May tea party.

　I spread my hands in front of the numerous tea leaves and fine snacks I've prepared for Erica.

"Erica, would you like another cup?

　As I try to pour the tea into the cup, Erica shakes her head.

''--That's enough.''

You haven't been eating much.

I'm full of it.

　I look at Erica in distress and drop my shoulders.

'Yeah, right.'

　I invited my three fiancées and Erica to the tea party - but they refused to join me, saying that Angel was busy.

　The same goes for Livia.

　As for Noel, they talked to me about something and told me that they would not be attending this time.

　It's kind of terribly lonely, so I called them up instead -.

''Hey, what's this pile of candy?''

'Wow, there's so much candy I can't finish it.'

　It was Finn, who was dumbfounded, and Mia, who was eating a lot of candy with her little body.

　I ignore Finn.

'You're so cute, Mia. You deserve more.'

'Thank you!　Um, Marquis?

　I was talking to the lovely Mia, and Finn was getting annoyed.

'Don't ignore me!　And then, Mia. This guy has no problem calling you by your name.

　When Finn drinks his tea, he says something rude like, "It's surprisingly good.

　It's no surprise that it's good.

　I asked my busy master to make time to teach me for this day.

By the way, how about studying abroad?

　I asked him if he enjoyed it, and Finn held his forehead with his right hand.

'I don't want the girls to have a tea party, and I don't want the girls to be May. When I tell them I'm Mia's guardian knight, the girls in the kingdom don't understand.

　--What a guy.

　He's suddenly bragging about how handsome he is.

　Erica is smiling.

''I'm not familiar with the imperial guard knight system in the kingdom, you know. But as a girl, I'd love to have a knight to protect me.''

　Mia nodded her head with chocolate on her cheek.

'Huh?　But Erica-sama has an escort, doesn't she?

　Finn said, "Totally, zip it," and wiped Mia's cheeks.

　Erica looked at her and giggled graciously.

'A knight who came forward to protect you and a knight who was ordered to do so would mean different things. Mia-san has got a good escort knight.

　Mia was embarrassed.

'Wow, I'm such a waste of a knight. My knight-sama is awesome!　He's so strong in the empire, and he's got an awesome medal!　I don't know how someone like that could have become my guardian knight, though.

　I look at Finn.

'Explain it to him,'

Don't make it sound so easy!

　Finn is troubled, and then he says to Mia.

'As I said before, I wanted to protect you. Nothing more, nothing less. So you don't have to be sneaky about it.

　I wanted to protect her because she was like my sister.

　With that feeling alone, this guy who became a knight to collect the cheat item and run for Mia's guard knight is a penetrating idiot.

　Would I have thought of getting Luxion to protect Marie?

　--No.

　They shouldn't go that far.

'But there were plenty of princesses who wanted a knight to be their guardian knight. Why me?

　I glare at Finn as Mia speaks.

'Good thing there were so many love calls. I got more boos than I did.

'That's what you deserve. You're too much of a jerk. I don't know what you're talking about, but I'm donning it.

　It's not my fault.

　I just took it a little too far.

　Then Mia looked at me and smiled.

'What's wrong?'

No, I mean, I'm just relieved you two are having such a good time.

◇

　When the tea party was over and I was cleaning up, Erica helped me out.

'You shouldn't have bothered to help me.

　I sent them home first, and the remaining Erica seemed to want to talk to me.

'I wanted to talk to your uncle,'

Oh, what is it?　Ask me anything you want.

　My lovely niece wants to talk to me.

　When I'm happy, Erica says to me.

'Um - uncle, please answer honestly. What is your uncle's purpose?

What?

　If you're wondering what she's asking about, Erica seems to be concerned about my purpose.

　She has a rather serious look on her face.

'My purpose?　Maybe it's to live an ordinary life in the country.

Oh, you're serious?　Um, by all accounts, you can't live a mediocre life.

Why?

　There's already no Russophobia.

　The question of the future, for example, is how to stabilize the kingdom.

　I thought I'd just retire to the countryside and watch it happen.

　--I would have liked to think.

'Your uncle's position now has the attention of not only the kingdom, but foreign countries as well. Mother said that marrying me would be the most bloodless way.

　Your mother is Milene.

　Mother is what Marie calls her.

'I won't have anything to do with it. I'll keep my distance. Or rather, to put it bluntly, I'm going to tell you to stay out of trouble. I don't understand why you're relying on me.

