Lucy was taken away by Claire and her friends.
　I think they're probably going to be held in a military facility.

　Although Claire said she wouldn't take Lucy's life, I was still worried.
　The situation could have changed at any time and Lucy could have been executed.

　It's morning without any sleep and I'm holed up in my study at the house trying to think of ways to rescue Lucy.
　But I couldn't come up with any good ideas.

　I wondered if the plans of the League of Liberty had yet to become public knowledge, but there was no news of it in the newspapers.
　I sighed.

　The longer it goes on, the worse the situation gets.
　I ran my quill over the paper impatiently, trying to sort out what information I had found out to date.

　Just then, there was a knock on the study door.

'Master Solon?　Are you there?

　I heard Clarice's voice, like she was afraid.
　What's going on?

Come in.

　At the same time as my words, Clarice peeked out of the door.
　Normally Clarice always has a cheerful expression on her face, but now she's staring at me with wide, worried eyes.

''What's wrong, Clarice?''

'I made pancakes and I wondered if Master Solon would like them too.

　It smells good, if you ask me.
　Come to think of it, I haven't eaten since this morning.

Thank you.

　I smiled, and Clarice looked relieved, and then slipped quietly into the room.
　Then he placed a chair right next to me and sat down in it.

　Clarice had a plate on the desk, and on it were several Imperial-style pancakes.

　Imperial-style pancakes were a favorite dish of both the nobility and the populace.

　They are made of thinly baked batter, layered on top of each other and dipped in jam or butter.
　They taste sweet because of the sugar content, but it's not uncommon to eat them for breakfast or lunch with caviar or ham on top.

'Did Clarice make this for you?'

'Yes!　...though it was a bit of a mistake.

　Clarice was a maid, but all she did at the Imperial Palace was take care of Filia's personal affairs, so she wasn't very good at cooking.

　In fact, the pancakes in front of me were a little too thickly battered and black and burnt in places.

　But when I put them in my mouth, the flavors were properly adjusted, and when combined with the jam they brought with them, they were quite tasty.

　When I said that, Clarice's face lit up with a flash of light.

'Really?　I'm so glad I made it, that Master Solon complimented me on it!

Didn't Lady Phyllia say it was delicious?

'Yes!　And Lady Filia has a sweet tooth.

'You have a sweet tooth, too, don't you, Clarice?

'Yes. Very!　Oh, and we have tea!

　Clarice also poured a cup of tea for me.
　I dipped my mouth into the cup and drank it, savoring it slowly.

　Clarice watches the scene with her big eyes.
　I'm somewhat embarrassed when she's staring at me.

''.......What's wrong, Clarice?''

'Well, no, I mean...I just thought it must be difficult for you, Solon, with Miss Lucy.

I don't have a problem with it.

　I think it's really Lucy and the supposed candidate for Emperor of the Free Alliance, Filia, who is really hard to deal with.
　But Clarice shook her head.

'But Solon-sama also stayed in his study the whole time... without eating anything...'

I'm sorry. I didn't want to worry you.

'Oh, that's not what I meant. I just wanted to say I'm sorry if I interrupted you.

'No, it wasn't. The pancakes were a delight, and thank you for everything, Clarice.

　I said, and Clarice blushed a little.
　Then she let her gaze wander to the ceiling.

'I'm a little embarrassed when you say it like that.

Yeah?

'Yes. For example....

　Clarice leaned forward and gently put her mouth close to my ear.

'I'm always happy to be with you too, Solon?

　Clarice's hot breath hit my ears.
　I couldn't help but feel myself blush.

　I see.
　I now understand why Clarice is so embarrassed.

　Seeing that, Clarice chuckles.

You see, Solon-san is embarrassed too, right?

I hope you're not making fun of me.

It's true that I'm happy to be with you, Mr. Solon.

　Clarice said in an amused tone, but even her ears were red, and she kept her eyes down in shame.
　That kind of expression made me feel even more embarrassed, too.

　Clarice suddenly lowered her voice and said the rest of the story.

''Filia-sama, Sophia-sama and everyone else must be the same as me. So please don't take it easy, Mr. Solon. I want to make pancakes for you again in this house.

Thank you. And I promise I don't do anything rash.

'Yes!　Oh, and don't forget your promise to go out to the Imperial City with me, right?　I'm looking forward to eating delicious snacks with you, Master Solon.

Of course.

　I smiled and nodded, and Clarice laughed, too, as if embarrassed by Ehehehe.

　Lucy is a very important mentor to me.
　But by helping Lucy, I might be putting Filia, Sophia, and Clarice in danger.

　I don't know how to do that yet.
　But there is one thing I can still do.

　That's what Lucy asked me to do.
　That was to go to see Lucy's apprentice.