"Is there anything you want to say at ......?
............ Honestly, I didn't expect you to come on so strong.
So you should have refused the tea party from the beginning, right?
"Really. I'm not sure what to make of this, but I think it's a good idea. ...... in many ways.

It's been about a week since the tea party where Deanna inadvertently expressed her true feelings to Stanza's prince. In the event that you have any questions regarding where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site.
　The reason is obvious. The reason for this was obvious: Prince Stanza, who had assured her at the tea party that he had received the right to visit the Red Rose personally, had been visiting Diana almost every afternoon during tea time.
In front of the two of them, with "I don't need to tell you that," written all over her face, Diana let out a sigh.

I'm sure you'll be able to understand that I'm not the only one who has a problem with this. ...... To be frank, all of the questions that are brought to me are of a high level, and if I hadn't studied them properly, I wouldn't have even asked them in the first place, and they have a very sharp point of view. That's why I tend to take them seriously. ......
...... Chris said that the Cresta family's desire for knowledge, or willingness to study, or their habit of wanting to master knowledge, can't they just be put aside for a while, given the time and circumstances?
"............, your brother was angry with your sister-in-law a long time ago, and from what I heard, your mother also scolded your father once. I don't think you can inherit a 'wise man' for thousands of years if you have the desire to put it aside because of someone else. ......
I'm not sure if the desire for knowledge in ...... Krester comes more from the quality of spiritual power (spira). If so, it's tough to resist. ......
Is that how it is?
I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but I think it's a good idea. It's similar to the reason why I can only use the spiritual arts (spirier) in the field of martial arts on my own.
This means that the mystery of the wise man may be solved if we look deeper into the spiritual power (spira) and the nucleus!
Yes. That may be true, but let's wait until we're done with the problem at hand before we look into that.

　I'm not sure what to make of this, but I think it's a good idea. I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one who's interested in this topic.

(I thought Kai's mood would return to normal after the tea party went off without a hitch. ......)

　(I thought Kai's mood would return to normal once the tea party was over without incident.) It was Deanna's own fault for losing her temper accidentally, but that didn't stop her from visiting me so often. If you're not sure what to do, you can always ask for help. I'm sure you'll be glad to know that I'm not the only one who can't wait to get back to you. ...... Deanna is not immune to the exhaustion of talking almost one-on-one with a man she doesn't really care for, no matter how much time she spends in her own territory of the palace.
　And while it was natural that Diana was being pestered by the prince, everyone involved was taking the situation with a grain of salt. Kai, in particular, has been in a very bad mood since the beginning, as he was more wary of the prince than anyone else. No matter how bad his mood is, he's always kind to Diana and doesn't take it out on those around him, which makes me feel sorry for the fact that he's such a good human being even though he's only one year older than Diana.
　This current situation, which is causing Kai a lot of heartache, is not something that Diana wants to continue for long. In order to somehow divert the prince's interest, the outer court and the Marquis of Stresia have been cooperating with her, but the Stanza delegation has been handling the approach well and securing time for the prince and Diana. I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one who's had to deal with this.

"...... Hey, by the way.

　The conversation was interrupted and the silence in the room was broken by Shayla's subdued but firm voice. It's a good idea to take a look at the website and see if you can find any useful information.

I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one.
"Miss Shayla, ......?
What do you mean, ......, about his thoughts and machinations?
I'm not going to go into the details, but I want to know what you think of him as a human being. ...... Dee is a tricky person to deal with, but you're trying to get a good sense of his humanity, aren't you?

　The question, which conveyed Shayla's trust, made a complex tingle in the back of my chest. I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do this, but I'm sure I'm going to be able to do it. ...... There are many things that I've learned over the past week as I've had various conversations with the Prince.

I'm sure you're right. I'm sure he's not a bad guy. ......

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

I'm not sure what to make of that. But even if it is a pretext, his attitude towards learning is very sincere and honest. The values and ways of thinking of the Kingdom of Ergeland may deny the very existence of the Stanza Empire, depending on what they are, but he doesn't reject them, but rather strives to understand them back to 'why such values were created.

　Neither Kai nor Shayla interrupted Deanna's words. Taking a short breath, Deanna closed her eyes.

I'm sure he's a man who values learning and knowledge at its essence. I'm not sure I'd consider a person who truly cares about any one thing, and can respect and properly care for it, to be a bad person who is incompatible with that essential part of you. ......

