*

　Cecily woke up in her bed and was relieved.
　Her nightgown was sweaty and uncomfortable, sticking to her skin.
　If this was Viscount Hamal's territory, he would have ordered his servants to prepare for a hot bath, but right now he was in the Marquess of Erakis.
　Cecily in the Marquess of Erakis is not the former Viscount Hamal's daughter-in-law.
　Nominally an apprentice of manners, she is actually a maid.
　Lady's maids, parlor maids, cook's maids, housemaids...the roles of maids are numerous, but as a newcomer, Cecily is a lowly maid, a maid all-works, who is called here and there to do miscellaneous work.
　As a lowly maid, a morning bath is a luxury that Cecily cannot hope to afford.
　It's no use shouting out that she's an apprentice in the morning bath.
　If you want that luxury, you'll have to move up in the world.
　I don't know if I'll be allowed to move up to senior maid and take a morning bath, but at least there's hope.
　Cecily got off the bed and stretched taller.

''Well it would be more refreshing if you were this blatant.

　The room is a double room, but it's not that dank basement.
　The room had changed after the maid training ended.
　Sunlight is shining through the curtains.
　The furniture is a bed, a desk, a chair, and a chest of drawers for storing clothes.
　They are simple in construction, yet easy to use.
　Cecily took off her nightgown and shivered with a buzz.
　The underwear provided was uncomfortable to the touch and too simple to look at.

''........spoiled milk, right?　I can't help but think about it. And it's none of my business.

　Cecily puts on her apron dress.
　Comb her hair with the provided comb, put on her headdress and she's ready to go.
　Cecily looked at her partner, who still hadn't woken up, and let out a deep sigh.

'Miss Verna, it's morning. You have to get up early or you won't be able to make it to breakfast on time, okay?
Just let me sleep a little longer.

　I grab her by the shoulders and shake her, and Verna shakes her off, depressed.
　If I were in maid training, I'd beat her up, but the penalty imposed now is enough to get me to skip breakfast.

'Well, I'll go ahead then,'

　After thinking about it, Cecily decided to respect Verna's wishes.
　They leave their room and head to the servants' dining room.
　On the way, she passes the accountant who bumps his head gutted against the wall.
　'That smells delicious,' said Cecily, twitching her nose, just as someone came running from behind with a flurry of activity.

'Why won't you wake me up!
I woke you right up.

　Cecily slows her pace and walks shoulder to shoulder with Verna.

'Isn't it polite to wake her up until she wakes up?
'I was only respecting Miss Verna's wishes.

　'Ahhhhh,' said Verna, scratching her hair.

'Miss Verna, your clothes are in disarray.
Come on, I just woke up.

　Cecily stopped and corrected Verna's disarray in her clothing.

''Disorder in clothing is a disturbance of the mind. For the most part, isn't oversleeping itself proof that you're not a good enough maid?'
....
What's the matter with your eyes?

　Cecily asked as Verna gave her a dumbfounded look.

''Well you're stained by a maid, aren't you?''
Guess what I'm going to say?

　'Ha,' said Cecily, sneering at Verna.

''I'm a maid. Even if you try to call me a nobleman or a nobleman, it doesn't change the fact that I'm treated as a maid. Even if you insist on calling a dog a cat, nyah~ and dogs don't purr, do they?'
I don't know what the word means, but you've decided to live as a maid anyway.
If we're going to be treated as maids no matter how hard we try, we'll just have to show our worth as maids.

　I've lost the option of running away, Cecily sighed.
　That man's words are a curse.
　If they are put into words, we must be aware of them.

* * * * * *.

　Entering the servants' dining room, Cecily and Verna receive their bread, soup, and grilled fish at the serving table.
　Cecily and Verna are seated at the end of a long table.
　Cecily lets out a sigh and stirs the stew with a spoon.

'If you don't have an appetite, let me have it.
Verna, you're so embarrassing.

　Soundly, Verna sips her soup and pours the bread into her mouth.
　Cecily is baffled by her boldness in eating.

