Bear-san, Returns To The Royal Capital
After the main course, the strawberry cake that Noa and I made together was finally placed in front of Cereille.
“Is this the sweet that Yuna and Noa made?” (Cereille)
“I hope you like it.” (Noa)
“Look at the writing on it.” (Yuna)
The cake has the words “Happy Birthday” written by Noa.
“Noa wrote it.” (Yuna)
“Thank you, Noa.” (Cereille)
Noa looked happy when Cereille thanked her.
“Now then, let’s cut it.” (Yuna)
“It’s too bad the letters have to disappear.” (Cereille)
“Well, cakes are food. I hope you keep them in your heart and remember them forever.” (Yuna)
“Yes, I will keep it in my heart as a memory for the rest of my life.” (Cereille)
I realized I just said something embarrassing myself, but Cereille didn’t seem to mind and agreed with me.
“Engrave it in my heart. It’s a good word.” (Cereille)
Even Noa got embarrassed by the line.
I picked up a knife and cut the cake into pieces. Then I put the cake on a small plate and placed it in front of each of us.
“Now then, let’s try it.” (Cereille)
Cereille grabbed a fork, cut the cake into a bite-sized piece, and brought it into her little mouth like a lady.
“It’s delicious.” (Cereille)
Hearing Cereille’s words, Keith and their father also ate the cake.
“Sister, it’s delicious.” (Keith)
Keith gave his opinion of the cake with a big smile. Not only the two of them but also their father ate it with relish.
Good. It seemed to be well received by the three of them.
I’ll also have a bite.
Yep, it’s delicious.
While eating the cake, Cereille’s hand stopped.
“Thank you, Yuna and Noa, for all your help. And thank you, father and Keith. This is the happiest birthday I have ever had. Every year, I was anxious for my 16th birthday to approach. So even though everyone was celebrating me, I felt a bad chill somewhere. But today I am delighted.” (Cereille)
Cereille had a big smile on her face, but there were a few tears in her eyes.
“Cereille.” (Count Fornitz)
“Sister?” (Keith)
Cereille’s father was worried, and Keith was confused that his sister had burst into tears.
“That’s strange. I’m very happy, but why? Why can’t I stop crying?” (Cereille)
Cereille tried to wipe away her tears, but once they started flowing, they didn’t stop.
“Cereille.” (Count Fornitz)
“Sister, please don’t cry.” (Keith)
Cereille’s father stood up and hugged Cereille. Keith worriedly held Cereille’s hand.
Perhaps she was acting stoutly, but her 16th birthday may have broken the tension.
For a long time, she had kept it all to herself, unable to tell anyone. Finally, she was able to talk to her father about it, and she was able to put an end to what had been tormenting her.
It’s not the same word as before, but in the back of her mind, she thought she couldn’t celebrate her 16th birthday. As such, Cereille may have accepted the celebration from her family from the bottom of her heart.
It’s no wonder that Cereille would burst into tears.
Cereille’s father hugged her tighter. The only sound in the quiet room was Cereille’s crying.
“Noa.” (Yuna)
I called out to Noa in a quiet voice and slightly looked at the door. Noa seemed to understand and gave a slight nod. Noa and I quietly stood up and stealthily left the room. Only family members are allowed to be there.
Noa and I went back to the other room.
“Cereille-sama, she was suffering.” (Noa)
“I can’t go into details, but on her sixteenth birthday, her life was potentially in danger. Cereille has been learning sword and magic to prevent that. And now, she’s finally free of that.” (Yuna)
“Yuna-san, you saved her, right?” (Noa)
“It just so happened that Cereille was in a dangerous situation. And it was Cereille herself who had to endure it until today. But now that she has finally been freed from her torment, I hope she can enjoy her life from now on without being tied down by anything.” (Yuna)
“I agree.” (Noa)
She’s only 16 years old. Her life was just beginning. There were no more restrictions on Cereille. She can enjoy her school life or hang out with her friends. Being an aristocrat may be a bit of a burden, but I hope she will be able to live freely like Noa.
“What is it?” (Noa)
When I looked at Noa, she looked back at me strangely.
“It’s nothing.” (Yuna)
I stroke Noa’s head.
“Oh come on, what’s with that?” (Noa)
Noa puffed her cheeks at my unintelligible behavior.
After a while, we arrived at the room. As I was thinking about taking off my dress, Cereille came into the room.
“Yuna, Noa. I showed you something unsightly earlier. I’m sorry for making you worry.” (Cereille)
Cereille looks a little embarrassed. Her eyes are also still a little red.
