Chapter 125
After going to the market with Artur-sama, peaceful days continued on the surface. Artur-sama no longer hurled abuse at us as he had before.
As a result, our lives became more peaceful, but Artur-sama seemed to be spending more and more time alone whenever I saw him in joint classes and the like. He used to have an entourage.
But I couldn't be the one to approach him, so for now, all I could do was keep an eye on him. Maybe I'll have Lucien ask how things are going sometime.
Two weeks passed like that, and today was the day we'd been invited by the royal family to lunch.
Lucien and I met at the entrance to the private dining room, then headed together to the royal family's private dining room.
Knock, knock.
"It's Lucien and Leon."
"Come in."
"Excuse us."
The room had the same layout as the ducal family's private dining room, but it was another level more luxurious. As expected of the royal family.
"Have a seat. I've told the attendants to withdraw and not enter this room until I call for them, so you can drop the formalities."
"Got it. Then we'll talk as usual, okay?"
"Yes, please do. Leon, you too."
"Got it."
We took our seats while having that conversation. There were already a great many dishes on the table. Since all the dishes had been set out at once so the attendants wouldn't have to carry them in, the spread looked incredibly lavish.
"We finally get to have lunch together."
"I thought this came around pretty quickly. Lucien and I were just saying how soon it was."
"It wasn't soon! I wanted to do it much sooner. But Brother said preparations were necessary..."
"Although we're all children at the Royal Academy, the royal family is hosting a luncheon for a large number of nobles. Of course the preparations would take time."
"I understand that, but..."
"Now, now. We managed to hold this luncheon without a hitch, so let's just enjoy it. Right, Lucien?"
"Y-yeah. Since we have this time together, we should enjoy it."
"Indeed. Then let's begin with the meal."
Phew... We almost had a quarrel between the First Prince and the First Princess. That was close.
We decided to enjoy the meal first, and for a while, we leisurely ate lunch while making small talk now and then.
The royal family's food was, of course, incredibly delicious.
After we'd more or less finished lunch and were relaxing over tea, Lucien suddenly spoke up.
"Come to think of it, Leon, you said you'd introduce us to a friend, right? His name was Ronnie, I believe. You said he was still too nervous back then, but isn't it about time? He's the one who's often with you at the training grounds, right?"
Now that he mentioned it, we had talked about that. Ronnie had definitely gotten more used to things than he had at first, so I thought it might be all right. But if I introduced him to these three, I had a feeling that wouldn't matter.
But I couldn't keep turning them down forever, either. Sorry, Ronnie. I guarantee they're not bad people, so hang in there.
"You're right. He's probably gotten used to things by now, so I'll introduce him. To Stefan and Martine as well, right?"
"Yes, please do."
"Of course. Please introduce him to me as well."
"Then when would be good? After school today?"
"That sounds good. Then shall we meet in the entrance hall after school today?"
The entrance hall after school would probably be just right, since hardly any students would be there.
"Yeah. Let's do that."
"I have something to look forward to now. I should get myself fired up!"
"Martine, you don't need to get fired up. Just be yourself, okay?"
Ronnie's heart can barely handle Martine as she is, so a fired-up Martine would only increase her attack power!
"Oh, right. Could the three of you spend a little time in your classroom before coming to the entrance hall?"
"Why?"
"Ronnie is an ordinary commoner. If a commoner arrives late to meet nobles, Ronnie's heart won't survive it."
Having the three of them waiting for him ahead of time would be too cruel to Ronnie. I had to weaken their attack power as much as possible, or his heart would be in serious danger.
Perhaps he didn't understand that, because Stefan tilted his head with a puzzled look.
"If we're the ones allowing it, I don't see the problem."
"No, that's not how it works. For a commoner, arriving before the nobles and arriving after them—even if he was allowed to—are completely different things! So please take your time, all right? Spend about ten minutes in your classroom before heading to the entrance hall. Please!"
"Well, if you feel that strongly about it, I suppose..."
"Thanks!"
That should reduce some of the strain on Ronnie. Whenever I noticed differences in perception like this, I was reminded all over again that these three were royalty and nobility. On the other hand, I suppose that meant I was starting to forget they were royalty and nobility in every other respect... But I couldn't help it! When we talked normally, I forgot!
"Should I give him a present as a token of friendship?"
Martine had started saying something ominous again. A gift wasn't necessary!
"Martine, he doesn't need a present, okay? A smile and a greeting will be plenty!"
"Are you sure?"
"Yes! Absolutely!"
"All right, then."
As I did my best to reduce Ronnie's burden, Lucien suddenly spoke as if he'd remembered something.
"Come to think of it, we had class on magic items today, and Longo-sensei told me something at the end. He said everyone absolutely had to attend today's research club meeting."
"I remember seeing you talking with Lucien. I thought you were discussing class, but it was about the research club?"
"If that was the message, he could have told us directly."
"Longo-sensei said that speaking to royalty would attract attention."
"That's true, but..."
Martine puffed out her cheeks slightly, looking dissatisfied. But I completely understood how Longo-sensei felt.
Talking to royalty attracts attention. People start listening in to find out what you're discussing. If he spoke to them in the classroom, they would become the center of attention. Longo-sensei, I completely understand!
I wanted to have a long talk with Longo-sensei about this, but I decided to set it aside for now. The important point was that everyone had to attend. Had something happened? This had never happened before...
"I wonder if something happened. Did Longo-sensei say why?"
"No, he didn't. Even when I asked, he wouldn't tell me. But rather than looking serious, he seemed to be enjoying himself."
So something good had happened? If it was Longo-sensei, perhaps he'd thought of a new magic item.
That would certainly explain why he wanted to gather everyone.
"Could he have thought of a new magic item?"
"That might be possible."
"If that's the case, Longo-sensei has beaten us to it. We haven't made any progress at all on the Purification magic item..."
"The Purification magic item really is difficult, isn't it?"
The mana efficiency was just too poor. I'd been thinking constantly about whether I could come up with a suitable mental image, but nothing came to me... I needed to think of another method, too.
"Lucien and I still haven't thought of any new magic items, either."
"I only realized how amazing you are when I tried making one myself. To think you can come up with so many magic items... You're a genius."
"Yeah, I think so too."
"I've come to appreciate anew just how amazing you are, Leon."
B-being praised so suddenly was embarrassing!
Besides, it wasn't really my own ability so much as the skill of Japan's inventors. Martine knew that, didn't she?
When I looked at Martine, she had the look of someone whose prank had succeeded. Ugh, she got me.
I could tell them that I had memories from a past life, but I was still too afraid to bring it up, so I kept putting it off. If they found me creepy after hearing it, I wouldn't be able to recover.
In the end, I could only thank them sincerely.
"...Thanks."
The luncheon ended on that awkwardly warm note, and I returned to the classroom. I had to tell Ronnie what was happening after school.