I never thought I'd live in the palace.

　I looked at my new home and muttered to myself.
　This is a room in the Imperial Palace.
　It's next to the room of the Princess Filia.
　Filia said, "Even the maids are in a room in the palace.

Even the maids sleep in a room in the palace," she said.

Well, that's true,

　But Clarice and the others are using a room in the servants' living area.
　My room, on the other hand, even though it's in a corner of the Imperial Palace, is the room next to the Princess.
　In other words, it's definitely a room for nobles.
　There were reasons why I could use such a place.

　One reason is the possibility that something like Clarice's kidnapping will happen again.
　This time, the enemy might try to take Filia's life more directly.
　It's not surprising that there are others who have an interest in Filia, the daughter of the devil.
　The imperial palace guards were reluctant to protect Filia and didn't seem to want to devote too many men to it.　
　In that case, it would be best for me to stay by Filia's side and protect her.

　The reason why Lucy-sensei made me Filia's tutor in the first place might be to have me guard Filia.
　Lucy didn't know why, but she also seemed to have a certain amount of respect for Filia.
　The fact that Lucy is also the daughter of a great nobleman, and she recommended me, was one of the reasons I was able to rent a room in the imperial palace.

　And there was another reason.
　Filia's strong wishes.

''I thought it would be very nice to have Solon near me.

I think it's a good idea for security reasons.

'Nope. That's not what I meant, master and apprentice are supposed to live together, right?

Well, it happens sometimes.

　Never, not necessarily.
　Even though they were masters of magic and apprentices of magic, many students at educational institutions like the Imperial School of Magic did not take the form of live-in apprentices, but remained living in the student dormitories.
　Filia nodded her head.

''Hmm, my selfishness, was it?''

If that's what your highness wants, I'll be happy to oblige.

　I said with a smirk.
　Well, if we were really going to live in the same room together, it would be a lot of trouble, because the other girl is about the same age, but that's not the case.

　It's just the next room.

　In that case, you won't have much trouble.
　It's a fairly comfortable room, as expected of the Imperial Palace.
　It's rather spacious, and it's a bit strange that there are two beds, but it was a room for two people by chance, so I guess it's a surplus.

　Then Filia chuckled.

So that's Solon's bed and this is my bed.

"Huh?

　I was stunned and stared at the Princess Filia intently.
　If it's okay for me to use one of the two beds, why would Filia use the other?
　Filia said.

'I told you.　You're moving in together.

But isn't Miss Filia's room next door?

Because that's a single room.　So I've decided to share this duplex over here with Solon.

　Mistake, that's a horrible thing.
　I thought it was just a matter of renting an extra room next to Filia's room.
　But literally, Filia was going to live with me.
　I put my head in my hands.

'As you can imagine, it's not a good idea to share a room.

Why?

I am a man. Lady Filia is a woman. It's unethical. After all, wouldn't Lady Filia want to share a room with a man?

Am I free with Solon?

'Yes, no, I'm glad to hear you say that, but...'

　I'm not talking about the fact that it's good because Philia says it's good.
　It's that I'm in trouble.
　I'm troubled, and Filia looks up at me and asks.

'Does Solon not want to be in the room with me?

I don't mind it.

So everything's okay, right?

　Maybe it is.
　I have a feeling that since Filia says it's a good idea, it's a good idea.
　And since the guards can't be relied upon, it's also true that if the safety of Filia is the priority, it's better to stay by her side without leaving her for a moment.

'Well?'

　Filia asks me with a twinkle in her eye.
　I almost agree with Filia's suggestion.

　But then I hear a knock at the door.
　Filia murmurs ruefully, "That was a good one," and then says, "Come in.
　I thought it might be Clarice who came in, but my expectations were confirmed.
　Standing there was a stern-looking middle-aged man in armor.

"This is not a good time for you to do that, Your Highness.

　The man who said that with a stern face was named Gillan.
　He's the second in command of the Imperial Guard.