After confirming that Diana in his arms had fallen into a deep sleep, Kai silently looked up to the heavens. The moon was shining so beautifully that it seemed as if it could see everything.
　I let out a sigh in my heart, put just a little more strength into my arms, and hugged Diana.

(I didn't know I was such a narrow-minded guy. ......)

　In the first place, Kai believes that even if you are a lover or a husband and wife, you do not have the right to restrict the actions of the other person, and that your friendships should be free. I know that the world is full of narrow-minded men who become unhappy with their girlfriends or wives just because they have male friends, and press them to cut off their relationships, and in fact, I have listened to their selfish arguments many times.
"I can't allow my wife, my girlfriend, to be friends with another man. Their arguments are usually self-centered, and from a third party's point of view, they can only say, "It would be better for the other person if we broke up, and it would be easier for me if I didn't have someone to cling to. I'm not sure what to make of it, but I think it's a good idea.

(Is this what you call ...... jealousy?)

　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what's going on here.
　To top it all off, Deanna felt a burning discomfort in her heart towards Chris's brother, Baron Gracie, whom she really disliked and was furious with. It's a feeling akin to hatred. I think people call this feeling "jealousy".
　First of all, Diana is not Kai's girlfriend. It may be true to say that they have made a promise for the future, but it is not a "promise" that is directly related to a vow of fidelity. No matter who Deanna loves in the future, Kai has no right and no intention of arguing with her.
　And yet...

(Reason and emotion are different. I understand, but ...... contradicting yourself is really weird.

　It is Kai's true intention to respect Deanna's freedom of mind and body and to protect her heart from shining as it should.
　And yet, the love that grows inside him day by day makes him shallowly hope that her heart is with him, envy the existence that moves her heart, and try to block her eyes to show only himself.
　Although my objective self calmly analyzes that these conflicting minds are the ultimate in contradiction, ...... even this unpleasantness and uncomfortableness is troublingly endearing.

　--In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site.

You're in a very testy mood, lioness.
I'm sure you're not the only one.

　I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to do it. I turned around with my upper body, being very careful not to wake Diana in my arms.
　I had a rough idea of where Edward was from his voice, but he was approaching me with a very obvious look of dejection.

"Chris, are you okay?
The group decided it would be safer not to go back today. We've just taken him back to the palace and put him to bed without question.
Well, that's the best policy, isn't it?

　I don't know the intricacies of the aristocracy, and I don't intend to, but I could sense from my vantage point that the mood in the room was not conducive to the Barony of Gracie. Even if you agree with the Baron's opinion itself, it seems that aristocratic society rejects you when your behavior is insane. As long as the Baron's insanity was still fresh in his mind, it would be better for Chris's mental health to stay away from the group of aristocrats in order not to cause unnecessary rumors.
　He walked up to the side of the bench, but didn't sit down, instead resting his weight lightly on the backrest.

"How's ...... Diana doing?
I'm not even sure I can objectively assess my own situation. I'm not surprised. Too many things are happening at once tonight.
That's true. I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to do it.
"Are those strange brothers just normal allies?
"From the point of view of knowing the inner workings of the Crester family, yes. I'm sure you're not the only one who can't hear it.
"Oh, you mean the Cresta family can easily associate with her, but she's a bit of a nobody among the nobles?
That's what I meant. Figaro's research is interesting to me, so I've met and talked with him several times in person, but it's rare to find someone who takes my words so directly.
But at that time, Edward, you didn't imply any other meaning to the words you were saying, did you?
"Of course not. I came all this way to talk to you about your research, so why should I waste my time with useless aristocratic phrases?

　It's quite interesting to see the sharp words coming out of the face of a nice guy who seems to have made many women cry. But Edward is much more dexterous than Deanna, so he can use sweet words and behave in a way that suits his face if he wants to. Edward, who had just been socializing in the Great Hall, was a different person to Kai, who had grown accustomed to his easy-going nature at the Crester household. He was a different person.

