Alice Tale in Phantasmagoria Chapter 81

「I've kept you waiting, ojousama.」

With Eclair's mechanical feeling response, she carried in the latte art that we ordered.
The art she put out before Kran was something sensible, the hawk which is also the symbol of Wilmington.
That quality was, a top rate good of such a level that it was like it could be mistaken for the real thing flying through the sky.
When Kran looked at that she leaked a sigh of wonder.
In comparison, mine.

「……」

――Idiot.

It was written there, concisely.
Horrible……

「Did, diid Eclair brew this for more? It, it looks tasty doessn't it.」

Also, surely it's just my imagination that only mine is boiling like magma?

「Just for ojousama, I specially warmed it up for you.」

Flame floated on Eclair's palm.

「Tha, thanks……I've left some time open so I'll partake of it then.」
「Please take your take.」
「Eclair-sama.」

As Eclair promptly withdrew Kran told her to wait.
At that Eclair turned just her head.

「……Something like poison, nothing pointless was put in.」
「For someone who Alice fell for at first sight, the sort of person who would do such an underhanded act shouldn't be here.」
「……Fun.」
「Fufu. When there is another opportunity, I would like to engage in a leisurely conversation with you, Eclair-sama.」

As today there's still the sort of matter of being in the middle of work, Kran used fitting discretion.
I feel that with a position like Kran's aren't there a number of difficult matters but, as expected of Kran.

「You…… Do you not hate Eclair?」
「I have already settled, those sort of feelings.」

Like she was making some sort of vow, Kran softly closed her eyes.
I understand her situation so much it hurts.
I really do want to become a support for this child.
I believe that.

「That so…… I can respect you but, it doesn't seem like I can like you.」

After facing her gaze toward me for an instant, Eclair left the room.

「Kusu, that is a shame. To the contrary I, feel like she is extremely likable though.」
「Since Eclair does not have two faces.」

From Kran's position, I suppose that's a type that mostly doesn't exist.

「Seriously, Alice is a sinful person. How did, you receive the affection of such a person?」

Huh?
Isn't this strange, I have received the affection of Eclair……have I?
Compared to that, I feel like we only get into fights……
The only person I've fought this much among my comrades is Eclair issn't it.
What blooms while wearing down our endurance in endless conflict is……love?

「Am I, loved?」

I suddenly became anxious.

「Let us see with a test.」
「Ha――?」

Looking at me from the corner of her eye as I was taken aback, Kran sucked in a ma.s.sive breath.

「Nooo, Alice! This is too bold, for a place like this!!」
「Haa!?」

I heard flurried footsteps at that moment.
Having stepped foot in here with great vigor the pure crimson maid-san, strangled me for some reason.

「Unclean unclean!! Alice you, idiiiooooott!!」
「Wro, wronn……」

Throat!
Hurts!?
Even though she just put pressure on the front of my neck, she's shaking my neck with her full strength.

「Because if you do this again, I won't forgive you okay!?」

As Eclair rubbed against my forehead with slightly teary eyes, I became desperate and nodded in reply.
Confirming that, she remembered her work or something and Eclair quickly leaped out of the room.
Almost like a storm.
……Somehow, did I survive.

「Haa haa……」
「I see, you are loved are you not?」

Kran nodded while seeming totally satisfied like she totally understood.

「……Kran.」

While straightening my clothes, I looked back toward Kran.

「What is it?」

Kran made a very adorable good smile and, tilted her head.

「I think that it's because you do things like that, that you don't receive affection.」
「Aah, that makes sense.」

The scheming princess-sama hit her hand, as if she was impressed.

In the end Kran left after drinking her tea and enjoying a period of conversation with me.
During that time Eleanor-san come to greet us but, in the end she didn't talk about Eclair at all.
Just what did she come here to do, really……
Was she bored?
As if, that shouldn't be the case though.

「Uu, cold……」

And so until the sun had completely fallen I, waited for Eclair while gazing at the store with an atmosphere different from everything from a cafe to a bar.
As expected it also became night and, my body is cold.
Rather than the storefront, would it have been better to wait inside the store?
I'm not wearing an overcoat so, it'd be nice if I didn't catch a cold though.
Someone would end up wis.h.i.+ng for the world's destruction again.
I looked down while warming my numbed hands with my breath, suddenly a warm overcoat was placed on my shoulders.

「……Please wear this.」
「Eclair!」

I had waited at the storefront but, come to think of it Eclair freely uses the employee entryway to come and go doesn't she.
While putting my arms through the overcoat she put on me from behind, Eclair smiled.

「Thank you, Eclair.」
「Fun, it's no big deal, something of this level. Since your body's condition crumbles quickly.」
「That was unsightly of me.」

Outside of when Eclair activated her demon eye, my body's condition wouldn't crumble right.
The body's robustness isn't just endurance but, I suppose that probably defense or the like is also included isn't it.
With defense 0 I'm as pallid as a child.
If I increase my level more and more, I think it will get a little better though.

「So, what are you doing?」

Eclair stared at me quizzically.
Or rather, she looks like she's asking the surrounding area so she's probably searching for Kran……

「Kran isn't here you know.」
「Kran, is it……」

Eclair's aquatic colored eyes narrowed.