　I understand why you're doing this, but please don't put your problems on me.

　No, I want to tell you to stay out of it.

'But, but!　Then why did you get so involved?

No, it's a long story.

Uncle, do you really intend to live in mediocrity?

Oh, I have.

'Then you'd normally act more cautiously, wouldn't you?　Even if you can't help but duel with your brother, the content of the duel is too much. It's the same with the fight against the Principality. You stirred it up a lot, didn't you?

'Hahaha!　--Yes. I'm sorry.

　Erica scolded me.

'I was so frail, and I had to listen to him on the bed a lot. I wondered what kind of maverick he was. I had no idea it was your uncle.

　I was dismayed that I was far from mediocre.

'No, I'm relying on Luxion's performance. I, personally, am an average guy.

'--A mediocre person can't be as active as your uncle, even if he has power. I was like that.

What?

I think your uncle is a real hero.

No, I'm not much of a man myself.

　Erica shook her head.

'I've heard from my mother, Angelica, and Olivia. 'Uncle, normal people will destroy themselves if they get a great deal of power,'

The Luxions are too handy to be destroyed easily?

'That's not what I meant. The fact that your uncle is able to use Luxion and the others is a great thing to begin with. Because I would probably be too scared to do anything about it.

Scared?

　Erica reveals to me how she's feeling right now.

'I'm so happy right now. I got to see my mom again, and I got to be a princess. But I chose not to intervene in this world. I was afraid I was going to change the world. I was afraid that my choice would destroy something. I was in a position where I could do something, but I couldn't do anything about it.

No way.

　Erica looked at me, dumbfounded and just envious.

'And yet, you and your uncle can do whatever you want. I feel like an idiot for thinking about all this stuff.

I'm sorry.

'Fine. It's out of line for me to be mad at you in the first place.

　Erica always seemed to be enjoying herself.

　But sometimes she seemed lonely.

'Isn't there something you want to do?　Now your uncle can order Luxion to do everything in his power to make it happen.

　Those guys have been in something of a good mood since they checked on Erica.

　They said they were genetically closer to the old humans or something.

　Erica put down her washed cup.

　She smiled, but looked a little sad.

'Uncle, I'm a princess. I've already fulfilled most of my dreams.

Are you sure?　I'm sure you have some regrets.

'You know, Uncle. I am indeed your uncle's niece, but I lived long enough to work diligently until retirement and get a pension. I'm older than your uncle, you know.

　It's a sixteen year old girl on the outside that appeals to older people.

　Isn't she cute?

　But what surprised me even more was another truth.

"You got a pension--you got it?

Oh, you're the one who's surprised?

"Even if you're not your grandmother inside, you're my little niece now. --my parents. You're the girl who took care of my grandparents. Let me at least return the favor.

　She's my niece who took care of my parents.

　I had to do something to make her feel better about me.

　Since my reincarnation, I've been wondering about my family in my previous life.

　It was a real relief to hear the stories of my family that I thought I would never get to know again, thanks to Erica.

'I heard your uncle was foul-mouthed, but he's still very kind. My grandfather and grandmother used to say that they would have loved me, their niece, if he were here. And I can understand why my mother relied on them.

The only reason he's depending on me is because he's got a bad temper. Well, I guess we're done cleaning up.

　When I finish washing the dishes, I pack up my stuff and stuff it into my bag.

'You're late, Marie's guy. You said you were coming to pick up Erica.

I wonder what's going on?

I'm interested. You want me to come see you?

　As I recall, that guy was participating in Julius and the others' tea party.

◇

　At that time.

　Noel was having a discussion with Angier and Livia.

　The place is Angier's own room.

"-- Usurpation is serious?

　Noel couldn't hide his surprise at Angel's story.

I'm serious," he said. Your brother has no objection.

　There are forces that are trying to carry the Dukes of Redgrave, and it seems that both Vince and Gilbert intend to use it to their advantage.

　Livia explains to Noel.

''I've heard that some people are already working on it in earnest.

　Angier would tell Noel that Rion was at the center of it all.

'Both the kingdom and your father rely on Rion. When that happens, Rion will be at the brunt of the war, even if he doesn't want to be.

　Livia was worried about that too.

'Leon-san, I'm back from studying abroad and my medication hasn't gone down. It's really hard for me, but I don't let people see it.