I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's a good idea.
"Well... I'm not sure what to make of this. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing, but it's a good thing.
As expected, you're relentless.
There's no reason to care about the bastard who mocked Dee so much. Even if he's Chris's brother, it doesn't change the absolute truth that he's a piece of shit, right?
"Judging from the way you said it, you have a rough idea of what Deanna was being told, don't you?
I'm sure you'll be able to understand what was said. Dee said earlier that it would rot my ears, but from what I saw, it was definitely something that would rot my eyes.
"I see. Let's hear the details.

　As I suspected, the reason Edward didn't try to get more details from Deanna earlier was because he was planning to gather information from her later. In the event that you have any questions regarding where and how to use the internet, please do not hesitate to contact us.
　In the event that you have any questions regarding where and how to use the internet, you can contact us at the web site.

In the event that you have any questions regarding where and how to use the site, please contact us at ....... So, Edward, why don't you put away your murderous spirit? Dee will wake up.
That's a tall order. I'm sure you can guard the treasure in your arms from harm.
Yeah, but it's weird that you have to guard it when it's not a danger to Dee.
"Sorry. I'm trying my best to resist the urge to go and kill him right now.

　That's Deanna's brother. You are indeed Deanna's brother. You may be going in a different direction, but you are very similar to your sister in the way you go your own way. Kai gave up and did as he was told, taking Diana back in his arms and gently protecting her from Edward's murderous intent. You can find a lot of things that you can do to make your life easier.



It's not every day that ...... Deanna gets that angry, so I knew she must have had a lot to say.
"Dee has a lot of emotion, but she's never really angry. Dee is very emotional, but she rarely gets really angry, and the Baroness is a real gem for pinpointing Dee's anger points.
I don't respect him, and I don't envy him one bit.
I agree with you wholeheartedly there. Dee is not usually angry, but when she gets really angry, she's really scary. It's scary just to look at her from the side, but I can't bring myself to take her aura head on.
But the trouble is, the people who make Deanna angry are always the ones who don't understand how scary the aura of anger Deanna gives off is.
On the contrary, it's because they don't understand that they can make her angry.　Dee takes her anger in stages, so anyone who understands even a little bit will be turned off at the beginning.

　Even against Baron Gracie, a man whose rudeness and disdain for women seemed to walk in his clothes, Deanna had warned him several times to keep an eye on him. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're going to be doing in the future. This is the reason why the moment you get really angry and give up on them is so scary.

It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. I'm sure you're not the only one.　I don't know. The women I've been involved with are generally smarter, better at life, and mentally stronger than men. It's true that men are more powerful, but power is not necessarily proportional to fighting ability. My dad's pure power is probably lower than mine now, but he's never beaten me.
"Sora-dono is probably the exception to the rule, but I understand what you're saying. I'm sure that if you are in an aristocratic society, you will have a higher rate of dating women who are "too shallow" as you put it. ...... This is a classic case of "like attracts like" rather than just the women you've dated. This is a classic (default) example of "friends call friends". I'm sure you'll find a lot of people who've been with him for a long time who've said similar things to him.
What?　I'm not sure what to make of that.　Isn't that crazy?
"The role of a noble woman is to dress up nicely, to be a healer for the gentlemen, and to use the inferiors well. The role of a noble woman is to dress up beautifully, to be a healer for her lord, and to use her subordinates well. It's like, 'I'm ashamed to be a woman.
"Yeah, ......, we don't understand each other.
"You don't have to understand. I'm sure that Deanna falls into the category of 'noble woman' as they call her, but you should have seen her reaction when she told me that to my face.
"How did she react?
I'm sure you're not the only one. As usual, a sub-speech was added that said, "Since you're happy with that kind of thinking, you're only at that level. I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that. I'm not sure if you've ever heard of it or not, but I'm sure you've heard of it.
You don't see values like that in the Cresta family and the Cresta Zone.
It's a climate where 'you're a woman' is not an effective abuse at all, but rather a self-destructive one for the man who says it. ......

　Edward's eyes become distant. I'm not sure if it's because we've had the "Princess of the Forest" for generations, but the Cresta region has a much stronger respect for the female gender than other regions. If a man from somewhere else were to accidentally say something like, "You're too high and mighty to be a woman," not only would the person who said it give up on him or her, but the whole neighborhood would start lecturing him or her. --The reason I can say this is because I encountered it once when I crossed the Cresta area in the past, and again when I accompanied Deanna on her trip home recently.

