Well, at present, that was the extent to which they could report.
Looking at the letter, if he conveyed his thoughts of watching the rest carefully to Tasuku, then there would be no need for him to interfere any longer.
(Nn?)
Casually thinking that there were only 2 sheets of paper, he noticed that there was 1 more sheet. It had a P.S. at the beginning.
『P.S.
As you know, since there is a strange situation going on now in the Sumeragi territory, I’m extremely busy trying to find a solution.
Since this is an incident with no precedents, we don’t when an unforeseen situation may rise up.
And so, though it pains me to ask any more from you, I have a request. I’m truly sorry, but could you please take care of Erika in the Stokes house for a short while. I may be disqualified as the head of a house to interpose with my personal feelings, but as a father who is concerned about his only daughter–』
Kazuki, who had read until that part, moved his eyes away from the letter. Thinking that he might have strained his eyes, after rubbing the inner corner of his eyes, he looked at the letter and read it again from the beginning.
But even though he did that, there were no changes to the words asking for his assistance to keep Erika safe.
He endured from holding his head with his hands and falling flatly on the table, but still, the voice that was squeezed out from him contained deep resentment.
「What is the meaning of this………」
「What is the matter?」
In silence, Kazuki put the sheet on which the P.S. was written, in front of Erika.
After reading it, Erika spoke as though she was extremely surprised, in an indifferent tone.
「Oh, this is troubling. Even though I am the fiancee, I would be troubling many people by living under the same roof」
「………..Oi」
「But the carriage which brought me here has already left. There is no way other than being saved by Harold-sama’s compassion」
「Oi Bastard」
「Yes, what is it?」
A grinning Erika. This was the first time she had shown a full-faced smile.
「You have quite the guts」
「I am honored to receive your praise」
To Harold’s sarcastic remark, Erika, with a refreshing face, too replied with a sarcastic remark. This matter wasn’t only Tasuku’s judgement, but it seems as though she also knew about it.
That is to say, Erika was trying to stay here with some kind of goal.
It wasn’t simply because they were engaged. He had informed Tasuku of a method where Erika wouldn’t have to marry into the Stokes house.
Well, that was only if Tasuku believed in the contents of the letter, but he couldn’t guess as to why there would be a need to send Erika over even if he didn’t believe in the letter.
Adding onto that, Kazuki was baffled at Erika’s behavior.
Certainly, in the game it was shown that she was playful and would play small pranks, but she didn’t have the personality to reply back with spite, even if it was just in words.
It would be fine if it was just because she still didn’t have a mature mental state, but that gap was more than enough to perplex Kazuki.
「I don’t have any duty to accept such a one-sided proposal」
Even though all the requests from higher rank nobles were almost like orders, Kazuki rejected it without any hesitation.
Considering Tasuku’s personality and the Sumeragi’s current condition, he judged that it wasn’t a problem.
If due to this, even if the relationship between the Sumeragi and the Stokes grew worse, that by itself would be the development Kazuki was hoping for.
Eventually, on the occasion when the engagement was cancelled, it would be fine if it came as a boost.
「You’re cold, aren’t you. Even though you have saved the people of another territory, you would treat your fiancee in such a blunt manner」
Erika made a sad expression, as though to show it off.
This was exactly a “made up” expression, and unlike the time when she was dejected, Kazuki’s heart wasn’t moved by the slightest.
「That was estimated as selling a costly favor. But for this matter, the compensation for me is too less」