"Lidi, come here"

Freed called out to me.
His voice sounded tenser than usual.
I stiffly nodded, and separating from Sion rushed up to him. When I came near, with one hand he immediately pulled me into his embrace.
I heard a breath of relief from above my head. Looks like this relief calmed down his anger a little.
Although Freed dyed his hair black, his attire is the same as usual. While wondering why he"s here, I, who was being embraced, put my cheek against his chest by habit.

… Ehehe, it"s Freed"s smell.

"… Doesn"t seem you had anything to worry about"

While I was enjoying the smell, I heard Cain"s amazed voice next to me.
When I turned my eyes to him, Cain awkwardly lowered his gaze.
Yeah, he doesn"t need to worry.

… But, when did they make a connection.

I didn"t notice at all.
Be that as it may, of course I"m not thinking of blaming Cain. He must"ve acted this way because he wanted to, and I intended to confess Cain"s existence to Freed from the start. So if he"s already made it known, I have no problem with that.

At this timing though…

Looking back at the two of them was extremely bad for my heart.
Still, I understand I made them awfully worried. I"m very sorry about that.

"Freed… Um, sorry"
"Let"s leave it for later. Stay at my side, Lidi"
"Y, yup"

I was already hugged by him when he said that.
Still, just as told I tightly embraced him, and Freed too increased the strength in his arm.
… It"s a secret, but despite the situation, my heart fluttered.

"… Are you so worried about your fiancée… You truly are infatuated"

Hearing the quiet voice, I turned my eyes that way.
Before I noticed Sion returned to his calm expression, and continued his words.

"… It"s been a while since the concert the other day. Your Highness Friedrich. Have you come to meet your fiancée?"
"That"s right. Thank you for looking after my Lidi"

After all Senpai"s insight is amazing.
Despite the different hair color he seems to have realized it"s Freed right away.
And I couldn"t hide my surprise that he could calmly confront furious Freed.
Normally it would be natural to shrink back.
And, I was surprised his complexion didn"t change one bit upon seeing Cain.
He"s not particularly concealing his red eyes. And yet, Sion only glanced at Cain, and as if nothing happened immediately returned his gaze to Freed.

"No. It was enjoyable. Unexpectedly I spent a fulfilling time"
"That"s good to hear. But, I"d be troubled if you forgot she"s my fiancée and will soon become my Princess Consort. I won"t permit anybody other than me touching her. Don"t get closer to her than necessary"
"…"

… Uwa.
My mouth almost slackened as Freed brazenly claimed my owners.h.i.+p.
I had no idea I"d be so moved being told such words.
While I desperately endured breaking into a smile inside Freed"s arms, Cain whispered to me.

"Princess, your face. You"re grinning"
"Eh… No way"

Having that pointed out, I hurriedly tightened my expression. I didn"t think I let it show.
Ignoring me making different faces by myself, the two were having a serious conversation.

"… Excuse me for that. I will be careful from now on. And? Your Highness Friedrich. That couldn"t have been the only reason I was called out to"
"Of course, you"re right. Sion Seth Éventail… You"re the Tarim tactician. Tarim"s army is frantically searching for your whereabouts"

At Freed"s words, I raised my face as if my switch was flipped.
… So Freed is also aware.
On the other hand, having it pointed out Sion made a troubled expression.

"My contract had already ended. So they still haven"t given up, huh. Rather, I wonder if I would have been silently let go had I left them some parting gift"

Good grief, he muttered. The girl Sion separated from just now, approached him and once again clung to him.
Sion stroked the girl"s hair with familiar movements.

"Do you admit to being the tactician"
"Could you please add former to that. There was a time I was doing such a thing. Now, just as I explained to her, I am merely a singer"

As Sion shrugged his shoulders, Freed closed his eyes and let out a large breath.
With that action alone, he perfectly subdued his anger until now.
Having slowly opened his eyes, in a composed voice Freed asked Sion.

"I know that. I received a report that you disappeared from Tarim after last year"s war with us. Have you entered any country"s service afterwards?"
"No? As you see, I don"t have any particular master right now, I"m just a wandering singer. I got tired of entertaining the foolish King. Now I enjoy a carefree life"
"What"s you reason in coming to Wilhelm?"
"It"s a coincidence"

As Sion smoothly evaded, Freed knit his brows.