'How dare you eat that much in the morning?
You need to eat, otherwise you won't have any strength.
You're going to get fat.

　Cecily shreds a small piece of bread and brings it to her mouth.

'Do you mind that I called you a chopping block?
Wrong!

　It was a figurehead, Verna leaned forward and shouted.

''But I'm hoping for a bit of that.
When you make it big, you don't have anyone to show it to.

　Cecily pointed out, and Verna bared her teeth and laughed.

'I didn't think you were going to let that man have you.
No, I haven't. But it could happen, right?
'It's hard to have unfounded confidence afterwards, isn't it?
I have proof. Yeah, I've had the Cronos talk to me a lot, and they've given me candy bars and stuff.

　Cecily let out a sigh at the sight of Verna bragging about it.

'She's a cheap woman for a candy bar.
It's not cheap.
You know what, Verna?

　Cecily crossed her legs gracefully and pointed the tip of her spoon at Verna.

The man is a creature that devours what a woman offers him without gratitude. Moreover, there is an inescapable part of them that thinks they will give you the same amount the next time. If you don't control the amount you give them, they will suck you to the bone.
Have you ever been with a man?
No, I don't.

　When Cecily assured her, Verna gave her a dumbfounded look.

'Awesome.'
Of course.

　Cecily puffed out her chest.
　Even though she is a maid, Cecily is an aristocrat of long standing.
　She knows how to play the game of men and women.

'No, I don't admire you. I've never been with a man before, but I'm just amazed that you can call me names like that.
I don't want to be talked down to by a woman who's being coaxed into doing something with one candy bar.
What?
Are you ready to take a stand?

　Verna leaned forward, and Cecily responded by rolling her arms.

'Yes~, stop fighting.

　With a pang, the elf sitting next to him clapped his hands.
　He was probably around twenty years old.
　Her golden hair is cut back around her shoulders.
　Her eyes and nose are well-defined, but she looks more charming than beautiful.
　A black eye patch covers her left eye, so Cecily decided to call her an eyepatch.

'You'd think I'd be liked by Master Crono too, wouldn't you?
'I know how you feel, but Crono-sama is basically nice to everyone. Even candy canes have tons of sugar in their ingredients.

　Eyepatch crossed his arms and raised his eyebrows with difficulty.

'A pile of sugar?　What do you mean by that?
'Something about getting sugar from the beets grown near Hachel's or something... oh, they had a problem with continuing to grow them, so they quit selling them or something.

　Eyepatch doesn't seem to know the details, but for Cecily, it's a startling fact.
　Sugar is refined from the juice of a plant called sugar cane.
　The Empire doesn't have any land suitable for growing sugar cane, so they have to rely on imports, but if they can refine sugar from something other than sugar cane, it's a different story.
　No, if they could monopolize the method of cultivation, they could make a great deal of money.

Well, what I'm trying to say is, don't get me wrong.
'I see. But it's a good place to work if you're that nice on a regular basis.
That's what I mean.

　Is that man nice to you?　And Cecily looked sideways at Verna and the eyepatch.

'Do you have something to say to me?'
Are you crazy to think that man is nice to you?

　When Cecily questioned him back, Verna interrupted him, sounding miffed.

''Don't return a question with a question. Oh, come to think of it, Cecily hasn't been spoken to by Master Crono, has she?'
They don't just talk to you, they look at you like you're stupid.

　It would still be more emotional when you're looking at a stone lying on the side of the road.

'What did you do?'
I didn't do anything.
Really?

　Verna looked at Cecily with a stinking look.

'You were beating up Master Crono the other day, too.
'It is!　Because that man whispered those shameless words in my ear!

　Cecily spat.
　What desire that man had for her.
　It's horrifying just to remember.

'The only person who has ever beaten Lady Crono was not Princess Tyria.
Heh, you look like you're good friends.
They're, well, they're good, aren't they?　Princess Tilia sounds like she's looking forward to sleeping with Master Crono.

