令嬢はまったりをご所望 (HIATUS)

V2 Chapter 6

「It makes me happy to see that you are well-liked by the residents of the forest......」

「Gray-sama is well-liked too.」

「But not as much as you.」

Really? I stared at Gray-sama as I tilted my head and he quickly shifted his gaze.

「L-Let's change the topic......I heard about it......your engagement being cancelled.」

That was unexpected, I didn't think he would bring this up. I never talked much about Schneider with Gray-sama. I stopped and shook my head at Gray-sama who looked over nervously.

「......It's ok. Schneider and I just weren't destined for each other.」

「I haven't heard the details......but you were an outstanding student......To maintain your position as first in level......I know you've worked harder than anyone else. Don't you want to go back to school?」

Gray-sama asked me with a serious look on his face. One must graduate from school to become a magician. It might be because of his love for magic, that he found it a pity.
However, I didn't maintain my position as first in level to become a magician. So I shook my head without saying anything. Then, he looked as if he was trying to find things to say.

「......Rhonya, it was you who saved the forest from the hands of the demon. That's why......you are liked by all the residents of the forest. This feat of saving the forest......is worthy of commendation.」

Sure, I was called by Orphedoto in place of Gray-sama. However......

「......No. If it were up to Gray-sama, I'm sure you would've handled it better than I did. All these should've been Gray-sama's achievements......」
(lilies: facepalm)

「There's no such thing. You did well. Even I didn't know of ancient defence magic.」

I crouched down on the spot without thinking and mumbled.

「......That was just something I chanced upon while researching for an upcoming exam. Didn't I explain it to you before?」

「I heard you before, but that's not something you can immediately apply in battle.」

Gray-sama said firmly as he got down on one knee beside me.
(lilies: no he is not proposing._.)

「......It's just by chance that I could use the magic I needed for the exam. If I weren't preparing for the exam, I don't know if I could've saved the forest......I got lucky. I only did what I could do.」

「It was your strength that saved the forest and not anyone else's」

Gray-sama tightly grasped my right hand.

「If it's you, I believe you'd be a great magician.」

He wants me to graduate from school and become a magician. It's precisely because he recognised my abilities that he treated this so seriously.

「What I can do is limited......but I'll do what I can get you back to school.」

「Gray-sama」

I held his hand with my left.

「I won't return back to that school.」

This is my will. I neither wish to return to the school that besmirched my name nor do I wish to clear my name. I will not return to that place I escaped from.

「......I see.」

Gray-sama seems to understand as he pulled his hand away. He looked down with a sad expression.