That night, I was discussing the future with Clarice.

　The attack on the July Party had left the Imperial Palace in shambles everywhere, and about half of Filia's and my room had been destroyed by the blast.

　So Filia and Sofia are waiting in the guest room for the time being, while Clarice and I are standing in the corridor of the servants' living area, chatting.

　Incidentally, Lucy seems to have been summoned by a high-ranking Imperial official and has disappeared.

　Fortunately, Clarice was away from the Imperial Palace because she had plans to go out at the time of the July Party attack.
　Therefore, Clarice herself was not involved in the incident at all.
　However, Clarice was depressed because some of her maids she knew seemed to be missing.

I believed that the Imperial Palace is a sacred and inviolable place and that it is the safest place in the empire.

　Clarice murmured.

　The Imperial Palace can no longer be said to be a safe place.
　There have been a series of attacks by the July Party and other militants, and even last time there was an attempted kidnapping of Filia by the Union of Righteous People.

　The prestige of the Empire is definitely shaken.
　It's a matter of our future as well.

　I had explained the circumstances to Clarice and made sure that we could prepare a room for Sophia.
　Since I became Filia's squire, it's natural for Sophia to live here as well.

　However, Clarice came back to ask the high ranking mistress for help, but the results seemed to be unfavorable.

''It's Sophia-sama's room, but it doesn't seem to be ready after all.

　Clarice said regretfully.
　Naturally, there was no room to welcome new people to the Imperial Palace, which was pretty much destroyed.

　The chaos was continuing, and it looked like they wouldn't be able to prepare even a new room for Filia and I, let alone Sophia, anytime soon.

　Furthermore, Filia is not a very high-ranking member of the imperial family due to her mother's problems, and her wishes may not go through easily.

　Additionally, there might be pressure from Sophia's father, the Marquis of Gorgias.

　Even if he can't challenge the princess in public, he can still use his political power from behind the scenes to prevent Sophia from becoming Filia's squire.
　The Marquis of Gorgias is a powerful nobleman with both political and financial power. In terms of real power, he is far above the Princess Filia.

　It means that there are still a lot of problems for Sophia to quit the Order.

　In the meantime, something must be done about Sophia's residence.
　It is absolutely necessary for Sofia to stay close to Princess Filia if she is to prevent her from being brought back to the Order.

　I put my hand to my forehead.

''Hmm. For example, you could have Sophia live in me and Filia-sama's room too...''

'Rejected! Rejected! You're going to make a harem out of two beautiful girls and Master Solon?

'No, I don't mean to, but...'

　Well, to begin with, the room is too small for two people.
　Besides, if political pressure was applied, Sophia might be rejected to stay in the Imperial Palace itself.
　Clarice chuckled.

''By the way, Solon-sama. Don't forget that besides the two beautiful girls, Filia-sama and Sophia-sama, there's a third beautiful girl.''

What's the third one?

It's about me, of course!

Yeah...?

　Would you call yourself a pretty girl? But Clarice seemed to take it in a different way, though it was meant to be a mumble.
　Clarice looked a bit shabby.

''Oh, that's terrible.... You're saying that I'm not a pretty girl?

No, no, I just think Miss Clarice is pretty, but...

　I added hastily.
　I really think Clarice is quite cute.
　Hearing my words, Clarice's expression brightens and then she chuckles.

"You really think I'm cute?

I really do.

'Then try to be more specific with your words.

　Why am I supposed to come in to discuss Sophia's room and praise Clarice for her cuteness?
　I wondered about it, but I didn't want to think too much about it, so I decided not to.

　I looked Clarice up and down.
　Clarice blushed as she noticed my gaze.

'Master Solon, you're looking at me with those disgusting eyes, aren't you?

'I don't look at you like that.... But you're always so energetic and expressive, Clarice, and you're such a joy to watch. And you're kind and gentle.

'You're the man, Master Solon!　You know exactly what I'm talking about!　But compliment me on my looks, too!

　I looked at Clarice again.
　It's true that Clarice is a beautiful girl.

　Although not as conspicuous as Filia and Sofia, she has a well-defined face. It's quite petite, but it also gave off a cute atmosphere that made me want to protect her.
　Besides.

''I think your flaxen hair is very beautiful.

　I said, and Clarice laughed, ehehehe.
　Filia said it was beautiful too, but I'm sure Clarice was proud of her hair too.
　Clarice took a step closer to me with a happy expression on her face.

''Hey, Solon-sama. My hair, please stroke it.''

"Huh?

'Master Solon thinks my hair is beautiful, don't you? Wouldn't you like to stroke it?

　Clarice asks me sweetly.
　The way the conversation is going, it's hard for me to answer, "I'm not particularly interested.

　Besides, I'm friendly with Clarice too, and it's not like I'm doing anything wrong.
　When I made sure no one was around, I gently placed my hand on Clarice's head and gently stroked her hair.
　Clarice was slumped over and did as she was made to do.

'Solon-sama's hands, big and nice,'

That's more than enough.

Master Solon, are you embarrassed?

You're the one who's embarrassed, right?

　Clarice's cheeks were getting redder and redder, and I probably would have blushed, too.

　I could have saved Clarice when the bandits attacked her, and I could have saved her during the kidnapping of the Righteous Union.
　But the Imperial Palace and Filia could be attacked again in the future, and then Clarice might get involved and get hurt badly.

　This imperial palace is huge and I won't always be at Clarice's side.

I'm worried. I've been frightened twice, and now the palace is like this!

　Clarice clung to me tightly as I stroked her head.
　The danger of death is not only in the ruins.
　It's natural for Clarice to feel uneasy.
　She looks up at me with her eyes.

"Will Master Solon continue to protect me and Filia-sama?

If you two are in danger, I'll do everything in my power to help you.

　We can't say that we will protect them absolutely.
　We don't know when it will happen, and we don't know what the enemy will be like.
　So I can't promise you that I'll be able to save Filia or Clarice from certain death.

　But I will do my best.
　What is the best way to protect Filia, Clarice and Sophia?

"You don't want to live outside the Imperial Palace, do you, Clarice?

What do you mean?　Would you like to move into a house with Master Solon?

　Clarice said jokingly.
　But this wasn't a joke.
　I nodded.

'You're right. I want you to move in with me.

　Clarice looked surprised, then panicked.

'Puh, is it a proposal?'

I'm sorry. I didn't mean it.

　I noticed the gibberish and added to it, but it didn't seem to have reached Clarice's ears.
　Clarice's eyes were rolling back and forth.

'Ugh, I'm glad, but, but I can't leave Filia-sama behind.

Then suppose we take Lady Filia with us?

"Huh?

　Clarice froze.
　I stated the best way to solve the housing problem we were facing and to protect Filia and the others.

"Lady Filia, Sophia, Miss Clarice, and me. The four of us are going to live in my mansion together.