Mmm. It's still good. It's the only wine I've ever tasted.

　Cephiro gulped down the wine glass full of purple liquor in one gulp.

　Master had told me that wine is for enjoying its aroma, but Cefiro didn't want to waste his time and gulped it down in a gulp. Just as the master said, he was drinking happily even if it was just an ordinary wine with the label changed to Peruna.

　He seemed to be enjoying himself.

　I sat down next to Mr. Cephiro in the large reception room and poured wine into his empty glass.

　Normally, I, being a maid, would have to remain standing to deal with him, but Master Cephiro says, "I don't like to be so formal. However, Master Cephiro suggested that I sit next to him, saying, "I don't like to be so formal.

'Ike has found a good attendant, too. Ike has also found a good attendant. With a maid like you by my side, I'll be at ease.

Are you sure?

　I asked Cephiro as he ate his cheese.

I asked him, "Mmm. I've known him since he was a child, and he is always serious and humble - to the point where he underestimates himself. If that's the nature of being human, then it's inevitable, but the bad news is that he has such low self-esteem that he tries to exceed his own capacity. If you do that, you will get a flat tire. Humans and demons are no different in having to take a proper break.

...?

I was the one who first recommended him for the brigade commander, but at the same time I was worried about him. --But my fears were unfounded. With a handmaiden as good as you, Satie, he will be able to do just fine.

I'm not sure I'm familiar with all the details.

　And pop-pop-pop.
　I pour a glass of wine and say, "Has Master Cephiro been worried about you?

"Was Master Cephiro concerned about you?

That's what happens. She has known Ike since he was this small. She's known Ike since he was weak and helpless and fragile.

　After taking a sip of wine, Master Cephiro let out a sweet breath.

When Ronberg died, he volunteered to join the Demon King's army, and I have been practicing this technique ever since. In the past, he couldn't even master the levitation magic, and now he can't even hold his own against the golem that is his mistress' masterpiece. When did it happen that he became so strong? When did he lose the opportunity to be taken care of by the mistress?
Is Lady Cephelo lonely?

　I feel like I'm listening to the story.

　Cephiro-sama nodded, "Hmm......." and became thoughtful in his posture. The gesture of pressing his brows together was vaguely similar to his master.

　No, it must be the other way around.
　The master's gesture must be similar to Cephiro's. "Yes, perhaps it is.

Maybe so. Perhaps it's because I've known him since he was a child, but there are times when Ike still looks small to me. It's just like those days when he adored her like an older sister and came running up to her with a smile. But now he's the commander of the Demon King's trusty sword, the prestigious Eighth Legion. I'm proud of him, but perhaps that's why she was so lonely...

　Gulping, I take a sip of the remaining wine and Cephiro silently holds out his glass to me.

　I don't respond, and quietly pour the wine into the glass.
　As he twirls the lustrous wine around, Cepheloe continues.

I can honestly say that Ike is responsible for the current success of the Demon King's army. Capturing major cities, securing food supplies, protecting the royalty, fighting alongside the dwarves and elves, all achievements that would not have been possible without Ike. It was the right decision to promote him as the brigade leader of the 7th Legion's Immortal Brigade. I'm proud to take the place of my sister.

No one in the Demon King's army is more heroic than my master.

You're right. Whenever I entrust him with something, he always comes back with results that exceed my expectations. As an ex-boss, he has a high nose. I'm sure you're right, he's really lonely.

Mr. Cephiro...

'Sometimes I feel that guy is so far away from me. Sometimes I feel as if a hole has opened up in my chest when I think that it has slipped out of my mistress' hands, that I no longer need to rely on her. She.........hates it.

"...Cephiro-sama is very fond of her master, isn't she?

　The glass was empty, but the wine in the bottle was gone too.

　Cepheero's face is slightly red, as if he had been drunk. Cepheero continued, groggy and sullen.

He continues, "Oh, yes, that's right. "Oh, yes, she is always dear to Ike's heart. She has trained him so that he can fight on his own. I left him to his work, so that he could do it on his own. However.........when he finally becomes independent, that's a lonely thing, isn't it? It's said that they don't know their parents' hearts.

I'm sure your master is very fond of Master Cephiro.

...Is that so?

'Yes. Master, he always talks about his memories of Master Cephiro. He also regularly tells me that he has become strong because of Master Cephiro. He says that he is the person he is today because of you, Cephiro.

Yeah, right.

　Nima," says Cephiro with a reassuring smile.
　The bond between Cephiro and his master is strong.
　I'm a little jealous of that.
　And then I hear the sound of footsteps.
　The door to the reception room was opened by the master who had been talking about it.

'I'm sorry to keep you waiting, Satie. Here he is, Commander. I can help you with some of the small talk, so just go home...

It's Ike!

　Gaba.
　Sephiro-sama jumped at his master, covering him.

'Whoa, what--, I mean, I smell alcohol!　Hey, you've had too much to drink, Commander!

Pfft. Don't pretend to hate it. You, you, you, you little darling.

What is this all of a sudden?　Satie!　What were you talking to this man about!
It's about your master.
How did it come to this?

Don't run away, Ike. Huh? He's just as cute as ever. Oh, come on, come on, come on.

'Please, I mean, you reek of alcohol, Commander!　Satie!　I need water ASAP!

Hmmm..... Master.

　Nodding deeply, I leave the reception room for once.
　Although the master looked very troubled.

　I'm sure it's not my imagination that the way he was playing with Sephiro-sama looked like he was enjoying himself - but I'm sure it wasn't my imagination.

　They're like a good sister and brother.
　After all.........I can't help but feel a little jealous.
　I'm not sure if I can become the master's irreplaceable presence, either.
　Like Cephiro-sama.

........I have to work harder.......

　Just as Cephiro said, I wanted to become a maid who could put the master first.

　I am a maid who works hard every day to make my aspirations stronger.