"Y-Yes, understood..."
I had no choice but to agree. Miss Al smiled softly and said:
"Alright, let's go eat. If we don't hurry, it might be all gone, you know...?"
As we got out of the carriage together, she immediately slipped under my left arm, put my left hand on her left shoulder, and her right hand on my waist.
"Ah, I'm fine now. I can walk on my own."
As I said this, she replied:
"No, you can't. It's crucial to take care of yourself when you're recovering!"
She then clung to me more closely. I could feel her strength against my left flank.
We walked to the place where everyone in the caravan was eating. Along the way, she was muttering to herself:
"You can't look at such... such a lewdly dressed... small girl doll...!"
During lunch, she was overly attentive to me. We were teased and glared at by those around us. Honestly, I didn't feel like I had eaten at all.
A day and a half passed. The sun had just fully set. By tomorrow morning, we'd arrive at my town. In the afternoon, I had been organizing my luggage so I could unload it as soon as we arrived. I really owed a lot to Hans and everyone in the caravan. I needed to properly thank them as soon as possible.
"Alright, is this okay... I wonder?"
Now, while Miss Al was helping with dinner, I was stuffing money into a bag. It was her salary.
The results of this business trip, to be frank, were a huge deficit. Initially, I had planned the budget for traveling alone, and it had completely collapsed since it became a journey of two. I bought women's clothes and dishes that I hadn't planned to buy. Along the way, I bought more food than planned. The accommodation fee for two. And for that accommodation fee, there were places where we switched from camping to staying in inns, contrary to the initial plan. Also, in Atia, we couldn't do any business at all...
But I had no regrets. Since coming to this country, or rather, including when I was in my hometown, I had felt fulfilled for the first time in forever. It was truly enjoyable. It went without saying, the one who made me feel this way was none other than Miss Al.
During this journey, she gave me a lot. Even the kind of man who would ignore a dying person felt a warmth in his heart with her. She believed in me. She listened to my stories. She saved my life. She hugged me. And she smiled at me——!
That's why I didn't hesitate to give almost all the money I had on hand as her salary. I didn't think "money can solve everything". But, she and I are "employer and employee". So there was no problem if I included my "gratitude to her" in her salary, a natural duty as an employer.
Fortunately, I had savings. I could get by until the next business trip.
"…"
Staring once more at the bag filled with her wages, I knew it would be over when I handed it over tomorrow around noon. I didn't know what she would do next, but she was strong, both mentally and physically. Losing her memory must have been distressing, but she would surely manage. Not only was she beautiful, but her kind and gentle personality would likely win her friends quickly. In fact, she seemed to get along well with both men and women in Mister Hans' caravan. She probably didn't need me. Naturally, that meant she wouldn't be in my future—.
"⁉"
It happened again. I shivered. It was the same as in Atia. Every time I thought of "parting ways with Miss Al" or "a future without Miss Al," I felt chills. Goosebumps formed. My entire body tensed up, and my face twitched. This was not just a "chill." It was a full-on "shiver." My teeth were chattering. My vision blurred, something hot streamed down my cheeks, and fell onto the back of my hand.
"Tears...?"
Feeling such an intense chill that I was shaking, I realized I was crying. This was... fear!
In Atia, when we were fleeing from the riotous townsfolk, when we were almost killed by bandits, and when "that Miss Al" was cutting down those bandits, of course I felt fear. But the fear coursing through me now was far greater than any of those fears, or even all the fears I've ever felt in my life.
I was scared.
I was scared of her being gone.
I was scared of her living with another man.
I was scared of imagining a future without her.
I was scared.
I was scared.
I was so scared...!
— So, what are you going to do about it?
"Them" again. Or, perhaps it's not "them," but "me?"
— Are you going to propose to her? A poor merchant living in a run-down apartment.
— Can you support that woman?
— Can you live with her, that woman with such terrifying power?
Various voices echoed in my mind. More droplets fell onto the back of my hand. I silenced the chattering of my teeth by clenching my molars. I, I...!
"Mister Kazuo~, dinner is ready~!"
A cheerful voice came from outside the carriage.
"Ah, yes~! I'm coming right now~!"
I wiped my face with a nearby towel and blew my nose into a tissue. I stuffed the tissue into my pocket. I'd throw it into a fire later. When I stepped down from the carriage, naturally, the person who had called me out was there, the person who had just been dominating my thoughts.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
I tried to sound as cheerful as possible.
"No problem. …Mister Kazuo?"
