Chapter 202.2
A free position. To put it another way, Elena was a friend of the princess’s – she let it be known that I was under her protection and protected me from the state’s attempts to bring me into their ranks and from any unnecessary problems from the Queen or other noble families.
In a way, if I entered Elena’s friend circle, I could also serve as a shield to repel any noble daughters who might try to take up Elena’s cause.
But that was not the point, Elena asked her father for permission to make me her friend, and her cheeks turned a little red when she noticed my gaze.
“…Very well. Then, Aria, please be Elena’s [friend] and stay with her at the academy. I’ll tell the Prime Minister about the other reward later.”
“Yes… thank you.”
I bow my head and thank His Majesty for his words. But… seeing those momentarily visible eyes narrowed as if they were assessing me, I felt that although the King of a country was not well regarded by the nobles, he after all was not a one-trick pony.
It was a sudden audience, but he must have been wary of us since we gave him the black dragon’s materials and other things.
It was yesterday afternoon when we arrived in Cleydale.
***
Elena and I returned to the Kingdom of Cleydale for the first time in about four months.