"You should go to sleep. It"s okay, Lucy and I will keep an eye out. Tomorrow we will arrive in the town."
"…Ano, do you know where we are?"
"Ah, right now?"

No, isn"t it already explained?
Since we are going to live there, I"d better explain it to her.
So I took out my map.

"Here. Northeast is green dragon country, Sergigios."
"…………"

"Miss Elana?"
"Etto… this is the first time I"ve seen the world map…"
"Huh?"

That"s something?
…Oh …maybe she"s not that interested in international affairs?
But, is it even possible being a queen candidate and never seen a world map?
Miss Rifana worries me but thinking that Miss Elana almost married Alfred concern me more.
Anyway.
We are getting off-topic.

"Maybe I can give you a simple explanation?"
"P-please."
"Now, listen."

In this world, the continent shape looks like a gigantic dragon"s body and the three small islands shape resembles a dragon"s head.
The three islands are called 『Red Dragon Islands, Herdios』.
The south is 『Purple Dragon, Dibaldios』.
In the center, there are 『Yellow Dragon, Messilence』.
And in the northeast you have 『Blue Dragon, a.r.s.egios』…and that"s our home country.
『Black Dragon, Bracgirios』 located northwest bordering with 『Yellow Dragon, Messilence』 and『Blue Dragon, a.r.s.egios』.
While 『Green Dragon, Sergigios』 in the northeast is sharing a border with 『Blue Dragon, a.r.s.egios』and 『Black Dragon, Bracgirios』.

"Dragon… guardian dragon, right?"
"Yes. In the continent where we live including the three islands of 『Red Dragon Islands, Herdios』, originally called 『Dragon King, Cleareus』. As you"ve heard 『Dragon King, Cleareus』 came from another world. Then he created this world and the continent we live in, and now it"s the foundation of all the life in this world… Guardian dragons are descendant of 『Dragon King, Clareus』 and they support this world with their dragon power…”
"I know. The dragon"s scale transformed into a gem, because of the dragon"s gem we can live plentifully."
"Ah, nice. Did you know that?"
"I know!"

Then he takes out a blue gem from his pants" pocket.
The gem size is no bigger than the tip of his thumb.

"Is that…"
"It"s a 『Blue Dragon, a.r.s.egios』 gem that loses power in this country. You can see it has no light."
"…………"

Dragon"s gem is…
Guardian dragon"s scale that was going through mineralization.
And they said the range of the guardian dragon"s gems was the country it hailed from.
The guardian dragon"s blessed child posses 『Holy Light』. According to them, the light is the guardian dragon"s gift. A long time ago, they were captured in a war to expand territory by influential people, and every time that occurs, the guardian dragon"s fury brings calamity.
Earthquake, storm, tsunami, fire, large ice gravel, and lightning strike all night and day…
Those who afraid of the dragon"s retribution end the conflict and establish a peace treaty.

Guardian dragon"s blessed child who possesses 『Holy Light』 is respected, and their will is valued.

If you look after them, the dragon will be the country"s guardian dragon and bring a good harvest.
It was much more constructive than repeating the pointless war.
I understood that.
However, since then the one who posses 『Holy Light』 were born rarely, and sometimes there were times when none of them appeared in a country.
In that case, the dragon"s power will weaken, and famine, heavy rain, and drought will ruin the environment.
『Blue Dragon, a.r.s.egios』 has been experiencing a violent storm of 『Dragon"s Howl』 every year, a decade after the death of 『Holy Light』"s predecessor.
Then again, if several people who posses 『Holy Light』 appear. The guardian dragon"s power will get stronger, and the excellent harvest will last…
The guardian dragon possesses a powerful influence in each country, the one with 『Holy Light』 is referred.
…Therefore, if Miss Rifana is further connected to 『Blue Dragon, a.r.s.egios』, even at the very edge of this border, the gem would be useful.
Well, I can only light a lamp, spending a gem this size.

"Drdragon gem loses power when crossing the border…"
"Huh?"
"Eh?"
"…Didn"t you know?"
"Eh! Etto, uh… I never leave the country!"
"Hmm, I see…"

This is your daughter, huh.
He put the blue dragon gem back in his pocket.
But, if you become a queen you will need diplomacy… you should know that, right?
Miss Elana… I can"t deny that you"re a little lacking in her study.

"It"s okay. There is 『Green Dragon, Sergigios』 dragon"s gem in this country. Dragon"s gem also sold among commoners, and you can buy it when you get to town.”
“! It"s on the market for commoners?! The gem is unexpectedly popular!"
"Well…"

…I thought you were joking, but you don"t know?
Do you receive the queen"s training? This woman…

"Wh-what?"
"Ah, nevermind. Now that I think about it… it"s better to buy a lamp."
"Right… If we can"t stay in your relative"s house… will we sleep on the roadside again?"
"Um, if that happens we can get a suitable live-in job and save up money?"
"Right… never thought I would say that."
"We don"t have any choice."
"Uuuuh…"
"For now, let"s sleep and prepare for tomorrow. I want to get to town tomorrow."
"…I understand."

I can hear her sulking.

