Volume 3 Chapter 7 Sou Ouka Welcomes The Messenger From Home
──Sou Ouka's Perspective──
"""In the name of His Majesty the King of Aika Country, we welcome the delegation from Souma Country!!"""
The voices of the welcoming party echoed in the center of Hokurin.
A few days after Tenhou headed towards Toushun town, Shouou──Sou Ouka was welcoming a messenger from his homeland.
This was a return messenger from Souma Country.
Thanks to the kindness of Aika Country, engineers for mining development and irrigation would be sent to Souma Country.
The delegation from Souma Country had come to express their gratitude and to discuss arrangements.
In front of Ouka, there was a long line.
It seemed that Souma Country was determined to return the favor to Aika Country.
Aika Country understood this as well. That's why Ryougen-kun probably prepared accommodations close to the royal palace. A large mansion with a spacious garden, enough for all the delegates to stay.
(As expected of Ryougen-kun. To do this much for my hometown)
Ouka murmured quietly to herself.
In front of the accommodations stood officials, soldiers, and Ryougen-kun with his family.
To personally welcome the foreign messenger was an extraordinary honor from the younger brother of the king of Aika Country.
It was Ryougen-kun who could carry this out so calmly.
'We should welcome the envoys of friendship as much as we can.'
A little over ten minutes ago, Ryougen-kun had said this to his subordinates.
There was no falsehood in his words.
The guesthouse was thoroughly cleaned and decorated by many servants.
The ones directing the servants were Ouka and a guest of Ryougen-kun who was knowledgeable about various countries.
Thanks to them, the guesthouse was perfectly prepared.
(As expected... Aika Country is an incredibly powerful nation.)
Ouka sighed.
(The size of the guesthouse and the careful preparations are on a whole different level compared to when I and Tenhou went to Souma Country. Aika Country has that much power.)
Ouka knew that there were people saying that Aika Country would 'fall.'
She thought it was nonsense that some believed and were trying to act on.
Ouka's friend──Tenhou──felt a sense of crisis about this fact.
That's why Tenhou expressed his opinion about friendship with the Bokou Tribe and accompanied as their envoy.
Tenhou's sense of crisis was correct.
Members of the Jinkyo Tribe and an organization called the 'Golden Feather Syndicate' were attacking to conquer the Bokou Tribe.
Their ultimate goal was to destroy Aika Country.
Without Tenhou's words, the Bokou Tribe would have become subservient to the Jinkyo Tribe.
If that happens, in the near future, when the war between Aika Country and the Jinkyo Tribe breaks out, Gaku Kiryuu might have led his troops to attack. She's glad it didn't turn out that way.
Tenhou's actions have erased a future crisis.
Ouka honestly thinks her friend is amazing.
He has helped many people in battle. By saving Nona Kiryuu and Kaine Shurt, he has captured the hearts of Gaku Kiryuu and the Bokou Tribe.
More than anything, Tenhou sees people.
──If possible, I want to be among those he sees──Sou Ouka wants that.
Ouka thought about this.
(I really wanted to go with Tenhou to search for Master Raikou.)
She wonders when she started feeling frustrated about being a royal.
It was different when her mother was in Aika Country. Ouka was trying hard to become the ideal person his mother wanted. As a hostage of Souma Country, she only thought about behaving properly.
Ouka's heart and her position as a princess matched perfectly. There was no confusion.
Yet now, she find herself thinking, 'I wish my duties would end soon.'
Normally, being assigned to welcome the messenger from Souma Country should be a great honor.
It wouldn't be strange to shed tears of emotion.
(...What has happened to me? I'm...)
As Ouka was thinking this──
"──Welcome. Messenger from Souma Country."
Suddenly, Ryougen-kun's voice echoed.
In response to that voice, the procession from Souma Country comes to a stop.
The carriage door opens, and a beautifully dressed woman slowly steps down.
"To be personally welcomed by Your Royal Highness the King's younger brother... how truly humbling."
The woman, wearing a purple qipao (dress), bows.
She was a beautiful woman.
Her shiny chestnut hair is adorned with a purple crystal hairpin. That must have been sourced from the mountains of Souma Country. Engineers from Aika Country have already entered Souma Country. They discovered it during their mountain survey and presented it to the King of Souma.
She wore something that had been crafted from it.
By decorating herself with something found by Aika Country, she shows her gratitude.
"I am Souma Country's First Princess, Sou Shisui. Thank you for the warm welcome. My heart swells with joy at the welcoming voices from Your Royal Highness the King's younger brother and many others. I truly appreciate it."
The woman looks around with a charming expression and bows again.
Perhaps affected by her allure, the soldiers lined up in front of the mansion let out sighs.
The representative of the Souma Country delegation, Sou Shisui.
She is the eldest daughter of the King of Souma and the half-sister of Ouka.
"Thank you for coming all the way from Souma Country."
Ryougen-kun returns the bow.
