The girls asked me to accompany them to the rooftop. After walking for a while at a distance, I noticed their hands never let go, which only made my bad premonition worse.
Finally, we arrived at the destined place. I was standing in the middle of a beautiful garden, and they were behind me.
Their faces were red, and their moist eyes were looking at me.
The worst moment for me had arrived.
Alisa let go of Airi's hand after asking if she could go first; she gladly accepted.
Alisa looked at me fixedly, breathing deeply and exhaling repeatedly.
Finally, after seeming calmer and more relaxed, Alisa left her hands still on her skirt and said, looking at me fixedly, words that never crossed my mind.
"Rudel, I love you."
I never expected the same bullet from a different trigger would happen; I think this is more terrifying than hearing that you two love each other—after all, it seems there are also those kinds of people in this world.
"I don't know exactly when it happened, but what I do know is that after you rescued me, my head filled with positive feelings and hearts every time I saw you."
She put her hands on her chest while telling me everything her heart kept; her face seemed very happy with every word she said about me, her, and Airi.
Airi by her side looked at me with a face of joy; apparently, she knew this and was happy for Alisa, who was pouring out all her feelings.
"I know you're someone clumsy, slow, annoying, sometimes very hateful, lazy, you don't want to do many things of your own volition, and I even thought I was crazy since you are the complete opposite of a good man."
I think it would hurt less if you hit me; you didn't mention that I like to harass the queen and look at her breasts.
"Your perverted side also needs to calm down; I understand men have needs, but looking at our breasts and bothering the queen is the worst way to try to hide that you are one."
(!!I'm sorry, I'll go commit suicide since I'm a defect as a human being!!)
"But, even with all those bad things..."
I was about to cry until Alisa said something that didn't seem like a criticism; her hands were placed on her heart, tears overflowed with a smile that burned my obscenity with its purity.
"I love you, Rudel, you are the man I've always been waiting to meet. My heart hurts when I'm not near you; it hurt when I learned you were going to be executed; it hurt a lot when I thought I wouldn't see you again. But you know what? You will always make my heart beat intensely."
"Every obstacle you've encountered; you've destroyed with your own power; enemies impossible to defeat were crushed by your own hand. The day you protected me from Klein, when you rescued me, and the day you gave me those dolls, they only showed me that I was a princess in danger and you were my knight in white armor who came to rescue me, Rudel von Bradford. I desire you more than you can imagine; you are the hero I never expected to meet. And, I will always love you even with all the problems that accompany you."
"Airi."
After Alisa finished speaking, my mouth tied in a knot; I don't know how to respond. This is something I would only expect in a visual novel, but being told how much she loved me was something that made me feel happy and embarrassed.
It seems now Airi will terrify me more.
She also breathed and exhaled before speaking. Unlike Alisa, she put her hands behind her back, and then her smile destroyed me.
"Rudel-san, I'll tell you now, whenever you want and wherever you are. I love you, I love you more than you can imagine."
Why?
What did I do for you to confess your love to me?
I'm just a simple peasant who has nothing; why is your desire to be with me so great?
"At the beginning of knowing each other, I was terrified of the possibility of being assaulted by you at any moment, but after a while I realized those were just my foolish fears. Unlike Alisa, who is the daughter of a duke with a prestigious education, I am just a commoner; I never imagined my life would change so much until I met you. Rudel-san, thank you for being my first friend, thank you for being by my side in moments where no one could help or save me. And, above all."
Her hands left her back and were now placed on her chest; she seemed to be praying. Then, her eyes opened; that beautiful blue iris that seems like a reflection of the sea itself looked at me with tears.
"Above all... thank you, for being my first love... I think I will never experience this with anyone else. I feel the same as Alisa; you have made me cry, get angry, feel sad, and at the same time hate you. But with all that, it only shows that I know you as a real human being; there's nothing about you I don't already know. I love you; the day you saved me at the academy, I felt you could be my friend since I was just taking advantage of your friendship. It truly hurt me to do it; now that... I have you and Alisa by my side, I don't want to leave either of you. I love you more than you can imagine, and there aren't enough words to express it."