「Si, since she's a friend.」
「That so.」

Leaving an ambivalent answer, Eclair promptly continued onto the road.
I frantically followed her.

「Is your work already over?」
「That's right. I have to return and make dinner now.」
「Don't you receive a meal service?」
「Because someone-san was outside, and seemed to be about to freeze okay.」

Who is someone-san, and Eclair looked at me.
U, many many apologies are piling up……

「Ah, then I want to make dinner for Eclair! You're tired from work after all aren't you.」

When I suggested that like it was a great idea, Eclair blew out a sigh.

「Alice, you worry too much. Eclair is also just being selfish or……jealous, or something……since I know those sorts of immature feelings as well.」

While looking down like she was becoming ashamed, Eclair hastened her legs.
With that I also frantically went with her.

「But……I'm, concerned! ……Because it's no else but, Eclair.」
「～～Yyou are!」

Eclair's face became a little red, she frantically turned her face away.

「……Then, today's murky feelings, I'll call them even for you with dinner.」
「Haii, thank you very much, Eclair!」
「……Really, since you're unfair.」

Eclair murmured softly again.

「Eclair?」
「It's nothing! Alice you, idiot.」
「Eeh!?」

With her fierceness taken away I, talked with Eclair about trifling matters on the way back.

For that reason, I intruded into Eclair's room.
Eclair borrowed one room of a mansion within a house in the royal capital.
Though I call it a mansion, since it's an other world mansion, it isn't a tall structure like the ones in my previous world.
At the most it's something to the extent of three, four floors.
The building is not a wood construct but an outstanding item of brick workmans.h.i.+p and, new.
Is there concrete being used here?
The floor is flooring though.
Since concrete is something that existed since ancient times in my previous world as well, it isn't that mysterious is it.
And to begin with it's not like my mansion is made from wood either.
Those really are different from the countryside aren't they.

「It's a good house isn't it.」
「Is it? Ma, it's just about right for living alone I suppose.」

Come to think of it I always meet Eclair at the store so, I haven't intruded on her home before.
Since this is first time I've been let into Eclair's room, my heart is floating a little.
Even with that as it is, why is Eclair living alone even though she's a princess?
U～～n.
Somehow, this child also still seems to be holding various things issn't she.

「Ah, that's an ice crystal refrigerator. You have good stuff don't you, Eclair.」

Come to think of it are there ingredients here, so I tried looking in the kitchen and found some high value goods.

「It's already exposed and I have no intent to keep it hidden either but, I'm not all that lacking in money you know.」
「Since you're a princess right.」

I asked if it was fine to open it and, with her nod I was allowed to check the ingredients.
Ooh, there are plenty of ingredients here.
She's living alone so, does Eclair make it herself?
As far as I can see in the refrigerator, it seems like she's properly cooking for herself.
Nn?
Are these onions?

「……Really you, don't change do you.」

while I was engrossed in picking out ingredients, Eclair leaked a somehow exasperated seeming bitter smile at me.

「I'm used to princess-samas.」
「You're going to talk about that woman here?」
「My honest desire is that I want you to get along with her.」
「Impossible. Over.」

Since she's a tsundere or the likeー.

「Aim is?」
「Does it look to you like Eclair gets along with that gluttonous sniper?」
「Occasionally.」
「Your eyes are occasionally rotten aren't they.」

Fu, shouldn't I try borrowing oneechan's words here.

「Playing around right――ow oww!」

Her fists are grinding into the sides of my forehead.

「If you reflect and, maturely make dinner that would be best. Eclair will use this time to get in the bath or something.」
「Ha～i.」

Saying that, Eclair prepared a change of clothes and, promptly entered the bathroom.

「……Nn?」

Bath?

「……Sa, maybe I should go with o-nabe or the like, it's simple after all.」

And there seems to be appropriate ingredients too.
I should quickly get to cooking.
Don't think about anything outside of that.
For real you know?

As the demon eye's activation right had been entrusted to me, to practice for that and to respond to unexpected situations as well, it's more rea.s.suring if we live together though issn't it.
It's also the case that there are still plenty of rooms left.
Like with the mansion's second floor, there's no one living there except me and Till.
Come on Eclair, don't you get along well with Ilya?
And you seem to be attached to oneechan.
And I don't think a person exists who gets along poorly with Saira.
For Till, if you don't touch a G.o.d she won't curse you.
I think there's practically no problems.
Like that, I tried thinking while cleaning up after the fact.
Eclair exited the bath, we faced the o-nabe together, and then properly finished the after cleanup.
What should I say, fun times pa.s.s in an instant.
This is what reluctance to part means.

「Eclair, it's finished okay～」
「That so, thanks. That saved me, Alice.」
「It's fine, and I also had fun.」
「That so, that sort of thing……that's so for Eclair as well.」

Blus.h.i.+ng a little in her pajama form Eclair is, against the rules isn't she……
And her hair that hasn't begun to dry is seductive……
I did well to hold onto my reason, didn't I.

「……Then, I'm going then.」

Somehow I became meaninglessly solemn didn't I.

