◇◇◇
"……So, in the end, this is how it turns out."
It was morning. I slumped over the table in the Dining Hall and let out a deep, heavy sigh.
"Is it not wonderful for things to be so lively?"
Across from me, Elysia offered an elegant smile.
"It’s not. My mental state won't hold out."
"You’re being hyperbolic."
"Lord Luka~!"
From the side, Lene leaned in with boundless energy.
"We get to eat together today too!"
"This is basically a forced event at this point."
Completely unavoidable……
"……"
I shifted my gaze slightly to the side.
"……What?"
Cedric looked back at me with a blatantly annoyed expression.
"Nothing. I’m just surprised you actually showed up."
"You’re the one who arbitrarily decided we’d do this, aren't you?"
Ever since that time I treated him to a meal, I told him we should keep eating together, and he actually started coming. He’s a tsundere. I’m certain of it.
"……But," Lene said, glancing restlessly at our surroundings. "There are a lot of people staring at us today."
"Well, it is the day after that event……"
It was the morning following the Gathering of Hero Candidates. Rumors travel fast, especially when we’re the primary topic of conversation.
"……"
Unconsciously, my eyes drifted to the person sitting beside me.
"……"
Yuka was sitting as quietly as she always did. Her posture and expression remained unchanged.
And yet——
"……"
I felt as though the distance between us was slightly shorter than usual. It might have just been my imagination, though.
"……Yuka?"
"Yes? Is something the matter?"
She was in perfect Maid Response Mode.
"No, it’s nothing."
"……"
For a fleeting second, I thought I saw Yuka's eyes narrow.
Suddenly—
"—Hey there."
A cheerful voice called out. I turned around to see a familiar face.
"Leonis."
I unintentionally let out a voice tinged with relief.
"You look terrible. Are you really that exhausted?"
"I'm at the point where seeing your face actually makes me feel at ease."
"Haha, I’m honored."
He gave his usual handsome smile. It was easy on the eyes.
From behind him came another voice.
"……Hmph. You’re being quite noisy."
A girl stood there with her arms crossed.
"Please try to eat a little more quietly."
"……Elphiria, you’re here too?"
The whole group was assembled.
"Is that not obvious?" Elphiria took a seat as if she belonged there. "If you are involved, there is a high probability that something will happen."
"I’m being treated like a trouble-maker!?"
The worst part was that I couldn't even deny it.
"……So?" Cedric spoke up irritably. "You're all piling in here. Are there even enough seats?"
"It’s no problem."
With a casual wave of Leonis's hand, chairs were brought over as if by magic. What is this, some kind of hidden feature of the Academy? It was a bit unsettling.
"……"
In the midst of the gathering, Cedric spoke in a low tone.
"—Hey."
His gaze shifted toward Yuka.
"……That talk from yesterday about you being an Imperial Princess. It’s true, isn't it?"
"……"
The atmosphere grew slightly strained. Both Lene and Elysia went silent.
"……Yes," Yuka nodded quietly. "It is a fact."
"……" Cedric narrowed his eyes slightly. "……I see."
"I just realized something. Does that mean you fought me with an Imperial Princess on the line?"
"Please, just stop. I’m begging you."
Cedric said nothing more. He didn't pry any further.
"……"
I wondered if, in his own way, he was being considerate.
"But still!" Lene raised her hand, cutting through the tension. "Yuka-san, you’re amazing! To think you’re a Lady Imperial Princess!"
"……"
"You’re Lord Luka’s maid, and also an Imperial Princess! Isn't that just the strongest combination!?"
"Lene, if you keep emphasizing the princess part, Cedric’s going to start taking psychic damage."
"……Give me a break."
"……Fufu."
Yuka let out a small, soft laugh. "……Thank you very much."
"Ehehe!"
The air grew a little lighter. Seeing this, Leonis narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.
"……I see," he murmured.
"……?"
"Oh, it's nothing." He gave me a bright smile.
That was definitely not 'nothing.'
"……"
Elysia was also staring fixedly at Yuka.
"……The Imperial Princess of the Empire," she whispered. "……I do not mean to blame you, but I suspect some troublesome matters are headed our way."
"Stop saying that! Don't set up flags!"
"It is simply the truth. Lord Luka, you are in the most danger, so please remain on your guard!"
Wait, don't lean over the table like that! You’re too close—it’s the Violence of Facial Scores!
"This is more than enough reason for the Empire to take action."
"……"
Being struck by such a sound argument was painful.
"……"
In that moment, Yuka’s fingers moved ever so slightly beneath the table. She lightly gripped the edge of my clothes.
"……"
For a split second, her grip grew firm.
"……Yuka?" I whispered.
"……No," she replied immediately in her usual tone. "It is nothing."
However, her hand did not let go.
◇◆◇
Around that time——
"……You found her? The Imperial Princess!?"
A low voice echoed through the corridor. The Imperial Prince was reporting this monumental news to his subordinates.
"Yes. She is currently staying within the Academy of the Holy Theocracy."
"……Is that so?"
He slowly closed his eyes.
"……Aurelia."
He spoke the name as if savoring it.
"……I have finally found you."
Then, he recalled the image of a certain man.
"……That man, Luka. He did not seem like a common noble."
His eyes narrowed.
"……Investigate him," he commanded coldly. "Everything."
"His lineage, his history, his abilities——"
His voice grew even more frigid.
"And his weaknesses."
"Understood!"
The subordinate immediately bowed his head.
"……"
The Imperial Prince looked out the window.
"……Depending on the circumstances," he muttered to himself, "I will keep his elimination in mind."
His words vanished into the air, unheard by any.
◇◆◇
"……"
On the way back from the Dining Hall, Yuka walked half a step behind Luka as she always did.
"……"
She lifted her gaze slightly, looking at the back of the man walking before her.
"……"
The distance between them was exactly the same as it had been yesterday. And yet——
"……"
Deep in her chest, things felt a little restless.
"……"
She had intended to tell him eventually, but she had been afraid.
"……Lord Luka," she whispered. "……You haven't changed."
That single fact brought her endless joy.
"……"
Lord Luka disliked trouble, whether it was a small nuisance or a grand ordeal. If this daily life were to ever break apart——
"……"
It would surely be because of her own past. Even so.
"……I will," she let out a soft breath, "……never leave your side."
That resolve was unwavering.
What did her past family matter now? The time she had spent with him and the fulfillment he had provided were beyond comparison. She had simply forgotten; she had long ago discarded the name Aurelia. She had merely lost sight of that resolve for a moment.
"……Yuka?"
"……!"
That was right. She was Yuka.
"Are you sure you aren't a bit tired after all?"
"I am perfectly fine, Lord Luka!"
"……Whoa! That was a suddenly, excessively cu-cute reaction!"
……Sometimes she didn't quite understand what he was saying, but right now, she felt like she knew.
She liked him. She loved him. She adored him. She didn't want to let go, and she didn't want to be pushed away.
……What could she possibly give back to Lord Luka?
………………………………If she offered him the Empire, would that make him happy?