Chapter 2: TS Princess Wants to Persuade the Thief

TS Princess Wants to Persuade Thief

The next morning, we left town. I managed to sneak the diary into Leon's luggage.

We'd reach the royal capital in just six days. That was my remaining time limit.

The road from the main city to the royal capital was fairly well-maintained and easy to walk on. However, with serious problems looming, the further I walked, the more it felt like a staircase to the execution platform, bringing me closer to my own downfall. ....Maybe that's an exaggeration.

....I gazed at Nina's back as she walked ahead of me. Her short, brown bob hair swayed in the morning sun. She was shorter than me, with a gentle aura that gave off an impression of cuteness.

She was Leon's childhood friend and the Thief responsible for our party's reconnaissance and exploration.

She'd accompanied us on our arduous journey to defeat the Demon King. Her feelings for Leon wouldn't have faded just because she'd been rejected once. I persuade her to approach Leon again. I subtly convey to her that there's no chance he's interested in me.

And so, the hero who defeated the Demon King and his childhood friend happily reconcile their feelings and end up together. ... Hmm, wonderful.

"Miss Isolde?"

Perhaps I was staring too long while thinking. Nina turned around and tilted her head.

"What's wrong? You've been staring at me for a while now...?"

"...Ah, I have something to talk about. Just the two of us."

"Just the two of us?"

Nina looked puzzled, but nodded, "Okay."

After lunch, it was time for a break, so I called Nina to a place a little further away. Leon and Clarissa were resting by the side of the road. No one would hear what I was saying.

"So, what did you want to talk about?"

Nina came over innocently. 

Now, how should I bring it up?

"Nina and Leon are childhood friends, right?"

"Yes! We've been together since we were little."

"I think you two have a good relationship."

"...Eh?"

Nina's face turned a little red.

"I... This is sudden, Isolde."

"Well, childhood friends are special, right? You've spent a lot of time together and get to know each other really well."

"...Well, that's...well. Hehe."

Nina's mouth curled up slightly, and she looked away.

"...You like Leon, don't you? I can tell just by looking."

"!"

The truth is, I didn't know until I read the diary.

Nina's face turned red, her mouth clenching, and she nodded slightly.

"...Yes. But I gave up."

"Gave up... why?"

I know this is cruel to ask, but...I'm sorry. It's for the sake of our (my) future.

"Because Leon..."

Nina pauses and looks up at me.

"You mean Leon only sees you as a childhood friend?"

"Eh?...Well, that might be true."

"You shouldn't give up, you should tell him how you feel. I'm sure Leon will open up to you."

"But..."

Nina stares at me intently.

"What about Isolde?"

"Me?"

I'm at a loss for words at the unexpected question.

"...I guess he's a friend to me."

"Really...?"

"Really."

Looking like the conversation is about to veer, I calmly deny it. Nina's gaze was a little suspicious.

"Isolde, maybe..."

"That's why I think you're the right person! You've been childhood friends and have been together forever... you know each other the best–."

"Isolde."

Nina interrupted me.

"You're saying that for my sake, aren't you?"

"Eh?"

Well, it's for your sake too.

"Isolde, you also like Leon, don't you..."

Huh?!

"No, that's not true."

"We fell in love with the same person...and you tried to step aside for my sake..."

"No, wait."

"You're being so kind to me... but it's okay."

Nina smiled, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Two people who love each other should be together! Leon loves Isolde!"

"No, that's not it."

"You're not surprised. Isolde knows how Leon feels... and yet you're trying to give him up for me..."

"Nina! Listen to me. I don't really have any romantic feelings for Leon. So you don't have to hesitate to be with him."

"You're so honest with me... I understand...!"

Nina wipes away her tears, seemingly moved. ...The misunderstanding has finally been cleared up.

"Then... I want to be Leon's concubine!"

"Concubine?!"

Why?! 

"Isolde said, right? That Leon will surely become a nobleman thanks to his achievement in defeating the Demon King. That means it'll be fine for him to have a concubine, right?"

"Yeah... well..."

"In that case, I can just be that. Of course, Isolde is Leon's legal wife! ...So I'd like you to allow me to be by Leon's side, too."

"Hey! Listen, Nina, I really..."

I wanted to do my best to clear up the misunderstanding, but time was up. While we were talking, Leon called over to call us. Seeing this, Nina headed towards him as if the matter had been settled.

"Well, Isolde! It's a promise, okay?"

I saw Nina's back as she headed towards them, and I held my head in my hands.

...Why did it have to come to this?

The plan had failed. Nina had completely misunderstood. She thought I was honourably trying to step aside.

The break was over, and the four of us walked back to the royal capital. Nina and Leon seem to be having a pleasant chat.

...The atmosphere is nice. Why isn't it going well?

...It can't be helped.

Next up is Clarissa.

For some reason, the conversation has turned to concubines, so it might be dishonest to pair Clarissa with Leon, but Nina's said she'd be happy with being a concubine.

Once I've succeeded in persuading Clarissa, you two can decide who will be the legal wife.

Clarissa is a Saint, and an intelligent woman. If I speak logically, she won't misunderstand.

I continued walking, thinking about how to persuade my next target, who was walking beside me.