The Imperial Palace occupies a vast area in the heart of the Imperial City. The Imperial Palace, built with the best of the Empire's technology, using the Empire's wealth sparingly, is home to many of the Imperial family.
　His Royal Highness Filia was just one of the dozens of daughters of His Imperial Majesty. Even though she is an imperial daughter, she is given only one room and has very few servants.
　Her mother is already dead, and His Highness Filia has no backing in her person.

　That said, she is still dealing with Her Imperial Highness.
　She was a figurehead.
　I'm not going to be able to get a good idea of what to do with it.
　The last time I entered was the day I had an audience with His Majesty the Emperor on my way to graduating from the magic school.
　But at that time I was only one of the hundreds of graduates. The star of the show was the head of the year, Saint Sophia.
　It's different now.
　I get to meet the royals as a private citizen.
　I showed the security guards a letter of identification from Lucy and proceeded to the back of the imperial palace, annoyed at the unfamiliar black formal wear.

''Solon-sama, you are there, aren't you?

　I turn around and see a petite maid standing there. She grabs the edge of her skirt and bails grudgingly.
　I hurriedly return the bail.

'That's right, sir,'

My name is Ria, at the service of His Highness Prince Filia. Henceforth, please be advised of my acquaintance.

　When I said that, Leah smiled softly.
　She has a calm demeanor and an elegant atmosphere. The beautiful hair, shining silver, drapes over her shoulders.
　As expected of a maid in the service of an imperial princess. I'm impressed with her sophistication.
　Saint Sophia is a beautiful girl that everyone admires, but this girl Leah is just as good-looking as Sophia.
　However, there's still some youthfulness in Leah's face, I think she's around 14 or 15 years old.
　Leah indicated the back of the corridor with her hand.

''Then let me show you around.''

"Thank you very much for your kindness.

　When I said that without thinking, Leah looked at me strangely.
　After a while, I realized that I had said something strange.
　Even if I'm not a nobleman, I'm supposed to be treated similarly to a nobleman as a tutor to the Imperial Highness.
　Since I'm supposed to be in a higher position than the maid, it's better to talk to her in a casual manner. Even if I don't mind, it would be rather difficult for Leah to do if she used an honorific term.
　I gave a deceptive smile. I start walking as Leah leads me.

''I'm sorry. I rarely enter the Imperial Palace, so I was nervous.

Even a hero who has defeated so many demons must be nervous.

Heroes?　I'm not a hero. The only people who are great are the saints Sophia and her friends.

I consider Master Solon a hero, and I'm nervous and very happy to meet him.

Thank you for that.

　Giggling, Leah laughs.
　I'm confused when I'm told frankly like that.
　No, well, maybe it's flattery.

''How can I become like Solon-sama?

What?

It may be cheeky of me to want to be like Master Solon, but...

'That's not true. In fact, you seem to have more talent than I do.

　Even if I'm a magical swordsman. At a glance, I can roughly tell how much magical aptitude a person has in them. And this girl called Leah clearly had magical talent.
　And Leah's walk and demeanor was beautiful, and if she grabbed a sword, she would have pretty good streaks.
　With a good master, she could become quite strong.
　When I said that, Leah looked happy.

''Really?　It's not flattering, is it?

It's not a matter of flattery. But if you want to be flattered, I'm not good enough. You should be aiming for the top, like the saint or Arte.

'I want to become a magician like Master Solon and be active!　I've tried studying swords and magic, but it just doesn't work...

　When I was thinking that I'm starting to sound like a normal girl instead of a classy maid, Leah gingerly leaned over to me.

''Please be my master!

"Huh?

If you teach me directly from Master Solon, I will be stronger.

'That may be true, but...'

No?

　You could learn from a magic school teacher or something. But Leah didn't listen.
　Leah's enthusiasm pushed me over the edge, and in the end I lost.
　If you want to teach His Highness, it doesn't seem like a burden to you, and I think it's a good idea.

I'll at least give you some advice while you're in the imperial capital.

'Thank you!　You promise?

Uh-huh.

　Leah was in a very good mood and walked off with a bouncy gait.
　Wouldn't she be offended if she was too frolicking in the Imperial Palace?
　Somehow, I felt uncomfortable with Leah's attitude.
　The first ladylike behavior and the current cheerfulness of Lia's attitude seemed incongruous.
　Something is wrong.

　But now that he was in front of the Imperial Princess Filia's room, it didn't matter. More importantly, the problem was the Imperial Highness.
　If she displeased the imperial princess, she could get into trouble.

　However, the maid Leah suddenly grabbed the handle of the princess's room door and opened it vigorously.
　''Don't you have to knock or something?　With a princess?

You can come in, Solon.

　It was Leah who ordered me in a beautiful voice.
　Smiling, the girl in the maid's outfit beamed.

'Nice to meet you. And I'm sorry for lying to you?　My name isn't Leah, it's Phyllia.

Filia Your Highness?

Yes. She's the princess of the land, after all.

　Leah, no, Her Royal Highness Princess Filia said happily.