The day after I heard about Nanalicia’s past.
A lot had happened—seriously, a lot. It ended up with me having to explain to everyone that, after one thing and another, Nanalicia and I had become very close.
Well, calling it an "explanation" might be a stretch. More accurately—
"...In other words, the number of women surrounding Luka-kun has increased yet again?"
Elysia looked a little uneasy, and while the others had clearly felt something was off until now, they more or less forced themselves to accept the situation.
Thank goodness. The actual explanation was so convoluted I thought I might faint just trying to tell it.
And so, currently—
"Luka, here’s your coffee."
"Thanks, Selena."
"Lord Luka, please try these sweets as well!"
"Thank you, Lene."
"Luka-kun, do you need any sugar?"
"That would be a help, Elysia."
"Luka, let me massage your shoulders."
"No, you don't have to go that far... oh, wow, that feels good."
"Luka, have a snack."
"Right..."
"Look, my lap is free too, you know?"
"What do you mean, 'too'?"
Before I knew it, I’d been forced into a seat on the sofa.
To my left was Selena. To my right was Lene. Behind me stood Elysia, and Yuka was directly in front of me. On top of that, Nanalicia was clinging tightly to my side, and Licia had even materialized from the ring to join in.
...It was incredibly cramped. Both physically and mentally.
"Why is everyone surrounding me like this?"
"You're just imagining things," Yuka replied instantly.
"It’s definitely not my imagination, is it?"
"Anyway, Licia, you’re blending in quite naturally," someone noted.
"Well, obviously. I am a perfectly valid Fiancée Candidate, after all."
"You’re not a candidate; you’re rejected," Nanalicia said, her smile not reaching her eyes.
"Luka is my husband."
"Half of him belongs to me, too!"
"Don't talk about me like I’m a piece of property!" I barked.
Yuka stepped in to mediate. "Lady Saint, Lord Luka is exhausted."
Yuka was smiling, which was actually a bit terrifying. Still, I was grateful for the intervention—I was hit by a wave of intense sleepiness.
Elysia didn't seem to fully grasp the situation, but she was doing her best to adapt. On the other hand, the fact that Selena and Lene hadn't changed their behavior at all was actually quite impressive.
"But really, I’m so glad," Selena said, her expression softening into a gentle smile. "I'm just glad Luka is safe."
At those words, the tension in the room dissipated slightly. Nanalicia’s eyes widened for a moment before she, too, smiled kindly.
"...You're right. On that point, I truly agree."
She said it in a way that I could understand, but I could hear a layer of meaning beneath her words that differed from Selena's.
"I’m also happy that I can be here with Luka’s friends."
"Of course!" Lene chirped. She really was a sweetheart.
"Yes..."
Nanalicia’s expression relaxed at the warm reception. Even Licia was smiling with a look of quiet satisfaction.
"Well, I suppose this means we’ve finally joined the group in the truest sense," Licia remarked.
"You were our companions from the start," I replied.
"Heehee, I suppose so."
Watching the two of them, a smile naturally touched my lips.
We had been through so much. The heavy past, the agonizing memories—none of it would simply vanish. In fact, we were probably only just beginning to truly face those things.
Even so, we had this moment right now where we could laugh together.
That alone was enough to make me feel happy.
"By the way," Yuka said with a mischievous glint in her eye. "Lord Luka, where are you sleeping tonight?"
"...Wait, what about my room?"
"It was half-destroyed during the attack."
She was definitely doing this on purpose. I had nothing but a bad feeling about where this was going.
"Will you be staying with Nanalicia-san?"
"Why don't we all just sleep side-by-side in a row?"
"I have a feeling it won't be that simple."
"With Lord Luka!?"
"Wait, don't get so excited!"
Every gaze in the room locked onto me. There was no escape.
Nanalicia blushed slightly, but she didn't let go of my arm. Instead, she tightened her grip.
"...I want to be with Luka."
My heart gave a violent thump at her blunt admission.
"Ugh... I am Lord Luka's knight... I shouldn't seek him out until he asks..."
"That's for Luka-kun to decide, isn't it?"
"Isn't it?"
Lively laughter filled the room.
It was peaceful. Yes, incredibly peaceful—if a bit too noisy.
But it wasn't bad. If days like this were going to continue from here on out, I was sure they would be very happy ones indeed.