"What?

　Yumina and Linse in front of me gave me a pouting look and stopped moving. Yeah, well, that's how they would react.

''Eh........and Fuyao-san?　I'm sorry, what's going on?　The person that sister Lili is looking for....
A woman?

　For now, I've told only two people close to the Princess Liliel and two people close to her the truth that I've pinned down.
　I haven't informed her yet. Or rather, I don't know how to let them know, so I thought I'd ask the two of them for their wisdom.

''According to what sister Lili-sama said, I think the other party was a man...''
Mirage], or some kind of illusionary magic was used, right?
'No, no. I was just dressing up as a regular guy.

　You wouldn't expect me to enter the women's section and then dress up as a man to attend.
　I didn't understand it because I had to check the entrance before I entered the costume room. If I wore a mask, it would have been difficult for them to recognize me. I was in the room with a group of women from that country who knew about it, but I didn't know.

I asked him about it and he agreed. They were wearing a black mask and participating in the event as a man.
Why would you do that?
Hmmm..... According to him, he didn't want to wear a fluttery dress. He also said he was embarrassed.

　I don't know what's embarrassing about it, though. You can't say for sure unless you are the one who is embarrassed by it, because each person has a different point of embarrassment.

"Well, that.........black masked man who was dressed as a man, is.......
"Princess Ristis of the Triharan Goddess Empire. You see, she was pretending to be the second prince of the country that the Senate had been in control of all along...
'Oh. When Ende-san was being controlled......... I see, so.........

　Princess Lystis was born a princess of the Triharan Divine Empire, but was raised under false pretenses as a prince in order to deceive the Senate, which at the time ruled Triharan as it saw fit.
　Because she was raised as a male for so long, her character is also rather plain and simple, as if she had split bamboo. In my case, I was dressed as a man from the first time I met him, and indeed, he looked like a prince in a shoujo manga.
　If she appeared in that outfit, even if she didn't wear a mask, you wouldn't think she was a woman. The way he behaved and spoke was that of a man. It's not in the sense of being rough, but in the sense of being a gentleman.
　Oh, it's embarrassing to wear a fluttery dress from a man's point of view. Is that why?

As I recall, you were in command of the war against the Kingdom of Primula, right?
'Yeah. That's because you're used to rough stuff, right?

　Incidentally, Prince Rupheus is the older brother of Princess Ristis. He is a scholarly young man who studies magic engineering as a hobby, and is the complete opposite of his sister.
　Because of the race for the Aether Vehicle, the Crown Prince has been engaged to Princess Berrietta of the Strain Kingdom.
　His Majesty Emperor Triharan might have thought that his sister would follow in his brother's footsteps, but........

''Are you sure it's you?''
'He knew about the handkerchief and I'm pretty sure he knew about it.

　I wish I had been wrong, though. The complicated story got even more complicated.

'Well this is.........'
What do we do about it, or...

　Yumina and Linse look at each other. I know the feeling.

'Well, I guess it's one of two things. Either you can be honest with the Princess Liliel about this, or you can't. I could say that we haven't found her after all, and we could end this love affair, but...
''But.......I don't think it's a good idea to end someone's love without permission. I think it's up to you to decide what to do with that as well, Lili-sama.

　I know. I think so too. Even if it ends up in any way.
　But for some reason, Linse next to her is making a difficult face at Yumina's statement. .........What's the matter?

'No........I'm just curious, but........ Lil-sensei wrote that work as well, you know....
Your...?
Riru's best known work, 'The Order of the Rose', depicts the various love stories of an all-male knightly order, but there is also an additional work in the series, 'The Order of the Rose'.
I'm sending it out. It's called Yuri no SS, which centers on an all-female Kingsguard unit...

　Oh, what's that? You wrote a spin-off like that?　I'm pretty sure he wrote a play script, and he's dabbled extensively in it........

It's a love story between a gallant senior female knight and a novice girl knight from the countryside.......but, you even describe a very deep expression of affection....... I wondered if there was a possibility that the teacher would want that kind of relationship as well.......

