Side Story Episode 3

Heinri did not return immediately even after the refreshments were prepared.

Likely because he was so busy ahead of the coronation, it seemed he had difficulty rescheduling his appointments. He only returned when we had emptied about half the basket of pastries.

"Thanks to you, I've managed to carve out a moment to rest."

As Heinri sat down opposite me, a maid swiftly brought out his teacup.

"Do you plan to stay at the palace until the coronation?"

Truthfully, I had no intention of staying at the palace until the coronation. I had simply planned to attend the coronation, pay my respects, take care of my business, and leave.

While no one would have insisted if I had refused, seeing Heinri's face, which did not hide his delight, made it difficult to declare my departure so bluntly.

"There are still several days until the coronation. Wouldn't it be burdensome for you if I arrived too early?"

"A few days is only a week. Envoys from other nations have already secured their places long ago."

Well, envoys coming from afar might have arrived a month prior. Even so, more guests at the palace meant more work.

Moreover, the news of the Resurrected One's appearance must have reached those envoys' ears. Naturally, they would likely rush to try and exchange a word with me somehow.

It seemed like nothing but troublesome matters would arise, so I was hesitating when Xenon subtly interjected.

"If you seek lodging outside the imperial palace now, His Highness the Crown Prince will be very disappointed."

"Rarely do you speak sense."

Heinri, who had been ignoring Xenon all along, chimed in as if he had been waiting for this. I hadn't expected to have Xenon's claim of becoming close with Heinri confirmed in this manner.

"To begin with, Xenon, if you hadn't set the coordinates here, this situation wouldn't have occurred."

"Since we have the chance, it's better to stay in a good place. Where could you find lodging better than the imperial palace?"

Stunned by the unimaginable answer, I missed my chance to reply and simply gaped. Then, belatedly, I looked back at Heinri.

Heinri was savoring the subtle fragrance of the tea. From his benevolent smile and serene gaze, one could guess this was not the first or second time he had received such trivial treatment.

"Since Lady Anelli's health has weakened, we must secure good lodging. Here, skilled imperial physicians are always on standby, so we can be prepared for any situation at any time, can't we?"

Ever since Xenon learned that I, resurrected, was not as robust as before, he often acted peculiarly.

It became even more so after he discovered that I lacked the stamina to move swiftly to Veladia Castle immediately after my resurrection.

Now I couldn't even ride a horse all day, and if injured, I needed a long period of convalescence to heal.

Even so, it wasn't as if I had become a glass figurine that would shatter at a gust of wind.

"You're probably the only one who treats the imperial palace as a lodging house."

I muttered with a sighing voice, pressing my forehead. Heinri, who had been sitting quietly, silently nodded in agreement with my words.

"The invitation sent to my master stated it was fine to arrive early and stay!"

Ah, an invitation to the coronation must have gone to the Magic Tower as well.

"Speaking of which, isn't the Tower Master coming?"

Xenon, still a diligent and good disciple, regularly contacted his master, the Tower Master, even from Veladia Castle.

Somehow, living together, I unintentionally ended up in the frame, and each time, the Tower Master's glare was so fierce...

Under that gaze, which looked at me as if I were a thief who had stolen a precious treasure, I feigned ignorance on multiple occasions.

If we were to meet, it was obvious I wouldn't hear anything pleasant.

"I handle all practical external activities. My master tries to retire early whenever he gets the chance."

"Retire?"

"Yes. You understand that if I become the Tower Master, I will return to the Magic Tower, right?"

Muttering that it was time to give up, that he only grew more stubborn with age, Xenon clicked his tongue. I glanced at him, then averted my eyes and parted my lips.

"You may go back."

I moistened my mouth with a sip of tea and continued in a calm voice.

"Thanks to you, Veladia Castle has become sufficiently livable. There's no need for you to stay and suffer further."

I knew well that Xenon loved me enough to follow me in death.

Of course, that didn't mean the Magic Tower or his master were unimportant to him. I also had no intention of forcibly keeping him by my side.

'...Though I suppose I would feel a bit disappointed if he really left.'

Fidgeting with the teacup, I lowered my gaze, but no reply came from Xenon no matter how long I waited.

Raising my head with a puzzled look, my eyes met Xenon's, who was staring at me with a blank face.

Only after our eyes met did he answer in a grumbling tone.

"I don't do long-distance relationships. I have trauma."

"Trauma...?"

"Just how free-spirited must a lover be? My heart can't take it. I can't live if I can't see them. You know how clingy that baby Lizardman is to Ganik? If I had a tail, I would have coiled it around you all day long like that baby Lizardman, it's a shame I don't."

