Chapter 55
“Ahh…”
As’s red lips slowly curved into a smile.
“I’m so happy that you ran all this way for me, brother. But…”
His small head tilted gently to the side.
“Since you came running so quickly, I guess you’re not as busy as I thought?”
“Oh, our little lord is disappointed that I’m not busy?”
“That can’t be. Of course, I’m really glad.”
The red eyes and sky-blue eyes met once again.
Although both were smiling, a chill ran down my spine for some reason.
I awkwardly smiled and squeezed between them.
“Hmm, Harnen! Since As looks just like young Akes, people keep crowding around thinking he’s Akes’s son. So, is there any kind of transformation spell or something?”
Harnen, who was looking at me, smiled softly.
“Ah, it seems the recent popular play has drawn even more attention.”
“A popular play?”
I widened my eyes at this new information, and Harnen nodded.
“The story about the war with the Semel tribe starring Archduke Serenia has become a popular play recently.”
“A play where Akes is the main character…?”
I opened my mouth blankly.
I hadn’t known something like that existed.
I’d been so busy with banquets that I hadn’t heard a thing!
I quickly turned to look at As, who subtly avoided my gaze.
“Changing little As’s appearance isn’t difficult.”
At Harnen’s words, I turned my head back to him.
He tucked my hair behind my ear and continued.
“But since it was made quickly, the duration isn’t long, so I have to follow around and keep replenishing mana continuously. Is that okay?”
I nodded quickly to the kind, considerate question.
“As long as you’re fine with it, I’m more than okay! I’d even ask for it!”
“I’m happy to help, Einra.”
Harnen’s smile deepened like it was melting.
His favorite smile shining brightly right before me made me stare blankly, but suddenly, a quiet voice came from behind.
“But, brother, is it okay if you keep staying like this?”
“As?”
I turned around wide-eyed to see As slowly standing up with a somewhat crooked smile.
“As far as I know, you’re insanely busy right now, so I’m a little worried.”
“Whoa, really that busy…?”
If Harnen’s own boss says he’s worried, then it must be true.
Guilt crept up as I wondered if I was just using nepotism and favoritism for selfish reasons.
I glanced at Harnen, and noticing my expression, he spoke kindly.
“Don’t worry, little As. My boss once promised me. Instead of forcibly taking away my vacation, he said he’d give me double vacation later.”
“…”
“If the dear boss has any conscience, he won’t dare say anything to me who’s worked so hard until now. Little lord, you think so too, right?”
“…Yeah, you’re right.”
As’s smile deepened even more.
At the same time, feeling the chill in the room grow stronger, I awkwardly smiled again to lighten the mood.
“Well, shall we get ready and head out now?”
As changed into the appearance of a cute boy with dark brown hair and silver eyes.
He seemed displeased with this look, but when I said it was nice because his eye color matched mine, he finally smiled properly.
“If Einra is happy, that’s all that matters.”
…I still disliked his dirty selfishness.
He muttered quietly in a gloomy voice.
“Hm?”
The noise from the bustling street drowned out the latter part of what he said.
I tilted my head and asked again, but As smiled slyly and shook his head.
“It’s nothing.”
What on earth was ‘nothing’?
Just as I furrowed my brow to ask again,
“Einra, look over there.”
Harnen tapped my shoulder and pointed.
I followed his finger and saw a temporary puppet theater set up in the middle of Enib Square.
Against the backdrop of a setting sun, the sign above the theater glittered, reading “The Song of Sword and Flower.”
“Come one, come all! This is your chance to see the most popular play these days for just 50 silver! Experience a story full of laughter, tears, passion, and emotion through puppet theater now!”
A street promoter loudly advertised in front, but it didn’t seem necessary.
A crowd was already gathering!
‘Is that the play starring Akes?!’
My eyes sparkled with excitement.
“How about watching a puppet show after a long time?”
Harnen asked kindly.
Without hesitation, I nodded.
“Yes, I want to see it! Really, really want to!”
A play starring Akes!
“Really, definitely want to see it!”
Turning quickly to As, I said with emphasis, and As sighed softly, hesitating.
“…If Einra wants to, I’m okay too.”
Hearing his consent, I smiled brightly and headed straight toward the theater.
“Welcome! How many in your party?”
“Three.”
Answering the ticket clerk’s question, I glanced at As and Harnen on either side of me.
The clerk, recognizing the three of us, smiled kindly.
“Looks like a family outing!”
“…”
The voice sounded so matter-of-fact that I was momentarily dumbfounded and didn’t say anything.
While I just opened my mouth, the clerk handed me the tickets.
“Thank you, enjoy the show!”
“…Haha, yes…”
I awkwardly smiled and took the tickets.
My back was covered in cold sweat.
‘I never thought we’d be mistaken for a family…’
They couldn’t possibly think that the eldest brother Harnen, the second me, and youngest As were siblings, right? Yeah, that would be totally impossible…
Suddenly, I’d stained my favorite person with my own flaw.
‘Sorry, Harnen. Please forgive me just for today…!’
I didn’t want to end the date with As yet!
I silently apologized to Harnen and stepped inside.
Though it was temporary, the interior was quite neat and stylishly decorated.
Especially fitting for the title “The Song of Sword and Flower,” it was adorned with decorative swords and red flowers here and there.
“The quality’s pretty good.”
I admired it as I took a seat, and As quietly asked next to me.
“You like it?”
“Yes, I do.”
“…Then that’s enough.”
The silver eyes imbued with magical power curved gently.
At that moment, with loud applause, the show began.
Inside the theater, the play was in full swing.
“This trap set by the Semel bastards, if not for the Archduke’s wit, we wouldn’t have escaped!”
“The Archduke led us right from the front—why would we tremble in fear?”
I glanced sideways at the small head beside me.
“…”
As’s frown showed no signs of easing, and he rubbed his forehead as he looked back at me.
“…If you have something to say, go ahead.”
“Hmm. Really?”
“You can laugh if you want. Don’t bite your lips so hard.”
As said, sounding resigned.
In the end, I couldn’t hold back my laughter and chuckled, shaking my shoulders.
The play “The Song of Sword and Flower” was reportedly popular nationwide.
“The Archduke is sweeping through the enemies’ necks; we can’t just stand by! Men, forward!”
I expected a dramatic, powerful heroic saga, but it was just a munchkin story about Akes single-handedly crushing the battlefield!
“As, you told me it was really tough for you. But here you are, flying around like a fish in water?”
Teasing him, my voice came out scolding.
As looked at me with a wronged expression.
“This is adapted so even commoners can understand. The emperor approved it without consulting me for publicity…”
“Einra, don’t be fooled.”
At that moment, Harnen suddenly interrupted.
When I looked at him wide-eyed, Harnen leaned close and whispered meaningfully.
“All that stuff little As says about how hard war was? It’s all lies. I know better than anyone how he swept through the battlefield.”
“R-Really?”
“Yeah, really. So much so that back then his nickname was—”
“Harnen.”
A silver glare from As cut sharply through Harnen’s words as a warning.