　The second half of his voice was gurgling and snatched, but after hearing Linse's explanation, Yumina's face boggled and turned red. I would like to ask her what she imagined for an hour or so, but let's leave it at that for now.
　Just because I write such works doesn't mean I have that kind of taste, though. Well, if I didn't like it or wasn't interested in it, I wouldn't be writing it, though.
　My first love (?) How do I follow up with her when I find out that the person I'm with in the........ I can't think of a word to follow up on at all.

For now, we might not be able to make her believe us even if we put words in her mouth. Should we let her meet with the person in question?
Yeah, yeah, right. If you actually talk to him, you'll know who you're looking for...

　Well, I'm almost certain of it. With not just a scratch, but a hundred worries, I took out my phone from my pocket to contact Princess Liliel.


　　　　　　　　　　◇ ◇ ◇


Really?　So, who, where was it?
Come on, come on, come on, come on. Easy. Calm down. Calm down.
No horse!

　He calms down Princess Liliel, who stands up with a clattering chair. I wonder if it's okay........ I turn my gaze to Yumina and Linse who are next to me. Both of them had a drawn-out smile on their faces, but I can't stop now.
　This is the royal family's private courtyard inside Leafs Castle, and even family members don't come in without notice. Therefore, you don't have to worry about anyone listening to you, but just in case.

"Well, for now, is it okay if I bring him here?
'What?　Hey, hey, hey, here!　So, but I'm ready for it!

　Princess Lirielle gets flustered by my words and behaves uncomfortably. ........I hope she won't be shocked...... No, of course I'm going to be shocked.
　I speak to Yumina and Linse in a whisper.

It's a good idea to let them know the truth first, don't you think?　What would be the damage if he told you in person?
''Umm......... That's true, but........
Do you believe that?

　In the current state of buoyancy that we're in to see, it sounds like a joke to say such a thing, huh?

'I'm sure you have a tolerance for that sort of thing, so I'm sure you're better off than we think you are, but...'
Well, bring her in. We don't want her to be waiting for us out there.
"She?

　Daring to ignore Princess Lirielle, who nods her head slightly at our words, I connect the 【Gate】. Normally there is a castle ward here to prevent transference magic, but I spoke to Princess Liliel and asked her to lift it in advance.

''Ah, so we're finally welcomed. I'm tired of waiting.''

　The person who came fluttering through the 【Gate】 in front of us, holding the hem of the dress she said she couldn't wear with both hands, landed again on the land of leafy leases.
　Her blonde hair, which was short when we met, has grown a little longer, and perhaps because she is wearing light make-up, her femininity is more pronounced than usual. Well, that's what we asked our maids to do.
　The pale blue princess dress was not flashy, but it matched her perfectly. The two maids that followed her were making smug faces behind her. She put a lot of thought into it.
　I said that they usually don't dress like this kind of woman. That's a spirited effort.

'Well...?　Who?

　Not the man I wanted to meet, but a woman I didn't know at all came out of the [Gate] and the scowling Princess Liliel turned to us and asked.

''Well, this is the Triharan Divine Empire of the Western Continent, its first princess, Ristis Le Triharan. And this is the first princess of the Eastern Continent, the Lirielle Reem Liefries Empire,''

　As I introduce them both, Princess Ristis holds the hem of her dress and greets me with a curtsey.

''Thank you for the invitation, Princess Liliel. The Triharan Divine Empire is the First Princess, Ristis Le Triharan. My pleasure.
"...what, an invitation?　Oh, um, the First Princess of the Liefries Crown, Liliel Reem Liefries. Welcome to Liefries.

　Princess Lirielle stifles the question and answers it with curtesy as well. But what do those eyes mean?　And she was scurrying back and forth between us.
　As if she had made up her mind to do so, Yumina called out to Princess Liliel.

''Sister Lili, please listen to me carefully, okay?　This is 'Black Mask', sir.
"................ ..................What?

