Yellow Mark Disease (5)

When I shifted my gaze to Saliera, our eyes met, hers serious.

Apparently, Saliera had been watching me intently.

See? Making eye contact is a sign of affection.

I'm sure Saliera and I will get along just fine.

Delighted by that thought, I hurried over to Saliera.

"Saliera, is there anything I can do to help?"

"Oh, Great Saint-sama! The chieftain's father has passed away, so Aerial is next in line to become chieftain. Since you speak casually to Aerial, please use casual speech with everyone in this land as well. Otherwise, it would undermine the chieftain's authority."

Saliera lowered her eyes as if overwhelmed, then bowed to me.

"Huh? I-is that how it works? I-I had no idea. In that case, Aerial... um, could we say that changing the way I speak to you was a mistake?"

It felt a little late for this, but I turned to Aerial and asked if I could take back the change I'd made to the way I spoke...