After Ekla did the horrible thing of being recognized by Zeke and the others in an instant, I introduced Caro in that vein and talked about Pricia, who I left behind in King's Landing.

　The two of them were a bit taken aback by this, but well, they told me to let them meet again and they forgave me.

　Once that was done, Zeke went back to the fort. We should have gone too, but Zeke told us to take it easy for today, so we decided to leave first thing tomorrow morning.

　And now.

'Master Ray!　Let me wash your back!

　And Krona is washing my back. The place is, of course, the bathhouse in the mansion. It's a very good idea to have a good time with your friends.

　This bathhouse is huge, so it takes a long time to fill it up with water, and it's hard to boil it. It's a good idea to use water magic to fill it with water and fire magic to make a bang.

　At first I was going to ask the ladies to join in, but then Ellis and Chloe

'Ray let her in, so Ray can be the first to go in. Besides, I have to watch out for her.

Master Ray, it's a pleasure to meet you.

　The two of them grinned and said such things to me. I'm not usually one to say such a thing, but when I turn around to think that it means that Chloe would say such a thing, I see Crona staring up at me with her eyes.

　That's right, we've been separated for four years and all we've done is write letters to each other. And on top of that, I've put you in harm's way.

'So then, Krona. Can you wash your back?

　When I say that, he smiles with a poof and goes to get ready!　And then he ran off. Alexia and the others said they'd give it up for the day.

　The maidservants around her looked surprised to see Krona like that for the first time, though.

　And now. Krona was humming happily and letting her back flow. I'd expected it, but with a towel wrapped around her.

　You've gotten a little used to the woman's bare skin since you've been taking baths with Alexia and the others. In the old days, I would have said no to anything. I'd chuckle at the thought of that.

Dear Mr. Ray. Thank you so much for the ring. I was so happy I cried when you sent it to me.

　Krona tells me shyly. I'm glad too if she was happy enough to cry.

'I really wanted to hand it to you... oh, yeah. Krona, give me your hand with the ring on it.

　I say, turning to Krona as the hot water washes down my back. Krona tilts her head and holds out her left hand.

　I pull the ring out of my left hand, and for some reason Krona makes a very sad face. I'm already on the verge of tears. I laugh bitterly at that. It's not like I'm trying to take it away from her.

Krona. Don't look so sad," he says. I'm not trying to take it away from you. It's just that I didn't tell Krona exactly what to do.

　The place is a bit odd, but I'm down on one knee in the bathroom, looking up at Krona.

"Krona. I love you. I want you to walk with me for the rest of your life.

　Then I put the ring on her left hand ring finger again. Krona, who had been staring at it, had tears welling up in her eyes. Hey, this is a happy tear, right?　If it wasn't, I would be in a hurry.

　I love Master Ray too!　I adore you!　I want to spend the rest of my life with Master Ray!

　Oh, good. Happy tears. I pull Krona's sobbing hand away and get into the bath. I sit down on the leg and let Crona sit on the leg.

　The sobbing Krona stops crying, surprised that she's sitting on me, but this time she can't sit down!　I start to panic. But I force him to sit there and hold his knees. It's what's called a gymnasium seat. And I'm the one holding it.

　Krona may be nervous, but her tail and ears are all banged up!　And standing. So to relieve the tension, I'm in Krona's ear.

It's always good to see you. Love you, Krona.

　When I blurted it out, Krona's face turned bright red in a flash, and it almost sounded like a boner. I slowly soak in the bath, stroking the lovely Krona's head.

　But after that, Krona continued to leave the bath with a bright red face, and Alexia and the others who saw her were asking me what the hell I had done.

　I didn't do anything in particular........

　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.

　When Ray and the others were taking a bath.

　Aww, nah, how did this happen? Nah, why am I surrounded by all of you?

This is little Phelia. She's so cute.

　The woman in the mask, Lady Caroline's sister-in-law, pats me on the head as she says so. I was just thanking you all for coming to help me.

'You're really cute, aren't you? You're so different from Aeris in your cuteness.'

Hey, what's that all about, Alexia?

Hmm?　I mean Aeris is beautiful, but little Phelia has a lovely, adorable vibe.

　And everyone seems to be enjoying themselves. All of your brother's fiancées seem to be getting along very well with each other. Big sister Aeris and big sister-in-law Alexia are happily joking with each other.

　There.

Nice bath. Hey, Krona.

Yes, sir.

　And your brother and Black Krona?　came out of the bath. What happened to Krona? Her face turned bright red. Alexia's sisters-in-law, who were the first to notice it, surrounded her brother. And.

Hey, Ray. What were you doing in the bathroom?

You didn't lust after him in the bathhouse, did you?

'Nah, wait a minute Alexia. I didn't do anything!　I'm only ten years old!　And Ferris, I don't need that joke now!

No questions asked!

Geez!　Oh, Aeris, it's tight!　And don't pinch Caro sober!　Ouch!　Don't even bite the éclat!

　While shouting this, my brother was taken somewhere by Lady Alexia and her sisters-in-law. Perhaps it's her brother's room. Krona is following behind her, dazedly.

　Seeing such a figure.

Sounds like fun.

　I was approached by someone from behind. I turned around and there it was, I'm sure.

Master Tigris.

　There was Mr. Tigris Lampert, who came to help us with his brother.

Ha, ha. I don't have any use for you right now.

　They say it with a laugh. As I recall, you said you were your brother's slave now. But your brother also said it was only temporary, so

No, I like it better this way. But more importantly, Tigris-sama doesn't look good in your honorific language either.

　When I giggle and laugh, Master Tigris scratches his head as if to say, "Oh, no," he says. But there's something else I've been wondering about.

　When I talked with Lady Caroline just now, I thought that Lady Caroline and Lady Tigris are very similar to her brother.

　What is this warm feeling?　I stared at Master Tigris like that.

Lady Phelia?

　Ha!　It was too strange a sensation, so I stared at Tigris-sama's face. When I was too embarrassed to look down, she gently stroked my head.

''Hmph, you have to be careful because some people will get the wrong idea if they see someone as pretty as Phelia-sama.

　And Master Tigris also left the room. Mmm. The way you just said it, it sounds like Tigris-sama is not one of those who are mistaken. It's not that I'm trying to mislead you, but it's a little complicated.

　Besides, I couldn't ask Master Tigris and the others about their sense of wonder. They said that they would be there during this war and until they were settled after it was over, so we'll have to ask them again.