Volume 3 Chapter 8 Ryuu Seirei And Sou Ouka Meet
"My name is Sui Kaou, an exchange student from the Souma Country. I have come to rely on the Kou family to fulfill a request from the delegation of my homeland. Please, I ask for your guidance."
"I am Ryuu Seirei. I handle the social matters for the Kou family. Welcome, Sui Kaou-sama."
Several days later, Ouka was meeting with Seirei.
The location was the reception room of the Kou family.
Ouka had visited the Kou family for work, and Seirei was responding as the family's representative.
That is why Ouka was in formal attire, and Seirei, too, was wearing a qipao (dress) that Tenhou had praised before.
The two were meeting in an official capacity.
Thus, they spoke in formal tones.
They sat facing each other in the reception room, dressed appropriately for the occasion.
Behind Seirei was her attendant, Hakuyou.
Perhaps affected by the tension between the two, Hakuyou wore a stiff expression.
With trembling hands, she set the teapot on the table, puzzled by the mysterious atmosphere.
Still, she suppressed her unease and waited in the corner of the room.
"I appreciate that you have granted me a portion of your valuable time, Seirei-sama."
Ouka spoke in a calm tone, delivering his formal greeting.
"I have written the details of the matter in the letter. It concerns the delegation from the Souma Country──"
"I am aware. They wish to see the sea of Aika Country, correct?"
Seirei answered with a gentle smile.
"I have read the letter. The head of the Souma Country's delegation is Princess Sou Shisui, the eldest daughter of His Majesty the King. It seems that during her stay, she wishes to visit the sea. I also understand that you are concerned about how the royal family and nobility of Aika Country might react... Is that correct?"
"Indeed. I apologize for the trouble this may cause you, Ryuu Seirei-sama."
"Please, do not worry about it."
Seirei shook her head, seeing Ouka's apologetic demeanor.
"I am indebted to Sui Kaou-sama."
"Indebted?"
"When I was nearly kidnapped by my uncle, Raikou and Sui Kaou-sama saved me. Do you remember?"
"Of course. It was when I first met Tenhou."
"If it hadn't been for the two of you, my brother might have been seriously injured... or worse, lost his life. Had he died, I wouldn't be here either."
Seirei bowed deeply.
"That is why I am greatly indebted to both of you."
"You don't need to concern yourself with that. I am Tenhou's friend. I take pride in having been able to save his sister."
"Even so, I wish to repay my debt."
"You are very dutiful, Seirei-sama."
"I cannot bring shame upon my brother by being an ungrateful sister."
Seirei looked toward the northeast──toward the direction where Tenhou was.
"I want to repay my debt to Sui Kaou-sama as soon as possible. I think it's better to think about the future this way."
"You're so mature for your age, Seirei-sama."
"I'll become an adult soon. Age differences don't really matter."
"Hehe, is that so?"
"Yes, that's how it is."
Ouka and Seirei exchange words with smiles.
Hakuyou, listening to their conversation, feels cold sweat running down her back.
She wants to go get some snacks, but for some reason, her body won't move.
All she can do is hold onto the tray tightly.
"We got off track, didn't we?"
Seirei clears her throat and says,
"I don't think it's impossible to take the Souma Country's official messenger to the sea. However, we need a reason that everyone can agree on."
"Going to the sea isn't just for sightseeing. It's also to learn about Aika Country's advanced technology."
After taking a sip of tea, Ouka continues,
"Souma Country doesn't have a sea. We have active river transport, but we lack knowledge about sea transport. If we can go to the sea and observe Aika Country's shipbuilding technology, we might learn how to make stronger ships. Based on that, we want to enhance river transport and expand trade with Aika Country."
"I see... so that's the reason."
"Yes. I just changed a little of what a friend said before."
"My brother said that?"
Seirei leans forward.
Ouka nods.
"Tenhou said, 'If the rivers of Souma Country flood, then fertile soil will flow down from upstream, right?' Remembering those words, I thought of using the river. Of course, I discussed this with Shisui-ane, no, the representative of Souma Country's envoy."
"...Kaou-sama is a sly one."
"Is that so?"
"When you bring up my brother's words, I can't refuse."
"I'm not trying to use my friends..."
"To develop Souma Country's shipping, you want to learn shipbuilding technology. So, you plan to go see the sea... right? If it's you, my brother would definitely agree."
Seirei rested her chin on her hand, looking deep in thought.
After a while, Seirei nodded.
