As a result of thinking about building a house of my own, I decided to talk to everyone I know, including Lilia-san, first.
　I've already told my mom and dad that I'm thinking of doing that. At first they were worried about money, but I told them about the money I had, including the amount I had in Anima, and that there was no problem.
　Mom muttered with distant eyes, "Kaito has grown up before I knew it," and Dad said, "...What should I do, at his age, I don't want my son to support me or anything like that...", also distant He was saying something with his eyes.

　After talking to my parents, who do I talk to next........Lilia-san. With the idea of acting on the spur of the moment, I went to the office where Lilia-san is, and found Lilia-san working as usual and Luna-san waiting beside her.

The first thing that comes to mind is the fact that there are a lot of people in the room.　Is there something wrong?
'Well, sorry to bother you at work. I just had to tell Lilia-san about something...
Me?

　Despite her sudden visit, Lilia stopped working and responded to my request with a kind smile. I don't want to say anything else to her, so I just tell her what I want to do.

I've decided to move here permanently, and I don't think I can stay in Lilia's care forever, so I'm thinking about buying a house of my own.
''Huh........I see. Indeed, it might be a good milestone for Kite-san. I'm all for it.

　Huh?　Is it my imagination?　He's smiling and affirming me, but for a moment just now... for a moment really, I felt like he embodied the word 'catastrophic shock'... am I looking at it wrong?

'By the way, Kite, if you don't mind me asking, please tell me. Have you already thought about where you're going to build your house, etc.?
''Well, that's right. I'd prefer to live in the Symphonia Kingdom, where I'm used to living, and I'd prefer to be as close to this mansion as possible so that it's easy for Lilia-san and the others to come and see me....
"!　I see.

　This time I think he looked like he was 'extremely relieved' for a moment.

''Yes, so I think there's something to be said about the land and such, so I'm thinking of consulting with Orchid.
I understand. However, it is not something that will be completed today or tomorrow, and it is a big purchase, so please consider it carefully. If it's all right with me, I'll be happy to discuss it with you anytime.
'Thank you. It's reassuring.

　I guess the change in expression earlier was just my imagination after all. Although there is a friendly and easy to treat aspect to it, Lilia-san is also the head of a nobleman's family, and at times like this, she is really dependable.
　And after I thanked Lilia-san several times, I left the room to send a letter to Orchid.







　

''........I miss you.''
Should I praise him for enduring well or be dismayed why he doesn't tell me in person...
'Ugh, because I knew you were concerned about Kite's care for me... and if I objected, you might think I'm a troublesome woman.

　Yes, she maintained her smile with spirit and guts, but while listening to Kaito's story, Lilia had a hundred faces in her mind.
　Honestly, as far as Lilia's feelings were concerned, she preferred to stay the way she was now. Her beloved lover lives in the same house, and they have many opportunities to see each other and enjoy meals and tea together.

''Fortunately, Miyama-sama seems to be planning to build a house near here, and with Miyama-sama's personality, I'm sure he'll come to visit you often.

''So if you're going to look like you're going to cry so much, why don't you just tell Miyama-sama that...''
But....
''Well, as Lili says, it's not something that will happen today or tomorrow, so why don't you just calm down and think about it.......Anyway, you won't be able to work in this state, so I'll go make you a cup of tea.
Yes.

　After letting out a sigh when she saw her best friend showing her pathetic, or rather, Otojo-like side, Lunamaria goes out of the room once to make a cup of tea.
　After seeing off such a Lunamaria, Lilia once again got down on the desk with a pitiful face that she couldn't roughly show to others.

''........I still miss you.''
'I have a proposal for you, Lilia!
'What?　Gee, gee, Phantom King-sama!

　In response to Alice, who suddenly appeared in front of her, Lilia was so startled that she jumped with the force of falling off her chair.

''Yes, hello there... well, let's skip the detailed greetings and get to the point. For now, please take a look at this document.
...What's this?

　A bundle of paper held out to her by Alice, Lilia receives it with a dubious expression before she begins to look through it.
　

''........Um, where should I sign this?''
Here and here, please.

　After receiving Alice's instructions and signing the document, Lilia makes a magic box appear in her hand that is shaped differently than the usual one.
　That magic box is an extremely expensive custom-made item that cannot be changed by the registrant, and furthermore, the magic box itself has a powerful seal on it.
　And what was taken out of it was a lavishly decorated seal.......This is different from what Lilia usually uses for work, not 'permission as Duke Alberto's family,' but 'the head of the family, Lilia Alberto himself, gives permission with his full authority.' The top-level seal used with the implication that
　Lilia stamped that seal, which she had really only used a few times since she became the head of the duke's family, on Alice's documents without hesitation.

''Yes, thank you.''
Then it's nice to meet you.

　The negotiations lasted a few minutes and Alice disappeared. Lilia then grabbed a pen in her hand to resume her work after putting away her seal.
　Just at the right time, Lunamaria, who had made a cup of tea, returned.......and immediately tilted her head in wonder.

''........Lili, what is it, what is that loose face?''
Huh?　Really?　Ehehe, I'm the same as always.
'No, you look surprisingly loose.......Where did that desperate look go earlier?

　

''Fufu, thank you for the tea. Now, there's still a lot of work to do, and I'll do my best!
What happened in the few minutes I was gone?

　Lunamaria's curious voice echoed in the office, where the two of them were alone. It wasn't until a few days later that she learned the reason for her best friend's happy smile.