Chapter 109
One day, as the year slowly drew to a close.
I heard that Fezaris's foreign minister had come to offer his year-end greetings, and remembered that I was supposed to hand over a letter. Its intended recipient, of course, was Rururia, who was in the Empire.
I couldn't very well write, "Were you caught up in the rebellion?" so I kept it safe and neutral, writing things like, "How have you been? Thanks to you, we were able to begin work on the roads."
When I asked to meet the Fezarisian minister with the letter in hand, he received me right away. Since I had recommended importing tar, I was a valued customer as far as the minister was concerned.
"Das-san, it's been a while."
"It's good to see you looking well too, Roa-san."
The Fezarisian minister was named Das. With his splendid potbelly and turban, he looked more like a merchant than a minister.
That was only natural, since Das-san's actual profession was that of a merchant.
"Since our country is landlocked, I'm afraid we're rather ignorant about what's across the sea. Since I often come to the Northern Continent on business, I was asked to take on this role."
Das-san's unmistakable common touch, which he could not hide, felt very familiar to me. After all, I was a genuine commoner myself.
Perhaps Das-san had sensed that we had something in common as well. We became friends relatively quickly.
"I hear that Roa-dono distinguished himself greatly in a major battle recently."
"It was less me and more my unit. They did the hard work."
"No need to be modest... Now, what brings you here today?"
"Actually, it's not urgent, but I was wondering if you could deliver a letter to Princess Rururia."
"A letter? If you'll excuse me, I'll have to inspect its contents."
"Of course. Right here."
"Then, if you'll excuse me... I see. There doesn't seem to be anything problematic. Still, while I'm grateful, you seem to care quite a lot about our princess."
"That's true. I don't know what Princess Rururia thinks of me, but I consider her a friend."
"Oh? We placed a great burden on the princess by sending her alone to marry in a foreign land. That is why, as a citizen of Fezaris, I am very grateful that someone like you is there for her," Das-san said, lowering his head to me.
"It's not such a grand matter," I said modestly.
"Then I'll deliver it to the princess right away. I should be able to bring you a reply not long after the New Year begins."
"What?! There's no need to hurry that much. As you saw, it isn't anything important."
"Ah, no, no. I'm not going to see the princess just for this letter. Actually, once I've finished offering my year-end greetings to King Zeurasia, I plan to head to the Greedle Empire. I'll offer my New Year's greetings to the Emperor, pay my respects to the princess, then return to Gadeland before heading home. This will simply be along the way."
"Ah, I see. In that case, please do."
"Of course. Leave it to me."
After that exchange, Das-san took the letter from me and, as promised, set out for the Empire soon afterward.
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"I'm bored."
"Take us somewhere, Roa."
"I'm not your father, you know?"
The twins were still camped out in my room, sprawled around without any sign of going home.
"I mean, it's the end of the year. Don't you need to go home?"
"No."
"There's no need."
They answered matter-of-factly.
"Are you going home, Roa?"
"Then take us with you."
"Why? I have no family to return to, so I just spend every year relaxing at the barracks."
"Oh."
"Same as us. Boring."
For now, I left the twins alone and turned the conversation to Wickhart and the others.
"What will the rest of you do?"
"I'm heading home," said Dick.
"I'm sorry, but I'm going back home too," Wickhart said, sounding a little apologetic. Though he really had no reason to feel that way.
"Me too," Ryuzel chimed in, and Frein was last.
"I think I'll pass this year." When I asked why, he gave the same reason as Lapilia-sama: if Frein went home, his relatives would line up to bring him matchmaking proposals.
"Hey, Roa."
"Don't ignore us."
The twins ought to have just gone home quietly.
Incidentally, Rufa had taken leave early the other day to accompany Zackhart-sama on his trip home. Zackhart-sama planned to introduce Rufa to his sons.
Since Rufa had left, Prince Zeland had also started coming less often, so it was a relief that the twins were the only troublesome ones left.
"Um, in that case, Roa-dono, why don't you, the two Yuimei twins, and Frein come to my home as well?" Wickhart suddenly suggested.
"What part of the country is your family home in, Wickhart?"
"My family is in the Haksha area. The king has entrusted us with a small estate."
"What? Wickhart, you were a nobleman too? That's the first I've heard of it?" Frein asked, and Wickhart replied, "I'm merely a minor provincial lord. It's embarrassing to call myself a nobleman. I can't compare with your family, Frein."
"I see."
"Anywhere is fine."
"Take us with you!"
The impatient twins pushed me from behind, throwing a tantrum as if to hurry me along. And so, it was decided that we would visit Wickhart's home.