--In the corridor of the King's castle.

　It was a day that Lilac had decided to share a snack with Futa in between her duties.

　In addition to being busy as a politician preparing for the approaching cold season.
　In addition to being busy as a politician in preparation for the coming cold season, he was also keeping an eye on the progress of the construction of the Colosseum.

　A few days have passed since Barrier Reef's return, and the atmosphere in the Royal Castle is gradually returning to the same as before.

　In the corridor on her way to Futa's room, she stopped in her tracks.

　What was she looking at?

　There was a dirty wooden box in the corridor of the royal castle, too inappropriate for the hallway.

　It was as wide as Lilac's outstretched hands, but at most it was as long as her knees.

　If that was all there was to it, she could just order her chamberlain to throw it away.

　The problem was that it was right in front of Futa's room, and there was another problem.

"...... What are you doing, Corona?

　In the crate was a maid, hugging her knees.

"The maid was... The maid had been poached. It's sad.
"Yeah, ......?

　As always, there is no way to tell just what this maid is going to do.
　I understood her mental structure to a certain extent, and it became easy for me to read her behavioral principles and feelings.
　However, I have no idea what she will do according to those principles.

　Just thinking about her makes my brain buzz.

You think Futa left you?
I'm sure of it. I'd rather have number two than a maid. Master Futa.
Number 2 ....... Is he a child under your influence?
Maids have a bad influence on children, don't they? That's sad.
I don't care what you say, but what's with the tone?
You want to hear it?　You want to hear it?
No, I don't. I'll leave you to your business with Futa.
I see. ...... So the princess is going to lose her maid. That's sad.
"........................

　I'm sure you'll be able to understand why.
　This is a great way to make sure that you are getting the most out of your investment.

She crossed her arms and looked down at Korona. "What do you want me to do at ......?

　You'll be able to find a lot more than just a few things to do.

[Leave me alone!

　It was Lilac who sighed heavily.

"Do you want me to join you in small talk?
'Maid, I want to play a game!
"Game?　You and I can play on the ...... board?　I don't think we'd lose.
That's a bit tempting!　I've never played before!
Oh, really? I don't think I'd find that very attractive.
Shh, shh, shh.
"Shriveled ......

　As she looked down at the maid, who was so dried out that she looked as if all the moisture had been sucked out of her body, Lilac gently brushed her lips.

　I'm sure there are many more things to do than play board games with obvious results.
　I'm tempted to ask why you're so upset about this, but there's no particular reason to delve into this story.

"So, what is a game?
I'm glad you asked!
You're a quick study.
That's the May Way. Follow it?
Well, I'm not going to stop the maid from pursuing her path. ......

　Corona stood up and put the crate up.

Hold that for me, please.
Why ......

　She pushed the wooden board against Lilac and fumbled in her pocket for some rocks.
　The stones were small enough to hold ten in the palm of his hand, but they were very well polished.

　There were 21 of them.

The game that beat Futa-sama to a pulp is a battle for the stones.
Oh, a fight.
"You can only take four stones at a time.　You can only take four stones at a time. Take turns taking stones, and the one who takes the last one wins.
Then the first player wins.

　Then the first one to attack wins." Lilac's words pierced through Corona's bravado.

What?
"What?" "No, no. The first attacker wins this game.
What? What?
First player wins.
....... You don't know what you're doing until you try it!



　Apparently, she was playing without thinking about how to win for sure.
　Well, that would be fun, but sadly, Lilac is not one to take things easy in a game.

　And you can guess the result.

　A few minites later, the maid was standing there with teary eyes and puffy cheeks, shivering.

"Why, why ......?
By the way, if you make it a lose-lose game where the last one is taken, the back end will definitely win.
......, you don't know until you try!


　A few minites later.


"Uh, ......, .......
I'm sure Richter will see the holes in the rules soon enough. --But would it be more intellectually beneficial to have his students do it for him, to make him aware of the rules?
"Huh?
"......hi?

　In the meantime, I've started to ponder the future of student teaching, as if a little inspired by the game.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

"The princess is a jerk!
Oh, hey.

　"Hey!　Lilac can only watch as Corona runs away from her.
　You can chase after her, but you may be keeping Futa waiting too long.
　That's when I thought I should go get him.

　Lilac was a little startled by the sound of the door opening.

Lilac was a little surprised when she heard the door open.　I just went to get a jug of water... Oh, Lilac ......, ......, ......?

　For a moment Lilac didn't know why he had suddenly lost his vocabulary.

　For a moment Lilac didn't know why he had suddenly lost his vocabulary, but then she realized that she had just been a little startled and had held up her hands.
　The wooden board that was held up to cover his mouth.

I'm not sure what to do.

"......
Oh.

　It's a great way to make sure you're getting the most out of your vacation.

It's not the same.
"No--

　No--" Futa hid his mouth involuntarily.

"Are you laughing?
I'm sorry, I'm not laughing, I mean...
If you want to laugh, laugh!　Laugh if you want to, but it's more of a relief!

　The sight of her screaming with a red face was too rare.
　Perhaps it was the mixture of shame and rage, but her usual dignity was gone.

It's just so adorable.
You ......～～～～～～～！！！！！！
"I'm not mocking you, I'm just saying. The lovely Lilac, who you don't usually see, is so...
"Don't say another word!

　I'm not sure what to say. She smashed the plate and threw it to the ground in a big heap.

It's not my feelings, you know!　This is not how I feel!
"Well, isn't that a really bad thing to say about Corona?
I've just been called an idiot!　I don't care what I say!
Did she just call you an idiot?

　I'm not sure what to say, but I'm going to say it.
　He was not sure if he should follow up with something or not, but he could not forget the image of Lilac that was burned into his memory.

　She looked at him with a puzzled look on her face and rolled her eyes in surprise.
　I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it'll be fine. on the board.

　It's not every day you see lilac like that.

　The distraught look on her face now is quite something, but what is this feeling that's welling up inside my chest?

"Well, Master Lilac...
What's with the disheveled face? ......!
If it's all right with you, it's all right with me.
Hey, .......

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

　I don't know if I've ever been humiliated like this before.
　She turned her back to Futa and shouted, trying not to show her slowly slackening tear glands.

"Futa's an idiot!
"Oh, wait!　Wait a minute, Master Lilac!
Don't come here!
No, really, she was so cute!
Why can't you see that's a word you don't need!

　The two of them ran down the corridor, screaming.