--King's Landing is a royal castle.

　At the end of a hidden passage was a luxurious room.

　A long ladder led up to a fireplace in a room on the third floor.

　I had been told that this was one of the many lilac rooms, but it was indeed a royal castle. The room was well-kept and beautifully decorated.

I'm going to give you a guest room for now and assign you a maid to take care of your personal needs. ......

　With that, Lilac looked Futa up and down.

As for inviting me as a guest, I have a few ......

　She smiles, annoyed.

Would you like me to make you look presentable?
"Sorry, .......

　It was a miracle that the princess had stayed with me all this time without changing her expression.

　It's a miracle that the princess has stayed with us without changing her expression.
　The rags he wore gave off a foul odor.

　The rags he wore smelled foul. His nose had gone numb, but he knew he didn't belong in a room like this, and he felt ashamed.

I'll have to think about what to wear, too.
Thank you for your time. ......
"No, sir. It's a small price to pay for having you here.

　"No, it's a small price to pay for your stay," she said matter-of-factly, brushing her beautiful hair out of her face.

　Futa said something that he had been meaning to ask her.

Why are you buying so much? I'm flattered, but what do you want me for?
"Oh, I forgot to tell you the purpose of my offer, didn't I? You're right, it's understandable if you're suspicious. I'm sorry.

　Lilac chuckles.

"I really just wish we could get together more often. I'm just trying to be the strongest."
To be strong: ....... You don't want to be a teacher, do you?
Yes, I want you.

　Futa flinched for a moment when he was told head-on that he wanted you.
　"Don't worry," Lilac continued.

"I swear, all I want from you is my hand in yours. You may make a pact with me. Years, until you wish to leave the castle. I'd prefer that day never come.

　It's no different than the proposal at the Fountain Square. The terms of the offer were more specific.

　But that wasn't what Futa was wondering.

"Why do you want to be the strongest?"

　The answer to his question was just a smile.

"...... Oh, um... I wish I could help you in some way.

　I'm not sure what to say.

"All I want from you is a hand to hand with me. No need to pry.
"...... I understand.

　"I understand." He replied, implicitly, "Don't ask.

　But Lilac gently reminded him that he had overstepped his bounds.

I'm sure you'll be able to find something to talk about sooner or later. But not now... Oh, yes.

　Holding up a finger as if it were an idea, she continued mischievously.

"All you can do is, well. All you can do is, well... let me keep hoping that I'll want to tell you everything about me.
"Expect," she says. ...... You think you have some kind of expectation of me?
Yes.

　I nodded, closed my eyes, and said.



"Man is not a slave to his profession. You've shown me that firsthand.



　I choked up.

"I hope you will continue to do so in the future, .......

　Finally, smiling at Futa, Lilac glanced at the clock.

　The time was almost noon.

I have some business to attend to in the afternoon, so please make yourself at home in the meantime. I'll ask the maid to take care of you.
Do I stay in this room?
Yes. I won't stop you from going out. However, it would be troublesome if you were unable to return to the castle, so I'll ask you to stay here with the maid.
Understood.
Thank you. Thank you.

　Softly Lilac narrowed her eyes and then put her hand on the opulent double doors.

"Oh, yes. The one I'm going to give you is my most trusted maid. You can rest assured that you won't be messed with by any other castle officials through her. It's just.

　She pondered for a moment, then lowered her eyebrows as if troubled.



She's a bit of a creature of habit, so I hope you'll be generous with her.



















　What does it mean to say that a maid has strong habits?

　He thought about it, but could not come up with an answer, so he just stood there.

　The fact that he didn't sit down was a sign of his earnestness, as he didn't want to leave his current smell in this clean room as much as possible.


Even though ...... the maids are supposed to be here. I'm not sure if it's okay to leave me here.

　I wondered.
　I knew that the fireplace would be a passageway, and there was no guard at the door.
　As far as I can see, there are only so-called "money items", both big and small.

　They left a man here, a vagrant, in such a state.

　I wonder if they are confident of their security.

　In the middle of the large room, Futa thinks.

　Two days ago, I never thought this would happen.


　Having no occupation is the same as having no identification in this world.

　In this developing world, there was still not enough room to help the underdog.

　Tomorrow's development is more important than helping the weak.

　In a society where humans are consumed as cogs, it is quicker to eliminate parts that do not fit into the ready-made products.

　And so, the "unemployed" continued to be eliminated.

　As the saying goes. Humans have a habit of attacking visible heretics and eliminating them in order to protect the species.

　Maybe it's an instinct not to leave inferior species behind, or maybe it's a psychological need to feel relieved when we see people who are lower than us.


　Either way.

　In any case, the filthy "unemployed" who appeared at the end of their wanderings were nothing more than feathers or toys to the people.


"There's no work here for the unemployed."

"What's your occupation?"　We can't help you if you don't have a job.

What are you doing here if you don't have a job?　If you're just chillin', don't leave.


　I accepted it as a matter of course, gave up, and crawled my way to King's Landing. I was at a loss for what to do with my life tomorrow.


　I never thought I'd be in trouble in a place like this.


　Looking around, I could see the beautiful garden from the window.

　The furnishings all looked expensive. The furnishings all looked expensive, much more so than in the Colosseum's executive offices.

　For Futa, it was a world of its own.

...... Are you saying you don't mind if they steal it?

　I have no intention of stealing it.
　Rather, no thought of harming Lilac came to Futa's mind.

　Whatever she was thinking on the inside.
　No matter how hard he tried, she was the one who had given him the words he wanted.

　For the first time in his life, he knew the power of mimicry and still expected more from Futa.

　Turning his back on such a person was not something he was willing to do.

　But that was Futa's feeling, and not something that Lilac could understand.

　That's why Futa was puzzled.

　That's when it happened.



My princess can tell at a glance if a person is trustworthy or not...



　For some reason, a blonde girl peeked out of the window.
　The first thing you see is her curly twin tails and the white brim on her head.

　It's a good idea to take a look at the website and see if you can find anything you like.

Why did you go through the window ......?
That's because I don't want to look suspicious.
No, it's very suspicious.

　Here we go.
　He looks like a thief with a cloth on his back.

"A pretty maid entering an empty room that was cleaned in the morning. Wouldn't it be suspicious if someone saw us?　Wouldn't it?
"I see.
"The castle administration is in charge of the schedule. If someone sees you and one of the furnishings is missing, it will be the maid's fault, because of you.

　She pointed a finger at me and said.

"Oh, me?
"That's right. You're taking care of a guest that the princess invited in secret.
Oh, so you're .......
Yes.

　A big smile and a peace sign. I'm not sure if you've heard of it or not.

It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're doing.

　Futa nodded, "I see.

　It's true that this was a strong habit.