　The only thing in his eyes as he studied the kingdom of Elgrande was the desire and respect for new knowledge. The questions he brought to Deanna were all ones that showed that he really had questions, regardless of whether he had a pretext or not. I understood that she was doing her job as a minister and studying hard in her spare time, greedily and most of all sincerely trying to learn about the Kingdom of Ergeland.
　Because of his high status, he can be self-righteous, but in essence, he is very sincere and honest. I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what's important to you. I'm sure you'll be able to find something that works for you. ...... At the very least, he's not the kind of person that Deanna will never be able to understand.

　--It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

But that's all." "......, huh?
"......, huh?
Dee ......, really?　Don't you want to get to know each other better?
Yeah. Because ...... it's not me who should really understand him and build a friendship with him, it's you and Shayla.

　This time, Kai and Shayla's eyes rolled together. This time, Kai and Shayla's eyes rolled together.

"Oh, me?
"Because, isn't that right?　Prince Stanza has always said that he would like to get to know you as royalty. I'm not royalty in the first place, and I don't plan to become royalty in the future, so who's going to build a friendship with him and the Stanza family, it's going to be His Majesty, you who will be His Majesty's wife, and your children who will eventually be born - the future royal family of Elgrand. Good luck.
"Dee ......

　...... Honestly, I didn't think that I would be so stunned just for stating the obvious. In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site. But .

"Are you okay with that, Dee?

　After a while, Shayla asked me with a terribly serious face. Deanna tilted her head, unsure of the meaning of the question.



Is that what ...... is all about?
He's an exotic prince who values knowledge, isn't he?　Isn't that the kind of person Dee would want to get to know personally?
I'm sure you'll be able to learn more about the Stanza Empire if you get to know the prince personally. But to be honest, even if you don't stick to personal connections with the royal family, you can go there and feel the history and climate of the country firsthand, and there are plenty of opportunities to learn. I don't feel the need to get close to the prince, and I don't think I want to force myself to get close to him in this situation.

　Of course, it's tiring and troublesome for Deanna to have to be wary of someone whose humanity isn't that bad, so if there really comes a day in the future when the Stanza Empire changes its policy and makes friends with the Kingdom of Elgrand, I'd like to talk to them normally. In the first place, Deanna is not very good at the so-called aristocratic espionage, wherein she is on high alert inside her mind while she is trying to make the surface look pretty. Until just before her debut in society, she had spent her time in the peaceful territory of Cresta, relaxing and carefree with the local people, so she was not accustomed to being wary of others. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for and how you're going to get there.

　--Sheila blinked repeatedly at Diana's assertion.

I'm sure you'll agree.　It's kind of surprising .......
Why?
I've spent more than enough time with Dee at Crestor to know that she has an insatiable thirst for knowledge. I was worried that Dee would want to get to know someone who had such an insatiable appetite for knowledge that she could debate with ...... Dee over tea. Especially when it's someone from another country ...... who can show Dee the world she loves and doesn't know.
"Well, ...... I don't deny it, and I hope we can get to know each other better someday. I think this is the best we can do with Stanza as a virtual enemy, and I don't have any special desire to get to know you or Shayla.

　While smiling and answering, Deanna secretly wonders about Shayla's analysis.

(It's true that the reason I've come to think of ...... this way is because Kai has dispelled some of my assumptions.

　If I was still caught up in the duties of a nobleman and the role of the Red Rose, I would have found it more appealing to be associated with His Royal Highness, who could bring new values to Diana, and I would have been desperate not to miss out on his connection to a world I didn't know, a world that could show me new things. It is very possible that he would have been even more fascinated with Diana if he had been favorable to her, coupled with the fact that he had been sulking in the aristocratic society of the Kingdom of Ergeland.
　The reason why Diana is able to let go of the prince's "stanza-style social etiquette" now is because of her experience in the palace. There may be many people who don't understand you, but if you face them with all your heart, you can be sure that they will understand you.
　And most of all...

Because of Kai's words...

　--Let's go sometime. Let's go see Shouji, the houses made of it, and the streets. If you can't imagine it, it's better to see it in person, right?

