“Get angry. I saved you based on your background, why aren’t you angry?”

Sesenia found this situation strange, where everyone was telling her it was fine.

“What would change if I got angry?”

Silian also didn’t understand her. If getting angry would change anything, he would, but in the current situation, getting angry wouldn’t change anything.

He had also received her help. Using his background in return for that help, what was the problem with that?

“…Huh?”

“That’s right. What changes? Can we go back to how things were before?”

“That’s…”

Sesenia was at a loss for words at this obvious statement.

“Don’t think strange thoughts and consider it an honor. That you saved me. That you had the chance to save someone like me. Consider it a lifelong honor that I’m by your side because of that.”

Sesenia couldn’t help but laugh at that arrogance.

“Really…”

“And even if we went back, I would have made the same choice. Because that was the best option.”

“Silian…”

“Also, I’ve never regretted that choice. Life is hard enough just thinking about moving forward, why look back? You gave me the best opportunity, and I took it. So you should take the opportunity too. That I, a royal of Salmon, who will become the king of Salmon, said to be the closest to godly power in Salmon royal history, am by your side.”

Sesenia bowed her head deeply.

“Are you crying because you’re so moved?”

“I’m not crying.”

“Then why are you bowing your head? Shouldn’t you be happy?”

“You’re right. Those words that you’ll stay by my side even after hearing everything… I should be so grateful and happy that you’re not even angry about being deceived… It’s too strange. I never thought a god would be by my side… Not once did I think a god would help me…”

Silian bent down to meet her eyes. With about a head difference in height, they couldn’t actually make eye contact, but Sesenia felt comforted by his action.

‘Strangely, why is everyone helping me in this life? Did the gods… really reach me this time? The gods that never reached me during all the hatred and betrayal… did they really come to me this time?’

A breeze flowed in through the open window. Not the piercing cold wind of winter, but the warm wind of spring.

“Thank you, Silian.”

“Yes. You should be very thankful. It’s not common to have royalty by your side, to receive the protection of royalty. When else in life could you meet the noble royalty of Salmon?”

As if trying to cheer her up somehow, Silian smiled more exaggeratedly than usual.

He really smiled brightly. His hair, resembling the clear winter sky, sparkled. Sesenia found herself smiling along with him before she knew it.

“Now you look like yourself, Sesenia.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Act like this. You didn’t seem like yourself earlier.”

As if having gained some realization, Sesenia nodded.

“Alright. Since it’s come to this, I have a favor to ask.”

“What favor?”

“Teddy has just learned about his identity. So you need to help him.”

“Help him how?”

Silian’s face, which always hardened at the mention of Teddy, hardened coldly again today.

“If he tries to use that power unnecessarily like before, stop him. And teach him how to handle that power.”

“…Am I a dog keeper?”

“Not a dog keeper, a trainer!”

“…That’s too much.”

“Don’t be like that. I have no one else to ask but you.”

“No. You kept saying he’s so cute, but in the end, it seems like you’re treating him like a dog too.”

“Huh…? No, I’m not.”

But somewhere in Sesenia’s heart, she was thinking of Teddy as something like a dog.

Wagging his tail when the owner comes, giving his paw when asked, perking up his ears when called cute.

‘He is kind of like a dog.’

“Pfft.”

“…What’s so funny?”

“You know, sometimes your emotions show really clearly on your face? Especially when it comes to anything related to that guy.”

“…Did I do that?”

“Yes. It’s really annoying.”

“Is my face so unpleasant to look at that it’s annoying?”

Sesenia stroked her face with her long hands.

“No. It’s just, I dislike it for other reasons. How could I dislike your face? Anyway, what you want is dog training, right? I’ll do it especially for you. I’ll train him properly. I’ll do it so thoroughly that he’ll tense up just hearing my voice…”

Silian, with a rather serious expression, looked determined.

“…Why do I suddenly feel uneasy?”

“Hm?”

“It’s like the feeling of entrusting our family dog to someone we shouldn’t have…”

“Don’t worry. I won’t use violence.”

Somehow it seemed Silian had developed a different intention, but knowing there was no more certain teacher anywhere else, Sesenia grasped his hand tightly.

“Don’t do anything strange. He’s a very important card of mine.”

“That’s why I’m oddly jealous. Cherish me too.”

“If you educate Teddy well, I’ll cherish you.”

Only then did Silian’s face relax.

“Alright.”

“And tomorrow. We’re going to the temple. To do the task I asked for.”

“I suppose that’s the task you asked to visit the High Priest about. About that guy.”

“Yes. That’s right. We’re going to prove it. So please help tomorrow.”

A smile slowly spread across his face. It was a smile different from just smiling, whether it should be called proud or something else.