Airi cried; her tears were no longer of joy but for another reason, the worst of all.
"Alisa is my sister in heart, you are the man I love, and she also loves you, so we both want to know what you think of us. We want to know if you only see us as simple friends..."
It was Alisa who continued Airi's words as she kept crying; their hands grabbed each other at that moment.
"...Or if you feel interested in either of us. We've already talked about this, and we've come to the conclusion that if one is chosen, we will continue being friends. Our friendship and love are important, but in the case of loving you... well, unfortunately we are two. And in the most extreme case, if you have someone else who interests you... we will support you with that person."
Alisa gave glances at the floor, at Airi, and at me at various intervals. She also wanted to cry; she wiped Airi's tears with her handkerchief.
This situation is much worse than I imagined, truly. What should I do?
I turned my eyes searching for help from Ixion, who was here with his new body... wait.
"Who the hell are you?"
I asked very intrigued to the strange white sphere with a blinking green eye.
"You only just now noticed my presence? Nice to meet you, I'm Bell-chan; we met on the island where you fought some pirates."
"Huh? Is that so. Where is Ixion?"
"Ixion-senpai said he would go make arrangements for the trip."
"I see..."
"Rudel."
I got scared because Alisa called me.
I turned scared to see both looking at me with eyes of fear, anxiety, and worry.
"Rudel-san, please, give us an answer."
Airi asked me the same thing Alisa said.
Seriously, why me?
I must think of a hypothesis, starting with who confessed to me first, Alisa.
Alisa was a villain like me according to the game; she had to finish her story and role long ago, but I saved her. Now, what would have happened if I accepted her instead of Airi?
I think, in visual novel games, it's called a route.
Therefore, I'll recreate the hypothesis of unlocking Alisa's route.
◇
After the war ended, being declared a hero, becoming an important noble, and responding to the feelings of the woman who has helped me so much.
I began to live my life peacefully at the academy in this new year.
"Ahahaha, that's right, I'm the strongest in the world!"
I boasted about my achievements to my fan club that was created after the start of the semester.
It was a large group of girls and boys. Many were new students and the rest from what remained of Liam's army. To make this semester even more beautiful, Liam, Erselica, and the other two are locked up on an island for an unlimited time.
Without a doubt, it's happiness, but it seems that happiness ended. Because I heard footsteps, footsteps of someone stomping hard.
My fans made way for that person to cross; we were in the cafeteria, so my scolding would be worse, since that person was none other than my girlfriend, Alisa.
"Rudel!!"
"Did you leave your homework for Ixion again!?"
"Uwahh, Alisa, it's not what you think, I just—"
"Don't try to excuse yourself! Come."
Alisa, my girlfriend, grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the cafeteria while my fans watched.
I was scared because we were in the hallway; there was no one, and I thought I would be scolded.
"...?"
When something unexpected happened.
Alisa hugged me.
Her arms wrapped around my back; her body was pressed against mine.
Her head was buried in my chest.
She spoke to me with her mouth moving against my chest.
"...Sorry, I just wanted to see you."
"We saw each other this morning."
"I know, I just wanted to see you one more time."
Ever since she confessed to me weeks ago, she has acted very differently from how she normally is.
I hugged her in response to her feelings.
"Heavens, what a spoiled princess you are. Did you miss me that much?"
"It's your fault; only because of you, I never wanted to be pampered. As my knight, it's your duty to make your princess happy, silly."
Even her "silly" or "idiot" have become charming.
Having a duke's daughter as a girlfriend is something impressive.
◇
"Go to a party?"
I was with my girlfriend in an elegant hall of the academy; we were served by servants because, of course, I am a hero, and she, besides being a duke's daughter, is my girlfriend.
If they don't treat me well, they get fired; it's wonderful to be me sometimes.
Alisa was talking to me about an event we have to attend because I still haven't had my debut in high society.
"Is it necessary to go? I was never interested in those things."
A vein appeared on her forehead.
Then another after what she said.
