I think a fair amount of time has passed since Fara visited me in my room at the Guest House.
But we hadn't seen each other for a long time and we had a lot to talk about.
Fara and I had been exchanging letters ever since we met in Renaloute and returned home.
However, there are limits to what can be conveyed in letters alone.
It seems that there were still many things she wanted to hear directly from me, and our chat continued as if we were confirming the contents of the letters we had sent.
At that time, Fara suddenly remembered something and looked at Mel.
When Mel looked at Fara with a puzzled expression, Fara smiled at the gesture and muttered.
'Come to think of it, Rid-sama calls Meldy-sama by her nickname, doesn't he?
'Yes. 'Yes. My mother calls Meldy Mel. Mel allowed me and my father to call her that."
As I answered Farah, I shifted my gaze to Mel and she smiled cutely and said, "Ehehe ......".
Mel looked down as if thinking for a moment when she noticed Farah watching the exchange between me and Mel with tenderness.
After a while, she looked up with a shy smile on her face, looked at Farah and muttered.
'Hey, Princess-".
Yes, what is it?"
When Farah replies with a smile, Mel continues to speak slowly.
You can call me 'Mel' like Nii-sama, you know ...... . Hime-nee-sama is my 'onee-chan', so ......."
'...... ‼ Well, I'm very happy, is that all right?'
Fara, who looked very happy but puzzled, looked at me and Mel alternately, her gaze swimming.
With a wry smile on her face, I gently call out to her.
Mel says it's fine, so there's no problem. Besides, there is no doubt that Fara will be Mel's 'big sister'.
'Yes, that's right. I also want her to call me Mel, not Meldy. ......"
When I answer, Mel looks pretty up at Fara as she says the words to follow.
Fara's eyes lit up with joy at the sight of him.
After a while, Farah clears her throat as if she had made up her mind, and looks at Mel.
'Well then, please do me a favour from now on. Mel_......-chan.'
Farah called out her name to Mel, but after a short pause, she added a shy 'chan'.
Then she blushes and turns her head down.
But Mel answered her with a big smile.
'Yes, you can call me 'Mel-chan' from now on, you know."
'Hmm, thank you. Mel-chan."
When Fara shyly called her name 'Mel-chan', Mel happily shook her body in a ticklish manner and smiled again, saying 'ehehe'.
◇ ◇
The exchange between Fara and Mel was over and they were chatting for a while when there was a knock at the door of the room.
When I answered, Zack's voice came back through the door.
Master Rid. I'm afraid it's time to go. I know you are sorry to leave, but why don't you continue the conversation tomorrow or later?
'Yes, I understand.'
In order to be heard by Zack, who is on the other side of the door, I answer in a slightly louder voice.
I then shifted my gaze to Fara and Asuna.
The good time flies by, right?"
'Yes. Really. .......'
Fara muttered a little emotionally as she answered.
Asuna, who had been waiting for him, smiled.
"Hmm, the Princess has been looking forward to this day for a long time."
"......⁉ A, Asuna. Please don't tease me too much."
As Asuna protested to Farah while moving her ears slightly, Mel smiled happily.
'I've been looking forward to meeting you too, Hime-sama, so we're in the same boat."
'Yes, Mel-chan ......, that's right. I've been looking forward to meeting you too, Mel-chan. But from now on, we can talk a lot anytime, right?
'Yes ‼.'
Hearing Mel's answer, Farah stood up quickly.
And then they left the room as it was and moved to the doorway of the guest house.
Naturally, I move with the girls to see them off.
In the meantime, we continued chatting and laughing.
When Fara was about to board the carriage returning to the Honmaru Palace at the entrance to the State Guest House, she looked at me as if she suddenly remembered.
'Yes, it was. Rid-sama, from tomorrow you will be busy with the preparations for that 'Candlelight Ceremony'. If you have any problems, please consult me immediately.'
'Yes, I understand. I will consult you immediately at that time. Thank you."
'Yes, please. Then, I'll leave you now. See you tomorrow. ......"
