"That reminds me, about Sylphy and Eris-sama. They get along surprisingly well."
Is this what we’re going to talk about?
No, it’s just a conversation starter.
"Well .... originally I thought they would be quarreling a lot, but it seems to me that they’re getting along really well."
To be honest, I always wondered if taking Eris as a wife might lead to conflict and chaos in my family.
I was wondering if Roxy and Sylphy ought to be quarreling more.
But you shouldn’t quarrel with family.
“The other day, while Rudeus-sama was out patrolling, I met those two and talked about this and that."
"Such as?"
“She said, [You’ll be fine if you leave it to Rudeus.] For Eris-sama, staying silent and hearing all you say is important. Rudi also make mistakes, and, I'm no good unless I'm following Sylphy's guidance."
Being relied on is nice, but honestly Eris, you really are overestimating me too much.
It’s nice of you that you’re trying to help me behind Sylphy’s back.
I think those two are still anxious about me becoming Orsted’s underling.
Without making a complaint or disagreement, you two are willing to follow me.
"Those two are exact opposites. Eris-sama will fight and stand in front of Rudeus-sama. Sylphy will support Rudeus-sama from the back....."
"Doing all they can to cover for me, I can only offer them my gratitude...."
My love and gratitude for those two.
It’s something that I won’t forget even until my death.
"What’s interesting is seeing Sylphy scold Eris-sama like a little sister that has done something wrong."
“A bad little sister?”
“Yes. Eris-sama has taken the lecture to heart, even though Sylphy was reluctant.”
I wonder.
I didn’t notice until she said that.
I mean, now that I think about it, I haven’t spoken much with those two recently.
I’m being too narrow minded.
I thought that I was familiar with how Eris thought, and so I ignored it.
...... I have not seen Sylphy looking after Eris with half baked feelings.
"It's interesting how Sylphy is looking after her junior."
"Ariel-sama even notices these sorts of things huh?"
"Unlike Rudeus-sama who misses small details like that."
While saying that, Ariel sends me an alluring glance.
She’s bewitching.
Stop blatantly showing such temptation.
"Well, I know that Rudeus is busy every day, gazing here and there and thinking about everything from what can be seen to what can't be seen."
Ariel looks at my eyes, playing with the topic.
Perhaps this is what she wanted to talk about?
“One thing I would like to ask Rudeus sama ....what do you think about Luke?"
Luke.
What do I think about Luke?
So it's not about Orsted.
"Even if you ask me now."
Well, Ariel, what sort of answer are you hoping for?
"Rudeus-sama, your bad habit is showing."
"What?"
“Answer me honestly. I’m a master at the art of conversation. Such a skill is a staple for someone in my position "
Habit.
Do I have such a habit?
Although I feel that we’ve been talking and thinking about just such a thing these days.
About Orsted, about Hitogami.
That’s not all.
My family also.
"I think that ―― Luke is betraying us."
And suddenly, Ariel decisively said it.
Luke’s betrayal.
Oh, that keyword.
"Although I haven’t said it to Sylphy and the others."
I bet.
But, that's a little shocking.
".....I thought that Ariel-sama trusted Luke.”
I was wondering about that, about Ariel’s trust in Luke’s loyalty.
Sylphy, just like Luke, will not betray Ariel.
The two attendants as well.
"I do."
"......"
“There is no reason for Luke to betray me. If he wanted to betray me, he would have done so a long time ago. Luke would have been able to take my life during my sleep whenever he wanted."
"..... Then, why?"
“Even someone as loyal as Luke would betray me if he were forced into a situation where he had no choice but to do so. Like for example...... since he cares deeply about his family, maybe his family was taken hostage…..."