After replying cheerfully, Al suddenly peered curiously into my face.
"Eh, what's... wrong?"
"Mister Kazuo… have you been crying?"
My heart throbbed once violently. I tried to maintain my composure as I asked:
"Eh, why?"
"Your eyes and face… they're red. Are you hurt?"
Al looked at me with apparent worry. No, it wasn't just "apparent worry." She was truly "worried" about me.
"Eh, ah, earlier, a small bug flew into my eye… that hurts, you know? It can really get to you, ahahaha…!"
I quickly came up with an excuse. She was still looking at me as I went on:
"Ah, I'll go wash my face. Go ahead without me. I'll be right there!" Saying this, I jogged off towards the water supply. Honestly, it was hard to look at her right now.
"…"
I roughly washed my face and, letting out a sigh, felt the presence of someone behind me. It was Mister Hans.
"Ah, Mister Hans. Can I help you?"
In response to my question, Mr. Hans said while looking me straight in the eye, "Weren't you going to treat her with care?"
"Eh…⁉"
Chilled to the bone by his uncharacteristic tone and piercing gaze, Mr. Hans approached me, placing his hand on my right shoulder, and added, "Just make sure you don't end up regretting anything, young man", squeezing my shoulder with a firm grip. As I stood there in confusion, he chuckled and said in his usual tone, "Come on, let's go eat! Everyone is waiting!" slapping my back playfully.
That night, I laid down in the carriage as always. Miss Al was to my right. We, who were supposedly a "married couple", had been given a carriage to ourselves. Part of the reason was probably that I was an "injured person". But we weren't a real couple. Not even lovers. So even though we laid in the same place, there is no "next step" from here. We just slept.
I did want to go the "next step”, and if I asked, I think she would probably accept. She took care of me even when I was unconscious, even down to "personal matters", and continued to look after me after I woke up. She stayed by my side even though she knew my impure feelings towards her. She even embraced me with her bare breasts. I wasn’t so stupid as to think that she did all this just because she was "kind". However, it feels wrong to ask for a “next step”. That would make me no different from those bandits. It would be just satisfying my immediate desires. So, not here. Not now. In our current relationship, we shouldn't go the “next step”.
"…"
I reached out my right hand towards Miss Al, just because. She twitched slightly and laid her left hand on top of my right, interlacing her fingers with mine.
Her hand was cold.
Tomorrow, we would arrive in my town.
We arrived in the town. The trading company headed straight to Mister Hans' mansion. The houses around here were so big and wide that it was hard to believe they were in the same town I lived in. Even among them, his mansion was particularly large and wide. It was a castle, really.
"Alright... let's go!"
Having almost fully recovered, I helped unload the cargo with the male staff of the trading company. Not only the main product, the Queen's Blade-related goods, but also a large number of high-quality art pieces, furniture, and household goods were unloaded and carried away. I wonder how many years I would have to work to buy just one of these... I was extremely careful not to damage them. Miss Al was helping elsewhere with the female staff.
"Mister Kazuo!"
Unexpectedly, one of Mister Hans' subordinates called my name from inside the mansion.
"Yes?"
"Mister Hans is calling for you. This way."
I followed him. We passed through a corridor lined with lavish furnishings and stopped in front of a large door. The man who escorted me knocked and said, "I've brought Mister Kazuo."
Upon speaking, I heard Mister Hans' voice from inside saying, "Hmm, come in." The person who guided me opened the door and urged me to enter. I thanked the person and said as I entered his room:
"Excuse me."
The room was large and luxurious. The dwelling of someone rumored to "influence national politics" was certainly different. I stood in front of Mr. Hans, a large desk between us.
"I truly appreciate everything you've done for me this time. If you hadn't picked me up, Mister Hans, I might have been long dead by now. I will surely repay this kindness someday. Truly, thank you very much."
I first thanked him and bowed my head, believing it to be the proper courtesy. After nodding grandly with a smile, he said:
"By the way, Kazuo... would you like to join our trading company?"
"Eh, me?"
Confused by this unexpected proposition, he calmly said to me,
"You're quite a famous person, you know."
"Eh, me?"
Stupidly, I repeated the same phrase.
"Yes, as the 'Hinomoto man who is very bad at business'."
"Eh…!"
I became aware of the smile fading from my face. Mr. Hans continued impassively.
