"Aiya~ it seems Shichen trusts Emilia quite a lot," Roswaal teased.
"Isn't that normal? Emilia's too cute not to," Shichen replied.
"C-cute! Is this really the time to say that?" Emilia flushed.
"I'm just telling the truth."
"D-don't say it…"
"Alright, alright."
Seeing her cheeks grow redder, Shichen stopped teasing her.
"Shichen, are you also interested in Emilia-sama?" Roswaal asked.
"I am," Shichen admitted with a nod.
"Oh~ so you're a man of many affections."
"I just like pretty, cute girls."
"Shichen… that makes you sound like a playboy," Emilia said, frowning; the blush still hadn't faded.
"What can I say—I don't like lying. Don't worry, Emilia, I'm not someone who likes every girl I see. Don't get jealous."
"Wh-why would I get jealous!" Emilia sputtered, even redder.
"Aiya~ Shichen, are you planning to scoop up all the girls in my mansion?" Roswaal cut in.
"If possible, I wouldn't mind," Shichen said.
"Is that so? Please spare a few, or I'll be left all alone."
"Not necessarily. Someone probably can't bear to leave you," Shichen said, glancing at Ram.
"From your lips to the dragon's ears," Roswaal replied without looking her way.
"By the way, Emilia said she's staying here as a guest too. What's your relationship?" Shichen asked.
"Oh~ getting jealous already? Don't worry—Emilia-sama is only here to study~" Roswaal smiled.
"Study? In many areas, I assume?"
"You are clever. Beatrice didn't tell you anything, did she?"
"Cut it out. Shichen and I don't waste time on such pointless things," Betty snapped.
"So you figured it out yourself? Very smart."
"It helps that my meeting with Emilia was… unusual," Shichen said.
"Mm…" Emilia couldn't find a retort—getting pickpocketed, and of something so important—mortifying. Still, she was grateful fate led her to Shichen.
"But I suppose you don't know the current state of the kingdom—Lugunica?" Roswaal asked.
"Wouldn't it be strange if I already did?"
"Why do you sound proud?" Emilia asked, helpless.
"Being honest is something to be proud of—unlike a certain someone who wouldn't even share her name at first," he said.
"Mm…"
"So—what's the situation?" After teasing Emilia just a little, Shichen got back on topic.
"The country is, shall we say, unstable. After all, ~ there's no king in Lugunica at the moment~," Roswaal said airily.
"No king?" Shichen feigned surprise.
"Haha—don't worry. Even commoners know this by now."
"Isn't that a disaster?"
A country without a king is like a person without a soul.
"Indeed. Things are quite unsettled domestically."
"In that case, the royal heirs? Won't they inherit the throne?" Shichen asked.
"Well~ ordinarily, yes. But the cause goes back six months. Around the time the king died, a plague suddenly spread through the capital."
"A plague?"
"Yes—but it infected only those of a particular bloodline."
"In other words, the ones who caught it were only the king and his descendants?"
"Exactly."
"You're telling me this because it involves Emilia, right? You even keep calling her '-sama'… Don't tell me she's a candidate for the throne?"
"Bingo~ you got it," Roswaal said approvingly.
"…"
Shichen ignored him and looked at Emilia.
"I'm sorry, Shichen. I am one of the candidates to be the forty-second monarch of Lugunica—and Margrave Roswaal is my sponsor," Emilia said apologetically.
"Why are you apologizing to me?" Shichen asked, amused.
"Because… I hid it from you for so long…" Emilia said, ducking her head.
"What's to hide? It's not the sort of thing you tell someone you just met… Still, if you might be queen one day—that makes you even more attractive."
"A-attractive?!" Emilia's face went scarlet.
"Alright, enough flirting in front of me," Roswaal said. "Emilia-sama, please show him."
"Mm."
Still bashful, Emilia took something from her bosom and set it on the table. Shichen knew it well—it was what had tied their fates together. The badge she'd lost. It shimmered against the white cloth, a dragon crest set with a gem—clearly no ordinary trinket.
"The dragon is Lugunica's symbol—honored so much we call ourselves the Dragon Kingdom. You'll find dragons on walls and weapons; of all such emblems, this badge is the most important—"
Roswaal paused and glanced to Emilia, prompting her to continue.
She closed her eyes briefly and said in a solemn voice: "Eligibility for the royal selection is verified by this badge… It is the touchstone that determines whether its holder is fit to sit on Lugunica's throne."
"So that's how important it is. And you managed to lose it," Shichen said, shaking his head.
"I-I didn't lose it—it was stolen by a naughty girl with sticky fingers," Emilia muttered.
"What's the difference?"
"Mm…"
"Emilia still has some growing up to do."
"Indeed," Roswaal nodded. "A king must bear the nation. If someone shouldering that kind of duty can't even protect a small badge… It's absurd—who would entrust a country to them?"
"…" Emilia lowered her head, unable to refute it.
"So, Emilia—you refused my help at the start because you wanted to handle it yourself? Without outside aid?" Shichen asked.
"That's right…"
"Speaking of which, the Bowel Hunter tried to kill to silence—looks like someone deliberately hired Felt to steal your badge," Shichen said, giving Roswaal a pointed look.
Roswaal's expression didn't change. "Exactly. Stripping her of the badge is the simplest way to deny her candidacy."
"In that case, my retrieving it for Emilia is a pretty big favor, isn't it?" Shichen said.
"Mm. You are my great benefactor, Shichen. To repay you—ask me for anything," Emilia said.
"…What are you talking about?" Shichen said, exasperated.
"Mm? You don't want a reward? If it's within my power, I'll do it," Emilia said earnestly, hand over her heart.
"Sigh—you really are a dummy."
"Eh?"
Shichen stood, lifted Betty into his seat, then walked to Emilia's side and gently ruffled her hair.
"Shichen?" she said, looking up in confusion.
"I was just speaking casually. I helped you because I wanted to—not for a reward."
He threaded his fingers into her hair—so smooth to the touch. Now he could pet her openly without worry.
"B-because you wanted to…" Emilia stared up, dazed.
"What? You don't believe me?" he teased.
"No—I believe you," she said firmly.
"That's better," Shichen said, flicking her lightly on the forehead.
"Mm… You really do like patting people's heads," Emilia said, rubbing the spot.
"I don't pat just anyone. Your silver hair is too pretty to resist."
"Silver hair… pretty… really?"
"Of course—I like it very much."
"Th-thank you," Emilia said, beaming at him.
"That's the smile that suits you," Shichen said, ruffling her hair once more before returning to his seat, picking up Betty, and sitting down. He looked straight at Roswaal. "Now then—shall we talk business?"
"Oh? And what business would that be?" Roswaal asked, intrigued.
"Since you're Emilia's shield and I've done you quite a favor—shouldn't there be some kind of reward?"
~~~
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