"...Rudel, as your girlfriend, it's a shame you don't have a debut at your age, and even more so that you never had one. This occasion is perfect for it; think of it as a way to gather and meet people who will become your allies and acquaintances. Obviously, I'll help and prepare you in everything."
I really don't want to go, but that would make her grow horns and scold me.
"Alright. When is it?"
"Tomorrow."
"Huh! Tomorrow? Why didn't you tell me earlier?"
She took a sip of tea, left it on the saucer, and put her elbows on the table to rest her chin on her hands.
"...Because, I wanted to laugh a bit at you; it was worth it, hehe."
"You're definitely the worst!!"
"And whose fault do you think it is?"
This side of Alisa I had never seen. After confessing and choosing her, I noticed she has awakened something unique that makes me fall more in love with her.
"Don't worry, it's at night and at the palace. So we have all day until tomorrow to study hard. Come on, my future husband."
She really enjoys teasing me.
"First, let's go see the dress I have for tomorrow; I want you to be the first to praise me. Don't worry, my breasts will only be seen by you."
She winked when saying it.
This flirty Alisa isn't bad at all.
We left the room on our way to her room to see it.
When something unexpected happened.
"Rudel-san! Alisa! Here you are."
A chill ran down my spine; upon turning to see who it was, only a knot formed in my throat.
"Hello, Airi..."
Airi was present that day; I confessed to Alisa, choosing her; Airi was rejected.
After that day, we hardly spent time with her since Alisa and I wanted to deepen our relationship, leaving her almost forgotten.
"Do you need something?"
I asked very timidly; she seemed happy as usual, but I noticed her blue eyes seemed a bit dark.
"I've finally finished my homework, and I know you two have a lot of free time, so I wanted to ask if we could get together to stroll or play a board game or—"
"...Airi."
Alisa's voice interrupted her; Airi had many games in a plastic bag, her face was lowered trying to look for one.
She lifted it when Alisa called her.
"Sorry, but Rudel and I are busy now with noble things; besides, as Rudel's girlfriend, it's my duty to instruct him in several things he doesn't know."
When Airi heard Alisa say she was my girlfriend, I noticed how her shoulders gave a quick, light jump; from my position, I noticed how she seemed to bite her lips.
"...I understand; they're noble things. Tomorrow, then?"
"Sorry, but tomorrow we have to go to a ball."
"I understand, what about the day after tomorrow?"
"I'll teach Rudel the differences in using spoons at dinner..."
"...I understand, what about the weekend?"
"We'll go see the new territory."
Every time Alisa told Airi we couldn't, her head lowered, and her tone of voice became sadder.
"...You seem to be very busy for a long time."
"I'm really sorry; it's not that I don't want to spend time with you; it's just that Rudel now has many responsibilities, and I must teach him about them."
"Rudel, we're running late; we must hurry since every minute you don't study is dangerous."
"Airi, see you later."
Alisa said goodbye, and I did too; I turned a bit to look, and Airi was still there with her head lowered and her bag in her hands.
◇
My debut party was a complete success; I knew it because the annoying old men harassed me.
Alisa was precious, and I was elegant.
Now we were dancing our first piece to symbolize we are a real couple.
Everything was fine—the music, the lights, even the rhythm with which I moved so my partner wouldn't trip.
Everything was perfect until...
"...Alisa?"
She started crying out of nowhere.
We were happy until she stopped at the same time as the song.
Her face looked at the floor, and tears fell.
"Why are you crying!? Did I do it that badly? In that case, I'll—"
"No!"
Before apologizing, she stopped me with a light shout.
"...It's just that... I can't stop thinking about Airi."
I took her by the arms.
"Alisa, I chose you; that means only one thing."
"I—"
"I know!"
She cut off what I was going to say because her face lifted with tears.
"Rudel, I know. That's why it hurts me; she has the same feelings as I do. She will never be able to forget it; I am her sister and her best friend; it hurts me to know that while I am happy... she suffers because of me."
It's exactly as she says.
