*

　Far away from the imperial capital, the box wagons proceeded along the road.
　The boxcarriage is escorted by more than a hundred cavalrymen, and if the advance party is included, the total number reaches one hundred and fifty.
　Dressed in white and silver armor, the sign of a knight of the Kingsguard, they are excellent knights, and it would be safe to say that the safety of their journey is half guaranteed.
　Even so, the reason I can't shake off my unease is because they are not my own men, but Count Rio Chiron's men.

''What's wrong with you, with such a Buddha's face?''
Because of the look on your face.

　Tyria glared at Count Rio Chiron, who sat face to face.

'Is that so?　I thought I'd be bemoaning the misfortune of being dispossessed by a nobleman of unknown origin.
I thought you were going to be relocated.

　It should be. Prime Minister Alcor explained to me that he was moving them out of the imperial capital to recuperate in a relocated area.
　Of course, I thought there was something behind it, but I didn't expect to be dispossessed.

''Wearing a dress like that?　Yes, yes, it's made of fine fabric, but only a prostitute would wear a dress that large and open-chested.　If you weren't suspicious, it's irredeemable bluntness.
.....

　A licking gaze was directed at her, and Tilia held her chest.
　Even if she didn't have to do such a maneuver, her dress was so revealing that she could almost see her breasts from the sides.

''You're being taken to the most perverted place in the Empire. There you will live under house arrest, unable to return to the imperial capital.
"Uhhhh!

　After more than two months of house arrest in the main tower, and finally being able to get out, the fate of severe humiliation awaits him.

''Hahahaha!　Ouch!

　The devilish loud laughter stopped abruptly.
　The girl sitting next to him lightly struck Count Rio Chiron with the hilt of her sword.

''What are you doing, Viscount Eryl Sardomelik?''
Lying is not good.

　The girl called Elil said without taking her eyes off the leather-bound book.
　Viscount Elil Sardomelik is the commander of the Eleventh Order of the Kingsguard.
　Compared to her age of fifteen, her limbs wrapped in military uniforms lacked a lot of ups and downs, making her look even younger than her actual age.
　Her hair is a whitish brown and her eyes are blue.
　She has a pretty face, but her sullenly narrowed eyes ruin everything.

''........This carriage's destination is the Marquis of Erakis.
The Chronosphere!

　Tilia was sincerely relieved to learn that the destination was the Marquis of Erakis.
　At least Crono wasn't the most perverted person in the Empire.

''Why would you tell me?''
Well that's why they picked me to be the chaperone.

　At this point, Tilia realizes what Count Rio Chiron's intentions are.
　Count Rio Chiron is jealous of Tilia, who lives with Crono.

It's the only time we can be proud of our victory. Crono has lost his men in the battle against the Holy Argo Kingdom.
Yeah, what's that got to do with me?
Are you serious?

　Count Rio Chiron cowered his shoulders as if to say he didn't understand.

''If you had inherited the throne, the war wouldn't have happened, and Crono wouldn't have had to let his men die, would he?　I'm sure he's got a grudge against you.
"Oh, if you don't betray me!
If I didn't do it, someone else would have done it for you.

　Tilia couldn't argue with that.
　Even Leonhardt, who was touted as the embodiment of chivalry, didn't give her a helping hand.
　That was because he decided that the disadvantages outweighed the benefits of saving Tilia.

''Eril, don't you think so too?''
I'm not interested. Do what you want.

　What is this lack of loyalty, Tyria even felt giddy.
　Wasn't the Knights of the Kingsguard an army directly under the Emperor with a noble spirit?
　What the hell did I do wrong?
　Tilia turned over and continued to ask herself.

*

　The grating sound of a kern, kern, irritated my eardrums.
　At first she wondered what the sound was, but she soon remembered that Crono had set up a workshop in the Marquis' mansion to make armor.
　There were other buildings that Tyria didn't remember, where humans and subhumans were working together.
　No, if you don't remember, then the fields to the south of the city, the buildings outside the city walls, the bustling commercial district, and the alleyways free of vagrants and vagrants were different from the Marquess of Erakis in Tyria's memory.
　The boxcarriage slowed gently to a stop in the yard of the Marquis' mansion.
　Then Eryl closed the book he was reading and shoved it into a sack so flimsy that it didn't look like a nobleman's possessions, and opened the door of the box carriage and let it go.
　A cold wind blew in, causing goosebumps to rise.

''It's ... well, it's cold.''
That's why I wear a dress like that.

