My Death Flags Show No Sign of Ending

When she heard that Itsuki had taken Francis as a friend with Harold to go sightseeing in Cabran, Erica couldn't help but wonder if her own brother was up to something weird again.

Basically Itsuki, a well done and proud brother, but thanks for being too passionate about getting along with Erica and Harold. I was also happy as Erica that he liked Harold.

Maybe it's the late act of realizing Erica's love affection for Harold that's in her chest.

But the problem is with Harold.

He doesn't want to marry Erica himself. It would be obvious that he doesn't feel comfortable with a fierce push from Itsuki like that.

I know why Harold is trying to avoid marrying Erica. Because, in short, Erica is powerless.

Eight years ago, on that day, Erica was bitterly reprimanded for being only self-satisfied and an act of spoiling the other person. Think of it as an opportunity to change Erica's consciousness and have a clear will to let Harold grow into a supportive human being.

Ever since then, I've spent time polishing my mind and moves so Harold can be the right person. Still chasing him. His back is still far away, and reaching out is unlikely to reach him.

Because for Erica to move on, Harold is moving on, too.

He doesn't stop. So can I really catch up, sometimes I'm going to be crushed by such anxiety?

It was decided when the weakness lurking in me brought my head. I remember the tears that Harold was shed that day unknowingly. He was also desperate to fight anxiety and fear alone, so he could forcefully regain his mind, which seemed to frustrate him.

Someday we will make this effort come to fruition.

"Erica, what's wrong?

"Tired? Shall I get you something to drink?

"Let's go get some more air outside than that."

When Erica is a little delayed in her thoughts, she senses the anomaly or the men around her compete to give a cared for voice.

Celebration day two. The location is a different lobby for visitors than yesterday's Great Hall. Many participants here refrained from saying that the large hall, which would be the venue, was not yet ready.

There is still a respite until the start time. Coming one foot ahead of her spare time, Erica was instantly surrounded by men. I thought it might be something that would make me feel slightly upset because of yesterday's events, but I don't see Harold anywhere near Erica. No, he pushed me in a big way.

If you look at his face, half of them nearby are those who were the feeders of Harold's killings yesterday, and in that sense they may be the ones with the spirits.

But the other female participants don't seem to feel very good because they only show too much interest in Erica. Erica was feeling some jealous caged gaze flying in.

We can distance ourselves from them if we pull into the room, but that response is not very good on the outside in the position of relatives of the main guests.

It was then that I was worried about how to carry things peacefully.

"Stupid fools."

A sharp voice that takes away the heat on the spot all at once. The men who were surrounding Erica stop moving.

Behind the pedestrian walls, Harold stood with a face that would never hide his grump.

"Do it for three seconds. Anyone who wants to see the same thing yesterday, stay."

Without waiting three seconds, the men left to scatter the spider child. After all, that one yesterday was quite a fear to them.

As Erica, it turned out very helpful.

"Thank you, Lord."

"Work. Don't thank me."

Erica thinks it's like he's the order form of "don't" instead of “don't".

Harold keeps his arms together and keeps his back on the wall without leaving under Erica. Seems like he's just going to say it's his job and he's going to do a solid exposé role. Serious personality opposite evil looks clear.

"Where have you been?

"I was just attached to Itsuki."

"I apologize for the inconvenience my brother has caused you again"

"So if you want to apologize, keep him under control."

"I praise you too..."

You won't be able to stop that Harold favorite Itsuki rampage. I almost sigh unexpectedly.

Guess Erica's mood. Harold didn't pursue it any further either.

"With that said, isn't your brother and Lady Francis with you?

"He left them... Erica"

"Yes."

My chest squeaks just because they called me by my name. I hid it and replied under the guise of calm as possible.

"You just called me by name about Francis, didn't you?

"Yeah, that's what they wanted me to call you."

"I mean, you don't feel bad about him."

"I was surprised yesterday because it was sudden, but I didn't know who Francis was, so it wasn't enough to disgust me."

I don't like it or hate it. My brother's friend and a little passionate is the impression I have of Erica Francis.

But after thinking about something, Harold asked:

"Listen, would you accept me if I were to marry Francis?

"Eh."

My voice desperately suppresses my emotions from appearing on the surface. I don't know what you think Harold asked, but that was enough questions to shake Erica's mind.

It's hard to accept if you follow your emotions. That means giving up being Harold's partner.

Erica's goal of becoming a supportive being is not necessarily something she cannot achieve without being tied to him. I am also heavily aware of that, and I intend to bless Harold if he actually welcomes a woman other than himself as his partner.

But it was inconceivable to Erica that Harold would give him up and marry someone else without deciding who he was dealing with. As long as Harold could possibly choose himself, no matter how low.

So that's unacceptable. That's what Erica would have answered if she were in a position to prioritize her feelings only.

"... right. I know you're not willing to marry me, and it's hard right now, but it's my father's or my brother's arrangement, and if that's for Smeragi -"

I will accept that marriage. Words that were supposed to go on, but were blocked by Harold.