As soon as Fara said that, she bowed to Mel and me with a beautiful gesture and got into the carriage.
When Asuna got into the carriage and carefully closed the door, the carriage slowly started to move towards the main palace.
Mel and I watched the carriage until it was out of sight.
◇
Afterwards, we had dinner at the guest house and then went to the hot springs to recover from our journey.
The hot springs also required an escort, but this time Diana was in the women's baths with Danae and Mel.
I'm going to be in the hot springs with Capella.
By the way, Dinas and Rubens did not come to Renaloute this time.
The reason is that they are in charge of protecting the Bardia territory while Father is away.
The Second Order is also under the command of the First Order in my absence, albeit temporarily.
When I soaked in the Renalute baths for the first time in a long time, I naturally said.
'Phew~, it's good hot water, isn't it?
'Yes, it's good hot water.'
It was Capella beside me who reacted.
Suddenly, his body caught my eye.
Capella's body is surprisingly quite scarred, but his body is lean and toned, perhaps similar to his father's body.
At that moment, perhaps noticing my gaze, Capella asks me.
"Rid-sama, is something wrong?"
'Eh, oh, sorry. I was looking at Capella's body. It's like you're a well-trained man, a man who's fought many battles."
'Really? Come to think of it, Ellen said something like that too. But I never gave it much thought myself.'
Capella looked seriously at the scars on his own body as he answered me.
'Ha, it was I who trained him, you see. If Master Rid wants a body like mine , I can guide you.'
Surprised by the sudden voice, I stood up and took a stance, making a sound of water, and there was Zack, soaking in the hot water with a smirk on his face.
I sigh and look at him, my shoulders relaxed because the voice is someone I know.
'You startled me when you called out to me out of the blue. ...... But then again, why is Zack here too?'
'Hmm, my apologies. I've been wanting to talk to Master Rid like this for a while now."
Head. I'm sorry, I just wanted to have a chat with Master Rid like this."
I noticed that Capella was poised right next to me.
When did she come next to me, even though there was hardly a sound of water?
But Zack continues to speak without showing any sign of concern for us.
Capella, don't talk so stiffly. But even so, Rid-sama's unconventional and rapid progress is remarkable. You already know my true identity and Capella's relationship with me, don't you?'
'That Zak is the head of the Renalute's dark side. And that Capella has been given the task of keeping an eye on me ......, is that a good answer for this occasion?"
Zack smiles at my answer, as if he is enjoying it.
'That's right. Well, Master Rid is truly intelligent beyond his years. 'Coal wagons, pocket watches, free trade ......, 'unconventional child prodigy', as they say.'
'I'm flattered by the praise, but ...... what is it you want to talk about?'
'Ha, this is harsh. No,...... I would like to discuss a little about the cooperation between the organisation I manage, the Shinobi Shu, and the Frontier Special Mission Force organised by Rid-sama."
When I say this, Zack grins an unfathomable smile and looks at me as if he's testing me.
I shook my head lightly, thinking that this was another difficult topic to discuss.
I'm very interested in that, but it's not something I'm going to talk about here, you know. I can't make a decision on my own. I'll tell my father, and we'll have a proper chance to talk about it while I'm in Lenalute.
'That's also true. Then, may I ask you to inform Rainer about this matter?"
'All right, I'll tell him. I'll let him know."
Zak stands up from the hot water with a satisfied smile on his face as he nods and replies.
'Thank you, Master Lid. Now, if you'll excuse me first.'
'Uh-huh.'
After watching Zack get out of the bathtub and go to the changing room, I had an epiphany: "Is he going to leave me alone?
I was also very surprised at how easily he withdrew, and after I saw him get out of the bathtub and go to the changing room, I wondered if Zac's goal was to get my father to discuss this with him.
If Zak told my father directly, he might put various conditions on him in the preliminary stage of negotiations with me.
However, when I shook my head and said no on the spot and told my father about the consultation, it was as if the basis for the negotiations he wanted to carry out was already in place.