I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one who's a fan of your work.
But ...... there is no one else who can take over the title of Baron Gracie. Chris has already mourned and given up more than enough things. At least, I want to protect the Barony of Gracie and the pride of the knightly family that he was entrusted with by his father.
I'm not sure, but noble families have a lot of relatives and branches, right?　I don't know, but noble families have a lot of relatives and branch families, don't they?
I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure I'll be able to do it. Even if you find a distant relative of Gracie's, it's more likely that a relative from another family will take precedence. As for branch families, that's out of the question. Baron Gracie is not a large enough house to be divided.
Wait, wait, wait. I don't get it.

　In all seriousness, the affairs of the nobility are beyond Kai's expertise. The aristocracy was a subject that he only glanced at when he received a request, so he didn't need to know the inner workings of the aristocracy or the social system in detail. His father was a student, so he probably had some idea of what was going on, but Kai was not a very knowledgeable person, so he had little understanding of what he was not interested in.
　In response to Kai's reaction, Edward paused for a moment and then opened his mouth again.

You're right. I'll use Diana as an example to make it easier to understand.
Yes.
"First of all, Deanna is the daughter of the current Earl and Master of Crestor, so she has the right to inherit the Crestor family if anything should happen to me. Do you understand that?
I can't imagine anything happening to Mr. Edward, but I understand what you're saying.
All right, let's continue. Your mother, the first Countess of Crester, was born into the Viscount Learer family. For various reasons, the Learer family itself has already died out, but if the Learer family is still alive and well, but there is no successor, the right of succession will pass to Diana, the daughter of your mother, who is a direct descendant of the Learer family. She herself is already a member of the Crestor family, but that doesn't mean that her birth will disappear. So in this case, Deanna and the Learers are related.
"Oh, I see what you mean. When a noblewoman marries, she becomes a member of her partner's family, but the child she gives birth to has a relationship with her own family, which is called a 'relative'. By "going back," I mean that the more you trace your mother's side of the family, the more "relatives" you have. In the event that you have any kind of questions regarding where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site.
I'm sure you're not the only one who has the ability to understand. If you had a good head on your shoulders and a strong desire to study, you could have become a rare scholar.

　With a sigh of regret, Edward continued.

You're right, there's no end to how far back you can go. It's not harmful if you just boast that your family is related to the royal family, but you don't want to be told that you have the right to the throne because of that, do you?
That's true.
In order to prevent this from happening, there is a rule that says 'priority is given to those who are closely related' when it comes to the succession to the throne. In other words, in the example of Diana, the Earls of Crestor, the Viscounts of Learer, the Barons of Thermo, the Viscounts of Lucola, and the Counts of Ritti are all distant relatives.
I've never heard of the latter three, but I get the gist. So?


"So, let's say that the farthest house, the Counts of Ritti, has no heir, and you go back to Diana. In this case, Deanna has the right to inherit the Ritti family, but at the same time, there are still other families, including the Cresters, that have the potential to succeed.
So, Dee can't take over the Ritti family?
It's not absolutely impossible, but at the very least, you need to get the approval of all the families that are more closely related to you than the Ritti family. Although things have gotten a little better in recent years, the tendency for every family to want to secure a successor who is as close to their blood as possible is still the same, so they will definitely not give their consent.
I'm sure you'll be able to find something that will help you. ...... I see, in that kind of society, it is tough to find a successor from the relatives.
It's also important to know that Baron Gracie is from a family of knights. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. In the event that you're a knight, you're going to need to have the ability to take care of yourself. The only ones who have the right to inherit a title are those who hold noble titles.
"Wow, that's a double whammy.

　I nodded my head in understanding and also asked another question.

