That night.

Thinking about the things to be prepared tomorrow, the door to the redeemed room was knocked.

"Yes, yes... what, Efa?

I thought you were a servant, and when I got out, it was Efa in her sleeping clothes who was standing there.

Looking a little anxious, Efa says.

"Seika-kun... Actually, um... a maid of honor (maid) just arrived in the room... His Highness Cecilio is calling..."

"... what? You? At this hour?

"Because you want to talk to me, I said..."

I make my face snap.

Hey...... you have the order.

You don't give songs in love sentences first... No, this was a story from a previous life.

You come even if you give up a hundred steps, how much of a position you're going to take... no, this is from a previous life, and the other one was a prince, not a prince.

Yes, no, calm down. You're confused.

But what are you going to do, that prince? I'm not your lover or your samurai. Or really, if you're losing depression on a woman right now?

"Duh, what should I do..."

I wave to Efa, who is about to cry.

"Uh, you don't have to go. That bah... I'll tell His Highness from me."

"Ugh, yeah. The..."

"... maybe you're anxious to be alone in the room?

"... yeah"

Efa nods coldly.

Though we've been given a room for visitors, this is the official residence for Chief Protoasta in the first place. I can't help it.

"So, you want to sleep over here?

"! Ugh, yeah"

"I get it. Come."

Efa nodded so hard that I laughed and invited her in.

Speaking of which, even in previous life, a disciple who had just lost his parents or been burned out by the war had slept by me or his brother's apprentice in fear of sleeping alone. Somehow I remember that.

However, in this child's case, it's a bit of a... trouble with the way the eyes work.

I knew you were skinny in uniform. Come to think of it, Efa's getting bigger too, so it's growing and obvious...

No, let's not do any more.

I say, turning off some of the lights.

"Efa, you can use the bed. I'm a little more awake, so I'll sleep in the bench later."

"Huh! Wow, I'm sorry. I'm a squire..."

"Fine. Kids don't shy away."

"Ko, kids, Seika is younger... So, um... why don't we sleep together?

"Huh?"

"Look, look, it's a big bed here... we'll both be fine"

I answer Efa with a little laughter. [M]

"Shall we then? Well, I guess I'll go to bed now."

Turning off the lights, Yuki moves back and forth over her head and says in her ear.

"Ah... Mr. Seika. Then Yuki is going somewhere..."

…… Why not? Instead, when you leave now, they'll find you, so don't. "

Whispering back, Yuki went back over her head again after a short silence. Oh, my God.

Turn off the last light, says Efa, who was getting stiff next to the bed.

"Nice to meet you"

"What...? Come on in, come on in."

When I rolled my duvet as I lay down in bed, Efa snuck in as well.

Looking at the blur and the ceiling, I think.

Leaving Efa alone here after entering the mountain is a little worrying, after all. Let's leave the ceremonial god just in case. You won't be able to pay much attention to this one, so after a proper ceremony.

Room where only the moonlight plugs in.

Unlike Japan, nights in this world are quiet even in the summer.

There are no paddies because rice cultivation isn't thriving, and thanks to this, I don't hear frogs and bugs squeal.

This could be a good opportunity to talk.

"Efa."

"Ha, ha!

I say to Efa, who raises her bare voice next door.

"What do you think of Prince Cecilio?

"Huh...?

Efa's voice brings the colour of perplexity.

"Nothing in particular..."

"Have you thought about entering His Highness's rear palace?

"Huh... or I'm not thinking about it! Why do you suddenly do that..."

"If you're reluctant on me, I'll be fine. Be honest with me."

"Hey, why... wah, me, was that so annoying?

"Huh?"

Efa says in a trembling voice.

"Ki, if it's about yesterday, I apologize... I'll be able to use magic properly. You'll be able to study and read everything but the official language! So..."

"No, I'm not. I'm not. It's not."

I lay down and see Efa next door. [M]

The girl's eyes staring at this one turned out to be wet even in the dim.

I say as I stretch out my arm and wipe it with my fingertips.

"It's a misunderstanding. Nothing. You didn't get in the way."

"Really? Then why..."

"I don't think that's a bad story."

I say.

It's painful to break your promise to Mabel... but I knew we should talk about this properly.