I think a fair amount of time has passed since Fara visited me in my room at the Guest House.
But we hadn't seen each other for a long time and we had a lot to talk about.
Fara and I had been exchanging letters ever since we met in Renaloute and returned home.
However, there are limits to what can be conveyed in letters alone.
It seems that there were still many things she wanted to hear directly from me, and our chat continued as if we were confirming the contents of the letters we had sent.
At that time, Fara suddenly remembered something and looked at Mel.
When Mel looked at Fara with a puzzled expression, Fara smiled at the gesture and muttered.
'Come to think of it, Rid-sama calls Meldy-sama by her nickname, doesn't he?
'Yes. 'Yes. My mother calls Meldy Mel. Mel allowed me and my father to call her that."
As I answered Farah, I shifted my gaze to Mel and she smiled cutely and said, "Ehehe ......".
Mel looked down as if thinking for a moment when she noticed Farah watching the exchange between me and Mel with tenderness.
After a while, she looked up with a shy smile on her face, looked at Farah and muttered.
'Hey, Princess-".
Yes, what is it?"
When Farah replies with a smile, Mel continues to speak slowly.
You can call me 'Mel' like Nii-sama, you know ...... . Hime-nee-sama is my 'onee-chan', so ......."
'...... ‼ Well, I'm very happy, is that all right?'
Fara, who looked very happy but puzzled, looked at me and Mel alternately, her gaze swimming.
With a wry smile on her face, I gently call out to her.
Mel says it's fine, so there's no problem. Besides, there is no doubt that Fara will be Mel's 'big sister'.
'Yes, that's right. I also want her to call me Mel, not Meldy. ......"
When I answer, Mel looks pretty up at Fara as she says the words to follow.
Fara's eyes lit up with joy at the sight of him.
After a while, Farah clears her throat as if she had made up her mind, and looks at Mel.
'Well then, please do me a favour from now on. Mel_......-chan.'
Farah called out her name to Mel, but after a short pause, she added a shy 'chan'.
Then she blushes and turns her head down.
But Mel answered her with a big smile.
'Yes, you can call me 'Mel-chan' from now on, you know."
'Hmm, thank you. Mel-chan."
When Fara shyly called her name 'Mel-chan', Mel happily shook her body in a ticklish manner and smiled again, saying 'ehehe'.
◇ ◇
The exchange between Fara and Mel was over and they were chatting for a while when there was a knock at the door of the room.
When I answered, Zack's voice came back through the door.
Master Rid. I'm afraid it's time to go. I know you are sorry to leave, but why don't you continue the conversation tomorrow or later?
'Yes, I understand.'
In order to be heard by Zack, who is on the other side of the door, I answer in a slightly louder voice.
I then shifted my gaze to Fara and Asuna.
The good time flies by, right?"
'Yes. Really. .......'
Fara muttered a little emotionally as she answered.
Asuna, who had been waiting for him, smiled.
"Hmm, the Princess has been looking forward to this day for a long time."
"......⁉ A, Asuna. Please don't tease me too much."
As Asuna protested to Farah while moving her ears slightly, Mel smiled happily.
'I've been looking forward to meeting you too, Hime-sama, so we're in the same boat."
'Yes, Mel-chan ......, that's right. I've been looking forward to meeting you too, Mel-chan. But from now on, we can talk a lot anytime, right?
'Yes ‼.'
Hearing Mel's answer, Farah stood up quickly.
And then they left the room as it was and moved to the doorway of the guest house.
Naturally, I move with the girls to see them off.
In the meantime, we continued chatting and laughing.
When Fara was about to board the carriage returning to the Honmaru Palace at the entrance to the State Guest House, she looked at me as if she suddenly remembered.
'Yes, it was. Rid-sama, from tomorrow you will be busy with the preparations for that 'Candlelight Ceremony'. If you have any problems, please consult me immediately.'
'Yes, I understand. I will consult you immediately at that time. Thank you."
'Yes, please. Then, I'll leave you now. See you tomorrow. ......"
