Episode 3: At Faris Castle

Anyway, I just followed that boy.

On the way I asked, and he told me his name was Lian.

By the time my legs were getting heavy from exhaustion—

“This is it. Come on, go inside.”

Lian said.

For a moment, huh? This is Lian’s house? You’ve got to be kidding, I thought.

Because, because! It was a huge castle! And when I realized I’d seen it before, it turned out to be the slightly aged Faris Castle!

Faris Castle is the one near the town where I live. It’s really big, and back when there were no monsters yet, my parents took me there several times. In my time it was still a beautiful and splendid building…

…I tried to calm myself down.

W-wait? Then does that mean Lian is a prince?

I let out a sigh of admiration, “hoooh…” and then—

“What’s wrong?”

Lian peered into my face.

“No, it’s nothing. I’m fine!”

When I said that, Lian started walking again.

We passed through the castle gate and opened the doors. Then I was shocked.

Dozens of soldiers were there to greet him.

“Welcome back, Prince Lian!!”

“Welcome back!!”

The thunderous voices. Whoa—! Amazing!!

Not paying any attention to me, Lian said to a maid,

“Mimi, take her to a room.”

“Yes, certainly.”

She answered in a sweet voice.

Then the girl called Mimi smiled and said, “Please, this way.”

She bowed her head politely and began to guide me.

Where could we be going? I wondered, when suddenly she stopped.

“This will be your room.”

She said.

I was left speechless, frozen in place.

Then Lian came over.

“Th-this… what is this?”

When I asked, Lian answered,

“This will be your room from today.”

“Eeeeeeh!?”

I screamed without thinking.

B-but, this is a problem. I want to go home, not live here forever.

I immediately protested.

“No way! I have a place I’m supposed to return to!! I can’t just live here without a care! Please! I want to go home!”

“I thought you didn’t have a home, but you do? Where is it?”

Lian spoke calmly as ever.

Should I even mention Laves here?

—

But at that time my head was blank and I wasn’t in my right mind. Even so, I was certain this choice wasn’t wrong.

I feel like the protagonist is kind of peaceful, don’t you think?

Actually, I already have an illustration in mind for Lucia’s appearance. Even if there’s nothing, I can do with just thinking about it…