Published: September 10, 2025
Satou here. Fulfilling promises made in childhood is a classic trope in childhood friend stories, but honestly, remembering those promises from way back then feels like a pretty high hurdle.
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“Oh my! So you’re Satou’s new brides?”
Even after learning Ms. Aze’s true intentions, her innocent words weighed heavily on my heart.
Because of what happened the other day, today I brought not only the usual members but also the princess, Sera, Miss Karina, and Ms. Zena to the treetop house in Boruenan.
“Pleased to meet you, Your Majesty Aarize of the sacred tree. I am Satou’s fiancée, Sistina, the Sixth Princess of the Shiga Kingdom.”
“Uh, um... you don’t have to call me ‘Your Majesty’ or anything.”
Ms. Aze looked bewildered at the princess’s overly formal greeting.
It was quite a contrast to how Hikaru had greeted Ms. Aze like a friend of ten years.
“That’s right, Aze doesn’t like such stiff greetings, so be more friendly!”
Even now, sitting beside Ms. Aze, Hikaru was casually putting an arm around her shoulder.
—Swap places with me, Hikaru.
“I’m Sera, granddaughter of Duke Ouyugok of the Shiga Kingdom.”
“I’m Karina, daughter of Count Muno.”
“U-um, I’m Zena Marienthal, assigned as Satou’s bodyguard.”
Following the princess, the three ladies introduced themselves, but Ms. Zena’s greeting was too humble.
“Zena is a benefactor to Liza and the others, and she was my first friend in the Shiga Kingdom.”
So I added a little supportive comment.
“If she’s a friend of Satou’s, then she’s my friend too. Let’s get along well, Zena.”
“Y-yes! I-I'm honored.”
Because Ms. Aze naturally jumped in, Ms. Zena stiffened and replied with a monotone line.
“Hmph, wrong bride.”
Arisa watched with an amused smile, but Mia narrowed her eyes and started lightly smacking Ms. Aze.
It didn’t seem like she was hitting seriously, but I wasn’t going to leave it be, so I used my magic hand to collect Mia and place her on my lap, restraining her.
Tama, who had been on my lap originally, read the atmosphere and slid over to my right side.
“Satou.”
“Don’t you like it on my lap?”
“No, I don’t.”
Mia’s twin tails flicked against the back of my head as she shook her head, but I was willing to endure that.
“Looking at it this way, Aze-tan really does have authority. Everyone’s totally stiff.”
Arisa handed me some fruit juice and commented on the interaction among Ms. Aze and the princesses.
Her serious mood fell apart instantly—
“Hehehe~”
“What’s up, Arisa?”
Arisa gave off a strange laugh and poked my shoulder with her index finger.
“It’s because I overheard it from Aze-tan.”
I could guess what she heard, but Arisa wasn’t about to say it aloud.
“Um, I also overheard about the hundred brides.”
Lulu popped her head beside Arisa, smiling as she shared what Arisa hadn’t said.
Ah, that explains Arisa’s relaxed attitude...
I plan to find a way to ascend as a god during the grace period, so I have no intention of realizing a hundred brides for now.
Still, seeing Arisa and Lulu so happy, I couldn’t bring myself to say it out loud.
Like this, the first meeting between Ms. Aze and the princesses ended without incident despite the tension.
The princesses still seemed hesitant to speak freely with Ms. Aze, but seeing Tama and Pochi interacting normally, they’d probably get used to it quickly.
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“—Regarding the nine royal orphanages in the Royal Capital that have no patrons besides the Welfare Bureau, the Echigoya Trading Company has begun providing personnel and funds. Also, as vocational training for the older orphans, light jobs at nearby trading company factories have been arranged. The details are summarized in these documents along with reports on ‘Hello Work’ in the downtown area and the widows’ home-based work placement projects.”
The day after deepening relations in the Elf Village, I received a thick bundle of documents from Tifaliza in the Echigoya Trading Company office.