Your Highness. You summoned my squire last night. Is there something I can do for you?

　In the morning of that day.
　I called out to the prince, who was out on the terrace during a break from his official duties.

　He smiled and replied, "I wanted to talk to you for a while.

I wanted to talk to you for a while. I was rejected.
He looked puzzled, so I told him it was not necessary for me to be there. I asked you to refrain from calling on me like that, Your Highness. She has not yet been accepted into the palace, and she is not your maid of honor.

　The prince turns to me, who tells him with a straight face, and says, "I didn't mean to mislead you.

I'm afraid I've misled you in some way. I really just wanted to talk to you over a cup of tea.
At a time like that?
'Due to my official duties, I can't help but stay up late at night. I think it was a bit of a misunderstanding because everyone usually adjusts to my time. I'm sorry.

　Yes, the prince apologizes honestly.
　But I doubt it.

"Can you also apologize to Yifa?
''Well that's on your own. If you're serious about inviting me to the rear palace, that is.

　The prince's eyes widened in surprise at my answer and he said, "I'm not surprised.

I'm surprised. I thought you would refuse to allow Yifa to enter the palace.
''........In the first place, does His Highness really want to bring that child into the rear palace?''
Of course I do.

　The Prince nodded widely.

'What is it that you like so much about it?'
I guess you could say it's a look.
....
'I'm not just talking about beauty. I was drawn to that vibe of intelligence.

　The prince says a little embarrassed.

''Perhaps... but isn't Yifa an excellent student in that school?
Well, you're usually in first or second place on the written exam.
I knew it!

　The Prince says happily.

It is customary in Astiria for the queen to also be heavily involved in political affairs. The woman who will be my wife must be an intelligent one.
Yeah.
'In addition Yifa is very beautiful and dainty. It's the face of the state. What's more, she's my kind of girl.

　The prince coughs once and continues.

I've been a member of the empire for a while now, the number of powerful commoners has increased due to economic development, and bloodlines are not as important these days. If possible, I would like to have her as the first queen to support the king's administration.

　The prince told me in a serious tone.
　And then he looked at me with a delicate expression on his face.

I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work. I'm sure you have had a close relationship with Lord Seika, but I don't care about that. I'll keep her past to myself.
Well that's not what Yifa and I have in common.
'Mm, I see. However, for a squire and master, the distance between them seemed somewhat close, but...
She's what we call a house slave. She grew up with me in the house when she was a child. She's like a little sister to me. I'm younger than her, but...
I see, it makes sense. If that is the case Mr. Seika, I would like to ask you again. I would like to ask you again. Would you be willing to give her up?
....
'I'll pay any amount of money. It should be a blessing for Yifa to be in the rear court of Astiria. In your capacity as a brother, would you wish her happiness?
I'm not interested in selling.

　I say, "Only if he wants to enter the royal court himself,

But if he wants to enter the palace by himself then I'll free him from slavery here in the country. That won't be a problem.
Mmm, well.... Sometimes......

　The Prince says, somewhat awkwardly.

'Couldn't we get Lady Seika to talk her out of it?

　Huh?

I think they're avoiding me.
You know what?

　I pulled a face and said, "Please make a move on one of the girls yourself.

"You can pick up one of the girls yourself. Your Highness, you are a prince, aren't you?　I'm good looking, and probably not many people are as fortunate as you are. Mostly.....

　And then I shut my mouth.
　Oh no, no, no, no, I was about to start a sermon.

Anyway, I only respect Yifa's wishes. I don't want to do anything that's not absolutely necessary.
''Well, no, you're right. Lord Seika is really thinking about Yifa........

　Then the Prince asks quietly.

'When ... would she be willing to be freed from her slavery?

　I raised my eyebrows a little and replied, "Well, I guess that's not such a good thing to be a slave to, is it?

I don't think it's a good idea to be a slave to them. I'd like to free them, too, but the Empire needs adult guardians. I'm making them feel a bit overwhelmed at the academy.
Well okay.

　The prince nodded his head firmly to see what he was getting at.

　Then I remembered another errand.

By the way, Your Highness, I'm going to enter the mountain where the dragons live tomorrow. "By the way, Your Highness, tomorrow I'm going to enter the mountain where the dragons live.
What are we gonna do on that mountain?　It's reckless, it's too dangerous for any amount of money.
We'll be fine. I just need to arrange for some supplies to be sent out. Can I ask?
'Oh, yes, I'll have my men get that for you but is there anything you need so much as an arrangement?
It may take a few days to get food, clothes, etc.
'Sure, it wouldn't take more than a day to get in and find out, but... well, it would take days...'

　The prince muttered something and then nodded widely.

'All right. I'll arrange for everything you need to investigate you.

　I watch him and scrutinize his eyes as I think to myself, "...yes, please.

...Yes, please.

　This guy.....
　I don't think he's thinking about anything else.


****


　The next day, I was climbing a mountain with my backpack behind me.
　I was climbing up the mountain behind Protoasta with my backpack on my back.

　The prince prepared what I told him to prepare, but it was not until this morning that we got everything together, probably in a hurry.
　Thanks to that, we were a little later than planned.

　Above my head, Yuki asked, "How far is the Dragon's Lair?

'Is the Dragon's Lair far away?'
'It's a long way. And we'll have to take some detours. I don't want to be relative at night, so we'll have to camp somewhere.

　Normally, birds don't fly at night.
　But monsters don't have a problem with darkness, as evidenced by the fact that they didn't hesitate to attack you when they encountered you in a dungeon.
　There are records of dragons flying through the sky at night.
　I didn't want to deal with them in the dark too much.

　Normally, camping out in the mountains would be fatal, but both beasts and small fry monsters could be managed with wards and shikigami.
　If I wanted, I could advance through the night with owls and the art of light, but I didn't want to get tired from the first day.
　There is no need to push yourself.

　The hawks and ravens know where we're going, where we are, and the terrain around us.
　If there is a beast or monster nearby, we can easily tell with a mouse or a whitetail.
　Even mountains that are untrodden are like gardens from my point of view.

"....

　It's just........Yifa, who came to see me off, looked quite worried.
　Let's go home as soon as possible.