"So, where are Sakura and the others going now?" (Honoka)
"I'm thinking of continuing our tour of the castle." (Sakura)
Sakura answered when asked.
"Then, from now on, I will deal with the girls in Shinobu's place." (Honoka)
"Why do you want to replace me?" (Shinobu)
Shinobu raised a voice of protest against Princess Honoka.
I had been thinking about this for a while now, but Shinobu's attitude seemed to be that of a normal person, even when dealing with a princess.
"You're sweating a lot from the fight just now. Are you going to deal with a customer covered in sweat like that?" (Honoka)
"Ugh" (Shinobu)
While I was playing the match with Juubei-san, Shinobu was wiping her face and neck with a towel.
"I won't call it a bath, but you should at least take a bath. Until then, I'll take care of them." (Honoka)
"But, I should escort..." (Shinobu)
"This is inside the castle. Who is going to attack us? It's not Juubei." (Honoka)
Juubei-san looked embarrassed when his name was mentioned.
"And I'm alone, without an escort." (Honoka)
That's certainly true.
Even though she's a princess, she didn't have a single bodyguard.
"Above all, Father has given instructions, so there won’t be anyone to mess with them." (Honoka)
After hearing that much, Shinobu fell silent.
"Yuna would be fine too." (Honoka)
For me, I prefer the Shinobu that I was used to. I felt free to say what I wanted to see or go there.
However, if the other person was a princess, I couldn't feel free to ask for a favor.
"It doesn't smell like sweat, so even Shinobu..." (Yuna)
"That's right. It doesn't smell bad." (Shinobu)
Shinobu sniffs her scent and asked for our consent.
In fact, it didn't smell like sweat.
Well, it's not that close, so you wouldn't be able to tell if you were standing next to it.
"Shinobu. When you say something like that, do you think the other person will say it stinks? Maybe the other person is concerned about you. If you stand next to them, you might smell it." (Honoka)
"Ugh" (Shinobu)
Princess Honoka cornered Shinobu.
Well, even if you're close friends, it might be difficult to say that it stinks.
If Fina smelt bad, I might say in a roundabout way, "It's hot today, so let's take a bath."
"Yuna, aren't you sweating?" (Shinobu)
"I am not." (Yuna)
"That makes me depressed." (Shinobu)
That's also thanks to the bear's clothes regulating the temperature.
"I understand. Well then, please take care of them. Yuna, I'll be back soon, so please take care of Sakura-sama." (Shinobu)
I didn't know if Shinobu was taking a bath or bathing, but she left to wash herself.
Juubei-san saw this and spoke to her.
"Yuna, I've caused you trouble. If there's another chance, let's have a match again." (Juubei)
"If I feel like it." (Yuna)
Juubei-san said, "That's fine," and started walking in the direction where Shinobu left.
"Then let's go too." (Honoka)
Princess Honoka smiled at us. When I looked at Sakura, the only person she could rely on, she lightly shook her head to the side.
Apparently, he had no choice but to go out with Princess Honoka.
We couldn't refuse, so all we could do was smile back.
"So, is there any place you'd like to go?" (Honoka)
Noa and the others turned to me.
I felt troubled.
"I left the guidance to Sakura and Shinobu." (Yuna)
I didn't know the details about the castle.
"Sakura, where were you planning on taking them after this?" (Honoka)
"I've shown you all the places you can go freely. Also, I'm wondering if there are any places Yuna-sama and the others can enjoy." (Sakura)
"I see. Well then, please come and talk to me until Shinobu comes back." (Honoka)
Of course, I couldn't refuse, so we headed to the garden.
We arrived at a garden with an arbor and sit on chairs.
One of the servants brought tea, placed it in front of each seat, bowed her head, and walked away.
"So, what's the story?"
"Due to my position, I have heard a lot about Yuna from my father. However, when I ask her for details, he either doesn’t know or cannot answer." (Honoka)
Since he was using contract magic, he was not allowed to talk about my secrets.
"When I asked them where you came from, they didn’t tell me." (Honoka)
"It is……" (Yuna)
"Honoka-one-sama. There are some things I can't answer to my uncle due to my promise with Yuna-sama." (Sakura)
Before I could open my mouth, Sakura spoke.
"I understand. Father has also told me not to be rude if we ever meet. You don't have to answer any questions you don't want to answer. I'll do a lot of things out of curiosity. You may end up asking things that you don't want to be asked. In that case, feel free to ask. If you can't answer, I won't pursue." (Honoka)
The king might be referring to Bear's Transfer Gate or bear phone.
Regarding this matter, contract magic was involved.
