An Old Country Bumpkin Listens

“Come to think of it, have you met Ibroi?”

“Ah... now that you mention it, no, I haven't.”

Since his name had come up, Lucy asked whether I'd met Ibroi. Calling it an afterthought would make it sound like she was treating the subject rather casually, though.

I thought back briefly, but I couldn't remember meeting him. With that outfit and face, I'd recognize him after seeing him once. But I wasn't in a position to venture into the palace's inner reaches, either.

“I was only there to guard the princess... and even that title was more or less thrust on me.”

“If you're not involved in politics, I suppose that's how it goes.”

“It's not like I actually went inside the palace.”

“Well, that's true enough.”

At my words, Lucy let out a breath, seeming satisfied.

I hadn't been present at any audience with the bigwigs, after all. Allucia and Henblitz might have met him, but like I said, I only joined the princess's guard after she left the palace...