--The villa of the Orba Trading Company.

　It was somewhat smaller than the headquarters that Huta had visited a few days ago, but still a large mansion.
　This mansion, owned by Beatrix under a false identity, was a place used only to conduct business negotiations and clandestine transactions that were difficult to make public.

　Recently, it has been functioning as a meeting place for a certain girl, but today Beatrix came to this place again.

　She carried things out in private, so that no one would know she was here.

　When she arrived at the mansion, she was overheard by Wind, who had brought her along, and her expression changed blatantly. She walked into the house with a look on her face as if she had found a bug she hated in the room.

　"When the cool alto voice returned with a light knock on the room where he had promised to meet her, Beatrix's scowl deepened.

　She's always bothering me when I come after her.

　She turned her head lightly and opened the double doors.


"Sorry to keep you waiting--


　The parlor was meticulously clean.
　I'm not sure what to make of it.
　It's no problem that she, as a princess, is sitting on the sofa in the back as if it were a matter of course.

　The fact that she is making tea without permission - she probably has her own tea leaves - is also fine.

　But the man sitting next to you...

"Mr. Futa!　Hokoku?
"...... Yes. A land of priests that won't allow witches to survive. I'm sure you're visiting this country right now with the return of the king.
I can't believe it.

　It was the very trauma that had shattered his chair at close range.

I'm not sure what to say.

　You'll be able to find a lot more than just a few of them.

　I was irritated by his rudeness, but so was Beatrix, who was trembling and pointing at Futa in surprise.

"Why are you here?
"Did you get permission from Master Lilac?
"Princess Lilac!

　She was about to say Lilac, but she forced herself to raise her voice.

　But Lilac was having none of it.
　I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one who's had a bad experience.

　After all.

"You can call me Lilac. Oh, you can call me sister if you want.
I won't call you that if I die, you idiot!

　After swearing, Beatrix immediately knew what was going on.
　Beatrix strode over to the table and shouted with both hands as the saucer shook vigorously.

What about ......?　What's that?　I'm sure you're not the only one.
"Oh, it was a secret, Lilac?
I didn't even tell her!

　I'm not sure what to make of it, but I think it's a good idea.
　In addition, Lilac caught sight of Wind leisurely waiting at the entrance of the door, and slowly put the cup back in the saucer she had picked up.

Of course it's a secret. I don't want anyone to suspect her of any ties to the trade union, but more importantly, no one will ever know that she has royal blood in her veins.
"Oh, really? Then I'll keep quiet.
Good.
No, it's not!

　You'll be able to find a lot more than just a few of them.

　She was not intimidated by his sharpness.
　But the look in her eyes gave Beatrix away.

　He sat down on the sofa facing her and muttered in disgust.

How much trust do you have in me? ....... If that's the case, say so from the start, it's a complete miscalculation. ......

　You'll be able to find a lot more than just a few of them.
　I'm not sure what to say. I never thought I'd be talking to someone who'd tell me his secrets.

　I've never put this much faith in anyone in my life.
　That's why I let my guard down.
　Never in her life had she placed such trust in someone. Beatrix had never dreamed that this was the man.

　Beatrix murmured, but Lilac shook her head.

I don't think we've developed a relationship that can be called trust.
"What?

　What do you mean?　I've never been able to build a relationship of trust.

I'm just trying to make you trust me.
...... What's the difference between that and trust?

　Beatrix's head only bent further.

...... Okay, fine. If that's what you're going for, then fine.

　Tired of the hassle, Beatrix abandoned her thoughts and placed the basket at her feet on the table.
　She opened it to a platter of her favorite sweets, picked up a cupcake and began to eat it.

　I see, if they behave like this even in front of the princess, it makes sense that they are sisters.
　Futa nodded to herself.

　Beatrix eating endless sweets, and Lilac leaning against a cup of tea.
　Needless to say, it's more graceful.
　Indeed, the way they stroke their lips when they think may be something the two sisters have in common.



　--but.

...... What are you staring at?
No.
If you got something to say, say it.
I don't mind if you're the only one. ......

　It was a little hard to say the words that popped into my head.
　He didn't care about Beatrix, but he didn't want Lilac next to him to catch fire.

　Nevertheless. But now that Lilac was aware of his behavior, it was too late.

"Hooter. I told you. I told you to speak up, even if it's inconvenient for me.
"...... I understand.

　It's unusual for Futa to scratch his cheeks in a slightly embarrassed manner.
　But he was determined to say.

You're Lilac-sama's sister, why are you such a ......
"Oh no, what?

