Hey, Saria.
'Yes, sir? Lady Alice.
Do I like him?
Is this too late?
'What?　What do you mean it's too late?
When I saw Lady Alice talking about Elwydd Willis, I thought I was already aware of it.
Well am I that easy to understand?
Yes. Very much.
Well that's true.


　While taking afternoon tea in my room, I decided to ask my maid, Saria, such a question... I was a little surprised to get an answer I didn't expect.


　I was certainly interested.


　Even though he was the greatest genius alchemist of all time, his major was in the agricultural field. Everyone would turn their heads and wonder if they heard such a story. That's why I wanted to find out who he was.

　That's what I did, but lately I couldn't help but wonder about him in a strange way.

　The veins on his arms that were rolled up while he was working on the farm, his collarbone, and the sweat that was dripping from them. I found them strangely attractive. And the way he talked, the way he occasionally laughed, I felt my heart skip a beat.

　Could this be the case?

　Do I, Alice Canovalia, like Elwydd Willis?

　


''For that reference, though........''
Yes, sir.
What do you think I should do?
Well Lady Alice is hypothetically a princess.
'No, it's not provisional, but...'
I think it would be better if the lordship were to make him confess.
Do you think so?
''Well, if you have the courage to confess to Alice-sama, that's a different story...............................after all, there are things like outside information. But this might be a good thing.
What do you mean?
''If it was Alice-sama's opponent, it would have to be a high-ranking alchemist or a nobleman, but if it was him, it would be more than balanced. After all, he was the second azure-star class "Bluesteller" alchemist since the beginning of the kingdom. His talent is also described as a genius since the beginning of this kingdom.
'Well you're right!　We'll get a balance, won't we!
Yeah. Sure.
Hmm..........................


　I was buoyed by that story.

　That's right. He and I are well-balanced.

　We would make a good couple, no doubt about it.

　I couldn't stop myself from starting such a fantasy. Where were the doubts I had earlier, I was completely in love with him.


'Then let's get right to the strategy meeting!
...sluggish.
What did you say, Saria?
No, nothing. You're right. Strategy is important.
Okay. Let's do it!
Oh!


　So I decided to approach Elle after this day.


　◇


'Hm!　Who's that?!
'Well, I mean Alice, but...'
Alice. Then it's all right.


　I stumbled upon him in the city. Yes, by accident. I found him by accident and decided to talk to him. But today, for some reason, he's wearing a robe, and the hood on it keeps his face hidden from view.

　I wondered for a moment what in the world was going on, but then I realized, ah........


'Are you the media?'
That's right. They're hyenas. They've already marked my house and my lab a godd*mn dirty lot!
'It will all blow over in a while, but..... It hasn't even been a week yet.
"Shit....why is this happening to me?
He's the second Blue Star class alchemist in history. The media would love to chase him.
Is that what it is?
Yes. Have you any complaints about the Blue Star class?
Dissatisfied?　There is. A lot. It's just that I'm not free to move around like this. It's not that I want to improve my status as an alchemist. This is a means to an end, not an end.
Hmm.....
What's the matter, Alice?
No, it's more your style.
Really?
Yes. Very much.


　And I can't keep talking about it here.

　I decided to make a suggestion.


'Would you like to come to my room?'
Hm?　What do you mean?
You can stay in my room for a while. You are welcome to hide or do as you please.
'But Alice is royalty. That means she's headed to the castle, right?　Maybe their territory stretches that far.
It's okay. He wasn't here when I left.
Yeah. Well, you'll be needing me for a while...
No, no. When you're in trouble, you're in trouble.


　He smiled, but I was gutted with my hands behind my back. I didn't expect him to figure it out, but I was glad to invite him to my room. Of course, the room was already cleaned. I'm always ready for any occasion.

　That's what I am, Alice Canovaglia.


Well, shall we go now?
Yeah.


　And so two suspicious people proceed through the city. A man wearing a robe and his hood completely hides his face. Or a woman in sunglasses and a straw hat.

　I was happy to be this weird.

　I felt fulfilled just to be able to exchange words with him.

　At that time, I wasn't afraid of anything.

　　Or so I thought.