*

　In late December of the imperial calendar four hundred and thirty-one, in the reception room of the Marquis' mansion.......Tyria watched as a contract was exchanged between Crono and Viscount Blood Hamal.
　What kind of intentions do you have, Crono?　And Tilia looks at Crono with a sideways glance.
　The feeling that Tilia has right now is close to confusion.
　Perhaps it's the same for Viscount Blood Hamal, who sits across from Crono.
　The degree of bewilderment must be stronger for Viscount Blood Hamal than for Tilia, who knew the contents of the document.
　Tilia knows that Crono and Viscount Blood Hamal have been in dialogue with each other for over a month.
　It's also known that Crono's building of the port of Silva in Count Caddo's territory has changed the flow of goods, and the trade routes that had been used up to now show signs of decline.
　Viscount Brad Hammar's goal is to secure new trade routes, and as a means of doing so, he is asking Crono to eliminate the toll tax.
　This is absurd.
　Of course, Viscount Blood Hamal would understand that he is making a reckless demand.
　So, Viscount Blood Hamal should have been conducting the dialogue with an eye on how much concessions he could extract from Crono.

''........Marquis Erakis, are you sure about this?''
I've given it a lot of thought.

　Crono cowered broadly at Viscount Brad Hammar's question.

'What would be in your interest?'
I can't see any immediate profit.

　Easily, Crono replied.
　Crono accepted the elimination of the toll tax.
　Of course, it was not unconditional.
　There are three conditions that Crono offered.
　The first is that Viscount Blood Hammar would also abolish the tolls, the second is to impose a tax on the paper transported from Viscount Hammar's territory to the Marquis of Erakis for the protection of industry, and the last one is the unification of the commercial system.
　When I say unification of the commercial system, it's not a large scale, it's just that I want the system that Crono has in his territory, where anyone can freely set up a stall as long as they follow the prescribed procedures and pay a certain amount of money, to be implemented in the Hamal Viscount's territory as well.
　The first condition is that as long as he demands Crono to eliminate the toll tax, Viscount Blood Hamal must accept it.
　The second condition is neither an advantage nor a disadvantage to Viscount Blood Hamal.
　It's because the amount of money for the toll tax has been added on before the paper is brought through Viscount Hamal's territory to Crono's territory.
　
　That's probably why Viscount Brad Hammar is puzzled.

''You think it will benefit you in the long run?''
If the market expands, maybe.

　I see, Tilia finally understood Crono's intentions.
　Crono changed the flow of goods by building the Silva Port and made several merchant associations compete with each other to lower the prices of goods.
　The tax reforms and public works carried out by Crono so far have left the fiefdoms with more money in their pockets and increased their consumption activities.
　However, there is a limit to the amount of money the fiefdoms can spend.
　That's why Crono sought a market.......a place for economic activity in the Hamal Viscounty.
　From this point on, it would be Tilia's imagination, but if the stalls started generating non-negligible profits, the merchants within the Hamal Viscount Territory would also use the Port of Silva.
　If Viscount Hamal's territory became rich, and the surrounding lords wanted to build a close relationship with Crono......an economic alliance could be established.
　I see, I see, said Tilia, crossing her arms and nodding.
　If she had thought that far, she would have to raise her reputation with Crono.
　That's great, Crono!　You're exactly the kind of man I'm looking for!　And Tilia turned her chest back and puffed out her nostrils.

What do you say?
....

　After a moment of silence, Viscount Brad Hammar exhaled.
　It was a long, long breath, as if to release the tension he had just experienced.
　Viscount Brad Hamal would nod.
　Crono wasn't making an absurd request.
　He is making a mutually beneficial proposal.

'Marquis Erakis, I think you are a trustworthy man. But we have a responsibility to you.
"In charge of the lives of so many of my men and my people?

　When Crono gave him a look, Viscount Brad Hammar nodded with a divine look on his face.

''You don't trust verbal promises?''
I'm sure the Marquis of Erakis doesn't put all his faith in me.

　No, I think Crono is rather trustworthy, don't you?　And Tyria looked at Crono, whose gaze swept over her in annoyance.

''Well there,''

　Viscount Brad Hammar looks at the door.
　When Crono looked at the door somewhat late, the door opened with a clatter.
　Standing there was Viscount Brad Hammar's sister........Cecily.
　She had no wig, and her dress was dark and very revealing.
　Cecily kept her face down and refused to make eye contact with Crono.
　She bites her lip and pulls and trembles all over as if to endure the humiliation.

'I would like to ask you to take my sister there as an apprentice of manners.
Change.

　He said with a straight face and Crono twisted his wrist with his thumb and forefinger up.

'Haha, just kidding.'
No, it's a change.

　Crono says again with a straight face, and Viscount Brad Hammar's mask comes off.

''Why?''　My family, Viscount Hamal, is one of the oldest of the old noble families. It's a good thing that the family that accepts apprenticeships is of high rank, though. On the contrary, it shows how much I love you.
Change.