　He stared at her from top to bottom, desperately trying to choose his words.
　But his vocabulary was not large.

He's a dick.
"Dick. ......?

　A cupcake rolled across the table.

　--Futa regretted saying that.
　Wind, standing in front of the door, smiled.

　Lilac quietly reached for her tea, realizing why she was so concerned.

　It was implied that she had a good figure. However, it was probably forbidden for Futa to mention the princess's appearance, much less her body.

　No offense, but...

You've got a point, ......!

　It seems that Beatrix was the only one offended.

　Lilac was about a meret and just under seventy selches tall. If you measured her properly, she'd be about 66 or 67 Celcius.

　Beatrix, on the other hand, must have been less than a meret and 40 selchi.

　Her style, which can be clearly seen when she is lying on her back, is like a so-called "skillet", and pasta seems to be very easy to boil. Maybe it's because she's been into cooking lately.

　Lilac, on the other hand, is a well-proportioned, slender, beautiful princess, though not as beautiful as she is emphasized. I used to be concerned about her baby face, but she is such a beautiful girl that it works as a charm.

　The same goes for her hairstyle.
　Her straightened silver hair is a glorious scent that captures people's eyes every time it is swept, and the hair ornaments she wears are also a beautiful expression of her nobility.

　Beatrix's hair is tied high on her head, which emphasizes her youthfulness, and her hair, which is probably of good quality, is spread out softly, which, combined with her size, seems to reduce her size by one level.

　In conclusion, even if the gestures are similar, why is the atmosphere so different?

　The above is all Futa's subjective opinion.


"He's going to be so good-looking that you won't even recognize him!　Leave him alone!
"My appearance hasn't changed since I was your age.
Why did you just say that?

　The cold words that came out of Lilac's mouth, without saying a word to anyone, seemed to be enough to irritate Beatrix.

　But then Huta suddenly realized.
　Since I was your age. It sounds like you're a little older than I am, when you say it like that.

"How old is ...... Beatrix?
I counted fourteen.
Okay.

　Counting years. I guess he doesn't know his birthday.
　Futa was the same way, so I didn't say anything to him.

　The last thing that would have triggered such a casual treatment would have been Beatrix, who was at the peak of her frustration, telling me with a twitch at the corners of her mouth.

I don't know why you're acting like this even though you know I'm Lilac's sister.　Why don't you show a little respect?　You could be a princess, you know.

　I was not persuaded by what he said while shoving a cupcake on the table into his mouth.
　Still, Futa asked Lilac a question.

"Is Beatrix going to be a princess?
No, not at all. I'll kill her the moment she tries to call herself a princess.
"I see.

　What do you mean, "I see," said Beatrix as she took a new pastry.
　"Since we have a contract, we can't just go after the princess.
　It wasn't the first time Lilac had said this, and Beatrix didn't feel anything but dismay.

But it doesn't change anything.
"What?
I don't love Lilac-sama because she's a princess.

　For a moment, Lilac stopped moving.
　I'm not a princess and I don't love Lilac.
　He was polite at first, but if something happened between them, he would immediately put his own will first.

　--Although she never blamed him, Lilac herself had been confronted by Futa without honorifics on several occasions.

　Lilac added a few words to her own Futa dictionary.

I don't feel bad about that. Hmm.

"So I'm sorry, but whether you're a princess or my boss, there's no reason for me to respect you at all.
"Oh, yeah.



　Beatrix waved her hand away, looking bored.
　It's hard to deal with people who don't dominate you, who don't play along with you.
　As long as you're following Lilac, you don't have much of a chance to get involved in anything interesting.

　Whenever I see him, we're enemies. Just like Lilac.
　Beatrix's eyes narrowed in clear recognition.

　--So," Beatrix let out a squeak at Lilac's words.

I'm the master of Futa. I am the master of Futa, and I have a request for you. Would you be willing to hire Futa for ten days?
"What? ......

　Beatrix's expression grew grim as she couldn't read his intentions.

　The same goes for the fact that he suddenly got to the point. She immediately switches her brain and starts thinking. Why did he say such a thing? What is the purpose, what is the implication behind it, what is the future that will be drawn?

Both eyes fixed on me.

"I don't mind if you do. Are you saying it's okay to treat me like garbage?
I'll leave it to your imagination what I'll do when I hear it later.
It's not a request from you.
"So you'd prefer a more specific and limited 'request'? If you want me to itemize it, I'll do that, but if you miss even one, I'll make you pay.
You said "please." You said "one.
I've seen Richter's vouchers on ......, and you seem to have been given a lot of concessions.
"You're as prepared as ever.

