Characters in this chapter:
- Sapphiras Perfectio, former 2nd son of the Earl of Aldridge
- Percival Belisario, 3rd son of Margrave of Vanderwall on the Eastern Frontier
- Sophia, granddaughter of the Duchess of Delvigne
- Flavia Hudgens, Evelyn’s 2nd daughter, Percival’s maternal cousin
- Bruno Kingsleigh, Commander of the Kingsleigh unit
- Anna Thor, maid in the Belisario household
- Clarabelle Timmons, maid in the Belisario household
- Gilliam Anderson, son of the Marquess of Spencer (deceased)
“Well, it’s done, Sapphiras-sama.”
“Please enjoy the delicious food to your heart’s content.”
With those words, Anna-san and Clarabelle-san sent me off, and for now I’m smiling next to Percival.
Tonight is the party at Belisario Castle. The dragon costume I had tailored last year has had some work done on the collar and sleeves to give it a slightly different look. My hair has been carefully groomed and is now shiny, and is securely fastened with a dragon barrette, and of course I’m wearing a ring.
My outfit is almost the same as last year, but no matter how you look at it, I’m Percival’s fiancée. Last year, I was standing next to Percival without even understanding the meaning of this outfit, so I must be really dumb.
Well, my dumbness isn’t something that just started now. Byron praised me for that, and said it was one of my good points.
But today, as Percival’s fiancée, I had to make sure I greeted my guests properly.
“Sapphiras-sama, it’s been a year since we last met.”
A familiar young lady stopped and called out to me.
“……Sophia-jyou.”
“Yes, that’s right. I’m honoured that you remember me.”
She was the young lady who was involved with Flavia last year. I’m glad that she still participated despite that incident.
“Thank you for coming all the way.”
“Yes. I was really looking forward to being able to attend this party again this year.”
“That’s an honour. Please enjoy this evening to the fullest.”
Flavia won’t be here this year, so there’s nothing to worry about, I thought, as I gave her a smile, but for some reason Sophia-jyou blushed.
“What’s wrong?”
“N-no……I’ll see you later.”
Sophia-jyou left the place and met up with some young ladies who seemed to be her friends and were having a good time.
“……What was that all about?”
As Percival tilted his head at Sophia-jyou’s confusing reaction, he gave a wry smile.
“You don’t seem to realise it, but Sapphiras is called the Spirit of Twilight at the academy, right? For those who don’t usually have contact with you, surely it would be nice to be smiled at by Sapphiras, who is likened to a spirit, up close?”
“Is that so? But if you’re going to say that, surely it should be Percival? After all, no matter how you look at it, you’re the Knight of the Sun. Everyone admires you, don’t they? You’re especially popular with the young ladies.”
“As long as I’m Sapphiras’s partner, that’s all that matters to me.”
Percival’s summer sky blue eyes stare intently at me. There’s not the slightest hint of teasing.
“!”
You’re saying that with a straight face?! And right now! That’s the kind of situation I’m in! I turn away, trying to hide the blush on my face.
“Sapphiras?”
“Oh, I too……feel the same way as Percival.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
I’m the one who was lucky.
Percival has helped me a lot so far. I hope to continue to count on him as a party member and partner.
This year’s party at the castle ended without incident. I was also very satisfied, as I was able to leisurely enjoy the delicious food. I was relieved that nothing happened, but usually things end without incident.
Since trouble breaks out all the time, it had become a normal feeling that something was going to happen.
The party with the guests was over, but the festivities of Yor continued until the New Year. Tomorrow, we were going to join Kingsleigh-san and his friends who were celebrating in town to celebrate Yor. I was looking forward to a town festival where we could have fun and let loose.
I wonder if we can have bandit roast again?
When Percival and I headed to Oriens Square, Kingsleigh-san and the others were already done. How long had they been drinking?
“We’ve been waiting for you! Come this way.”
We sat down at Kingsleigh-san’s urging and started with a toast. After last year’s failure, Percival made sure we had the right drinks. I would have preferred wine, though. Either red or white would be perfect.
Today, I was planning to eat a variety of things from the food stalls, so I didn’t have any sweets at teatime.
First, the bandit roast. Then, I picked out everything that caught my eye. I wanted to try a variety of things, so I shared it with Percival.
When we were getting full, a knight who was attending the feast handed us a plate with smooth pêche on it.
“Please have this.”
“What’s this?”
“It’s our special pêche preserved in syrup. I brought them from the castle kitchen. There’s plenty, so please eat as much as you like.”
The glossy pêche looked delicious soaked in plenty of syrup. One bite and the rich aroma and smooth texture are irresistible.
“Uwah, it’s delicious……”
It was so good that I wanted to immerse myself in the jar of pêche. The syrup wasn’t too sweet, and I could drink it.
I was told to eat as much as I wanted, so I ate three large jars of pêche without hesitation, and somehow I started to feel really good.
I felt like I could eat more, so I opened the jar to eat another one, but Percival, who was supposed to be talking to Kingsleigh-san, stopped me.
“Sapphiras, you can’t eat any more.”
“Eh, why not?”
“These pêches are so smooth that you can’t help but eat too many, but they’re soaked in strong liqueur. If you eat too much, you’ll get drunk.”
“Is that so?”
