Having thought of building my own house, I decided to talk to my acquaintances first, including Lilia-san.

  I’ve already told Mom and Dad that I’m thinking about this matter. At first, they were worried about the cost of building one, but I told them about the money I had, including the amount I had left with Anima, and that there wouldn’t be any problem regarding that.

  As Mom was muttering “Kaito has become someone big before I knew it.”, while Dad was muttering “……What should I do, I don’t want my son to support me at my age……”, they seemed to have the same distant look in their eyes.

  After talking to my parents, as for who I am going to talk to next…… It would definitely have to be Lilia-san. With that in mind, I immediately acted upon it and went to Lilia-san’s office, where I found her working as usual and Luna-san standing by her side.

  [Oya, Kaito-san? Is something the matter?]

  [Errr, I’m sorry for interrupting your work. It’s just that there’s something I need to tell Lilia-san……]

  [You have something to tell me?]

  Even though it was a sudden visit, Lilia-san stopped her work and responded to me with a kind smile. Without beating around the bush, I went straight to the point.

  [Actually, since I’ve decided to live in this world permanently, I don’t think I can stay in Lilia-san’s care forever, so I’m thinking of buying my own house.]

  [……I see. That is indeed a good milestone for you, Kaito-san. You have my approval.]

  Arehh? Is it just my imagination? She’s affirming me with a smile, but for a moment…… for a really brief moment, I felt like she was really shocked…… Was I just seeing things?

  [Incidentally, if Kaito-san doesn’t mind me asking, have you already thought about where you are going to build your house?]

  [Errr, let’s see. The place it would be built hasn’t exactly been decided yet, but as expected, I’d prefer if I could live in Symphonia Kingdom, where I’m used to living. I’d also like it if it’s as close to this mansion as possible so that it’s easy for me to come and see Lilia-san and the others……]

  [! I see.]

  This time, she kind of looked like she was extremely relieved for a moment.

  [Yes, that’s why I’m thinking of consulting Orchid about the land and such things.]

  [I understand. However, it isn’t something that would be completed in just one or two days anyway, and since it’s a big purchase, I think you should please consider things carefully. If you’re fine with me, you can always consult with me anytime.]

  [Thank you very much. That’s very reassuring.]

  I guess the change in her expression earlier really was just my imagination. Although she is friendly and easy to get along with, Lilia-san is still the head of a noble family, and in times like this, she is really reliable.

  After thanking Lilia-san several times, I left the room to send a letter to Orchid.

  After the conversation was over and Kaito left the room, the smiling Lilia…… gently slumped down on her desk and quietly muttered.

  [……It will feel lonely.]

  [I’m not sure if I should praise you for enduring it so well or be astounded for not telling him……]

  [Uuuu, I mean, Kaito-san was concerned about how he’s under my care…… so if I object, he might think I’m a troublesome woman.]

  Yes, she maintained a smile with her spirit and willpower, but while listening to Kaito, a hundred thoughts had already popped up in her mind.

  If she was to be asked, Lilia honestly felt that she preferred things as they were now. Her beloved lover lives in the same house as her, and they have many opportunities to see each other and enjoy meals and tea together.

  [Fortunately, Miyama-sama seems to be planning to build his house nearby, and with Miyama-sama’s personality, I’m sure he’ll come by often.]

  [……Fuguuu…… but we won’t be able to do some things like before…… like saying our good mornings and good nights when we pass each other in the corridor.]

  [……So, if you’re going to look like you’re about to cry so much, why didn’t you just tell that to Miyama-sama……]

  [But……]

  [Well, as Lili told him, it’s something that can be dealt with in just one or two days, so why don’t you just calm down and think about it…… For the time being, since I don’t think you can work in this state, I’ll go make you some tea.]

  [……Yes.]

  After letting out a sigh when she saw her best friend showing such a pathetic, or perhaps, her girlish side, Lunamaria went out of the room once to make a cup of tea.

  After seeing off Lunamaria, Lilia once again laid down on her desk with a pathetic look on her face that she couldn’t show to anyone.

  […..It really feels lonely.]

  [I’ve got a suggestion for such a Lilia-san!]

  [Hyyaaaahhh!? P- P- P- Phantasmal King-sama!?]

  Lilia was so startled by Alice’s sudden appearance in front of her that she jumped out of her chair.

  [Yes, yes, hello there…… Well, let’s just skip the trivial greetings and get down to business. For the time being, please take a look at this document.]

  [……This is?]

  Looking at the stack of papers Alice offered to her with a dubious expression on her face, she began looking through it.

  There aren’t too many pages, and it is written in a way that focuses on the main points, so it didn’t take Lilia that long to finish reading…… and Lilia quietly picked up a pen from her desk.

  [……Ummm, where do I sign?]

  [Here and here.]

  After Alice instructed her to sign the document, Lilia brought out a magic box with a shape different from normal.

  The magic box was a very expensive special order item whose owner couldn’t be changed, and the magic box itself had a strong seal on it.

  What she took out of her magic box was a gorgeously decorated stamp…… It wasn’t the “Albert Duchy Approval Stamp” that was usually used by Lilia for her work, as it was “Lilia Albert Approval Stamp”, granting full authority under the name of Lilia Albert, the head of the family herself.

  Without hesitation, Lilia stamped Alice’s papers with the stamp that she had only used a handful of times since she became the head of her Duchy.

  [Yes, thank you very much.]

  [Well then, it will be in your care.]

  The negotiation was over in a few minutes, Alice disappeared. Thereupon, after Lilia put away her stamp, she picked up her pen and resumed working.

  A few moments later, Lunamaria came back with a pot of tea…… and immediately tilted her head curiously.

  [……Lili, what’s with that slack look on your face?]

  [Ehh? Really? Ehehe, I’m just as usual though.]

  [No, you have a surprisingly relaxed expression on your face…… Where’s that despairing look you had earlier?]

  Yes, the expression Lilia currently has on her face…… It had a big smile, filled with happiness.

  [Fufu, thank you for the tea. Now, there’s still more work to be done, so let’s do our best!]

  [……What the heck happened in the few minutes I was gone……]

  Within that office that only had the two of them, Lunamaria’s wondering voice echoed. It was only a few days later that she learned the reason for the happy smile on her best friend’s lips.

  **********