“You look happy.”

“Yes. I am.”

Sesenia’s eyes sparkled at that appearance, which looked strangely happy, as if he had fallen in love.

“Did you find someone you like?”

“Hm?”

“You’re making an expression I’ve never seen before.”

“What kind of expression?”

“An expression that says you’re dying of happiness.”

“Ah. You’re right. I am dying of happiness.”

“That’s unexpected. I didn’t think you’d find someone you like in such a short time.”

“Are you jealous?”

At Silian’s appearance, Sesenia firmly shook her head.

“Me? Why? I think it’s great.”

“Be a little jealous for me.”

“Hm…? If that’s what you want, I can do it. I’m envious. Who is it? Who do you like?”

“It’s a secret. You’ll be able to meet them when you come tomorrow.”

Suddenly, Sesenia clapped her hands as if she understood.

“The High Priest?”

“I like women.”

“That’s a shame then.”

“Why are you disappointed? You should be happy.”

Sesenia, though she didn’t seem to realize it, was putting up an incredibly thick wall from Silian’s perspective.

‘Really… it would be hard to win her over under normal circumstances.’

He found such a woman fascinating. To be honest, there were plenty of decent men around, but Sesenia didn’t give any attention to such humans.

Even Rohan, the man who was temporarily in charge of the Iaar Company, was quite an attractive man.

He couldn’t compare to himself, but his tall stature and intellectual appearance would have caught the eye of ordinary women.

Was that all? That guy who followed Sesenia like a dog, calling her “master, master” was the same.

Although he didn’t know he was royalty himself, looking at his dog-like personality and appearance, he wasn’t lacking in looks anywhere.

No, he had an appearance attractive enough to catch the eye of strangers at first glance. Annoyingly so.

And there was himself, even better than those two. The one who would become the king of Salmon.

He had powerful strength, and anyone could see he was handsome and cool, but it seemed that didn’t register in Sesenia’s eyes.

“I see. Alright. You asked me to be jealous. I’m glad for you, Silian.”

“Somehow… I feel like I’m losing.”

“Why?”

“Never mind. Let’s talk about something else.”

Silian, who waved his hand as if he were a frustrated person, stared at her intently.

“Sesenia. What’s your nickname?”

“My nickname?”

“Yes.”

“…Nia. Except for when my mother called me that when I was very young, no one has ever called me by that nickname. No one was even curious about it. So even I feel awkward saying it.”

Nia. Nia. It was a precious nickname given by her mother.

“Are you sad?”

“No. There was no one in particular to call me by a nickname, so I don’t feel particularly regretful or sad.”

“Good. I’ll specially call you Nia.”

To Sesenia’s eyes, that seemed cute.

“Are you trying to get closer?”

“Well, among other things.”

“Then what’s your nickname, Silian?”

“…I don’t like it.”

“Hm?”

She had asked thinking that perhaps his sudden inquiry about nicknames meant he wanted her to call him by his, but Silian was adamant.

“If I tell you, you’ll call me that.”

“Why can’t I call you by your nickname?”

“Well. I can’t. In Salmon, nicknames are… very important.”

“Then why are you trying to call me by my nickname?”

“That’s…”

Silian mumbled.

“It seems like it doesn’t mean anything more than being close in the Empire.”

“That’s right. Does it have a different meaning in Salmon?”

“Yes. It’s given only to those who are beyond close, beyond loving, to those who promise a future together.”

“Ah. I see. Then isn’t it a bit strange for you, a person from Salmon, to call me that? If it has such a meaning, you don’t have to call me that.”

“No, this is the Empire anyway.”

Silian was uncharacteristically rambling today.

“You said even Salmon people can use nicknames because this is the Empire, so why won’t you let me call you by yours? That’s really strange.”

“Ah…”

“So tell me.”

Even he thought his words didn’t make sense.

Silian just wanted to call her something different from the ‘Sesenia’ that everyone else called her.

Sometimes he was even envious of that guy. Because he called Sesenia by the special term ‘master’.

Feeling a bit jealous, he had asked for her nickname, but it felt like he had trapped himself.

“…”

“You don’t want to? Then you shouldn’t use nicknames either.”

If this is what having a friend feels like. A relationship where they tease each other, and you tease back. It seemed Silian and she had become that kind of relationship.

So Sesenia teased him in a way she never did before.

“Alright. Just tell me.”

“Okay!”

“But… refrain from using it. I was raised and educated that way, so having my nickname called is a bit…”

“Okay. So what is it? This nickname of yours that you’re hiding so much.”

Clearing his throat with a ‘hem hem’, Silian whispered barely audibly.

“Li…”