The next day.
　Sola and Luna are out on a quick errand and ....
　I gathered everyone else together and told them exactly what I was thinking and what was bothering me.

　The result......

Meow I'm an idiot for Lane.
Yeah, you're an idiot.
You're an idiot.
Uh, uh... meh.

　Kanade, Tania and Tina all gave me zit eyes.
　The line "idiot" was also quite painful to hear, as if it was full of emotion.

　Nina didn't call him an idiot, but he seemed to be angry in his own way.
　She puffed out her cheeks unusually.

''Like being with Rain would put us in danger or something...''
But if you think it's your fault...
Lane's husband is such an a**h*le.

　Idiot, we had it.

　They all seemed very dismayed.

'I know that trouble is because Rain is so nice to you, okay?　But, you know, I don't know, um...
'Kanade, you should be clearer in these situations. Rayne's thinking too much of an afterthought, no good.
"Ug.
You know, it's nice of you to be concerned about us, but we're not children. But we're not children, you know. We think for ourselves and make our own decisions.
Of course, if you're with Rayne's husband, you might be in danger. But we've made our own decision, including those things. We are prepared to do that, and we don't want to put the responsibility on Rain's husband.
'Yes, Tina's right. We're with Rain by choice!　It's funny how you take on responsibilities you don't have to take on. Already, Rain is no good today!
No I'm really, really sorry...

　I was going to tell you my problems and share my story...
　Halfway through, I was transitioning to my sermon contest.

　Well, it's not going to happen, so let's just be lenient and accept the criticism.

'Rain, Rain,'

　Nina lifts my nodding face.
　I meet her gaze like that and she smiles at me.

"I'm still ... a kid. But, hey ... I want to be with Rain.
"...Nina....
Even if it's dangerous, it's still good to be together. That's because I've decided that.....that's what I've decided to do. So you don't have to worry about it, Rain.
"...Yeah, I guess so. Thanks, Nina.

　Up until now, I'd only thought of myself.
　I thought I was responsible for it all on my own, and I felt like I took it all on myself.

　But that's not the case.
　I didn't check everyone's intentions.
　It's not respecting them.

　It's just smugness...
　I almost made a terrible mistake.
　If I'd continued to worry alone and made the choice to leave everyone else, the party would have really fallen apart.

"Well, since Rain's husband seems to be reflecting on it, I guess we'll just leave it at that.
'Yes. If you're too pushy, that's going to make you feel bad about it.
Hey, Rain?　From now on, don't ever think of something so stupid again!
All right, I swear.
Hmm, good.

　A smile returned to everyone's faces after Nina.

'Well then, let's get back to convincing your mothers. It's about time you were awake, isn't it?

　Last night, Al and his friends said they were up all night.
　I tried to talk to him, but he was still asleep.
　So I had to talk to everyone first.........

'I'll have to persuade you but I honestly don't know what to do about it. Mom, you're a child, but you have a very stubborn streak.
Hmm, my mother is the same way. She doesn't easily give way to the things she decides to do, so...
Al-san is not easy to deal with either. He's the calmest and most extreme of the three.
But I've got to try to keep up.

　Nina clenched her little fists and struck a spirited pose.

'Nina's right. If we don't stop Al-san and the others here, it's going to be a horrible, horrible thing to imagine, because it's going to be a very serious situation.
Nya........mom would really attack the royal capital.......
I'm with you...
We haven't heard about it yet, but how's Rain's husband's plan going?
'I'm leaving that up to Sora and Luna, so it's hard to say if they won't return...'
Oh, my God!

　Suddenly, the door was opened vigorously.
　When I looked, I saw the chief of the spirit tribe standing at the entrance of the room, out of breath.

''Nya, what's wrong, are you in such a hurry?''
Hey, cat with a deficiency of character. Watch your tone.
A cat with a deficiency of character!

　Tania's relentless tsking made Kanade look like a gauntlet.

'What's wrong?　What's the problem?
Oh, Al and the others have begun to say that they're going to invade King's Landing now!



----------



　As I hurried to the entrance of the village of the spirit race, I found Suz-san, Al-san, and Milua-san.
　Each of them were dressed roughly, not much different from their usual appearance.

　However, the fighting spirit they wore was exceptional....
　The three of them were so motivated that they were almost frightened.

'Hey, Mom!　Where do you think you're going!
Of course, it's the royal capital!
You're not done talking to us!
Because, Tania, you keep talking so hard and interrupting your mother!
They're never going to get along, are they?　So this is the end of the story. We are concubines, and we will do as we please.

　Oh no.
　It seems that Al-san and the others have reached the end of their patience.
　It looks like they've dismissed the conversation as over and started acting on their own.

　They had to somehow buy themselves some time until Sola and Luna came back!

'Wait!　We haven't talked....
It's over.

　Crisply, Al-san interrupts me with a look of nonchalance.
　It's like a different person from last night.

　What more can I do?
　How do I hold them back?
　I can't think of a solution to break the deadlock, and I can't move on to the next step.

　All I can do is to see Al-san and the others off....

You wait!

　A sharp voice interrupted, stopping Al and the others in their tracks.
　The owner of that voice was........

Luna!　And Sora!
Hmmm, it's like perfect timing!　I've been waiting for this kind of cue for a long time. Now, scrape off the dust!　And be astonished!　I am.....
Shut up.
Whew!

　Sola's geniality exploded and Luna sank to the ground.
　The air is indescribable.

''My apologies for being a spoiled sister who can't read the air. Anyway.........Rain, sorry for the delay.
Oh, thank God I've been waiting for you so long.
''Because Sora is an excellent messenger who never fails the Lord. Hmph.

　Al seemed a little surprised when his daughters, who hadn't been seen, appeared.
　However, he quickly erased his emotions and turned his shooting gaze to Sora.

''Hmm. Sola, get out of there. Is Sola going to interfere with the mistress too?
'I suppose I'm going to have to interrupt you in a way. In the meantime........Mom, please listen to this side of the story.

　Sola said, and then she appeared from the back of the room....

Hello. And it's been a while, Mr. Lane.

　It was Lady Sarya.