That night.
　As I was thinking about what I should prepare for tomorrow, there was a knock at the door of the room I was assigned to.



　When I left to see if it was a servant, I found Yifa standing there in her nightie.
　Looking a little uneasy, Yifa says

.....
"...What?　On you?　At this hour?
He said he wanted to talk to me, but...

　I pull a face.

　Hey it's a different order.
　Don't you think you could send a song with a love letter first or something but no, this was a previous life.
　You're going to have to come up with a hundred ways to go, how much of a screw-up do you think you're going to be in a position to do that but this was a previous life, and he's a prince, not a prince.

　No, no, calm down. You're in a bit of a mess.
　But what do you mean by that prince? I'm not your lover and I'm not your maid. I mean, is this really the time to be preoccupied with women?

What am I going to do...

　I wave to Yifa, who looks like she's about to cry, and say, "Oh, you don't have to go.

"Uh, you don't have to go. I'll tell His Highness about it.
Uh-huh. I mean...
...Are you worried about being alone in the room?
Yes.

　Yifa nodded graciously.
　Even though they're given a room for visitors, this is the official residence for the Proto Asta sheikhs to begin with. It's understandable.

So, do you want to sleep over here?
"!　Uh-huh.
All right. Come here.

　Yifa nodded and I smiled, inviting him in.

　Come to think of it, in a previous life, disciples who had just lost their parents or were burned out in the fires of war used to sleep beside me and my brothers and sisters, afraid to sleep alone. This reminds me of that.

　But with this boy, it's just that he doesn't have much room to look.
　I knew she was skinny in her school uniform. If you think about it, Eifa is growing up, so it is natural that she is growing up.....
　No, let's not go any further.

　I turn off some lights and say, "Yifa, can I have the bed?

"Yefa, you can have the bed," I say as I turn off some lights. I'll stay up a little longer and sleep on the couch later.
'What!　I'm sorry. I'm a squire...
It's okay. Kids shouldn't be ashamed of themselves.
You're younger than me, aren't you, Seika? Then why don't you, um... sleep with me?
What?
Look, you see, the bed is big enough for two people.

　Yifa says fearfully, to which I reply with a little smile.

Then I'll do that. Well then, I think I'll go to sleep now.

　As I turn off the light, Yuki squirms over my head and says in my ear.

''Ah........Seika-sama. Then Yuki is going somewhere.........
"...?　Why?　I'd rather you didn't leave now so they can find you.

　Whispering back, Yuki was silent for a moment, then crept back into the top of her head. What the hell.

　When the last light was turned off, Yifa, who was frozen next to the bed, said.

'Yo, nice to meet you.'
What...?　Just come on in, come on.

　I roll up the quilt as I lie in bed, and Yifa sneaks into the room.

　I think to myself as I stare blankly at the canopy.
　I'm still a little worried about leaving Yifa here alone after we've entered the mountain. I'll leave the shikigami behind, just in case. I don't think he'll be able to pay much attention to me, so I'll have to arrange a proper ceremony.

　This is the room where only the moonlight shines in.
　Unlike Japan, it is quiet at night in this world, even in summer.
　There are no paddy fields because there is no rice farming, so you don't hear frogs or insects.

　Maybe this would be a good time to talk.

Yifa.
Yes, sir!

　I say to Yifa, who is standing next to me, raising her voice in a careless manner.

"What do you think of Prince Cecilio?
What...?

　Yifa's voice took on a hint of confusion.

'What does that mean, nothing in particular...'
Have you ever thought about joining His Highness' harem?
'E... or I'm not thinking!　How could that happen all of a sudden...
If you're being difficult on me, that's okay. Just be honest with me.
Why am I such a bother to you?
What?

　Yifa says with a trembling voice.

I'm sorry for what happened yesterday but I will learn to use my magic properly. You will learn more than just the official language and you will be able to read for sure!　Yeah, so.....
'No, no, no. No, no, no.

　I lean back and look at Yifa next to me.
　The girl staring at me, I could see that her eyes were wet, even in the dim light.

　I stretched out my arm and wiped it away with my fingertips and said, "You're wrong.

You're wrong," I say, wiping it on my fingertips. I didn't mean for you to get in the way.
Yeah?　Then why.....
I don't think it's a bad deal.

　I say.
　I hate to break my promise to Mabel, but I think we should be honest about it.