　Cecily let out a sigh. Even if it was, I don't want to believe that the princess of a country would willingly open her legs to the son of such an upstart.

''That's amazing. So does that mean Crono-sama is good at it?
He told me he was very strong.

　Cecily continued to eat, ignoring the excited Verna and Eyepatch.

*

　The servants' opinion of Crono is that he is serious, good-natured, kind to everyone, and quite s*xually active.
　But from Cecily's point of view, it's different.
　He may be serious, good-natured and gentle, but that's not all.
　I suddenly remember the corpses of enemy soldiers lying in the hills of the Holy Argo Empire.
　The corpse of the enemy soldier, so badly damaged that you want to turn away from it, it's obvious what that man did.
　This is the work of the devil.
　Cecily is working with Verna to clean the demon's office.
　Cecily is responsible for sweeping the floor, while Verna is responsible for wiping down the furniture and furnishings.

'Is there something you want to complain about?
No, no, no.

　Cecily turned and said, "That man... Crono replied with a scowl of displeasure.

'I'm grateful to have your office cleaned.

　It was a tone of voice that didn't feel like it was lacking, thankfully.
　Cecily was irritated by Crono's attitude.

'Oi! Stop slacking off and get your hands moving. I've got to clean the bathroom after this, you know.

　With a tsk, Cecily clicked her tongue and resumed her sweeping.
　Looking back over her shoulder, she saw Crono looking at Verna with a kind expression on his face.
　That is, until he realized that Cecily was watching him, too.
　Crono was clearly uncomfortable when he noticed Cecily looking at him.
　That's not all.
　When he calls out to Verna, Crono's voice is gentle.
　You have a low, pouting manner when you're Cecily.
　Aren't you at least willing to admit that you're getting used to the job?　And Cecily grits her teeth as she turns her back on Crono.
　Cecily is proud of the progress she's made in her long legs.
　She can now work more efficiently and can do the laundry on her own.
　Even the head maid, Alyssa, praises her, and the cook maid's landlady even lets out a breath of admiration.
　And yet, Crono is the only one who doesn't approve.
　I'm aware of the fact that they don't like me.
　From the moment they met, they must have had the worst impression of each other.
　We have different values to begin with.
　Crono mocks honor, tramples on the reasoning of the battlefield, and desecrates the dead.
　I can't tell you how many times I wished him dead.
　Cecily's wishes are vain, and Crono has made it back alive.
　The first time was in the Holy Argo Kingdom, and the second time was on the southern frontier.

'....Why?

　A small murmur.
　Twice Crono had survived from a desperate death zone.
　No, I hear that even the invasion of the Holy Argo Kingdom, which was the beginning of Crono's becoming a marquis, he was able to overturn a desperate power gap and prevent it.
　After overcoming three despairs, the new nobleman of the southern frontier the son of the upstart found himself in a position to treat and use Cecily as a maid.

'This one's done, but how about you?

　Verna's words brought Cecily back to reality.

'Yes, it's all over over here.
Okay, that's great. Okay, we'll move on.
Good luck.

　Verna scratched her cheek in embarrassment as Crono approached her.
　Once in the hallway, Verna looked at Cecily with eyes that seemed to want to say something.
　Ignoring her gaze, Cecily headed to her next job... the bath.

'Oi~ That wasn't it, was it?'
I don't have any choice.
She's not being harassed or anything. You're an adult.　Hold on a little longer.

　'Gugu,' said Cecily, at a loss for words.

'Even Miss Verna would pick a fight with me, wouldn't she?
'We're the same, aren't we, Cecily and I?　It's not that, it's just that Lady Crono and Cecily are in different positions.
I understand the logic, sir.

　Verna let out a dumbfounded sigh.

''Even if you understand it in theory, if you can't act on it, what's the point?
I know that too.

　I know that.
　I know that I'm in a position, that it's not a friendly relationship out of the blue, and that I should detach my emotions and work as a maid.
　But I'm not emotionally convinced.



