My Childhood Friend the Demon Knight Hates Me - Episode 52: Extra Edition Part 3
Extra Edition Part 3
The Struggle of Roasel Finns
Translator: Lioness
Editor: Arya
As if weaving through the gaps in the pillars to which the bells were attached, the morning sun entered the church.
As I turned my gaze to the courtyard, I could see the spirits of light in the form of small birds, who had been appearing in this church frequently for some time, were chirping happily.
“Good morning! It’s a good morning today!”
“Good morning! Everyone will wake up soon!”
“Morning!”
As I was walking along the corridor and stared at those birds, I suddenly stopped and returned the same greeting to them from afar. My grandfather taught me that greetings were the basis of communication, whether between humans or spirits.
As the spirits reacted to my voice and became even more excited, I resumed my steps.
My new robe, which I’d recently purchased, was still a little difficult to walk in, as the fabric was crisp, unlike my old, worn-out robe.
But it couldn’t be helped.
I had grown a bit taller and the size didn’t fit anymore. Yeah, it couldn’t be helped.
“Oh, Mr. Roa. Good morning! I didn’t know you were here!”
With her pigtails swinging, a petite female apostle who had just joined us, called out to me from behind. I tightened my loose cheeks and turned around.
…… At eye level, we’re about the same height. I’m not sure if that was a good thing or not.
After some time, her mouth opened.
As she ran to me, she held her breath and presented a white envelope to me.
“This was addressed to Roa-san first thing in the morning.”
“It’s for me…?”
I took it, turned it over and was surprised to see the sender. When I opened it, I was even more surprised.
The next thing I knew, I let out a giggle.
“This means I have to apply for a vacation early.”
“What? What’s so urgent? From your parents’ house or ….”
“No, it’s nothing like that! Don’t worry about it. Thank you for taking the trouble of finding me to deliver it.”
I smile with gratitude to the female apostle who was curious and tilted her head.
Then, for some reason, the female apostle in front of me, blushed and spoke, “Wow! Is this the rumored angelic smile I’ve heard about?” Thereafter, left as she ran.
I wonder if it was …. Recently, I’ve been getting more and more reactions like this.
In the past, I was usually greeted with a warm puppy-dog stare or a pat on my head as if I was an infant. This had been diminished, but I’d been severely upset by that, and mostly by women, but rarely by men.
“What does ‘Angelic smile’… mean?”
Sometimes people asked me that, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it.
I think I should ask my grandfather about it next time. I’m sorry if I’m upsetting them for some reason.
Oh, but that was not the point right now.
I slowly looked down at my hand.
What came in my sight, of the envelope that was handed to me was a —- a wedding invitation to be exact, with a picture of a red flower attached, spelled out in careful handwriting.
In my mind’s eye, I could already see the faces of the two people I had missed so much.
With a smile on my face, I hugged the invitation close to my heart and continued my walk with light steps.
I had successfully completed this day’s work, and the night had come quickly.
I’m sitting at my desk in my room with the light on.
Today was a bit hectic, as I finally received the newly ordered costume for the Spirit Princess (custom ordered from a clothing store that specializes in clothing for royalty), and polished the Queen’s jeweled sword (I clean it regularly).
It was a little hectic, though, compared to how busy I was during the incident involving the demon, it was nothing.
I finished writing my report to my mother as usual, and put down the fountain pen for a moment. I took out the invitation card from the drawer, afterwards.
The faces of the people who sent it to me, …… Suria-sama and the knight who guarded her, appeared in the painted red petals.
At the time, I was well aware that the atmosphere between the two of them had changed since their return from the Forest of the Holy Bell.
At the sight of Suria-sama’s battered figure, I was terrified, and I almost fainted at the sight of her in the audience with the Queen of Spirits……! Another thing, I was surprised by the change from the knight’s attitude.
I couldn’t think of the right way to describe it, but I could say that the way he looked at Suria-sama became more gentle and generous.
I don’t know if I should call it ‘sweet’.
I could still feel a hint of confusion in me, but the change in the knight-sama’s was remarkable, as if the sense of distance he used to have was a lie, and he was always following Suria-sama around, taking care of her in any way he could.
I think there was some strange speculation going on, especially among the female apostles.
Everyone seemed to have a lot of fun … but forgive me for being unhappy because I couldn’t pay attention to it.
I was impressed by the fact that Suria-sama, while laughing as if troubled with such a knight, had an extremely happy expression on her face that made me feel warm when I looked at her.
