Am I Really Wanted by Anyone? - Chapter 17

“Marilyn, would you like to go to the lake with me?”

Grrrooowwl.

It seemed Marilyn had been bored too, as she seemed pleased.

I called out to the stable hand and left the stables.

Marilyn lifted me onto her back and floated lightly up into the high sky.

I love this feeling. I forget all my troubles and swim through the sky.

Deep in the forest bordering our territory lies a lake that Marilyn and I often visit. It’s like a hole suddenly opening in the middle of the forest.

Some researchers speculate that the roar of a large dragon like Marilyn might have created this huge crater, where a river flowed in and formed the lake.

“That guy from before broke off our engagement. It couldn’t be helped, I suppose. But I was a little happy. After all, he was the only one who ever seriously said he loved me in front of everyone.”

Marilyn listened silently to my monologue.

“I wonder what the next person will be like. I know. I have no choice but to marry someone who can protect the territory. But I hope, just a little, that he might like me for who I am, even a tiny bit.”

I sat by the lake’s edge and dipped my feet in.

It was cold and felt wonderful. Since it’s not mating season right now, the magical beasts are relatively calm. Plus, with Marilyn by my side, most are too scared to show themselves.

After playing by the water’s edge for a while, I noticed Marilyn growing alert.

I gently placed my hand on the handle of the axe I’d set aside and prepared for battle.

Rustle, crackle.

Something was coming toward us through the undergrowth. Only a magical beast that wanted to become prey itself wouldn’t fear Marilyn’s presence.

Grrrrrrrl.

Emerging from the bushes with a threatening growl was a large dog-like creature called a Garm.

It was almost bear-like. Perhaps it was extremely hungry, as it targeted Marilyn, who was many times its size, and charged.

Marilyn understood this too, so she spat a fireball from her mouth to attack the Garm.

The Garm swiftly dodged to the right. It tried to leap at her, but Marilyn jumped up, avoiding the Garm’s attack.

As Marilyn leaped, the Garm noticed me and, with a growl, lunged to attack.

Tch.

It was too close to swing my axe. Judging so, I chanted an ice spell toward the Garm.

The ice magic struck the Garm’s snout and forelegs, halting its attack.

Just as I thought to finish it off with my axe, Marilyn dove from above, grabbed the Garm with both feet, swiftly ascended again, and then slammed it into the ground.

Then she spat a fireball to stop the Garm’s movements.

Watching it twitch, it seemed to have lost consciousness. Marilyn paid no mind, skillfully pinning the Garm with one foot and began eating it with a crunching sound.

Well, Marilyn got a tasty meal and some exercise, so that’s good.

After Marilyn finished her meal, we took an elegant stroll through the sky before returning to the mansion, where Katie was bustling about preparing for our trip to the royal capital.

“Young Mistress! Welcome back!”

“Katie, I’m home. Anything changed?”

“Nothing in particular. I heard from the Madam about next week’s plans. I had a bad feeling, so I thought we should prepare thoroughly and have been busy.”

“A bad feeling… Indeed.”

I almost sighed at Katie’s words.

One week later.

From early morning, Katie and I rode the dragon toward the royal capital.

We had plenty of time to meet with Sir Olga in the afternoon.

At the townhouse, the maids who had prepared everything seemed to be waiting, and they immediately began preparations for the tea party.

I changed into a dress popular in the royal capital and was made up to give off a more mature atmosphere.

“Young Mistress, you’re absolutely stunning. Lady Celestina is no match for you!”

“Hehe. Thank you for always making me look so beautiful.”

After thanking the maids, I headed for the royal palace.

Normally, a tea party would be held in a room at the Saraphis ducal house or our own home, but borrowing the royal palace’s courtyard for it is just like Mother.

She must be making sure Lady Celestina finds out, right?

It seems Mother is quite angry about the matter with Sir Leo.

Officially, it’s because Adjutant Olga is too busy to make time, so I had to go to the royal palace on short notice.

Ugh, this feels heavy.

If I recall, Princess Celestina should be sixteen this year. Three years younger than me. Adjutant Olga Saraphis should be twenty-three. I think from Sir Saraphis’s perspective, Princess Celestina is still a child.

“Young Mistress, everything is ready.”

“Katie, shall we go then?”

“Yes. I’m sure the Princess is looking forward to it.”

“I wonder about that.”

I chuckled at Katie’s words, boarded the carriage, and headed for the royal palace.