"Are you an idiot? It doesn't matter how relatives or houses do this. I'm asking you personally what Erica Smeraggi wants to do."

Erica, what do you personally want to do? If I could get rid of my identity, position, etc., and decide by my own feelings.

The answer to such a thing is fixed. I've been warming up in the back of my chest for eight years now.

"... you won't accept it if that's allowed. If it's going to happen, I... I want to be tied to someone I really loved"

Look straight in Harold's eyes. That's what Erica replied.

Harold, who took it for a while, lay down slightly to cut his gaze.

"... right"

That could have been Erica's mistake.

But Harold's face, spilled so with an inorganic voice, was somewhere satisfied.

(To laugh now...?

I felt like I was smiling calmly, unlike the usual sarcastic mockery.

There's no way to be sure of that for a moment. They'll just deny it on confirmation.

"Hmm, finally back"

Following Harold's gaze, Itsuki and Francis were walking this way side by side. Capturing the appearance, he leaned back away from the wall.

"Weird bugs won't come near you if they're with you. I'm resting in my room until the beginning."

That's all Harold says. He disappears from the venue.

Itsuki and Francis came to replace them there.

"Where did Lord go?

"He's going to rest in his room until it starts."

"Um, have I made you tired?

"If Lorde's tired, I'm more tired."

"So Fran can rest in his room, too?

"I'd love to, but just give me a minute before then, Erica."

"I don't mind..."

Watch Itsuki. He was reluctant for Francis to make contact with Erica, but he hasn't said anything this time. That means accepting.

What kind of mood changes have there been?

"It's hard to talk about here. Let's go out to the garden."

Francis takes me out to the mansion courtyard. There were also appearances of several people bickering at the garden end because of the terrace, but Francis' legs finally stopped after coming to a place where there were no people nearby so as to keep him away from them as well.

I have a few questions from Harold earlier.

"So what's the story?

"I was going to let you apologize for yesterday. I'm suddenly sorry."

"Please lift your head. I'm surprised, but I'm not angry enough to ask you to apologize."

"Thank you, but this isn't just an apology to Erica."

"What does that mean? Did your brother say anything to you?

"No, this is Lord... it's like a bully against Harold. Oh, don't worry, I'm not gonna say anything else."

"... did they know?

"I didn't know for sure, but I checked with Itsuki and I confessed."

"That guy..."

My head hurts.

I think I'll need to be punished again later. Perhaps I shouldn't be too careful, including the fact that I'm swinging Harold.

But then again, why would apologizing to Erica lead to a stigmatization of Harold?

"So, well, if you say so, Harold will give you a sermon."

"Sermon, is it?"

"In summary, I wonder if 'Don't let your degree get to Erica'. I thought you were scarier than Itsuki."

Francis smiles bitterly. It seems to me that Harold was able to dial out Francis, who approached Erica.

But that can't happen. Harold doesn't want to marry Erica, so it should be more convenient for Erica to be married to someone else.

Otherwise I'm going to get it wrong. I'm going to have expectations.

"... Isn't that some mistake? I don't think Mr. Harold would say anything about that."

"Uh... what if Harold hasn't told Erica anything? He's probably a pain in the ass, too."

"What does that mean?

"Erica doesn't seem to believe she'll ever be cherished by Harold, but it means she doesn't seem to be out of the question. That's what he said." Erica can only be protected, she's not a weak and smug woman. She is an unwavering woman with the power to fight and the will to defy destiny. I can't handle it while you think it's just a poor flower. "

"Oh, did Master Harold say that?

"If you doubt it, you can also ask Itsuki. Honestly, I felt like I was being shown the difference in feelings for Erica."

There's no way that's convenient. I feel more suspicious than half-heartedly suspicious.

But on the other hand, if it's true, I can't help but think. Maybe what you want more than anything else becomes reality. No matter how calm I tell you, I don't like to expect it.

"... for Christ's sake, I wouldn't even feel jealous if you looked like that"

"Huh?"

"I don't know if you're desperately hiding it or biting it off, but there's a joy seeping out of Erica's face. I wouldn't be able to make Erica look like that."

Pointed out, hands on face aggressively.

The cheeks were shaped to represent joy. It brings shame to my consciousness.

"No, you know, this isn't what I meant..."

"Ku...... haha"

Erica is so elusive. Seeing her like that, Francis blew out uncomfortably.

That accelerates shame even further.

"Oh, don't laugh too much..."

"I'm sorry. But now I know clearly. It's a wild thing to break in between Erica and Harold."

"I don't..."

"There's no reason for me to know what happened, but we're just not being honest about either of them and we're serious about each other. It just doesn't seem like there's room for anybody else to get in."

Francis says so with a sunny face.

It's not an easy story to believe for Erica, who has never been directed to those kinds of emotions or words by Harold before, but it reminds me of the grin Harold had earlier here.

Since yesterday, Francis had continued his fierce appeal to Erica. Suppose Harold had some anxiety or jealousy about it.

What if that meant “relief at what Erica said she didn't want to accept marrying Francis”?

"I can't be happier..."

Erica said such honest thoughts in a small way so that it didn't even sound like Francis.