After the party is well over.

Start asking the servants of the ladies who belong to the Sofia sect. As a result, it was discovered that one-way fringe was also held up by Alicia and Lady Ferris.

Alicia and Pamela used to talk about it. Apparently, Sophia, they didn't like annoying the lady, and they were trying to figure it out for themselves.

I gathered that information, and I was visiting Master Grave's office early.

"Hmm. I see there's an unwanted bond going on with those three. But what are you gonna do to me?

"Lady Sophia wants to be the back shield for the three of us."

This one case is like being pressured by the higher nobility: 'No, you wouldn't say no to our friendship, etc.'.

At the same time, Master Grave said, 'Are you going to hang a little on our daughter's friend?' And it's just a problem that if we restrain it, we'll solve it. To the big mess, though.

"Back shield? Doesn't their home have a back shield?

"Here's a summary of the area."

Close nobles, even if they exist, cannot be helped in this one case. In addition to not having so much to do with the back shield, the current situation is under pressure from its' friends'.

So much so, Sophia. It seems the lady's influence is working.

"I see. But there's no way the Rosenberg Marquis could easily be the back shield. Are those three the right people for the Rosenberg Marquis to be the back shield?

If you were Master Grave, you would know the personality of those three, as well as the character of the family and the management of the territory. So perhaps this question is trying me.

I handed over the materials to meet that expectation, of course.

"The first step is the management of each territory. It's never rich, but it's never dark behind it."

"... I see you're doing a lot of research. I didn't expect you to give me any more details."

"Thank you, I know."

The materials that have just been submitted are a compilation of the information that was being examined in advance. It came in handy unexpectedly that I was looking into it to pick or choose a candidate to grow potatoes.

"Go on, three characters, but they kept quiet about their predicament because they didn't want to involve Lady Sophia, so you don't have to ask about her qualities."

"I see. Looks like Sophia can't change her mind."

Master Grave nods with a face that seems to be matching answers somewhere.

"But to say it will be a back shield is not the end of this one case. I think any of this will also come up to take care of their relationship, but is it worth it?

"They are benefiting Lady Sophia."

Potato cultivation, for example. Any one of them would spread to territory other than the members of the faction, but the advantage of a leading group would not be lost.

This is the same with how tea is brewed and other techniques that Lady Sophia will convey in the future.

If they were taken in by another faction, that position would not necessarily be used. Sophia, if the lady trumps them off, it'll change the story... but that's impossible.

Convince them it's all worth it, even considering their responsibility to back off.

As a result, Lady Grave nodded contentedly.

"It would be good. Cyril, if that's what you wanted, let's take it."

This solved Pamela and the others' fringe problems lightly.

Too light to clap. It's as if Master Grave was waiting to suggest from me... how could you just think too much?

When I finished the conversation and left the office, Ernest Boy caught me waiting to leave. That is how he will take you and make you hang on to your face in the dining room.

"What can I do for you? If it was about studying abroad, I would have refused..."

"It's about that, but it's not about letting them study abroad. Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte couldn't wait, so she told me she was going to study abroad right now."

Huh? and I almost raised my bare voice and swallowed it up hard. Even though she originally had plans to study abroad from next year, it can't be better for the Empress to roll up her plans that easily.

"... a joke, right?

"As far as I'm concerned, I hope it's a joke... they'll be here in a few days. Not only His Royal Highness Princess Charlotte, but also His Royal Highness Prince Harold."

"It's also, somehow, behavioral people."

When it comes to royalty, it's normal to make appointments for months. I suddenly rescheduled that and the footwork is too light to come in a few days.

"It is true that it is behavioral, but for Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte, your knitted witchcraft technique must have been so shocking"

At the same time I'm convinced, I frown that I'm in trouble.

Sophia, I have no regrets for fulfilling the wishes of the lady and saving Her Highness Forsinia. But it was a failure for Her Royal Highness to release enough technology to expedite her studies immediately.

At least not enough to have information control hang... you can't. I was inquiring with the Flamefield Empire about how to save the princess, so I'll find out sooner or later when she's saved.

Besides, I can't help regretting what I've done.

What matters is what we're going to do.

"... I understand the situation. Is that what you told me to take action on right now?

"It's up to you how you take it. But I have one more thing to tell you before I do. This is something Sophia already knows."

I bowed my head to the words that went on in a painful tone.

◆ ◆ ◆

Time goes back just a little bit, a little before Cyril listens to Ernest.

"Sophia, I need to talk to you."

"Ernest, is your brother talking to me?

Calling her sister, who was walking down the hallway, she showed a slightly alarming bare gesture.

Ernesto mourns when Sophia, when she was a little girl, had a sweet bare gesture of "Please don't, don't panic".

