"Grace?　Yako-san is dead.



　At that moment, Lilac M. Fangini's mind was in a state of utter confusion.

"What's the matter, Lilac?

　The situation was beyond her comprehension.
　But she is Lilac the First. She's a woman who's trained to deal with any crisis and has always lived her life with this world as her battlefield.

　She is calm and collected no matter what kind of unimportant position she is put in, and the first thing she does is think about what happened and why, in order to clear her head.

　Think ......

"Are you listening to me?
You know...

　I'm not sure if you've seen this before, but I'm sure you've seen it before.

"Lilac-sama, is this a good time?
What is it?　I have no urgent business to attend to. ...... Futa?

　You've come to visit me, so there's no reason not to welcome you.
　You will find a lot of things that you can do to make your life easier.
　Just when I thought I was going to sit down on the sofa as usual, that's when it happened.

　The man who would normally walk to the sofa in the reception room at a different angle, stood up and walked straight up to Lilac.
　Lilac took an involuntary step back at the look in his eyes and his sudden approach, which was not unlike a man who is always respectful.

　But perhaps that was a mistake.

　He stepped closer, as if he were stepping over the line of her toes, to make up for Lilac's retreat.

　Looking into his eyes, she saw no hostility or harm.
　But he doesn't avert his gaze either.

　There is a theory that when two beasts come across each other, if they look at each other, the one who turns away will give way.
　Even if it is not a case of losing if you avert your gaze, it was clear that he was not willing to give way.

"Futa, hey...

　Backing away.

"If you could just tell me what you want...

　Backing away.

"What's wrong, if you have something to say?

　Backing away.
　The mood is different, that's for sure.

　Step by step, Lilac closed the distance, and finally her back slammed into the wall.
　Very close.

　His face looking up at you.

　Any other foreign enemy - any human being in the world, that is.

　He's the exception to the rule for her, and his attitude, as if he's abandoned his usual respect, is a little scary.

"Futa, don't you think you're being too rude?
I need to talk to you.
'Well, why don't we talk about it on the couch instead of here?

　Lilac was the first to avert her gaze.

　She was about to slip past him to get to the sofa when he saw her.

　As if seeing through her, a hand on the wall blocked her path.
　A hand on the wall blocked her way, as if it saw right through her, and with an intimidating thud, she reacted slightly with her shoulders.

　--And now...

　Lilac replayed the short memory and still had no idea what was going on.

　She had a position to take.
　She hadn't expected something like this to happen to her, but now that it had happened, she knew she had to take a stand and draw a line in the sand. But now that it has happened, reason cries out for me to do so.

　But.

　But then I also think...
　Maybe he really did have something in mind for Lilac.
　Maybe there was a feeling that took precedence over the familiarity of a good tea party.
　For example, what if it was something like he had grown tired of Lilac?

　If it had been a year ago, I would have been surprised to hear that he had come to terminate the contract and say goodbye.

...... Futa, are you dissatisfied with your current life?

　He looked up and muttered.
　I know this is a bad way to negotiate. But the fear of not being able to reason with him scares him into telling you.
　What can't be undone is only a moment away.

"If there's anything I can do to help, ...... well, I'll do what I can.
"Mr. Lilac.
"Yes, sir.

　I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it's a good idea.
　I've never been this close to a person before. I've never seen her face so close to mine before, and I'm pretty sure the last time I saw her was when she held me in her arms.


I've never seen you so close to a man before.
What? ......
You've done it with Conrad.

　You did it to Conrad," whispered Lilac in his ear, her face flushed.

Why would you do that to ...... Futa?
It's okay.
..................

　I don't know what's going on anymore.
　It's the first time I've seen Futa come on so strong, and there's no reason to do to Futa what he did to Conrad in the first place.
　I have no idea what is making him do it.

......

　But yes. I'm not sure what's making him do it.

"Why don't you just go to ......?



　I remember asking her to stroke my cheek if I wanted to, which was quite a shallow request when I think back on it.

　But if it has come back now, then...

"............".

