It was a strange day that morning.

　I woke up, got ready as usual, and suddenly thought of putting on the music box she had given me.

　It sounded bright and joyful, like she was about to open the door and barge in.

　I wondered if she would be embarrassed if I played it when she actually came in. Or would she be happy? In any case, I've taken a liking to it, so I know I'll keep playing it.

　I began my daily routine of pretending to be a girl, my thoughts running in circles.

　And then.

"Mr. Futa. I've brought you your meal.


　Far from her, a perfect "attendant" appeared.



　I was told that from today on, she would be bringing the food.

　We were told nothing about her whereabouts.

　Futa had no idea what had happened, but he knew that something had happened.


　Futa ran out of the room. The only sound in the room was the endless sound of the music box.











"Is that the blonde maid?　Oh, no. No, I haven't seen her today.


　I looked for her.


I haven't seen her. She's a noisy maid. I'm sure you'd recognize her.


　I looked.


Yesterday she came home looking very happy and unusually drunk, but I haven't seen her since ...... this morning.


　I searched.


I'm sorry, I don't know.

Until yesterday.

What, he's not here?

　I looked. I looked. I looked.


　And he was nowhere to be found.

　If you're just playing hide-and-seek, just say so.

　If you're just playing around, we'll laugh when we find him.

　But no.


　The first time I went into her private office.


　It was really just a clean room with no personal items.


　And.
　A few neatly folded maid's uniforms were carefully tucked away.


　As if they had done their job.





"Corona. ！！！！！

Where are you?

Answer me, please!





　There was no reply to his voice, which was filled with grief.

　Lilac said she had an audience with the returning king today that would take up some of her time. Squires were not allowed to enter the audience hall.


　So when Futa heard that the meeting was over, he rushed to the meeting.

　I may not know anything.

　But he knew that she would know something.


"Lilac-sama!　It's Futa!

"Yes. --Come in.

　Her mind knew what to do, but her body forgot to be polite.

　Lilac was having tea with a guest when the door opened with a bang.

　She knew instantly that it wasn't Corona, so she said.


"Mr. Lilac. Corona's not here.


　She slowly sipped her tea and nodded her head.

"Of course.
"Oh, so you do know. Thank God.

　Futa patted his chest, relieved.
　If Lilac knows, there is no need for me to know everything.
　This was what Futa thought, but Lilac's expression was strange.

"...... Lilac-sama?
"I don't know where she went.

　Lilac shook her head easily.

What? ...... So you know when you'll be back?
I don't think he's coming back.
What do you mean?

　What do you mean?" Without thinking, Futa closed in on Lilac.
　As Richter watched on, the princess, who was supposed to be cold, was surprisingly calm.

　But the princess, who was supposed to be cold, was surprisingly considerate of Futa.
　Is it really "compassion", "to use", or is there something more to it, like "expectation"?

　Richter could not decide.

"She has broken her contract with me. She can stay as long as she wants, just like you. And then she cut it. Now that she's made the offer, she's not going to stay.
......



　A small cry escapes from the wide-eyed Huta.

　Lilac only brushes her hair quietly.

"Master Lilac!
"What's ......?
I'll go look for it!

　Lilac was about to open her mouth, but stopped.
　She shook her head and continued.

It's pointless, so don't do it.
No, it's not!　It's pointless!
"If she has no intention of coming back, keeping her around will only harm me. You can't bring someone like that back.

　I told her to give up loosely, but she didn't listen.

"Lilac-sama ......
"If you understand, then back off. I have a job to do.

　And with that, he turned away.

　Richter looked at him boringly.








"No. ！！！！







　Slowly Lilac turned around.

　His fists were shaking and his chest was clenched tightly, but he remained where he was.

　It was so painful for Futa to speak to Lilac.
　But even so, there was something he wanted to say.

　Because it was.

"...... I understand. I'll be honest and straightforward about everything.
Yes. Even if it's to my detriment, please do so.


　It was Lilac herself who told him so.


"...... Futa?
I am.

　Step forward.

　Lilac didn't move. Step in front of her, one step at a time.

"I am, Master Lilac!

　She hesitates, then shakes her head.

　The face that stares at Lilac has a pained expression on it, as if it doesn't know what to do. But her eyes were strong and determined, and she was looking right through Lilac.

I love him as much as I love you!　I want him to stay with me!
"So what is it?

　So what?" Futa was not the least bit intimidated by the question.
　Yes, it was only natural that he should be asked so what.
　It's none of Corona's business what I write about my feelings.
　That's what Lilac wanted to say. But...

　It doesn't matter.


"So I'm bringing her back!
...... I don't understand.
I'm bringing her back because I want her to be with me. I don't know why she's gone, Corona. She doesn't want me. I'm bringing her back because I don't want her to leave.
...... even if it doesn't benefit her?
I don't like it.
...... Isn't that just selfish?
It's selfish.

　But...

I've been saved by her selfishness. I don't want to see her go without saying goodbye.
"Futa.


　Futa's selfishness echoes in a room without a music box.



I'm not sure what to do with it.

It's a worthwhile thing to make. From tonight onwards, I'll be sure to bring it to you on the serving table.

It's your fault, not the unemployed.

That's fine. If anyone is still squealing, the maids will clean it up for you.



"......... Oh well. I don't know how long I can keep playing like this.



　I'm not sure what to do.

　He knew and didn't touch her.
　But...

I'll give you exactly what you said on the first day.

　I don't believe that the reason why she disappeared when she smiled so happily was because she didn't want to stay in the castle.


　Even if she said it was because she was tired of staying...


　I'd get down on my knees and bring her back.


　If there was one thing I could give up on her, it was this.


　The only time I'd ever give her up would be if she was insanely happy.



"I'm going to find Corona. When we meet--


It's okay.
What?
I told you I'd be busy these days anyway. Besides, until we find Corona, you're not going to be able to make a match. No problem.
"...... Mr. Lilac.
I'll say it again. Stand down. I have duties to perform.


　With that, Lilac turned away once more.

　Huta bowed to her back.

　Then she left the room at full speed, something even a maid would not do.



"......, Your Highness, you are...
It was Futa who asked to be used at any cost.

　Lilac shrugged her shoulders and looked at Richter.

I'm not.

　Once again, Lilac took her seat.

I'm not trying to get Corona back. I just...
"Just what?
I just wanted Hooter to decide for himself what to do.
And that's why you didn't give him the benefit of the doubt?
Yes. It's a little too early to do that.
I don't care, Your Highness. You're not hiding anything from me anymore.
Oh, you mean that. Let me ask you something.

　Lilac gently brushed her lips with her finger and told Richter.

"Huta witnessed your secret meeting with me. What should we do?
"～～～～～!
"Well, don't be in such a hurry. Don't worry.

She narrowed her eyes and laughed.



"You and I are the only ones who can do that.



"No way!
Aren't you glad you're free from the boardroom?
Don't I have freedom of will, ......?
You can say, "No! I don't care if you say, 'No!
You can't do that. ......

　You can say, "No!" like Futa.



I'm still not sure how you feel.
"What?
But... I think I'll try to understand .......




I love him as much as I love you!　I want him to be with me!





I want him to be with me!" "When push comes to shove, you can't just... I want you to be with me!" "If it comes to it, will you force me to come back too?

　A little bit of doubt and anticipation rubbed together in her chest. Lilac lowered her eyebrows in annoyance.