Even though she's only a member of the Empire, she is the royal court. Unless you are the daughter of an influential nobleman, it's not a place you can enter even if you really wanted to. You may have a hard time getting in without support, but I think you'll do fine. It's a good thing that you're not the only one who's been in a difficult position because of me to get into the school, but you've made so many friends there. If you wish, I can arrange for your release in Astoria. And you can stay in the country like this.
I don't do that...
'Of course you don't have to decide right now. I'm sure the school will have some regrets. But think about it. You're going to be a grown-up soon.
Seika-kun...
Hmm?
Seika-kun... do you not feel any differently about my entering the palace?

　I think about it for a moment before I respond to Yifa's trembling voice.

"I'll miss you, but.... But... everyone has to go their own way at some point.
Okay.

　Yifa wiped her eyes and smiled at me.

"Thank you for thinking about it. I'm so glad that Seika-kun has become your master.
Yes.
I don't really want to do it but I'll give it some thought.
Yeah.
Well good night, Seika.

　Then Yifa turned her face away.
　After looking at that expressionless profile for a while, I turn my body back onto my back and close my eyes while muttering to myself, "Goodnight, Yifa.

Good night, Yifa.


****


　The next morning.
　When I awoke, Yifa was already gone.
　The sun had already broken through. I must have slept a little too much.

Dear Seika isn't that a bit harsh?

　As I was getting dressed, Yuki, who was sitting on the table, spoke to me.

'What is it?'
'That was last night. If she wants to enter the palace, she can..... Yuki is starting to feel sorry for that girl...
"?　So what?
Didn't Yuki once tell you that that slave girl is very fond of you, Seika?
What?　When are you talking about?

　I'm dumbfounded as I button up my shirt.

"You're still going to pull that story from over a year ago.
Yuki understands. That girl has been in love with you ever since those days, Seika. Of course, she still does.
I don't know.

　Yuki is oddly fond of human love affairs, and I'm sure she has her own preconceptions.
　I sighed and said, "You know what?

I sighed and said, "You know. This is Yifa's problem, no matter what. It's her decision whether or not to accept the offer. I don't want to get in your way. Anyway, I'll leave it to Yifa.
What's that belief that you have in...

　Yuki is confused, and I stammer a bit before I explain.

"You remember that girl who was my apprentice, don't you?　See, I was good at astrology and cooking.
Oh, that was such a good one.
Yeah, yeah. And I remember a kid who used to come to my house a lot, apparently looking for that boy.
You're the son of a nobleman, aren't you? The girl seemed to be enjoying herself, and not at all annoyed.
I know. But didn't I once give you a little advice? To the boy.
Uh........yes. You said something to the effect that you might have come too far, but in a slightly scary way.......
So you haven't been around since that day.
Yes.
Do you remember what happened?
For about ten days........
I gotta tell you, I was pretty shocked to hear that.
Seika-sama, you're the most upset I've ever seen you upset.
I've never had an apprentice hate me like that before.

　I remember the time when he told me in tears that he didn't know any masters (sensei). I wondered what it was like for a father to feel like when his daughter hated him.
　I don't know what would have happened if he hadn't started coming back.

I don't know what would have happened if he hadn't started coming back. No, Yifa was not my student.
'Ummm...'

　Yuki ponders.

'That's fine... but isn't it different in this case?　Because what the slave girl really thinks of is Lady Seika...
Even if they were, by a hundred percent.

　I sighed again and said, "Yifa will be turning fifteen soon.

Yifa will be fifteen soon. She's going to be fifteen soon, and she knows that you don't choose who you marry, let alone if you're your girlfriend.
I understand what you are saying, but that girl is not of noble birth.　Can't we choose a marriage partner out of love?
'It's because I'm not of noble birth. You can't rely on your parents, of course you'd be better off marrying somewhere with money. Besides....

　I add, a little confused.

...Love is a surprisingly good thing that comes after you.
Mmm... hmm?

　Yuki's ears perk up.

"Seika-sama, is that by any chance........an experience?
Hmmm, well.
Are you, by any chance, Mr. Seika... married before?
I had a brief stint when I was younger.
Eww!

　Yuki suddenly cheered.
　Then he leaned forward and wound up as if in a huff.

'What is that!　I've never heard of Yuki before!
I didn't say that.
Why didn't you tell me this?
I mean, we didn't get a chance to do this and it's not like it matters.
I'm worried about you.　How old was Lady Seika when you were born?　What was your wife like?　How did you get married?　How did you whisper your love to me, Seika?
Uh ... shut up, shut up.

　I cover my ears.
　I knew I shouldn't have told you.