"I have prepared accommodations and meals, though it is just a small gesture. I hope it helps you recover from your long journey."
"Thank you for your kindness. Your Royal Highness the King's younger brother."
"Also, Sui Kaou from Souma Country has helped with the preparations."
When Ouka's name was called, she quickly clasped her hands together.
Of course, Ouka was dressed as a boy in this situation.
Still, it seemed that her half-sister in front of her noticed Ouka.
Shisui looked at Ouka with gentle eyes and smiled.
Ryougen-kun continued.
"I take pride in saying that we have everything ready to welcome the guests from Souma Country. If there is anything you are not satisfied with, please feel free to let me know. I will do my best to address it."
"There is no way I could have any complaints."
Sou Shisui wore a beautiful smile.
"What complaints could there be about the consideration from Aika Country? I am simply overwhelmed with gratitude. Please allow me the opportunity to express my thanks to His Majesty the King. I want to deliver my words of thanks and gifts as soon as possible."
"The audience with His Majesty is scheduled for tomorrow. Is that alright?"
"Of course."
Sou Shisui pressed her hands against her dress and bowed.
"Here I, Shisui, am prepared to risk my life for the friendship between our 2 countries. If I have been rude in any way, please feel free to punish me. As a friendly nation to Aika Country, I hope our country will continue to have a good relationship in the future."
With that, the group from Souma Country stepped into the lodging prepared by Ryougen-kun.
"──Hey, Ouka. Can you tell me about His Royal Highness the King's younger brother?"
Once settled in the lodging, Shisui suddenly said this.
"I heard he was older, but he doesn't seem that way. He still feels very much in his prime. I think getting close to him in various ways would benefit Souma Country."
"...Big Sis (Aneue)."
"His Royal Highness the King's younger brother knows your true identity, right? Why are you still dressing as a boy in front of him? Why not act more like a girl? You're cute as your true self."
"Ryougen-kun is a well-known figure in many countries. Being cute or not doesn't matter."
"Well, you say that even though you've never dated a boy, huh?"
Shisui smiled wryly and shrugged her shoulders.
Then, with a mysterious smile, she beckoned Ouka closer.
When Ouka approached, Shisui took her hand and said,
"I heard you are learning martial arts in Aika Country, but your skin is so beautiful."
She then started to gently stroke Ouka's arm.
"I thought you might be getting darker from the sun, but... your skin is so shiny and smooth! How do you keep your skin looking so beautiful? I spend 2 hours every day taking care of my skin, but I don't have your glow. How do you have such beautiful skin...?"
"...Um, Big Sis?"
"Is it because you're young? No, Ouka, you're only 2 years younger than me. Yet you have this smooth skin! Shiny hair! What's going on!? What beauty tips do you use!?"
"I don't know what to say to that. Big Sis, please don't touch me. Let go!"
Even if she asks about beauty tips, she has no idea.
The only things she does are 'Beast Body Guidance' and 'Heaven-Earth Guidance Technique' with Tenhou.
Those help activate the body's 'ki.' Maybe that's why Ouka's skin is so shiny.
But, she can't explain the guidance to Shisui.
"Is it really the food? Or the water? If I lived in Aika Country, could I get this skin glow too...?"
"...Big Sis, you seem the same as always."
With her eager attitude, Ouka instinctively steps back.
(As I thought, Big Sis is hard to deal with.)
Shisui is not a bad person.
She has a strong desire for power, but that's just the fate of someone born into royalty.
It's a way to protect herself by gaining allies.
It's not strange at all.
It's natural to want to perfect the beauty you were born with.
Shisui just believes that 'beauty is a woman's weapon.'
That is also her way of surviving. There's no problem with that.
What's troubling is that Shisui keeps suggesting the same thing to Ouka.
It was tough when she lived in Souma Country.
Ouka's mother wanted her to be "like a boy."
Ouka was trying hard to become that way.
Yet, Shisui would put hairpins in Ouka's hair and secretly tie cute accessories to her clothes.
Every time their mother found out, it caused a big fuss.
What was a kind gesture for Shisui was seen as "the harassment of a legitimate wife's child" by Ouka's mother.
She remembers how hard it was to calm her down.
Shisui has become more beautiful than when they lived together.
She's only 2 years older than Ouka, but she has the charm of a mature woman.
However──
"...Ouka. Have you... changed?"
Shisui said this with a curious look on her face.
"Before, didn't you look at me and feel scared?"
"Ah, yes. That might be true. Your charm... was a little scary."
"Now you're looking at me straight in the eye. I wonder why?"
"If you ask me why..."
Before, her charm as a woman was intimidating.
Shisui's white skin and large chest always attracted men's gazes. The aura she gave off was something Ouka didn't understand and was afraid of.
Since then, Shisui has grown.
Her charm and allure have increased compared to before.
Yet, she doesn't feel any pressure or intimidation from her.