That’s why I felt good. I must be drunk.
“Even so, Sapphiras really doesn’t handle alcohol well. To get drunk from just this.”
“The festival is still going on. We’ll continue tomorrow and go home for the night.”
“That’s right, Sapphiras-dono, you should go home and get some rest.”
“I’m still all right.”
“I wouldn’t count on that.”
“Ehhh……”
Though things weren’t quite as exciting as I’d hoped, Percival led me back to the castle.
My feet felt light, so I guess I was more drunk than I thought. Don’t underestimate the pêches in syrup. They brought a whole bottle from the kitchen, so I guess they were soaked for the alcohol-loving knights and soldiers having fun in the square.
I was handed over to Anna-san and Clarabelle-san, who bathed me and got me all ready for bed.
“Drink this and then go to sleep. You’ll have a good night’s sleep.”
“Thank you.”
“Have a good night’s sleep.”
After making me a cup of herbal tea with a soft, soothing aroma, they left the room, and Percival came in to replace them.
“Are you feeling alright?”
“Percival is such a worrier. That’s not enough to get me drunk.”
“You just don’t realise you’re drunk Sapphiras……”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah, I looked pretty defenceless”
“……I don’t know. But it’s because Percival is by my side.”
We both leaned in and our lips met, but after a few bites, Percival pulled away. I knew a kiss that would make me feel even better, so I wasn’t satisfied and chased after Percival’s lips.
Percival, realising my intention, pulled me to him, and this time his lips pressed deeply against mine. He gently parted my lips and his tongue entered my mouth.
It was soft, ticklish, and slippery, and I couldn’t resist it. As my tongue entangled with his, a tingling pleasure welled up deep in my stomach.
It really felt so good……I felt like I was going to melt away.
“Ha, ah…….”
Our wet lips parted, and as I trembled, letting out hot sighs, he stroked my back soothingly. This felt good, and made the heat inside me rise even more.
There was definitely a heat like a red ember inside me, but sadly, my lower body didn’t react at all. But Percival was different. He hides it well, but we’re both men, so I could tell.
Percival was aroused by me. By a pathetic me. I’m glad I’m not the only one feeling this way.
“……Hey, Percival. Shall we do it?”
Percival’s hand, which was stroking my back, twitched slightly and stopped.
We knew each other’s feelings well, and both Percival and I were aroused. So, why not?
My lower body showed no signs of working, but it shouldn’t be a problem if I was the one being held. It seems like it will be quite painful at first, which makes me nervous, but I’m sure Percival won’t be rough.
……I’m sure he had some ointment that was effective on wounds, right?
“Wait a minute.”
“Mm?”
“I’m very happy about Sapphiras’ feelings, but we’re still engaged.”
“I don’t really mind though?”
We’re supposed to make our vows at the temple on Percival’s next birthday. I feel like I can go to the temple right now. It might be a problem for a young lady, but for a man like me, such a rule is just a formality.
“……Sapphiras. It’s true that I want to hold you in my arms right now. You are more important and dear than anything. But……no, that’s why I won’t do anything more until I make an oath in front of the goddess……”
He tightened his arms around me. Percival is serious. That seriousness is also his charm. But, isn’t he holding back quite a bit?
But no matter how much I say it’s okay, Percival’s will won’t be easily shaken. It’s my fault for inviting him.
“…… Then, shall I do it with my mouth?”
I’ve heard some drunk adventurers talking in a bar that brothels offer such services. They say that mouths are much better than hands. I don’t know if I can do it well, but I’m sure I can do it.
“Wh-at?”
“Well, you can’t sleep like that, right?”
“……Sapphiras, don’t tell Anderson forced you to do that⁉︎”
Percival’s face changed color and he held my face in both hands.
“What? Gilliam? No, no way! That’s disgusting!”
There’s no way I’d take his thing in my mouth!
This isn’t just limited to Gilliam. No one else could make me do something like that except Percival. Just thinking about it makes me shudder and want to puke.
But if it had been that man, he would have forced Sapphiras to do it sooner or later for sure. After all, he can relieve his desires anywhere just by relaxing his front. I would definitely be treated as a male prostitute. I’m glad I remembered my previous life before that happened.
“Then where in the world did you……?”
You ask where, because Sapphiras is an adult inside. I may not have had any experience, but if I frequent bars, I hear all kinds of tales of heroism.
But it would certainly be strange if I knew something like that now. It’s inevitable that people would think that Gilliam forced me to learn it.
“Ummm, mmm……books, I think?”
“Books? Is that true?”
“Mm.”
Of course, I answered immediately. Percival looked me straight in the eye.
I’m not lying. At least, Gilliam didn’t make me do something like that.
Percival, meeting my eyes, must have been convinced that there was no lie there. He sighed deeply and hugged me tightly again.
“……I don’t know what kind of books you’ve read but you don’t have to do that, Sapphiras.”
I may have said something unnecessary. I’m sorry for making you worry unnecessarily, Percival.
“But still, what on earth is going on in the Earl’s library……”
Percival muttered in an exasperated voice. There were no such books, at least not in the detached house.
It’s a complete misunderstanding, but only I know the truth. Anyway, no matter what the former Earl’s family thinks, it neither hurts me nor makes me itch.