　But I don't know why.
　All I had to do was act like the innocent girl I was back then, but my throat was shaking so badly I couldn't even do that.
　The first thing you need to do is to make sure that your eyes are not blurred.

I'm not sure what to say.

　I'm not sure what to do.

　I'm not sure if you've seen this before, but I've seen it before.
　It's a great way to make sure you're getting the most out of your vacation.

I'm sure you've been there. ......
"...... good boy.
"Hmm ......, that's it.

　Your cheeks are flushed. The cheeks are flushed and the eyes are crying out for more.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

　I don't know what's going on, but...
　No harm, no hostility. But there was no respect... just a hunter's gaze that seemed to see her as a woman in front of him.

　Lilac's thoughts were buzzing as she couldn't stop thinking about it.

It's not a good idea.

　The last of her reasoning screams out, "I can't let you go any further.

　But. But my instincts are telling me that's not good enough.
　You'll be able to find a lot more than just a few things to do.
　I stood there in front of him, feeling flustered and unsure of what to do. You know that this is the perfect time for the beast you are chasing.

　A dignified, intelligent, beautiful, solitary princess. I should be like that, but I'm shallow enough to think that if I'm wanted, I might as well be wanted. I'm not sure if I'd be willing to be preyed upon.


I'm not sure what to say.


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

......？？？？

　This is a great way to make sure you are getting the most out of your money. I'm not sure what to make of that.

I'm sure you've got a lot of questions. I'm not sure if I'm as good as Lilac, but I'm sure I'm not as good as her.
"？？？？？？？

　I tilted my head to the point of twisting.
　The lips, which had been pursed with a bit of determination, arched in a smirk.

I'm sorry for acting so strangely all of a sudden.

　I'm sorry I'm acting so strangely all of a sudden," he says, bowing.

What is this ......?
I was hoping to get a glimpse of what Lilac-sama is really like, but it's not easy. Would you like some tea?
...... I still have some work to do, so if you'll excuse me...
Oh, but earlier...
If you'll excuse us...
Okay, okay.

　I knew you were angry, I thought.

I'm sorry for being so rude.

　Futa bowed and left.

　Lilac, left alone, took a breath and desperately tried to sort out her emotions.
　Realizing what had happened, she muttered.


"What about ..................?　


　The next action was instantaneous.
　She immediately took out a set of maid's clothes from the closet in her office.
　Lilac was becoming less and less hesitant by the day.














Should I go apologize to her?
"No, no. No, I think it's better to take some time now.
"Well, if you say so, Lilac.

　A team of investigators (a fake maid) flew to Futa's private room to find out what happened.

　I'm not sure if you've ever heard of this, but I'm sure you have.

　Although it was obvious that he was a stranger, he raised his eyebrows, thinking that the source of all this was the secretary of the Lord Treasurer.

In other words, you wanted to see the princess's true colors. ......
That's right. I'm not trying to be presumptuous, but... Master Lilac doesn't tell me everything that's hard for her.
No, he doesn't.
It happens.
Like ............?
I don't know if I can say that about you, Lilac.

　I'm not sure what to say.
　It's not Lilac, it's Lila.

　I'm not sure what to say, but I'm going to say it.

I thought we had the same intention to support the princess, but I guess I was wrong.
No, it's not like that. ...... Well, do you know who Viciedo is?
...... Oh.

　All my questions were answered, and I nodded.
　I'm not telling Huta all the hard things I'm going through. You're right.


　I don't remember telling Futa about my past with Viciedo or how I really felt about him.

　But for Futa, the fact that he could not support her in her loneliness was one of his regrets.

I have a pretty good idea of what's going on.
Seriously? I guess they trust you, Rilla.
Yeah, well.

　One absent-minded reply.

"Lilac, you can't tell me everything. But I want you to be able to rely on me without all that reservation. ...... I'm aware that I'm not very reliable. I want to help you when I can. That's about it.
Isn't that a little ...... too conceited?
Is that so?

　I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.

　--I'm glad you feel that way. But let me tell you a story. I'm glad you feel that way, but let's say, for example, that you're going through a difficult situation and it's "necessary". Even that can be troublesome if Futa gets involved.