"You were lowballed when buying seaweed at the dry goods store in Nikod, weren't you? We were in Nikod the other day and happened to chat with the shop owner during a break. He was laughing, saying he had bought quite high-quality seaweed cheaply from a foolish and naive Hinomoto youngster. Well, it seems you made a little profit by selling the same product at the market afterward, but haven't you had similar experiences in other towns?"
"Ah, well, yes…."
"Right?" Despite his words, Mister Hans probably had thoroughly investigated me before speaking. I had no retort.
"However, there was someone who said this. The ingredients you bring are always of good quality."
"Ah…."
I had been particular about that, too. It pleased me to learn that someone recognized it.
"So, Kazuo, you should start learning business from scratch here. If you join the trading company, you can learn various things while working. You can also build a network. The chance of being attacked by bandits will decrease significantly, and if you do get attacked, we can fight them off together. How does that sound?"
Mr. Hans looked straight into my eyes. I had no reason to refuse.
"Thank you. I will do my best!"
I grasped his extended right hand with both of mine. At that moment, I became one of Mister Hans' subordinates. As we shook hands, he said as if to himself:
"But you seem better suited to set up a shop somewhere rather than being a peddler. Like a grocery store, or a restaurant. Oh, by the way…"
He changed the topic as our handshake ended.
"What will you do with Al?"
I looked straight back into his direct gaze and said,
"Yes, I'm going to talk to her now!"
"..."
"..."
We silently stared at each other for a while. Eventually, he laughed, but without ever taking his eyes off me:
"You've made up your mind, haven't you?"
"Yes."
"You have no regrets?"
"Yes."
"You can take care of her?"
"Yes!"
"Alright, go ahead!"
"Yes, excuse me!"
As soon as I left Mister Hans’ room, I went outside of the mansion, gathered my belongings and took out the bag of wages for Miss Al, which I had prepared earlier. I put it in my pocket.
"Excuse me, do you know where Miss Al is?"
I asked a woman nearby. She told me my partner was in a room within the mansion. I was guided to the room and thanked her. I stood at the door and knocked.
"Yes?"
A familiar voice. The voice I wanted to hear. When I replied it was Kazuo, a voice came back saying, "Come in". I entered the room. Miss Al, who had been sitting, stood up.
"Ah, Mister Kazuo... what did you want to talk about?"
"Eh?"
When I finally found the person I was looking for, I was taken aback by the unexpected question.
"The guild told me that you wanted to talk to me, so I've been waiting here. Was that wrong?"
"No, it's not wrong. I wanted to talk to you, Miss Al, yes."
It felt as if I was blindfolded and taken on a ride, but it was true that I wanted to talk to her. I decided to play along.
After taking a deep breath, I looked her in the eyes and said:
"Firstly, I would like to thank you for being my assistant. It was a great help and... I had fun!"
I bowed my head. She also bowed her head and replied:
"I should be the one thanking you. On top of helping me, I've had so many valuable experiences. It was fun. I'm truly, sincerely grateful."
I waited for her to raise her head and then pulled out the wages from my pocket.
"This is the agreed payment. It's not much, but thank you very much."
She frantically shook her head saying she couldn't accept so much. I insisted it was out of appreciation and forced it into her hand. Then I said:
"Now, this ends the employment relationship between us."
"..."
I noticed her taking a small gasp. I decided to get to the main point.
"Miss Al, can you listen to what I have to say for a bit."
"Yes..."
She looked a bit surprised, but she nodded while keeping eye contact with me.
"Do you remember asking me if I was crying before dinner yesterday? At that time, I denied it, but actually, I had been crying."
"Eh, why!?"
She was clearly surprised. I continued my words.
"When I was preparing that money, I realized that the moment I handed it over to you, our relationship would end. That you wouldn't be a part of my future. And when that thought crossed my mind, I realized that I had been imagining a future where you were naturally with me. When I tried to imagine a future where you disappeared, I was so scared that I started crying."
"Mister Kazuo..."
She kept her eyes on me and continued to listen to my story.
"I'm poor, clumsy, half-baked, naive, weak, and hopeless. But still, I want to be with you. If you consider yourself a sinner, then I want to atone for that sin together. Above all, I want to keep laughing with you! So..."
I took a breath, looked straight into her eyes, and said.
"Miss Al, I... No, will you marry me?"
"Mister Kazuo...!"
Miss Al widened in surprise, her mouth covered with both hands. Her entire body was trembling. I watched my reflection in her eyes as I waited for her response.
She took a small breath through her nose. Her beautifully shaped lips slowly opened. Then, she said,
"...No."
