Ch. 3: The Prince Bestowed With Wisdom
Leeya, awakened from his sleep, was clearly popular with the people based on their reactions when we'd arrived in the town.
A crowd had appeared out of nowhere, calling out 'Lord Leeya', 'Lord Leeya'. They were clearly dependent on him.
I'm really glad I was able to wake Leeya up.
I watched Leeya's back as we walked. He was still firmly pulling my hand, and I willingly went with him…-.
We entered the castle and approached the courtyard when my eyes stopped on a figure rushing towards us in a panic.
??: "L-Lord Leeya…!"
The person who had rushed over in a panic was a middle-aged man.
Seeing him, Leeya suddenly pulled me up front.
Leeya: "Butler. This is my guest."
Butler: "Y-yes, Lord Leeya…Lord Leeya, it's so wonderful to see you safe…!"
The butler completely ignored me as I stood there in front, and his eyes were damp with joy as he practically fawned over Leeya.
Leeya: "Hey, Butler! You listenin'!?"
Butler: "Of course I am! Welcome home Lord Leeya. Everyone has been eagerly looking forward to your return…"
Leeya: "No you are NOT! Listen up. This. Is. My. Guest!!"
Butler: "Oh…"
Leeya shouted, enunciating each word precisely.
The butler stared at me, his eyes as round as dinner plates.
Th-this is kind of uncomfortable…
Leeya: "Got it Butler? If she's my guest, you get what that means? You gotta he hospitable to her. She's the one who woke me up, the Princess of Träumere."
Butler: "Oh! My my…um, so then how should I do that?"
Leeya: "For crying…Fine, you listenin? Since she's an important guest, you take her to the topmost guest room in the right tower, alright!? Then you bring her top-notch cakes, and delicious tea. Got it!?"
Butler: "Understood Lord Leeya."
The butler had taken in every single detail that Leeya had laid out for him, then nodded in satisfaction.
I was reminded of the people in the town.
This seems…kind of rough for Leeya…
Leeya: "Hurry it up, I've got stuff I gotta do, so I'll be heading back to my room. If you need or want anything, just tell this guy."
Saying as much, Leeya pointed to the butler.
[CHOICE]
-
Thank you (SUN)
-
What are you going to do? (MOON)
With that, Leeya and I parted, and the butler guided me to the guest room in the right tower…-.
…
……
I spent some time in the elegant guest room, and I enjoyed the delicious tea and snacks the butler had prepared.
Butler: "Thank you so very much for aiding Lord Leeya."
The butler formally bowed his head.
OO: "Oh it's nothing, I'm glad I could wake him up."
Butler: "Truly…Lord Leeya is an incredibly important person to all of us here…-"
The butler began to speak about how wonderful Leeya was.
Long ago, Leeya had gone on a journey to seek out Oswald and obtain wisdom.
A traveler… I think that kind of suits Leeya.
As a result, Leeya had a fortuitous encounter with Oswald and was bestowed with wisdom…
With that wisdom, Leeya was able to defend the people from the harassment of the family of crows living in the western forest.
Butler: "Lord Leeya is a genius! If he wasn't here, the country would surely fall!"
I listened as the butler frantically praised Leeya…
And I remembered how all of the people in town had said the exact same thing about Leeya being a genius.
But…I think it'd be difficult to have people relying on you so much for everything.
The image of Leeya letting out a deep sigh came to mind, then…-.
OO: "…!?"
There was a sound like a great explosion, and the room started pitching violently.
W-what…!?
In the next moment, a figure burst into the room…
Leeya: "You OK!?"
Butler: "L-lord Leeya, what is…!"
Leeya: "Later! We gotta get outta here now!"
OO: "R-right."
In that instant…
OO: "…!"
The room shook again, and a bookcase started to fall…
But in the nick of time, Leeya grabbed my arm and held me protectively.
Leeya: "Come on…!"
Leeya held me tightly, having suddenly wrapped me in his arms.
The part of his face that I could see was serious, and I…
[CHOICE]
-
Say nothing (SUN)
-
What's happening? (MOON)
After that, we somehow managed to safely escape the crumbling tower.
OO: "…"
I said nothing, and left myself to his care.
Leeya: "It'll be alright!"
Leeya spoke with reassurance, and I wondered if he was concerned with my silence.
OO: "U-um, what's going on?"
Leeya: "We just gotta get outta here for now. It'll be alright!"
Leeya smiled slightly as if to reassure me.
OO: "Um, Leeya, what are you going to do?"
Leeya: "Just somethin' I gotta work on. Once things've calmed down, I'll listen to whatever your wish is, so just wait till then."
OO: "…!"
Th-that's not what I meant though…
He said it with a smile, and I could feel a gentle, dependability there. My heart wavered.
I could kind of understand why everyone was so reliant on him.
OO: "Thank you."
Leeya: "Haa? You should be thanking me, not him. Just relax while you're here."
As expected, his words were a little rough. But I suddenly realized Leeya was smiling faintly.