So, what is a branch family?　What do you mean it's not big enough to be divided?
"A branch family is, in essence, a family that divides a portion of the territory granted to the main family and establishes a new family. It is mainly used by high-ranking nobles with large territories as a way to make their second and subsequent sons independent.
"Oh, I see. In this country, the eldest son is almost always the heir, so the second and subsequent sons can't inherit the title even if they are in the nobility, right?
That's right. In the event that you are a member of a knight's order, you can get a one-time knighthood, or you can get an official position and aim to be knighted by taking credit for it. In addition to the above, there are six other options that you can choose from: you can renounce the right to inherit the title, leave the nobility and become a commoner - or you can obtain permission from the royal court to split off and acquire a new title. These are the six choices.
I see. The second sons of the Cresta family and beyond have to choose only the fifth option.
We're the exception, I guess. Most families, when their second son is born, either approach their relatives for an heir or ask their acquaintances, who only have daughters, to become engaged.

　Edward broke off and took a quick breath.

In other words, only high-ranking nobles with large estates are allowed to branch out. With very few exceptions, the nobility of this country is completely proportional to the size of their estates. The Gracie family, which has been baronial for generations, is not large enough to be a branch family.
"Again, House Crester is an exception. If I recall correctly, they're second only to the Royals and the Dukes of Mondreor in terms of territory size, right?
I'd say they're just being forced to deal with troublesome lands. The Gantoggia Special Region is a royal domain that should be taken care of by the state, you know.
That's true.

　I've been there several times for work, and I've seen and heard a little bit about the inner workings of that land, and from my point of view, I feel more sorry than envious that the Crester family is managing that particular land. They have to take care of it with a lot of care, but the actual income to the lord is small. If there were an emergency, the story would be very different. ......
　--Well, let's leave it at that.

In the event that you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
"That's what we were thinking too. We were thinking that it would be best to destroy that brother's schemes and marriages and fade him out of noble society, while training the child to be born with a sword and have him take over in twenty years or so. That way, Chris could pass on the spirit of Baron Gracie and protect the pride of the knightly family. --Well, it goes without saying that the child's own wishes should be the top priority, but it's acceptable to present it as one of the options.
"Is that good for the Cresta family?　Isn't it a theory that all but the eldest son should leave the noble family?
It's not that our family is forcing the second son onwards to stay in the nobility. It's just that our temperament doesn't suit aristocratic society. In the Cresta family, the first-born son is more likely to be the 'poor one'.
"Oh, ......, then you'll have to work pretty hard to get your child to inherit the Gracie family.
Chris was about to give up. Chris was about to give up, too, and thanks to ...... Deanna, he managed to stay the course, though.

　...... Actually, when I heard Edward's story, I immediately thought of a way to get rid of Baron Gracie and continue the Baron family into the future, but it would definitely be a devious abuse of official power, so I would suggest that the Cresters Kai calmly decided that he wouldn't suggest it to anyone related to the Cresta family. Like Deanna, who slept peacefully in his arms, the members of the Cresters, perhaps because of their personal proximity to the royal family, deliberately kept away from public power. Edward is probably one of them.
"I'll talk to Sora about that later," Kai chuckled, "but for now.

It's good that you're still here. Dee doesn't want the Gracies to get into trouble because of this mess, and ...... that's probably why she left without rejecting the prince.

　I wish I could have laughed all the way to the end, but I couldn't smile all the way to the end, considering how things went after that. I wish I could smile all the way to the end, but I couldn't keep smiling considering how things went.

You're not going to like that ...... look, are you, prince of the stanzas?
"...... Well, you know. I don't like the way you've got your hands all over Dee.
"Oh. He seems competent?
At least I knew that Dee's 'bad guy' face was just a facade, and that inside she was a good-natured, kind girl.
"I see. She seems to be quite a troublesome opponent as an enemy.

I'm not sure what to make of this, but I think it's a good idea. The only thing we can be sure of is that the prince of the stanzas is a calm person who judges others by their words and deeds, not by their appearance, and that he has a high capacity for judgment and reasoning. Regardless of his personality, there is no way that he can be an ally of Diana's side in his current position, and there is no doubt that he is an enemy that should be watched out for.
　That's for sure, but...

What's wrong?　You look really complicated.
"No, it's not .......
"That answer sounds like you're saying there's something wrong. Well, if you don't want to tell me, I won't force you.
...... I have a really bad feeling about this, but I'm not sure yet. So I don't want to talk about it. I feel like if I say it, it'll come true.

　No, there's no proof. Deanna didn't seem to be too worried about it, or maybe Kai was just worrying too much.


