--A few days after the Imperial Games.



　The weather at noon was pleasant and mild, illuminated by the gentle sunshine.

　The greenery in the botanical garden swayed happily, and the fragrance of the flowers mixed with the artisan's skill soothed one's heart.

　Such is the garden of the royal castle.

　The girl tipped her tea and asked the young man sitting in front of her.

"How is your left arm?
"I'm sorry, the healer has ordered me to rest a little longer."
I see. No, Hooter's body comes first. If that's what the royal family says, then so be it.

　Futa's left arm was in the middle of being treated with splints and bandages.
　That's true. Even though Futa is a well-trained warrior, he is not an amazing person who can go head-to-head with a guillotine and not feel a thing.

　Nevertheless, he was told that if he received proper treatment, there would be no after-effects.
　All of us in the room were relieved to hear that.

"......".
"Oh, Mr. ...... Lilac.
"Well, Futa. I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that you can now enjoy Futa's cooking again, so let's eat it before it gets cold.
"Yes, yes, yes.

　I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one who has a problem with this. The girl, Lilac, smiled at Futa, but her eyes were not smiling, despite her gentle and soft expression.

　On the table was a meal for three.
　It was a modified version of the stew Futa had served him one day, with the stew turned into a sauce and tossed with pasta.

　It was not a bad meal for Lilac, despite the lack of cutlery. This is preferable to the cold one with many cutlery lined up in an elaborate fashion.

　That's why Lilac went to the cellar herself to open the wine she had brought, and Lilac herself helped Huta a little in the kitchen.

　Lilac opened the wine in the cellar herself, and Lilac herself helped Futa a little in the kitchen, at most preparing the dish plates and selecting the cutlery.

　--The fact that there was another girl who was not allowed to do anything and was left and right was not taken into account for now.

"Hello, Miss Lilac.
What is it?

　While pouring Lilac's favorite wine into a glass, Futa looked at her with an indescribably bitter expression.
　Her blue eyes were not smiling at all, and she had the kind of air that would make any nobleman run away barefoot.

　Still, to Futa, it was the wrath of his dear Highness.
　He accepted her feelings without reservation, but interrupted her to say that it was time to move on.

"Please forgive her.

　With that, Futa turned from the table to the one next to him.

　The maid was standing there with tears in her eyes, not even allowed to sit on the chair.

　She was holding a sign around her neck and hadn't even been allowed to speak all day.

I quit my job as a maid without telling Futa-sama, and got caught by a money-grubber, causing you all a lot of trouble.

"Huh?

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

I'm sure you'll be able to understand why I'm here.
"Wow. ......

　This is no good. Hooter guessed.

".......

　You'll be able to find a lot more than just a few. As she gazed out at the orchard ahead of her.

"Oh, is it already the season for maids?
"No, it's not!
"Oh, I didn't know you were allowed to open your mouth.
Oh, I didn't know you were allowed to open your mouth.　You said it's none of your business what I allow or don't allow!
No, it's none of your business. After all, I'm just a bonus.
"Ah!

　Lilac gently sipped her pre-dinner tea.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

　I see.
　She's still holding on to the suicide note from that day.


"Ah, ah... Check, check. Yeah, it's responding!　Then, Huta-sama and Lilac-sama! And Lilac, can you listen to the maid's last story?


　Futa glanced up at the girl holding the sign.

　I'm not sure if you've heard of it or not.

I'm not sure if you can forgive me. Do you mean to say that it is my decision to forgive or not?
I'm not sure what to say.　In the event that you're not sure what to do, it is possible that you'll be able to find out more about the best way to do it.
"Um, Lilac-sama ......

　--That's enough for you.

　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what's going on in your life.
　Unable to interrupt, she could only tremble.

　Her smile is still the same as always, but only her red cheeks and moist eyes show her emotions.

If you still want to forgive me, then you can do as you please.
I forgive you.
...... I see.



　Raising one eyebrow, Lilac placed the cup back on the saucer.

She raised one eyebrow and put the cup back in her hand. "I suppose you didn't tell me how hard you were working or how badly you were hurt. If you hadn't said that, you wouldn't have realized the magnitude of your mistake.
...... Did you go to the trouble of telling him from scratch?
Well. Maybe he was upset. Maybe he's angry at you, too, Futa.

　It seems that her emotions have become so entrenched that she can't get rid of them.

　Nevertheless, if his forgiveness would protect her dignity as a human being, there was only one option for Futa.

