Chapter 215: A First Apology
He also started training with the sword properly and the maids whispered among themselves wondering what had happened to him.
Hearing such things often, she grew curious and began watching him from a distance.
It did not take long to realize that he had truly changed.
She was surprised to see him bow properly to his instructors and say "thank you."
Even when covered in mud, he trained with the soldiers without complaint and his well-built body began to attract the admiration of the women.
At that point, even the color of his eyes no longer mattered.
As his younger sister, she tried to approach him, but she did not know what to say.
In the end, she could barely speak and would run away.
When she learned the reason for her brother’s change, she was told it was because of an adventurer named Qiong Xing, someone she did not even know.
She could not accept that.
Was she really going to lose to a mere adventurer?
The result of trying to remove him was what had led to this situation.
"I also... I also did it for my brother..."
"You wanted to do something for him, right? But if you don’t say it, it won’t be understood."
Say it? But how?
No one had ever taught her something like that.
She had never once acted like a proper sibling, nor did she have any memory of having a warm conversation as a family.
"Do you love your brother?"
At that gentle voice, she lifted her head, which had been lowered.
"Try asking him in a cute way, ’Will you play with me?’ Apologize for everything until now, and tell him you want to get along from now on. If it’s the person he is now, he will surely understand."
Really? He won’t get angry? He won’t shout at her to be quiet?
Will he finally see her as his little sister?
"...I can’t forgive what you did to Qiong Xing, but if you swear you won’t do it again... then, I can consider it."
"...I’m sorry, I’m sorry, big brother."
"Apologize to Qiong Xing, not me."
"I’m sorry. I’m sorry for hurting you. I won’t do it again."
It was her very first apology, trembling through tears.
Even so, it seemed her feelings were conveyed.
When he gently patted her head, the warmth feeling made her even happier and more tears overflowed from her eyes.
"Then, since everything has been resolved, may I go home now?"
"No."
He wanted to go home.
A lot had happened, but he had received a proper apology, so that was enough.
More than anything, he was tired and just wanted to leave.
"Isn’t it fine already?"
"I can’t believe you want to leave after coming this far."
"I can’t believe the prime minister is still trying to make me work."
"...This isn’t work, is it?"
"That’s true. But that’s exactly why it’s troublesome."
"Isn’t it fine? Everyone is getting along and having tea like this."
"You... where did that dignified attitude from earlier go?"
"Maybe it went out for a walk."
"...Go bring it back."
"It got lost."
"Then go find it."
"He’s lost contact."
"... "
Qiong Xing had completely lost his motivation and even the way he spoke had become quite careless.
Even so, the prime minister of this country showed no sign of being offended and continued to eat the cookies Qiong Xing had given him with clear enjoyment.
Was that really okay?
"—Pfft... fufu... ahahaha! I’ve never seen Sergei talk so happily with someone before."
"Fufu, that’s true. It’s completely different from his usual stiff and overly serious way of speaking."
As the siblings laughed, Katarina and the others also smiled while watching Qiong Xing and Sergei.
What was going on?
"...Is Sergei the prime minister’s name?"
"That’s right."
"That’s a lovely name. My name is Qiong Xing."
Only then did he realize he had not introduced himself, so he did so belatedly, but Sergei responded with a rather indifferent "Ah."
"To get embarrassed over something like that, you’re still just a kid."
"I’m not embarrassed!"
"Then are you happy? It’s not often you get someone to talk with like this."
Qiong Xing thought that they seemed much closer to each other instead, but he kept it to himself for the sake of Sergei who appeared to be shy.
Seeing Katarina smiling wryly at Sergei and Albe arguing, it was probably something that happened often.
Thinking it might be a good time to leave, he glanced at Albe and as if understanding what Qiong Xing wanted to say, he nodded.
Just as Qiong Xing began to stand up to leave, a hand suddenly reached out from beside him and grabbed his arm.
"Y-you’re leaving?"
"Is that not allowed?"
"It’s not that it’s not allowed... but, um... could we talk a little longer..."
Being told that, it became hard for him to leave, so he sat back down and deciding that a little longer would be fine.
Brat let out a relieved sigh.
"...Isn’t your attitude quite different compared to how you treat me?"
"The prime minister is actually quite easy to talk to."
Perhaps it was because he was a sensible adult.
In terms of physical age, he was probably the same as Brat and the others, but mentally, Qiong Xing felt much older, so he could only see those his age or younger in a somewhat protective way.
That said, it wasn’t like he could easily relate to Katarina and the others either, since their life experiences in this world were too different.
In that sense, Sergei, being of a reasonable age and having common sense, might simply be easier to talk to.
"No one has ever said that to me before."
"Really? Well, I suppose your position makes it difficult. In that sense, I don’t really care about such things, which is why I can talk like this. But if it makes you uncomfortable, he apologizes."
"I don’t mind. Being able to talk like this... is not bad."