--Morning. The main street of King's Landing.

　People start their day's activities under the freshly risen sunshine.
　The main street that forms the center of King's Landing is crowded from the very beginning of the morning.

　While many people are still in slumber, the main street is crowded with vendors and people looking for today's fresh products.

　In the midst of all this, a girl walks dexterously through the crowd.



　I don't know the meaning of the muttered words.

　Her steps were light, as if she was on her way to a fun outing.

　If it weren't for that unflattering, sooty white dress that completely envelops her body, and the furoshiki wrapping around the end of the stick she carries.

　She looked as if she had been kicked out of somewhere with just her body.
　But the two tassels of gold are as beautiful as if they were arranged in a noble house.

　The girl with the odd, floating appearance walks on, attracting the attention of those around her. She walks.

　The piece of stick on her shoulder and the wrapping cloth at the end of the stick swayed unsteadily.
　She looks as if she doesn't care about it, even though it would be easily stolen by a thief.

　It was eerie, and the thieves were alarmed.

　They wondered if there was some kind of trap laid for them.
　Because today is the day the king returns to King's Landing. It wouldn't be surprising if he was taking some measures to maintain security.

"Blah, blah, blah, blah, ......

　A girl wandering alone.
　This way and that way, as if there were no destination.

　If there was someone here who could hold her hand, she could walk straight.
　If there was someone here who could talk to her, she could go anywhere she wanted.

　But there was no one around the girl.
　She just wandered around like a lost child, going from big street to small street, and from small street to big street.

　When she finally came out, she came across a long line.

　The largest carriage road leading to the royal castle was filled with a huge procession of people as His Majesty the King returned from his meeting with the law.

　Passing by the people from the royal city who had come to watch the procession, she turned to the opposite direction of the procession.

　That is to say, in the opposite direction from the royal castle.

......

　Suddenly, the song she had been singing stopped.

　Then she looked back at the castle just once.

　The beautiful castle, pierced by a clear sky, was the shelter where she had lived for three years.

　"It was a place where she had spent time under contract, but a place she had enjoyed enough to live in.

　But still...

I'm not sure what to say.

　I let out a small breath.

　If I stay in the castle any longer...


"Thank you for being here, Corona.

"I've always had a certain amount of faith in you.


　Corona turns her back on the castle.

　With a big smile on her face, she stepped forward.

　It's all right.

　It's a shame to risk it all for a maid.


"Woof, woof, woof.


　Walk, walk, walk. There's no destination, but...

　Well, I don't care if we end up here or out in the open.

　I'd rather get in trouble at the castle.

　I don't want to see your face clouded. Because--


"I want you to live.


　That was the first time anyone had ever said that to me.

　It's the first time he's ever said that to me, and he'd be sad if I died in front of him.

　If he's going to be sad, it's better if he's gone.

　Because I don't want to make someone I care about sad.


　And so, finally, at the gate.

　If I had walked straight, I might have gotten there a little faster.
　Unfortunately, I have no sense of direction.
　After a long and slow walk, I finally came to the entrance of the capital.

　Once I get past this point, I'll probably never come back.

"Well, good day to you all.

　I greeted the city I had spent three years in one last time.

　And that's when I took my first step.


"I've been waiting for you to leave the princess.


　A red-haired woman with a dozen or so black-clad men in tow twisted her mouth in amusement.


　I knew it," she said, her eyes battening.

　But then she quickly said, "Well, whatever," and stepped toward them.












　--Noon. Royal Castle, Audience Room.

"Very well, Your Majesty.

　Lilac was standing in the center of a line of nobles.

　She bowed once to her father, who was soon to return, and smiled benevolently.

So, you have invited the Knights of the Divine Dragon from the Kingdom of Law?
Yes. In the meantime, I think we will be discussing the details of the expedition to the neighboring countries.

　The king nodded hawkishly and looked with satisfaction at the smile on his daughter's face that he hadn't seen in a long time.
　He stroked his beard and nodded his head.