"First of all, please promise me that you won't reveal anything I've said here." (Yuna)
"Yes, as the princess of this country, I promise you that." (Honoka)
"Then, the question is where did you come from? We came from the town of Mileela, which trades with this country." (Yuna)
"Mileela town...are those kids with you too? It seems like Yuna's clothes are different though..." (Honoka)
Princess Honoka looked at me and Fina's clothes as if comparing them.
"Well, no one dresses like me. I hope you think the way these kids dress is normal." (Yuna)
"I see." (Honoka)
"By the way, I won't answer questions about my appearance." (Yuna)
I would put the nail in the coffin first.
"Okay. Then how did you get to this country? Sakura said that the light of hope comes from the sea." (Honoka)
Princess Honoka glanced briefly at Sakura.
"After that, I hear things that don't make sense. Things like a bear running in the ocean, or a bear riding a bear?" (Honoka)
I rode Kumayuru and Kumakyu from the island of Targui to the Land of Harmoni. I heard from Shinobu that he saw me riding Kumayuru at that time and reported it to the kings.
It seemed that Princess Honoka heard what was said at that time.
"Well, I have a summoned bear. That bear can run on the sea." (Yuna)
Well, it seemed like they had heard a lot about Kumayuru and Kumakyu, so there's no need to hide it, so I would tell her.
"Is that so!" (Honoka)
Princess Honoka's eyes sparkled.
"Can you show me that bear?" (Honoka)
"I don't mind. Please don't make any noise or attack them." (Yuna)
If Princess Honoka made a noise and even the soldiers gather, it would be a big problem.
"I will not" (Honoka)
Believing those words, I got off the chair and summon a normal-sized Kumayuru and Kumakyu.
"The black bear is Kumayuru. The white bear is Kumakyu." (Yuna)
Princess Honoka looked at Kumayuru and Kumakyu with a surprised expression.
"Kuu~n" (Both Kuma)
Kumayuru and Kumakyu greeted her.
"Honoka-onee-sama, they're not scary." (Sakura)
Sakura stood up and approached Kumakyu, stroking his body gently.
As if to follow suit, Princess Honoka stood up, approached Kumayuru, and slowly reached out her hand to touch Kumayuru.
"You're quiet."
"Me, Kumayuru, and Kumakyu. And as long as you won't harm these kids, we won't do anything." (Yuna)
I looked at Kumayuru and Kumakyu, and finally at Fina and the others.
Just in case, I would make sure not to cause any harm to Fina and the others.
"Then you really rode this bear, ran across the ocean, and came to the Land of Harmoni." (Honoka)
I didn't talk about Bear's Transfer Gate, but it seemed to make sense.
Then she talked about my fight with Juubei-san and the time we fought the serpent.
It felt like she had been told it by the king to some extent, and she was checking the answers and reconfirming the information.
She seemed to have heard a little about Mumloot-san and Luimin, but she hadn't heard about where they came from or where they had gone, so I didn't tell her either.
If I were to talk, I would have to talk about Bear's Transfer Gate.
"Thank you very much for letting me know because there were some areas where I didn't have enough information."
"I was skeptical, but I finally got it."
Princess Honoka bowed.
And at that moment, Shinobu appeared.
"Were you here? I was looking for you." (Shinobu)
Shinobu looked refreshed, as if she had taken a bath.
"What were you talking about when you summoned Kumayuru and Kumakyu?" (Shinobu)
I briefly explained to Shinobu.
"Honoka-sama. Please speak to the King yourself about this matter." (Shinobu)
"I know" (Honoka)
And then we decided to leave the castle.
"It was a meaningful time. Also, I would be happy if you could come see me when you come to the castle. Sakura, Shinobu, please continue to take care of the girls." (Honoka)
"Yes" (Sakura)
"Of course." (Shinobu)
Princess Honoka left.
"I was nervous" (Fina)
"Princess was beautiful." (Shuri)
Once Princess Honoka was gone, Fina and Shuri spoke.
"That's right. She was polite and didn't make fun of Yuna-san." (Noa)
"Although these are not Honoka-sama's words, I was happy to hear more about what you did in Land of Harmoni." (Misa)
"When I return to Crimonia, I have to write a newsletter." (Noa)
"I agree" (Misa)
Misa nodded at Noa's words.
"Newsletter?" (Yuna)
"It's nothing" (Noa)
"Yes, it’s nothing." (Misa)
Noa and Misa looked like they're trying to confuse something.
Then, we boarded the carriage that Shinobu had prepared and left the castle.
Author's Note
Shinobu doesn't smell bad. Surely…….
...
*Thank you to everyone who reports typos.
Please note that some kanji have been revised to match the book, so some may not have been revised.