The False Vice-Commander ~The Forest Witch Blooms in Secret Love~ - Episode 6

The sound of a door opening. "Excuse me." Celes Lindbloom entered the vice-commander's office. His short silver hair was slightly disheveled as usual, and his blue eyes were sharp. However, faint scars still remained on his cheek. They were from when he had been hit by illusion magic in the great hall a few days ago. He stood in the center of the room and straightened his back. "The exile of Vira Esfort Monfort from the kingdom has been formally decided. The Council of Nobles has just given its approval." Noir Elmreef was standing by the window. Her jet-black long hair swayed gently in the wind of the night before the Star Festival. She did not turn around, and with her indigo-violet eyes still directed at the night sky, she let out a small sigh. "……Hmm. So it's been decided." Celes nodded silently. Today, the royal castle had been in an uproar from top to bottom. Vira Esfort, the leading candidate to be the crown prince's fiancée, had been arrested for attempted murder by poisoning. The poison used was Lunabane, a forbidden magical herb requiring a permit to possess. The motive was jealousy. There was no longer any room for defense, and the sentence had been handed down. Exile from the kingdom. Permanent banishment to a location more than fifty kilometers from the border, with eighty percent of her assets confiscated. Noir slowly turned around. "Celes, are you alright now? You should still be lying down, though." "There is no problem. More importantly, what about you?" "Me? I'm fine. Just a little tired." Saying that, she gave her usual relaxed smile. But that smile seemed somehow lonely—and deep in Celes's chest, a tight ache squeezed. (This person is always like this.) She acts for the sake of others, always putting herself last. Even after everything Vira had done, Noir hadn't shown even a hint of hatred towards her. "……Please, sit down. I'll brew some tea." "Huh, you will?" Instead of answering, Celes took out the tea utensils from the cupboard. With clumsy hands, he put tea leaves into the pot and poured hot water. His figure looked awkward no matter how you looked at it, and Noir couldn't help but giggle. "Fufu. So you're not good at brewing tea, Celes." "……It is not included in the duties of a guard knight." Celes blushed slightly and said sullenly. The two sat facing each other at the small table by the window. The steam rising from the cups shone white, illuminated by the moonlight. Celes took a sip from his own cup, then raised his face as if he had made up his mind. "Lady Noir. Are you going to leave the royal castle?" Noir's hand stopped completely. She said nothing, just staring at the brown surface of the tea. Celes continued. "Your role is finished. His Highness's magical power issue has been stabilized through the tea party method. Vira's conspiracy has also been exposed. Even if you return to the forest now… no one will complain." Celes's voice was hoarse, even to his own surprise. Noir gently set down her cup. "……That's true. I wonder what I should do." She looked outside the window. The townscape of the royal capital Lumière sparkled with decorations for the Star Festival. The Fontaine River shimmered silver, reflecting the moonlight. (I wonder if this scenery will soon be something I only see in memory.) A small, stinging pain pricked deep in her chest. (I wonder why. Even though I should want to return to the forest.) Noir couldn't put a name to her feelings. The only thing she understood was that when she looked at Celes's face, this pain in her chest became just a little warmer. "I…" Celes opened his mouth. His fists were clenched tightly on his knees. "I want you to stay." Noir's indigo-violet eyes opened wide. Celes stood up and positioned himself in front of Noir. The moonlight illuminated his silver hair and cast shadows in his blue eyes. "That night, in the carriage, you said it. That I am kind. But, that's wrong." "……It's wrong?" "It is wrong. I simply, to you—" It was at that moment. BANG!! The door burst open with force. "Noirrrrr! This is terrible, terrible news!!" Crown Prince Gilvest came charging in as usual. His hair, a mix of deep chestnut and red, was messy again today, and his golden eyes, characteristic of the royal family, were sparkling as brightly as could be. "It's tomorrow, tomorrow is finally the main event of the Star Festival! At the end of the festival, I will formally, to Noir—" "Go flying, Your Highnesssss!!!" WHAM!! Celes's sharp back fist accurately caught Gilvest in the solar plexus. "Gofuh!?" The crown prince folded into a V-shape and fell backward just like that. He tumbled over the carpet, rolling until he hit the wall and finally stopped. "Oh my. Your Highness, are you alright?" Noir tilted her head and peered down at the fallen crown prince. "I-I'm not alright… Celes, you've stopped holding back lately, haven't you… I hadn't even said anything yet…" "Crushing you before you speak. It is a natural judgment as a guard knight." "That judgment standard of yours is absolutely wrong!!" Gilvest stood up, shouting with teary eyes, and then firmly grasped Noir's hand. "Listen, Noir! Tomorrow's Star Festival, I'm serious, absolutely serious! Anyway, look forward to tomorrow. That's all I wanted to tell you." Lately, when there were no eyes on him, Gilvest had taken to using an arrogant "ore-sama" tone. It probably meant he let his guard down that much around the two people here. Noir gazed steadily into his golden eyes, and then slowly smiled. "Hmm. Understood. I'll look forward to it, Your Highness." The moment he saw that smile, Gilvest's face lit up brightly. "Alright! Did you hear that, Celes, she said she's looking forward to it!! I win, this is my win!" "……I have lost." Celes let out a deep sigh and looked up at the ceiling. —Gilvest ran off noisily down the corridor. Watching his retreating back, Noir chuckled softly. "What's this about winning and losing?" "Who knows." "I see. His Highness is always so energetic, fufu." "He simply doesn't know moderation. Making that person the next king may be a misfortune for the nation." "But he is adored, isn't he. By you." Celes fell silent. Noir stood up and walked over to the window. "Celes. That thing you were about to say earlier. What was it?" Celes's shoulders trembled slightly. He stood beside Noir. Outside the window, a particularly large star twinkled. As if watching over the two of them. "……Tomorrow, after the Star Festival is over. I will definitely tell you." "Hmm. I understand. I'll be waiting." Noir gently placed her hand over his. Just like that night, inside the carriage. Celes caught his breath. And then, this time for certain—he firmly held her small hand in return. That hand was no longer trembling. The royal capital Lumière was wrapped in silence. However, by this time tomorrow, this city would surely be filled with the excitement and cheers of the Star Festival. Deep in her chest, Noir felt something growing warmly. (I want to see the Star Festival together with Celes.) She still couldn't put a name to that feeling. But Noir did not yet know that the day called tomorrow would not end as just a simple, enjoyable day. Her magical power resonated faintly, deep within her chest. As if to announce that something was about to change.

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Episode 6

Name: The False Vice-Commander ~The Forest Witch Blooms in Secret Love~
Author: Novelia

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