　Kai's words shattered the invisible cage in front of Deanna's eyes. In that moment, Deanna knew that her future was endlessly expanding and free.
　It is natural that you can learn more about the unknown world by seeing it with your own eyes, hearing it with your own ears, and feeling it with your own skin, rather than thinking you know it from books and biographies. Deanna can move her arms and legs as she pleases, and there is no blame on her for going anywhere, but she didn't even realize such a simple thing until that moment. She had been thinking that as long as she was the Red Rose, she had to live for this country, and that was all she was thinking about.
　To Diana, Kai had given her an infinite future. I'm not sure if I'll ever be able to do that again.
　So, ...... now, Deanna doesn't feel so much envy for someone who knows a world she doesn't know. I'm sure the prince knows the Stanza Empire very well, but he doesn't need to be concerned with the Stanza Empire as he knows it, he can go there himself if he wants to know. That would satisfy Diana's intellectual curiosity in a much deeper way.
　You can't thank Kai enough for that," she thought as she looked at him and he stared back at her, a little confused.

"...... What's wrong, Dee?
"...... I thought I was getting too much from you. I've been thinking about how you've given me so much and I've never lost sight of what's really important.
I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one who's had it.　I'm not sure what to make of it, but I think it's a good idea. I'm not sure if I'd be able to do this if it weren't for Dee.
I think it's hard to find someone who doesn't accept you and your son. ......
Yeah?　My father's dark hair and eyes are hard to accept in this country.
I'm sure you've heard this before, but I'm sure you've heard it before. The fact that black is an abhorrent color is an ancient superstition that has no clear source.

　I'm sure you've heard of it, but I've never heard of it. 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. In order to prevent unfair discrimination based on physical characteristics, the Elgrande and Crestor families have been careful, but the fact is that they have not been able to pick up the problem.
　I'm sure you'll be able to understand why.

I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what's going on.
"Well, that's unusual, Shayla. Do you care about me?
Of course I care about you. What do you think I am?
I think you're Shayla.

　Shayla and Kai have a casual exchange of words, but Shayla has been told about his general situation when she visits Crester. Shayla and Kai don't talk very harmoniously, as if they have a kind of "homophobia", but that doesn't mean they don't really hate each other. Shayla's concern for Kai, and vice versa, is not so strange.
　Kai was found and raised by Sora after he was abandoned shortly after his birth. The reason why he was abandoned is unknown, but Sora, who picked him up, says that it was probably because of the color of Kai's eyes. Kai's purplish-blue eyes, which seem to capture the darkness of the night, become almost black in dark places. Kai's parents must have been disgusted with their own child with such eyes, and abandoned him.
　Deanna's opinion that people who judge others by the color of their eyes are not even "human" is certainly a disgrace to Kai's parents. --I'm not sure what to say.

I'm just glad that Kai wasn't raised by such subhuman people.

　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.
　I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.

I'm sure you don't consider your own parents to be 'parents' in the slightest.
"Well, no. I think I only have one parent, Sora the Kuro Lion.
"But ......, even so, don't you care?　Where you are, who you are.
No?　I'm the son of Sora the Kuro Lion, and my name is Kai. That's more than enough to know, isn't it?


"And by the way, you're still young, but you're still known as 'the lion cub' and you're a great underworld worker. --That's all I need to know.

　In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site. ...... But the truth is that blood relations are not that important.

Blood relatives only have the power to make parents and children resemble each other to some extent in hair and eye color and facial features. What is important is how you have faced and raised your child. What kind of bond did you form with your child? Since it was Sora-sama who raised Kai and formed the bond between parent and child, there is no reason for me to respect someone who is only related to him by blood. I'm just grateful that you brought Kai safely into this world.
"Oh, really?　I'm also grateful that you abandoned me. Otherwise, I would never have become your son.
"In terms of results, yes, I think Kai would have been happier being raised by Sora-sama than by someone who selfishly threw away his baby, but you should be angry that he was thrown out into the cold because of the color of his eyes.
I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one. I was lucky enough to get rid of him as soon as he was born.
I'm sorry ......, Dee. I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one who's had this problem.
...... Yeah, that's not Shayla's fault.

　If the person who was dumped is not pessimistic about the fact, but rather sees it as "lucky," then his concern for the matter and his own parents is no more valuable than a rock on the road. In fact, if you're not careful, it's as "annoying" as a pushy salesman. I think it's best to drop the subject here.
　And - as usual - the conversation is drastically off topic. In this case, should Deanna, the originator, correct the course?

I don't care about me. We're talking about the prince now.

　I thought, but Kai quickly brought me back to the topic. In contrast to Deanna, who was at a loss for words, Shayla nodded with a somewhat cheerful expression.

