(Derisha)
--Earlier--
By the time dusk arrived, everyone had finished their dinner.
Right now, I lay on the roof of the [Dog House], watching the sky dyed red by the evening glow, whole eating freshly grilled skewers, and reminiscing about what had happened during this time.
After months of hard work and searching, the harvest was completely unexpected.
To think that I would end up like this with Walson, if my former self from a year ago saw this, I wouldn't believe it. Looking at the bracelet on my hand, I couldn't help but smile.
I used to be so constrained in the past, being a princess of a nation always tied my hands in social interactions. Recently, I can get along with others naturally.
But if I'm going to be Walson's wife in the future, my status as a princess has become a bit of a bother. After all, in royal marriages, status and position matter a lot. It's not just that, Walson may not have a title, but his achievements could easily earn him one.
The problem lies in the issue of the main wife and concubines. I really don't want to replace anyone, whether it's Melon or Grace, they've been very kind to me. As for whatever I would become his concubines and such, I don't care about it very much, since Walson treats all of his girls well.
...We'll cross that bridge when we get to it. If necessary, I can throw away the princess's crown and not worry about my noble status. Being with everyone makes me happier.
Not that losing a princess or two would do anything to the kingdom anyway, the old man alone can shoulder the entirety of the kingdom.
Although Grace is younger than me, she's much smarter. She seems quiet and reserved most of the time, but once she's with Walson, her passion is no less than mine.
Well, Grace really is something. She secretly told me a few methods to seduce Walson at night, something I wouldn't have dared to think about before. We haven't gone beyond kissing so far, and we've both hit the brakes at the right moment... but one day, I suppose we'll have to face it.
Grace told me that her appearance is like having a caring, albeit somewhat clumsy big sister... It feels nice to be called a big sister! I wonder how my little sister is doing now.
Besides, there was something else that surprised me, and that's Barella. I always thought she was one of Walson's fiancées, but after spending time with her, I realized that Barella, just like my past self, is in unrequited love with Walson... I can't do much to help, since even now, I need to gather the courage for myself.
By the way, I've noticed that Walson can be quite a headache at times.
I'm very grateful for everything he's done for me, but to force himself for my sake…
When I returned to my hometown, I saw Walson sitting in a chair, passed out, and it felt very uncomfortable. The others felt the same way, taking turns to take care of Walson.
You could see it in their eyes.
Despite that incident, I still enjoy our current traveling life.
We don't have to fight anything in particular. We have picnics, admire the scenery, play games together, or train. This kind of travel is something I've never experienced before.
In the past, when it came to traveling, it usually meant taking on long-distance missions from the adventurers' guild, escorting caravans, or going on special creature extermination squads. There were many things to do every day, and we mostly relied on dried rations for food. Nights were spent taking turns keeping watch around a smoky campfire.
With Walson by my side, all that is unnecessary. Besides the delicious food and the anticipation of every meal, having Rifle, the magical beast, around ensures that other creatures won't approach recklessly. We can bathe at night, and we even have a furnace inside the [Dog House] to keep us warm. We sleep in comfortable beds with almost no risks involved
...In the past, I had to remain vigilant at all times, and I couldn't sleep too soundly.
However, since we've been staying in the village lately and have a big bed to sleep in, there have been a few nights when I accidentally lost myself in dreams of hugging Walson as my pillow.
_______________________
The evening breeze was gentle, and Derisha closed her eyes, reminiscing about the conversation she had with her childhood friend under the tree before leaving her hometown.
"Hey." A woman who looked similar to herself, with brown hair and tanned skin, wore worn-out female leather armor and had a twig in her mouth.
Well, I have a piece of grass in my mouth.
"Taya."
"It's been ten years. The last time I saw you, you were a little weakling who couldn't even fight, and now you've become a princess! Why don't you just wear fancy dresses and stay in the palace like a proper princess?"
Taya burst into laughter and punched my right shoulder. I casually caught her punch, but my wrist stung a little.
"You're the same, even after all this time, you're still just a musclehead. If it weren't for you always taking my food when we were kids, I wouldn't have had such a hard time learning etiquette when I first arrived at the palace." I shrugged, from a young age, I always fought with Taya, and I learned everything from her. The process of correcting my manners later on was a nightmare, and I'd rather not think about it.
"That's just the way I am! I heard you became an adventurer. Is it true? A Princess adventurer sounds amazing."
"A lot has happened in this adventure, and my eyes have been at risk... But never mind that, what have you been up to in these ten years?"
"Oh! I haven't done much- Mostly, I hunt, and I occasionally work as a guide in the desert. Oh, by the way, I went west recently!" Taya thought for a moment and spoke casually.
"Hunting? Is it for the Hunter's Guild? You went west- You went abroad!?" I was surprised.
"Because there have been a lot of monsters coming from Chesaatla over there, and the local guards couldn't handle them all of a sudden. So, they asked for help from our border hunters' group and adventurers. When I came back, I also worked as a guide for Lady Bell-"
"But! Let's not talk about that! The Dwarves' technology is really amazing! I was quite shocked... But compared to Creator-sama, it's still far off, if only I can be Creator-sama's girlfriend, then it would be great..." After a sky full of stars fell, Taya looked at me with a sour expression.
At her words, I proudly puffed up my chest, and I felt happy that Walson was praised like that.
But, proud as I was, I caught a clue from Taya's words.
"From the west..."
So, there really are two things as Walson said. From the western nations, the area that are dominated by the Vantinom-Bishop Branch Church, the increasingly tense national situation, the monsters rampaging due to the Demon King, and the withering event.
The mysteries I can't figure out are piling up more and more.
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