　Tyria glared at Count Rio Chiron, but he didn't break into a lecherous smile.
　This man enjoys it.
　He enjoys trampling on his pride and embarrassing Tilia.

''You don't like me, do you?''
I hate women who woo Crono.
I wasn't courting you.

　'Hmph,' said Count Rio Chiron, snickering at Tilia's rebuttal.

'Was it my imagination that you seemed to be seducing Crono at the ball?
....

　The door of the Marquis' mansion opens, and Count Rio Chiron's expression changes drastically.
　From the smile of a cruel and jealous lecher to that of a maiden in love.

'Crono!
Good job, Rio.

　Count Rio Chiron embraced Crono and kissed him passionately, as if to show Tyria.
　Crono was wearing a cloak over an outfit that resembled a military uniform.
　Both were black in color, and the cloak was torn at the hem, as if it was showing its age.
　Around his neck was a necklace. The curved cone shape of it could be an animal tusk or something.
　Suddenly her eyes met with Crono's and Tilia was pressured.
　The atmosphere that Crono wore was so different from when they parted ways last year.
　Even though Crono had grown up so much, I hadn't grown up in any way.
　Ah, my current self is only worth the extent of being paid off by the new nobility.

''........Tilia.

　When Crono called her name, Tyria felt a fear that was hard to describe.

'Tilia, aren't you cold?'
If that's what you think, then give me the cape!

　After all, a Crono is a Crono, Tilia said, taking the cloak from Crono.
　It's Crono, especially the part where he's looking at the chest area.

'I wish I didn't have to wear a dress like that.
'You think I like wearing this dress?'

　When Tilia asked, Crono looked away.
　It was hard to forgive her for not completely averting her gaze and glancing at her chest.

''Princess Tilia wears it because she likes it.
...Count Rio Chiron, go home.
Oh, is that the kind of speech you'd give to a loyal subject you've taken so much care to deliver?
''Oh well, I'm sure Rio will be tired from the escort and you can relax. I'll take care of the accommodation arrangements for you.
Thank you, Crono.

　Count Rio Chiron rubbed up against Crono as if to show him off again.

''Speaking of which, there's another Knight Commander of the Kingsguard here. 'Eril?'
....

　Elil looked at the paper stuck to the wooden board with interest.

'Is that paper?'
'I run a paper workshop to create jobs. We cut the board of paper into 16 pieces and distribute it for a single brass coin.
....!

　Eril walked over to Crono and pulled a brass coin out of the bag.

''I want you to sell as much of that paper as you can buy with this.
I can be flexible on that.

　There are about twenty brass coins in Elil's little hand.

'Goldie!'
I heard you loud and clear, sir!

　The dwarf who had been going back and forth between the two workshops ran up to Crono with a bundle of paper in his arms.

'This is Goldie he's in charge of the workshop that also makes weapons and armor and farm equipment over there, and he's also in charge of the paper workshop.
It's a pleasure to work with you.
Nice to meet you.

　Goldie handed the bundle of papers to Eryl and ran off towards the paper workshop.

''Well I didn't pay you,''
Well, I'll take it.

　Nodding curtly, Eryl handed Crono a brass coin.

'Crono, hurry up and show me to my room.

　Tyria commanded Crono with a shudder.

*

　The human maid named Alyssa showed me to the former Marquis of Erakis the private room that Tilia had used during her stay at the Marquis' estate last year.
　The only furniture in the room was a canopied bed, a vanity table, a closet, a desk and a chair.
　It was an uncommon luxury for a lord, but for some reason it looked shabby to Tilia.
　Gazing into the mirror on the dressing table, Tilia involuntarily backed away.
　It's not so much a dress as it is a cloth.
　It's not just a matter of how much time you spend in the office, but also how much time you spend in the office.
　If you are wearing it from the side, your legs are bare and your underwear could be exposed at a moment's notice.
　Tilia opened the closet with the cloak she took from Crono, wondering if she could wear a dress like this.

''........wow, are these my clothes?''

　When did she carry it in, Tilia reached out fearfully to the white military uniform in the closet and hugged it, feeling as if she had met her lover who had been separated from her alive.

''It's ... my clothes.

　For some reason, tears welled up in my eyes.
　I remember the first time I graduated from the military academy and wore my military uniform in my sleeves.
　I knew I was being treated special.
　But I was proud of myself.
　I was proud from the bottom of my heart that I could serve my country.



Oh, you changed?
I won't be wearing that thing forever!

　'Dinner,' said Count Rio Chiron, with a provocative smile, as soon as Tilia entered the dining-room, dressed in her white military uniform.

