You're here, Futa. --So.

　Futa returned to Lilac from Richter's place.
　She greeted him with a lingering smile, then sharpened her gaze slightly and muttered.

"Shall we go? To His Majesty the King.

　She slowly tucked her chin.

　With the lights of the ore lamp glittering in the world, there was no one to interrupt their progress.
　That's right. Because the first princess of this country is heading straight for the far end.
　If you're so socially inept that you don't know what you're doing, you're not invited here.

　--An audience with the king.

　Lilac's main purpose for bringing Futa here today.

　Futa didn't say why. Just that the king himself wants to see Futa.

　I have no idea what he's talking about.
　Futa is used to having no idea what's going on.

　Keep your head up and be proud.

What do I have to do to be polite?
As I taught you before. It's all right to be informal.

　This isn't the throne room, and it's not the time for morning meetings.
　When you're in the middle of a party in the hall, you're not expected to be so polite.

　I pushed forward.
　Only at the far end of the standing-room-only room was there an opulent chair, and the master was already there.

　He had a loose beard as silver as his lilac hair.
　The beard made him look a little older than he was, but apparently he was younger than I thought. No older than fifty, I guessed.

　But that was only an analysis of his wrinkles and lines, his eyes were a little tired and downcast, and so was the corner of his mouth.

Father.
"Oh, Lilac. You're here.
Yes, sir. So...

　After a beautiful bow, she turned and extended her hand to indicate Futa behind her.

"This is my guest, Futa.
"...... I see. My guest.
Yes.

　He smiled at her, and she bowed to him.
　The king nodded his head and smiled.

"This is Futa.
"Oh, .......

　He was smiling.
　But for some reason, it made him feel sad.
　If the king had any dignity, it was in his luxurious chair and glittering gown.
　But his expression, his mood, his voice. But his expression, his mood, his voice... all of them seemed weak.

　--One day, when he was making a speech before the execution of the witch, he would have been a little more vigorous.

I heard that you used to be a bouncer for the Orba Trading Company.
"...... Yes. I came to King's Landing with a caravan of merchants.
"I see. ...... I see.

　That's how it was supposed to be.
　I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.
　I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Once again, I am the king of this land. I am Gilbert M. Fangini.

　King Gilbert.
　At the name, Huta curtsied once more, then glanced at Lilac.
　Next to her, who gave him a slight look that said, "No problem," Huta waited silently for the king's words.

I've heard a lot about you from Lilac. You're not giving her any trouble, are you?
"Yes. Mr. Lilac has been a great help to me.
I see. That's good to know.

　A loose smile.
　Futa rolls his eyes slightly.

　That was unexpected.
　The man in front of him didn't seem like a king who cared about people, at least from what he'd heard.

　Like the way he'd hunted down Lilac.
　Or the way he abandoned Beatrix with his wife.
　Or that he approved of Corona's public execution. 　

　And yet, somehow.
　And yet, he seems to be thinking of the one he just met, the one who ruined his intended friendship with the Tribunal as a bouncer for the Orba Chamber of Commerce.

"I heard the fighting competition was great. I'd like to see it myself next time.
I'd be honored.



　He nodded his head in agreement with King Gilbert.
　He held up one of his knobby fingers and looked at Lilac as if he were trying to see her face, then smiled loosely and opened his mouth.

"Oh, yes. Let's talk sometime. I've never seen my daughter so involved with anyone.
"Oh, Father!

　Lilac's cheeks flushed, and Gilbert smiled at her with the same expression of a father teasing his daughter.

　--Huta thought for a moment and nodded in affirmation.

　At least the man in front of him is in a better position than Lilac.
　So it would be strange to ask Lilac's permission.

　And it's not like Lilac didn't see this coming.
　Then it's all in the plan.

"Please contact me at any time.
"Oh, I see. ...... Do you drink?
I have a taste.
Mm-hmm. ...... So I'll see you soon.
Yes.