I had watched them closely until the day they parted, so I was shocked at the differences in them, but not surprised to receive this ‘wedding invitation’.
I picked up my fountain pen again to write a reply to the invitation.
The black ink ran over the white, and on the letterhead I had prepared, I wrote my congratulations and my intention to attend.
I told my grandfather about the wedding, and he immediately granted me a leave of absence. I heard that he had also received an invitation, but he couldn’t stay away from the church for too long, so he asked me if he could celebrate it on his behalf.
If it was you, Suria-sama, I’m sure the spirits would shower you with their blessings.
She used to be a Spirit Princess, and I’m sure the Spirit Queen would be pleased when she hears the news.
I have to make sure that I don’t make any mistakes during the ceremony, and I have to make sure that I say congratulations to both of them.
“I also need to prepare my formal attire. I also need to think about my itinerary to the territory of Arlsvaire. Oh, and what would be a good gift for the celebration? …… I’m worried.”
Many people got married in churches, but this was the first time for me to go to the wedding of someone I knew personally.
Leaving my letterhead untouched, I reclined in my chair and lost myself in thought. As my mind began to expand, I naturally reached for the bottle on the edge of my desk and opened its golden lid.
The contents of the jar were round, multicolored candies.
I’d been hooked on those candy canes that Suria-sama gave me that day, and I regularly bought them in town, even though I knew they were a bit expensive.
Even after knowing that, I regularly buy them in town. When I’m sitting in my room thinking, I feel like throwing them into my mouth out of habit.
…… Why don’t I add these candy balls to your list of celebratory gifts?
It was like a transparent bottle filled with shiny jewels, and was just so beautiful. It was a valuable luxury item that could only be bought in this royal city. If it was candy, you could carry it with me to the wedding without worrying. If I put a lace ribbon on it, it won’t be a bad gift.
“Let’s ask the women apostles again tomorrow.”
It would be nice to ask Mother through my letters.
I let out a small chuckle as I rolled the faint sweetness around my tongue.
I’m really looking forward to seeing the happy couple again.
•••
“… What are you looking happy about? Suu?”
I was sitting in a chair at the dining table reading a letter that had arrived first thing in the morning, when a sleepy, slightly dazed Reiss called out to me from behind.
We both had the day off from work today, so Reiss, who was tired from working all day, should have stayed in bed. I sneaked out of bed, but I think he noticed me right away.
Turning back, I shifted my body so that Reiss could see the letter as well.
“Did you send the wedding invitation before? The reply came.”
“Who is it from?”
“Mr. Roa. He said he would be delighted to attend.”
When I laughed, “I’m happy,” Reiss somehow sharpened his red eyes and turned his face into a face that seemed to bite a bitter worm. Unlike the reaction I expected, I tilted my head.
“What? Isn’t Roa coming? Isn’t it something to be pleased with?”
Wasn’t it a good thing that so many people were coming to our wedding? Roa and Reiss had been good to me at the church, and I’m sure there was nothing wrong with him being there.
If you looked up, Reiss’s face became more distorted.
A moment of silence fell, as I couldn’t understand why.
The next thing I knew, Reiss was shaking his glossy black hair, which was still in its sleeping habit, and hugging me over the back of the chair. The sudden action caught me off guard.
“What’s going on ……?”
“Because …… you look so happy.”
“What?”
“I don’t like the fact that you seem so happy to see Roa and the other apostles. I don’t … like it.”
In a sultry voice, Reiss complained in my ear, “Suu was sweet on him, weren’t you?” After a few seconds of delay, I realized the truth of his words and laughed out a little, patting his long arm around me with one hand.
Really, I think I’ve become obedient when it comes to him.
“You know very well that I have a soft spot for younger people, don’t you?”
“…… I know, which is why I hate it even more.”
Reiss, who muttered such a thing and buried his face in my golden brown hair, was completely sick.
I breathed a sigh of relief.
As I felt a slight weight and warmth on my shoulders, I suddenly remembered the taste of that candy in my mouth.
It was a gentle taste, not too sweet, but mild and delicious.
I wonder if the man whom I gave the candy to, was still doing his best. Rather, I hope he wasn’t collapsing because he worked too hard again.
When I was thinking of Roa like that, I seemed to notice a strange and intuitional sound from Reiss. Reiss has strengthened the power to hold me.
…… Well, I wonder how to calm him down.
Looking forward to seeing Roa quietly in my heart, I fit silently in the arms of my beloved future husband.
(TN: (≧▽≦) hehe…)