I Possessed The Villain’s Childhood Friend

65 – Reina Rogelia – 5

“Your Highness. Are you done with your business?”

“Yes.”

At the question of Kernan, the escort knight, Leon sat down in his chair and answered.

“How long are you planning to stay in Heros?”

“Okay. Originally, I thought it would be around a week.”

Then he covered his mouth and yawned, then spoke again.

“The negotiations were easily completed, and I will probably go back tomorrow.”

Negotiations between Leon and Duke Rickard did not take long.

It was a disappointing ending considering we arrived yesterday and waited a day.

Of course, at first, Duke Rickard protested, shouting that it was nonsense.

I looked at the various documents Leon had prepared, and in the end, all of them nodded without saying anything, and it was over.

“I thought it would take a while though.”

Leon knew that no matter how much a genius was praised by those around him, he could not win unconditionally.

Wasn’t Heros the place where he even learned that fact?

So I prepared even more thoroughly for this job.

The opponent there is a pillar that supports the empire. It was the Duchess of Roselia.

While dealing with Duke Ricard, the head of Grozelia, she could not be careless.

“When I return tomorrow, I will have to send a letter to the Duke of Addos.”

It was the help of the Axus family, called the second duke along with Rogelia, that was prepared as a last resort in preparation for an unexpected situation.

Of course, it was fortunate for Leon that things didn’t get that big.

But as much as he received the most help from Duke Addos, it was natural for him to express his gratitude.

“Anyway, since it’s related to Ike, you’ll get a reply saying it’s natural.”

This time, I had conversations with him several times, and it was Leon who understood his personality to some extent.

“….”

While working on the additional documents he received from the imperial palace, Leon felt a bit thirsty.

“Kernan. Bring me some tea.”

“Okay.”

So I asked Kernan, who was waiting outside the door, for tea.

After about 10 minutes.

Smart.

“Your Highness, would it be all right if I went in?”

“Yes.”

Kernan, who received tea from the butler of the Duke of Roselia, entered.

“Here you are, Your Highness.”

“Thank you.”

And Kernan, who was about to leave after bowing his head to Leon.

“Somehow it’s noisy outside.”

Leon caught it.

It was a very short time when the door was briefly opened for Kernan to serve black tea.

In the meantime, Leon clearly noticed the commotion outside.

“Oh, yes. The eldest daughter of the Roselia duchess who was said to have been out. She says Reina-sama has returned.”

“Miss Reina?”

Didn’t Duke Addos say that he would definitely stay in Akkad for about two weeks?

Such a question passed through Leon’s mind.

“… Is something wrong?”

“Yes?”

“Nothing.”

Of course, it didn’t matter to Leon now.

Since the negotiations with Duke Rickard have already been completed.

Then, shall we meet her and share her conversation?

Leon thought about that for a while, but he decided to stop.

Somehow, it felt like I would tell you everything if we met now.

It is no exaggeration to say that, in fact, the work on this plan has just begun.

It’s a story that will spread anyway, but it’s better to know at least those two last.

Of course, Duke Rickard could send Rayna directly as a last resort, but I didn’t think he would be that stupid.

Should I stay quietly until tomorrow?

To Leon who came to that conclusion.

“Ah, come to think of it, I heard that Prince Ike, the second son of the Duke of Axus, was also here.”

Kernan continued as if nothing had happened.

“… Is it Ike?”

“Yes. I think that’s probably why the uproar has grown.”

Okay, there’s a problem.

That’s also a very interesting problem.

Leon covered his mouth and laughed.

Originally, I was going to stay out of the room as much as possible until tomorrow, but I changed my mind.

“I’ll come and take a look, Kernan.”

After Leon said that, he used Invisible, a wind attribute magic.

★

The first time Raina said she was taking a leave of absence. I said nothing.

There were times when I stopped thinking because it was a story that did not appear in the original story.

More than anything else, it was a matter for the Roselia duchy.

I thought I, the Duke of Access, couldn’t intervene.

But when I thought about it, it didn’t matter.

I’ve been caring about my family since when I moved.

Didn’t I just want Raina to be happy from the beginning?

I don’t want to be alone anymore.

I don’t want solitude.

If Reina says that, f*ck the family.

“Ike? Master is currently on official duty, so even if it’s Mr. Ike….”

“I feel sorry for coming to you all of a sudden without contacting you.”

Anna was embarrassed and tried to stop me.

But I couldn’t stop here.

Because if it’s not now, there won’t be a place for me to step out in the future.

“Then the next time you come back….”

“Anna.”

I raised my voice and called Anna’s name.

Then she opened her eyes wide and swallowed her breath.

“I heard that when Rayna came to Arkady, she had a lot of help from you.”

If I bring up the name of Avatar, Anna will not be able to refuse my words.

But I didn’t want that.

“If it is the Duchess of Roselia that you sincerely serve, then I will follow that suggestion and return.”

As much as me, no. Perhaps, I wanted Anna, who cares for Reina more than me, to understand my thoughts.

“But if your allegiance is to Reyna, guide me to His Excellency Duke Rickard.”

Anna heard me and bit her lip for a moment, then she couldn’t help but let out her wry smile.

“Ike-sama, you haven’t changed at all.”

“People don’t change that easily.”

“Okay.”

Anna lowered her head, spreading her maid’s dress slightly to the side.

“The sword that protects the empire. Prince Ike Axus of the Duke of Axus. Reina Roselia-sama’s exclusive maid, Anna Margret, will guide you.”

“Thank you.”

