--In the courtyard of the King's castle.


　Richter looked at his empty palm.

　Then he looked up.

"...... You've got a nasty man here. Is he good enough to be a knight?
I'm not going to be a knight. How many times do I have to tell you?
You don't have proof. Then I won't listen to you.

　With that, Richter walked past Futa and started to leave the courtyard.

　He paused and muttered.

But you've proven yourself. I'll have to move to eliminate you by any means necessary.
Do you really want to be knighted?
I'm not looking for a knighthood. ...... Well, you were so focused on your defeat that you didn't reward yourself when you won.

　Richter glanced at Corona at the banquet table.

　Corona was in the middle of bragging to the nobles about Huta's victory.

　She must have judged that there was no need to worry about the recording technique.
　Richter opened his mouth.

I'll tell you something. You don't know it yet, but you need ...... fetters.
What do you want with the ...... princess?
No, I don't. I don't want anything to do with her. Your Highness is in danger.

　With that, Richter turned away and started walking again.

　This time, there seemed to be no reason to stop - but as he was about to leave, Richter took a step back, as if involuntarily.


　What appeared in the courtyard was a girl.


I'm sorry to disturb you while you are enjoying yourself. What were you doing with my guest?

　Her hair was as beautiful as the silver world, and her azure eyes were fixed sharply on Richter.

　But then, with a soft smile, the girl asked.

I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.
"Your Highness, Princess Lilac, this is...
"Your Highness, you are looking good today. ......

　As if in a panic, the nobles went to greet her.

　The girl Lilac, with a smile on her face, stopped them with her hand.

"Fine. Answer my question.

　And then.
　In spite of her pretty smile, the nobles were trapped by her strong words.

"Your Highness. Good day to you.

　It was Richter who stood up for them.

"I asked Futa for a meeting with you. He graciously accepted, and here we are, enjoying the match.

　Lilac eyes pierced Richter's.

"I see.　My guest, the best swordsman in the palace, is fighting a duel?
It's not a duel. It's a contest. You know what he's capable of, don't you, Your Highness?

　Implicitly, he knows the connection.
　But Lilac didn't lose her composure. Far from it.

"Yes. He was a champion of the Colosseum in a distant duchy. I'm sure he's quite capable.
"......

　The information that came from Lilac's side left Richter speechless.

　But Richter was not the only one who was surprised.
　I'm not sure what to say. He hadn't even talked to the champion.

　Then Lilac seemed to notice Futa's gaze and made eye contact.
　Then she ran lightly.
　She was wearing a pretty dress, which was different from the one she wore when she crossed swords, so it looked very difficult to run.

"Oh my god. I can't believe you took the match without consulting me.
I'm sorry.
No, it's nothing to do with the contract. I'm not complaining.

　I was just worried about you," Lilac smiled, sticking her index finger in the air.
　The smile was completely different from the one she had just given Richter and the others.

　And then a voice from behind her.

"Your Highness!
"Isn't that ......?
Is he a potential knight for you?

　At Richter's question, Lilac turned around.
　I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one.

"Richter.
Yes.


Do I owe you an answer to that question?
"...... No.

　While the nobles paled, Richter shook his head once.

"My private struggle with my guest is of no consequence. Leave immediately.
"Ha! ......

　The noblemen's movements were smooth when they were ordered by Her Royal Highness.

　The only ones left in the courtyard were Futa, Lilac, and...
　And.

"Futa-sama, Futa-sama, Futa-sama!　The maid was rather anxious!　I'm so glad we won, the princess would have beaten us to a pulp!
"Oh, oh.
"Corona. I'm not going to beat up Hooter.

　Popping popping popping.

　I'm not sure if you've seen this before, but I'm sure you've. But Lilac brushed her hair away in disgust.

But Lilac brushed her hair away in disgust and said, "Futa can't lose to anyone. Didn't I tell you that yesterday?
"You're right, Princess, but... The maids don't even have the slightest idea of a warrior's skill.
What is it? What do you mean, you don't know?

　I'm not sure what you mean by "I don't know", said Futa to Lilac, who raised her eyebrows in annoyance.

I think that's where you can't go if you don't care.
"I see. It's a little frustrating.
"What?　What do you mean?
I feel like you've already outdone me in the handling of Corona.

　Lilac said with a complicated smile.
　He swallowed, thinking it was cute that Lilac had said she didn't understand. It was too rude, he decided.

"But--

　Lilac looked around.

　The sun was shining through the trees, and the blue sky was clear and pleasant in the early afternoon.

It's a nice place," she said, "though I haven't had much chance to visit it since it's usually occupied by the nobility. It's a nice place.
"Yes, it is. I like this kind of place, too.
Let's go to ...... for a rest. You've just moved on.

　Lilac glances at Corona and says.

Can you prepare some tea for me?
"Yes, ma'am!　I've got some weed in the mail that I don't understand, so I'm going to throw it in!
What kind of weed is it?　Hey, Corona!
Hey, Corona!

　I'm not sure what you mean by grass I don't understand!

　The only ones left behind were Futa and Lilac.

　The only ones left behind were Futa and Lilac. Futa let out a sigh and noticed the look in his eyes.
　Lilac was looking at him with blinking eyes.

You're really getting to know each other. ......
"Yeah, yeah. Thanks to her. We've talked about this before.
We haven't really had a chance to talk in the company of each other.

　Lilac sat down on the bench beside him with a handkerchief.

Come sit next to me.
"Are you sure?

　She asked in a double meaning.
　Simply, can I sit next to you?
　Then there was the fact that I was sitting next to a princess in a public place.

　Lilac chuckled.

"Who am I to scold?
"If that's what you mean.

　She sits down fearfully.
　She smelled softly of lilac flowers.

　Her long hair touched Futa's arm.

"...... Um...
"What's wrong?

　I was too inexperienced to know what to say in such a situation.
　The topic of conversation with Lilac was usually swords, but for that she was now...

"The dress is so beautiful, it looks great on you.
"....... Thank you very much. It's not a very smart thing to say, but ....... You do care, don't you? I'll take that as a yes.



　The long, formal dress was graceful, showing off the lines of her body.
　The see-through shoulder area and the beautifully sewn ruffles.
　The gray, almost black, coloring enhanced her beautiful impression.

It was certainly not something she wore in front of Futa. I usually wear a dress when I'm in office.
It was good to see ...... you.
You're being honest. It's honest, though.

　But," Lilac muttered, exhaling once, as she gazed around the square, enjoying the view.

I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.

　Things to do.
　Hooter looked up at her.

　Lilac had just found out that Futa was a champion.
　I wonder if she checked.

　If so, Futa thinks, maybe.
　Maybe she already knew he'd been fired for cheating.

"Victory over Richter. That's a big step.
Huh?
...... What's with the face? You think I have something else to say?
Uh, yeah.

　Scratching the back of his head, Futa said.

You knew I was a champion, didn't you?

　Oh," Lilac nodded as if remembering.

I just happened to know. I don't know much about him, but I heard he had a long reign. I'm a little relieved.
"Relieved, you mean?
The shorter your reign is, the more I can't help but shudder at what kind of inhuman world that country is.

　Lilac smiled jokingly.
　The smile didn't seem to contain anything, and Futa was silent for a moment.

　At this rate, Lilac didn't seem to know anything about Futa's eight hundred years.