　I didn't expect the king to invite me for a drink, but...
　Now, should I consider poisoning him or something - I guess I'll have to ask Lilac about that later.

"Um, father. I'll be at .......
Could you please refrain from doing that?　I'm just a father who wants to hear his daughter's story from a young man her age.
"...... already.

　You'll be able to find a lot more information on the web.

So, enjoy the party as much as you can.

　The conversation here is over.
　There was no reason for her to argue with that meaningful statement.
　Huta nodded her head and was about to leave with Lilac when...

"Your Majesty?

　The sound of footsteps echoing.
　It sounded like metal scraping against metal, which was unsuitable for this place, and it seemed to be getting closer.
　Before he could turn around, Futa looked at Lilac.
　The fact that she didn't seem to be harboring any particular feelings indicated that there was no problem.

　It was also unnatural for her to walk away so quickly.
　If you're looking for the best way to make sure you're getting the most out of your time with your family and friends, then you're in the right place.

"Oh, Viciedo?
"Yes. "Yes. This is for your highness--oh, Mister Futa.

　Lilac responded with a formal bow.
　Huta did the same, and then he realized that Lilac was not in the company.

　He noticed that Lilac was unusually emotionless, not even smiling in a social manner.

"You know me?
"Yeah. You know me? ...... Can you give me some time later?

　Viciedo, apparently.
　I'm sure you've heard of him, and I'm sure you've heard of him.

　I'm not sure what to make of that.

"Yeah.
On the balcony. I'd like to have a word with His Majesty. Have you finished your conversation with His Highness?
Yeah. I'll see you later.

　Strong words, as if to say nothing.
　You said you were a knight, but you're a soldier, and that's what you are.

"See you later, Futa.
"Yes.

　Nodding at King Gilbert's last words, Futa turned away from them.

　Lilac smiled lightly at King Gilbert and nodded to each other, and they parted smilingly like father and son.

It's been a pain in the ass, hasn't it?
That's the first thing you said?
No, I'm sorry for all the trouble I caused you. Did you have fun at ......?
I'm not sure I had a good time.
Wouldn't it be more fun to sit in your room and play with your maid?
Compared to that, any kind of entertainment doesn't stand a chance. ......

　I don't know what I'm going to do today.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

　Anyway.
　As they moved away from the king's seat, more and more people started to arrive.
　Lilac smiled naturally and whispered a few words to him.

"This is Viciedo.
"Ah, yes. He's the one in the armor.
There's no need to be alarmed. You don't need to be any different than you are with other humans.
All right. ...... Just what kind of person is he, anyway?　I think Lilac-sama's reaction was a bit odd.


...... Is that so?

　Lilac nodded her head.
　She nodded her head and gently brushed her lips in thought, then looked up as if she had found an idea.

If there is one, yes. It's not really something I want to talk about here, so let's talk about it another time.

　If you ask me, this is a ballroom. It's the ultimate in public places.
　It's not the place to talk about anything complicated. It would be more appropriate to have a conversation in which we check each other out behind our backs.

So, you said you'd talk to me later. ...... Mr. Lilac?
I'm not going to accompany you. Go and make yourself comfortable.
All right.
...... I see. I'll just give you an objective assessment of what he's like.
Please do.

　The subjective point of view might make it a little difficult for her to talk. It was worth talking about if it meant that everyone knew the previous information.

　However, there was one thing that was strange to Futa.

　Lilac had told him in advance about some important people who might be in contact with him when he came to today's social party.
　Viciedo's name was not among them.

　--Of course, the Marquis of Hammot was not on the list either.

　Huta interpreted this as a sign that he did not care.

"Viciedo, in short.

　So she said casually.




　--He's a knight of the king.









　A night breeze blew.
　This balcony is the place where Futa held Lilac in his arms one day. Where we swore under the stars.

　It's not exactly a place reserved for the royal family.
　And at this time of year, when the nights are cool and comfortable, there were already several guests enjoying a drink with the city below and the stars above.