She used to think, 'Maybe someone like my sister is what they call a beauty that could bring a nation down'... but now, in Ouka's eyes, Shisui looks like just an ordinary beauty.
She thinks she's 'pretty,' but nothing more than that.
She feels like there are other beauties that could bring a nation down.
For example──
──natural and unpretentious.
──Yet, they still catch people's attention.
──Even without makeup, they have a wild charm.
──Right now, they might just be a bud, but when they grow up, they could become an unmatched beauty...
(...Tenhou's little sister?)
For a moment, Ryuu Seirei's face pops into Ouka's mind, and Ouka quickly shakes her head.
Seirei is Tenhou's cute little sister.
She knows she has feelings for Tenhou, but she can't be a beauty that could bring a nation down.
And yet──
Why does she feel that Seirei is more charming than Shisui?
Why does she think, 'Compared to Seirei, Shisui is just an ordinary beauty'?
"...Ouka. You've really changed, haven't you? Did you get close to a guy?"
"Wha!? W-wait, sister!?"
"Oh, that reaction is different. So, did you show some skin?"
"Sister! What are you saying!?"
Ouka hurriedly protests.
"There's no way I would show my skin in front of a guy! I'm known as a guy in Aika Country, you know!?"
"That's true. Ouka wouldn't take off her clothes in front of others."
"Exactly! Back then, Tenhou and everyone else had their eyes closed──"
"Hm?"
"...It's nothing. More importantly, sister, let's talk about work."
Continuing this conversation would be bad.
Ouka thought about this and changed the subject.
"As the representative, I must say, Ryougen-kun has asked me to make things as convenient as possible for you, Big Sis. If you need anything or have things you want to do in Aika Country, please let me know."
"Hehe. Thank you, Ouka."
Shisui gently stroked Ouka's hair.
She didn't dislike being treated like this by her sister.
In fact, she thought it would be nice if it was always like this.
Instead of a seductive charm, she felt a motherly vibe.
Shisui thought that she was more suited to that than being a beautiful woman who confuses men.
"What do I want to do... Well, when I return to Souma Country, I want to have experiences I can brag about to the gentlemen."
Well, it might be pointless to say it out loud.
"Is there something in Aika Country that isn't in Souma Country?"
"Something in Aika Country that isn't in Souma Country, you say?"
"I want it to be something big. Something that would surprise anyone who hears about it."
"...How about the sea?"
That was the first thing that came to mind.
From Hokurin town, a big road stretches east.
Along the way, there is a fork; if you go north, you reach Toushun town, and if you go east, you reach the sea.
The distance to the sea isn't that far.
It's just the right distance for messengers from Souma Country to enjoy sightseeing.
"The sea is a huge puddle, and they say there's a foreign land beyond it. But there's no sea in Souma Country, right? I think if Big Sis sees the sea and has various experiences there, she could brag about it to everyone when she comes back."
"Well, that's a good idea!"
Shisui's eyes sparkled as she held Ouka's hand.
"That's amazing, Ouka! How did you come up with something like this so quickly?"
"...No, it's just──."
Ouka instinctively looked away.
She can't say it.
The first thing that came to mind was her friend who went to Toushun's town.
She wanted to welcome him back right away, so she chose the road leading to the sea.
"It's just a random thought. Just that."
"But if everyone from Souma Country's delegation goes, it'll be a hassle to move. Let's take me, you, a few maids, and a small number of guards. We also need permission from Aika Country to go, right? There might be others who want to join us. How will we arrange that?"
"I'll talk to someone from Aika Country."
"Are you going to ask His Royal Highness the King's younger brother?"
"Before that, I need to hear the opinions of other noble families. First... I'll consult my friend's family."
Tenhou had said,
'If you have any troubles, rely on the Kou family,' and 'Tell Seirei to help you, Shouou.'
Seirei has been working in social affairs for the Kou family lately.
She should be well-informed about the noble families in Aika Country.
More than anything, she is also a friend of Ryougen-kun's youngest daughter.
She might be able to hear opinions about the Souma Country's messenger going to see the ocean.
Of course, Ouka could directly ask Ryougen-kun.
However, Ryougen-kun is a very important person.
Even if it's a ridiculous request, there's a high chance he would accept it without changing his expression.
But, she doesn't know how the high officials of Aika Country would react to that.
They might think they are being selfish and could get upset.
It would be better to casually bring it up with the Kou family first.
Tenhou also said, 'I want you to rely on the Kou family.'
When he comes back, they might be able to get excited about that topic.
(...It can't be helped. Big Sis wants to see the ocean.)
It's work, so it can't be helped.
She's definitely not mixing in personal feelings.
After making that excuse, Ouka left in front of Shisui.
Then Ouka sent a messenger to the Kou family.
As the person in charge of receiving the Souma Country's official messenger, she wanted to borrow the wisdom of the Kou family's Ryuu Seirei.
Putting such things into writing, Ouka arranged to meet with Seirei.
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