I was at the Royal Palace of the Kingdom of Horfath.

　Today, I asked Angel to schedule a meeting with a certain person.

　In the waiting room, me, Angel, Angelica Rafa Redgrave, and Marie were there.

　Both Angier and Marie are in plain clothes.

　The academy is still in the spring break period.

''Rion, we got permission to meet with Erica-sama, but are you really going to bring Marie along too?

　He doesn't understand why I would let him visit me, even Marie.

　Normally it wouldn't be possible - but I have a reason to take Marie with me.

I've got a lot of things to check. And then you'll have to apologize to this person for cajoling your brother.

　Marye is hanging on by a thread.

'Give me a break. I've already been pissed off at a lot of people!

　Who would have thought that the woman known as the rare and evil woman is actually a clunky reincarnation?

　For this reason, Angier was also wary of Marie.

''-- I won't complain if it's your decision. But don't be rude.

　'I'm glad to hear that Angier has convinced you.

'It's all right there. All I have to do this time is say that we can't get engaged.

'It would be rude to say it the wrong way. But I wonder what would happen in this case?

　Erica, the villainous princess - what's wrong with her, she's talking about an engagement with me.

　And it's quite specific.

　It seems that he has already broken off the engagement with Erika's fiancé.

　Ange is worried about that as well.

'I don't know what the Fraser family will do. Leon, you really should be careful.

I know. If it comes down to it, Luxion will be there to help.

　I turned my gaze to Luxion.

You're very good at forcing things on people. If possible, it would be helpful if you could rely on me to help you while you can handle it?

　Every time I've let them solve a hassle at the last minute, I've become a sarcastic person.

　It's a great story about an artificial intelligence that says sarcasm.

'Because I trust you, you know.

''That's a very short speech with no heart. I'm amazed that you can say that many lies.

You'd better hide your true feelings and respect me.

No.

　What a cold artificial intelligence, but isn't it obedient in that it doesn't say it refuses to take care of business?

　I'll let Luxion do his best.

　Then a handmaid comes into the room.

'Angelica-sama, Erica-sama is ready to go.

Oh, okay. I'll be right there. Leon--you're in charge.

　Angier tells me, I nod and leave the room.

　Marie is also following me--well, let's go see the face of the villainous princess.

◇

　We were let through - a room that was ready for tea.

　Me and Marie, who are being waited on first, talk with Luxion, who is also hiding.

''Marie, you understand, don't you?''

Of course, brother.

　That's why I brought Marie here - it's that I'm a woman who can see through a woman's lies.

'I'm very good at spotting women of bad character. I can tell when a woman is bruised and bruised easily.

"What an impressive feat.

'It's easy to tell when a woman has an ulterior motive. They get on your nose.

Oh, homophobia?

Round, don't you like me?

'No, I rate you higher than most of the newcomers.

　Marie is confident that she can spot a woman who is just like her or has an underhanded side.

　With that special skill, I brought her to identify Erika.

　It's hard for me to judge her.

'If she's the same type as you, you won't be able to spot her right away.

Wait a minute. What do you mean?

　As Marie looked unconvinced, Her Royal Highness walked into the room, led by a maid of honor.

　Her long black hair, loosely waved, was shiny and beautiful.

　Despite her small stature, I could see that her breasts and buttocks were well fleshed out.

　A girl trying to become a woman from a girl - she looked somewhat like Marie.

　There were few elements of resemblance, so why did I think that?

　Her gentle drooping eyes were black.

　She was only Milene's daughter, so she looked promising.

　I can't believe that this girl has that Roland's blood in her or something.

　Erica--Erica-sama smiles when she looks at us.

''I'm sorry to keep you waiting. Marquis Baldfalt. And--Marye.

　Fresh lips calling our names.

　White skin.

　Like a doll, is it rude to say?

　But it was just as beautiful as it was complete.

　I huffed and quickly greeted her.

'Oh, it's nice to meet you for the first time. I am--

　Couscous and Erica-sama laugh at me.

　I didn't feel like a fool.

''I know. You're a hero-dono who has saved our country many times.''

　He was supposed to be younger than me - including inside, I would certainly have more life experience than him, but I didn't feel like I could beat the girl in front of me.

　I looked at Marie - and she was surprised to see me with her eyes wide open.

　Hey, what kind of reaction is that?　Which one?　Which one is it?

　I'd be more grateful for the fact that he was actually a good boy, but if he was really rubbish, it would be troublesome.

　There's a pattern like Angier's, and I'd like to know about it as soon as possible - but I'm not sure.

'I wanted the opportunity to speak to you in this way. I know you have something to say to the Marquis of Baldfalt, too.

Oh, yes.

　I feel ashamed of myself for giving a dumb reply.

　When Erika-sama is seated, the maidservant serves her.

　Just - Erika-sama says to the maidservant.

'Could you excuse yourself for a moment?'

Erika-sama...

　The maidservant seemed to be wary of us.

It's all right. These people are very intelligent. There is no way they would do anything to me here.

　The maid of honor bows and leaves the room.

　Still, I'm embarrassed to be called intelligent.

　Luxion says something like, 'That's not a word that suits a master,' from under the table, but I ignore it and resume the conversation.

'Erica-sama, I'll put it bluntly. You are engaged to me, are you convinced?

　The state forces me to break my engagement and marry a stranger.

　How could she be satisfied with this?

　That's what I thought--.

It's my duty to do so.

　--he was divided at this age.

'No, but,'

I have been kept alive by my people. I cannot cancel my marriage for personal reasons. I have no choice but to obey my mother's decision if she thinks it is for the good of the country. --Marquis Baldfart may not like it, but I have no objection to my mother's decision.

