Volume 3 Chapter 1 I'm Not Some Great Noble From Somewhere
Six months after the stampede.
After a harsh winter, spring had come again.
Getting married didn't change anything special, we still live under the same roof with my sisters and Belle.
Oh, and Flamme, the Fire Dragon, too.
Minori and the others, who initially said they'd leave, ended up staying.
"It's better to have a place to come back to, right?" they said, pushing the matter.
Oh, something else happened at the workshop.
We gained a few more apprentices.
Not just me, but Lene as well.
Belle is the only one living here, but everyone else travels from far away to learn.
It's heartwarming to see their enthusiasm.
So, our large house is getting cramped, and with some wiggle room in our budget, we're expanding.
Thanks to that, the sound of construction is ringing out from the back.
It's a bit noisy, but that's to be expected.
What can you do?
"...My apologies, Lady Cecil. If I had known you were coming, I would have put off the construction for today."
"Don't worry about it. We have a deadline to meet, and I wouldn't want my visit to delay things. It would be a shame."
Apologizing with a bow, the one who gently smiles back is none other than Her Highness the Princess Cecilie Liefeisen von Beistein herself.
Although we have a connection, having carried out her highness's requests and solved cases in the capital city, I never expected to be paid a surprise visit.
Incidentally, of course, the knight Mr. Dietrich is also on standby nearby.
"I'm honored by your visit... So, having come all the way from the Capital City, there must be some reason, right?"
My wife, who is also a genius alchemist named Lene, inquired on my behalf.
Since there are only the 4 of us in this room, which is used as a reception area, and a soundproof barrier is in place, we can discuss anything without worry.
Well, there are soldiers on standby outside the room, too.
"Yes... First, I apologize for the time that has passed, but I am extremely grateful for your efforts to stop the Stampede. Without Ms. Lene's Alchemist's Gun, the damage would have spread, and if Mr. Ryuuji hadn't stopped the last dragon, the entire kingdom, not just Sartzstadt, would have been in peril."
Her Royal Highness bowed deeply to me.
I think, but I probably couldn't come here last year because I was swamped with the aftermath of the stampede.
There were a lot of casualties among the Marquis Reichner's troops, and I hear that some people were transferred from the Capital City to help with the burials.
It must have been a real blow to them, both in terms of personnel and finances.
"It's hard to be bowed to by Lady Cecil. We just did what we could."
Saying that, I glanced at Lene next to me and we both smiled.
Mr. Dietrich's face seems to be relaxing, too.
"...Thank you. You two were truly heroic. You did such a great job that you deserve to have statues erected in your honor. Sooner rather than later, right in the middle of town──"
"Stop it"
Lene and I quickly and forcefully spoke up to stop him.
If they did something like that, it would make it hard to live in this town.
"Ahaha, I was just kidding. But that's how much I appreciate it."
Her Royal Highness laughs cheerfully.
She's still as playful as ever.
"By the way... I've been wondering since before, but you both have rings on your left ring fingers..."
Oh, Her Royal Highness is as perceptive as ever.
She noticed.
"Ah, yes. We got married after the stampede ended."
It was a casual announcement, but when Lady Cecil heard it, she clasped her hands in front of her chest and her joy was evident.
"Wow! Congratulations! I'm thrilled for you~!"
"Congratulations!"
Not only was Her Highness ecstatic, but even Mr. Dietrich, who never speaks without permission, blessed us.
This is what they call a ticklish feeling, I guess.
"Ah, thank you very much."
"Thank you both. We're delighted to share this news with you."
Lene chimed in after I struggled to find the right words.
The person in question was blushing and shrinking with embarrassment.
Well done.
"Is that so... You two make a great pair. Have you had the ceremony yet?"
"No, not yet. After so many soldiers died in the stampede, and with everyone busy preparing for winter, we decided to hold off. But we do plan to have it soon."
Yes, many soldiers perished in the stampede.
Amidst the grief of the bereaved, it felt wrong for us to be so happy.
But for the sake of a formal announcement to everyone, and most of all for my beloved wife, we intend to have the ceremony someday.
...Well, it looks like more money's going to fly out the window.
"I see! Please do invite me when the time comes! And let's invite Father too!"
"...Lady Cecil would be welcome, but please spare us from His Majesty the King."
It was quite a task to calm down Her Highness after that.
Being on good terms doesn't mean we should invite not only Her Highness the Princess but also His Majesty the King.
What kind of grand aristocrat does that?
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