Even though we often exchanged letters, conversing like this complement subtle nuances that can't be conveyed through letters.
While Sera is telling me the state of each of the Duchy Capital's orphanage people, I also tell her about the Labyrinth City's orphanage and training school for explorers.
I tell my activities in the Labyrinth City as plainly as possible.
She's also told me the present state of the sealkin children whom Nana cared, I'll tell Nana about it later.
Still, Lady Karina is shy with strangers like always.
Even though she could talk normally with me and Toruma, she only replied with brief words like "Yes", or "That's right", when Sera talked to her, the conversation couldn't continue.
It's like she's reserved toward Sera.
Since Toruma followed up with, "Karina is shy with strangers like always huh" when that happened, Sera didn't seem offended.
After we've told each other our situations, Toruma asks about the airship incident.
As begged, I tell him about the details of the raid against Duke Bishtal, in exchange I ask about the suspicion toward Marquis Lloyd.
It seems Marquis Lloyd had willingly agreed to be inquisition-ed and proved his innocence.
I'm glad that his suspicion has been cleared, but in the end, I don't get to give him prison-present.
And then, I understood that Toruma was going to talk about Lady Karina's confession-like match just before we departed Labyrinth City, but I stopped him from condemning other's people fault, especially in front of Sera.
Instead, Toruma, who knows the Royal Capital well, is going to guide me to the hidden tourist attractions and stores in the night pleasure quarter. Of course gay bars are prohibited.
I said it implicitly, "Guiding to various kind of shops", so Lady Karina and Sera didn't notice it.
Since Sera and Toruma were invited to a diner with Duke Oyugock and the king, the enjoyable conversation was cut short, and we saw the two off.
◇
When the two have disappeared, Lady Karina asks a puzzling question.
"Sa-Satou, do you want to take Sera-sama as your wife?"
"No, Sera-san is my friend. In the first place, a Miko can't marry unless she returns to secular life you know?"
An Oracle Miko like Sera is probably not allowed to return to secular life.
"I-is that so..."
She leaks out sexy sigh beside me.
Perhaps, she's really fallen for me?
My heart slightly thumped when I saw Lady Karina's face that looked like a maiden in love.
--This is not good.
If I don't firmly draw the line with Lady Karina, I'm afraid that I'd cross it since I'm fond of her outward appearance.
If that happens, marriage surely awaits. I have to make a restraint.
"Besides--"
The flow of conversation is just right, I guess I'll say it.
"--The person I love is in a far away foreign country. I would never ask Sera-sama to be my wife."
Saying that Aze-san is my lover or wife would make it a lie, but [The person I love] should be barely safe.
I've been dumped many times already, but I want to love Aze-san as long as she does not dislike it. At the very least, I don't feel like getting discouraged in one or two years.
"....L, lie."
Lady Karina reflexively denied it.
I saw large drop of tears spilling from her eyes.
....Apparently, her marriage proposal when we were leaving Labyrinth City was serious.
I feel slightly guilty, my chest hurts, but giving the final words just before she enters the high society is probably good for her courtship.
While deceiving my sense of guilt with that excuse, I speak more.
"It's true you know? She's a bit older than me, but she's cute."
After hearing my utmost sweet words, Lady Karina turned her heels and ran toward her own room.
Sorry, but I cannot run after Lady Karina. I'll ask maid-head Pina or Arisa to care for her.
....Ah, it's been a while, I want to see Aze-san.
The last time we talked with Telephone was about [Sakura Dryad] and [Sakura Drop], so it feels like I haven't talked to her for a long time.
--Good grief, I'm usually the one being dumped, so I never thought that being the dumping one was this hard.