I Possessed The Villain’s Childhood Friend

126 – Extraversion – 3

#Responsibilities

“I’m sorry I left it up to you, Ike.”

“It’s okay. Well, it’s actually my responsibility.”

To Charlotte’s apology, I shook my hand and replied.

Actually, I needed someone to take responsibility now, and I was the right person to take that responsibility.

He is not the eldest son of the family heir.

There is no outstanding talent that everyone can recognize.

I have a bad reputation in society.

How fit to take responsibility.

Well, it was a story that I had already expected to some extent in the first place, so I didn’t have any particular complaints.

“Anyway, on the surface you are one of the heroes who saved the empire. Don’t you think it’s unreasonable?”

… Certainly, if you think about it rationally, it is an absurd story.

But can’t you help it?

Because it’s so much better than having other people take responsibility.

When I think about that, the emotions that dwell in me right now are simple.

“Being an aristocrat really bothers me.”

At my indifferent answer, Charlotte replied with a snort.

“I mean.”

★

A system I haven’t seen in a long time.

The scenery of Orkeon is natural, but nothing has changed.

Okay. In the first place, it must be rather strange that the landscape changes in 5 months.

“We are almost there, young boy.”

After I said yes to Noel’s words, I quietly looked out the window.

A symbol of the Astraian family that is most appropriately described as majestic.

The front gate of the imperial palace, where I came back after 5 months, was welcoming me.

It’s a very obvious thing to say, but there was no story that could only come out of a fairy tale like ‘everyone was happy’ because Avatar fell.

In the first place, the two kingdoms of Elam and Kasita did not change their pursuit of the empire, but it is impossible to ignore all of that and the confusion disappeared.

Of course, it has been almost a year since that day.

Elam and Kassite have already pushed back all the soldiers who were advancing little by little towards the Empire.

Because the fall of Avatar proved that the Astraea Empire is still alive and well.

However, the fact that Elam and Kassite were aiming for the empire did not change.

In other words, this is where responsibility comes into play.

Who will take responsibility for the fact that Elam and Kasit made the Empire so belittled that they moved first, and the organization called Avatar moved to destroy the Empire?

First of all, I have modern values.

‘Atara and the two kingdoms did the wrong thing, so why not place the blame on the country?’

It’s a strange story that makes you think

.

I knew that responsibility and cause were very important to nobles, so I had no choice but to agree.

And I, who was suspected of neglecting the organization Avatar even though I knew about it, took the responsibility.

Well, I made the allegation public on my own to reduce the damage to others.

“Ha ha.”

After being ordered to wait for a while at the imperial palace, I quietly threw myself into bed in the room provided.

My body, which complained of exhaustion with all its strength, seemed to say that it was a little comfortable.

After Arcana’s summer vacation began, she went back to her hometown, and after hearing Charlotte say that the disposition was finally decided, she immediately came to Orkeon for the last two weeks.

Apart from being physically tired, it was mentally tough.

As expected, carriages don’t suit me.

As I gazed at the ceiling with such thoughts, various thoughts passed through my head.

Noel went separately to his family who came to the imperial palace.

If I remember correctly, Reina, Sophia, Helen, and Atal also said they would be participating in this event.

Do I have to show my disillusionment in front of them?

That might make you feel a bit bad.

By the way, for the imperial family to directly decimate a family’s deficit like this in public.

This is truly an unprecedented case, but when you reach the level of the 2nd duke, do you do this much?

If it was an ordinary aristocratic family, it would have been all handled by the family’s main family.

It is a great family in many ways.

By the way, now that I think about it, I will become a mere commoner once I am dethroned, so what will happen to my relationship with Reina?

… Am I in trouble?

The moment your head starts to spin to the point of exploding with those thoughts.

“Young master Ike. It’s about time.”

At the sound of knocking on the door outside, I quietly got up from the bed.

What is it?

The audience room I visited in response to the call.

The moment I set foot there, I naturally had no choice but to think that way.

The reason I’ve been called to the throne room of the imperial palace must be for the bad reason of ruined ruins, but for some reason, the atmosphere was louder than expected.

It’s also quite lively.

“What the hell is this….”

To solve the question, I looked around and found the faces of people I knew.

Raina with Sophia.

For some reason, the expression of the two was bright.

Oh.

Is there something I don’t know about?

“Quiet!”

It was Reina’s father and the head of the Roselia duchy, Duke Ricard, who shouted that.

He was standing right next to Emperor Raphael Aegis Astraia, and with his words, the raucous atmosphere died down in an instant.

“… It’s been a while since I’ve seen you, Ike, the second son of the Duke of Axus.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

And at the same time as the emperor put on his clothes, I, the person in charge, immediately knelt down and paid my respects as a servant.

