Part 3

“Ah, are you perhaps feeling down? You don’t really need to feel that way, though? I don’t think the way you want to have faith in others is a bad thing.”

“Hah… Want to have faith, is it?”

“Although you could perhaps use just a little bit of self reflection considering that apparent lack of self-awareness.”

Julius’ yellow eyes showed bewilderment in response to these unexpected words.

Wanting to have faith, that was the first time anyone had said anything of the sort about him. As Julius sincerely thought about how he should take this, Anastasia tilted her head, “Don’t ya think?”

“The way you have faith in Joshua is part of it too, at your core, you’re fundamentally a person who believes in others’ potential, isn’t that right? That’s also the reason you became my knight, I’m sure?”

“That… Applies to everyone, does it not?”

“It’s probably true that everyone has a part of them that’s like that. But that’s usually tangled up with a number of ulterior motives. But you, Julius, you don’t have any of that. That’s why, it’s dangerous.”

With her skills refined through innumerable negotiations, there was no one who could see through others’ ulterior motives and true natures as well as Anastasia could.

The reason Julius wished to help her reach the throne was not simply because the insignia recognized her as a dragon maiden, it was because of this nature of hers.

Her eyes had deemed that that was the sort of person Julius was on the inside. That he couldn’t earnestly accept this was no different from rendering his own judgement useless.

“Perhaps it really is as you say, Anastasia-sama. To have this danger pointed out by my master, it is a disgrace worth reflecting on as a knight who is supposed to protect those around himself.”

“You really are sincere.”

“But allow me to make one correction. It was not because I was expecting anything from you that I became your knight. Of course, I do hope to see you managing the country’s affairs.”

“I know, I know.”

With a gentle expression, Anastasia urged Julius to continue as he worried about putting it in a way that would be misunderstood. Supported by his master’s magnanimity, Julius straightened his posture and continued.

Julius’ yellow eyes pierced her pale bluish green ones.

“― The reason I became your knight was because you chose me. From this perspective, could it not be said that you were the one who had faith in me?”

“Haah, I see, I see. Simply put, don’t call me someone who wants to put their faith in others, is that what you want to say, my knight?”

“Meaning we are both equal in this regard, that is correct.”

“Mm, you actually went and said it.”

Anastasia spoke in a teasing tone, and then looked surprised at Julius’ answer. She then touched the scarf around her neck, and stroked its fur as she sighed.

“Right, right, I get it. I lose, I lose. We both put our faith in others, and we each have the other’s faith put in us, huh. That’s kind of complicated.”

In response to her words, Julius started to reflect on what he had done, wondering if he had inconvenienced her. But when he saw her expression, he put a stop to this.

Anastasia’s smile would not let him do something so inelegant.

“―What’s this now! Looks like you guys are having a great time! How about I join in as well, you lil’ brats!”

“Kyaa! It’s the captain! Amazin’, captain! That’s an amazin’ snowball―!”

“Cap! Captain! That’s kinda dangero… Sister! Here! Over here!”

“Joshua, let’s run away while we still can… Joshua? Joshua!”

“J-Just leave me behind… I don’t want, to become… A burden…”

The tiny space that had formed between master and servant was completely overwritten by the chaotic noise outside.

It seemed Ricardo had barged into Mimi’s snow game. If the huge dogman joined and started throwing snow without holding back, the situation would probably turn all the more chaotic.

“Hah, I can already picture it. Honestly, he never settles down no matter how old he gets…”

“However, I believe that is one of Ricardo’s strengths.”

“Well, I do think he makes a great pet?”

Somehow, this praise for Ricardo caused Anastasia to pridefully puff her chest a little. Finding this reaction of hers charming, Julius once again directed his attention towards the commotion outside.

He heard the loud laughter of the comrades who would fight side by side to the bitter end in the royal selection. This produced a very pleasant sensation in Julius’ heart,

“Perhaps it is a bit late to ask this, but what do you think of snow, Anastasia-sama?”

“Didn’t I tell you right from the start? Depending on the situation, it can block roads and thereby cause the transportation fees to pile up, ruin our storage charges, and change what’s popular, it’s a real pain.”

Anastasia outlined a number of points concerning snow from a merchant’s perspective. However, after she mentioned all of these grievances about snow, she continued, “But,”

“If I’m just looking at it, it’s actually rather beautiful, snow.”

“Yes, I think so too.”

Anastasia reluctantly muttered this under her breath, and Julius agreed with her. The knight then slowly turned towards his master, and offered her his hand.

Anastasia stared at this hand.

“Anastasia-sama, would you not like to take a short break?”

“―Fufu, to make your master slack off, what a bad knight you are. You’ll make that ‘Finest’ title of yours cry, you know?”

“If it is for the sake of this moment, I do not regret that.”

Julius answered Anastasia’s teasing provocation with a bold smile.

In response to this answer, Anastasia nodded with satisfaction,

“―Alright then. Just a little.”

And saying this, she took the hand her knight offered her and stood up.

-End of chapter 3-

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