Addicted to Hamburgers
Anyway, the special exception was granted without issue. At my additional request, I was allowed to belong to the Tamer’s Guild in the Lampail territory.
Together with the three adults, exhausted and craving sugar, we headed to the royal family’s private terrace.
When we arrived, Queen, Prince Albert, Prince Fred, the maid trio including Sera and Pia, and, by coincidence, from the Royal Guard, Brother Aran and Mr. Melvin were there.
“Welcome, Joan.”
“Your Majesty, I wish you a pleasant—”
“You can actually greet people properly now?”
Prince Fred interrupted my greeting midway.
Hey, I was still in the middle of that!
But I’m an adult. I won’t get angry over something like that… no, I won’t…
“Yes, I can properly greet people now. I’m about to enter the academy, after all… Please excuse me. Prince Albert, Prince Fred, it’s been a while—”
“No way! You’re ten already… ouch, what was that, Brother?!”
“Don’t ‘what was that’ me! How many times do I have to stop you from interrupting Joan’s greetings! … Sorry about that, Joan.”
“It’s fine, I don’t mind.”
“Tch… So, what brings you here today, Joan?”
“Um… well…”
Unsure if I was allowed to speak, I glanced toward Father and His Majesty.
“Young lady Joan is here regarding a special exception from the Tamer’s Guild,” His Majesty answered on my behalf.
““Special exception?””
It seemed to be unusual, as neither of the princes knew about it.
His Majesty briefly explained the situation, and the two of them accepted it.
But honestly, I couldn’t stop focusing on Brother Aran more than them.
You really don’t need to look so exasperated, do you?
Still, I wonder how you’ll react when I tell you about Rosso…
“You’re amazing, Young lady Joan, able to form contracts even without the Tame skill.”
“You’ve got two Pegasi and that Fenrir over there, right?”
The two princes said, but I found it hard to respond…
“Well… um… that is…”
“What’s wrong, Joan?”
“… There’s more now.”
“““Huh?”””
The Queen and the princes all asked again.
“Like I said, there’s more.”
“““More what?”””
“My familiars…”
“““Whaaat?”””
“Haaah…”
“““Hm?”””
As the Queen and the princes reacted with surprise, a sigh came from behind them. The Queen and the others looked around curiously, but Brother Arandolph, the one who sighed, kept a straight face as if nothing had happened.
Hey, Brother Aran… don’t mouth ‘idiot’ at me while looking this way!!
“Joan, what’s going on?”
“Eh? N-no, nothing at all… hohoho…”
“So? What exactly has increased?”
“Ah… Rosso, introduce yourself.”
Just like before, Rosso peeked his face out from my hair.
(U-um, n-nice to meet you… I’m Rosso, my lady’s contracted beast now…)
“““A C-Carbuncle!?”””
clatter clatter…
“Hey! What’s with all the noise!”
“Apologies!”
Brother Arandolph, flustered, had bumped his hand into the sword at his waist, making a loud sound, prompting Fred to scold him, to which Brother Aran quickly apologized.
“Ah… Fred, it can’t be helped. Anyone would be shaken if someone made a Carbuncle their contracted beast. Especially the son of Count Longest.”
“That’s true.”
“What…? Mother, Father… you know him?”
“Honestly, it’s more surprising that you don’t know him.”
“Even you, Brother… Who is he?”
“He’s Joan’s cousin. Right, son of Count Longest?”
“Yes.”
“So, Joan, how exactly did you come to contract a Carbuncle?”
I explained what happened in the Crimson Woods.
“W-wait a second. Stan! You didn’t tell me about a Giga Treant!!”
His Majesty suddenly raised his voice.
“”Ahh…””
Both Father and I had completely forgotten.
“Sorry, with all the Carbuncle excitement, we forgot about the Giga Treant.”
“I’m sorry too, Uncle Alex.”
“Haaah… So? Where is this Giga Treant? Is it dangerous?”
“No, it’s fine. He’s in our courtyard. And… he can talk, too…”
““““Huh?””””
“A talking Giga Treant… ah, well, it is Joan, after all…”
Unable to argue with Prince Albert’s remark, I fell silent.
“Hahaha, Joan really is beyond all reason… Hey, um, son of Count Longest? Has Joan always been like this?”
“Yes, always.”
“Brother Aran!?”
“So she’s always been like this… Must be tough being her cousin… haha.”
“F-fine then! If you’re going to say that, Prince Fred, you’re not getting any hamburgers! I made them even better this time, with cheese!”
“What… Gimme! Give me the hamburger!! I’m sorry for laughing! Please, I’m begging you! The ones made by the royal chef last time were nothing compared to yours! Please, give me a hamburger!!”
As Fred apologized just for the sake of the hamburger, Albert, exasperated by both Fred and my inappropriate behavior, sighed.
“Haaah… Fred being lured by hamburgers is one thing, but you saying that to a prince, Joan, what kind of noble lady are you?”
“Well then, Prince Albert, you don’t want any hamburgers?”
“Good! Then I’ll eat Brother’s share too!”
“…!”
Zap!
““Ow!””
Both Fred and I got zapped on the forehead.
When I looked at Albert, he was smirking mischievously.
Ah… Prince Albert has the Lightning attribute.
… And it’s still tingling.
“My, Albert, how childish of you. Are you alright, Joan? Oh my, your forehead’s all red… Here, let me.”
The Queen cast Heal on me, and the tingling and redness faded away.
“Thank you very much, Your Majesty. I’ll repay you later.”
“Hehe, thank you. I’ll be looking forward to it.”
What do you think about this chapter?
