Hey, little girl, you're cute. What can I do for you?

　In Zenobia with the scent of the tide in the air.
　I was alone in the busy marketplace.
　The purpose of my visit was, of course, to get the coffee that master had requested.

　----It's not just a matter of time before you come to this city, but also of time before you come to this city.

　It seems that the master's purpose is to meet with Etria Octave-sama, the leader of the Trade Union, as a representative of the Demon King's Army. The coffee that Master Cephiro-sama was referring to is only an incidental matter, but.......but as a maid, I can't miss it.

　If the master is dissatisfied with what he drinks in the middle of his work, it is the maid's mission to resolve all of it.

　The maids prepare the coffee at Octave's and I'll be the one to brew it for him when he returns to Ivalice. I know a bit about tea, but I don't know anything about coffee. I must learn this knowledge as soon as possible.

　It would be a disgrace for a maid not to be able to satisfy her master.

''Young lady. Oi, you loose-fitting, silver-haired little girl over there?

　But........I was in trouble.

　I came to the market with all my might, but I have no idea which item is what.

　There seemed to be price tags with names of goods written on them, but they were all scrawled in scribbled letters, and I, who had only recently learned to read them from my master, could not even decipher them.

　If I had to do this, I should have asked the maid at Octave House to come with me.... In order to satisfy my master, I have to do my best," I said, stubbornly.

　 I'm a maid, and I would go into the fire and water for my master.

Hey, you there, maid servant girl, looking for something? Can I help you find something?
　And.

　That's when I finally recognized the voice.

　I looked around, but I was probably the only one wearing a maid's outfit with silver hair.

　So is that why they were calling me?

　Fearfully, I walked toward the direction of the voice. It was a street vendor dealing in what appeared to be small grains.

　He was a tall man with darkened skin and a tall man. ........just a little bit scary.
　However, since he called out to me, I can't afford not to respond.

　It's a very good idea to have a coffee. It is a very good idea to have a good idea of what to expect.

Ah, um.....

Hello, nice to see you. Yeah, I thought you were ignoring me. I feel a little hurt, don't I?

Oh, I'm sorry, I'm sorry...

No, I'm just kidding. You know, you can't make me feel better if you're sorry.

　This person who was laughing with his hands outstretched as if he was in love with her was somewhat like Sephiro-sama.
　It's not so much that he's unrefined as that he's a prankster.

I'm not going to eat it. I'm not going to eat it. If the little girl says she's in trouble, I'll consult with you.　You can ask me anything you want to know about this town.

Oh, really?

Hey. Any man who doesn't lay his hands on this pretty maiden is a disgrace to his manhood.

Well, "pretty" is not a word I would use in this context.

No way. You're being modest, little girl.　That's one of the three most beautiful women I've ever seen.

Oh, no...

　I wave my hand to cover it up, but my cheeks are kind of hot.
　Am I cute?

　It's something that's not often said, so I get embarrassed. I get sweaty.

　...Master.

　Does the master also think I'm cute?

I'm really flattered, but you're cute. Where did you come from today?

Huh?　Well, um, Ivaris to--

　As soon as I said that, I thought, "Oh my God.

　My husband and I are currently staying at Octave's mansion with the mention of being a nobleman from the city of Ismas.

　And now I couldn't resist revealing that I'm from Ivalice.
　I don't know what to say. I don't know what to say.

'Ivalice?　That's a long way from home again.

It's not... it's not... it's not...

But speaking of Ivalice, that's the one, isn't it?　I heard that it was recently occupied by the Demon King's Army. I heard that the lord of the land is the most skilled of all the Demon Lord's armies, and is known as the Demon Lord's bosom buddy. What's up with that?　The "actual

Uh-oh...

　What should I do?
　The story is going on and on and on. There's no more fooling around.
　As I froze in my tracks, I heard a bang on my head.

　I turned around in surprise, and there it was.
There you are. We've been looking for you, Satie.
　The master of the house let out a sigh.

Oh, master⁉... weren't you in your mansion?

I heard Satie went shopping alone. I didn't want to leave you alone in a strange city. What did you come here to buy?　I'll go with you for one of your shopping trips.

Oh, you're the master of this little girl?　From far away from Ivalice, welcome to the city of Zenobia. You are welcome.

　The man from the street vendor spoke to his master in a very natural manner.

　He must be used to dealing with nobles and other people. He doesn't look nervous at all. And the fact that I had inadvertently told him I was from Ivalice was easily revealed to him.

　I'm angry.

　I looked at my master with trepidation, and he nodded his head, as if he understood everything.

Yeah, thanks. It's a nice city, this place. Lots of people, lots of energy. It's a city I wish I lived in could learn from.

Ivarys is famous among us merchants.　I heard that everything was recently taken over by the Demon King's army. Wasn't your husband having a hard time too?

Well that's not really true. The Demon King's Army is more forgiving than I expected.

Is it really so? Well, even us end merchants have heard about it. It is said that Ivalice has become richer than when humans ruled. Is it really so?

...Oh.

　The master grins a little happily and continues on with his story.

''I don't know. As a nobleman, I don't really know.''

Oh, my goodness, I'm sorry. But if the rumors are true, I'm sure your husband's life is better now, isn't it?　I've heard that noblemen are having a hard time in this day and age.

Well that's just fine. Makes it possible for me to come all the way to Zenobia for supplies.

A luxury item?　What are you looking for?

Coffee. I like coffee, but you can't get it in Ivalice. By the way, that's what you're selling.

The coffee is just for you. Well, you know, the beans. Hey, if you wanted coffee, you should have told me earlier.

I'm not a good talker.

　The master said and deftly accepted the coffee beans from the man.
　Of course, I paid for them.

　When we finished shopping, the master took my hand and pulled me away, saying, "We're leaving.

　This time I would be angry.

　I prepared myself to follow him, but as I went and went, he didn't say anything to me.

　The longer the silence is, the more anxious I feel.

'Master.

　Unable to bear it, I called out to my master.

What's wrong?　Satie.

'No, well I'm sorry for revealing that I'm from Ivalice.

　He stops and bows his head deeply.
　If it were my former master, a slap would be inevitable.
　But my master didn't do anything, on the contrary, he patted me on the head.

"...?　Master...?

'I didn't know you cared about that. 'I don't care. Even if you tell that merchant alone, there's little chance of it getting through to Lord Etria. I wouldn't be that concerned about it.

But you're lying about your identity, and it's my fault.

'So you care too much. This coffee, you came out to buy it because I said I wanted to drink it, didn't you?　I'm honestly happy about that feeling. To the point where the details don't really matter.

....

And I'm happy for you.

Happy?

Oh, even the street vendors in this remote port city, even the street vendors tell us that our city and governance of Ivalice is great. It's a good example of how humans and demons can coexist. It's worth it for me, too. I want this story to reach far beyond Zenobia. If this story can reach beyond the sea, then surely one day humans and demons will be able to live together in harmony.

...Yes.

Come on, let's go home. Your steward, Mr. Hans, has been worried about you?

'Yes. Master, would you like a cup of coffee quickly?

'Yes. I'm sure if Satie put it in you, it would taste many times better.

　With that, my husband and I will walk together.
　Someday, the day will come when the demon tribe and humans will truly get along and spend time together.

　On that day, I want to be by your side to watch.