　I cleaned the bathrooms without incident, cleaned the kitchen again without incident, and moved the scribbled papers from the office to the paper workshop in the garden of the Marquis' mansion.
　For reasons that aren't clear, the failed papers are now pieces of paper when Cecily and Verna collect them.
　Cecily and Verna pack the large number of pieces of paper into Zuta bags and submerge them in a special container set up in the paper workshop.
　The reason I use the word "submerge" is because the inside of the container is filled with water.
　We must not forget to stir the container with a stick to make it submerge quickly.
　After that, the pieces of paper are de-inked and then reclaimed in the paper workshop.
　Since the quality of the reclaimed paper has deteriorated, it is used to write down small things in the office or is issued to Crono's subordinates, who are said to have been trained as officers.

''Well that's the other half of it,''
Half of it is carrying water from hell, though.

　The servant's mess hall ... Cecily took a seat at the end and let out a deep sigh.
　Carrying water is the least popular job.
　They had to keep carrying water in tubs from the well to the upstairs and downstairs bathrooms.
　It's a tough job, but they have to carry water from two different locations, and that's disgusting.
　Even if they carry the water themselves, Cecily and Verna are the last ones to be able to bathe in the water.
　I can't wait for the late shift, as I hear that the person in charge of the late shift can bathe in the hot water as soon as he finishes his work, so I can't wait for the late shift for a little while.
　Well, it looks like Cecily and Verna are going to be the ones in charge of carrying the water from hell even on the late shift, so I can't be happy about it with my hands.

''........This place is good to handle~''
What's your life like?
Helping out at the stores around there, picking up and selling trash, and sussing out purses?
I'm sure we've all heard a lot about what a criminal you are.

　'Yeah,' said Verna, turning away in a huff.

'When I get used to it, I'll have to learn the letters.
'That's an auspicious sentiment, isn't it? 'Literature makes the heart grow fonder.
I don't care about literature, simply because I don't want to lose money.

　Verna must have been boiled over and over again.
　Her strange righteousness towards Crono might be influenced by past events.
　I felt like I could help him out a bit.

'Unfortunately, Mr. Weissman's class is booked up.

　It was the eyepatch that called out from the side.

'Really?'
Very serious.

　Verna asked, and the eyepatch replied in a light tone.

''Now it's the old soldier, then the new soldier.........Verna's turn is after that.
Well, it's free, you know. It's free, isn't it?

　Verna crossed her arms behind her head and muttered to herself.

'Verna, may I teach you some letters?'
I remember Cecily being a nobleman.
He's still a nobleman!

　Hmmm, Verna groaned thoughtfully.

I don't want to. I'm flattered, but...
Why is that?
Cecily isn't very good at teaching. And running off at the same time doesn't suit her.

　Cecily wasn't sure which of them meant it, but Cecily decided that Verna was trying to avoid friction with her surroundings.

'We don't care about slipping out or anything, though, do we?
You do care, don't you?　We're new here, so we have to keep pace in the beginning.

　It looks brazen, but Verna seems to have a lot on her mind in her own way.

I really don't mind, but that's part of it. If I were in your shoes, I would be able to read the atmosphere a little better.
It's good to be paid well, isn't it?
'Yes. I wondered what would happen when I got hurt.

　Verna crossed her arms and nodded in satisfaction, and the eyepatch muttered in a slightly lower tone of voice.

'Come to think of it, you're an ex-soldier, aren't you?
Well. I was an archer, but I got out when I went blind and couldn't keep my distance.

　Eyepatch patted his eye patch.

'It was a terrible battle. I suppose there's no such thing as a fight that isn't terrible, but it was a terrible fight anyway.'

　Perhaps it was the result of trying to suppress his emotions, but Eyepatch's tone was unnaturally calm.

'I managed to survive, and I got some treatment... but as soon as I could afford it, I had to think about how to carry myself and stuff. That time was the hardest for me, I think.

　Eyepatch poked his cheekbones and gave him a languid look.