　The smart and pretty girl will support herself as a "good retainer" while the king is still respectable like this.



　And then a voice interrupts.

"Please wait!

　A young man kneels down behind Lilac and admonishes the king.

"The expedition will now be discussed...
"Lord Klingbloom.

　But the young man's words are interrupted by a man in armor standing beside the king.
　He is a general, the head of the warlord faction.

"This is certainly unacceptable, considering your interests. But this is the decision of His Majesty the King, and His Highness has nodded in agreement. Your statement can only be passed by parliament.
"But--
"Refrain, Lord Klingbloom.

　Richter gritted his teeth, but as he tried to open his mouth, he gulped.

　Not at the sight of the king.
　Closer. Richter looked up and saw a girl standing right next to him, also facing the king.

　She was looking down at Richter with cold eyes.
　She is saying.




"Shut up for now.




"............ your will. I'm sorry for the disrespect I've caused you in the presence of the king.
"Good. It is the king's duty to listen to the advice of his men. Isn't that right, Lilac?
Yes. I'm always learning from your father.
"Oh, I see.

　The king nodded calmly and the general gave the king an earful.

The king nodded calmly and the general listened to the king. "...... So let me introduce you to the leader of the Shenlong Knights of Falun Gong. He is the one who has the greatest authority on military matters in the Kingdom of Law. I personally invited him in order to further deepen the relationship between the Kingdom and the Kingdom.

　The Kingdom of Law and the Kingdom of China will launch an expedition to the neighboring countries side by side.
　The presence outside the country that was invited to make the arrangements.

　As Lilac quietly squinted, the door was opened.










　--Evening. Lilac's office.

"...... Your Highness. It's not so peaceful to have a secret meeting with me.

　In the dimly lit Lilac's office, which is usually notoriously inhospitable, there was Richter with his hood off.

I have no intention of having a secret meeting. Would you like me to make you some tea?
"You can't say no to ....... Please, be brief. I'm sure you're aware of my position.
My position?　You're the Lord Treasurer of this country.
"......

　Richter sighed heavily.
　Richter sighs loudly and sits down as he is advised.

　Now Richter was, to put it bluntly, caught between two sides.
　The belligerents are staring at him, and the aristocrats are on the verge of disappointment.
　He does not know what will happen if it is known that he has been summoned by "the" princess.

　Knowing this, this woman deliberately summoned me at this time.

　If you glare at her back in annoyance, she will instantly turn around and smile back at you.

　You can tell just how cautious she is, but the king is easily fooled by a pretty girl.

So, what's the story, Your Highness?
You are impatient. Aren't noblemen supposed to have the grace to enjoy a cup of tea?
......

　Richter sips his tea with a look that says, "If only I didn't have to think about my status. It's annoying that it tastes so good.

　As soon as he sipped his tea, Lilac opened her mouth.

It's time to stop hanging my head in that man's face.
"Boom.

　The splash that could have caught Lilac was easily avoided, as if she had foreseen it.

　It was definitely intentional. It's not like I'm staring at her with a grudge.

I know you're wary of me. I don't care. ...... Let me tell you something else. --Follow me.

　His eyes were cold.
　Richter closed his eyes for a moment, then nodded after a moment of consideration.

...... until we have sorted out the problems of this war, if that's all right.
"Very well. "You'll have to sign a contract. --Well, anyway. Well, most of it will go away when this war is over.
"......, you are.

　Richter couldn't help but let out a few words.


　And then a knock sounded.




Yes.

　Contrary to Lilac's swallowing reply, Richter rolled his eyes.

"I thought you were done with people!
I just told you to keep this to yourself.
I just told you to keep it to yourself." "Oh, ......!

　Ignoring Richter's gnashing of teeth, Lilac gave her permission to open the door.

　The person at the end of the door was an unexpected person.

　He left Richter to roll his eyes and said under his breath.



"Mr. Lilac. Corona's not here.



　Why is she in my presence?
　Richter was alone with his head in his hands.