We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
Go, Ruiseine!
Yes. I am Ruiseine Nefer.
My errand to Fuku with Elnea-kun was supposed to be brief, but it has turned into something terrible.
Looking back, the origin of this incident goes back to a few days before the errand.
“Ruiseine. You’ve been getting along well with Elnea lately.”
“Oh my, suddeny, Inea, what are you talking about?”
“Fufufu, it’s no use pretending. We can see right through you.”
“T-That’s not true!”
Kiri’s confident words make my face turn red. It’s true I’ve been talking with Elnea-kun often lately, but that’s because he’s cute…
“It’s love, isn’t it?”
“It’s love, isn’t it?”
N-No, that’s not true! Elnea-kun and I are just good friends. What are Kiri and Inea mistaking?
“Fufufu. Ruiseine gets flustered when you hit the mark.”
“W-What are you talking about?”
“Your ears are bright red!”
What is it? Why are both of them suddenly doing this to me?
“It can’t be helped. We’re on Ruiseine’s side, so we have to support her.”
“Support for what?”
I can’t understand what Inea is saying at all.
“Inea and I have decided to go on an adventure with Listea starting tomorrow.”
“Th-That’s why we can’t go on this errand with Ruiseine.”
“So, Ruiseine, please ask Elnea-kun to go with you on this errand.”
“Ehhhh?”
“We’ve already received permission from Head Miko Yashura.”
What forceful people they are. I was forcefully swept up in Kiri and Inea’s scheme.
However, I can’t go on an errand alone, so I inevitably decided to ask Elnea-kun. Will he be willing to go to Fuku with someone like me? Won’t it be a bother?
“This is a good opportunity.”
“That’s right. If you travel together for six days round trip, you’ll surely become intimate.”
Kiri and Inea’s bothersome advice forcefully pushed me forward, and I invited Elnea-kun. I tell myself, “This is just Kiri and Inea’s strategy, it’s not my true desire.”
To my surprise, Elnea-kun readily agreed. What a good boy he is. Using the secret from the ruins to invite him so forcefully was the bad influence of Kiri and the others. It was not my will.
And so, on the morning of the errand day. I was supposed to meet Elnea-kun at the East Triumphal Gate. The reason for meeting at the Harem Gate and not the temple was…
“We told Head Miko that you were going on a two-person journey with a highly skilled female adventurer.”
“It couldn’t be said that it was a trip with a boy classmate.”
Therefore, if Elnea-kun came to the temple, the lie would be revealed. When I arrived at the Triumphal Gate, Elnea-kun was already waiting for me. Elnea-kun’s smile as he waved to greet me was full of cuteness. However, I was about to lose consciousness after learning a shocking fact about Elnea-kun.
“Dad!”
Shortly after departing. I thought it was a mother and daughter resting in the shade of a tree, when suddenly the daughter ran towards Elnea-kun shouting. What in the world is this?
“Mom!”
Then, the girl ran towards a beautiful woman who seemed to be her mother. Huh? What is this?
“Dad!”
The girl ran and hugged Elnea-kun again. I had no idea what was happening and, for some reason, I screamed. Elnea-kun, who was as surprised as I was, seemed surprised too, but it seems the woman and the girl knew each other. And when I heard who these people were, I fainted.
I don’t know how long I was unconscious. When I awoke, I was lying on a bench in the lounge. It must be some mistake. Thinking so, I confirmed again, and I lost consciousness once more. Elnea-kun, you idiot! I screamed within my fading consciousness.
“I’m sorry, there’s a reason for this.”