　As if time had stopped, a short question escapes from the mouth of Princess Lirielle, who has frozen for a moment. What are you talking about?　I think I can hear a voice in my mind saying, "I don't know.
　Soosu," the Princess Liriel approaches us and speaks to us in a small voice.

''You see, the 'Black Mask' I'm looking for is a man...''
She dressed up as a man when she went to the party, sir. You know, it was a long story.
Again. I'm not going to play that game, Linse. I mean, is there such a thing as an entertainment novel?

　No, I guess that's what it is........ Leaving behind Princess Liliel, who was drawing back a little while denying it, I took out the thing I had kept from her from my pocket.

''Princess Ristis. I heard that the Princess Liliel here was in charge of the party the other day. This handkerchief is yours, isn't it?
'What?　....Oh!　Oh, my God, that's her.　I didn't recognize him because he looked nothing like he did when he was wearing the mask!　 Well, you never know, right?
"............... ..........................Huh?

　After a longer silence than before, Princess Lirielle raises her voice as if she had squeezed it out of the pit of her stomach. She seems to be frozen with a surprised expression on her face at the shocking reality in front of her.

''This, His Majesty the Duke........ Are you okay, girlfriend?　He's kind of frozen in a great shape, but...

　Princess Liliel's reaction made her a little upset, and she asked me with concern. Yes, as a woman, I don't like the look on her face, but when I think of her feelings, I can't blame her, so I'll let it slide. It seems that the damage was still significant.


'Oh I'm sorry about that.... I just don't like dresses and such by any means. I changed into a man's dress that I had secretly prepared for that day. My grandfather was very angry with me later.

　Grandfather?　Ah, Lord Zeloric, I believe it was. You're Princess Listy's steward.

"His Majesty sent you for this dress, didn't he?　My grandfather reminded me of that. I don't understand why women in the world want to wear such fluttery clothes. It's more convenient to wear clothes that are easy to move around in.

　I've also called His Majesty Emperor Toriharan about this invitation, saying, 'Be sure to wear feminine formal attire. You have to be instantly recognizable as a 'woman' at a glance, you know.
　Well, we've already accomplished our goal, so there's no problem in changing clothes.

''But it looks good on you. You look great.
'Really?　I don't really know what I'm doing.

　Princess Ristis lightly lifts the hem of her own dress as Umina says.
　Is it hard to move? For now, I let Princess Ristis sit on a chair in the garden. And Princess Lirielle, who is still frozen in shock. I'd like to get her back in here soon.

I'll get used to it, I'm sure. You're the one who got engaged.　I suggest you find someone else as soon as possible, since your father has been nagging me about it.

　I knew it. His Majesty the Emperor Torihalan was quite enthusiastic about the ball.
　However, my daughter attended the ball dressed as a man. There was no way I could find her. Well, well, in a sense, he had found her.

There is no 'man' that you like, Mr. Ristis?

　Linse questions the Princess Lystis with a somewhat contained and bypassed manner.

'Hmm, well, how should I put it, I've been a man all my life. I'm not sure about those feelings, I guess. It's still easier to be with a girl, it's just easier to understand. Guys have a lot of ambition and pride and other troublesome things that are hard to deal with.

　Oh, I don't know, she kind of glanced at me.　I'm the only man here, so I guess I don't have a choice.

''That's why I couldn't help but look at Princess Lirielle when she was in trouble, you know? She was a typical arrogant man.
'No, because some real men can't help themselves in those situations, even real men. I thought you were doing a great job. I invited you here today to thank you for that...

　Yumina makes a troubled sound as she looks across at Princess Liliel, who is turning white as if her soul has been drained. Was she that shocked?

''I don't think I've ever been so surprised before. I still get mistaken for a man a lot, though. You look like Shannon from 'Yurishin'.

　At the words of Princess Lystis, with a twitch, Princess Liliel reacted. Yumina and Linze also looked surprised.
　''Yurishin?　Shannon?　Who's that?