"What⁉"
I hadn't excluded the possibility of rejection. It was supposed to be part of my "resolve to have no regrets". I felt strength drain from my legs, making it hard to stand. It was painful to be here, in this world...! To such a disheartened me, she said:
"If that's the case, I... don't want to be called "Miss Al" anymore...!"
She flashed a mischievous smile at me, her eyes slightly teary. The strength returned to my whole body and surged through me. That "strength" moved my mouth.
"Al!"
Yes, I tried calling her that. It felt so right, as if I'd been wrong to use the formal "Miss" this whole time. It was like escaping from a long, complex, and dark maze to bask in the sunlight!
"Mister Kazuo!"
She still referred to me the same way, but I felt a significant change in what it encompassed.
"Al!"
"Mister Kazuo!"
We called each other's names again, approached each other, and hugged. Ah, how soft, warm, and fragrant she was...!
"I... feel the same."
"What?"
As she lifted her face from my chest to face me, Al said:
"I want to know what I really am. If I'm a sinner, I must atone. But I want to be with you! I want to talk, go out, and work with you! I want to know more about you and I want you to know more about me! I can't even imagine a future without you! I want to laugh with you... with Mister Kazuo forever, ever! I want us to be happy together!"
"Al...!"
"Mister Kazuo...!"
I felt a warm feeling inside me. We didn't need any more words. Naturally, our faces drew closer and our lips touched.
"Ah...!"
It wasn't a kiss just for the sake of "quenching thirst", it was a real kiss. It was a kiss for conveying and understanding our mutual feelings of love. It wasn't just a simple touching of lips, without a thought, our tongues entwined.
*Knock knock*
"Is that enough for you two?"
Following the sound of knocking, a deep male voice was heard.
"Woah⁉"
"Eek⁉"
Al and I screamed, stepping back instantly. Looking towards the door, we saw Mister Hans. Behind him, the people from the merchant guild--now our colleagues--were grinning at us.
"W-What's going on⁉"
I unintentionally raised my voice. Al had turned red, all the way to the tips of her long ears, and she was looking down.
"Don’t give me that, what do you think you're doing in someone else's house...!"
"Uh...!"
Mister Hans spoke in an exasperated tone, but he was smiling. He walked towards us with a grin on his face and looked at me first.
"So, this is your resolve, huh?"
"Yes!"
I answered, looking straight into his eyes. Hans chuckled and then turned to Al.
"Congratulations, Miss Al. This guy is a hopeless idiot, but there's no doubt that his love for you and his resolve to walk with you is unparalleled."
"Yes, thank you, Mister Hans...!"
Hans somehow used honorific language with Al. And come to think of it, didn't he know the meanings of "noboten," "bokunenjin," and "tohenboku" from the beginning? He once again said "congratulations" while shaking hands with us, then:
"Now, all of you, get to work!"
"Yes!"
When Hans gave the order, about ten men and women rushed into the room all at once. The men surrounded me, the women surrounded Al, and they forcibly pushed us out of the room.
"What are you doing!"
"Well, well, well."
"Just go, just go!"
The men don't answer my questions properly. They pushed me out of the room and down the right-hand corridor, chuckling. When I strain my neck to see, I could see that Al was also being forcibly pushed down the opposite corridor by the women. The men and women, and even Hans, were all laughing, so it's probably not dangerous. But honestly, I'm scared.
"Al!"
"Mister Kazuo!"
"Al!"
"Mister Kazuo!"
Despite our calls to each other, we, who had just gotten engaged, were each abducted in different directions.
From there, everything seemed to spin.
I was taken to the changing room, stripped down to my underwear by the men, seated in front of a large mirror, given a haircut and a shave by the waiting barber. When that was over, even my underwear was taken away, I was thrown into the bathroom, and was forced to stay there until I had washed every inch of my body. Well, I got to take a bath in a large tub, which felt good. When I got out of the bath, there were brand new underwear and high-quality clothes prepared for me. I was dressed and then seated in front of a large mirror again. The barber styled my hair, applied light makeup, and sprayed me with perfume. After that was finished, I was again abducted by the men and taken to a different room. The door closed and was locked behind me. There was nothing in the room except a chair. I sat in it, at least for the time being.
"What on earth...?"
I let out a breath, feeling as if I had finally escaped from a whirlwind. I was wearing high-quality clothes that I had never worn before. The feeling of wearing it felt strange. I stayed like that for a while as time passed.
*Click!*
*Creak…*
The door was unlocked and slowly opened. I turned my face towards it.
