'Oh, s-sorry. I know I shouldn't really be here, but...

　There was a knock on the door of the room where Alexia and I will be staying while we are in the imperial capital, so I opened the door to see who it was, and for some reason, there was Kana standing there. Behind her, there's also Mari, anxiously grabbing the sleeve of Kana's clothes.

'What can I do for you?'

　I'm a little surprised, but here's the normalcy. Kana doesn't know who I am, so she thinks I'm a stranger, but I'm the only one who's obviously suspicious when I talk to her in a familiar way.

'Yes. I just wanted to talk to you for a moment.

Is that for Luciana?

'Well I'm sure Mr. Ravert will be able to do the same with the...

　Do you have something to tell me?　...I don't mind, but what is it?

Okay. Then go inside.

　I checked the corridor, thinking it was sent by the Empire, but the only people present are the Imperial soldiers who were here when we got here. There is no sign of anyone else. There aren't many people who don't take advantage of my presence, so it's probably okay.

　I let Kana and Mari into the room. Alexia has a suspicious look on her face and Luciana has a surprised look on her face. I go back to the seat I was in and let Kana and Mari sit next to Luciana.

''Why you guys?''

I'm sorry, Luci. I just couldn't resist.

　Kana says that much to Luciana and then turns to me. She's trembling a little anxiously, but she has a look of determination on her face. .........I miss it. It's a face I've seen a few times in my past life.

''So what's the story?''

'Yes I know it's rude and I say it. Lucie could you please call off your engagement with Luciana!

Cana!　What are you talking about!

　Luciana sits up and shouts at Kana's statement. What does she mean by that?

'Lucie is in love with someone else. We were actually supposed to get married after the last war, but we lost the war and that story was lost.

　Is that the reason for the shade we sometimes see from Luciana? That doesn't seem to be the only cause, but it's still a convincing story.

'Cana!　No more than that!　I'm here because I want to be!　And this is the story that His Majesty the Emperor has decided. It's not something that can be changed with the help of Kana!

'But!　Lucie and Takumi would know if they were watching!　The two of them like each other, and they seem to be in a lot of pain when this comes up!

　Kana clasps her hands tightly together and exclaims. And.

'Whatever I can do to help!　So!　So could you think about talking to Lucie, please!

Cana!

Canamin!

　Kana bows her head towards me. Luciana and Mari seem surprised by Kana's statement. Alexia crosses her arms and wrinkles her brow as she glares at Kana. 'You're ruining your beautiful face.

'Alexia, don't look so scared.

　So I gave her a grizzled forefinger between the eyes. Alexia cries out "Kyah!" and glares at me. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most out of your time here.

What are you doing at this time, Ray?

'Don't make that difficult face. You'll ruin your pretty face, won't you?

Beautiful?　I-I don't think this is the time to be talking about that!

　Alexia's face turned bright red and she turned away with a pout. Cute.

''Well...''

Yeah, I'm sorry. You've made your point. I, for one, don't mind. If people who don't like each other get together, neither they nor their surroundings will be happy.
　However, this story involves a story between countries. In this case, it's the Regalia Empire and the Royal Domain we're in. Well, right now, it's going to be the Nanor Kingdom. To put it badly, Luciana will be a hostage. Do you understand that?

　Kana nodded at my story.

''Luciana is the second princess of the Regalia Empire. Her marriage will create a friendship between us and the Regalia Empire, albeit a haribo, between us and the Regalia Empire. It will mean that there will be no war because of her.
　Well, the Regalia Empire may cut her off, or we may break it. That's why it's a hurricane. That's the way it's going to be talked about, to a point.

'You're asking for her back. Then all this talk of friendship didn't happen. Then the Regalian Empire will think that we have no interest in making friendships with them. If that happens, we will be surrounded by the Regalian army here. And then there would be a war.

What?

　Kana looks at Alexia with a surprised expression on her face.

The reason for this is that for once, the big name is on the side of the Regalia Empire. I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this in the future. It would be said that we crushed the Empire's favor. If that happens, other countries probably won't help us. Or even Nanor if it's not good enough.

Oh, no...

　Kana looks like she's about to start crying. She seems to have been surprised that the story was heavier than she thought it would be. Well, I guess I can't blame her for not having been in that world before.

　It's a good thing we're the ones who told this story. If it had been the others, maybe all three of us would have been caught.

'Well, that's only if it's out in the open.

Ha, Ray is such a goody-two-shoes kind of guy. Well, I like that about Ray.

　Alexia smiles at me, dumbfounded. Alexia seems to know what I mean.

'What do you mean by that...'

'It's a simple matter of not breaking off the engagement.

　On Kana's head?　seems to be in full bloom.

''Ostensibly, me and Luciana are going to get engaged and bring her back to the royal estate. After that, I'll bring that partner with me, and the two of us will live in the Royal Domain. If we stay in the Royal Domain, the Empire won't find out about it so easily, and even if they do find out, there's no proof, so we'll be able to pass it off as ignorance. And since there are no cameras in this world, we can't even leave a picture of it.

"What?

'I know you're going to have to come out with me on official business or something, for all intents and purposes. Are you okay with that?

Of course it is.

　I ask Luciana and she nods. Well, I guess that's about the only thing I can come up with to get things done peacefully now. If we have the strength to fight the Regalia Empire head on, we can poke them right away, but for now, we have to rule the royal domain first for now.

　Kana and Mari look at me with a surprised expression on their faces, but what is it? Is there something on my face?　Well, now let's continue the story. Let's talk about who we're talking about now.

And who is it that Luciana has in mind?

It was one of the brave men named Takumi.

....

....

　You're not a brave man, are you? There's a lot of silence between us. I think we just ramped up the difficulty level considerably. Hmm, what to do. If a brave man disappears from this country, there will be a big commotion.

　Isn't there a plan? There is only one way to prevent the public from getting excited about a brave man's disappearance, but that requires a lot of materials. It wouldn't be possible to do it right away. Just then, there's a knock on the door again.

　Just like before I opened the door to look and saw what appeared to be a civilian official of the Empire standing there. When I asked him about it, he told me to get ready for the party. Is it that time already? I'll think about it tomorrow.

　I'll let everyone know about it. We all have preparations to make to attend.

'I'm sorry this is so short notice. I'm sorry this was so impulsive, and I'm sorry for the trouble I've caused Master Ravert.

I don't mind. As I said before, people who don't like each other will not only make themselves unhappy but also those around them unhappy if they get together with each other. If you still feel bad about it, can we talk a little bit after the party today?

You want to talk?

Yeah, I just wanted to say something.

Okay.

　With that, the three of us leave. There are more things to do, but first...

'Leigh~y. That's pretty ballsy of you to ask a woman out in front of her fiancé, isn't it?

　I have to convince Alexia, who gives me a smile that isn't smiling while gripping my shoulders tightly, that my shoulders hurt.