"It's the royal rear palace, even though it's just a part of the empire. Unless you're the daughter of a powerful nobleman, it's not the kind of place you can put in what you wanted if it's true. You might have a hard time without a back shield, but I think you could do it. You enrolled in a difficult position because of me, but you made so many friends at school... If you want, I'll go through the liberation process in Astilia. And you can stay in this country like this."

"I don't..."

"Of course you don't have to decide right now. There will be some remnants of your heart in the school, too. But think about it. You're about to grow up, too."

"... Seika-kun is"

"Hmm?"

"Seika-kun... don't you think I'd think anything if I went into the womb?

I answer Efa's trembling voice with a little thought.

"I think I'm lonely. But... Anyone has to go their own way."

"... ok"

Efa wipes her eyes and laughs at me.

"Thank you for all your thoughts. I'm so glad Seika-kun is your husband."

"... yeah"

"I don't really care... I'll just think about it"

"Oh."

"Well... good night, Seika-kun"

That's what I said, Efa turned away.

After a long look at the invisible side of that expression, I also lean back and whine with my eyes closed.

"Good night, Efa"

****

The next morning.

When I woke up, I didn't see Efa anymore.

The day is completely out. Seemed slightly overslept.

"Dear Seika... come on, wasn't it cruel?

As I'm dressed, Yuki, who was sitting right on the table, talks to me.

"What?

"It's about last night. I can't believe you could come in if you want to go into the backyard... Yuki became more and more pitiful..."

"So what?"

"Didn't Yuki say before... that the slave's daughter likes Saika"

"Huh? When are you talking to me?"

I snap a button on my shirt. [M]

"Do you still want to pull the Yotai story more than a year ago?"

"Yuki understands. That girl has been in love with Seika ever since. Of course, even now."

"... I wonder"

Yuki strangely likes human sex shakedown, and seems absolutely preconceived.

I say with a sigh.

"You know. Whatever this is about, it's Efa's problem. Whether you accept the invitation or not, it's up to her to decide. I'm not trying to get in the way. Anyway, I'll leave it to Efa."

"What is it that you believe in..."

To Yuki, who is confused, I will explain after a few words. [M]

"... he was in my apprentice, remember that girl? See, I was good at astrology and cooking"

"Uh, that's a good amount"

"Yes, yes. So, obviously, there was this kid who used to come to my mansion all the time looking for her."

"But you were a descendant of nobility. That girl looked like she was having fun talking, and she didn't look too good."

"Yes, yes. Despite that, I told you a novel once. For the children."

"Uh... yes. You said something a little scary to the effect that you didn't come too far..."

"So, you stopped coming from that day on."

"... Yes"

"Do you remember what happened?"

"............... you were losing your mouth to that girl. About ten days..."

"I'm telling you now, I was pretty shocked."

"Seika, I was so upset that I'd never seen it."

"Because it was the first time my apprentice hated me so much"

I remember when I was told crying that I didn't know my master. I wondered if this is how my daughter felt about the father hating me.

What would have happened if you hadn't come back?

"Well, since then, I've decided not to pinch an extra mouth in the circumstances of my apprentice. No, Efa's not a disciple."

"Hmmm......"

Yuki thinks.

"That's fine...... in this case again, isn't it? What the slave daughter really thinks is Seika..."

"Give me a hundred steps, even if I did."

I say sigh again.

"It's almost fifteen for Efa, too. Whatever your lover is, he'll know you like it and you don't like it and you don't choose it."

"Mm-hmm... you could say that, but that girl was nothing, she wasn't born noble, was she? May I choose where to put it with affection?"

"It's because you weren't born noble. I can't count on my parents, I've decided I should marry them where I have the money. Besides..."

I add, a little lost.

"... love is a surprise to follow later."

"Mmm...... hmm?

Yuki gets her ears up.

"Mr. Seika, hiccup. Is that... an experience?

"Mmm... well"

"Or maybe you were married, Seika?

"When I was younger, for a short time."

"Eh!!

Yuki suddenly cheered.

And then he rolls himself out, curling like a shake.

"What is it! Yuki is my first ear!!

"Well, I didn't say it."

"How could you not tell me such an important thing!

"Come on, I didn't get a chance... and it doesn't matter what else..."

"I care. I care! How old was Seika? What was your wife like? How was your marriage? How did Saika whisper love to you?

"Uh... shut up, shut up"

I block my ears.

I knew I had to tell you.