I don't know. In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, please do not hesitate to contact us.
"...... You're worried about that?　Your fears are unfounded.
But your argument with His Imperial Highness was heated, wasn't it?
Yes, because he is a brilliant scholar with a keen point of view. But no matter how good a scholar he is, that doesn't mean he's going to turn his back on everyone because he finds the Stanza Empire more attractive than the Kingdom of Elgrand.
"It's just that the conversation between you and His Royal Highness seemed to be so lively that such concerns came to mind even for a moment. --Hey, Rita?

　In the event that you've got a lot more than one, you'll be able to take a look at a few of the best ways to make sure you're getting the most out of your time.

I denied it immediately, saying it was impossible. In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site. I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one who's had it.
This is the first time I've ever had a personal relationship with someone just because of a heated argument. ......
I'm not sure how much of this is related to academia. No matter how much fun the crescers have talking about academics, it's only because they enjoy academic debates, not because they personally like the person they're talking to.
It would have been nice if you had explained that to everyone. ......
In the event that you're not sure what to do, you'll be able to find out how to do it on the web. I'm sure you'll agree.
I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's a good idea.
"Yes, I was. That's why Master Shayla came all the way here early in the morning. If Deanna-sama was really concerned about His Highness, it would not be a good idea to ask her questions in such a large group.
"No, no. ...... I appreciate your concern, but it's unfounded, okay?
I've been telling you from the beginning that you don't have to go through all that trouble, just ask Deanna directly and you'll get a complete denial. I didn't feel anything because it was a scene I was used to seeing since I was a child, but the Cresta family members who are engaged in high-level debate seem to be enjoying themselves very much. I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one who can't wait to get my hands on one.
...... I'll apologize to Yuri later.
Please do.

　I'm not sure what to do. In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site.

I don't think it's possible, but Kai thought the same thing!　I don't think it's possible, but Kai thought the same thing, that I might have taken a personal liking to Prince Stanza!
"...... Well, I didn't think so, but he did seem to be enjoying himself.
"No, you didn't!

　For some reason, I suddenly felt a sudden surge of impatience. I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea.

I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what's going on.　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for and how you can get it.
Okay, okay, calm down, Dee.
I mean...!

　I can't think straight, and I'm getting impatient.

I'm not sure I'd want to get to know someone on a personal level who would worry you so much just to meet and talk to them!　If I wasn't the Red Rose, I would have refused to see you a long time ago!

　The true feelings that came out from the momentum shook Diana deeper than she thought. Something deep inside her heart tried to stir.
　But... But before she could find out what it was...

"...... I see.

　I'm not sure if you've ever heard of it or not, but I've heard of it.
　I'm not sure what to say. You can't believe how beautiful you look when you smile.
　I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.

I'm not going to let you do this. I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to do it.
I'm not sure what to say.


"But thanks for the ......, Dee. It's so selfish, but I'm really happy right now.
I don't know what that ...... word means.
You don't have to understand. You don't have to. I'm just happy and I want to thank you.
...... Really, Dee, you're very good at making Kai happy. Don't spoil her too much, okay?

　Shayla let out a deep sigh when she saw Deanna confused by Kai's very, very happy face. I'm sure she's trying to give me some advice, but I don't understand what she's saying. I don't know what part of that sentence was supposed to spoil Kai.
　If you're talking about spoiling him...

"......, but if the debate with His Highness is a source of concern for Kai and everyone else, you should keep a low profile from now on so that you don't get too excited, right?

　At least this much consideration should be given. It's not that I want to spoil Kai, but the less anxiety he has, the better.
　I don't want to spoil him, but the less anxiety he has, the better.

If Dee is having fun, I'll let her debate to her heart's content. ...... I think it's best not to be too intimate with Prince Stanza, no matter what side of the conversation you're on. It's unnatural to suddenly become plain, so if you can gradually make it less dense in stages, that's probably safer and reduces a lot of risks.
I agree with you on that point, Kai. And I think everyone agrees with you.
Right.

　I'm sure you'll agree with me. In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can contact us at the web site. Deanna nodded honestly.

I understand. I'll try to reduce the conversation gradually, so as not to break the friendship, so as not to be unnatural.
"This is going to be difficult for Clester's instincts, are you okay with that?
"It's difficult, but I'd rather not ...... have you and everyone else misunderstand me unwillingly, so I'll try.
Thanks for the ......, Dee.

　I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.
　It's a great way to make sure you're getting the most out of your vacation.