“You understand that I wanted to talk to you a little earlier, but the circumstances were such that I couldn’t help it.”

“Yes.”

“And the reason I called you today, of course, is to praise you for your work.”

“… Yes?”

Let’s raise our heads at the incomprehensible words and look at the emperor’s face.

“As soon as you graduate from Arcana, I plan to entrust you with the direct control of the imperial family, Syrd. What do you think?”

The emperor who said that was smiling mischievously for some reason.

★

On that day, another family was born in the Astraia Empire.

Recognized for his credit for defeating the head of an organization called Avatar, he was given the title of Margrave at the same time as being ordered to rule Shird, the direct jurisdiction of the imperial family, which had been in check on other countries on the border.

The man’s name is Ike, the second son of the Duke of Axus.

Axus family called the sword of Astraia.

The Roselia family is called the Pillars of Astraia.

It was the name that announced the beginning of the family of Syrd, which would be called the shield of Astraia in the future, following the 2nd ducal family with such a nickname.

★

“… How did this happen?”

For some reason, upon graduating from Arcana, I was given the title of Marshal, and I asked Charlotte with a frown.

The venue is the ballroom of the Imperial Palace.

It was a ball to celebrate the birth of a new family of knights.

“Ahahahaha, did you really think you would be kicked out?”

At my question, Charlotte covered his mouth and laughed.

Like laughing at the fact that I really thought so.

“Isn’t that what Charlotte told me in the first place?”

The emergence of an organization called Avatar. And the pressure of Elam and Carseat.

I am the only one who can take responsibility for it with minimal damage.

Anyway, since I’m recognized by the world as one of the heroes who saved the empire, I’m sure I’ll end up in ruins.

I believed that and disclosed information about Avatar.

Let’s look at Charlotte with such a questioning gaze.

“… Well, it was definitely a problem someone had to take responsibility for.”

, Charlotte replied.

“But suddenly, they told me that I was Marquis….”

“But it means that you have done a lot more than that responsibility.”

“Okay, let’s go.”

“Yes. You’re the one who defeated the head of Avatar right away. According to the information you revealed, you were the first to solve the crisis in which Arcana students were almost assassinated.”

I had nothing to say when I said that.

Of course, I was acting for Reina, not for the empire, but in the end, it was a contribution to the empire from the perspective of the third party.

“So I think it’s good that you’re proud. It’s proof that your hard work has been recognized.”

And then Charlotte drank the remaining wine at once and continued.

“First of all, since you have earned the title of Marquis, shouldn’t you be more confident than being the second son of a family?”

“Yes? What is that….”

“Noisy, go back now.”

As if Charlotte had nothing more to say, she pushed me hard on the back.

And to the place where I arrived after being pushed on my back.

“Ike.”

Raina stood there with a kind smile.

“Ha ha.”

The melody flows.

A calm and warm voice was telling me what I had to do from now on.

“… Miss Rayna. Would I be honored to dance with you?”

“Please take good care of me, Prince Ike.”

Reina’s hands that were holding each other like that were warm like spring.

According to the melody and Reina’s movements, she steps out.

Of course, I still felt awkward about dancing like this, so moving in line with Reina was the best way to do it.

“I will have to practice dancing more in the future. If a person with the title of Margrave dances so awkwardly, people will make fun of him.”

“… hahahaha, please take care of me.”

At Reina’s reproach, I smiled awkwardly.

“… Did you know?”

And at my question without an object, Reina nodded her head without any hesitation.

“At first, she heard that she was really close to being destroyed, but I heard that it was the result of Her Highness Leon and her master objecting, saying it was nonsense.”

“I’ll have to thank you two separately later.”

“Yes.”

Slowly turn her body to match Reina’s touch.

Am I really making the right movements?

The moment those worries start to eat into your head.

“Huh. So, am I now called Rey or Sird?”

“… Huh?”

Raina whispered those words in my ear.

“Reina Sird, Ra. Do you think it suits you?”

“Uh, huh? Uh huh?”

When she said that, Reina’s expression was like a goblin’s mischievous smile.

It’s so charming that it’s hard to put into words.

“Mi, sorry… !”

I had no choice but to stop dancing and run outside.

“… Oh, this must be scolded.”

Leave behind Reina’s sighed smile.

#What is love?

“Reina.”

“Yes, Master.”

Raina was enjoying tea with Charlotte in Arcana’s dean’s office.

It’s safe to say that I’m comfortable with this kind of relationship now.

In the familiar atmosphere, Charlotte spoke first.

“What is love?”

Sudden words that made Reina’s genius stop.