　Three times, Crono declared.
　Viscount Brad Hammar grabbed Crono's wrist with a smile on his face.

''Marquis Erakis, ah, Lord Crono, Lord Crono, are you going to waste a little over a month of dialogue?
If you can't make the change, you can take your sister and go home.

　You guys were talking peacefully just now,'' said Tilia, looking at the two of them who were about to start beating each other up.

The first thing to say is that I don't really want my sister to be treated as an apprentice to the manners. You understand?
I don't like it when you push me around like that, mistress!

　Guffawing, Crono tried to twist his wrist, and Viscount Brad Hammar put his hand into his hand to prevent him from doing so.
　When he suddenly looked at Cecily, she looked like she was about to cry.
　There's no 'change' even though he must have made a tragic resolution in person.
　Or rather, there is no trouble in front of the person in question.
　Your feminine pride is in shards.
　You'll never get over that.

...calm down, both of you.

　Yeah, I have to keep my cool here, Tilia coughed lightly.
　But the two of them don't even try to listen to Tilia.

''Calm down!''

　As hard as she could, Tilia slammed her fist into the table.
　The fist, surrounded by white light, caved in the top panel and the table lifted off the floor with the impact.

'Tilia, calm down,'
Yes. Princess Tyria, please calm down.
I am calm!

　Crono and Viscount Blood Hamal stop grasping each other and point their hands at Tilia.

''Just when we were about to end the conversation amicably, what the hell, you guys!

　As Tilia stood up, Crono and Viscount Brad Hamal sat on the couch face-to-face, as if in fear.

''Change'' or annoyance........Crono, you don't understand the heart of a woman!　No!　You don't understand how hard it is to maintain your pride!

　Tilia barked.
　He barked with tremendous force.

''Mostly, you shouldn't have added Count Rio Chiron as your mistress. ''A man, man!　That guy, the day after he slept with Crono, was like, 'I got my blood sucked out by an unseasonal mosquito!　It's winter now. There's no such thing as a mosquito!　My pride is torn to shreds!

　Bashfully, Tilia tapped the table.
　Tilia rested her hand on the tabletop where it was full of holes.

''........So, Viscount Hamal's sister will be the maid with me.
I don't know what kind of logic you're using, but Viscount Hamal?
I don't mind.

　When Crono asked, Viscount Brad Hammar nodded with an attitude that felt comfortable.

*

　Repeat the swings.
　The basics are important.
　I'm not sure if I'll be able to find a way to get stronger in a heartbeat, so I have no choice but to repeat the basics and get stronger steadily.
　Suddenly feeling uncomfortable, Tilia looked at Fay.
　Normally, she would offer to take up the rampage when her body was getting warmed up.
　No, if it was strange, it was strange that she wasn't teaching her apprentice, Tony, out loud.
　Faye crosses her arms, tilts her head and looks up.
　Her expression could be described as troubled.

'What's going on?'
I have some things on my mind.

　Mmmm, Faye groans.

Lady Crono has informed me that Princess Tyria has made you her maid, Lady Cecily.

　Hmm?　And Tilia tilted her head, unable to read Faye's intentions.

''Ah, Faye was also from the Twelfth Kinsman Order. Even if you've been keeping old friendships alive...''
"Those who thrive must fall, and those who are arrogant will not be long in coming.

　Hmm?　And Tilia crossed her arms, sensing something malicious in Faye's tone.

'Master, it's not cool to get even, you know.
'What do you say, my disciple? I am not rooted in the fact that I have been called a 'horseshit woman,' am I?　The kick in the head is in the past, yes, in the past.

　It was as if he was saying to himself.

''Master, where's the chivalry, eh?
Mmm. Chivalry is important, isn't it? I don't think it's against chivalry to renew old acquaintanceships, but...

　Apparently, Faye is rooted in the past for the way she has been treated.
　The smallness of this vessel may be comparable to Crono.

''When Cecily-dono spent all his time training with the Twelfth Order of the Kingsguard, I was working on cleaning the stables,''

　Glancing at Faye, she looked at Tilia.

'I think I've come a long way since then, sir.
....
....

　Tilia looked at Tony.
　Until now, Tilia had assumed that Faye was wooden, but what a black one.

'Yeah, yeah, Faye's come up in the world. Big promotion.'
That's right, Master. I'm the XO of the 13th Kingsguard cavalry.
Is that so?

　Faye scratched her head in embarrassment.

''I would like to address you as Lady Crono's second lady, sir?
Yeah, yeah, I guess that means I'm your regular wife, huh?
I don't want any bloodshed in the house, okay?

　Cohon and Tilia coughed to amend the atmosphere of the place.

'Cecily must be tired today. So maybe we should call it a day.
Mmm, I don't think I was very careful.

　It's tolerance that's missing, isn't it?　Tilia thought, but did not speak.