As I managed to regain consciousness, the woman showed concern for me. Even as a woman, she was very beautiful. And she told me the reason, her name, and the girl’s name. The little girl had a cute name, Priscilla-chan. She was very lively and cheerful, and she followed us around with the kittens, enjoying herself. The kitten was named Nimia-chan. Her dragon costume and the fluffy hat that matched Priscilla-chan’s were cute. And walking with me, gently watching over Priscilla-chan and Nimia-chan, was Mistral. Her beauty was truly captivating. And Mistral was a very kind woman. She apologized politely for suddenly joining us and showed her consideration. She told me she was seventeen. She was about the same age as us, yet she was so calm and mature. Relieved a little after understanding the circumstances between Elnea-kun and Mistral, I was soon having a lively conversation with Mistral. But the engagement fact is true, isn’t it? I felt like there was a hole in my heart. And around lunchtime, a slight problem occurred, and I got to see a hidden aspect of Mistral’s abilities. The subsequent chase with the patrol soldiers made the first day of the errand pass in the blink of an eye. A lesson learned. Mistral must not be angered. It was a tough day, but we managed to reach the inn safely. I was a little bewildered that we were all in a shared room, including Elnea-kun, but that was a trivial matter. And I believe my destiny was decided that night. We women, leaving Elnea-kun behind, were to go to the bath. The first thing that surprised me was Priscilla-chan’s ears. When I took off her fluffy hat, her cute, long, drooping ears appeared. I screamed in surprise. And what’s more… When I took off Nimia-chan’s costume, she had cute, sheep-like curled horns and wings on her back that wouldn’t come off. “Um, Nimia is a dragon,” Priscilla-chan said innocently, but I almost fainted again. Ehhhh, a dragon? A real one!? As I was confused, Mistral delivered another blow. “Priscilla is from the Mimicho Race. I’m sorry for not telling you sooner.” Ehhhh. The Mimicho Race from that legend? Disbelieving, I looked at Nimia-chan and Priscilla-chan. Priscilla-chan’s ears were indeed long and drooping as she happily jumped around naked. And Nimia-chan flapped her wings on her back and flew away from Priscilla-chan. “I plan to tell you many things. We’ll discuss the details in the bath.” Mistral also took off her clothes and invited me to the bathroom. Oh my, Elnea-kun, what about your acquaintances? While I was bewildered, Priscilla-chan took my hand and led me into the bathroom. Mistral efficiently washed Priscilla-chan. Priscilla-chan imitated her, covering Nimia-chan in bubbles, but Nimia-chan didn’t seem to mind and let her do as she pleased. I was impressed by how well people who weren’t family, and even those of different races, got along. Before getting into the bathtub, I cleansed my body, and then we all entered the bath together. We also have a large public bath at the temple, but getting into a small bathtub, skin touching skin, is also nice. In the bath, Mistral told me various things about herself, Priscilla-chan, and Nimia-chan. I never imagined Mistral wasn’t human either. Oh my, Elnea-kun, what exactly are you? You might be doing something more amazing than the Hero Listea-kun? Did we talk too long? Priscilla-chan seemed bored with Mistral and my long conversation and ran out of the bath to the changing room. I hurriedly followed her. If she returns to the room wet, the floor and bedding will get wet. I caught up with Priscilla-chan in the changing room, but the lively Priscilla-chan had already started putting on her clothes while still wet. I rushed over, thinking she should dry herself properly, but Priscilla-chan, as if to escape from me chasing her, jumped around. And then, she suddenly disappeared from in front of me. What happened? I was surprised by the sudden event. Then, there was a commotion from outside. Who is it!? Wearing only the minimum necessary clothes, I jumped out of the bath in a hurry. And. Elnea-kun saw me in a shameful state. “Hyaaaa!” I screamed and collapsed on the spot. How embarrassing. To be seen by Elnea-kun in such state of undress. My entire body turned red with shame, and I couldn’t move. Then, Mistral, who heard my scream, came out, also in her casual clothes. She grasped the situation and approached Elnea-kun. Aren’t you embarrassed to be seen by a gentleman in such state of undress? Thinking so, Elnea-kun suddenly hugged Mistral. Oh my, even Mistral froze, her face bright red. Still, Elnea-kun, what a sinful person you are. I will return to the changing room. I quickly put on my outer clothes over my casual wear and brought Mistral’s clothes back to the room. For now, I put my jacket on Mistral and, to warm my chilled body again, I took Priscilla-chan back to the bathroom. My body was chilled, but my heart was burning red. To be seen by a gentleman, of all people Elnea-kun, in such state of undress, I can no longer be a Miko and get married. I have been defiled. “Elnea-kun, please take responsibility.” I stuck my head out of the room and declared to Elnea-kun. Returning to the bath, I submerged myself up to my mouth in the hot water and let out bubbles. What should I do? What should I do? Reflecting on my recent actions, I felt an urge to sink into the hot water and melt away out of shame. “You’re surprisingly proactive.” Mistral said with a wry smile next to me. “What should I do?” Even though Elnea-kun has a wonderful fiancée, Mistral, I’ve done something terrible. I wondered if Mistral was angry, but she didn’t seem to mind. “I never expected it to turn out this way.” “I-I’m sorry.” “There’s no need to apologize. Don’t worry about it.” I