'Poof, it doesn't look like many of the guys are injured?
Well, by all appearances, yes. In reality, it's been over a year and the wounds haven't fully healed, and I still have nightmares. I'm still like this, so I didn't feel hopeless then. My mind and body functions are so messed up that I can't even realize that I've reached the point of no return... So I was relieved when I heard that you're hiring me as a maid.
'Wasn't that man the cause of the injury in the first place?

　The expression disappears from Eyepatch's face, but it's only for a moment.

'I don't deny that it's a result of following Crono-sama's orders, but I try to think of it as a separate issue from this one.
It's a bit of a relief, that.

　Hmm?　The eyepatch tilted his head curiously.

'Why do you feel safe?
I'm Lady Crono's maid.
You haven't answered the question.

　Cecily's lips twitched, unconvinced.

*

　In the evening, Cecily sat down on the well and inclined her gaze.
　There was Verna, who looked limp.

'Miss Verna, shouldn't you need to build up a little more strength?'
Don't compare it to the guys in the army.

　It's certainly a pity compared to me and the former soldiers. I suppose it makes sense to consult with the head maid here, but......., Cecily crossed her arms.
　Considering Verna's physical strength, it's best to have her assigned to a job other than carrying water.
　But considering Verna's character, it's not the best choice.

''........I'll have to work hard for Verna-san.
I didn't ask for this.

　When Cecily muttered with a sigh, Verna spat out.

'It's something I do on my own. There's no need to worry about it.'
It's bad.

　Cecily closed her eyes and gave a small nod.
　It was then that she heard the sound of a kang, kang.
　It wasn't the sound of a workshop dwarf hammering.
　It was similar to the sound of swords being hammered together.
　After a while, he realized it was the sound of a wooden sword being hammered together.

'Hey, where are you going?'
....

　Cecily relied on the sound of sword fights to get to the place.
　However, the grounds of the Marquis' mansion were limited.
　Without hesitation, Cecily arrived at the spot and came upon a scene where Crono and Faye were clashing wooden swords.
　Cecily despaired at the sight.
　Faye was beautiful.
　Even the way she ducked the tip of the wooden sword with her gorgeous steps, and even the way she dealt with a forceful blow was beautiful.
　Cecily knows what Faye is capable of.
　No, I was under the illusion that I knew.
　I'm sure you've been reminded of the fact that this is the ultimate in swordplay.
　However, Faye's bodywork had become more fluid than back then, and the trajectory drawn by the wooden sword had become sharper.
　Compared to Faye, Crono's swordsmanship was inferior to child's play, such as Crono's swordsmanship.
　The proof of this is that Crono's sword can't even touch Faye.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a good deal more information on this topic.
　The difference in actual strength is obvious.
　Even so, Fay is still looking at Crono seriously.
　I'm not going to be able to get a good idea of what to do with it.
　The reason for this was immediately apparent.
　Crono threw the wooden sword that he had hidden in his possession.
　Faye predictably knocked the wooden sword down and ducked Crono's body-like thrust.
　The ducking of a full-bodied blow and Crono's defenseless appearance against Fay.
　This is a dead end.
　At least that's what Cecily decided.
　But Crono and Faye had a destination in mind.
　A jet-black glow colored Crono's body like a barbarian's war makeup.
　It's the 'imprinting technique'.......a secret art passed down to the barbarians of the Areos Mountains.
　When Crono has finished firing his full-length blow, he unleashes an elbow strike.
　An impossible blow.
　Normally, he would have been elbowed in.
　However, Fay was different.
　He received Crono's elbow strike with the belly of the wooden sword.
　Crono and Faye leave like a bouncing ball.
　After all, I should say, Faye is quicker to regain her stance than me.
　Faye kicks the ground in order to close the gap between the two, wearing the Divine Majesty Technique "Divine Clothing".
　With a gakun, Fay's body sinks down.
　The shadows entangled in his ankles blocked Fay's movements.
　When Fay stepped forward, the shadow was easily shredded.
　With the shadow easily shredded, Faye lost her stance.
　This was a strategy to exploit the belief that the shadow that blocked the explosive acceleration couldn't be easily torn to shreds.
　It's an impatient plan, too pathetic.
　But it is also true that this strategy bought about two blinks of time.
　A jet-black glow cuts through the space.
　Crono closes the distance between him and Fay with unstoppable speed with the help of the 'Marking Technique'.
　The next moment, Crono was flying through the air.
　He stumbled over Fay, who jumped under his feet.
　Crono, who had spun so far in the air that it was ridiculous to count it, was knocked to the ground and stopped moving.
　The jet-black glow flickered erratically and disappeared completely.
　It was too much of a resolution.
　It could be described as hapless.