　But... The way that prince looked at Diana...
I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's a good idea.

　So I was in a hurry. I was grateful to Juke for coming to my rescue, but I was unnecessarily jealous. I was unreasonably angry that he should have come sooner.
　I'm not sure what to say, but I'm sure you'll understand.

"...... Well, don't be too hard on yourself.

　In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site. This is the first time I've ever seen such a thing.
　Edward's words continued to fall on Kai, who was unable to respond.

There's an overwhelming minority of men who don't mind the woman they love being surrounded by men and being touched all over the place. It's not that you're overwhelmingly emotionally unstable.
I'm sure that Edward was very much against Dee and I getting together, wasn't he?　It's not that I'm against it or anything, but we don't really have that kind of relationship.
I don't like you, but if Deanna likes you, I'm not opposed to that kind of relationship. I don't like you, but if Deanna likes you, I'm not against that kind of relationship. If anything, I like her.
"Thanks for the .......
Well, I don't like that you like Deanna. I understand why you like her, and I don't want to deny your feelings. I just don't like it. Don't worry about it.
It's just that I don't like it on my own, so don't worry about it." "That's very clear and unreasonable ......, but thanks.

　It's strange that I feel much better when people open up and say whatever they want. I'm not sure what to say, but I'm going to say it.

If you want, I can provide you with a position where you can show your face in noble society and protect Diana.
I don't want it. Dee's hopes lie outside the royal court and noble society. It is my desire to continue to be by Dee's side as she obtains the future she wants and smiles happily in it.
I like that about you, and at the same time I hate you for it.
I'll take that as a compliment. --I'll take that as a compliment. - That's why I left the guarding of the aristocracy to you. I'd like to see things like this happen as little as possible.
You're right. But Juke and Al were in such a hurry.
I haven't seen Dee since she was dancing with the Baron.
They went back to the anteroom to get rid of people and were greeted by Dinah and Figaro. I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one who's a little nervous.
...... That brother of yours is really no good to anyone but Dee, isn't he?
I'm not very good at socializing, to the point where I might have a stroke just being in a group. You can get used to him and he will talk to you, but as far as I know, Deanna is the only person he talks to without stammering, smiling and talking without hesitation.
"Hmm.

　I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's a good idea. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

(...... There's no point in thinking about it. (You can't be sure with the information you have right now, no matter how hard you try.

　I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's a good idea.
　I get up slowly so as not to wake her.

Are you going back?
"Yes. Can I take care of this?
Yeah.
...... Edward, are you sure it's okay that you're just going to walk out on me?　It's not like I'm worshipping you like you're some inviolable goddess, is it?
It's not that I don't like it, it's just that I think it's better to trust a person like you fully than to warn them with a scary face to stay out of your way. In fact, whether I warned you or not, you wouldn't be so cowardly and tasteless as to lay a hand on a sleeping Deanna.
"Wow. ......

　I've just realized that this is the "Wise Eyes of the Wise" as they say. I'm afraid to waste time thinking about how long I've been detected ......, including my own s*xuality.
　--Anyway.

So, you're leaving Dee's defenselessness intact?
What are you talking about?
No, I'm talking about Dee being too defenseless. I don't care how close you are, it's not safe to do that when you're alone with a man.
...... Sure, Deanna doesn't keep her distance from people she's close to, but that doesn't mean she's defenseless, okay?
"No. I'm sure you're not the only one who's afraid of that. The closer you are to someone, the more likely you are to misunderstand something like that.
"............ I see, I see, I see. I get it. I don't think it's worth it to tell Deanna directly, so I'll tell Rita.
Yes, thank you.

　With one less thing to worry about, I felt a little calmer. I walked to the wall where the hidden passage was and looked back again.

"See you later, Edward.
"Yeah. Take care of Deanna.

　After smiling and nodding at his brother's kind words, Kai entered the hidden passageway to the rear palace.










"Um, Deanna?　I'm not a fan of men touching me, but Deanna?　In the event that you've got a lot of money, you'll be able to use it to buy a lot of things.



　Edward's muttering didn't reach anyone.
　It shook the air in the small courtyard and disappeared.