A month had passed since the official founding of the city of Prisolia, and since then… well, nothing of note had really happened.
Sure, there were meetings with nobles now and then, and I hadn't skipped out on my constant training, but it had still been quite calm around the Barielle Barony.
And part of that calm were the activities like I was doing right now, playing my flute under the afternoon sun as Priscilla rested her head on my lap.
"How was that?" I asked, having finished my piece.
It wasn't as if I planned to drop my spear in exchange for music, but it was a nice hobby to pass the time.
But more importantly, Priscilla loved when I played for her, and thus I was naturally able to increase my skills with the practice.
"Mmm… extremely relaxing. You really have gotten much better, Selian," she replied, shifting into a more comfortable position.
"I'm glad to hear that," I said, a hint of pride in my voice. "That one was actually something a passing musician taught me while I was in the city."
"A passing musician?" she asked, opening one eye to look up at me in curiosity.
"Yeah… or rather, there were a few of them. I can only assume it was a troupe of some sort," I explained.
I could still vividly remember that scantily clad blonde woman with that lyre that had practically forced me to learn it… honestly, it had been a while since anyone had treated me so openly outside of Priscilla and Crusch, but it wasn't necessarily bad.
"I see… well, either way, I would love for you to play more often for me," she said before she shook her head, turning to look up at me. "Actually, I order you to. Every night."
"Every night… is this before our 'activities'?" I asked.
Her mouth twisted into a playful smirk as her hands reached up to squish my cheeks.
"Always mentioning that side of our love… you truly are a lustful beast," she said.
"And it's you who made me this way," I replied, leaning down.
"Mm… and don't you forget it," she said.
And then, as if it was the most natural action in the world… we kissed.
We did a few times, actually, my light pecks turning more passionate until Priscilla eventually pushed me away.
"You truly are a beast," she said with a smile before turning her head to the side. "Now let me rest. I have come to find this pillow suits my head quite well, so it would be idiotic to not use it as I wish."
"Understood, Pris," I replied, reaching down to gently brush her hair with my finger.
Looking out across the mansion's yard and towards the distant farmland, I couldn't help but think of how different this view was from back when the royal selection had started… and many other things had changed as well.
If I was to rank the candidates, the front-runner was a close tie between Priscilla and Anastasia, both due to the explicit examples of their management skills and their contributions in the subjugation of the White Whale.
It was a bit ironic that the two in the best position were foreigners, not to mention that no one among the candidates were nobles of Lugunica.
But then again… Felt was former royalty, even if few knew the truth… and Crusch was a candidate and the Duchess of one of the most powerful families in Lugunica before Gluttony's attack… so maybe it wasn't as unusual as I thought.
Well, anyway, it was indeed Priscilla and Anastasia in the best position to win the throne… but that didn't mean the other two candidates were terribly far behind.
Despite her unfortunate resemblance to the Witch, Emilia's camp had gained quite a bit of prestige from Subaru's part against the White Whale, as well as the Archbishop of Sloth, and even the girl herself had been increasing her connections to the nation's influential people, trying her best to show that she was not a terrifying being like many were worried about.
And then for my dear sister, while she had Reinhard at her side, which already gave her a solid foundation, she was also gaining power by becoming a leading figure for those less-fortunate, and had even accepted a few into her camp.
Essentially, she was able to find value where others couldn't, and that held quite a bit of weight in many political spheres, especially those who were not happy with the current state of the nation's government.
"Hmm…" Priscilla hummed from below.
"Is something wrong?" I asked, noticing the displeased tone.
Her gaze focused on me once again.
"Nothing, it is just… while I enjoy such languid and relaxing days such as these, I do wish for some excitement to grace us soon…" she said, a subtle frown forming on her face.
That was quite a dangerous thing to say, but… I could understand.
Priscilla was a woman that detested being bored, after all.
"Well, I guess we'll just need to-"
"Priscilla-sama! Selian-sama!"
A familiar voice echoed from the direction of the mansion, causing the two of us to look over at the boy running towards us.
"Excuse me! I did not wish to disturb you two, but we have a guest!" he said, hastily bowing his head.
"A guest?" Priscilla asked, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.
"O-Or, more like a messenger, indeed! They have come to discuss something urgent with you!" he said with a nod.
This timing… it almost felt… well, I guess that was just like her.
I looked down, watching as Priscilla's expression twisted into a victorious smile.
"As I thought… the world truly does turn in my favour," she said, lifting herself off my lap and into a sitting position. "Now let us hope that something interesting happens from this."
—
"Ah, Priscilla-sama, Selian-dono… thank you for the kind reception," the purple-haired man said as he stood up, bowing his head in respect towards my lady.
"It is only natural, Julius-dono," I replied, bowing my head in response.
"Please. As fellow royal knights dedicated to candidates, there is no need for such respect towards me," he said, shaking his head. "And regardless… this city is quite amazing. It truly speaks to your abilities, Priscilla-sama."
