After the incident with Alice, Chris apologized profusely to me.
　Apparently, Chris didn't have any intention of harming me, but was just keeping his own surroundings as usual, keeping his own distance from me.
　It's a good idea to have a good time with them.

　It's not that I didn't do any real damage, but I told him that I forgave Chris right away, but he didn't raise his head for the time being, which was really troubling.
　And now Alice and I have been led to a different room than we were in earlier.

Hug, hug ... another one!
You need to cut back on that!

　For some reason, they were being treated to a lavish dinner.
　I wonder if Alice's actions earlier had something to do with it, but the large dining room really only had a minimal number of servants compared to the reception room.
　I'm not yet able to keep up with the situation, so I hurriedly call attention to it.

What are you saying, Kite? This is a just reward!　I have every right to eat this dinner!
"...What?　What the hell are you...?
''So~ I went along with the 'Emperor's Travesty' and made the moves I wanted...''
What?
'Yes, that's right. We are very grateful to Lady Alice. Please have as much as you like.
'What?　What?　Kuh, Chris!

　What is it?　I don't know what the hell the two of them are talking about.
　Seeing me tilting my head, Alice swallows what she's been eating and turns to me.

'Look, Kite. I told you earlier, didn't I?　
...well...
That is to say, he had this person put up a covert surveillance system with the intention of letting people know about it from the beginning. I don't care if he had them in the reception room from the start, but he wouldn't have had them sneak up on him from the gate if it wasn't for that.
...What?

　What does that really mean?
　Did you put in place a covert under the assumption that they would find it from the start?　What the hell was that for?

My guess is that His Majesty himself, from the beginning, wanted to entertain Kite as a guest of honor, treat her politely, and create a picture that the nation would never be at odds with her, right?
"...Yes, but...
There were some people who weren't convinced, weren't there?
That's right.

　Alice's words seem to be the truth, and Chris-san nods with a serious expression.

''Well, a nation is not a monolithic state, you know. I'm sure some of them thought it was 'young'.
You really do see everything, don't you?
''Well, to a certain extent, though. And His Majesty the Emperor wanted to restrain the other nobles from acting stupidly, making them think that Mr. Kite wasn't someone they should antagonize, and then restraining their actions. That's why that composition was necessary.
That picture?
If that happens, there will be fewer people with foolish ideas and it will be easier to control them, and it will be easier for me to stand on the side of Lord Miyama and express my opinion.

　While adding to Alice's words, Chris-san speaks nonchalantly as if it were someone else's business.
　Seeing Chris-san like that, Alice opens her mouth again while letting out a big sigh.

''.........That's why I hate this person.
What?
....
"If I didn't find out about the secret and the other moves I had prepared didn't work, I was going to finally harm Kite on my own and show the country the folly of antagonizing her by having her killed by the Dark Lord or the Dead King or someone around him. Right?
''Yes, the best thing for the Arklesia Empire is to build a friendly relationship with Miyama-sama without antagonizing her, and I'm willing to give up my life to accomplish that. No matter what Alice-sama says, I am a tool of my country. The national interest is far more important than my life.
....

　A chill ran down my spine.
　Serious eyes and a tone of voice without hesitation........I'm serious. Chris-san is serious, and he's willing to give his life lightly if he thinks it's necessary for the sake of his country.

''See, it's just as I said, right?　He's this kind of person he's a doll that works for his country.
'That's a compliment to me. Once again, thank you.
'Oh, yes, yes,'
....

　What can I say, I was unintentionally overwhelmed.
　I was prepared to sacrifice everything else for my country, and my unshakable will to weigh my own life in the balance.
　As I was thinking that, Chris-san looks at me and smiles slightly, then hangs his head again.

''However, it is my personal will, not the emperor's, that I am sorry for using Miyama-sama to control the domestic will. Please allow me to apologize once again.
Oh, no, no...
'Whatever atonement I can do, I will do. Please consider my confession and affirmation of all of my intentions as my own sincere way of doing so. Therefore, I urge you to continue to be friendly to the Archlesian Empire.
Okay, I understand.

　Seeing Chris-san's resolve as an emperor, I couldn't say anything else.
　They should be almost the same age, but I wondered if a different environment would allow them to have such mature thoughts and actions...

Well, let's stop talking so hard. Miyama-sama, I'll have a room ready for you, so please stay the night today.............Oh, don't worry. I'm not plotting any other strange schemes anymore.
'Oh, no, but that would worry Lilia-san...'
I'll send a hummingbird to the Duke of Alberto's house.
"You don't have to hold back, Kite. Now you can have a fancy breakfast-- ouch!
You are too obedient to follow your desires.

　Mmm, what can I say, it's completely Chris-san's pace, and he decides to stay the night without a break.
　

''I'd like to talk to you privately later... no, I have some information I need to hear. Please come to my room later.
Okay.

　He told her in a quiet voice and then headed for the exit once again.
　And when Chris-san reached the door, Alice opened her mouth.

''Ah~ Your Majesty the Emperor, may I have a moment?''
What is it?　Lady Alice.
''This time, I decided that it would be more beneficial to Kite-san if I went along with your intentions, and I cooperated with you... but I'm not on the side of the Emperor, I'm on the side of Kite-san. In the future, if you try to use Kite-san for the sake of the national interest.......please be prepared for that.
I'll keep that in mind.

　After replying briefly to the words Alice had told him, Chris-san left the room.

　Dear Mom and Dad - what can I say, I think it was mostly in Chris's hands after all. In the sure determination to take on the country, he himself is scheming as a pawn - it seems that the name of the wise emperor is not an honorable one.






























''Young lady, the Hummingbird from His Majesty Chris of the Arklesia Empire!
...What?
"I was told that Master Miyama will be staying at the royal castle for one night and as a guest of honor, he wants you to rest assured that he will treat you with the utmost courtesy.
....

　Hearing the words told by Lunamaria, Lilia stiffens with a stunned expression.
　Then, after being silent for a while, she emits a voice that seems to resonate from the depths of the earth while trembling her hands and mouth.

''........Luna.
Yes?
''Explain to me... what happened... how is it that Mr. Kite, who went out this morning, is now a guest of honor of the Arklesian Empire? .....
Well, come on...
'Aaaaah!　What?　Why doesn't that man just go out like a normal person and come back without a hitch!　What's going on, really!

　Holding her head in her hands, Lilia lets out a teary-eyed, mournful cry.

''.........Luna, wine......bring me some wine....
What?　Well.........
You can't do that without a drink.