A few days later, a ceremony was held to elevate the Glossarian Barons to the rank of Countess.
　The place was the Throne Room at the Royal Palace.
　There, your father was appointed by His Majesty the King - Iris' father to be an earl.

　I was also present at the ceremony.
　The aristocrats gathered around to see my father become an earl with a complicated look on their faces.
　One of the lords tried to find shelter for Odette. I can recognize their faces. Because I was able to determine who had sent the handlers from the destinations of the people who escaped.
　Of course, those people had a formal protest from Odette's parents' house. Perhaps because it was a protest from the Duke of Surrey's family, they received a written apology immediately.
　The nobles in question were in the throne room, looking like they were biting down on a bitter bug. It's none of my business, though.

　In the throne room were Iris and Prince Cain. They were smiling the whole time. Iris, as well as Prince Cain, seemed to congratulate my father on his rise to power.

　There were other princes and princesses, but only the fourth princess, Salvia, wasn't there.
　I heard she's on sick leave. Maybe it's a lie.

　I reported to Prince Cain and General Barnes that Princess Salvia had hired a bunch of guys in black. Me and Odette are on the same team.
　And when the investigation came out, it was revealed that Princess Salvia had hired those people.

　So it seems that Princess Salvia is now grounded and banned from government service.
　And there's talk of lowering her claim to the throne. It's a tough job.





　And so the ceremony ended without incident.

　His Majesty handed Father a document to show the conferral of the title and declared that the Grossaria Barons were now count families.
　He received it while still on his knees and bowed deeply to His Majesty the King. It was a magnificent movement, full of grace.
　His complexion was blue, and his body was trembling in small increments.

　After the ceremony was over, the king and his father retired from the throne room.
　Father is going to meet with the country's ministers and viziers to discuss the rules of the county and the territory.

　Next, the prince, princess and nobles will follow.
　I was in the secluded area during this time, trying to keep a low profile. This time the star of the show is my father, not me. I was allowed to participate, but I wasn't in a prominent place.

　The last of the warriors in charge of guarding us will be leaving, so I'll join them.

　Still.........I was surprisingly nervous.
　I was just in a corner of the throne room, but I didn't do anything.
　I'm not cut out to be stuffy, after all. I'm the guardian deity of a rural village, after all. I am.


Can I have a word with you? Yuki Glossalia.


　As I left the throne room, I was approached unexpectedly.
　I turned around and saw a man in ceremonial armor standing there.
　I wondered if he was a military officer who guarded the throne room.

This is the first time we've met. My name is Lozo-Burns. I'm the son of Damon Barnes, who is a general.'
"General Barnes' son...

　Come to think of it, they look a lot alike.
　It's like making General Barnes younger and darker with gray hair.

'Nice to meet you. My name is Yuki-Grossaria.

　I bowed my head in a hurry.

'Yeah. I've heard a lot about you from my dad.

　Armed Forces Officer Rosso-Burns returns the bow.
　He is two heads taller than me. His shoulders are much broader than mine. My father is also a large man, but Mr. Rosso is even larger.
　His ornate armor is more ornate than most military officers.
　Being the son of General Barnes, you must have a good standing.

''It is a pleasure to meet you, sir. I am indebted to General Barnes.
It's nothing to get excited about. It's my father's job to protect the royal family. My father is relieved to have someone like you as his knight-in-waiting to guard His Highness Iris. In this case, too, you were the one who protected the quarters of the duchess Odette, who is close to His Highness.

　Mr. Lozzo-Burns fumbled for words.
　Mr. Roszo-san must have known that Iris was in Odette's quarters.
　You can't have a military officer here saying, 'His Highness Salvia........'

''I spoke to you for a reason. As a matter of fact, like my father, I'm supposed to go on patrol in a territory close to the Empire.
Is that so?
'As company commander of the troops, I am to patrol on a different route from my father. There will be times when I may run into you and Your Highness. I wanted to get acquainted with you before that.

　Mr. Rosso-Burns laughed and held out his hand to me.

'We're heading to an unfamiliar place. If you need anything, give me a shout. I'm here to help.
Thank you.
Well, if I ever get in trouble, I might ask you for help too, right?
Of course, if you do, be my guest.

　Well, I don't think General Barnes's kid is going to need my help.
　And since he's a company commander, he's going to be leading a lot of soldiers.

　Then me and Mr. Rosso-Burns shook hands.
　Mr. Barnes is smiling happily. He seems like a nice guy.