　Lyons uses a drug prescribed by Luxion.

　It's a sleep aid.

'If we don't, it's going to destroy you, Leon.

　Knowing Rion's personality, neither Angel nor Livia seemed to want to get too involved in the fight.

　Noel recalled the events in the Republic.

'I can understand not wanting to force them to do anything. Then what are you going to do?　I knew you were going to side with the kingdom?

I'd be grateful if that would shut your fathers up, but the situation is worse.

　Angier talks about the troublesome people.

'There's an uprising going on in many places.

What?　No, it's the duke who's trying to revolt, isn't it?

　When Noel was troubled, Livia slowly explained.

''Well, first of all, it's a different gathering than the duke faction. There are people that Leon-san kicked out of the royal palace and the nobility, and those people had to rely on foreign powers.

　The surrounding countries were also quite impatient.

　A hero named Rion had been born in a short period of time, and the countries were in a panic.

　Ange tells Noel that this is a fortunate fact for the Republic.

'Rejoice, the nations cannot afford to be bothered with your homeland. No, they can't touch the Republic because they don't know Rion.

　Rion nearly destroyed the Republic and then backed off.

　The nations are having trouble dealing with that.

　In other words, "Is this something we can mess with?　Won't he be offended if I touch him?　Which one is it? That's the situation.

　The man who defeated the Republic will come on board.

　From the point of view of each country, the Leon that rampages around on its own ship is too troublesome to be an attacker.

　It would be a nightmare to have him come aboard.

　The neighboring countries are nothing but terrified, especially those that are fighting with Milene's homeland, and are desperate.

　After all, Rion is close to Milene.

　A country that tries to slip up on Leon.

　A country that keeps its hands off and stays quiet.

　A country that actively tries to exhaust the kingdom.

　The Horfath Kingdom was in a very difficult situation.

I'm glad to hear that, but what are you going to do about it? What are you going to do about it?

　Ange looked down.

'Rion seems to like Erica-sama too. Then he thinks it's okay to marry her as it is. It's a small price to pay if it stabilizes Rion's mind.

　The path that would prevent the rebellion was the one with the least amount of bloodshed.

　Angier thought so.

''That's what it means to be hostile to your parents' family, isn't it?

What about it?　I'm Leon's wife. I'm not going to let you be my family's puppet.

　Noel looks at Livia.

'Are you okay with that too?'

'I like Leon-san best. But it's okay if I don't have to be your best. As long as it makes you happy, Leon-san, I don't mind.

　Noel was unable to say anything more.

(Being a real aristocrat is hard work.)

　I think of the two of them knowing Leon's burdens and trying to support them.

(They both thought so much of Leon.)

◇

What is this?

　It was a tea party for Julius and the others held in the courtyard - a barbecue called.

　Erica was also a little surprised.

''Ah, brother, what are you doing here?''

　It's Julius, wearing an apron and grilling meat on a skewer.

　He looks like he's having a lot of fun.

''Do you two want to eat?''

　Erica, who was receiving one, couldn't hide her confusion.

　If you look at Marie, she's gobbling up a skewer.

　The same goes for Kara and Kyle.

''Marie-sama, today's lunch is gorgeous.

'I need to replenish my veggies and meat while I'm at it.

　I cover my face with my hands.

'--You guys are too unsympathetic,'

　It seems that due to the poor life we have lived so far, we have gotten into the habit of eating when we can.

　That's probably why he's so excited about a lavish meal.

　Marie is drinking.

'Guys, we're going to make some noise today!

　Zilk and Brad were holding mugs, while Greg and Chris were in loincloths and holding skewers.

'Oh!'

　With everyone's voices overlapping, I'll just assume that this is a fun tea party.

　While everyone was enjoying themselves, Julius was roasting a spit by himself.

'You don't have to join in?'

Me?　I can't leave this place to anyone else, you know.

　Erica looks at Julius, who is happily grilling a skewer, and Erica looks like she wants to say something, but closes her mouth.

　Erica doesn't really have much to say for herself.

　That bothered me a bit.

''--This is a tea party, your brother has fallen far behind, hasn't he?

　Appearing in the courtyard with a disturbing line was His Highness Jake, Julius' brother.

　Behind him was Oskar, who was also large for a first year.

　Julius turned his face to His Highness Jake.

''--Jake,''

It's good to see you, brother.