At night, in the room that I became completely familiar with, I had a slightly troubled look on my face.

  [Muuuuuuuu……]

  [No, as I said, I don’t think the king had any ill intentions.]

  Kuro, who is puffing out her cheeks like a squirrel in front of me, still looks unconvinced as she turns her eyes to me.

  The reason why I’m in this situation is that I wanted to alleviate Kuro’s bad impressions of the Symphonia Kingdom before our visit to the royal palace that is coming up tomorrow.

  As far as I’m concerned, I really don’t care at all, and there’s no need for him to apologize but…… Since I heard that apologizing has a lot to do with the country’s prestige, I decided to go to the royal palace.

  I’ll receive the apology from the king at that time, but if I can, I’d like to resolve the other aspects as well.

  And one of those issues is…… Kuro.

  According to Lunamaria-san, since that incident, Kuro started to hate the royal palace and doesn’t come close to it at all, so the king’s position in the royal palace has considerably deteriorated.

  So, I asked Kuro, who came over tonight as usual, to drop the matter when the king apologizes to me tomorrow, and the result is…… this squirrel in front of me.

  [……I hate that king for bullying Kaito-kun.]

  [No, I’m not being bullied. You see, it’s just that it happened on a short notice and they accidentally didn’t include me on the arrangements.]

  [Muuuuu……]

  Apparently, Kuro is quite angry about that matter, even though it didn’t bother me at all, and it’s quite hard to convince her.

  No, her angriness is just something I felt…… All I can see when I look at her is a squirrel stuffing her mouth with nuts, so I don’t feel any anxiousness from her anger at all, and all I can think about is just how cute she is……


  [I’m really glad that Kuro is getting angry for me but…… I don’t really care about that at all, or rather, I’m quite grateful to the king instead.]

  [……Grateful?]

  [Ah, unnn. You see, since the king didn’t send me that invitation, I could have that barbecue with Kuro and the others.]

  Yes, that’s how I truly felt.

  Because I didn’t go to the evening party, I was able to have barbecue with Kuro…… Thanks to the conversation I had with Kuro at that time, I was able to move forward.

  If it wasn’t for that conversation, I don’t think the happy days I have now would have ever come true.

  Of course, the one I’m most grateful for is Kuro, but I’m also glad that the incident that gave me the opportunity to do so happened.

  [……That’s why, even though I’m being selfish, I don’t want Kuro to be harsh on the royal castle about that matter……]

  [……Muuu……]

  [So, I thought I’ll talk to you instead…… Won’t you forgive them?]

  [………………]

  Hearing what I said, Kuro was silent for a while befores she let out a big sigh.

  [……I understand. If Kaito-kun says that much, then I will forgive them.]

  [Thanks, Kuro!]

  [I’m just saying this here, I only forgave them because Kaito-kun asked me.]

  [Unnn. Still, I’m really glad. Thanks.]

  [Aauuuh……]

  When I thanked Kuro when she said she will forgive the king, with her cheeks slightly blushing, Kuro just silently looked at me with a troubled expression on her face.

  As my heart was beating fast while looking at Kuro like that, I remembered something and opened my mouth.

  [Ah, that’s right. Kuro, on the 30th day of the Tree month…… Do you have any free time in your schedule?]

  [Ehh? Ah, yes. I think I’m free around that time?]

  [So, on that day…… Errr, you see, on that day, it would be exactly three months since I met Kuro, right?]

  [U- Unnn. You’re right.]

  [Ah, it’s not like I’m saying that it’s just because of that day but, errr, ummm…… How should I say this…… W- W- Would you go out on a d-d- date with me?]

  [……Eh?]

  I was so nervous that I’m even stuttering, but I somehow managed to tell her what I want to say.

  I don’t know if the words I said were something she didn’t expect or not, but Kuro’s golden eyes opened wide as she turned towards me.

  [Errr, you see, back then…… Didn’t I promise to you that I would ask you out next time?]

  [U- Unnn.]

  [That’s why, ummm, I’ve checked out lots of things so that I can properly escort you on that day…… S- So, if Kuro’s fine with it…… Ummm……]

  My voice is getting smaller and smaller. How nervous am I!? Am I a middle schooler in puberty to get this nervous!?

  I was incredibly nervous, cold sweat was running down my back, and I felt like I’m being tortured in the flames of hell while waiting for Kuro’s reply.

  [……Kaito-kun invited me on a date…… Ehehe, I’m so glad.]

  [!? ]

  Her cheeks dyed red, Kuro slightly looked down as a bashful smile appeared on her lips, making her look so cute that it could have killed a person with a heart attack already, and being the one who received its direct attack, I felt my heart jump louder than ever before.