''........Do you surrender, sir?
I thought we were going to win today.

　Crono sat up and sat there, looking like he was in a billion dollars.

'It's a difference in experience,'
'My whole body is defeated', right?
"Master Crono is a vicious man, sir.

　Faye's cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
　Crono stands up and walks towards the Marquis' mansion.
　Stopping in front of Cecily, Crono lazily puts his hand on her neck.

''Did you have a good time?''
Yes, it was an exciting show.
I'll try again next time to make it a little more fun for you.

　That ended the conversation.
　Cecily followed Crono with only her gaze.
　She stopped chasing him immediately, but she was intensely aware of the signs of moving away and the sound of the door closing.

'Why are you picking a fight?'
I'm not looking for a fight.

　For some reason, I'm pissed off in my chest.
　For some reason, I'm irritated.
　The scene that unfolded in front of me was supposed to be just that, that Crono was defeated while playing a trick on me.

'A little more sleight of hand... hee!
That's what I'm talking about, trying to pick a fight.

　I was about to call out to Faye when Verna plucked Cecily's side.
　Or rather, she grabbed it eagle.

What are you doing?
No, it's obvious.

　Cohon and Cecily cough to change their minds.
　The pocan expression on Faye's face is driven out of her consciousness.

'Wouldn't that make for good practice?
Training with Master Crono is a learning experience.

　Once and for all, Faye denies Cecily's words.
　Of course, even Cecily knows that Faye was taking her practice seriously.
　Otherwise, she wouldn't have paid so much attention to it.

'That greed for victory is something to be learned.
It's just a trick.
''If the current Master Crono had fought me before I came to the Marquess of Erakis, the result might have been the opposite, don't you think?

　'The sword,' said Faye, stroking the sword she carried from her waist.

'It is not absolute power. It's also a good idea to make sure that you have a good idea of what you're doing. That's why Crono-sama's efforts may bear fruit someday.

　Cecily was speechless.
　She'd felt hopelessly separated, because now she knew it wasn't as big a difference as she thought it was.
　Cecily finally realizes what the pissed off and frustrated feeling in her chest is.
　Faye is not looking at Cecily.
　The only time Faye looks at Cecily is when someone she knows is about to be harmed, or when someone she knows is belittled.
　Crono was perceived by Faye as more than an equal, even though he was an ordinary man like Cecily.
　Now Cecily thinks.
　She wonders how much potential dwells in the things she has given up, dismissed as unnecessary, and turned her back on.



　Cecily let out a sigh on her bed.
　She had finished the day's work and had eaten.
　She had bathed in hot water, and now all she had to do was sleep.
　He let out a sigh.
　Cecily's heart was occupied with regret for running away, and the things she had thrown away...her sword, her position, and the battalion she had been a part of.
　Cecily harbored unrequited feelings as she looked at Crono.
　Crono, an ordinary man, was now recognized as more than an equal to Fay, a genius.
　If I didn't give up, even I could have reached the realm of a genius.
　.........It's an unfinished business, Cecily let out a sigh.
　Time is not going back.
　Even if Cecily wanted to return to the military, her brother would not allow her to do so.
　His brother was extremely gentle, but if he had to put the territory or Cecily first, he would put the territory first.
　Once again, Cecily let out a sigh.
　He wanted to ask her.
　What did Crono care about and what made him overcome his resignation?
　But even if she tried to ask, she found herself hated by Crono.
　I don't know what kind of face to go and see him now.