「……Please take it easy for, a little longer.」

While Eclair turned her face away, she said that sort of thing.
My heart leaped a little.

「Bu, but, it's already late in the night you know? Eclair has work tomorrow?」
「I have an open day, how about you?」
「I am as you can see, since I'm a free worker.」
「You have quite the great social status donn't you, ojousama.」
「I don't want to be told that by a princess-sama.」

Even though I said that, in reality Eclair's the one who's dependably doing her work isn't she, even though she's a princess-sama.
I'm really curious.
I want to talk with Eclair more and more.
……Yosh.

「Ano, Eclair……」
「What is it?」

Really does make my heart beat doesn't it……

「Today――Is it okay, for me stay over?」
「――」

Eclair, became stiff.
Aah, this is bad, I went and and said it or something but, my mental state is that I want to immediately run away!!
Hey hey, before my heart breaks, hurry and answer!
I don't know how to handle this silence!

「………………Please at least, enter the bath okay.」
「……Can you lend me, a change of clothes?」
「Isn't it fine if, you use whatever you like……」

As Eclair answered while becoming entirely red, I totally felt as if I was going to soar into the sky.
Ah……
But, maybe I should refrain from her underwear……
How should I say this, that's really.
Un, that's really isn't it?

As such, below a single roof, drawn close on a single bed, we're going to sleep.

「……sheep 578, sheep 579, sheep――」
「It's too loud and I can't sleep isn't it! what are you mumbling about, you!?」

A little charm with a proper lineage.

「It's spiritual unification, don't mind it.」
「It's decided that I'll mind it isn't it! How many sheep do you have to count before you're satisfied!?」

This is strange isn't it, is counting sheep not normal in this world?

「Eclair, I totally can't get sleepy.」
「Because of you Eclair also is totally not sleepy you know……」

And, Eclair-san leaked a tired voice having returned from work.
I see, since Eclair finished up her work right?
I might have done something bad.

「For that reason, how about we talk until morning light?」
「……You really don't have the slightest bit of remorse or anything do you.」
「No way, I don't repeat the same mistake. Since that is my style.」
「Mistake huh……」

Eclair's voice became submerged.

「……For the soldiers who seemed like they were going to be killed by their own country's princess, what sort of mental state could they have had?」
「……」
「Frankly, the current Eclair is a super villain who bought the resentment of both her enemies and allies.」
「You're overthinking. Eclair, hasn't killed anyone after all.」

Furthermore that's not what Eclair is to Wilmington and, that's not what she is to Sacrament.
She was only used.
There's no logic in resenting her.
If there's someone to resent, it's that old man right.

「Even so, I attacked, with this hand……」

Eclair held her own hand in front of her face and stared.
I softly held, that shaking hand.

「It's scary……when it becomes night, I think won't someone come to kill Eclair.」

……I try thinking, it's a delicate position.
It would be best to release her without blame but, I don't know if that would be for her sake.
When there's no punishment, I think there times when a person becomes unable to move on.
Humans are difficult aren't they.
And Eclair is――――Too kind issn't she.

「Fufuu, Eclair you, are a rather cute girl when you act tough aren't you.」
「Alice……」
「If you have something to say, it's fine if you show your face in Sacrament. If you want to run, I will give you my protection with my full power. I'll also make a request to Kran okay.」
「You……are free, enough to make me envious.」

Eclair seemed to ephemerally smile.
It seemed like it could break at any moment so, because of that it was a smile beautiful enough to become painful.
I was already somehow, unable to stay still.

――For such an Eclair, I'll ride a horse.

「――Wha, what, Alice?」
「You know, Eclair. During the arena compet.i.tion, during that battle as well, I, feel like Eclair has a debt toward me.」
「Tha, that's something I know……that much.」
「Become my slave, or the like I won't say something dull.」

I don't know whether princess slaves are possible though.
Closing my eyes, I breath deeply.

「Please――――――become my woman.」

「～～～Wha, What!?」

Waa, Eclair is incredibly pure red.

「Wha, what are you saying idiot! It's because of this that elves are!!」

Nn?
I tilt my head.

「You've been saying elves are elves are since before but, is there some sort relation?」
「S, so you don't know about yourself!? I don't know whether you're an adult or, a child……」

While she was fl.u.s.tered I put my hands on either side of Eclair's face as if to hold her, she lost her path of retreat.

「More importantly, answer, I want to hear this okay.」
「～～～」

Eclair, moved the lips on her pure red face a little.
What is she saying, I waited as if I were urging her on and――that aqua colored strong eye, looked me over like it was burning.

「――Don't misunderstand.」

That is, my beloved Eclair's voice that's overflowing with confidence.

「Eclair is not your woman. Alice! You are Eclair's woman!」

To my rival who declared as such, not laughing seemed to be an impossible proposition.

「Ahahahahaa!!」
「Wha, what are you laughing――――nnn.」

I felt like we might not need words anymore, I forcefully sealed those tragically sweet lips.
As expected Eclair, isn't a woman who is only protected is she?
As if my feelings had been delivered, we strongly strongly embraced afterwards.