"It is only obvious that having my presence here would grant this land fortune, so your praise is unnecessary," Priscilla replied.
"I… see. Regardless, I offer my congratulations, and as a royal knight of Lugunica, my thanks," he said as he sat back down.
I did the same, sitting next to Priscilla as she leaned back against the couch.
"Hm? What's with that expression?" she said, noting Julius' surprised face.
"Ah, nothing, Priscilla-sama! It's just… is it proper to have your knight sit with you when talking to a guest? Not that I'm offended, but…" he trailed off.
He was right that Priscilla wasn't someone who would take disrespect lying down.
No, she was much too strong-willed for that.
But it was that same strong will that made it so that if she wanted to do something… she didn't care about any preconceptions, made by others or herself.
"Shut it, merchant's dog," Priscilla snapped, shaking her head with a frown. "This is why I can't stand idiots, trying to dictate what I wish to do… and for your information, if you wanted to warn us about acting improper as a knight and a lady… well, there are many more things you could choose from."
She then leaned over to kiss my ear, leaving me to unintentionally form a smile as Julius' eyes widened even further.
Yeah, for such a noble and proper guy like Julius to see our relationship… well, it definitely challenged his view of serving a lady as a knight, to say the least.
"Uh, I- huh? That…"
"Hmph. Don't pollute my ears with your idiotic rabble," Priscilla said, crossing her arms. "I'd rather you simply tell me the reason you came here, and quickly, before I get more irritated than I already am. I was having quite the enjoyable morning before you interrupted us, after all."
"Ah, r-right, my apologies," Julius said, shaking his head before he straightened his posture, looking ahead with his usual serious expression. "My liege, Anastasia Hoshin-sama, has invited you, alongside the two other candidates, to the Water City of Priestella in order to establish an understanding between our camps."
Priestella?
I had heard of that place more than once before, which was understandable, seeing that it was one of the most important cities in the nation… but I had never been there.
Not that there was any reason to avoid it, I simply had never found myself needing to visit.
"'Establish an understanding'? Hah. Ridiculous. This call to a meeting is but a power move to show that she was able to have the other candidates follow her to her bidding, no? And not to mention the ability to expand her information with such conversation," Priscilla said, shaking her head. "She is quite the shrewd one, that master of yours."
"Anastasia-sama is simply… determined, nothing more," Julius replied.
"Don't make me laugh," she shot back, tapping her finger against her thigh. "Whatever. Is that all you came here for?"
"Y-Yes… it is, Priscilla-sama," Julius answered, bowing his head. "Shall I give my lady a positive response?"
I looked over to Priscilla, watching as her eyebrows furrowed in thought.
"Hmm… I will think about it," she replied.
I guess she was undecided… but from what I knew about her, I think she had already come to a decision, and simply didn't want to let the other party know.
To see that small act of petty defiance coming from her… it was cute.
"Understood. Then, I shall not impose on your hospitality any further," Julius said, taking out a letter and placing it on the table between us as he stood up. "This contains the details of when and where we will be meeting, if you decide to join us, as well as a greeting from Anastasia-sama to verify the authenticity… now, if you will excuse me."
And with that… he left, leaving the two of us alone.
Usually, Crusch would have joined us for such meetings, but she was currently busy leading a small team of knights to exterminate some monsters that had been spotted in the outskirts of the territory, while Ferris was occupied with the reorganization of the city's newly upgraded hospital.
After all, the previous building with a few rooms wouldn't exactly cut it anymore with our growing population.
Anyway, returning to the conversation we had just had…
"So? Do you want to go? It seems like the interesting type of thing that you wouldn't want to miss," I said, looking over to her.
"Yes… but that's why it's annoying," she said, releasing a sigh. "That fox seems to know me well enough to simply use the situation itself as bait rather than enticing me with any particular reason or gift… truly a cunning merchant."
"I… see," I replied, unsure of what to say.
It wasn't just anyone who could make Priscilla annoyed like this… Anastasia truly was a worthy candidate.
"But… if I am to follow that fox's wishes… then I suppose I will need to make it worth it," she said, moving to stand up. "Call that idiot over to join us at the described time and place. It will surely be fun if the Sword Saint and the half-elf's Sword Demon are there… won't it be interesting to see what would happen between the three of them?"
By 'that idiot', she must have meant Heinkel, who was currently staying in the capital to attend to his duties… though, knowing him, he was probably just drinking his problems away.
Anyway, knowing how the last meeting with his son went… and knowing that Wilhelm had a part to play in that mess as well…
Well, for Priscilla, it would definitely be an entertaining reunion, no matter what outcome came from such a meeting, as she would enjoy watching them reform their bonds just as much as she would enjoy it if they ended up fighting pathetically like children.
So now I would just need to read that letter and organize everything…
But Priestella, huh?
I wonder just what would await us there.