'All you do is sigh, what's wrong with you?
I was just thinking about something.

　'Huh,' said Cecily, turning over and letting out a sigh for what seemed like the umpteenth time.

'Well, it's about Master Crono, isn't it?
You don't have to look so triumphant to know that.
'I've seen your rebellious attitude towards Master Crono as a sign of goodwill.
Verna's eyes are knotty.
Don't look at me like that.

　Cecily couldn't be sure what kind of eyes she was looking at, but very painfully, Verna muttered.

'Why don't you go and apologize instead of sighing?'
If it were that easy, I wouldn't be bothered.
Cecily is making it difficult for you. I didn't do anything and I'm in a bad way because of Cecily, so go ahead and apologize! I don't want to work in a cushy atmosphere anymore.

　Verna said as she rolled around on the bed, right, left, right.
　'Well, you're certainly giving Verna a lot of trouble for us,' said Cecily, reflecting a little.

'I understand. We can't give Verna any more trouble, you know. 'I can't cause any more trouble to Miss Verna,' she said, 'it can't be helped. I don't like it, but I'll go and apologize to that man.
I don't really want an apology for that, okay?

　Verna seemed to be saying something to her, but Cecily ignored her and got up from the bed.
　She slipped her arms through the apron dress she had prepared to wear tomorrow and combed her messy hair.

''........Verna-san, will you come with me?''
"Ew, go apologize to him alone!

　Verna couldn't have been more disgusted.

'Verna-san didn't tell me to go apologize!
It was Cecily who caused it!
''I don't really want to apologize. Since Verna-san says so, I just have no choice but to go and apologize because I have no choice.
f*ck.

　While saying this, Verna got out of bed with a cumbersome look on her face.
　Glancing at the apron dress she's going to wear tomorrow, Verna seems to have decided that she doesn't mind being in her pajamas, and she heads for the door, biting off a lack of expression.

'Come on, let's get on with it and go apologize.
If you're so sure, Miss Verna, I don't blame you.
Super friggin' awesome.

　Led by Verna, Cecily heads to Crono's room.
　The air in the corridor is cold enough to give her goosebumps.

''There's something I forgot to mention...''
What is it?

　Cecily asked, tilting her head.
　'If it's an apology, I won't need it, and I'm properly prepared for tomorrow.

'What if we're in the middle of a night out?'
Shouldn't we wait until it's over?
In the hallway?
I think we should wait in the hallway, don't you?

　Verna made a subtle expression.

''No, I'm not uninterested in it either, but isn't it bad?''
We don't want to cause any more displeasure, do we?
'Well, yeah, but I guess I feel threatened by the idea of visiting a man's room this late at night.

　Verna doesn't seem to be on board, after all.
　I don't think Cecily should visit a man's room late at night either, but goodness gracious, let's hurry up, shall we?

''Who are you, sir?''

　Cecily and Verna stopped when they were approached on the landing of the stairs.
　When they looked up, they saw Faye standing there in her pajamas.
　The fact that she was wearing her pajamas and yet had a sword from her waist was very Fey-like.

''What do you two look like?''
No, it's just...
I'm just here to see Master Crono.

　Cecily stepped forward as Verna clammed up.

'What do you want, my dear?
What do you want? You know what I want?

　Faye awkwardly tore her gaze away from Cecily and Verna and uttered something in a voice that sounded like a mosquito buzzing.

'I can't hear you,'
So....

　Faye crossed her arms and turned over.
　It was as if she was trying not to look at him.

'Could you say that a little louder?'
...a fairy tale.

　A silence descended.
　Perhaps she couldn't bear the silence, but Faye was leaning back as if she was about to fall apart.

''.......Should I wait until it's over?''
Well, you don't have to wait!　I want you to get your errands done quickly, and when you're done, I want you to get away from Master Crono's room as soon as possible!