"What you can do is not to wield a sword as the princess's representative, you know?
No, I don't think that way.
What?

　I'm not thinking like that." "What?" Rilla rolled her eyes a little, thinking that was what he meant.
　Futa shook his head loosely.

　It's not a difference in feelings, but... Futa is more aware of what he can do than Lilac thinks he is.
　He is more than aware of Lilac's abilities.
　He doesn't want to interfere with her in any way.

I just don't want you to be alone in your pain. At the very least, I want to share her pain. ...... I know how hard it is to be alone. You can imagine how lonely Lilac was when she was a child. ......Lilac, you are in a similar situation, aren't you?
...... It is, yes.

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

For example, if she thinks I'm lonely when I'm out, that's bad.
I'm not that kind of kid!
I'm not a child! ...... No, you're right, Lila.
"..................," the princess said earlier.
Seriously, she's reading my thoughts. That's what I'm talking about.
"........................

　My head hurts.

But you know what?

　Sitting deep in the sofa, Futa let out a small sigh.
　He looked up at the ceiling and thought about what he had just done.

I was prepared for him to hate me, but my acting skills were garbage before that.
...... To begin with...
Yeah?
If you want to check your limits, why did you do that ......?

　Lila, digging up her memory, looks away with a slight tint in her cheeks.

...... Why did you do it that way?
I'm sure you'll be able to understand why.
"............ So?
And just recently, when it comes to acting, that's what I've been trying to do. ...... It's because my range of acting is so narrow.
Wait.
Wait!

　I'm sure you'll agree.

"You're acting like me. .................. Where did you get that?
"Oh, uh, ...... you know. Acting like a champion, you know?
"...................
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
...... Well, that's good.

　I'll get the noodle maker ready, Lila said, inwardly filling in one of her future plans.

So, that's how you approached the princess.
That's right.

　You'll be able to find a lot more information on this on the web.
　In fact, good acting is garbage. I knew that.
　I knew that, but Mion got me to do it this time.

　No, it's not Mion's fault.
　It's just that Futa's specs weren't high enough to accomplish his goal.
　If it were Mion himself, he would have accomplished the quota, so Futa feels a bit of rivalry towards his senior comrade.

　However.

"Well, I won't do it anymore.
"What?
"What do you mean, ......?
"Yeah, uh, ......, no.

　It just happened a second ago.


　It's fresh in my mind. Looking back on it, he felt embarrassed, shallow, and tremendously ashamed--although.

　However, Lilac's clear mind had some information that was firmly etched in her mind. This means that the pimp thinks Lilac is acting in that situation.

　......, you see. It doesn't matter how many more times it happens.

　I'm sure you've heard of it.

Why don't you try it sometime?
Are you insane?
Uh, well, you know... It's more like that.
It's just a great filler line.
Shut up. Shut up.
That's harsh.
May I, Mr. Fouta? The princess just told me. Well...

　The hesitation was fleeting.
　Her clear mind, unclouded, immediately came up with a very low-brow answer that benefited her the most.

Is this some kind of game?　Is this some kind of game? Yeah, really.
"I see. ......

　In Futa's mind, the dignified Princess Lilac has changed from those moist eyes. You can easily imagine the dignified Princess Lilac brushing away her hair and saying calmly with her usual calm expression. That lilac only lives in your head.

"Certainly, Master Lilac would.
"Why did Master Futa do what she did? She had to think about it a bit and she did get rid of him, but... The princess was very relaxed.
"....... I see.

　I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.

　Rilla nodded in satisfaction.

　And then Fouta realized.

"By the way, Rilla?
"Yes, what is it?
"How do you know all about ......?
"Pfft?

　Another maid-like squeal escaped.





















You're a real daredevil, ......, and His Highness is going to kill you, aren't you?
I'm sure he'll be fine.
What makes you say that?
A woman's intuition ...... is a lie, not a hunch. It's not a hunch. It's a woman's emotion. Isn't it a little too much credit to punish me?

　Somewhere, the commander smiled wryly.