'You are both in good spirits,'
....

　Crono smiles a drawn-out smile and Eryl silently brings the food to his mouth.
　The menu for dinner consisted of soup, herb-grilled chicken and bread.

'How do you like your dinner today?'

　A woman in a maid's uniform with a large open chest for her age....well, what did she say her name was?　.........calls out to Crono.
　'You're going to seduce Crono again and negotiate a wage increase,' Tilia looked at the woman as she brought the shredded bread to her mouth.

'The landlady's food is always good.
Oh, yeah?

　Crono said, and the woman who was called the landlady popped her voice with joy.

''It's ... delicious.''
You're making her feel good about herself. Well, it's all worth it.

　The proprietress laughed, folding her arms to push her bountiful breasts up, carapace.
　Huh?　And Tilia was puzzled by the unexpected exchange.
　What is this........we are communicating with each other kind of atmosphere?
　Tilia continued to eat in silence.



　After cleaning off the dirt from the trip with a soap that seemed to be laced with flavoring, Tilia changed into her negligee and quickly crawled into bed.
　Maybe it was the effects of living in house arrest, or maybe it was the long journey, but she was soon struck by sleepiness... gabba!　And Tilia raised herself up.

''Well I am,''

　I'd been disappointed because of my stomach, but it was dispensed with.
　Perhaps, or perhaps I should say, Crono would definitely come.
　Crono is not only a half-elf, he's also the kind of animal who would make a move on that landlady, and to top it all off, on a man, Count Rio Chiron.
　He will charge the royal family like a bull if he is allowed to do with this noble body as he pleases.
　How does he plan to come?　Do you think he'll sneak in here in the middle of the night?　Or ... oh, I'm sure, like the Beast.
　He pounces on you like an animal, laying waste to you, devouring you profusely, then smiling gruesomely.
　A horrible man, Tyria held herself up.
　He pretends to be harmless, but underneath he has the lust of a beast underneath him.

'But I'm not the one you'd like to have at your disposal!

　Even though she had fallen, she was still an imperial princess.
　Even if he was a man from another world, no, he was from another world just like the first emperor, so Tilia couldn't give in.
　Pang Pang and Tilia slapped their cheeks to wake up sleepy and waited for the moment.
　They waited.
　They kept waiting.
　And then the morning came.

'....What?

　Rubbing my sleepy eyes, I looked at the window and saw light shining through a gap in the curtains.

''........Huh?''

　I scrubbed my eyes, but morning was morning.

'Oh, oka, you're crazy,'

　Didn't I get dispossessed?
　I thought Crono was going to bare his true nature as an animal and come at you?
　Just as Tilia tilted her head, there was a knock at the door.

''Excuse me, Tilia-sama.''

　Mmmm, Tilia replied and headed for the dressing table.
　When she got dressed and entered the dining room, she found Count Rio Chiron biting down on a yawn.

'Oh, have you had enough sleep?'
You are.
It was the unseasonal mosquitoes that kept me awake.
Hmm, what kind of mosquito would feed on your blood?

　When he returned it with sarcasm, Count Rio Chiron turned his pitying gaze to Tilia.

''Hey, what's with those eyes!
Well, if you don't understand, that's okay.

　Count Rio Chiron stroked the blood-soaked marks on his neck as if to show off his neck.

'What happened to Crono?'
I wonder if he's still sleeping?

　Feeling somewhat uncomfortable, Tilia tucked into her breakfast.

*

Hmm, you're free.

　After breakfast, Tilia was strolling around the Marquis' mansion.
　She doesn't have to do the lord's work on his behalf like before, she is only expected to be a woman.
　At least that's what Tilia has decided.
　She wondered if Vizier Arcol had dispensed himself to Crono in order to strengthen relations with the new nobleman.
　With the successful settlement of the southern frontier, the harvest of crops had greatly improved and the price of those crops could be stabilized.
　No, or should I say that Prime Minister Alcor, who had his own pipeline to the new aristocracy, was now able to influence the prices of agricultural crops.
　However, that influence was only fragile to the extent that it could be lost if the new nobleman's mood was displeased.
　If it came down to it, they could block off the roads and cut off the supply of salt and other products and threaten to frighten us, but if they sold our crops to the Dorado Kingdom because of that, we wouldn't be able to look at them.
　If it's done poorly, the Dorado Kingdom will build a bridgehead to invade the empire.
　Well, in order to do that, we have to do something about the barbarians who use the Areos Mountains as their stronghold.

''........Crono?''

　When Tyria entered the office, Crono was handing the half-elf what looked like parchment.