*

　

''Ahhh, what are you doing already?''

　The landlady said in a tone of voice that almost sounded dumbfounded after the food was placed on the table.
　What was splattered on the floor was the main meat dish for dinner.

''.........''

　The maid who dumped the food on the floor - Cecily stared at the floor in silence, not even trying to clean up the food.
　Cecily was clearly unhappy with the look on her face. Perhaps that was a bad instinct, but the landlady began to clear away the food and plates, which looked miserable with an irritated click of her tongue.

'Tsk, is it really that difficult to get the food on the table?
This is not what I do.

　When the landlady said something sarcastic, Cecily raised her eyebrows in displeasure and said back.
　'An?　And the landlady glared at Cecily.
　Tilia looked around, but there was no one she could rely on.
　Viscount Eryl Sardomelik is continuing to eat as if it were his own business, and Count Rio Chiron's eyes are shining in anticipation.
　Crono......................For some reason, he was staring at Tilia.
　No, shouldn't you be the one to stop it here?　Tilia felt, but gave up and stood up.

'Wait, landlady,'
What is it?

　The bobbing landlady snapped her fingers.

'Will you excuse me for this place?　Cecily has just started her job. Tolerance is important in raising people.
I think it's important to have a strict system of discipline for a child.

　She almost nodded at the landlady's swordsmanship, but Tilia managed to stomp away.

''Well it can't be helped. I'm going to step back this time in spite of the princess, but I also have my limits. I hope you don't forget that.
Yes, sir.

　Tilia nodded and returned to her seat.

'Landlady, I don't have any for me, do I?'
The maid's mischief is for the master to take care of.

　Ugh!　Tilia was at a loss for words.

'Eril, don't you think this dish is good?'
...the landlady's food is always good.

　Suddenly, Count Rio Chiron began to eat his food with relish.
　Viscount Eryl Sardomelik was expressionless as usual, but he seemed to be eating at a faster pace than usual.
　The landlady's cooking is adequate.
　Normally Tilia would have been unconcerned even if she couldn't eat at least one dish.
　However, when she was shown the sight of her food being eaten so deliciously in front of her, she would want to eat it too.
　Noticing his gaze, Count Rio Chiron smiled wickedly.
　It's a smile that says he's enjoying seeing Tilia suffer.

''Hmph, if you want to eat the food so badly, you can crawl and eat like a dog.
Who?

　Tilia turned her head away from the two men who were eating their food with relish.

*

I'm tired.
That's my bed, for God's sake.

　Having finished his work, Crono turns to Tilia, who is lying on the bed, rubbing his brow.

Are you putting up roots already?
I didn't think it would be that useless.

　Remembering Cecily's work ethic, Tilia let out a sigh.
　If she washed the dishes, she'd slip her hands and break them.

'It's only my first day,'
It's your first day and this?

　'Uggh,' said Tilia, holding her head on the bed.

'Crono, take it back,'
I don't want to.
Why?

　Crono let out a small sigh as Tilia stared at him with only her gaze.

''Because Cecily is so strong-minded. She has a sly side to her.''

　Crono ruffled his hair.

'Quite a distinctive bald man, isn't he?'
Scars, scars!

　Crono said grimly.

'You bald guy I'm glaring at you because Cecily kicked you in the face for leaving a scar,'
Mm, scars will stay, won't they?

　Crono did not answer.
　Apparently, despite his own denial, Crono recognizes the scars as baldness.
　And he thinks the baldness is because Cecily kicked him in the face.
　Either way, it looks like it's impossible to get Crono to take Cecily back.

''Well it looks like she's not on good terms with Faye either.
Well, there's no reason for Faye to get along.

　Crono sat down on the bed, putting his arms around her to relieve her of her stiffness.

'That doesn't mean you're going to go out and sell yourself a fight, though, does it?
Did Faye try to do that?

　Tilia said, and Crono's eyes widened in surprise.
　'No,' said Crono, stroking his chin.

''Cecily is the epitome of an aristocrat with a thing, so maybe Faye was trying to make her position clear and prevent trouble?
Is that so?

　What is that thing?　Tilia didn't ask.

'You can't deny the possibility that he was just trying to make up for years of resentment.
Is everything okay?
'It would be a problem if Faye interfered in a department she had no authority over, but she didn't.

　Hmmm, Tilia snorted.

'Crono, do you have any ideas?'
'Faye?　Or do you mean Cecily?
Both.

　Crono stroked his chin thoughtfully.


Anything else?
Maybe we could put them on a team and have them learn responsibility.
So it's a joint and several liability.

　Not bad, Tilia thought.

'But it doesn't come as a surprise, does it?
You scared the shit out of me.

　Crono snorted thoughtfully as he said it.

''Well this is a famous training method for recruits in the army over there. My maids used it too, so I think it can be used.
Hmm, I guess all good things are good in every world.

　Tilia listened to Crono's story.