do worry. What should I do from now on? Mistral and I soaked in the hot water in silence for a while. Priscilla-chan was playing by going in and out of the bath. “Elnea-kun is cute, isn’t he?” What is wrong with me? Am I getting heatstroke and acting strange? I said something I didn’t expect myself, and I sank my face up to my eyes in the water out of shame. “Fufufu, yes. He’s very cute. When I’m with him, my maternal instincts are always stirred.” “Ah, I understand.” I popped my face out of the water and nodded at Mistral. When I’m with Elnea-kun, I can’t help but want to dote on him. And I tease him. Elnea-kun, who looks troubled, becomes even cuter. Mistral and I became excited talking about Elnea-kun. And, ah, I confirmed that Mistral truly loves Elnea-kun. What about me? Do I like Elnea-kun? I was teased by Kiri and Inea and asked to go on an errand with him, but I think I was genuinely happy. Does that mean I like him? I’ve never experienced falling in love with someone before, so I don’t know what this feeling in my heart is right now. I need to analyze myself when I’m calmer. Afterwards, with Mistral’s thoughtfulness, I managed to regain my composure. And, when I started thinking it was time to get out. “Elnea’s Dragon Energy is disturbed. Something might have happened. Let’s get out quickly.” Mistral suddenly became tense and hurried us, so I and Priscilla-chan got out of the bath. Thus, we were caught up in that fake hero incident. If it were just a matter related to a magic sword, as a Battle Priestess, I would have had no problem. However, after the incident, from Mistral’s story, it was revealed that my eyes were special. My destiny began to flow like a torrent. The green mist I saw around Elnea-kun was not visible to others, and eyes with that ability are called “Dragon Eyes.” Elnea-kun didn’t seem to know either. And as it was discovered that I possessed Dragon Eyes, Mistral forcibly decided that I would marry Elnea-kun. Although it was forced, a small part of my heart fluttered, but that’s a secret. There were various things that happened at the inn that day, and I ended up sharing a room with Mistral. Two wives for Elnea-kun. However, without any falling out, we spent a pleasant night. I’m sure Mistral also loves Elnea-kun, but I wonder if she’s jealous of me becoming the second wife. Thinking so, I boldly asked her. If I were to hold back here, I wouldn’t be able to confide in her and talk about various things in the future. “Well. Jealousy.” Mistral stared at the ceiling of the dark room and muttered as if asking herself. “I think I can trust you.” “Oh my, does that mean you can’t lose to me?” “Fufufu. It’s not like that. I’m from the Dragon Race.” “Um, what do you mean?” “It’s difficult to put my feelings into words as they are. In other words.” Mistral seemed to be organizing her thoughts as she spoke. “Even if our appearances are the same, our races are different, so there are many differences between me and Elnea and Ruiseine. Therefore, even if I marry Elnea, I’m concerned about that. If there are any discrepancies in our consciousness or common sense in the future, Elnea is kind, so he will surely be considerate. And I might not notice it. That child is good at hiding those things.” “Fufufu, that’s true.” “So when I considered living together, I was anxious, but…” Mistral paused for a moment and continued. “I’m glad you’re the other wife. You can bridge the gap between the Dragon Race and humans. After all, you’re a Miko full of common sense.” “I don’t know if I’m full of common sense, but I am a Miko.” “I think we can get along well. And as women, we can surely advise each other.” “Yes. I feel the same way.” “So, rather than jealousy, I feel gratitude towards you. Thank you for becoming Elnea’s wife.” “Oh my, that’s an unexpected answer. But I’m also glad Mistral is Elnea-kun’s wife.” “Why?” “Because if it’s Mistral, I’m sure you can keep Elnea-kun in line. If it were me, I’d surely let Elnea-kun slack off.” “Fufufu, that’s right. You seem like you’d be lenient with Elnea.” “Right?” Mistral and I chuckled. “Regardless, Elnea needs to work hard first.” “That’s right. He needs to become splendid.” “Will he become splendid?” “I don’t mind if he grows up into that cuteness, though.” “Fufufu, Ruiseine, you have that kind of preference.” “Oh my, Mistral, don’t you?” “I… well. He might be fine as he is. My current feeling of wanting to protect him probably won’t change.” “But I’m sure Elnea-kun wants to be protected.” “Fufufu, he’ll have to gain the strength to protect me soon.” “Elnea-kun has it tough, in many ways.” “We’ll probably have a lot of trouble from now on too.” “I see.” “Ah, and also. I want you to meet the Old Man. If you’re going to be Elnea’s wife, it’s better to know him.” “Fufufu, I’m looking forward to it.” “We’ll stop by on the way back.” “Eh.” So soon? Please give me some time to prepare myself. Mistral chuckled at my surprised reaction. We continued our aimless conversation and stayed up late. My ordinary life has begun to move. I thought that a life full of turbulence was the exclusive specialty of Kiri and Inea marrying Listea. I never imagined I would be caught up in an extraordinary destiny myself. However, I am actually looking forward to what’s to come. What kind of life will I lead with Elnea-kun, Mistral, Priscilla-chan, and Nimia-chan? My heart fluttered, and I couldn’t sleep, so I gently took Mistral’s hand as she quietly began to breathe in her sleep beside me. “From now on, please take care of me.” My quiet murmur dissolved into the dark room. Click on the heart to easily convey your support. (Login required.) Support If you have an account, log in. Learn more about the reading experience available on Kakuyomu.
