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Late at night, outside the royal castle.
I was standing by, disguised in inconspicuous clothing.
At that moment, I saw a shadow approaching along the wall—or rather, a pair of ears.
Boing, boing. Despite the bounces, the speed was eerily fast and silent.
On the figure’s back was the princess.
“We’re here~ Tia, you okay?”
“Y-Yes! Even so, I’m surprised… I didn’t actually think you’d come.”
“Sorry about that. Also, uh… what happens if we get caught doing this?”
“Probably get our heads chopped off, I’d say~”
“Wait, seriously?”
“Ah, um… It’s not really my place to say, but… it’s a possibility…”
Apparently, we were doing something pretty outrageous.
I—decided to stop thinking about it.
“Tia, can you hold my hand?”
“Eh? Y-Yes!”
“Alright. Milfie, what about you? Let’s go together.”
“I’ll head for the entrance of the capital. There’s a chance you’ll be found out when you return, right?”
“Oh, right… Sorry, Milfie.”
“No worries. I can see you anytime. Enjoy yourselves. Take care, Tia.”
“Thank you, Miss Milfie. Even after your mission, you haven’t changed.”
“Of course not, meow!”
Tia and Milfie smiled happily.
“Alright, let’s go then.—Tia, trust me and close your eyes. I’ll show you something amazing.”
“O-Okay. Got it!”
Alright, here we go—
[Moving in 10 seconds. If combat occurs, the effect will be forcibly canceled.]――――
――
―
“Open your eyes, Tia.”
“Mmm… Eh, wow. Wow, wow, wow!!!!—It’s so beautiful.”
—
【Secret Night View Near the Capital】
5.0★★★★★ (45)
The Capital’s Most Romantic Soul
★★★★★
I searched desperately for this spot to propose.
No need for words—
My beloved wife is right beside me.
A Chance Discovery by an Adventurer
★★★★★
What a beautiful place.
So, so, so amazing.
A-Rank Adventurer
★★★★★
When I want to be alone, I come here.
The view is beautiful, and you can see the whole capital from up here.
—
It really was a spot I found by chance.
If not for the reviews, I would’ve never noticed it.
After completing the escort mission, I leveled up and gained another Free Pin.
I used it here.
It’ll take time to replace it, but I wanted to make Tia happy.
“You showed me this just for me… Thank you so much.”
Tia looked genuinely happy.
But something puzzled me.
Why did she want to go sightseeing in secret like this?
Before I knew it, I found myself asking.
“Originally, I was supposed to go sightseeing normally with my mother.”
“Is that so? But your mother wasn’t with you, right?”
“… She passed away. From an illness.”
“I see… Sorry.”
“It’s okay. Even so, I still wanted to do the sightseeing trip I was supposed to take with her. But my father absolutely wouldn’t allow it. So this time, I begged and managed to go in secret. Still, it’s complicated. It felt like I was having fun alone, even though she’s not here…”
No wonder she’d been so quiet at first.
She must’ve thought she shouldn’t show her emotions.
“But I really had fun. I’m grateful to Miss Milfie, Mr. Tabito, and Miss Bridget, who kept guarding me. Thanks to you all, I think this will become a cherished memory when I return to my country!”
Tia was smiling.
A beaming smile.
And—she looked sad.
“Tia, don’t push yourself.”
“… Huh?”
“You don’t have to keep up appearances around me. You can be selfish, speak casually. Just be yourself.”
“… What do you mean?”
“I don’t see you as a princess. I see you as Tia. So it’s okay to act normal.”
“… Normal…”
When I first saw her, she seemed like someone far beyond my reach.
Well, she is, in reality.
But when I saw her enjoying the sights in the city, she was different.
Just like any other girl.
That’s when I finally realized.
Being a princess… is a brutally harsh job.
Diplomacy, yes, but even if something sad happens, you’re only allowed to smile.
Wherever you go, guards follow. If there’s even the slightest danger, you’re locked in your room.
No freedom. Just a cog in the machine of politics.
That face of hers reminded me of myself once.
Crushed by responsibility, unable to express myself.
It must be even harder for her.
She can’t even do what she loves on her own.
Tia, who had gone silent, suddenly started sniffling and crying.
Eh, eeeeh!?
"Wh-what's wrong, Tia!? I'm sorry!?"