To my greeting, Anna answered quietly with her eye smile.

“Me too, thank you very much.”

Anna calmed the crying Reina by lowering her head before moving.

“Raina. Please wait in the carriage for a while. I will guide Prince Ike to the master and return.”

“Okay, Anna.”

Reina obeyed her words, and she climbed back into the carriage she got off.

Seeing that, I asked the family maid who had driven the carriage all the way here.

“Take care of Reina.”

“Okay, boy.”

After she finished speaking, I slowly stood behind Anna.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes. Ike.”

It was the mansion of the Duke of Roselia, the first to visit since Heros’ dance competition.

But, if I remember correctly, little has changed since then.

Of course, the only facilities I used back then were the restaurant, guest room, and training ground.

“The owner should be in his office on the second floor right now.”

As I slowly ascend the stairs, I calm my breath that had been tight up until now.

The opponent I am about to meet is the pillar that supports the empire.

It was Duke Ricard who led the Roselia duchy.

I wasn’t the kind of person who could be persuaded just by getting excited and putting forward a general sentiment theory.

“We have arrived, Mr. Ike.”

The place where Anna stopped her feet was in front of a door full of ornate decorations.

It seemed to say that it was an important place for anyone to see.

It stood out much more than my father’s office.

Smart.

“… Who is it?”

A voice came from inside the room at the sound of knocking.

For some reason, I felt like I was losing my strength.

“Master. This is Anna Margret. Prince Ike of the Duke of Axus has come to visit.”

“I don’t remember making an appointment like that.”

“Anna.”

I put Anna behind her and stood at her door alone.

“Your Excellency, Duke Rickard. I want to talk.”

“Young master Ike. Do you know that your behavior is damaging to the family’s honor?”

“I know. I have already made up my mind.”

“… Okay. Come in.”

With Duke Rickard’s permission granted, Anna came forward again and slowly opened the door to the office.

The inside of the room was decorated with ornate decorations similar to the door.

“It’s been a while, Your Excellency Duke Ricard.”

As Anna left, I lowered her head and looked at Duke Rickard.

She had pale blonde hair and blue eyes, the same as she remembered three years ago.

But for some reason, I felt a bit haggard.

“Yes. I’ll see you for the first time after Heros’ dance competition, so it’s been over three years.”

“Yes.”

“Sit down. You don’t have to stand and talk.”

“Thank you.”

“Young master Ike. I hope your sudden visit is for a really good reason.”

I sat down on the sofa, closed my eyes for a moment, caught my breath, and opened my mouth.

“I would like you to reconsider Reina’s leave of absence from Arcana.”

“… I don’t think that’s the only reason I’ve committed such rudeness.”

“Sorry, but that’s all.”

Hearing my answer, Duke Rickard let out a big sigh.

“If she heard that the child was taking a leave of absence, she would know why.”

“Yes.”

“For nobles, cliques are inseparable. Do you really think that mere friendships from Arcana are more important than that?”

“That is a matter for Reina to decide for herself.”

I already know that it can feel forced.

But that was only a story from the perspective of a nobleman.

“Aristocratic titles may not be everything for Reina. The faction issue was also a problem that Reina solved, only a brief conflict. Is the decision to take a leave of absence too excessive?”

“The fact that there is a conflict is important, Prince Ike. Since you are the second son of the family, the importance of the faction may not be very important to you.”

Duke Rickard opened the drawer of his desk and took out a letter.

“This letter is from the Celt marquess. It was written that he was looking forward to the tea party, talking about Reina’s behavior at the ball. Do you know what this means?”

“That thing.”

It was the same as saying that since Rayna was rude, she would get the price.

“As you said, the position of a noble is not everything for Reina. But if he enjoyed his rights as an aristocrat, he must do his due.”

“Are you saying that the duty is Arcana’s leave of absence?”

“Yes. At least until that commoner special student graduates, he will take a leave of absence. That child seems to be messing with Reina’s eyes.”

Duke Rickard put the letter back into the drawer and continued.

“Young master Ike. Noble relations are all made up of interests that come from practical gains. In the meantime, I can’t interfere with playing house.”

“That is no different from forcing you to be lonely just because you are a noble.”

“What do you mean by that?”

Duke Rickard looked at me incomprehensibly.

“I am not forcing solitude. Because he is a noble, he has no choice but to be lonely.”

“….”

“One family is enough for an aristocratic relationship without calculation.”

His father was right.

The Duchess of Roselia is twisted.

She couldn’t be persuaded with plain words.

“So, what did you say to me after winning the dance competition?”

But I wanted to believe in Duke Ricard until the end.

I thought there must be some misunderstanding.

‘Memories with best friends last a lifetime.’

‘Reina and you too. Have I made enough memories this time?’

‘… It was too much fun.’

‘I’m glad you’re sincere. Young master Ike. Congratulations on winning.’

The last day in Heros.

Because I thought the words he said to me with a benevolent smile were sincere.

“Was it all a lie to say that memories with close friends last a lifetime?!”

Holding on to my last hope, I shouted at Duke Rickard.

Then Duke Rickard spoke in a cold atmosphere, motionless, expressionless.

“Everything is true.”

“Then.”

“But you seem to have misunderstood me.”

“… Yes?”

“It doesn’t mean that a noble should depend on a close friend. It meant that I should be with solitude while dwelling on the joy that comes from memories.”

But that hope.

“Aristocrats have to cling to the honor of the past and move forward into the future. Am I wrong?”

It was broken in an instant.