--The princess's office.

　The dark and gloomy private room on the north side was Lilac's workroom of choice.
　It was beginning to feel a little chilly.
　The music box playing music in the corner of the room reminded her of the sound of falling snow.


　Lilac, who was sitting at her desk and writing, suddenly looked up.

"What was that?
"Wow!　Maid, I think this is the first time I've seen the princess's surprised face. Should I have recorded it?

　She glared at her own maid, who smiled at her as usual.

"Eh. I'm sure you're not the only one.
It is true that I do not like people who do not listen to me. But it's not that I didn't listen to you. It's just that I didn't want you to mishear.
"Buh. So...

　She continued matter-of-factly.

"So," she continued matter-of-factly, "you're not renewing your contract?　That's what I'm talking about, princess.
"............

　Lilac's eyes were scrutinized, and she made no effort to hide her doubts.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

　You will find a lot of people who are looking for the best way to get the most out of their life.

"......, is that so?

　I'm not sure if it's a good idea or not.

I've had a certain amount of faith in you.
I'm not sure what to do.　It was a lot of fun.
"It was only a mutually agreed upon contract. If you've had enough, I have no right to stop you. Go away, wherever you are.
"Fine. Now, where shall we go?
Haven't you found a place to go?
Well, I won't tell you. Princess, you'll soon be revealing everything about the maid. No!

　The only sound is a quiet music box, echoing sadly.

"......
"......

　Quietly, only the sound of the music box rings out sadly.

"What do you say?
"...... This is what you sent me.

　Quietly, only the sound of the music box rings out sadly.

"...... Ah. I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one. I'm not sure what to do.　A bargain!　Great!
"At ......, the contract ends in 10 days. After that, we're out of your hair. Good.
"Okay, okay, okay. I don't care. I'll take care of you for the next ten days.
Okay. --Stand down.
See you later.

　Corona runs out of the room.

　Lilac, who was left behind, let out a small sigh and looked at the still blaring music box.

Why all of a sudden?

　Gently brushing her lips, Lilac is lost in thought for a moment.
　Her words and actions. The change in environment from last year. The possible future. The things that have happened around her. What to expect in the future, and how it will affect her.
　And then the pieces clicked into place and she looked up.

"...... I see. I'll have to back that up, but it's a rough estimate.

　I stared at the scroll of work at hand and muttered.

"Caring about Futa, huh?

　I close my eyes.

　Should I keep her around? I thought about it and shook my head.
　After all, it's only a mutual interest.
　If she didn't choose to come to me, then that's the extent of her trust in Lilac.

　That's all there is to it.

　Even if the beautiful sound was her favorite. 　　

"Nothing is more harmful to a person than the person they bind to their side.



　"As long as the contract is over, we'll just have to make plans as if you weren't here.

　So Lilac closed the lid of the music box.













"Miss Lilac. You wanted to see me?　I'm Futa.
Please come in.

　Lilac stood up and welcomed the tall, thin young man who entered the room after saying, "Excuse me.

　He tilted his head and looked around as if he was uncomfortable in the room, but then quickly turned to Lilac.

Do you want me to make you some tea?
"Yes. I'm not sure what to do with it.
I'll ask ...... the worst Corona.
"......

　The boiling water for making tea was brought in a kettle.

　I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do it, but I'm sure I'll be able to do it.

It looks like we won't be leaving the office today?
I'm not going to be able to take a very long break considering my plans for the rest of the day.

　As he warmed his teacup on the low table, Futa looked at Lilac.
　She was tidying up her desk and her expression seemed to have a shadow on it.

"You mean you're going to meet someone?
"Yes. I have to talk to a crooked executive.
Well, that's another ...... hell of a character profile. ......
It's true.

　The best tea leaves in the office are steeped in a special pot for a few minutes.
　I'm not sure what to do with it.

Are you planning something with him?
"Planning? That's a nice, frank way of putting it. Yes, I am. The "manager" is the kingpin who controls commerce in King's Landing. ...... Oh, delicious.

　Lilac sipped the tea served to her and muttered, a little surprised.

I'm sure you'll be pleased with the results.
"Yes. Not bad at all. ...... Well, it's just that I'm looking forward to the future.
"...... Gosh. Not only do you need to learn how to cook, you also need to learn how to make tea. ......

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

I'm not sure what to say. I'm not sure if that's the right word to use, but I'm hoping it is.
"Yes.
Not "yes". I'd like to hear something a little more clever.
Okay, okay.
Keep working hard, okay?

　Lilac tilts her cup with a smile.

I'm always up for a tea party that's all fun and games.
But today's schedule doesn't allow for that, does it?
"Well, he's just the person to help me destroy this country.
Mr. Lilac, aren't you being a little evil?
"I'm being completely honest.

　She says simply and picks a cookie from the cake stand.


"I'm going to destroy this country.

It's the end of order, the beginning of chaos. It's the end of order, the beginning of chaos. But I don't think that chaos is a bad thing.

"First, we're going to put the nobility on par with the common people, and then we're going to tear down the king."


　The words we exchanged that night are still burned in Futa's ears.

　The meeting with the twisted "manager" must be important for her purpose.

The king's return is coming soon, and I want to do what I can before then.
"Well, ...... are you Lilac's father?
Yes, I am. Well, that's all.

　Brushing off her beautiful silvery hair, Lilac stood up.

It was a good break. The tea was delicious. ......

　She looked down at Futa, who was sitting on the other side of her, and smiled as innocent as a child.

It's the first time I've ever tried to talk to someone about my thoughts. ...... Talking can help you organize your thoughts. This is new to me.
I'm glad I could be of help to you, Lilac.
I see. ...... I see. That's strange. You mean it, don't you?
Yes.
I see.

　She exhaled and grabbed some scrolls from her desk.

As soon as I'm done with my business for the day, we'll have time for a meeting. ...... If Richter asks you to do something, just say no. Is that clear?


"Huh?　Uh, yes . Name it. ......
I'll have Corona clean up. Let's go.

　Once inside the room, Lilac checked to make sure she hadn't left any important documents behind, and walked off.

　Futa was about to follow her when he suddenly realized.

　He felt the same strange feeling he had when he came into the room.

The music box isn't playing today, is it?

　The snowy-toned music box that always sounded in her office.
　Lilac paused and turned to Futa.

"Yes. I stopped it just now... should I have played it?

　It was a question he didn't quite understand.

　Futa pondered the sudden question seriously and shook his head.

It was Lilac-sama's mood.
"......, huh? Yes, you are absolutely right.

　She leaves the room, her hair swept up like the silver world.

　Then, for some reason, Futa felt he had to say something and stopped her.

But I like the sound of it very much.

　Lilac stopped dead in her tracks.

"Are you getting tired of it, Lilac?
"...... Well.

　I'm not sure what to say.

"Are you bored or are you bored? --It doesn't matter.

　And then he walked off without turning around. At his back, Futa walks away.

　I can't think of anything clever to say, but still.

"...... Lilac-sama?

　He narrowed his eyes, sensing some kind of foreboding.