You're Not Even Hiding Your Possessiveness...

――Three days after I was summoned to this world.

Today, I’d finally get to see Toko-san again.

"It suits you very well."

Watching me carefully make my way down the stairs so I wouldn’t tumble, Julius-san smiled at me from the hall, his expression melting with affection.

"U-ugh... It’s so hard to move in this..."

Since I was going to see Toko-san—in other words, go to the castle—they’d dressed me in a pale orange gown today.

The maids had said it was on the lighter side, with few decorations, but it was far heavier than a one-piece dress, and its long hem made it difficult to walk.

And since this was the first time I’d worn a dress since I was old enough to remember, I was terribly embarrassed.

The maids had worked hard to make me look nice, but given the raw material, I couldn’t help worrying that I looked like I was wearing a cheap costume.

"Riko, give me your hand."

Julius-san offered me his hand from partway down the stairs.

He spotted the small amber necklace peeking out from beneath the black velvet ribbon choker adorning my neck, and smiled at me sweetly, looking pleased.

"I had no idea going to the castle would be this difficult..."

I was already this tired, and we hadn’t even left the estate yet.

"That’s true. I hear women have a lot to do to get ready, especially."

"If you’d like, I could go back on my promise to Saint-sama, but I have other plans today, too... Can you manage for just one day?"

"I-I don’t want you to go back on your promise! I’ll do my best!"

"Good. Then let’s go, my lady."

As Julius-san escorted me out of the estate, a splendid carriage bearing a coat of arms was waiting for us.

With Julius-san supporting me, I climbed aboard.

Incidentally, the carriage had been stocked with plenty of cushions since yesterday, making the ride comfortable and saving me from a sore bottom.

Grateful for his thoughtful consideration, we set off for the castle.

◇

"Riko! Have you been well?"

"Toko-san, it’s been three days... Guh!"

Barely had we exchanged greetings before Toko-san wrapped me in a fierce hug. Maybe she’d squeezed me in just the wrong spot, or maybe she was simply incredibly strong, but I couldn’t breathe. I reflexively patted her arm over and over, and she quickly let go.

"Have you been eating properly? That shady aristocrat hasn’t done anything to you, has he?"

"Huh? You mean Julius-san? He’s been treating me very well."

"Well, that’s good, then..."

As she spoke, Toko-san’s gaze dropped to my necklace. After looking over my orange dress, she made a face like she’d bitten into something bitter.

"You’re not even hiding your possessiveness..."

"Possessiveness???"

"...Saint-sama, may I introduce the two of them now?"

Before I could ask what she meant, Julius-san spoke up, so Toko-san and I sat side by side on the sofa.

Two unfamiliar men sat opposite us, across the table.

I’d only been expecting to see Toko-san this time, but this introduction had been added at the last minute.

"This is His Highness Sylvain, the king’s younger brother. He currently resides in the detached palace."

"Hey there~"

The black-haired, blue-eyed man on the right gave a casual wave.

He looked about thirty, but he wore his clothes rather casually, and with those drooping eyes, he seemed kind of frivolous... The king’s younger brother? This was the king’s younger brother...?

"And this is Edgardo, the son of the Knight Commander."

"Sup."

This time, the brown-haired, red-eyed man on the left gave a casual nod.

He looked much younger than the king’s brother—he might even have been about my age. But he had a sturdy build, as if he worked out.

But why had these two been introduced to us? Toko-san looked puzzled beside me, too.

"These two, along with me and His Highness Prince Theodore, the First Prince, will be the Saint-sama’s 【supporters】."

"If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to ask."

"Supporters?"

"Yes. His Majesty ordered us to support you so you can live here without inconvenience, Saint-sama."

（So that was a role they had...）

I quietly understood that this was why Julius-san had taken responsibility for looking after me.

（But why are they all men? Wouldn’t it be better to have women helping the Saint-sama...?）

"Well, nice to meet you both properly."

"You might be better off asking that young fellow over there than a worn-out old guy like me. But if anything comes up, don’t hesitate to rely on me."

At His Highness Sylvain’s thoroughly unroyal, half-hearted greeting, I could see Toko-san giving him a half-lidded look.