As soon as Fara said that, she bowed to Mel and me with a beautiful gesture and got into the carriage.
When Asuna got into the carriage and carefully closed the door, the carriage slowly started to move towards the main palace.
Mel and I watched the carriage until it was out of sight.
◇
Afterwards, we had dinner at the guest house and then went to the hot springs to recover from our journey.
The hot springs also required an escort, but this time Diana was in the women's baths with Danae and Mel.
I'm going to be in the hot springs with Capella.
By the way, Dinas and Rubens did not come to Renaloute this time.
The reason is that they are in charge of protecting the Bardia territory while Father is away.
The Second Order is also under the command of the First Order in my absence, albeit temporarily.
When I soaked in the Renalute baths for the first time in a long time, I naturally said.
'Phew~, it's good hot water, isn't it?
'Yes, it's good hot water.'
It was Capella beside me who reacted.
Suddenly, his body caught my eye.
Capella's body is surprisingly quite scarred, but his body is lean and toned, perhaps similar to his father's body.
At that moment, perhaps noticing my gaze, Capella asks me.
"Rid-sama, is something wrong?"
'Eh, oh, sorry. I was looking at Capella's body. It's like you're a well-trained man, a man who's fought many battles."
'Really? Come to think of it, Ellen said something like that too. But I never gave it much thought myself.'
Capella looked seriously at the scars on his own body as he answered me.
'Ha, it was I who trained him, you see. If Master Rid wants a body like mine , I can guide you.'
Surprised by the sudden voice, I stood up and took a stance, making a sound of water, and there was Zack, soaking in the hot water with a smirk on his face.
I sigh and look at him, my shoulders relaxed because the voice is someone I know.
'You startled me when you called out to me out of the blue. ...... But then again, why is Zack here too?'
'Hmm, my apologies. I've been wanting to talk to Master Rid like this for a while now."
Head. I'm sorry, I just wanted to have a chat with Master Rid like this."
I noticed that Capella was poised right next to me.
When did she come next to me, even though there was hardly a sound of water?
But Zack continues to speak without showing any sign of concern for us.
Capella, don't talk so stiffly. But even so, Rid-sama's unconventional and rapid progress is remarkable. You already know my true identity and Capella's relationship with me, don't you?'
'That Zak is the head of the Renalute's dark side. And that Capella has been given the task of keeping an eye on me ......, is that a good answer for this occasion?"
Zack smiles at my answer, as if he is enjoying it.
'That's right. Well, Master Rid is truly intelligent beyond his years. 'Coal wagons, pocket watches, free trade ......, 'unconventional child prodigy', as they say.'
'I'm flattered by the praise, but ...... what is it you want to talk about?'
'Ha, this is harsh. No,...... I would like to discuss a little about the cooperation between the organisation I manage, the Shinobi Shu, and the Frontier Special Mission Force organised by Rid-sama."
When I say this, Zack grins an unfathomable smile and looks at me as if he's testing me.
I shook my head lightly, thinking that this was another difficult topic to discuss.
I'm very interested in that, but it's not something I'm going to talk about here, you know. I can't make a decision on my own. I'll tell my father, and we'll have a proper chance to talk about it while I'm in Lenalute.
'That's also true. Then, may I ask you to inform Rainer about this matter?"
'All right, I'll tell him. I'll let him know."
Zak stands up from the hot water with a satisfied smile on his face as he nods and replies.
'Thank you, Master Lid. Now, if you'll excuse me first.'
'Uh-huh.'
After watching Zack get out of the bathtub and go to the changing room, I had an epiphany: "Is he going to leave me alone?
I was also very surprised at how easily he withdrew, and after I saw him get out of the bathtub and go to the changing room, I wondered if Zac's goal was to get my father to discuss this with him.
If Zak told my father directly, he might put various conditions on him in the preliminary stage of negotiations with me.
However, when I shook my head and said no on the spot and told my father about the consultation, it was as if the basis for the negotiations he wanted to carry out was already in place.