"N-no, that's not it... I'm just happy. I never imagined you'd be so kind to me, or that you'd think about me this much..."
"... I don’t really know how you truly feel, Tia. But people are meant to be free. I get that your position makes that tough, but if it ever becomes too much, tell me. Let’s go on an adventure together. You’d be surprised—just changing your hairstyle can be enough to not get recognized."
"... Really?"
"Sorry, maybe. But I think it’ll be fine. I already got permission from Milfie."
Tia wiped her tears while smiling.
"Hehe... thank you. At first, even with my current position, I was happy. The guards were like family to me. But as I grew up, they became distant... small talk, you know? I couldn’t do that anymore. And once the war started, it got even worse. I couldn’t go out freely, and all I do is give greetings and suck up to people. I hate it."
It was the first time I'd seen Tia speak and look like that.
You really can’t understand someone just by seeing one side of them.
Just like I’m from another world, everyone has their own secret past and feelings.
"But I love the smiles of the people who look up to me. I love making them happy. That’s why—well, I wouldn’t call it work—but I do enjoy my life now. Still, sometimes… I just want to..."
"Take a break?"
"Exactly! Today was really fun. It felt like I was hanging out with friends. Even though... all I did was make a request."
"What are you talking about?"
"Huh?"
"We're already friends, aren’t we? Milfie said the same thing. She said she wants to play with you again and that she wished she could’ve seen the night view with us."
"... Hehe, friends. I have friends... I’m so happy."
"Hah, well, if we’re good enough for you."
"No, I should be the one thanking you! Thank you so much!"
"You don’t need the ‘so much,’ do you?"
"Hehe, thanks."
Then the two of us chatted for a while.
I told her I was from another world.
It wasn’t amnesia—I wanted to tell her the truth.
Because she opened up to me, I wanted to do the same.
And I told her that Milfie was looking for companions.
"I’ll look into it when I return to my country. Also... I’ve heard stories about someone defeating the Death General. No one else could beat him. That’s amazing..."
"Sounds like it. But... you don’t doubt me?"
"Of course not! You’re my friend!"
"Haha, yeah."
After admiring the night view for a bit, we moved again.
Milfie was waiting for us at the entrance to the capital.
We hurried back to the castle, and Tia flew off with me on her back.
It was nerve-wracking, but there were no issues, and Milfie also made it back safely.
She must’ve been pretty tense—she looked exhausted.
"Thanks, Milfie."
"I’m okay! Tia looked so happy. She thanked Tabito over and over again!"
"Yeah, she thanked you too. She said she really had fun."
"Hehe. Oh! She said she’d be waiting in her country! She promised to treat us to a big feast!"
"Yeah. And she said she’d look into us too. Looks like we’ve got our next destination."
"I can’t wait, nya! Yaaawn... but for now, I’m gonna sleep like a rock."
"For sure. Let’s sleep in till noon."
"Agreed!"
Then I noticed the map blinking, so I looked closer and found a surprising name.
The map shows names of people you’ve met or spoken with before.
I glanced in that direction, but saw no one.
Maybe... she’s secretly guarding us—
… Thank you. Bridget.
"Hm? Tabito, why are you bowing your head?"
"Ah, just felt like it."
◇
Far away, hidden in a corner, Bridget tilted her head.
"... He noticed? I could’ve sworn I completely masked my presence..."
Still, sneaking the princess out at night—those two have guts. From the looks of it, they went to see the night view… I’m a little jealous.
The sudden teleportation spell surprised me, but... there doesn’t seem to be a problem.
But is he really the same person I knew?
His personality’s changed a lot.
When I heard he’d lost his memory, I was shocked... but his voice, his face—they’re all the same.
"... Memory loss, huh. I should look into it a bit."
Now then, time to go to sleep, cuddling my newly bought teddy bear.
—
Milfie
★★★★★
I'm so happy I made a friend today, meow.
I wanted to see the night view too~
Tabito
★★★★★
This mission taught me a lot.
Responsibility, yes—but most of all, the importance of people's feelings.
I'll keep doing my best.
Eltia
★★★★★
It was truly a wonderful day.
I wish I could've played more.
I want to see Tabito again.
Bridget
★★★★★
The mission ended safely. I’m relieved.
Still, it seems Tabito doesn’t remember me.
… That bothers me.
But this bear is just too cute... squeeze.
What do you think about this chapter?
