The other girls watched over Koutarou and Elfaria from afar. It was hard to join in on the topic they were discussing and there was a strange atmosphere between them that they didn't want to break.
“Theia-chan, Satomi-kun and Her Majesty met while he was returning from the past, right?”
“Yes. Supposedly they came across my mother when they left to buy some parts they needed”
”But I feel like that doesn't explain this atmosphere around them”
Many shared Shizuka's doubts.
Koutarou and Elfaria had met once before 20 years ago, and they had reunited just recently. But the atmosphere they created for something like that was too distinct. It was also different from the atmosphere with Kiriha who had a similar experience.
“Clan-sama knows more of the details around that, but...”
Ruth said and the girls all looked at Clan. In response she simply shook her head and spoke.
“...No comments”
“Why? Don't be such a cheapskate and tell us”
”Her Majesty is living a life less free than ours. I can't tell you what she's feeling, but it is certain that she can't live as she please. So at least leave her be for the time being”
Clan knew that Elfaria had fallen for Koutarou 20 years ago. But she didn't know if that was still the case now. However, even if it was, those feelings were unacceptable seeing as she was the empress and Theia's mother. That's why Clan's way of expressing her friendship was to ask the others to leave it be for now.
“Hmm. Aren't you cool, glasses”
Sensing sincerity from Clan's words, Sanae smiled. She didn't understand the circumstances, but she could vaguely understand that Clan was correct. When she had been a ghost there was a time when Sanae had worried that she would not be able to be together with Koutarou. So if Elfaria truly did love Koutarou, Sanae could imagine how she felt. Because of that, she decided to leave Elfaria be.
“Mother's feelings, huh...”
That was something Theia hadn't thought of. It wasn't hard to imagine that her mother had strong interest for the Blue Knight, having been an archeologist.Depending on the circumstances she might actually have fallen for Koutarou. But Theia was still too young to be able to understand how Elfaria must have felt when she sent her daughter to his side and when she was able to speak to him again.
“Regardless of the truth, I don't think it's a mistake to give them some time since they've reunited for the first time in 20 years”
Harumi wrapped up the conversation. She might feel the way she did because of Alaia's feelings inside of her.
“I think so too. Besides, you don't poke around in another woman's feelings”
Maki agreed with Harumi. Maki was the only one to say so, but many of the girls felt the same way. Elfaria couldn't spend every day with Koutarou like they could. So they could at least let her do as she wished on days like these.