A lady-like person led us into the castle, and we were led to a room in the castle.

　As we walked through the corridors of the castle, I finally got the sense that we were touring an old western castle, or maybe it was a fairy tale.
　I was the only one who was scurrying around the whole time.
　I may have been floating around a bit....
　At first, I couldn't believe that the people who passed through the castle were strangely not living people.
　In other words, they didn't seem real.
　I felt as if I had stepped into a movie.
　To put it bluntly, I was lightly impressed.
　Maybe it was because I looked so curious, or maybe it was because the lady of the house had told me that I'd been in a movie.

Hmm, do you like the inside of the castle that much?

　He even gave me a smiling look.

''Oh dear.......I can't even sit in one chair when I'm wearing a dress like this.......''

　Mr. Currier babbles and sits down on the couch, careful not to wrinkle his skirt.

'Here, do you want to sit next to me?'

　Currier-san clanks on the space next to her.

''Ah, yes ... excuse me.''

　I sat down next to her as she told me.

　Makina-san has preparations to make before the audience.
　So she's not in the room right now.
　It's just me and Currier-san.

''What's up?''　Can't you relax?

　Currier-san said as if he was concerned.

''After all, we're meeting with the king of a country......it would be rather strange if we weren't nervous.
'But you weren't so nervous in front of Prince Geas of Ruvell Argan and Princess Hel of the Empire, were you?　I'm not the king of one country, but I'm guessing those two are similar, aren't they?
Thus, here you are! If it's something like that, doesn't it feel like an over-the-top production... or something like that?
What a weird guy. He's the kind of guy who can yell at that Revel Argan witch.
'Shana-san, well... it's annoying, but I think she dares to be light-hearted in my direction.
Well...

　Currier-san relaxed her eyes and smiled at me.

'No matter how you run up the ladder, being able to remain unchanged like that... is probably one of the best things about Sagara Kurohiko.

　His face begins to heat up.
　This is it.
　It's like Currier's smiling guard is invalid at times like this.
　It's still a foul, isn't it, this.

''Hm?　What's going on?　Are you getting too nervous, or is your fever coming on?

　We have to fake it somehow........

When I look at it like this, Currier-san's dress is so wonderful.......I just fell in love with it.
Hmm....

　Currier-san drew back and hid his chest.

''What are you saying all of a sudden, you idiot!　I mean, what are you doing casually observing me in my dress!

　This time, Currier-san turned around and blushed.

''When you react like that, it bothers me too... even though I try not to pay attention to the dress as much as possible...''
'Haha ... well, was that dress recommended by Cecily?　Or is it Societies'?
Well it was Cecily's choice in the end.
Well, that's Cecily, isn't it?

　I'm desperate to divert the topic.

'Cecily-san seems so stylish these days... When you're not in your school uniform, do you maybe wear a different outfit every day?　I didn't have the impression of wearing bangles or necklaces that much before...
Hmm....

　And Currier-san looked something complicated.
　What's going on?

'I've been kept quiet by the party in question, but ... well, okay. In fact, maybe Kurohiko should know the story.
What's the story?
There's actually a reason for the diversity of Cecily's grooming these days.

　That man looks good in whatever he wears.
　So basically, I don't feel uncomfortable in my clothes.
　But when I went out during my overnight stay, I felt a different kind of discomfort.
　So - let's say that I didn't feel like I was "wearing the clothes of my choice", or shall we say that I didn't feel like I was wearing the clothes of my choice?

"There's a certain nobleman who finances a clothing store in the royal capital, and I've heard that he paints the clothes and ornaments he produces in his shop himself.

　In short, that aristocrat is putting out clothes and ornaments that he has designed for his shop?

It seems that this nobleman has asked Cecily to wear the clothes and ornaments that he has designed for her. And if Cecily Arkwright is wearing them in this royal capital, the fame of the goods will increase dramatically.

　Is it similar to having the fashion leaders of the era wear your products and become a billboard?
　Once Cecily Arkwright wore the clothes and adornments to a nobleman's party or soiree, the nobleman who had provided them would be in the spotlight.
　That's probably the idea.

''I didn't have the impression that Cecily-san would do something like that, but.......was that a story that was brought in from the direction of Socie-san?

　In the first place, I've heard that Cecily was famous for not showing up to a place like a night party very often.

'No, I'm told that Cecily decided to do it herself.
Is there any particular reason...?

　She's the daughter of the Earl of Arkwright, who is well remembered by the Holy King.
　It's unlikely that she's going to have money purposes.
　Or rather, she didn't need it until now.
　If that's the case.......why is that?

It's for our own good.
'What?　Ours?
Yeah. He's trying to develop his own network of contacts. If we ever want to do anything in this country, we need the help of our own nobles.
"Oh--

　Cecily told me once.
　She said that she would try her best to be of help in areas other than fighting.

'In that area, I can't be of any use to you as I can only fight. Well, you're already connected to all of the five great dukes' families, but there are surprisingly many powerful nobles in this country who have distanced themselves from these five great families.

　Runowthred is a vast country.
　There are many other houses of nobility such as marquises and counts.

I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's useful to have a connection with that power when the time comes. For example, when there are circumstances to cross over to another country, especially.

　Cecily knows that Currier-san might eventually go to Ruvelargan to visit someone called Tasogale.
　I too, perhaps there will come a day when I will eventually go to the Empire in search of the forbidden spellbook.

It's a good idea to be able to be of some use when that happens. ''I can't get over that guy. It seems that by the time I found out about it, the conversation had already moved on.

　I knew what the discomfort was at the time.
　So that's what it was.
　Cecily was not only learning, but she was also putting a lot of effort into networking.
　This explains why she seemed to be so uncomfortably busy these days.

By the way, it seems that the advertising role is only arranged during the hot season holidays. And as for the networking part, Cecily's mother is keeping a close eye on it, so there's no need to worry about getting caught up in any strange stories.

　I sighed.
　Only this time, for my own insensitivity.

'Cecily-san doesn't talk to me as much as those kinds of hardships, you know...'
'Hm ... you can't compete with that guy, can you? Well, for now, just treat Cecily as if you didn't hear what she said now. I'm sure he'll tell you about it sooner or later.
I understand.

　..........
　Yup.
　After listening to what you just said, I feel like my nerves are gone.
　Cecily-san is doing her best for me, too.
　I have to pull myself together and do my best.

　Then, as I was chatting with Currier-san for a while, the door to my room opened.

'Here you are.'

　The one who showed up was Makina-san.
　Also next to her is.....

Is this the first time we've exchanged words like this?

　A man with a fine beard.
　He must be around his early years?
　I've seen him before, in case you were wondering.
　He was the one who had been waiting next to the Holy King all the time at the Holy War Festival.
　I stood up from my chair and bowed my head.

''Ha, nice to meet you. I'm Sagara Kurohiko.

　Yes, this guy--

You're always in charge of your daughter, aren't you?

　This is Machina's father.
　This is the first time we have met in person.

　A big hand was held out to him.

'Forgive me for the delay in greeting you. My name is Wagnus Lenowskaia. Can I ask you to take care of my daughter in the future, Lord Forbidden Spell Maker?