Ixion showed me a video of Airi crying on a step yesterday. Her grades have worsened, and her mood has dropped to the point of seeming depressed.
Yesterday she showed me a smile with painful eyes.
But I chose Alisa.
This was supposed to be the correct choice.
"...Rudel, sorry!"
Alisa ran away while crying.
Being happy while her friend wasn't must be very hard for her.
Could it be... Airi is unhappy because I chose Alisa?
In that case, what would have happened if I chose Airi's route instead of the ojou-sama's?
◇
Weekend at the academy after opening.
I am the luckiest man in the world.
"Hahaha, that's it; bring the money."
I was watching as the academy underwent improvements under my robots.
Many things will be implemented and improved.
Among them, the girls' dormitory, women's bathrooms, and rooms.
They should thank me for using my technology to improve their lives.
"Count Bradford is impressive."
"He's rebuilding half the academy at high speed, and we've only been days into the new school year."
The first-year girls surrounded me to praise me. I felt very good.
"I'd really like to have a chance to go to one of his tea parties."
"...I think that won't be possible?"
"Why?"
"It's just that he already has a girlfriend."
"Really, who is it!?"
"Is it the daughter of Count Roseblaire or the daughter of Duke Bismarck, or some mysterious super-beautiful girl?"
"No, none of them; rather, it's a girl without rank since she is—"
Their words stopped because of a voice shouting my name.
"Rudel-san~!"
A girl came running; she had a bag of fast food in her arms.
It was Airi, my girlfriend.
Her beautiful blonde hair and shining smile illuminated the place.
The girls stared at her, and one let out a comment I liked.
"S-she's very beautiful. Are you sure she's not a noble?"
"I-I heard that; she's a commoner and was chosen instead of the duke's daughter."
It's as they say; both confessed to me, and I chose Airi, the first girl who confessed to me.
"What are you doing here?"
I asked, and she responded while puffing out her cheeks and rising on her toes to see me at the same height.
"Can't a girlfriend see her boyfriend? Or... are you busy flirting with girls who are nobles?"
She still had her cheeks puffed; she turned her head to one side so I wouldn't see.
I laughed a little since I lied to her.
"That's right; I was looking for a legal wife."
"Silly!"
She used one of her arms to hit me like a girl throwing a tantrum.
It was very adorable; I walked to her and hugged her.
"Sorry, but teasing you makes me happy."
She tried to break free but finally gave up.
"Silly, don't scare me like that. Besides, I know you need a real wife."
Airi was right; the day I accepted her, the ministers opposed.
She was a commoner, and I a noble; they can't allow that to happen, and even more so since I'm a war hero.
If the idiot Erselica had done something to show that Airi was that blessed Saint; maybe they would have allowed me to have her as my legal wife.
But that would be bad anyway since they would want her to marry the next king, which would leave me with three options.
The first, destroy the kingdom for being separated from my girlfriend; I don't want that. It would make me feel horrible.
The second is to flee with her; I don't want to flee since I'm not that kind of coward.
The last would be the worst of all. Eliminate Liam and take the throne, but I don't want to eliminate an idiot; maybe his father, but not a stupid like that. Besides, who the hell wants to be king?
That's why it's best that she isn't that Saint, but there's the problem of the legal wife; I'll think about it later since my head hurts a lot.
"Let's change to something more important. What do you have there?"
She cheered up and showed me the food she bought.
"It seems there's a special offer only for couples, and well... we've only been one for less than two weeks, so... this."
Ahh, without a doubt, my girlfriend is charming.
I told her, "go ahead, let's eat." Some robots brought a table and chairs for us.
The food was a double burger for each shaped like a heart. Fries also like hearts and a vegetable salad similar.
I laughed upon seeing this. Airi noticed I laughed and seemed about to cry.
I got up to kiss her forehead to calm her.
She blushed and called me silly.
We stayed eating and laughing.
◇
"Umm, is this very difficult?"
"Which part?"
Airi and I were studying since the week of classes started very strong.
The homework and lessons grew in intensity.
We were reviewing several books on magical theory and magical circuits of mobile knights.
