Chapter 80: The Town Before

A week has passed since then, and the distance between the towns became shorter. There was a highway going through the prairie, and we saw more people and Rug Dragons. I saw mountains in the direction the capital was in before I saw towns, and found out that the capital was near the mountains.

In short, there were a lot of Hollows.

The capital is near the east end of Wester, and I dont think its a convenient place to rule over the whole of Wester. If theyre worried about safety, then the safest place to be would be that town where we hunted.

I thought it was strange.

My thoughts aside, once the people who we passed knew that this was the Princes party, they avoided us, got off their Rug Dragons, and some saw royalty for the first time. Of course, the inns in these towns became more luxurious.

Leila.

Ai?

The Prince said something as he approached me.

Im going to behave myself.

Its pretty fun to look everywhere as we pass people.

Stop those eyes.

They wonth wnow thheyre vioweth. (They wont know theyre violet)

They do. They definitely know who you are.

What is he on about?

Shes probably saying, Huu, they think youre the Prince so cover your face, Prince.

Alistair.

What is it?

Do you think this too?

Yeah.

Guhaa.

Alistair turned to his side.

I think the last person is disqualified as a guard.

Jeez, I thought Id finally be respected as a royal now that Ive returned near the vicinity of the capital. Grumbling isnt Prince-like.

Leila.

Ai, Huu.

Were nearly at the capital. Behave yourself properly, no, well youre always behaving yourself when you need to. In short

In shhorth?

That part of you. Honestly, act like a baby, like a baby.

Aai.

Argh.

He looks dissatisfied even when I answer him. Hes naggy. But, I could only have fun teasing him until the town before the capital.

Leila-sama, this town is the town before the capital. Well be there in a few hours if we rush, but well be staying here tonight.

Ai.

Dory told me this.

I wonder if well be staying in a luxurious room today too. The closer we got to the capital, more and more mayors and VIPs wanted to see someone from the Four Marquis, and the Prince granted their request. And Alistair and I agreed because there was nothing we could do.

Most people looked at Alistair and I as we stood next to each other, or they would look at us as I sat on Alistairs lap and they would smile and say, Oh, so these are the summery and violet eyes.

This is Kingdoms, there were also people who showed their sarcasm and dissatisfaction at Kingdom, and it was really tiring to meet those people.

If Otou-sama was with me, he probably wouldnt even take notice of those who want to meet us and say, Why do we have to meet them? Frontier royals have it tough.

I found out later that the Frontier royals didnt have it tough, and Otou-sama was just weird.

If I stick close to Alistair and open my eyes wide, then I get a good bed and delicious food, so I didnt have a hard time when I thought of it as an easy job.

But, that wasnt the case for Alistair. He hates nobles and reluctantly came because he was told that he could continue being a hunter. He looked displeased with being praised just for the colour of his eyes even though he hadnt been taught the responsibilities of the Four Marquises and he hadnt enjoyed their abundant lifestyle.

Say, Lei.

Ai.

Dont you hate it? Theyre just staring at us. We finished practising our magic and were practising how to make barriers when Alistair muttered this. I can easily feel the change in my magic, but it was difficult for Alistair.

Even so, he was practising hard because he said he would be invincible during hunts if he could do this.

Lei doesh.

So you do. But youre putting up with it. Lei, youre amazing.

Alistair patted my shoulders.

I really hate it when people look at me like Im an exhibition sometimes.

Ai, I wnow.

I wonder what I should do.

Wubbishh, I said when I remembered Otou-sama.

Theyre not rubbish. But, apparently, Otou-sama treats people who are noisy around him like theyre rubbish.

Rubbish?

Otousyama doeshnth care abouth peopwe. (Otou-sama doesnt care about people)

Otousyama? Leis dad?

Peopwe arenth wohthh wohwying abouth. Thathsh why he doeshnth cawe. (People arent worth worrying about. Thats why he doesnt care)

Its not like theyre not worth worrying about, Alistair said as if he was a little shocked.

Mayowsh Awishthaih donth wnow donth chewhishh you. You donth have tho wohwy abouth peopwe who donth chehwishh you. (Mayors Alistair doesnt know dont cherish you. You dont have to worry about people who dont cherish you)

Whew. I was able to talk a lot. I feel like Ive achieved something.

People live to help each other, dont they?

The mayowsh donth hewp you.

Buufoo. The guard, who was standing quietly in the same room as us, burst out into laughter.

Alistair-sama.

What?

Hubert-sama is from the royal family of this country, so he thinks of the peoples benefit even if they dont help him.

Alistair nodded meekly.

Hes not just a troublesome Prince. Alistair and I learnt throughout this journey that he is an excellent Prince who tries to hold back what he says all the time.

But, your position as part of the Four Marquises is different.

So I dont have to think about the people?

Its better if you think about them, but

The guard smiled.

The Lisburns already have a heir and so do the Albans. So youll have your freedom even if you live in Kingdom, right?

No way will I be free! Say, Lei.

I wondered how it would have been if I raised myself.

Lei wiww pwobabwy be free. (Lei will probably be free)

Lei. Alistair looked betrayed.

Awishthaih.

What?

Nothhing you can do shince you have poweh. (Nothing you can do since you have power)

I know, but

The reshth ish up tho you. (The rest is up to you)

Cant you just do what you like?

So the rest is up to me?

Lei ish fwee in Kingdom or in Weshthewh. I wonth do anythhing I donth wiwe. (Lei is free in Kingdom or in Wester. I wont do anything I dont like)

Alistair asked a little maliciously, Even if you become an exhibition?

I geth food and a good bed.

Buufoo. The guard held his stomach as he laughed.

Lei-sama is really good at explaining things.

I donth thhinw abouth hahd thhingsh. (I dont think of hard things)

I tapped Alistairs knees.

I donth do whath i donth wanth tho do. If I can howd ith in, thhen I wiww. (I dont do what I dont want to do. If I can hold it in, then I will)

Its okay to be selfish?

Ai. Otousyama ish shewfishh.

Alistair looked like he had mixed feelings, but he also looked relieved.

A baby who says its alright to be selfish. What the heck are the Four Marquises The guard was greatly perplexed. We couldnt be carefree. The next day, Alistair and I were surprised. A grand welcome had arrived from the capital of Wester.

Donth need.

Thats

Buufoo. Its already the guards signature move to laugh.