With an explosion of cheering behind her, Lilac disappeared backstage after the opening ceremony.

　Her dress was made for the ceremony, and she was careful not to step on her heels.
　Even though it was formal attire for the ceremony, this was a sword fight.

　I was walking down the interior aisle, clicking my heels as I pondered whether it would have been a good idea to wear battle attire.

　The sound of my shoes echoing and the voices of people coming from somewhere far away. Their cheers, intertwined with each other to the point where I couldn't hear any of them properly, were surely giving courage to the swordsmen who were now fighting in the preliminary round.

　At last, it had begun.

　The swordfighting, the spectacle, and the first step in the plan...

　The arc of her mouth is a sign of a wicked man who never shows it in public.

　However, her devious smile quickly receded.
　I felt her gaze on my skin, and she changed her expression to that of a gentle, beautiful princess of a deep window.

"Your Highness?
"Oh, ...... Conrad. What are you doing here?

　I looked up, and sure enough.
　A young man with his back against the aisle wall walks up to her, his mouth softly relaxed.
　The look in his eyes was one of confidence and doubt.

　Confidence in himself that they could be alone together in this place, and then...

"What? Shouldn't I be waiting for you?
There's nothing wrong with that. ......

　He gently brought his hand to his mouth. Lilac squeezed her wrist with her other hand and acted as if she was trying to suppress a shiver.

"That's good. I wanted to talk to you about some things.
"With me?
Yes. I'm still depressed about it.
"Conrad?

　Conrad nodded slowly in response to Lilac's question and took her hand in his.

　The look in his eyes was one of impatience - or was it annoyance?
　It was as if the color of his earlier question had been boiled down by this exchange.

I've been waiting for you to call my name at the opening ceremony. But in the end, you didn't say anything more than you were the organizer.
Well...
Didn't we have an agreement?
I did. ......

　The hand that gripped her arm tightened.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're doing.
　--But it was only for a moment. Realizing that he had gone too far, he let go of the hand.

　He clears his throat and says to the frightened princess.

It was only through my efforts that we were able to hold this tournament. Isn't that right?
"...... Yes.

　She gently hugged his arm, looked away from Conrad, and nodded thinly.
　You can find a lot of people who have been in the same situation for a long time.

　Her movements, as if she knew it was her fault, were enough to shake the emotions of Conrad standing in front of her.

　Yes, it's not my fault. What I'm saying is right.
　"So" she doesn't complain.

"If I hadn't taken care of the serial killer, you wouldn't have this tournament you wanted. Don't you think I should be rewarded for what I've done?　I gave you my word. I'll do anything!
...... I'm sorry.
If you're going to apologize, apologize from the beginning.

　I'm not sure if this is a good idea, but I think it's a good idea.

　Watch out, watch out. You are not your own woman yet.
　If she acted like she always did, she would be taking the opportunity by surprise.

"...... Conrad.
Yes.

　She muttered, looking at Conrad's face as if she was afraid.

I was going to tell you about you in the finals. ......
You're right.
I thought it might seem unnatural to mention your name now. ...... I ......
"I see.

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

I'm sure you'll be able to understand that I'm not the only one.
"...... I see. I see. I see. Yes, that's true. No, I guess I misunderstood.

　He smiled gently and stroked her cheek.
　Conrad, who believes in the importance of using the lash and the whip to discipline women, has always tamed the girls in his charge in this way.

　He's used to it.
　As proof of this, the princess, her cheeks slightly tinted, gave a small nod.

　--That's when it happened.

　Just then, there was a tremendous sound of something crumbling behind Conrad.



　When I looked back, I saw nothing special.

　But it was true that my interest was dampened.

"See you later. I'm looking forward to seeing you at the end of the tournament.
"Yes, sir.

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


I'm not sure what you're doing here." "...... What are you guys doing?

　I'm not sure what to say. In the direction of her gaze.

You really ...... are really ...... bad .......

　I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's a good idea.

. ......

　I'm not sure what to make of it, but it's a good idea.

"Huta?
...... Who is that guy?
What?

　If you look closely, you will see that his knuckles are wet with blood for some reason. There was a crack in the wall like a spider's web, as if he couldn't control the impact.

　You're the one who just made that noise,......," said Lilac, giving him a blank stare.

He's Eastwood's second son, you know. We've talked about this before, haven't we?
I see. I'm sure you'll be able to understand the laws of the kingdom. What's more, you clenched your fist?　I'm sure you'll be able to figure it out.　Ho...... hmm...... kill me?
Wait.

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

You don't have to be so angry. You're used to seeing me act, aren't you?
That's ...... true, but ......
Huh.

　Lilac exhaled a sigh, put her hands on her hips and said.
　I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea.

What's wrong with you then? I'm just doing what I have to do. ...... I'm glad you feel that way, but that's not the point.

　Next to me, Pasta, who still looked slightly uncomfortable, looked at me.
　"I'm flattered by your sentiments," said the evil man.
　And without any shame.
　He sniffed and looked at the young man who was slurring his words, "You've given him a lot of trust.

"No, but...
"But what?
"But what?" "I can't believe you touched Miss ...... Lilac's face.
What?

　You can find a lot of people who are looking for the best way to get the most out of their life.