Without realizing it, Airi was under my arm.
I could smell her shampoo. I leaned in to smell more the exquisite raspberry fragrance emanating from her.
"Rudel-san."
She called me, and I didn't notice how close we were.
"Sorry."
I apologized for invading her personal space.
But she shook her head.
"It's not that... it's that, do you want to do couple things?"
She looked at me very shyly when she said it.
"I do! But, if you don't want to, then it's okay for me."
She grabbed my arm to put it around her neck.
"I... am also a human being, and I have my needs. Besides, I'm your girlfriend... if my guy wants to do things... of lovers. It's normal to reciprocate those feelings."
"...That means, is it a yes?"
She averted her gaze from my eyes looking at her intensely.
"Today the weekend starts; we have nothing to do, so I think it's fine to give you a reward for working hard."
"Airi, let's go to my room if you like!"
"Huh? ...Now?"
"Yes, now."
"Do you promise not to be too rough like when we were alone?"
"I asked for forgiveness. And, this time I promise to be as gentle as I can!"
"Heavens... do you really want me that much?"
Her eyes were moist, and I could feel how not only my breath but also hers exhaled with great intensity.
I took her hand, and we left the library.
She walked at the same speed as me. It seems she can't wait either.
We held hands while heading to my room.
"Rudel, Airi."
Until someone unexpected arrived.
"Where are you going?"
That voice was Alisa's.
I turned a bit fearfully upon seeing her, but Airi didn't.
"A-Alisa, what's up? Do you need something?"
Alisa was acting normally, but her hair was unkempt and dry.
Her tone was normal, but she had bags under her eyes.
"Well, I wanted to know if you could accompany me to a party at the palace. I have no one to go with since I was invited, and of course, I'll ask Airi for permission for you to accompany me."
Since that day, when I didn't choose Alisa.
We hardly saw each other; she said she supported us, but Ixion showed me recordings from time to time where she cried in her bed.
From her hair and eyes, it seemed the same was happening.
"A-a party? I think it's fine, but now is not a good time."
"Huh, why?"
Alisa asked ignorantly. I say it because after saying it, she saw our hands holding tightly.
"Eh, ah, sorry! I didn't know you were busy; w-well, let me know later after you finish if you can accompany me to the party."
Alisa raised her hands awkwardly to try to get rid of her discomfort.
"S-Sorry, I didn't notice you were about to do something together. M-my fault... well, I won't bother you anymore, and continue to where you were going. See you later... Airi and Rudel..."
Alisa said goodbye very melancholically while retreating to a path opposite where we were going.
After she left, I asked Airi why she didn't say a word.
And that happened.
"Airi!?"
Suddenly she hugged me and began to cry.
"What's wrong? Do you feel bad?"
"Rudel-san!!"
She lifted her eyes to see me and show me her true feelings.
"It hurts me so much!! Alisa is my friend; I love you, and she does too!! But... but."
"I can't be happy with you knowing she suffers without being able to be by your side!! I'm a horrible friend, woman, and person!! I hurt the one who understands me better than anyone; I don't want to leave you, but that hurts her too!!"
"What should I do!?"
Airi held me tightly while crying.
It's supposed that if I don't choose Alisa, Airi suffers.
If I don't choose Airi, she and Alisa suffer.
"Which is the correct route then?"
So, what if I didn't choose either and was someone else?
Would they get over me and find new love?
◇
The new semester had started, and a new me too.
"Senpai, will you really give us this?"
I was with the new students talking about things I'm going to implement at the academy this new semester.
I had fun boasting about my future achievements until someone covered my view.
"Who am I?"
I knew that voice; that voice belonged to a certain girl who was with me in my most difficult times.
"Only you are capable of this."
My girlfriend. Daughter of a noble family I met a while ago because she asked me to have a tea party just for the two of us.
One thing led to another; I met her parents, and our courtship began at that instant.
"Boo~, I wanted to surprise you. Rudy, you're silly."
She turned her head to one side because she was annoyed.
"I'm not good at this couple jokes or pranks; sorry."
