Chapter 73: CH 72

“Yes, Rei-san. Say aah?”

“No, Lily-sama. For Lily-sama who’s a cardinal to do this kind of stuff to me who’s a commoner…”

Lily-sama became attached to me.

From the matter a while ago, Lily-sama’s been approaching me with great enthusiasm.

There’s no reason to be unhappy about being vigorously approached by a cute girl, but, there’s a time and place for everything.

“Cardinal Lily. It is improper”

Rebuking Lily-sama while gracefully tilting a cup is my beloved Claire-sama.

But, I understand Claire-sama is not that calm deep down.

As a proof, the cup she’s holding to her mouth has been empty for a long time.

Claire-sama, who’s holding an empty cup to her mouth and not asking for a refill, is without a doubt not in the right state of mind.

“So, sorry. But, Lily found her ideal partner. Lily will marry Rei-san”

“You cannot marry the same sex in the kingdom”

“The, then, being lovers is fine”

“… There is no way it is fine”

Somehow, it felt like a vein appeared on Claire-sama’s temple.

Even when she put down the cup, it unusually clinked.

“Claire-sama, are you jelly?”

“I am not jelly!”

Then why is she in such a bad mood.

“In the first place, are you not engaged to Yuu-sama”

It’s completely different from the modern Japan where you can get married with only the consent of both sexes once you reach a certain age.

In this world marriage is a promise between two houses.

Even in the modern Japan, the remnant of that is “○○ family ○○ family” being put on notice boards in wedding halls.

At any rate, the attitude towards marriage is vastly different in this world from Japan where I come from.

“If, if Lily were to get married, she wants to do it with a person she loves dearly. For that, Rei-san is perfect”

“… That is so… Hmph…”

I heard a crisp sound, and immediately after Claire-sama’s cup fell on a desk.

“Ara, this cup seems to have been damaged. Its handle came off. Could I ask for a replacement?”

“Ye, yes… But, it’s strange. It should have been just recently purchased…”

No, it’s clear Claire-sama broke it.

The part of the handle that came off is melted.

I can only think of runaway magical power.

This is bad.

I have to clearly reject Lily-sama.

“Lily-sama. I have already set my heart on a partner”

“Eh!? Is, is that so!?”

“Yes. I have decided to devote my whole life to Claire-sama”

When I said that, Claire-sama raised her chin and made a proud face.

Yes, cute.

“Claire-sama, is that so?”

“I have no such intention, but she is free to think so”

It was a statement that half hid her embarrassment and half showed her composure as the winner.

But, it was a poor move.

“So, so that’s how it is! Then, Lily still has a chance!”

“A, ara? Err…?”

“If, if it’s an unrequited love, Lily will make Rei-san look at her”

“No, as I’ve said――”

“It, it’s okay! Lily’s heard women are happier being together with a person who desires them rather than the one they desire! Familiarity over throbbing!”

No, doesn’t this directly contradict what she said a while ago?

Both Claire-sama and I held our heads at Lily-sama who’s getting heated more and more.

I thought she was a cowardly small animal character before, but it was a splendid wrong impression, there’s also an intense reckless side to this person.

“Besides… Lily is not Yuu-sama’s beloved either”

The few words she muttered were tinted with loneliness.

“Who is it then?”

“Li, Lily doesn’t know the details. But, he said ‘There’s a person I’ve always loved’”

It’s probably about Misha.

Unlike the developments in the game, I haven’t made any moves on Yuu-sama, so I think there’s nobody other than her.

The two have a relationship of childhood friends, with everything that comes with it.

“Well, if Cardinal Lily is a homosexual like Rei, she will not be considered a suitable partner for Yuu-sama”

Nn? I felt there was a pause just now…

“More importantly, Rei-san. What can Lily do to make you fall in love with her?”

“It’s impossible. I am devoted to Claire-sama”

“Think about it a little, idiot”

“… That wasn’t on purpose, right?”

“Aaaaa…. Sorry. It really wasn’t on purpose…”

It was an unexpectedly merciless scolding.

“In any case, please give up Lily-sama”

“No, no way! It’s the first time Lily feels like this… Lily thinks she finally fell in love”

Lily-sama looked at me with dreamy eyes.

Even if you tell me that.

“First love doesn’t bear fruit”

“In, in that case, Rei-san’s love for Claire-sama won’t bear fruit either…”

“No, she’s not my first love”

“Eh?”

“Eh?”

“Eh?”

The three of us looked at each other.

“Rei, have you fallen in love with anybody other than me?”

Claire-sama’s tone subtly demanded an explanation.

Huh?

Did I say something bad?

“How was Rei-san’s first love?”

“No, it won’t be a good reference for Lily-sama even if I talk about it…”

“I want to hear it too”

“Eeeh…”

Lily-sama on one side, Claire-sama on another.

“No, it’s a boring story. I was close with a girl, I fell in love with her, and I was rejected”

“Li, Lily wants to hear more!”

“Confess everything without complaining”

Eeeh…

It’s really not a very enjoyable story though.

“It’s truly a boring story, do you still want to hear it?”

“Certainly”

“Hurry up”

“Haa… Then, I’ll tell it, but please don’t complain later?”

I reluctantly decided to tell the story of my first love.

“It’s a story from when I was in the middle school”