Following breakfast with Highness Eligion, we promptly departed for the Royal Capital by carriage.
The villagers had been eager to hold the banquet they were forced to forgo the previous day, but they eventually yielded, realizing they couldn't keep the busy Highness Eligion from his duties.
"Very well, let's head out," Highness Eligion ordered the coachman.
Inside the carriage, Highness Eligion and Sage Nyau were positioned across from me, while Ageha sat at my side.
I recalled being in this carriage several times before. Back then, I had been on edge, constantly worrying about when Holy Knight Kanaria might betray us, but now that I knew no enemies remained, I could finally relax.
"By the way, Kiska, what exactly is the relationship between you and Ageha? You two seem remarkably close," Highness Eligion asked, likely looking to strike up a conversation as the carriage began to move.
My relationship with Ageha, huh?
How was I supposed to explain it? "Friends" didn't quite capture the depth of what we shared, but I couldn't think of a better way to phrase it.
"We're lovers," Ageha stated flatly.
I nearly choked on my own breath. I didn't recall actually becoming lovers with Ageha. Well, we had kissed many times, so I suppose we were effectively in such a relationship.
"Eh...?" someone blurted out.
The voice was so jarringly loud that the carriage fell into an immediate, stunned silence.
"Nyau, is something the matter?" Highness Eligion spoke to Sage Nyau, who was seated beside him.
Ah, so the voice had belonged to Sage Nyau.
"N-No, I was just a little surprised... P-Please don't mind me," Sage Nyau frantically tried to compose herself.
Well, anyone can let out an unexpected shout once in a while.
"It certainly is unexpected for you two to be lovers. After all, you only just met in the dungeon, didn't you? How did things progress so quickly?" Highness Eligion agreed with Nyau’s sentiment.
Being asked that was problematic.
In Highness Eligion's mind, Ageha had only just been freed from her seal in the dungeon. Therefore, as far as he was concerned, we had progressed from acquaintances to lovers in the span of a single day. I couldn't exactly tell him I came from a world a hundred years in the future.
"It was love at first sight for me," Ageha explained bashfully.
I suppose that was the only way she could put it.
"I see. Well, Kiska is a handsome young man, so I can understand the attraction."
"Kiska, he called you handsome. How nice for you," Ageha teased.
"Being told that by a man doesn't exactly make my day."
Besides, Highness Eligion was several times more attractive than I was. Coming from him, it felt like nothing but a polite platitude.
"Ehh? Well then, shall I say it for you instead?"
"Stop it, you're embarrassing me. His Highness is right there."
"Then I'll tell you when we're alone."
"Please don't. Either way, it's embarrassing."
Wait, was it really okay to be having a conversation that sounded like nothing but flirting? I hoped Highness Eligion wasn't bored.
Anxious, I stole a glance at the prince. He was smiling pleasantly.
Thank goodness. It seemed he wasn't in a bad mood. As expected of a prince, he was truly big-hearted.
"Ugh...!"
Suddenly, I heard the sound of a stifled sob.
Looking over, I saw Sage Nyau sitting diagonally across from me, her head bowed as she wept quietly. The others noticed too, their faces clouding with confusion. There hadn't been a single thing in our exchange worth crying over; I didn't have the slightest clue what had triggered her.
"I-I'm sorry... It seems like some dust got in my eyes, and my tears won't stop... Um, I'd appreciate it if you'd just ignore me..."
Sage Nyau made her excuse while rubbing her eyes.
No matter how you looked at it, those weren't tears that could be explained by dust, but I kept the thought to myself. I'm sure the others were thinking the same thing, but they remained silent.
In the end, Sage Nyau's mysterious tears cast a heavy pall over the carriage, and conversation naturally died out.
By the time we reached the Royal Capital, the city was already in the throes of a celebration. People were out in the streets, drinking and singing. News of the Demon King's subjugation had clearly spread throughout the city.
The crowds quickly realized Highness Eligion was inside the carriage. As a result, a massive swarm of people surged toward us, causing a state of total chaos. Soldiers eventually arrived to take control and calm the disorder.
Highness Eligion leaned out the window and waved, responding to the cheers of the citizens. As for us, we didn't know how to react, so we simply pretended to be invisible and kept our heads down.
The carriage continued through the city streets and entered the Royal Palace.
"Hero Ageha, it seems His Majesty the King is already prepared to welcome you. Would you care to join us?"
Once the carriage stopped, Highness Eligion spoke with a soldier outside before returning to invite Ageha.
"Very well," Ageha said, though the expression on her face clearly showed she found the whole thing a nuisance.
"Kiska and Nyau, please come as well. You are also contributors. My father wishes to thank you personally."
And so, Nyau and I stepped out of the carriage together. Nyau's tears seemed to have completely subsided, and she appeared quite composed now.
"Ageha, we're about to stand before His Majesty the King. Make sure you don't do anything disrespectful."
I gave her a stern warning, feeling a bit uneasy.
"I know, I know. I have at least some sense of propriety," she said, though I remained skeptical.
To be honest, I was starting to get nervous myself. My clothes were just the simple village garments I'd been given—hardly suitable for an audience with a monarch. Would this really be okay?
"Kiska, are you nervous by any chance?"
"Of course I am. Aren't you?"
"Nope, not at all," Ageha nodded with a nonchalant expression.
I truly envied that mindset.
"I mean, I'm the Hero. I'm not afraid of the head of a country."
"The Hero truly is incredible, isn't she?"
"Kiska, you can just watch from behind. It looks like I'll be handling all the talking anyway."
"Somehow, you seem very reliable right now."
"It makes me happy to be relied on by Kiska."
"I see."
Talking with Ageha seemed to have eased my tension slightly.
"His Majesty the King is waiting for you inside."
The servant leading us paused before a set of grand doors. It seemed His Majesty was waiting for us just on the other side.