'Congratulations, Leila,'
Oh, thank you.

　The half-elf hugged the parchment that was handed to him and said in a tone that sounded like he was about to cry.

'What are you doing, Crono?'
The presentation of the certificate. I've been teaching Leila to study for the last year, but she's so good at it that there's nothing more to teach her. I needed a break, and I made a certificate to say that she has this level of academic ability.
Do you need that?
'Authority is important. When you leave the military, when you're re-employed, a certificate issued by your lord will make your employer feel more comfortable.

　Is that the way it's supposed to be?　Tyria thought, but the half-elf hugged the deed like a treasure.

'Well, enough about the deed do you have any work to do?
Ummm, not really.
Okay.

　Tilia's shoulders slumped emphatically.

'I'll ask you to do me a favor when you come up with something, but until then, take your time to rest.
Okay.

　Retreating from the office, Tilia let out a small sigh.
　Ah, Crono is being a fine lord, isn't he?
　Hmmm, how miserable I am.
　Even that half-elf is growing up.
　When I stepped out into the garden of the Marquis' mansion, I heard the sound of hammering, kern, kern, and the dry sound of katsu, katsu mixed in between.
　What was that sound?　And when Tilia went to the stables, she saw Faye and a strange boy striking each other with a wooden sword.
　Oh, and Tilia's eyes widened at Fay's leadership.
　The boy's poor feint, a low attack that takes advantage of his short stature, is being returned with an attack that is just barely enough for the boy to handle.
　The boy thrusts his wooden sword out in desperation.
　Faye ducked it with a light step and swung the wooden sword down.
　There was a dry clunking sound, and perhaps his grip had reached its limit, and the boy dropped the wooden sword.
　The boy immediately tried to pick up the wooden sword, but the wooden sword that Faye held out blocked it.

''It is a match.''
'....Master, you're going to have to be a little easier on me.
I'm more than happy to go easy on you. It would be a disaster if my lone disciple ran away from me.
'Master has a lot to say, doesn't he?

　The boy said with a sigh as Faye puffed out her chest.

'Hmm, that's quite a leadership move.
It's been a long time, sir.

　Faye pushed the wooden sword against the boy and knelt in place.

''No need to get cocky. As you know, I am ... no longer the First Heir to the throne.
Is that so?
Master, you can't just follow him just because he says so.

　Faye tried to stand up, but stopped moving when the boy pointed out to her.

'......

　Feeling conflicted, Faye compares Tilia and the boy, lazy and greasy sweating.

'You really don't have to be so cocky, do you?　Well, it would be nice if you would pay me the least amount of courtesy, but...
I understand, sir.

　Wiping away the greasy sweat, Faye finally stood up.

''Well yeah, what, what did you do after you left me at the ball?''
I was working in the Marquess's estate, sir.
Master, that's not very convincing.

　Mmm, Faye raised her eyebrows in annoyance.

''In the Marquis' territory I guard the streets, train my apprentices, dine in the city with Lord Elena, and so on.
Elena?
Lady Elena is the accountant of the Marquess's estate and mistress of Master Crono. We should have seen each other at the ball, right?

　'A slave bought by Crono, huh?' said Tilia, finally remembering Elena.

'Yes, and yet Crono has four mistresses?
There are not four, but six.
Six!

　Without thinking, Tyria exclaimed.

''Centurion Deneb-dono and Aridid-dono have just become mistresses.
'Well, that's ... ah, ah, what about you?'
I don't know what to do with it yet, sir.

　Relieved, Tilia patted her chest.

'No, wait!　Are you going to be Crono's mistress?
"I will become Master Crono's mistress and restore House Murifine to its former glory.

　Tilia felt giddy at Faye's mannerisms.

'You're okay with that?　A man who has six mistresses-isn't that too dishonest?
I don't mind if the House of Murifine is restored, sir.

　What about that split?　And Tilia looked at Faye, forgetting her situation.

''Master, Crono-sama is the type of person who doesn't mix public and private, so I don't think he'll share the territory with you even if you're his mistress.
Is that so?

　Faye tilted her head curiously at the boy's words.

'No?'
It's a long shot.

　Faye will be fine, Tyria said as she left.

*

　After dinner, Tilia waited for Crono in bed.

　She waited.

　She kept waiting.

　And the morning came, after all.

'Oh, gee, that's funny, this isn't supposed to happen.

