Vol. 3 - Chapter 118 - Katariona Sets Off for the Hinoshima Nation
"Don\'t be so selfish! You can always just communicate with them through letters."
Momoka clung to me and wouldn\'t let go until Tojurou-san forcibly pulled her away.
"Kikuno-sama, take care of yourself."
"You too, Fujino. You have to protect Momoka-sama well."
It sounds like Fujino-san is Momoka\'s chaperone. Although they are the sovereign\'s children, it is hard for the sisters to protect those two wild siblings (reference to Tojourou and his sister and Kikuno and hers).
"Rio, have a wonderful time. Be careful along the way. Marie, please look after Rio and Her Highness."
"Yes, ma\'am. I will protect them at all costs."
Marie nodded with a smile then bowed to Mother.
"Well, Mother. Father, Big Brother, May, I\'m off."
I bid farewell to my family, who came late to see me off.
"Go on, Rio. Don\'t forget to write home."
"I promise, Big Brother."
Father and May were crying.
"Uwehhhhhwahhh. Hi-cc! Oneeshama!"
"Uwuuuu. ...... Rio, be careful, okay? Don\'t eat anything strange."
"Yes, Father. May, be a good girl. I will bring you lots of souvenirs."
After saying goodbye to everyone, Chris and I boarded the boat. Tojurou-san and Kikuno-sama followed behind us.
Because Leon was in his cat form, he had to be boarded first from the pets-only boarding area. They had told us that no matter how holy the beast, no animals were allowed to be brought into the cabin. Because of this Leon was very angry, though he would probably come to the cabin later in human form anyway.
As we reached the top main deck, I waved to everyone.
The ship\'s whistle sounded. It was the signal for departure.
Soon our ship began to glide out into the open sea.
I kept waving until I couldn\'t see anyone anymore.
As the land loomed out of sight, I felt my eyes burning. Drops of water dripped onto the deck.
"Rio, don\'t cry."
"Chris, you\'re the one who\'s having a hard time leaving."
"Oh, dear. Both of you are ruining your pretty faces. Let\'s go into the cabin."
Kikuno-sama urged us.
I never thought I would feel so sad leaving my hometown. Even if it is only for a year, .......
We are guests of honor, so we have first-class cabins.
"This way, please. Do you mind if the two of you share a cabin?"
The cabin we were shown was surprisingly furnished in Findalian style. I was expecting a Hinoshima styled room.
"I don\'t mind. Rio and I have often shared a bed."
When I was a child, I often slept in the same bed with Chris while we were undergoing the trials of the gods in our territory, and even now I often sleep in the same bed with Chris, who occasionally comes to stay with us.
"Marie, there\'s another room, you can stay in that one."
"Thank you for the arrangement, Kikuno-sama."
"Then I will see you at dinner. In the meantime, please make yourselves at home."
Kikuno-sama left the room. It seems that this ship has a room reserved for diplomats. This means that Kikuno-sama and Tojurou-san will be staying in their own rooms.
"Can you both please change into your loungewear?"
"Yes, just give me my loungewear and I\'ll change myself."
Marie nodded, taking out our loungewear for Chris and me, and then quickly put away the luggage for the two of us.
As Chris and I were talking about Hinoshima, we heard a knock on the door.
"Who is it?"
Marie called out from the room, and a familiar voice answered.
"It\'s me."
"Is that you, Leon? I will go and open the door for you."
The door opened, and a fluffy white figure majestically barged in.
"Leon! How did you come here in that form?"
"I made myself invisible until I reached your room."
Leon climbed onto my lap and sat down with his paws and tail tucked underneath him.
"That fellow Kikuno is treating me like an animal! Thanks to that, I\'ve been mixed up with dogs and cats, and now I smell like an animal. Marie, please help me get a bath."
"Yes, of course. Please wait a moment while I make preparations."
Marie giggled and went to the bathroom to get ready.
"I\'m not going back in there until we have arrived."
"Then where will you sleep, Fluffy-kun?"
"Where do you think I\'ll sleep? In this very room of course."
That\'s ...... not good. Ever since my father ordered me not to sleep with him, Leon and I have been sleeping in separate rooms.
"Alexis isn\'t here, and I\'m sure you guys miss fluffing me right?"
Urk! Chris and I were at a loss for words. We have been together for so long, and now that we\'ve been abruptly split up, we haven\'t been getting enough fluff.
"Leon, you can\'t do that."
A black shadow materialized from Marie\'s shadow. It was Daaku-sama.
"Daaku! Are you following me?"
"Alexis asked me to keep an eye on Leon to make sure he doesn\'t do anything inappropriate. And I don\'t want to be separated from Marie."
"Ugh. Gosh, Alexis. I am a gentleman. I won\'t do anything indecent until we are married. Well, I guess I have no choice. I shall sleep in Hikoshiro\'s room."
Father, you are very thorough.
"Oh? Rio, you are so loved."
Chris smiled teasingly at me. My cheeks were growing hotter and hotter. I can feel them flushing.
"Ah, it\'s so hot. Chris, do you want to go for a walk on the deck?"
I waved my hands trying to cover it up.
"We\'re in the territorial waters of the Kingdom of Findalia. It should still be quite cold. Oh well, that\'s fine. We have plenty of time, so let\'s go for a walk."
—---
TL: Wow, must say I’m excited about what’ll happen on their journey. Any guesses on where you think the story is headed? Anyway, thank you for reading this far (^▽^) Hope you enjoyed and happy reading~!