“That’s not the case. Cereille, you have worked hard all this time, so I think you have the right to cry. If anyone makes fun of Cereille for crying, I will clobber them up.” (Yuna)
“I don’t know the details, but I understand that you have suffered so much. I don’t think it’s disgraceful for you to cry.” (Noa)
“Thank you, both of you.” (Cereille)
Cereille smiles.
“Cereille you’re strong.” (Yuna)
“I think Yuna is stronger.” (Cereille)
I shook my head at Cereille’s words.
“I’m not talking about that strength, I mean strong-minded. From a very young age, you’ve been carrying that burden all alone and have kept it all by yourself. I think it wouldn’t be strange if your heart gave up and broke at some point.” (Yuna)
She might have taken it out on people or used the power of her position as a nobleman as a cover. A broken heart would have been enough to do horrible things.
But that’s not the case, and Cereille grew up strong.
“No, it’s not.” (Cereille)
“You can see it in the way the Euphalia students treat you, Cereille. They all adore you.” (Yuna)
“…Everyone. They adore me like this? I can’t thank them enough.” (Cereille)
“Now that you’ve been freed from your curse, I think you should just go on living happily from now on.” (Yuna)
That’s life. He who enjoys it wins.
“Yes, you’re right. I will refrain from practicing swords and magic for a while. Until now, I have neglected other things. Not in Yuna’s words, but I will try to find something enjoyable. Things I couldn’t do before.” (Cereille)
“Good luck.” (Yuna)
“Yeah.” (Cereille)
Cereille has a big smile on her face.
It looks like we don’t have to worry anymore.
We were asked to stay at Cereille’s house that night. I asked Cereille to take care of the lodging formalities for me. I didn’t even had any luggage at the inn, so I checked out without leaving anything there.
And although it’s not a hot spring, we borrowed the bath from Cereille so I could wash Hugging Bear and sleep with him that night. Of course, we change into matching polar bear outfits. Hugging Bear looks happy.
“Then I’ll sleep with you, Swaying Bear-chan.” (Noa)
Noa talked to Swaying Bear, who has turned into a bear cub.
Noa, who knows about this morning, says, “Swaying Bear-chan, you might be lonely. So I will take care of you tonight,” and Swaying Bear was wrapped in Noa’s arms.
Well, Noa seemed happy, and so was Swaying Bear. Swaying Bear has given his consent for me to be with Hugging Bear tonight.
Swaying Bear seemed to understand this, so there was really no need to comfort him.
We turn off the light and get into our respective beds.
“Hugging Bear, good night.” (Yuna)
`Ku~u ~ n’
“Good night, Swaying Bear-chan.” (Noa)
`Ku~u ~ n’
We went to sleep.
The next day, we’re returning to the royal capital.
Of course, I changed into a black bear in the morning since I am Noa’s escort. When Cereille and Cereille’s father saw the bear, they had an indescribable expression on their faces.
“Yuna, are you going back dressed like that?” (Cereille)
“I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t say anything.” (Yuna)
For the time being, I deceived them with the “divine protection of the bear” trick.
More importantly, aside from safety features, the bear outfit was comfy and calming.
“After all, Yuna-san looks best in that bear outfit.” (Noa)
Noa, that’s not a compliment, you know.
Even though I wear it myself, I find it hard to believe when others tell me I look good wearing it.
Then, through the arrangement of Cereille’s father, I agreed to let them escort us to the city gates in a horse-drawn carriage. Cereille rides in the carriage with us.
Then we arrived at Euphalia’s city gates.
“Yuna, Noa. I am happy you showed up, so if you ever find yourselves in Euphalia, please come to our house. We would be happy to entertain you.” (Cereille)
“I don’t need hospitality, but if I ever come here, I’ll show my face.” (Yuna)
“Yes, we’ll let you know.” (Noa)
“It’s a promise then.” (Cereille)
And with Cereille’s help, we could depart the city of Euphalia without being pursued.
Looking behind us, we saw Cereille watching us from inside the city.
“Cereille, see you again!” (Yuna)
I summoned Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear, Noa rode Swaying Bear and I got on Hugging Bear, who was in a better mood, and we set off for the royal capital.
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Author’s Note:
This concludes the Euphalia arc.
Thank you for reading this far.
I would be happy if you could give me an evaluation of the story, including this chapter.
Next chapter, I will write one story about the royal capital and the return to Crimonia.
I think it will be an everyday life story for a while.
Also, in the activity report, I am soliciting requests for the store bonus for volume 13 and a newly written SS, so please do not hesitate to contact me. The scope will be the desert arc.
※ Finally, thank you to everyone who always reports typos. I am not able to reply to feedback, so I’ll leave this here.
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