　Faye said as she wound up and gave way to Cecily and Verna.
　They face the wall and try not to make eye contact.
　Cecily followed Verna to Crono's room.
　She stopped in front of Crono's room and took a series of large, deep breaths.

'Verna-san, how many knocks do you think are appropriate?'
Knock again and again.

　Three times, Cecily knocked on the door.
　There was no answer, so she interpreted it as approval and opened the door, and the white light of the magic item stimulated her eyes.
　Crono was working on something at his desk.
　Crono rested his hand and slowly turned to Cecily and Verna.
　Crono's eyes widened in surprise, and he immediately turned to look at the usual trivial things.

''What... what do you want?''

　Cecily regretted it.
　She shouldn't have wanted to talk to him or think about apologizing for Verna's sake, rather than giving him this look.
　Hey, you're going to apologize, right?　and Verna pokes Cecily in the back with an elbow.
　Crono is poking his cheekbones in a sour mood.

''You are.........''

　Cecily squeezed out her voice.
　Her legs trembled.
　The fear of being able to see through something else rose again.
　Too scared, she shook her head.
　This man had been able to see through his own experience and insight that Cecily was inferior.
　He couldn't be that inhuman.

'How can you hold a sword?　You understand that no matter how hard you try, you will never reach the heights, right?　It's all scheming and trickery, but still, what's the point of having a genius try so hard?

　Cecily realized after she finished.
　If she hadn't given up, she could have reached the realm of genius herself.
　Cecily doesn't believe in such things.
　It's just wishful thinking.
　It's like a prayer.
　Crono quietly strokes his right eye.
　He looks like he's thinking about something, or he's trying to find the right moment.

''I know, I know that no matter how much effort I put in, I'll never reach genius. Sometimes I feel like I'm trying in vain. But it's better than doing nothing and regretting it.

　Crono said as he let out a sigh.

'What are you holding the sword for?'
For my people, the ones I feel good about. And for myself. I don't want to be an a**h*le to myself.

　This time, Cecily was devastated.
　Crono continues to strive for what he believes to be worthwhile.
　He stomps on because running away would make him the worst kind of scum.
　Cecily ran away because she was afraid to face her inferiority complex before she was valued low.
　Finally, he put his trust in being an aristocrat.
　But how could she be proud of what she had fled, fled, fled, and clung to in the end?
　He would make every possible effort to bring as many of his men back to life as possible.
　If he felt that way, then his words were right.

''You ... are not the son of a lowly mercenary.

　Yeah?　Crono jumps up one eyebrow in a dubious manner.
　It's an understandable reaction.
　Even Cecily can't believe that such a change of heart could happen.

''You are a proud nobleman. Please forgive me for my previous rudeness.
I don't mind.

　Now it was Cecily's turn to raise one eyebrow.
　Would someone who didn't care harass her so relentlessly?　He felt like questioning her for an hour or so, but it was his own fault, too.
　I think I can get a good night's sleep now, Cecily said as she left Crono's room with a light step.

*

　Crono looks down at Cecily with a wicked grin on his face.
　Cecily sat on the floor and looked up at Crono.
　She put as much hatred as she could into her gaze, but Crono's eyes narrowed as if even that hatred was comforting.
　Realizing what the evil smile meant, Cecily tried to run away.
　But Crono wouldn't let Cecily escape.

'Yup, it's a dream, isn't it?'

　Cecily jumped up and repeated her ragged breathing.
　It's a horrible nightmare, she said, holding her head on the bed.
　He apologized properly.
　Since she had apologized properly, she shouldn't be able to be as outrageous as she was.
　But there was no guarantee that the words whispered in his ear a few days ago would not come true.
　What if that was Crono's true intentions, instead of being whispered in a punitive manner?　And Cecily felt her heart palpitations quicken.

'Well it's not even dawn yet, you know?
Yes, I'm going to go back to sleep!

　In the end, Cecily couldn't fall asleep until the night was white and she was forced to work in a sleep-deprived state.