3
About an hour had passed since we started drinking. Ritziareite and I enjoyed the rare time off, starting with casual small talk and eventually sharing stories from our pasts.
The tavern had a calm atmosphere, and I spotted a few other young couples scattered around, just like us. A cozy, almost romantic, vibe filled the entire place.
So, you might ask if any special, romantic feelings were budding between me and Ritziareite…
“…Nnn.”
Not a chance.
“Um, are you all right?”
“Do I… look all right to you…?”
“Not really, no.”
Across from me, Ritziareite was slumped over the table, her consciousness hazy.
She’d been fine for a while, but as the drinks kept coming, her complexion gradually worsened. And now, the currently plastered Ritziareite was complete.
…So she really can’t hold her liquor.
“S-Sorry… I’m just… really weak to alcohol.”
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
“My stomach feels a bit… off… but I’m perfectly conscious, so there’s no problem… Ah, I see three of you, Sir Aldia…!”
“That’s a huge problem!”
She was trying to act tough, but she was clearly not okay. Her vacant eyes were pointing in my direction, but they weren’t focused on anything at all.
“Excuse me. Could I get a glass of water, please?”
“Yes, right away.”
I ordered the water from the staff and immediately slid into the seat next to her. I took the glass of cold water and held it near her face.
“General Ritziareite, here’s some water. Can you drink?”
“Yes… Um… I’m so sorry to be a bother.”
“Don’t worry about it. Here.”
“Thank you… I’ll have it…”
Ritziareite’s cheeks were faintly pink, enough to tell at a glance that she was thoroughly drunk.
“We should probably get going.”
We hadn’t been there that long, but if we didn’t leave soon, she looked like she might actually pass out.
I slowly stood up and was about to head for the counter to pay, but—
“W-Wait, please!”
Just before I could leave the table, she grabbed my hand tightly.
“Um, I know it’s weird to say this in my state… but I want to stay with you longer, Sir Aldia!”
“But, you’re…”
“Please! Just a little longer!”
She looked up at me, her eyes glistening.
There’s no way I can refuse when she asks like that.
The warmth and pulse I could feel from the hand gripping mine seemed to be begging me, ‘Just a little more time.’
“…Just a little longer, then.”
I sat back down in the chair I’d just left, and she let out a sigh mixed with relief.
“I’m sorry for being so selfish. It’s just… I still haven’t said all I want to say…”
I understood what she meant. Just one hour. It wasn’t nearly enough time to talk about everything.
“I want you to know more about me, Sir Aldia. And… I want to properly understand you, too.”
If our goal was just to get to know each other better, we’d already achieved that. But she wanted more. It was as if she was saying she wanted us to become true confidants, to cross the boundaries of mere acquaintances or colleagues and truly understand one another.
4
We fell back into conversation, and several more hours passed. The empty glasses scattered across the table were a testament to how much time had gone by.
“Sir Aldia… don’t… don’t leave me, okay?”
“Right… Um, you clinging to me is a bit…”
“No… Don’t run away.”
Ritziareite leaned heavily against me, her arms slowly wrapping around my waist.
I honestly hadn’t expected this. Even if she got blackout drunk, I’d assumed she wouldn’t lose all her self-control.
Her cheeks flushed, she showed no sign of backing down. She pressed herself against me, staring intently at my face.
I tried to peel her off, grabbing the hands she had locked around my waist, but her grip was surprisingly strong. “Hey…!”
“Mmph… It’s not fair that it’s only Valtrune-sama. I also want… more with you, Sir Aldia…”
This is getting really bad. Unlike the usual Ritziareite, our proximity was way too close.
Every time her breath hit my cheek, I felt my heart leap into my throat.
“Sir Aldiaaa~ You have to call me Rita.”
“Where did that come from? I’m not following…”
“Hmph. It’s a sign of affection! If we change how we call each other, we’ll get even closer~”
“What? Ah, hey…!”
Her usual tense, serious aura was completely gone. The Ritziareite before me didn’t look like the proud general of the Provisional Elite Corps, but more like a clingy, spoiled woman.
Glancing at the clinging Ritziareite, I raised my hand to a passing staff member.
“Excuse me! The check, please!”
“Awww… are we… leaving already?”
“It’s really time to call it a night. Can you stand?”
“Of course! …Huh?”
“I’ll lend you my shoulder.”
She swayed on her feet and leaned heavily against me.
The difference between this and her usual self is just too much.
“General Ritziareite…”
“It’s Ritaaa.”
“No, um…”
“If you don’t call me Rita… I won’t let go… mmmph…”
“Ah, wait! Are you okay? Can you stand up?”
“Uuunn…”
The alcohol had completely taken over; she was on the verge of passing out. She sank to her knees on the floor and gave a single, slow nod.
“Uh, sir? Is your companion going to be all right?”
“Not really, but I’ll manage to get her home. …Thank you for everything.”
“Thank you for coming.”
I paid the bill quickly and hoisted Ritziareite onto my back. Our destination: her quarters.
Her room should be in this direction…
“Hey… Sir Aldia… Can I… call you ‘Al,’ too…?”
Her sleepy murmur was surprisingly embarrassing to hear.
“…Are you… listening?”
“I’m listening. You can call me whatever you like.”
“Is that so… That makes me… very… happ… zzz… zzz…”
Just like that, she started to breathe evenly, fast asleep. The alcohol was one thing, but with the recent battle, she had been incredibly busy. All that exhaustion must have caught up with her.
Feeling her warmth on my back, I whispered quietly. “Thank you. Because of you, we are one step closer to Her Highness’s goal.”
Making her the general of the Provisional Elite Corps and winning the battle against Marquis Rigel—both were essential steps in changing the future for the better.
We had to expand Princess Valtrune’s influence and build a fighting force strong enough to repel our powerful enemies. To lay that groundwork, I would continue to need her help.
“I’m going to need your strength from now on, too.”
She almost certainly couldn’t hear me, but I wanted to thank her all the same.
“Don’t worry. I will protect you. No matter what hardships await, I will never let you die. Any threat that tries to kill you—I will crush every last one of them.”
I continued walking down the dark road, carrying the peacefully sleeping woman on my back. The sky, just beginning to turn a pale blue, signaled that dawn was approaching.
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