I'm sorry to stop you," he says. Well, take care of yourself.
'It was a pleasure to meet you. Mr. Rosso-Burns.

　Mr. Barnes waved his hand and walked off.
　'Alright, I'll go back to my quarters too.





'Brother Yuki!　Brother.

　As I returned to my quarters, Lumiere jumped at me.

'Have you finished the ritual?　How was your father?
It's done. Your father did a fine job with the ceremony. It was very cool.
'I'm glad. Now, Lumia would like to ask a favor from Brother Yuki.
Please?
Would you mind keeping me company while I shop?

　Lumia Bessie stood taller and said, putting her face close to mine.
　Behind me, Martha has a troubled look on her face.

I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this. You have been waiting for Yuki-sama's free hand for a long time, haven't you?
Martha, don't say that!
You'll never know unless you tell me. Lady Lumia.
Lumiere and your brother are so thoughtful, they don't need to be told!

　No, you're right, you'll have to tell me.

But I get it. It's fine. I was going to give brother Xellos something from the royal capital as well. I'll go buy it with you.
'Yay!　Well, I'll be in touch with Miss Odette then!
To Odette?
'Yes. When I stayed over the other night, he promised to accompany me to the store!
"...nice guy. Odette.

　Maybe I couldn't resist Lumia's begging, though.
　Even I sometimes accept them inadvertently. Lumiere's begging.

''Well then, as the Countess, I'd like to speak to Odette-sama but.......Martha. What should I do if I want to contact the higher nobility?
'Well first of all, Martha will deliver the letter to you.

　Martha thought for a moment, and then answered.

''Once the other party receives it, you will receive a letter of reply on the spot. It's a nobleman's manners to deliver it to the master.......in this case, Yuki-sama, and then Yuki-sama will read it and decide on a schedule.''
I'm taking my time.
Noblemen place a high value on formality.
'I know you have plans for Odette. You don't have to ask her out, do you?

　I said.

'In the meantime, why don't we just go up to the quarters and if Odette happens to be (...) outside (...) the quarters (...) or if she happens to be (...) going shopping (...), why don't we go with her?'
There's no such thing as a coincidence.

　Lumia's shoulders slump.

''........But what my brother says is also true. It's Rumia's fault for not having properly planned for the overnight stay. Like my brother says, I'll be hoping for a coincidence.
You've grown up. Lumia.
Lumia is going to be a countess from now on. She has to have the self-awareness of a middle-class noble family!

　Lumia rubs her head against my chest as she says it.
　She wants me to stroke her, so I do just that.

"This is Martha's hunch, but I think that Odette-sama is going out today.
'Really?　Martha?
'Right. Yuki-sama.

　Martha's smile is like sunshine.
　You have a perfect idea of what I'm going to do.

I'm a party companion to the Duchess Odette-Suray and I. We get along well. We have a lot in common.

　I said, nodding Lumia's head.

'Let's go out for now. We'll have Odette ready to go, maybe in an hour or so.
Okay. Brother Yuki.
Have a good day. Yuki-sama. Lady Lumia.





It's really odd. Yuki and Lumia-san. I was just about to go into town to do some shopping. This is the most bizarre thing I've ever heard of.
It's an amazing coincidence!

　When me and Lumia went near the quarters, Odette was standing in front of the doorway.

It's just as my brother said. Your party mates are very important to you, aren't they?
I had originally planned to go shopping with Rumia-san. I was wondering if it would be around today.

　Odette said, looking around the roof of the quarters for some reason.
　There's Dick the bat hiding near the eaves.
　By the way, the wooden note in Odette's hand is the one I wrote a message for you earlier.
"Bats communicate" is useful.

"...if you have other plans, you don't have to keep me company. Odette.
'None. 'No, I remembered my appointment with Miss Lumia. I thought it was about time, so I left my schedule open.

　Odette looked into my face and whispered.

'Besides, there was something I wanted to talk to Yuki about.
Okay. Tell me.
I'll tell you later. Let's go shopping first. You look like you're having a lot of fun, Lumiere.
'Yes. I'm so glad you're with us, Odette!

　Lumia took me and Odette's hands.
　I thought about using the carriage, but the market is surprisingly close to the quarters.
　So we decided to continue on foot. We'll leave the escorts to Dick and his 'bat army'.

Then let's go. I'm not going to be able to get to know you. Odette.
'Yes. Mr. Lumia.

　That's why I decided to go with Lumiere and Odette to buy a souvenir for King's Landing.