"!"
For a moment, I couldn't close my gaping mouth. There was a woman standing there. The costume she was wearing was the bridal attire of my country, pure white! And the person wearing it was...
"Al...!"
At my call, she approached with a quiet walk. Her originally fair skin contrasted with the pure white outfit, and her red lipstick shone.
"Mister Kazuo... don't I look weird?"
From behind the “wataboshi”, Al asked with an upward glance. I could tell that her hair was properly arranged to match her outfit.
"Nothing about you is weird...! You look very, very beautiful...!"
At my words, she blushed with a shy smile. Her very being was beautiful, cute! This person was really going to be my wife...!
"Did you like it...?"
"Mister Hans!"
This time he and a few of his subordinates entered from the door that had not been locked.
"When I was in Hinomoto for work before, I happened to see this beautiful outfit and impulsively bought it... I'm glad I had the opportunity to use it."
Mister Hans smiled at us alternately and then turned to me:
"I really wanted to dress you in your homeland's costume, but I couldn't arrange it. I'm sorry for the mismatch."
"Not at all! ...Honestly, I was surprised at first... but I'm really happy that you went to such lengths. Thank you!"
When I bowed my head, Al did the same. Hans laughed and put one hand on each of our shoulders, patting us gently.
*Click*
*Rattle rattle…*
*Wooooh...!*
*Clap, clap, clap...!*
The wall directly opposite the one we had come through opened from the left and right, and a dazzling light, cheers, and applause all came in at once. Or rather, that's where it opened. The people who came in with Mister Hans were touching each side of the wall.
"Now!"
He beckoned us towards the light and cheers. Most of the attendees were his subordinates, but upon closer inspection, there were also a few friends we had made here.
"Well then, Al!"
I held out my left hand to the girl standing next to me.
"Yes!"
She overlaid her right hand on my left with a smile, our fingers intertwined. There was no need to pledge it now, but these hands would never let go!
"Let's go!"
"Yes, my lord!"
Me in the groom's attire from here, and Al dressed in a pure white outfit. Despite our mismatched outfits, we firmly held hands and boldly stepped into the wedding venue filled with light and cheers.
Epilogue
"A dream...?"
I woke up on the bed, and that was my first thought. However, as my head gradually cleared, I understood my situation.
Me, sleeping on the half of the large bed closer to the wall.
Me, for the first time in my life, sleeping completely naked.
I touch myself with my right hand. It feels slippery.
And the other half of the bed, obviously left by someone, and the faint, sweet scent that seems to melt my brain...!
No doubt.
Yesterday, I made Al my wife and made a vow...!
After the wedding ceremony, Al and I were taken to this house by Mister Hans. It was a wedding gift, he said. Naturally, we hesitated. Then, with a teasing tone, Hans said:
"Do you think you can live with her in that rundown apartment?"
and
"Do you both intend to live alone forever, even though you're both young?"
Well, that was true... And this time, as if talking to himself, yet as if someone was listening, he said:
"This is the correct way to spend money."
I remember him saying the other day that he had an obligation and was prepared to pay Aldra enough money to build a house.
While being swayed by the surroundings, we ended up having a wedding ceremony in a blink of an eye, but certainly, I couldn't and didn't want to have a honeymoon in that ramshackle apartment. It could have even led to us living separately from the day after the wedding, so it was actually a big relief. Moreover, I was surprised he knew where I lived. We gratefully accepted this house. The house was equipped with furniture, clothes, and even a few days' worth of food. I'd strive to repay Mister Hans as soon as possible.
(...But still, Al last night... She was so beautiful, cute, and sexy...!)
Memories of last night came flooding back.
(Each time I did something, she let out cute voices and her body twitched... her breasts jiggling...!)
I couldn't help grinning.
"Alright..."
I got up and got out of bed. I looked at the sheets casually. There was a red stain there. The proof of Al’s purity...! Men feel good, but girls don’t quite do so at first...
(I hope I didn't hurt her...⁉)
I questioned myself, staring at the red stain on the sheet again.
(I must, take good care...!)
I swore to live with her, she who may have committed a great sin and who has no memory. If she once made a million people unhappy, from now on, the two of us will make two million people smile. And, we will be happy together...!
While getting dressed, I reaffirmed my determination. I felt “The Queen Aldra" figure on the shelf smiling back at me.
Leaving the bedroom, I headed for the kitchen. Mister Hans had given us a week off. Today, I had to move my belongings from the old apartment. We also needed to greet the neighbors.