　Good for you," he said, looking up at her once more.

"Gomennazai~......
"Oh!

　Even Futa was surprised when she burst into tears.

"Oh, my God, your nose is dripping. Here, handkerchief.
"......

　He hurriedly stood up and put the handkerchief on her sobbing face.

　For some reason, the sigh that I let out seemed to be a very happy one.

　I wipe her eyes, and as usual, she is only as tall as Futa's chest. You can find a lot of people who are looking for the best way to get the most out of their life.

　The two tufts of curls are as cute as ever, and the outfit she wears is the classic maid's outfit that I've seen most often.

　--It was enough for Futa.

I'm really glad ....... But it's not just me. I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.
I'm not working hard.
"What?

　It's better to talk about it all at once than to make her cry over and over again.
　So he tried to tell her what Lilac had done for him, but she unexpectedly intercepted him and turned around.

"Master Lilac?
I was only working from start to finish to see how I could successfully reduce the king's influence and create a new economic opportunity. Yes, sir.

　Here, for the first time, Lilac turned to look at her.

　A wry smile, I suppose you could call it.
　It was a rare, almost triumphant look.

"You're just a bonus.

　Futa's eyebrows lowered involuntarily.
　And.

"Pfft. Haha.
"...... What's so funny?
"It's funny. I can't help it, it's funny. Your stomach is rumbling!
Isn't that just diarrhea?

　Wiping her eyes, she laughed.

"The princess looked at me.
Yes?
You've been looking away for three years and now you look at me. That makes me laugh.

　Lilac's eyebrows twitched.



"I've had a certain amount of faith in you.
"About three years?　It was a lot of fun.
I'm not sure what to make of it. If you've had enough, I have no right to stop you. Go away, wherever you are.



　--Lilac M. Fangini has never...

　Never once did Lilac M. Fangini do anything for me other than use me, even if it was just as an added bonus.



"You've never done anything for me. That's a first.




...... It's just a sentiment. Hooter, I'm starving.
Yes, yes, yes. Let's eat together.
What's with the creepy smile?
I'm sorry, I'm just happy.
What's that? I'm just saying that I think this "extra" is still valuable.
No, of course not. Yes.
Hooter. If you have something to say, why don't you say it clearly?

　With a smile, no, with a grin.
　The expression on his face was one that naturally stroked my heart.

　However, now that Lilac has said that, Futa will be honest about it.


I've always wanted Lilac-sama and Corona to be friends.



　Lilac froze for a moment.
　She smiled and blinked her eyes.

"So, welcome back. Corona.

　She smiled kindly at Futa from the front.



　A little at a loss for words, she looked at Lilac and Futa in turn...

　--Lilac had done something for her.

　It was the first time she had ever laughed, but she realized belatedly that she hadn't.

　He said welcome back.
　That they had worked so hard for her to come back.


I'm glad.


　She knew the feeling.






"Tee-hee. Thank you .......







　Futa laughs.

　Lilac sighs.

　You're back.

"Meh, I'm hungry!
All right, all right.
Isn't it your fault we're wasting time?
You're being very harsh, aren't you, Princess?

　Flipping.

　I sat down next to Futa, and our cutlery began to work on the pasta, which had cooled completely.

"Hmm!　"Futa-sama, Futa-sama, Futa-sama!
"Yes, yes, what's wrong?
"This is the best I've ever tasted!
Even though it's cold?
Even though it's cold!

　Corona says with a big smile on her face.
　Lilac asked her with a dumbfounded expression.

Even though it's sour?
"Even though it's sour!
"......, huh?

　You can't help it," he muttered, daring her to leave his sight.
　I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to do it.

　I will always remember the smile on her face as she ate the delicious food, even if there was no way to record it.


"Futa-sama, Futa-sama, Futa-sama!
What's wrong?
Do you have the maid's box?
Yes, I do.

　It's a brightly lit music box that Corona gave me.
　When Futa took it out of his pocket, she smiled and said.

I'm in the mood to open it up!
Oh.

　I'm not sure.
　I don't know, but if she's in the mood to open it, there's no reason for me to deny it.

　I gently handed it to her, and she opened the small box, looking truly happy.




"Say!





　The moment she opened it, Corona shouted in time with the melody playing.

　The moment she opened it, she shouted to the melody.









"Loomp, loomp, loomp!
Oh, those are the words to the music box?













"Let's say I'm facing an execution blade being dropped on me. .
The end.