　I'm not sure what to make of this. The fast-paced exchange of terms never ended.

"It's not like you're going to hire me for ten days, anyway. That's what happens when you go around and around.
I don't think you're dumb enough to start out straight and just go with it, so I'll start with the outer moat.
That's a compliment. There's no point in asking for a ridiculous salary, the ten-day limit is a bluff anyway, there are better ways to find out about the Orba Trading Company. --He's unemployed.
You've done your research, haven't you? You've done your research. In the future, I suggest you do your research before you get into trouble.
b*tc*. ......!

　The only person in the world who can call Lilac a b*tc* is Beatrix. Futa was watching their conversation, thinking about how out of place it was.


　--Get hired by the Chamber of Commerce.
　Lilac had told him about it before they entered the house.
　The objective was quite simple. But I was worried that it wouldn't be that easy, and I was also hopeful that Lilac would be able to arrange it.

　The first objective was...

"The only connections I have to the Order of the Divine Dragon are with the Orba Trading Company. You guys, the ones who sold it to them, can get in touch with them, right?
Yeah, that's right.

　--To see Corona in captivity.

Of course, it's impossible to get her out of there, but you know that.
There's a lot of guards, and it's tough to get through. Futa wants to talk to you.
"...... Hmm.

　I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do it, but I'm going to try.
　There is nothing to be ashamed of, nothing to hide, just the truth. Futa made a small jerk of his chin.

　I'm not lying, not one bit. In fact, most of the information Futa knows is what Lilac just told Beatrix. Even though Lilac had told him.

　If you can't do the belly trick, don't do it.
　I'm just telling the truth, and Beatrix will figure it out.
　I'm not lying. I have nothing to hide.
　That's why I believe you.

　Beatrix is a 14-year-old businesswoman who has conquered everything with her abilities.
　It's not a simple task.

　But Lilac said.
　If there's something you want them to do, you just have to figure out how to push and pull it to match their brains.

　Futa wasn't sure how difficult that would be, though.

"...... Well, okay. If that's all, I don't think we'll need ten days.
"Can we meet that quickly?
What?　Why don't you just call him after you've done the groundwork?

　What's the point of ten days? Beatrix thought about it and nodded as if she was satisfied.

At that moment, the story that Lilac had told her before entering the mansion came back to Huta's mind.

　--If you don't want people to notice that you have a backstory, show them the front and let them interpret the back as they wish.


...... Oh, you mean you want me to hire you?
Yeah, you get the idea.
As a member of the Orba Trading Company, I'd like you to take Futa with you. ...... Huta, you're not in contact with the Order of the Divine Dragon, are you?
No, I have not.


If I play with my hair a little as a precautionary measure, it won't matter.

　--And if you can make them think you've outsmarted them, then you've got a fight on your hands.

"...... Hey, Lilac.
Yes?
Of course you're going to hire me for ten days. You're not going to just eat me, are you?
It depends. If you keep spouting off nonsense like that, I'm going to have to switch to a different kind of request.
Don't be so cautious. I'm not trying to get you or Futa in trouble.

　Lilac's eyebrows twitched upward.
　I'm not trying to bother you or Futa." Lilac's eyebrows go up, which Beatrix interprets as a reaction to something unexpected, and she raises the corners of her mouth to say.

"I heard that the Lord Treasurer has overstayed his debt and is trying to get involved in the 'example' story. I can't let go of that interest either.
"......, are you?
If you want to maximize your value, you should use a fighting sword.

　It's a good idea to have a good time.

　But it wasn't because he was surprised by what Beatrix thought.
　But the color of astonishment was the same. Nodding in satisfaction at Huta's pale face, she continued.

"If you can get the Lord Treasurer to play your game within the next 10 days and use Huta, ...... that would be great in my book," she said.
That's .......
I know you're talking to the Lord Treasurer behind my back. I know you've been talking to the Lord Treasurer behind my back. I'd hate to see the profits of the Chamber of Commerce suffer because of it.
"............

　Lilac meditated for a moment, then let out a resigned sigh.

...... is fine.
That's right. It doesn't ultimately matter to you what happens to the Lord of the Treasury. ...... So it's settled then. Nice to meet you, huh?
"...... is fine.

　What the end result of this will be, Futa does not know yet.

　But Huta nodded. To see Corona, to get her back.

　Because...






　The second purpose is...

　--To compete in the Imperial Games on behalf of the Orba Chamber of Commerce.






　Lilac just quietly drank her cold tea.