　--I don't know what to do. I'm actually not convinced either!　So I thought he would protest to Milene.

　She was even more of a princess than I imagined.

　Like Angel, isn't a stiff princess too prepared for that?

"Your Highness, I don't agree with this engagement.

'I'm sure you do. I understand that. But all I can say is that I will try to be a good wife for the Marquis.

　I'm suddenly in limbo.

　When I looked at Marie to ask for help, this guy was still upset.

　--You, be of some help!

"Marquis Baldfart, already this engagement can be broken by personal feelings--

　In the middle of Erika-sama's story, Marie stood up.

　When I'm surprised, Erika-sama is also surprised and closes her mouth.

　But I'm even more surprised.

'Erica--you might be--'

　I quickly got up and sat Marie down.

'Hey, idiot!　Why did you call me that?　Disrespectful, I know.

　It was a mistake to bring this guy along.

　As I thought that, Erica-sama's eyes widened as well.

　Marie brushed my hand away and clung to the table.

'Families!　Um, well, I can't name it, but there's a batting center nearby!　There's a sign with a picture of a baseball player on it. The popular menu at that diner is--

Hey!

　As I was wondering what she was going to say, the one who mentioned the rest of Marie's story - Erica-sama.

''--Doria and hamburger set.

　Luxion comes out from under the table.

'Master, it looks like this,'

No, no.

　Erica-sama was also a reincarnated person.

　I had considered that possibility.

　But here's what's impossible.

　Marie was spilling polo tears.

''Erika--Erikaaaa!

　The same goes for Erica-sama.

'Mother--isn't it?'

　My eyes watered, and then I wiped the tears away with my fingers.

　I was too shocked to catch up with my understanding - was Erica-sama my niece in my previous life?

Hey, what-- what's this-- what's going on?

　Marie stood up and hugged Erika-sama and woofed and cried.

''Elyngaah!''

　Marier was crying, even sniffling.

　Stroking Marie's head, Erica-sama gently hugged her.

''Mother. It's good to see you again.''

　--No, which one of these is the parent?

　Isn't it usually the other way around?

◇

　A separate room in the palace.

　The ones there were Roland and Milene.

''Milene, I heard you gave permission for that little boy to meet the lovely Erica. Why!

　A stunned Milene returns to Roland calmly.

'You will be husband and wife eventually. If you're going to visit me, the sooner you do, the better.'

I didn't approve of it!

So you want to burn the country down for Erica alone?

　Roland flinches at the sight of Milene's cold eyes.

　Once he's done, he catches his breath.

''-- Do you seriously think the Redgrave family will usurp the throne?

　The dissatisfaction with the kingdom that had piled up has not been resolved.

　Besides, the aristocrats who had been favored up until now were also unconvinced by the sudden difference in treatment.

''Even if we have to take some risks, we will surround Rion-kun in the royal palace. That's the least damaging method.''

But...

''The Redgrave family isn't the only one. Some powerful nobles are thinking of taking this opportunity to leave the kingdom. This is their chance.

　We're just not at war.

　If the current equilibrium is upset, even a little, the kingdom will soon have civil war in many places.

　The reason why Milene forcefully decided to engage Rion and Erika was because there was no more time.

''If you can solve the problem, I don't mind breaking off Erica's engagement right away.

　Roland did not take such a challenge from Milene.

'Don't joke about it. If you can't do it, there's no way I can do it.'

That's why you always run away, isn't it?

Call me efficient.

　Milene is competent.

　Roland is well aware of that, and as a queen, he is happy with her.

　But as a wife - that's another story.

"Milene, are you going to continue to use the boy's airship as a replacement for the royal ship?

Isn't that an absolute necessity for a kingdom that has lost its trump card?

Isn't it because your hometown is in danger?

Yes, that's part of the reason. But we can't afford to have civil unrest in our kingdom right now.

　The Arzer Republic is effectively defeated.

　A powerful country has fallen, and the political balance of the countries has been upset.

　It was a very dangerous time.

　If it was not done well, the foreign war would begin.

　The current state of the kingdom is like playing with fire in a powder keg.

''--I'll have you convinced, Leon-kun. The same goes for Angier.

"You would give up your daughter for that? You're a fine queen, but you're not much of a mother.

You put me in charge of that decision, didn't you?

　The two men stop arguing and are silent for a while.

　Roland walks out of the room as he remembers.

'Oops, it's about time for my appointment.

I see you're headed to a new woman again.

You can't do that if you're going to go over every little detail. A man should be allowed to have fun in moderation, that's what a good wife needs.

　As Roland leaves the room to escape, Milene mutters as he leaves the room.

'--I hope you meet the requirements of a good husband before you say anything.

◇

　When Roland leaves the palace, he meets a man he knows.

　He is a man who works at the palace.

　He had known Roland for a long time and had been a friend of Roland's since school days.

'I'm sorry to keep you waiting,'

"Your Majesty, please do not play with fire.

　The feeble-looking man warned him, but Roland wouldn't listen to him.

'Don't be a fool,' he said, 'it's a man's nature to chase after beautiful women. It's a man's nature to chase after beautiful women.

But the guy...

I know. There's nothing wrong with that, so you can rest easy and help me.

　When Roland entered the building, a blonde woman was waiting for him.

　Her age was in her early twenties.

　She gives Roland a smile that he made.

''Ah, Your Majesty!''

I hope you call me Roland here.

'Yes, of course. So, Master Roland, what will you do today?

Yes. --I'll have Merse's soft skin to heal me. I'm so tired from being bullied by the old girl.

Oh, that's a tough one.

　At this time of emergency, Roland had come to meet his new mistress.