"~~~~♪"
As I approached the kitchen, a light humming and a delicious smell wafted through the air. Led by that, I entered the kitchen. Al, noticing my presence, greeted me from the back of the kitchen.
"Good morning, d… dear. I overslept too, but it's almost noon, you know?"
"Uh, good morning, Al...?"
Turning to greet the source of the voice, I froze for a moment. Indeed, it was my wife, Al, who was cooking. She had her hair tied up in a ponytail. Fresh and cute. Noticing the beauty of her nape, I felt a slight flutter in my chest. But her outfit surpassed my imagination.
Cat-like hair accessories, white long boots, red long sleeves, a white apron - all seemed normal. However, the only thing she wore under that white apron was a pale purple panty. Most of the panty, except for the crotch, was transparent. Over half of her ample breasts were exposed above and from the sides of the apron's bib.
"Al... what's with that outfit...?" Barely moving my gaping mouth, I asked Al.
"Oh, this? I tried to imitate the girl from the book I read without your permission." She must be referring to "Living in the Mountain with My Wife." Books tend to open up at the pages most frequently accessed, indicating those were my favorite parts.
However, that book didn't have illustrations. Al created this look based on her interpretation of the text and her own embellishments. I ended up silently observing her.
"Oh, did you... not like it?" Al asked in an uncertain voice as I remained silent. In a hurry, I shook my head vigorously from side to side.
"I... I..."
"Hm?"
"It's exactly my type!"
"Kyaa!"
While I have no knowledge of martial arts, I managed a so-called "god-speed movement" at that moment. I quickly closed the distance between us and embraced her voluptuous body.
"I'm going to work hard from now on. So... let's be happy together...!"
"Yes, I love you... Darling!" With a warm smile, Al slowly moved her face closer. She closed her eyes and tilted her chin up. Our lips met, tongues intertwined.
"Hn... hah... hn...!"
I moved my right hand, previously on Al's back, to the front, pinched the bib of her apron, and slid it down towards the cleavage, pushing against her breast. A nipple, caught on the edge of the bib, pulled the left breast towards the middle, but its abundant size and elasticity allowed it to bounce back with momentum. Without delay, I placed my hand under it and lifted, burying my fingers out of sight.
"No, we can't, dear. At least, let's eat first..."
As she blushed, I replied:
"Hey, Al. I'm going to tell you a good health tip from my country."
"Hm, a health tip...?" She now looked puzzled, still blushing.
"Yeah. The secret to good health is..."
"The secret is...?"
"Freshly squeezed milk!"
I quickly leaned my face towards Al's upward-turned left breast, tightly sucked on her already swollen nipple, and instantly felt a sense of taste and smell spreading in my mouth, prompting the secretion of saliva. Using the saliva as a lubricant, I rolled Al's nipple in every direction in the near-vacuum of my mouth.
"Wait, milk, oh no, I'm not ready... Ahh!"
Despite her words, Al placed her hands on my head and back. Whether I exposed her right breast or slid her panties, she didn't change her response, instead, she held me tighter.
I'll take care of fetching the luggage and greeting the neighbors tomorrow...!
End
Afterword
Thank you for reading until the end. I happened to learn about this contest and thought, impulsively:
"Wouldn't it be interesting to have a story in the world of 'Queen's Blade' where the protagonist is a man? In that case, wouldn't Aldra, with her background as 'the wife of a young man from Hinomoto (the player's avatar)' be the perfect heroine?"
I spent about two months writing on this idea, but I am fully aware that it turned out quite messy, especially in the second half. There's indeed a huge difference between reading and writing (laughs).
When writing the epilogue, I was initially unsure whether Aldra was a virgin. I thought about reasons such as "she's already equipped with the Secret Cleaver" or "she might have given her body out of the desire to feed young Annelotte before becoming Queen". However, I decided that "the thickness of the handle of the Secret Cleaver is less than 2 cm, so it's okay!" (laughs).
For the last scene, I wondered if it might violate the rule that "while sexy expressions within the work are encouraged, direct sexual depictions with males or similar entities are not recommended." But I included it in an attempt to make the most of Aldora's character concept of being a "new wife" (the unique lovey-dovey aspect of newlyweds). I'll leave the judgment up to the readers.
Finally, I would like to express my deep gratitude to all the readers and everyone who has given me inspiration so far, and now I will put down my pen. Thank you.
Inouchi Kaiji, October 31, 2020.
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