＊＊＊

The next morning, we eat dried meat and drink water. It didn"t fill your stomach, but it"s what we got.
If we didn"t plan our food rations, it would run out fast, and we can"t afford to be careless.
Of course, I give a small hard bread to Miss Elana.
For now, we have one more meal.
After walking for two hours, we finally arrived at the first town of 『Green Dragon, Sergigios』, 『Exy Town』.

"Wow, this is the town…"
"We are going across this town to go to 『Enju Town』. My relative"s house is there."
"Eh… we are still moving?!"
"I have money, so let"s stay here today. I want to eat a decent meal."
"M-me too!"
"…………"

Hm… I wonder if she"s this kind of person?
I"m not fussy about personality… It"s nothing, but I can"t shake off this uncomfortable feeling?
At the academy, she"s more prideful, domineering, troublesome, selfish, gets jealous quickly and small impression.
Did you enjoy your broken engagement?
…No, isn"t this the place where your facial expression changed? "? What"s wrong?"
"Nothing?"

…Honestly, I thought I would be told selfishly.
Like a distinguished n.o.ble, there"s do and don"t on making unreasonable demand.
Teaching what"s the unreasonable, pointless and reckless thing one by one thoroughly, it"s a pleasure knowing one"s place… thankfully no more unnecessary effort needed.
I"m feeling a little sorry.
Mother? No? Is it not like you want to see Miss Elana"s regretful face?
Her behavior and expression are crumbling overnight.
In a way, it"s like being at home and talking to servants?
I don"t remember a lot talking to my servants…
…well, as I thought I don"t understand my position.

"…Is that Eufranc? Aren"t you Eufranc?"

Oh?
Who recognizes my name?
When I stopped and looked back, I saw a big carriage.
Someone came down from the carriage, and it"s the person we are about to visit in the neighboring town.

"Oh, it"s Carleigh nii-san. Nice timing. I was thinking to visit."
"What?! Do you finally decide to come to be adopted?!"
"Eh, it"s not a joke?"
"I"m just kidding! With your talent, that stubborn old man will surely–"
"This is troublesome, but I"ll tell you the story… I was about to s.n.a.t.c.h something to eat with my companion, do you have recommended restaurant?"
"…『Unknown restaurant？』…Why not the usual place? Who is your companion?"

He points his thumb to Miss Elana who ride Lucy.
Carleigh nii-san suddenly hurries, correcting his posture and bows his head.

"What a charming lady! Jade"s hair and light green eyes tinted with blue like a deep water"s surface! Wonderful! I can"t believe such an attractive woman exist in this world!"
"Eh? Eh?!"

…nii-san, isn"t that a little too over the top?
I think it"s no use getting annoyed.
Right?

"Elana."
"!"

I reach out my hand.
I am helping her get off of Lucy.
After that, she tried greeting Carleigh.

"Ah, e-eto… E-Elana…"
"She"s Elana Ditalier. My wife."
"……!!!"
"Oh?　………Wife? Eh? Eufranc, are you married?"
"I"m already eighteen and have graduated from school."
"Fuaaaah?!"

Nii-san is very surprised.
In the middle of the town"s main street, I was surprised by the loud voice singing praises to Miss Elana in a very bold manner.
Isn"t this attracting too much attention?

"What the h.e.l.l! I can"t believe you married such a charming woman! Oh, guardian dragon Sergigios-sama! My distant relative Eufranc has married a beautiful person who seems to have received Sergigios-sama blessing!"
"Stop it. We are hungry. Please recommend a place to eat."
"Okay! Leave it to me! I"ll take you to the best place in town! Don"t worry! It"s my treat!"
"Yay!"
"Eh, eh? Eh, eh?"

I"m not good with Carleigh nii-san enthusiasm…
But thinking about how I will meet the old geezer after this, I"ll have to keep his mood.
And the facts are facts!

"A, ano… Eufranc-sama?"
"This is my distant relative that we are going to meet… Carleigh nii-san of Drutonil family. I guess he"s the next head of the family."

Anyway.

"Eh… we happen to meet here by accident?"
"This is good. This whole area… Within the border of Earl Drutonil"s territory management… it"s no wonder that we met…"
"Hey! Leave the horse at the inn, and let"s ride my carriage?!"
"No, let her ride the carriage. I"ll ride Lucy."
"Hugh! That"s kind!"
"…It"s a little inconvenience but be patient. There"s no doubt that he"s a good person."
"Ah, yes."

Right.
Just… a little annoying.
Finally, we are eating properly.
Miss Elana will ride in the carriage.
…Eh? Because Carleigh is somewhat annoying, I nudge him to Miss Elana… uahh, Miss Elana please hold on?
Awawawawa, what am I saying?

"………………"
"I"m glad we can meet Carleigh nii-san and get to 『Enju Town』 early! Miss Elana?"
"So… sou…"

Hahaha, Miss Elana is exhausted.
I never thought this person could get tired.
And we arrived at 『Enju Town』 earlier than antic.i.p.ated.
It"s not even evening yet.
I was thinking to stay overnight in 『Exy Town』 and arrive at Enju tomorrow.

t/n: readers who read on mobile, does this chapter format look wonky? if yes, i"ll try to fix it later