“...I'm sure you have plenty to think about.”
“Your highness...”
However, the remark Theia whispered to Ruth made her consent. Theia hadn't volunteered to guide because of their relationship as master and servant, but because they were childhood friends.
“Princess Theiamillis, I am utmost grateful for your consideration.”
“Do not fear, Ruth's guest is my guest. And besides, I am the supporting player today.”
Theia proceeded to lead the way, behind her were Ruth and Elexis, walking side by side. As she looked at Theia in front of her with Elexis by her side, Ruth was absorbed in thought.
I do believe that El-sama is a good person, but... something is... wrong with this sight...
Theia walked ahead with Ruth and Elexis following behind her. If Ruth and Elexis got married, this would probably become normal. However, something didn't click for Ruth. This is what had been bothering Ruth.
Satomi-sama would... be more like...
Ruth was imagining what it would look like if she, Theia and Koutarou were walking on the landing deck instead.
Theia and Koutarou would lead the way with Ruth following behind them. The two would argue, and sometimes even brawl. However, they always looked like they were having fun and show energetic smiles. That alone was enough to make Ruth happy. And no matter how much the two would fuss they wouldn't forget about Ruth, as they would sometimes turn around and talk to her about something.
That was Ruth's everyday, but it was also what she hoped would continue in the future. Right now, there was nothing Ruth could imagine with any more ease than a future with Koutarou. And that future perfectly overlapped with Ruth's sensibilities.
Is it because of the time we've spent together, or perhaps it's Satomi-sama's very nature...
Ruth couldn't imagine a future with Elexis as clear as that. And when she finally did manage to imagine that future, it didn't fit her sensibilities.
That was when Ruth's heel got caught in a seam on the floor.
“Kyaa!?”
Since she was deep in thought, Ruth completely lost her balance and fell down towards the floor.
“I got you.”
However, Ruth didn't crash into the floor. Elexis had stopped her before she did.
Though Ruth had been gaining some physique from her daily training, since she originally didn't like exercising, Ruth would sometimes fall down like this. And as she did, a certain someone nearby would always save her. So Ruth instinctively smiled and thanked that person.
“Thank you very much, Sa―”
However, she stopped midsentence. That's because the person that had saved her this time was someone different from normal.
“Are you okay, Ruth-sama?”
“Ah...”
The feeling of the arms wrapped around her body and the face in front of her was different from normal. And the moment Ruth noticed that, she was overcome by an uncomfortable feeling, guilt and rejection.
“N-No!”
Ruth almost pushed Elexis away as she separated her body from his. She knew that he had saved her out of good intentions, but a part of her deep inside rejected him.
The feeling of the arms around her was different. They were normally more coarse and powerful. The face in front of her was different. It was normally more innocent. And the presence she felt was different. It normally made her feel safe. And most of all, she felt guilty.
All of that combined became the reason for why Ruth pushed Elexis away.
“Oh my, this was most impolite of me. It was ill-mannered of me to do this to a woman.”
However, Elexis showed no signs of being bothered by that and smiled as he distanced himself from Ruth.
“N-No, thank you very much for saving me.”
Ruth began feeling bad for Elexis.
El-sama only saved me out of good intentions...
Having reflexively pushed Elexis away from her after he had saved her, made Ruth realize that she wasn't actually looking at the person in front of her. That was very rude to towards someone that had come so far to meet her.
This is no good... I might get married to this person...
Ruth decided to change gears.
Now wasn't the time to think of other things, instead she should focus on Elexis. She needed to talk to him and determine whether or not she should get married.