"That has nothing to do with it, silly!"
I apologized, and my fans and new companions laughed at me, but I was happy since this is what I wanted.
◇
"How is the territory going?"
I asked my girlfriend since her father, my future father-in-law, said he would prepare one for me as a wedding gift.
So I have a place to live after finishing the academy.
Our hands were together since we enjoyed our time together as a couple strolling through the city.
"Eh, Rudy, aren't those?"
Suddenly, she pointed something out to me; upon observing where she pointed, I saw them.
"Hello, Lady Alicelotte and Irisdina-san!"
She called them, Airi and Alisa, my friends and the first girls who confessed to me and I rejected.
Both, upon being called, gave a slight jump.
Slowly, they turned to look at us; they greeted us with a face complicated to interpret.
"H-hello, Rudel and... your girlfriend."
"H-how are you?"
Alisa and Airi greeted us in a mysterious tone.
"What are you doing around here, girls?"
My girlfriend asked them normally, but neither directed their eyes at anything. They looked at the floor more while answering us.
"W-we must buy things for the next class."
"It's about etiquette and e-economics."
Alisa tried to speak normally, but her tone seemed to cut off. In contrast, Airi had a more muted tone, almost without being understandable what she said.
"I'm glad you're doing well; if you'll excuse us. Rudy, we must also go buy our things."
My girlfriend took my hand, and we walked away from there to buy our things.
After going from store to store, we headed to buy some food.
I went to order something, and when I took out my wallet, some bills flew away due to the strong wind; I ran to go after them.
I grabbed the last one near a house being rebuilt when I heard something disturbing.
"Sorry, sorry, but I can't take it anymore!"
"...Airi, we agreed to agree that we wouldn't interfere in their relationship."
They were voices I knew perfectly; I approached without making a sound to the door, and from there, I could hear and see perfectly who they were.
Airi was crying with her hands covering her face, and Alisa was comforting her.
"Alisa, I'm trying, but truly, I can't take it anymore! My heart shatters every time I see him with that girl!"
"...Airi, after being rejected, we accepted that Rudel is with any girl he loves, isn't that true?"
"Then, stop crying and smile at Rudel with your charming smile when you see him."
"You're a liar! You're worse than I am! You don't cry because you prefer to keep it inside instead of letting it out!"
"...That's not true."
Suddenly, Alisa grabbed Airi by her shoulders.
"It hurts me too! I still love Rudel, and I will continue to, the worst of all! Even if I have a husband and children, my heart will continue loving him! Of course, it hurts me to see him with another girl!"
"Alisa!"
Both hugged after that.
I saw them cry while collapsing to the floor.
I don't understand?
Why is this result also bad?
If I choose Alisa, Airi suffers in some corner, and Alisa suffers in silence.
If I choose Airi, she and Alisa suffer much worse.
And now that I don't choose either, both are falling apart anywhere.
Why? Why me?
What makes me so special for you to suffer without being with me?
"What is the correct answer?"
Just as I wondered that, once again it appeared before me.
It was that image of a beautiful blonde girl smiling at me in a room.
This is the worst. My head tells me I must choose only one of them.
Or so it was supposed until I analyzed it well.
The place was almost visible because the room's lights were very bright.
I drank my tea while conversing with someone.
It was a girl; she was. The Queen?
No, no, no, I promised to leave alone a married woman with a child.
Stop bothering me, stupid brain.
No, wait a moment.
It's not the queen. It's them!
Alisa and Airi blended into one woman.
Ah, I understand now.
Ixion, I'm a complete idiot, right?
I spent a long time trying to deny reality. And above all, to myself.
The reason I harass the queen wasn't because of her voluptuous mature woman's body.
But because she reminded me of both.
A gentle smile of concern like Airi's.
A sometimes strict and serious character like Alisa's.
Apparently, my ideal woman isn't one but both.
I love Alisa.
And I also love Airi.
I want to be with them.
They are my precious friends, and they are also my precious loves that I never experienced in life.
I've understood it again. I was trying to deny the possibility of being happy.