Instead of me, who was left speechless by the torrent of complaints that poured out as if he'd been waiting, Heinri intervened with a voice full of fatigue.

"Shouldn't you save such talk for when there are no others present?"

"What's wrong with our conversation? Didn't you know we're in a relationship?"

Xenon retorted with an audacious voice. Heinri, who had been staring at Xenon, swallowed a sigh and looked at me.

"...I will assign you a separate palace to stay in."

"Ah, I don't need my own room. I'll just share with Lady Anelli anyway—"

"Thank you, Your Highness. It doesn't matter which palace you assign."

Cutting off Xenon's words, I answered firmly and smiled gently at Heinri. Heinri also nodded without even glancing at Xenon.

"There are many rooms attached to the palace, so use a comfortable one. Of course, the locks on each door are very sturdy. If needed, I can have a few extra locks installed on the bedroom door."

"I appreciate the consideration."

Heinri even added that he would take the opportunity to order the court mages to set up double or triple-layered barriers.

His suggestion, clearly conscious of someone, made me try to decline politely, but Xenon muttered in a nonchalant voice.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince is unexpectedly rigid. To think locking the bedroom would solve everything. How many rooms are in the palace?"

"...Xenon."

Only after finally receiving my glare did Xenon close his mouth. Of course, his displeased expression didn't vanish, but when I offered him a pastry, he chewed on it and stopped talking.

Having barely silenced him, I finally had the leisure to broach the main topic with Heinri.

"By the way, Your Highness. I am terribly sorry to make a request the moment I see you, but..."

"How could I refuse your request? Speak of anything."

With Xenon's mouth shut, Heinri's expression softened as well. He seemed ready to grant any request now.

Gladly taking advantage of this amicable atmosphere, I revealed what I wanted.

"There are places I wish to visit."

"Within the palace grounds?"

"Yes."

He readily said to go ahead, as if it were no trouble.

"First, I wish to see the Black Tower."

"The Black Tower?"

Heinri made a puzzled expression. I spoke to him in a calm voice.

"Yes. I heard the area around the Black Tower has been completely sealed off and designated a restricted zone."

"Since a Dullahan emerged from there. We intend to demolish it entirely on this occasion. We had postponed the demolition as there were many matters to handle..."

"Fortunately, it hasn't been demolished yet."

The Black Tower from which Bark had emerged. If Bark had opened his eyes again, that place needed to be checked first. At the very least, there might be some remaining traces. And...

Biting my lip slightly and hesitating for a moment, I opened my mouth calmly.

"And I would like to visit the imperial underground mausoleum again. Is that possible?"

* * *

The moment she opened her eyes again, she immediately rushed to the imperial palace.

If she had opened her eyes, then he must have opened his as well. She wanted to confirm that he had made the same choice as she did.

Sneaking into the imperial palace, where she had stridden many times, was not difficult. Thanks to her ability to transform into a cat, she could avoid suspicion.

On a dark night when the moon was hidden by clouds, she reached a tower that looked particularly desolate. The pitch-black tower was dreary as if a ghost might spring out, and there was not a single person around.

Lightly leaping over the fence that seemed intended to restrict passage, she approached the tower.

And there, she met him, who had opened his eyes.

At first, he stood dumbfounded with an incredulous face, then soon tried to rise with a bright smile. And she...

Swatted his head with her front paw.

Just like now.

[I told you not to break things for no reason!]

Thwack!

A cat's front paw, claws sheathed, struck the bear's head. The bear let out a cry from the sharp blow.

[But my legs are numb, Minte! How long do we have to keep doing this?]

[If you weren't an ignorantly large black bear, we could have left this place long ago, Bark.]

At Minte's retort, Bark sullenly lowered his head. The sight might have seemed quite pitiful, but Minte didn't bat an eye.

To be precise, her nerves were in a highly tense state.

She had prevented the possibility of Bark, having opened his eyes again, thoughtlessly rampaging and being pointlessly killed by the imperial palace guards, but she now faced the reality of having to get him out of here.

If it were just Minte, she could leave anytime. But Bark...

Minte's gaze slowly swept over Bark. Anyone facing a pitch-black bear would likely feel a threat to their life. What if he went out in his Dullahan form?

That would cause an even bigger uproar.

He was truly a useless bulk. How nice it would have been if he were a small sparrow like Zigore, or a small snake like Mori?

[At least he's a Monster, so it's fortunate. If he were a real beast, we'd have to procure food for him too, right?]

How much food would be needed to maintain that bulk? Minte, inadvertently imagining herself procuring fish to feed Bark, swallowed a sigh.

Truly, the mere thought was dreadful.