"It"s suspicious…"
"Either way, I"m free now. I have no intention of opposing Wilhelm. I can swear that, okay?"
"If you won"t oppose Wilhelm there"s no problem. I won"t thoroughly question you"
"Thank you. I"m saved that the talk is going quickly"

I was taken aback as Sion easily admitted to being the Tarim tactician.
It must be because Freed thrust information he"d known in advance at Sion, but it was anticlimactic how simply he nodded.
While still hugging me, Freed unusually displayed just a little hesitation.
Still, as if he"d decided on something he spoke.
That expression was no doubt suitable for the Crown Prince of Wilhelm.

"… You"re saying you are free. Then, why don"t you come to Wilhelm… no, to me? If you so desire, I promise you"ll receive a better treatment than in Tarim"
"Freed?"

What in the world is he saying.
Not in my wildest dreams expecting him to say that, I fixedly looked up at him.
Having noticed my gaze, Freed lightly nodded. His eyes are serious.

"I know from a report that he"s an excellent tactician. He"s a talented person who"s not with us. If he really isn"t working for anyone it"s just right. I want to keep him nearby before any other country s.n.a.t.c.hes him"
"… I see"

As a politician Freed"s decision is very correct.
Therefore, if I"m told that, there"s nothing I can say back, but Sion certainly should have some objective. I"ve just heard him say he"ll spare no efforts for it, and I"ve heard he"ll leave this country today.
I thought it"d be impossible to scout him no matter what, but contrary to my expectations, Sion readily nodded his head.

"I accept"
"Ha…?"

I let out an incredibly foolish voice.
Of course I would. It"s beyond my expectations.
Ignoring me who solidified from astonishment, the two advanced with the talk.
While wryly smiling, Freed said.

"I only tried asking just in case. Do you really accept?"
"Yeah. However, I have two conditions. If you accept that, I"ll explain them. Is it still fine?"
"What are the conditions?"

When Freed urged him, Sion smiled thinly.
He thrust a finger at Freed.

"First. Please let me test you… no, this country called Wilhelm. I don"t care about common sense of this continent. It is my belief that I have the right to choose. If you disregard my will and try to threaten me into employment, I will pa.s.s. If you can convince me, I promise I will gladly serve your country"
"… That way of speaking. You went through a painful experience in Tarim, huh. After all you were unwilling to lead a life of the Tarim tactician"
"I wonder? That"s already over. Your Highness Friedrich, do you accept the first condition?"
"Having a freedom of choice of who to serve, huh. I approve that view. Very well. Then, what will it take to convince you?"
"Let"s see…"

As Freed made a swift decision, Sion looked just a little taken aback.
He must"ve never thought Freed would nod so simply.
Still, perhaps because he"d thought about it before, Sion immediately spoke.

"I believe you already know, but since last year a large number of Sahaja a.s.sa.s.sins slipped into this country. It"s probably related to that country"s top bra.s.s. It makes it seem like they can"t help but want this country…. Please show me how you move regarding this matter. If I can recognize you as a master worth serving through that, I will gladly submit"

Freed frowned at Sion"s proposal.

"… Sahaja"s matter, huh. I don"t mind, but I don"t think it"s a problem that can be solved so easily…"
"I understand that. Of course, I am not asking you to solve everything, and I will not set a time limit. If you can convince me partway through, I will join your faction"

Freed agreed to the added condition.

"If that"s the case, I"m fine with that. However, I will also add a condition"
"What is it?"

Asked so, this time Sion tilted his head.

"If you want to see me work, it would make no sense to continue staying in town. I"ll prepare a guest room in the Royal Place. Until you make the decision, I want you to stay there"
"I see, it also means I"ll be under surveillance. I don"t mind. It"s what I want as well. However, here comes my other condition… I won"t go alone. Protect this child together with me. Can you promise that?"

I s.h.i.+fted my gaze to the girl clingily embracing Sion.
It"s the beastman girl who came earlier. Seeing her, Freed immediately agreed. He showed no hesitation.

"Very well. She will be treated as a guest too. Is it okay with that?"
"Thank you. Well then…"

The contract is concluded.
At the same time that left Senpai"s mouth, with a fire in her eyes the girl who was clinging to Senpai fired a ma.s.s of magical power at Freed.

"As if I can believe royalty! Don"t fool Lord Sion! It"s pointless to use me to threaten him!"