The horrible women from my previous life must have left scars on my heart, and this prevented me from saying what I feel.
But there will be no more dishonesty, indecision, or cowardice.
If they accept, I will be happy. The possibility of being rejected is null thanks to the simulations.
Well, here I go, except first I must do this.
"Rudel?"
"Rudel-san!"
The girls saw me hitting my face for taking too long.
This was my punishment for making them unhappy.
Now that I've punished myself for being an idiot, here I go.
I looked at them both fixedly, inhaled deeply.
I took their right hands, and upon exhaling, I screamed my true and honest feelings.
"Alisa, Airi, I love you. I want to be with you forever, if you allow me, of course."
At that instant, both began to cry.
"You took too long, idiot!"
"You've made us wait and cry a lot!"
Tears of happiness came from their eyes. And then, we hugged.
"Sorry, I didn't want our friendship to be affected by our sentimental relationship."
"Nothing like that!" Airi shouted while burying her head in my chest.
"We can be happy both as a couple and as friends!" Alisa exclaimed while looking at me with eyes redder than her own.
"In that case, it seems we'll be a sentimental trio."
"Being happy with Alisa and Rudel-san makes me want to cry even more!"
"Me too! Being with my friend and the man I love in the same room will make me know this isn't a dream."
Both cried happily.
That's what happened.
That's what will happen now that I've finished my simulation.
I did everything as I thought.
I hit myself, they called me worried, I took their hands.
And, I let out what my heart truly felt while smiling at them.
They also smiled; they seem to know what will happen; I won't waste more of their time.
I opened my mouth. And words came out that my heart had denied.
"Girls... I love the Queen."
"Eh!?" Bell exclaimed beside me.
"Huh?" was what I said after realizing what came out of my mouth.
The girls kept smiling; that's good.
"Wait, let me explain! What I was going to say was—"
Before I could even explain myself.
Alisa and Airi gave me a powerful blow to the face.
Alisa's right fist impacted my chin. While Airi's left fist was imbued with magical power and hit my right cheek.
The curious thing is this; Alisa's fist felt without force, completely opposite to Airi's, which seemed to really want to kill me since I felt my bone fracturing.
After they hit me, I fell on my butt to the floor and held my face due to the pain.
"Wai—"
When I tried to say what happened.
Both approached me very annoyed.
"Hah, you like the Queen!? Don't try to believe you have a chance with her now that you're a hero!"
"Rudel-san, could you take this seriously for once in your life!"
"It's true, Rudel! We exposed our feelings, and you mock us? Who do you think you are!?"
"We had many problems to get here, and you take it as a joke! Truly, you are the worst!"
"Congratulations, you can go abroad knowing we are really angry with you! Big idiot."
"It's true; this time you've deserved to be called a huge idiot!"
"N-no... I really..."
"Goodbye!"
With those words, they turned halfway and walked away very annoyed to the rooftop exit.
It was almost nightfall.
"I really messed up. But it was true what I said."
Not about the queen, but that I truly love them.
Why does this happen to me?
Once again, the image of a blonde-haired woman appeared in my mind.
This time, it was definitely the Queen herself naked in a bed covered only with sheets.
Wait! What the hell am I thinking?
Don't tell me... I'm really attracted to the queen.
"That means I... am truly a degenerate attracted to a married woman?"
Definitively, this is the worst day of my life.
◇◇◇
In the heights near a palace tower.
Ixion was recording everything.
His red eye shone a lot because of what was said.
"Truly, you are the worst master that ever existed. I can't believe your dishonesty has reached such levels of cowardice."
He turned halfway and flew away somewhere while night fell.
"You're lucky I really know you so well that I prepared a Plan B just in case the worst happened. If I don't do something myself, you will be the one who suffers the most when we leave."
"You want those two but don't accept it? Fine, you asked for it. Enjoy your last moments of bachelorhood, because you will become a man the hard way."
In the middle of the night, a spherical body disappeared among the clouds bathed by moonlight.
Ixion will finally execute his plan to eliminate Rudel's dishonesty.