"I understand the story. However, if Souma Country says 'we want to go to the sea,' it might provoke the nobles' resentment."
"Because it would seem arrogant, right?"
"That is a possibility. Therefore, I think it would be better if Aika Country proposed it. I will talk to Yuuri-sama."
"To Ryougen-kun's daughter? Is that okay?"
"I mentioned it. I owe a favor to Kaou-sama."
Seirei stood up and clasped her hands.
"I will repay the favor I received. That is only natural."
"Thank you, Ryuu Seirei-sama."
Ouka also returned the clasped hands.
They both bowed and then sat down at the same time.
"What do you plan to talk about?"
"Previously, my brother went to Souma Country. I heard that he was allowed to move freely there. As a return favor, I thought it would be natural for me, being the closest family member to my brother, to do the same for Souma Country. I believe this is the most natural way."
"...I see."
"I will inform Yuuri-sama about this. After that, if the messenger from Souma Country suggests 'I want to see the sea,' I think it will work out."
"That's amazing. Seirei-sama, you have thought this far?"
"I learned a lot from Yuuri-sama."
Seirei smiled gently and said,
"If it's Yuuri-sama, she will quickly see through my thoughts. However, I still believe the idea of going to the sea will work. I will take full responsibility for it."
"When you say you will take responsibility, what do you mean?"
"I will accompany the people from Souma Country."
"No, Seirei-sama, you shouldn't go that far..."
"I will bring this up with Yuuri-sama. I can't just ask for a wish to be granted and then ignore it. Besides, we won't be going all the way to the ocean. If the people from Souma Country are enjoying the ocean, it would be a bother for me to be right there with them."
"What do you mean by that?"
"It might be better for the Kou family to wait at the crossroads."
Seirei squinted and said,
"The northern town, Toushun, is the point where the road splits towards the sea. If we wait there, we can quickly notice when my brother──no, someone approaches, right? Isn't it necessary to have someone for that role?"
"...Y-yes, that's true."
"Kaou-sama, please guide the messenger to the sea. In the meantime, I will wait at the road split. I will also inform Yuuri-sama. Ryuu Seirei will take responsibility for my proposal in this way."
That was Seirei's conclusion.
──Her brother Tenhou had previously gone as an envoy to Souma Country.
──The Kou family suggested that they go to the sea in return.
──Since they made the suggestion, they would take responsibility and accompany them.
──However, they would not disturb the sightseeing of the people from Souma Country. They would wait in front and keep watch to ensure no suspicious individuals approached.
Once again, Seirei repeated her proposal.
Seeing Ouka's eyes widen in surprise, Seirei nodded with satisfaction.
A few days ago, Seirei received a letter from Ouka that said, "Send the messenger from Souma Country to the sea."
Since then, she had been thinking of a way to fulfill everyone's 'wishes'.
As a result, she came up with a way to grant the envoy's wish from Souma Country and, at the same time, fulfill her own wish to be closer to her brother.
"...I understand. Thank you very much, Ryuu Seirei-sama."
And with that, Ouka couldn't refuse this proposal.
She is here as a representative of the Souma Country's messenger. And Seirei's proposal is flawless.
Ouka has no choice but to thank Seirei and accept the proposal.
"Thank you for the kindness of the Kou family."
"Thank you as well for trusting the Kou family."
The two exchange bows again.
"By the way, I haven't asked yet. What kind of person is Sou Shisui-sama, the messenger from Souma Country?"
"We will come to greet her together later. She must thank you for helping us go to the sea."
"I see. Then, I look forward to meeting them."
Seirei thinks for a moment and says,
"But I feel a bit nervous. Is Sou Shisui-sama as beautiful as the other princesses from Souma Country?"
"I have no doubt that she is beautiful."
Ouka stands up and clasps her hands towards Seirei.
Then, in a quiet tone, she says,
"As a member of the royal family, it's only natural... I think she is a very ordinary beauty."
──She said something like that.
After that, they talked about safe topics, and their meeting came to an end.
Both Seirei and Ouka remained polite until the end, not showing any personal feelings.
And so, they said their goodbyes at the gate──
After finishing their work, the two returned to their respective rooms──
"...Phew. I was nervous. Ouka-sama is really scary. Even in disguise, she is beautiful... and she has a sharp mind."
"...sigh. As expected, Tenhou's little sister is an amazing kid. Is she really 13 years old? I wonder how great she will be when she grows up..."
──With a sigh, they felt both respect and fear for each other once again.
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