'What? Master Ristis, you know 'lily parents'?
What do I know? It was a gift from Brunhild.　It was quite interesting and I read it in one sitting. We don't have many books like that here.

　Princess Ristis responds to Umina's words with a laugh.
　From home?　I remember we exchanged a lot of books with Triharan, Primula, etc., saying it was for understanding the culture of those countries.
　I didn't know what to pick up, so I left it to someone else. As I recall, the one I entrusted with that was Pham from the library.
　I meet eyes with Linse, who has a face like 'Ah'.

I'm not going to be able to say that it's a good idea.　The title of the book?
'Huh?　Doesn't His Majesty know?　It's called the 'lily pads'...
.....

　I turned to Linse again and she blatantly looked away from me. ''Wait a minute!　I left it up to you, but why did you include this sorry princess's work!
　Linse is a fan of hers, so I don't understand, but that's a general book!

Shannon is the main character in the "Yuri no SSR". She comes out of the countryside and gets tangled up with some thugs, but is rescued by a gallant and beautiful knight. And when she goes to the SS exam room and finds out that she's the senior female knight, she's given a big shock. Doesn't she look a lot like Princess Liriel now?
'No, it's more like...'

　I'm the person who wrote that........ Yumina and Lindsay also had a drawn-out smile on their faces, just like me.

'So you like it so much......... It's a rare genre over here too, but........''
It doesn't matter what genre it is, what's interesting is interesting. It doesn't matter what genre it is, if it's interesting, it's interesting. I think that's why it's pure and straightforward love.
I do what I say!

　Clank!　And then, kicking her chair back, Princess Liliel suddenly stands up. Whoa, you startled me!　Resurrect more quietly!

You know the essence of your work!　Yes, that's what I wanted to paint!　That love has nothing to do with gender, age, race or status!　I'm glad you understand!

　Both Yumina and I watched in amazement at the excitedly sobbing Princess Liliel, but Linse nodded yes.

'Oh, is Princess Liliel also a reader of Yurishin?　It's funny, isn't it?
'Of course!　I wrote it!
"................ ..................What?

　As if time had stopped, a short question escapes from the mouth of Princess Ristis, who has frozen in place.......what is this déjà vu?

''Uh, you know. Actually, this Liliel-sama here is the author of "The Lilies' Guard", Lil Riflis-sensei.

　For some reason, Linse apologetically tells Princess Ristis who she is. I mean, is it a good thing that I revealed my identity, this? Since she has said it herself, I think it's fine.

''Eh?　...Really?
Really, sir.
'Yes...?　How dare the princess of a country do that?
Because that's where I want to write!

　Princess Liliel returned the surprise, put the chair back and dang!　And then he stands on it and points his fist to the heavens. You're getting too excited........ I don't think it's the same person as the one with the dead eyes earlier. For now, get out of the chair.
　Princess Ristis looks puzzled, and Linse leans closer to her.

"Which of the characters do you like, Lady Listys?
Me?　 She's cool, isn't she?
'Good point!　Freesia is going to be on a lot more. She's actually ... oops, I can't talk about this one yet.
'Wait, I'm curious!　Oh, is it related to the hooded mystery person from Volume 4?
Uh, you know. You're obviously up to something, aren't you?
Mmm-hmm. It's still a secret.

　The three of them were talking enthusiastically about their works, but Yumina and I had no idea what they were talking about. Yumina said she knew the works themselves but hadn't read them thoroughly.

'Let's see..... Does this come full circle.........?
Huh?　Somehow, I don't know, I didn't have to worry about it...

　We looked at the three of us as if we had been best friends for several years and we looked at each other. I guess this means that we have one more person in the same boat. Happy birthday, happy birthday...?
　With a twist of my head, an incoming call comes into my pocket. I take it out and see that it's Hanakoi's sister. It's about now, huh? Everything is already taken care of.
　I'm the god of love, but I'm not at all useful...no, this one wasn't romantically involved.

'Yes, hello?'
"Onee-chan Pinchy. Put me down.

　Yes?