Outaishihi ni Nante Naritakunai!! Chapter 326

"Say aah."
"Aah."

It had gotten a little late, but after obtaining a meal, I was fed the meal on Freed's lap, that in a sense could be called my usual place.

"Lidi, what do you want to eat next?"
"Let's see, the potatoes look good."
"Got it. Say aah."

The fork was brought to my lips. I freely opened my mouth and bit into the potato that I asked for.

"… Delicious."
"Is it? Then, could you feed me too?"
"Yup… Say aah."
"Aah."

I put a small cut of meat into Freed's mouth.
… Feel free to think of us lovebirds. However, recently this is a daily thing, so it can't be helped.
When we eat in the dining room, we of course don't act like this, but when it's just the two of us in the room, it feels like nowadays we almost always do it.
Especially today. I had to tell my story, so we cleared out people. Without anyone watching, I didn't need to worry… I'm aware I'm flirting as I please since we're newlyweds… I have doubts whether Freed is aware of that though.
For him, this is likely to be natural.
Anyway, we had a very fun meal, and still sitting on Freed's knees afterwards, I decided to tell him the story.
When I told him that while in Ms. Delris's house I'd met the Connecting Witch, Ms. Meissa, and what she'd told me, Freed looked down in thought.

"… A request for me, huh."
"Yup. She asked to introduce you the next time we meet. She said it's the same request as for me…"
"She said we have the right to choose, yes?"
"Yup."

I recalled Ms. Meissa's words and nodded.

"Ms. Delris said to consult it with her, so I don't think we need to worry that much."
"The Medicine Witch did? I see, she's your friend Lidi, so if she says so, it's enough to just keep it in mind."

After hearing that, Freed's expression relaxed. Ever since he'd heard about Ms. Meissa's talk, his face looked scary. He heard that a witch he didn't have a relationship with wanted to contact him, it couldn't be helped that he was on guard.

"However, the Connecting Witch of all people. I knew she was a witch when we met her, but I didn't expect her to be the Connecting Witch in the slightest."
"I was also surprised when she introduced herself."
"… The Medicine Witch said that my father has a connection with the Connecting Witch. I don't know how they met or why though."
"Come to think of it, she did say that."

It's about the talk we had when we visited Ms. Delris's house together. Ms. Delris said that Freed's father, that is the King and my Father-in-law, had been long-time acquaintances with Ms. Meissa.
At that time mainly Freed and Ms. Delris were talking, and I was listening, but… I see, Ms. Meissa knows Father-in-law.

"I'm more and more worried about what Ms. Meissa will request."

I can't help but find it strange that a King's acquaintance would expressly have a request for us. Freed nodded to me.

"Yeah. But it's no use worrying about it now. We'll think about it when the time comes."
"Yup."
"And? What else did you do? You wouldn't be so late with just that, would you?"
"Let's see…"

Freed's interrogation seemed to continue. However, I didn't intend to keep secrets from the beginning, so I continued to honestly talk.

"Ms. Delris gave us medicine that turned Cain's eyes black. She said it would be good if my escort was visible to serve as a restraint. Then I went with Cain with his eye color changed to the curry store."

When I reported about the medicine, Freed nodded like he understood something.

"So that's why Cain's eyes were black a while ago. I was wondering what in the world happened."
"Ah, you noticed."
"Of course."

It appears Freed noticed the matter of Cain's eyes. Even though they only talked for a moment, his quick wit showed, or how I should I put it, that's Freed for you.

"Since you say it was the witch's medicine, I'm convinced. Lidi, I was worried about you walking alone too, so I'm grateful for her favor."
"… Of course."
"Yup. If somebody you know saw you, they'd be surprised by your carelessness. They'd wonder what the newly married Crown Princess was doing walking alone through town."
"… I'm sorry."

I didn't intend to do that, but I felt so awkward I unconsciously apologized. Freed patted my back to calm me.