　A voice came from behind Futa, who was gazing blankly at the sky with his hand on the parapet made of fine stone.

It's a nice breeze tonight.

　The voice was a little short of a beautiful voice, but it was pleasant to listen to.

　When Futa turned around, there was a knight in armor.
　The armor, which had been shining under the chandelier, was now glowing dully under the starry sky.

　He gently took off his full-face helmet and shook his head a few times to the left and right, as if to shake off the heat.

　His long golden hair swept silently.

Isn't it too hot for a helmet with that hair?
I've been told that a lot, but ...... I don't feel like cutting it too much.

　His blue eyes are paler than Lilac's.
　He stood next to Huta with a light smile on his face.

I'm Viciedo again. I've been hearing about you for a while, but ...... haven't had the chance. I saw your bravery for the first time at the fighting tournament. It was magnificent.
That's, thank you. I'm sure it was a bit ...... drab and unrefined.
That's why I was so interested in you.

　He clutched his armor and muttered vaguely.

　He wears armor like this. Lilac told me you're a knight.
　You'll be able to find a lot of people who are interested in this sort of thing.

"Have you been following you all this time?
"For the last thirty years, yes. I've only recently become a knight.
Is that so?
Yeah, recently, actually.

　Viciedo smiles loosely, as if he's noticed.

It's been, what, seven years now?
"That's quite a while. How old are you?
"Old?　Yeah, I guess. I'm in my mid-40s.
So 30 years, that's a lot of years.
Yeah. When you were a child, I was a child, too.

　He squinted at the sky.
　I can see in the twinkling stars that you are remembering the past.

　Thirty years.
　That's a long time for Futa.

　The man next to him doesn't seem to have aged much.
　Unlike King Gilbert, who looked tired, he still looked about the same age or a little older.
　And yet, he was in his mid-forties.

"How about you, Your Highness?

　While Futa was thinking about this, Viciedo asked him a question.

　The question was vague and very difficult to answer.

　But Lilac said it was fine as usual.
　I nodded and smiled.

You're always so dainty and beautiful.


I see.

　That was his only reply.
　However, Futa narrowed his eyes, feeling that there was something heavy in that one word.

"...... Something on your mind?
I think so. You can say that there is. But please don't be offended. I'm told you're a guest of his highness. I have no intention of spitting on your position.

　With that, he continued. 　

"His Highness at the Spectacle looked like he was having the time of his life, to be honest. He was full of life.
I'm glad to hear that.
Yeah. So, yes, I am. ......

　Stroking his chin, Viciedo smiles.

I'm sorry, I'm not very good with words.
Don't worry, neither am I.
"Okay. Well, ...... is fine.

　With a faraway look in his eyes, Viciedo mutters.

I hope you enjoy your life, your highness. I think so.
I know it's hard.
I know it's difficult. It's in his nature. However, since he was born into a profession such as "wickedness" and lives like that, ...... there would have been no place for him to find peace of mind.
"...... I see. That's right.

　If Viciedo has been serving in the royal castle for 30 years.
　You've seen everything she's done in her life.

　He's seen it all, but he hasn't done anything to help her suffer, which is ultimately the same for everyone.

　Futa might have been a badger if not for his own peculiar power.

　So I smiled and continued.

"For example, let's say Lilac-sama is really enjoying herself in Spectacular. --Then I'll do my best to support her and make Spectacular a lot of fun.
"......

　I'm not sure what to make of that.
　The first thing you should do is to look at your eyes.

It's a good thing you did.

　I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that. I'm not sure what to do.

　Futa thinks.
　If a man who's been around most of his life can say he's having the best time of his life.

　It's my mission to make Spectacular a success.

　And so it is.

"All right, Mr. Viciedo.
Hmm?
I'm gonna work a little harder on my sister's concert.
What?

　The expression on Viciedo's face was quite striking.