It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're doing.　Really. Yes. It's not like that. ......
......

　Pasta started to get ready to leave.

　Next to her, Lilac chewed through Futa's words and ...... thought for a while. I'm not sure if you've seen this before, but I'm sure you've.

"Lilac-sama?
"Come on, .......
What?

　Turning away from Futa, she said.

If you want to touch it, why don't you just touch ......?

　Pasta left.

What?
So, if you want to ...... touch it, you can do that.

　We hadn't even made eye contact from the start.
　She turned her head to the side, as if to offer her right cheek.
　She turned her head to the side, offering her right cheek.

　Her ears, which he could see in her eyes, were distinctly hot in her silver hair.

　I'm afraid. You are dealing with Her Imperial Highness, the beloved princess.

　You'll be able to find a lot of people who are interested in this kind of thing.

I can't do that.

　If it was someone other than Lilac in front of him. If it had been someone other than Lilac in front of him, Futa might have been defeated by greed.

　But the other person is Lilac.
　That's why Futa smiled at her.

"Let's go. Something went away with the pasta. You said Lilac wanted to talk to you, right?
"...... Yes.

　I'm aware that I've embarrassed myself.
　I feel sorry for her for being so blatantly unhappy.
　But.



I'm glad to hear that.

　With that, Futa walked away.

　It was too painful to stare at the lilac now.
　Because it was.
　If I'm not careful, I don't know what I would have done to her.

　No one else could make me feel that way about a woman I truly adored.

　I'd want to choke her. I'd like to hang myself.

"...... idiot.


　I pretended I hadn't heard that one.












I was wondering where you'd gone.
I don't like the idea of a woman calling people up and flirting with her pimp in front of them.

　The hustle and bustle in the middle of the preliminaries and the waiting room just a wall away.
　When Futa arrived at this place, originally designated as a meeting place for Lilac, Pasta was lying on a bench alone.

That's quite a thing to say.
Of course you do. Oh, you're more of a woman than you think. ...... Hmm?

　She looks up, removes the hood of her cloak, makes eye contact with Lilac and twists the corners of her mouth.

I'm not sure what to say.
What is it?
You're the best ......!
What?

　You're the best !" "Huh?" Pasta gives a thumbs-up, but Futa doesn't understand the purpose of her grimace.
　But for Pasta, Lilac's expression was enough to give him an idea of the situation.

　Most likely, this man had done something to Lilac that made her feel like she was up his sleeve.
　There's nothing better than seeing Lilac in a bad mood.

"Well?　What does the heartbroken princess want with us?
It seems you want to die again.
"I don't get it, Pasta.

　I don't get it, pasta-chan." Sneering, she bites into a cupcake.
　She's eating it like it's delicious, but the brand must be from the usual store.
　There is no better condiment than human misfortune, she thought triumphantly.

I'd say the situation is about complete.

　But with that one word, the atmosphere changed.

　Lilac, who has been brushing her hair in an annoyed manner, looks at Futa and Pasta and says.

I've found out about the serial killer case. Beatrix is right, Eastwood is hiding information.
"Oh, I knew it!　That means the second son who just arrived in King's Landing must be pretty stinky, right?
Yes. Rather, there is a high possibility that the underling is related to Eastwood. --Here's the report to the guards.

　The two of them looked at the scroll that was presented to them.

　There was a list of missing persons in King's Landing.
　Most of them were girls.

　Most of them were girls, living in King's Landing and wanted to be found by the guards.
　Some came to King's Landing and never came back to the hotel.

　All of them within the last month.
　It coincides with the time Arawn would have come to King's Landing.
　I'd say they're trying to make it coincide.

Is it possible Arawn did it?
It's unlikely. I don't think so. She has no proof, and she's not interested.
I see. ......
So, I'll tell them about it.

　Futa nodded.
　Most of them are girls around the age of ten. I can't help but feel sick just thinking about what this murderer is doing to girls who may not even have the strength to resist. Just thinking about it makes me sick.

I'll have to tell Ms. Wind about this.
Right.

　I can't stand the thought of what might happen to Ruri.
　I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to have to do something about it.


　A shout of joy echoed through the walls.


...... Looks like the third round is over. Pasta, where are you watching the game?

　Lilac's comment sounded like the beginning of a casual chat.
　Pasta, too, responded to the natural question without any particular emotion.

Don't you dare lick the Orba Chamber of Commerce. It's a pretty good seat. General.

　Only people who are registered can enter the special seats.
　She shrugged her shoulders and said that she had gotten the best part of the general seating.
　Normally, as the president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, she would have been able to sit in the preferential seats, but apparently she was fortunate enough not to be sarcastic.

　So," Lilac paused, her gaze piercing the pasta.

What? What?
No, no. You don't have to do that.

　Her gaze drifted loosely to Futa.

Why don't you watch it on your brother's lap?


No. ......!
I didn't think you'd be spending time together as brother and sister. Hmm.
Oh, where did you get that, ......?
What?

　I'm not sure if you've seen this before, but I'm sure you've seen it before. 'Oh,' she said deliberately.

"If you don't like being flirted with, why don't you indulge your brother while you can?

　Pasta's screams echoed through the slammed door of the waiting room.

　Pasta's scream echoed through the slammed door of the waiting room.