"Lidi, you got my permission properly, so you don't need to apologize. In fact, you have an escort more reliable than any other. But, a third party wouldn't be able to tell that… so I did think I'd prefer if you had an escort by your side."
"… Yup."
"Cain doesn't show himself to the castle soldiers, but anybody worth their salt can tell he's skilled, so I think it's clear that he's your escort, Lidi."
"I see. Yup, you're right. He doesn't look like my lover."

Lars is the only one who'd have such a strange misunderstanding. When I smiled at Freed with relief, his expression visibly stiffened.

"… Lover? What the? Lidi, what does it mean? Could you explain so that I understand?"
"Eh? … Y-Yup."

Freed's eyes and voice were scary. Especially his eyes. The fact that the highlights disappeared was especially frightening.

"E-Err, you see, Lars…"

My intuition told me I couldn't sidestep it, so I spat out everything with complete resignation.
Freed and Lars are acquaintances. After I gave his name and explained our exchange, Freed uttered, "Hmph," and spoke in such a low, terrifying voice that it surprised me that he could make it.

"… I'll need to directly talk to Lars soon… Ha ha ha. Cain being Lidi's lover is a totally laughable idea. A lover despite me being the husband. Lover, huh? … I shouldn't let men other than me near Lidi."
"Y-Y-You… You're right."

Incredibly scary.
I laughed it off when Cain said Freed might kill him, but I totally agree with him now.

―― Cain, run away. Run away now.

Freed said with dissatisfaction.

"To be honest Lidi, I don't want Cain close to you either. However, I have work, so I can't always be by your side. It's not like I didn't consider a female escort, but after all, no one is better than Cain in terms of fighting power… But, it's better than him being rumored as your lover."

―― This flow is bad.

I got Freed to acknowledge Cain, so I want to avoid that. Thinking so, I said impatiently.

"Only Lars said that. Fred, in the first place you know I only love you, right?"
"Of course I know, but still――."
"I'll explain to everyone properly that he's my escort. I'll never again let anyone even joke that he's my lover."
"… Lidi, if you say so… Alright."

Although reluctantly, Freed nodded.

"It can't be helped. It's irritating, but it's the truth that there's no more skilled escort than Cain, so I'm relieved when I entrust you to him… But Lidi, be careful to keep proper distance from him so nobody says he's your lover, okay?"
"Alright."

Relieved by reaching a compromise, I firmly nodded. I also don't want Cain, who I consider my important friend, to be branded as my 'lover'. Besides, as I said, I only love Freed…
Understanding that I nodded seriously, Freed's expression returned to the usual gentle one.

"I'll listen to Lars by myself later. Yup, let's end this talk. Lidi, continue."
"… After all you'll talk to Lars."
"Naturally."

It seems Freed won't give up on that no matter what. I could only leave it to Lars. I prayed for him in my mind and decided to tell what happened after leaving the curry story.

"Err… A circus from a foreign country had come. There, I found a dog being treated cruelly――"

When I finally explained the main reason of my late return to the castle, Freed made a worried face.

"You said to the circus showman to sell it to you rather than kill it? … Lidi, I beg you, don't do dangerous things…"
"Sorry… But I couldn't leave it alone."

There was no way I'd abandon a living creature about to be killed before my eyes. When I honestly said that, Freed said, troubled.

"Lidi, I know you're like that, but… After all, any escort but Cain is impossible for you…"
"…"

What does it mean?
When I stared at Freed, he stared back at me.

"Lidi, you're no longer a mere duke's daughter. You became my, Wilhelm's Crown Princess. Supposing he even gave you a scratch, I'd never forgive him. I'd search high and low. You understand it'd become an international problem then?"

Freed's expression was serious to the utmost, I understood he was saying it for real. I hung my head and apologized.

"… I'm sorry. I didn't consider that far. I just wanted to save that child… Only that."
"I know. There was Cain there, so I don't think it'd turn to that. But, really, take care."
"Yes."

