh.”
Al?
Smiling as usual, he tilted his head back.
Aldebaran: “Guess there’s nothing to be done about it~ Well, if we can’t have a welcome party, I’ll show you around the
courtyard!”
Al grabbed my hand, and threw me another innocent smile.
[CHOICE]
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Alright (SUN)
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Are you sure? (MOON)
Led along by Al, we started walking towards the courtyard.
In the instant that the inner doors opened to the outside, I could smell the scent of earth hanging in the air.
OO: “Are you sure it’s alright?”
Aldebaran: “You worried about what we were talking about earlier? Yeah, it’ll be fine.”
Al smiled in embarrassment.
OO: “Alright, please do.”
Aldebaran: “That’s the spirit!”