57 – Usurp of Kingdom I

[Nepon’s Perspective]

The felt and sewing tools Hanna-san brought me were delightful. The sewing kit’s box was adorned with antique-style decorations, making me excited even before I opened it.

Inside, on red felt dividers, were well-worn bronze fabric scissors and thread snips, likely passed down through generations of maids, along with a pincushion, embroidery thread, and more.

As I started working…

“Oh my! Saint… Nami-sama, you’re incredibly skilled at needlework!”

“Y-Yes… But this is about the only thing I’m good at. Sports, studies… I was hopeless at those.”

“No, no, having even one thing you excel at is wonderful!”

“H-Hanna-san!?”

A soft, warm sensation touched the back of my head. I realized Hanna-san’s arms were wrapped around my chest. She was hugging me.

More than a friend, she felt like a kind older sister…

Now that I think about it, Megumi-chan once told me, “Nepon, you’ve got such low self-esteem—you should be more confident! Megumi guarantees it!” But I kept comparing myself to Megumi-chan…

“S-Sorry… I couldn’t help but think of Nami-sama like a little sister…”

“No, thank you. I was so happy being hugged by you, Hanna-san.”

While teaching Hanna-san how to sew with felt, we spent a cheerful, fun time together in this other world.

Royal Palace Garden

In a garden, not vast but meticulously tended to every tree and flower, I was invited to sit across from Ares at a table shaded by a parasol.

He wore a long white jacket with golden epaulettes on the shoulders, an aristocratic outfit that would’ve stood out in my old world. The scene I’d always dreamed of was right before my eyes.

“Let’s drink before it cools. Do you like honey, Nami?”

“Yes…”

Ares scooped honey with a spoon and added it to my tea, but I was so captivated by him that he kept adding more. I took a sip of the overly viscous tea.

It’s too sweet…

Ares watched me with a smile until I set the teacup back on its saucer. Not just the tea, but everything felt so sweet, it made me wonder if I was allowed to be this happy.

“What’s wrong? You’re trembling.”

“U-Um…”

I wanted to express my gratitude to Ares, but I was filled with anxiety about whether he’d like it. Still, I mustered my courage.

“Ares! …Um, I made you a charm.”

“A charm?”

“Yes… This.”

“Is this, perhaps, me and Nami?”

“Y-Yeah… But it’s kind of childish, right?”

“Not at all. I’m so happy. You made this for me, Nami. I’ll treasure it. And… would you keep the doll of me? That way, we’ll always be together.”

What Hanna-san and I had been making were stuffed dolls of Ares and me…

I was embarrassed, but Ares hugged the doll of me, closing his eyes as if deeply moved.

“Nami… I have a request…”

“Yes, what is it?”

“Instead of the doll, I want to hug you like this.”

“W-What!? W-W-Whaaat!?”

“Is that okay?”

“I-It’s not that it’s not okay… But we’re not, you know… dating yet.”

“While spending time with you, I’ve come to love you, Nami. Not because you’re a saint, but just you.”

“T-To say something like that so suddenly…”

“Then, can I at least hold your hand?”

“T-That much is… okay…”

When I offered my hand, Ares removed his white glove, and our bare skin touched. My heart pounded so fast I thought it might make a sound.

Touching a boy’s hand…

And not just any boy, but a breathtakingly handsome man who makes idols look plain.

But that blissful moment didn’t last long.

Yokota-san and her group appeared before us. She mocked my interaction with Ares.

“Ugh, gross! Yo, prince, are your eyes rotten or what? No, no, being head over heels for Nemoto? It’s not just your eyes—your brain’s fried too, huh?”

But Ares was serious. The gentle look in his eyes vanished as he stood from his chair, genuinely angry at Yokota-san.

“You can insult me all you want, but I won’t forgive anyone who insults Nami, no matter who they are. Apologize to her right now, and I’ll let you off with a month’s imprisonment and a hundred lashes.”

“Hahaha! Me, apologize to Nemoto? That’s a harsh joke!”

As Yokota-san clutched her stomach laughing, the classmates around her started laughing too.

But why?

Thanks to Megumi-chan, Yokota-san had been isolated, but now she had Tsutsumi-kun under her thumb, and the others seemed to be following her too.

“So you won’t apologize… Then I’ll banish you all from the Kingdom of Brunak!”

“Huh? The one getting banished is you! Everyone, get him!”

“Understood.”

Tsutsumi-kun responded in a robotic, emotionless tone, and everyone charged at Ares.

“Nami, stay behind me. I’ll protect you no matter what.”