　Perhaps it's because he hasn't slept for two days, but his rituals don't work well.
　Crono is the kind of man who would start with a half-elf, take a landlady more than ten miles away into his bed, buy a s*x slave, surround himself with two more mistresses, and even have access to a man, Count Rio Chiron.
　He's a beastly man who lacks integrity, self-control, guilt, and all the other spirituality that a man should be prepared for.

'Wow, wow, do you find me unattractive?'

　No, it couldn't be.
　Crono had given Tilia's chest a licking look at the ballroom.
　Before Alyssa arrived, Tilia changed into her military uniform and headed to the dining room.

''Aw, your eyes are bright red.''
I couldn't sleep because my pillow was too hard.

　As Tilia sat down with a mortified look on her face, Alyssa brought the food to her.

'Is Alyssa in charge of the food today?'
The landlady has some very important business to attend to, and she's off until this afternoon.

　I see, and Tilia brought the soup to her mouth.
　Count Rio Chiron looked at Tilia with a pitying look........

Oh, yeah, that's right.

　Tilia tapped the table and stood up vigorously.

'Ri, Count Rio Chiron!　You were with Crono the night before last!
Did you finally realize that?

　There shouldn't be mosquitoes in this season.
　I mean, this man had been working hard enough to lose sleep with Crono.

'Well, well, no way, oh, no way, the landlady, too.
'I bet you can't crawl out of bed by now, can you?

　Nah, what a mess, and Tilia almost fell down on the spot.
　A bloody sense of defeat.......I was defeated not only by the man, Count Rio Chiron, but also by the landlady, who was almost ten years older than me.
　No, it was precisely my attitude of waiting that was the problem.
　Suddenly, the image of my mother in Justia Castle passed through my mind.
　Instead of waiting and waiting like my mother, I should be actively challenging her.
　This is not a battle to defend, but a battle to attack.
　Tilia wiped her tears wildly with the sleeve of her military uniform and poured the bread and soup down her stomach in one go.

''........If I don't fight, for me to be me!
If you haven't reached that point by now

　Count Rio Chiron said in dismay, but Tilia ignored him.

*

　The next day, Tilia was standing in the garden of the Marquis' mansion to see off Count Rio Chiron.
　She really didn't want to see him off, but if Crono said he was going to see her off, she had no choice.

''Then I'm going back to the imperial capital.
Have a good day.
Get the hell out of here.

　As Tilia said, Count Rio Chiron cowered his shoulders in dismay and got on the boxcarriage.

''You'd better be careful not to overstretch yourself and get discarded.
Yeah, you.
No matter how good the food is, if you eat it on a regular basis, you'll get tired of it.

　Nuh-uh, Tilia growled.

'Go home already!'
'Hahaha!　Enjoy your short spring as best you can!

　The door closed and the boxcarriage began to move slowly.
　Kuh, what ... is there any ... stone?
　Tyria looked around and saw Eryl waving at the boxcarriage.

'Why are you here?'
"I'm not only a chaperone to Count Rio Chiron, I'm also a watchdog for Princess Tyria.

　Eril looked up at Tilia and muttered emotionlessly.

''Well nice to meet you.''

　What about the watchdog revealing himself to be the watchdog?　Tilia tilted her head.

*

　Despite being the de facto supreme power in the Cepheus Empire, Vizier Alcor's office is small and extremely clerical.
　Fana looked at Vizier Alcor as he walked over to his desk, making it hard to decide whether it was an appeal or his own taste.

''If you're talking about a nobleman with selflessness and excellent self-control, shouldn't you have left it to Master Leonhardt?
It would not be desirable for the Dukes of Palatium to have power.

　When Vizier Alcor finished signing, he leaned back and rubbed his eyelids.

'But did I say Crono?　That boy would have killed my boy if Count Ernat hadn't stopped him, probably.

　That's all my son did," said Fana, letting out a sigh.
　No matter how much his own son defecated, he made a mistake in handling the aftermath of the incident and caused far more damage than expected, so there was no way to protect him.

I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this," he said. The fact that he stayed after his men were killed is not too bad. And the new nobleman............

　The Empire hadn't rewarded the new nobles with anything since the upheaval thirty years ago, so it was meant to keep them in a good mood.

''What are the chances of Princess Tyria revolting?''
As far as I can see, Princess Tyria is just an ordinary woman caught up in the greed of her own flesh and blood. With the man she loves, she wouldn't think of starting a rebellion.

　Fana felt that Vizier Alcor's view of women was distorted, but there was a part of her that made sense.
　However, she had no experience of being tied to the man she loved, so it was a matter of speculation.

''I wonder........what do you think?''

　Fana's mutterings reached no one.