While shrinking on Freed's lap, I nodded.
Certainly, I acted without thinking. It's true that I saved that child, but there might have been another way. I'm ashamed by myself for rushing in without thinking.

"I will be careful. I'm sorry."
"Yup. It's fine if you've reflected. Besides, you came back to me without incident."
"Nn…"

I tightly grasped Freed's clothes. Noticing my action, Freed smiled gently.

"Lidi, you did something cute again. But, that's not the end of the story, right? Lidi, you ultimately bought that dog. What happened afterwards?"
"I asked Cain to take me outside the Royal Capital. There, I removed a magical collar it was wearing with neutralization magic… I advised it to not get caught anymore and released it."
"Released? Lidi, knowing you I thought you'd suggest keeping it."
"I'd have done if it really was a dog…"

I smiled at Freed, who looked at me suspiciously.

"Actually, that child wasn't a dog but a wolf. Freed, I was thinking of keeping it as you said if it was a dog, but I noticed it was a wolf. Naturally, I couldn't choose to keep it knowing that it's a wolf."
"Wolf? It was a wolf? Lidi, are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere?"
"I'm fine. That child was very smart."

Freed began to impatiently check my body. After confirming I didn't have any wounds, he stroked his chest in relief. It was my bad for worrying Freed, but my mouth slacked from the feeling that he cherishes me.

"I'm glad. But Lidi, supposing you came with a wolf and suggested keeping it, Alex and the Prime Minister would faint."
"…"

As Freed brought up Brother and Father, I thought it certainly might have happened. Feeling awkward, I averted my gaze from Freed. Freed patted my head. He was very gentle, and I somehow felt warm inside. It was like that before too, recently I feel he's been acting more and more loving, the times I feel blessed increase.
In a very good mood, I snuggled up to Freed. While firmly hugging me, he said.

"Certainly, since it was a wolf, the only choice was to release it in the wild. The wolf was saved by Lidi. I hope it doesn't get caught again."

I agreed to that from the bottom of my heart.

"I hope so too…. I'm worried, since I didn't know where it lived, I had to release it outside the Royal Capital."
"It couldn't be helped."
"Yup, I know that."

It must be part of a pack, so I wish I could have sent it home. I'm fully aware it was impossible though.
Hugging me, Freed peered at my face.

"I understand now. Lidi, in the end, you came late because you released that wolf outside the Royal Capital, right?"
"Yup… I'm sorry."
"I understand the situation, and I think this time it couldn't be helped. Your heart to want to save mistreated living creatures is precious. If possible Lidi, I don't want you to suddenly jump out, but we're talking about you. That's exactly why you have Cain with you to deal with everything… But really Lidi, just by going outside run into various things."
"? I wonder."

I'm not aware of that. When I tilted my head, Freed put a finger on my chin and lifted it.
Then he dropped a light kiss on my lips. While I was spellbound by it, Freed said at a point-blank range.

"That's why Lidi, I want you to go out with me whenever possible. But when I do that, Alex gets angry…"
"Freed, you have work, so it can't be helped."
"Really, Crown Prince is an inconvenient occupation. I can't even spend enough time with my cute wife."

If Brother heard it, he'd get angry at Freed for smoothly saying that.
But I agree with the feeling of wanting to spend a lot of time together.

"Yup. I wish we could spend more time together."
"Lidi, next time you go out, I'll absolutely come with you. Let's have a date then?"

Happy to be invited, I nodded.
It's no problem even if work crushes me. I felt happy being told something in that vein by Freed.

"I'm looking forward to it."

When I said that with a smile, Freed again strongly hugged me, and saying, "Lidi, you're so cute I can't stand it. The talk is over, so let's do it again," he pushed me down on the spot.
Even though I predicted that development, I was also cheerful about being newlyweds. Saying, "Fine, I love you," I happily accepted my husband.

Chapter end