(... No, I couldn't protect Sophia when it was at stake. It wasn't me or your father who protected your sister, it was Cyril who was supposed to be just a butler apprentice. You tried to take that Cyril away, so it's natural for Sophia to be on guard. And this time...)

Ernesto was so alone, he took a small sigh. But I realized Sophia was looking suspiciously, and I shook my neck sideways when I panicked and said nothing.

"Talking is about the princes and princesses of the Flamefield Empire."

"We're not letting Cyril go, are we?

As if he were a child about to be taken away from the treasure, he halves himself and exposes his vigilance. But the look that came up there can't be described as very childish.

Does my sister understand what that emotion is - Ernest thinks. That's how I worry that I won't be saddened by a wish that won't come true if I don't understand it.

"... brother?

"No, I'm not talking about letting Cyril study abroad. Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte--"

"Did you tell them you were going to study abroad soon?

"... where did you hear that story?

I can assure you that only some people still know that information and it is not in Sophia's ear. Despite this, I tilt my neck wondering why I know.

"... it's not like I know. But if you mean Cyril, I understand. Because what Cyril does always attracts the attention of the surrounding area."

"I understood that Cyril's magic was so skilled that the Empress of the neighboring country flew in,?

"Otherwise, there is no way we can save His Highness Forsinia"

"... I see"

Somewhere, Ernesto thought lightly that magic was the only magic produced by a butler in the Ephenian country, which was a backward country.

It was unconsciously driving the fact that it was a technology that even the Flamefield Empire, a developed country in witchcraft, could not produce.

Sophia probably figured that out.

It's just that my trust in Cyril has brought me to that conclusion.

On the other hand, I think we are bound by a deep bond, which makes me anxious when it is an obvious dependence. Ernesto thinking about the future and mourning his sister's pity, but no longer covers the situation.

"It's quick if you understand. His Royal Highness Princess Charlotte and His Royal Highness Prince Harold will be studying abroad in a few days. In time, Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte used Cyril as her guide. His Royal Highness Prince Harold has named Sophia as his guide."

"Me and Cyril are the guides, right?

Sophia just tilted her neck with Coteri and didn't see a big reaction. But it's a superficial story, and dissatisfaction seeps into the back of my eyes when I'm an amethyst.

That won't be possible either.

It is clear that there is a political intention involved in the two of them studying abroad. In short, His Royal Highness Prince Harold's aim is Sofia, and His Royal Highness Princess Charlotte's aim is nothing more than Cyril.

The former is a political marriage, the latter as a talented person. If Sophia is aware of her thoughts, it is an unacceptable reality.

But...

"This is an instruction from His Majesty the King at the request of His Royal Highness Prince Harold, and Father is aware of the story as well. I don't know what that means...... you know what I mean?

This isn't just a request - it's not that.

No, the fact is, this is just a request from the conductor. But it is very likely that Sophia will be proposed ahead, and Cyril will likely be pulled out again.

Request based on that.

I haven't known since the situation progressed to turn the gods against their enemies. Even so, it's all too late. If you say no at that point, you will.

There is no way Sophia, who does not think, could run into such stupidity, and His Majesty the King or Father would be the fool that Sophia could not tell to that extent.

Therefore, the only way to escape that future is now. If you can throw everything and run off, you don't have to lose just the thing that's most important to your sister.

- And I find myself angry that I could only prepare such a future.

Ernest cares for his sister wholeheartedly. Therefore, I have always wanted to protect you as my brother. But what my sister relies on wholeheartedly is nothing more than Cyril.

I knew enough to say no to that in this short period of time.

Clearly, I'm a businessman.

Don't let the butler take away your lovely sister. But if Sophia wants it, she can't help but be happy.

Bloody tears. But it would be my brother's job to make it happen.

So - if Sophia refuses this instruction, you can run off with Cyril or whatever. With that little hateful boy, you'll be able to live anywhere.

Even if there is not one Sofia, the Marquis Rosenberg will not lean. I didn't want a fool like you in the Marquis Rosenberg family.

So...

"His Royal Highness Prince Harold's guide, I do accept"

Ernest couldn't understand what the zero words from his sister's mouth showed. I rebuke the word several times and understand that Sophia has finally taken on the guidance role.

"... why?

"Why? At His Majesty's behest, your father must be aware, too? If so, I will not refuse the request."

But to say that we would accept the request would be the same as to determine our future - and Ernest thought so much, to the point that Sophia might not understand her thoughts.

(Are you saying that no matter how good you are, you were only an innocent child in the end......)

One day when you realize your thoughts, you'll know that's love that no longer comes true. Ernest thought of the moment coming and felt sorry for his sister.