"What do you mean, out of the princess's plan?

　Crossing her arms, Futa twisted her head.
　Does this mean that the attack on Corona is part of Lilac's plan?

　If so, what does he want with it?

The source of the rumor is the princess, right? Well, I don't think it can be traced.
And who sent the assassin?
If anything, it was Futa-sama who defeated the assassin.

　I'm sure you're not the only one.

It's a great trust.
I'm sure you'll agree. I'm not afraid to do whatever it takes to get what I want. Maid, you said so in the beginning. You said you'd do everything you could.
"I see. ......

　I'm not sure what to do.

　Corona glanced at him.

Do you not like the princess anymore?
No, not at all.
"What?　I misread you.
You did this because you thought I could live up to your trust, didn't you?　Then there's no reason to blame me.
...... Wow. Well, sure?　He said with a smug look on his face, "I'm sure Futa can handle that.
Did you ask him?
"I asked him. I asked him if he knew that Futa-sama was that strong.

　Oh, dear." Corona cowered.

I'm sorry for not telling you.
I'm not sure what to do. I'm not sure what to say. I'm not sure if I'd be able to do that.　Don't you think?
No, the ...... princess would have told you if she thought it was necessary, wouldn't she?
I'm not sure if it's just the maids or if it's ...... something that doesn't add up. I'm so angry I'm going to peel an orange.
Please stop, I can't finish it.

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

"Mr. Futa...
Hmm?
You're being used completely, is that okay?　It's not that I don't like you a little bit.
Use. ......

　It's true that Futa was told by Lilac that he didn't have to do anything.
　It is true that Futa was told by Lilac that he did not have to do anything, but he had to fight off assassins .......

　However, Lilac didn't send the assassins directly, and even if Futa complained, he would just get an apology and say "I'm sorry for my mistake.

　In the first place, Futa had no intention to complain about it.

　It was thanks to Lilac that he was now alive and with Corona.

　She was the first person who was happy with his sword.

　I have the eyes to tell if she's lying or not.

　Every time we meet, it's as if she's telling me she likes me.
　Her feelings are working on me like a body blow.

　So now, when she tells me I'm being used...

I don't care if I'm being used.
"Boo-hoo.
"...... just.

　Yeah, just.

　I'm not sure what to say, but I'm going to say it.

...... It's a bit presumptuous to compare me to you, but... I've been thinking.
What's that?
The ...... princess is probably all alone, too.

　When Corona finished peeling the orange, she put the fruit knife on the table and turned around.

"...... Why do you think that?
No, it's just... You can tell by the way they fight.

　Futa's swordsmanship is "imitation".
　It's not your opponent's swordsmanship, but your opponent's trajectory.

　I don't know what he was thinking when he was training.

　What did he focus on?
　Where did he have talent and where did he fill in with hard work?

　And.
　From the way he trains and the menu, it's easy to see what kind of fight he's working towards.

　It was a trail of his efforts that only Futa could understand.



"I can sense it. You're a princess. "I can sense that you, princess, are constantly honing your swordsmanship with the expectation of fighting alone.
"......
That's not what a fencer does. You'll need to be able to react to a one-on-many fight, a surprise attack, or a leap from a blind spot. They are trained to be able to react to such things. Among other things. ......



　Close your eyes and remember.

"His back defense was the best of any swordsman I've ever met. It was as if they were always ready to betray you.
...... Really?
I don't know why. I don't know why. It's not like I can see into the past. But I can see the tracks of my training. So that's what I thought.

　So, even more so.

　I couldn't feel bad for the girl who seemed to be genuinely enjoying honing her swordsmanship as she pointed her sword at Futa.

"All alone... I see, I see. Well, if you want to be close to me, I won't stop you. Let's go win the princess's right hand.
I don't think I can be her right hand. I don't think I can be the right-hand man, but I hope I can repay the princess in some small way with the role she's asked of me.
Hey. There are rumors about you being a potential knight, but you don't want to be one?
I don't deserve to be a knight, and more importantly, the princess didn't ask me to be one. I don't think so.
Well, I'm sure the princess doesn't want you to be a knight either. You're too smart for that.
Enough!　You'll miss Corona's supper!

　Corona's hand that was reaching for the fruit basket stopped.

"Oh. You'd rather have a maid's cooking than fine fruit?
"Why are you bothering to rephrase that? Yes, but...
I see. I'll take advantage of your soft-spoken manners and cook you another meal today!
I don't know why I was bad-mouthed. ......

　Corona, in a good mood, was about to walk out the door.

　The moment she opened the door, she stopped.

　When she opened the door, she stopped. Futa looked at her and saw a man standing there.


"Oh, Moppy.
You really are a disrespectful maid, aren't you ......!

　He called himself Richter, the head of the nobility.

Do you wish to see Master Futa?
Yes. Out of my way, maid.
Excuse me. You owe me one.
Why?

　As if to escape the shouting, Korona darted back behind Futa.

　I'm sure you've heard of it.

And Mr. Richter, is it? What can I do for you?
You don't mind if I call you Futa, do you?
Yeah. Yeah. It's better than being called "unemployed."
...... What do you mean, "unemployed"? Your fighting spirit is not something that "unemployed" can produce.

　I'm not sure what you're talking about.
　He wondered if she knew about the fighting spirit.

　At least Lilac didn't.
　That's why she was kept away from many people because she was letting it hang around.

　I had taught her how to control it during our daily meetings, but she was completely ignorant.

　The mere fact that someone from the same country knows about it raises a question mark.

"Do you know about fighting spirit?
"What are you talking about? It's none of your business what I know or don't know.
It is. The princess at ...... didn't know about the fighting spirit.
I heard it from the princess. My family is a branch of the royal family. You don't know it, but I'm more than familiar with it.
"......

　You may not know this, but we are more than familiar.

You can't tell me that. You can't tell me what you're doing if you're not telling me about your relationship with Futa-sama.
"What?

　Futa couldn't help but let out a squeak.
　I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.

"Well spoken maid.
I'm sure you'll be glad to hear that.
I never dreamed that Her Highness didn't know.

　Richter shook his head sadly.
　It's not as if Huta didn't realize that this was all an act.

　Lilac's unconscious fighting spirit had kept many people away from her until now.
　Futa looks at him, knowing the reason, but overlooking it.



You don't think the princess is very important to you, do you?
That's absurd. Of course I do. That's what nobility is all about.
What does he want with me?
That's easy.

　Richter said, pointing his thumb outside.

"Go out front. Go out front. I'll have my hands on you as well as the princess.