  Thereupon, putting her index fingers against each other in front of her face, Kuro spoke with a small voice.

  [……Unnn. I want to go on a date with Kaito-kun.]

  […..Ahh…… I- In that case……]

  [Unnn! I’ll be looking forward to you escorting me, Kaito-kun.]

  [……Yeah.]

  Seeing Kuro who had a big smile on her face, I firmly nodded, feeling grateful for the happiness of seeing that smile up close and personal.

  Dear Mom, Dad—— I’m going to receive an apology from the king at the royal palace tomorrow, but putting that aside…… Today, I’m going to be as brave as I’ve ever been in my entire life—— I asked Kuro out on a date.

  The 8th day of the Tree month…… In the royal palace in the capital of the Symphonia Kingdom, there were currently many servants running around.

  All the servants serving the royal palace have gathered today, and they are preparing for a thorough hospitality, as if they’re about to welcome a state guest.

  Today, Kaito is coming to the royal palace.

  With the rumors circulating around that he was close to the Underworld King, having connections with the world’s pinnacle beings like the Death King and the World King, and there are even world-shaking rumors about how he’s acquainted with the God of Creation herself, they’re currently in a situation where no disrespect could be tolerated.

  Even the King himself, Ryze, also woke up even before the sun rose and took command in receiving Kaito.

  Without any hesitation, he intends to offer a sincere public apology to Kaito.

  However, Ryze currently had a sour look on his face in the audience room.

  Staring at the person standing in front of him with his sharp eyes, as if he’s forcibly wringing it out of his mouth, he uttered.

  [……Where have you heard it…… you vixen……]

  [Oh dear? What are you talking about? I only came here to your castle because I had to go somewhere nearby, so I thought of having a meeting with you regarding the Festival of Heroes while I’m here. Ahh, I’m sorry for the delay, but I apologize for the unexpected visit. King Ryze.]

  [……I see, I see…… For coming all the way out here, I can’t thank you enough, “Emperor Chris”……]

  Dressed in a simple but beautiful ceremonial attire, Chris gives him a serene smile, and Ryze replies to her with a forced smile.

  [Good gracious. I didn’t expect you would have a prior engagement though…… I guess I’ve intruded upon you at the wrong time.]

  [No, no, that’s not true. If it’s just a simple meeting, we can finish it right now…… I’m sure Emperor Chris would also like to return to your country as soon as possible after all.]

  [Thank you for your concern. But that’s okay. We are the ones who made the unexpected visit, and I can’t let you change your plans because of me. “I will wait until you have finished your prior engagement”.]

  [!? I- I- Is that so…… W- Well then, I will have a room ready for you.]

  Hearing what Chris said with the serene smile still on her face, Ryze replies to her with a forced smile, though it seems like a vein has popped out of his forehead.

  If one were to just look at their expressions and the words they speak, they would think the two of them were having a peaceful conversation, but the atmosphere between the two sides was tense, and their gazes that clashed with each other even seemed to be sparking.

  [No, I can’t possibly trouble you with that. I will just “become a spectator” and “observe in the corner of the room”…… It’s not like the contents of your conversation are classified, right?]

  [……Y- You little…… vixen……]

  That would mean that Chris is telling him that she will observe Ryze’s apology in the audience room, making Ryze grit his teeth in response.

  It was obvious from the beginning that that’s what she came here for…… but the other party is an Emperor. There’s no way he can just flatly send her away.

  Seeing Ryze like that, Chris bows with a smile on her face, and turning her back away from Ryze, she begins walking.

  After taking some distance away from Ryze, she mutters in a small voice that Ryze couldn’t hear.

  [……Rest assured, for seeing you do that is just something incidental…… I just wanted an excuse to meet Miyama-sama…… It’s really troubling how we’re living in completely different countries. It’s making it difficult to make my approach……]

  With a smile that seems to hide her emotions, Chris’s cheeks are slightly dyed red.

  [Miyama-sama…… For whatever reason, you still reply to my letters…… You really are a dreamy gentleman.]

  **********

  {Author’s Notes}

  Note: Kaito is an extremely softhearted person.

  Kuro is the main heroine! Kuro is cute!

  Even though she didn’t have a single sexy event “yet”, she went with the strong style route, fighting against the challengers (heroines) with just her lap pillow.

  Chris: “While I went to this country to meet Kaito-sama, I also came to the royal castle to tease their King!!!”


  Lilia, Ryze…… Could it be that being troubled by other people…… is running in their blood?

  T/N: 26/204+1