The quill kissed the paper's surface. Its point, dulled from extended use, nonetheless performed its duty, funneling the ink to every stroke of Sylphia's hand.

"Agh," she grumbled.

Now and then, it would overflow, forming unsightly blotches on her forms, much to her frustration. Every time it happened, it made her long for the most mundane of technologies from her old world - the ball-point pen.

The heroine had been confined in her room-turned-office for days. Not only was she now a Lord, but a land-owning one, at that. And that land, to her dismay, came with responsibilities; responsibilities that came rushing in the day she met her secretary.

"My Lady," said the young woman beside her, "here is another letter from Count Rosteforough." Her long black hair flowed down the side of her face as she bent down to place the sealed envelope onto Sylphia's desk.

"What, again?" The suddenly grumpy little girl tore the letter open. And as soon as she read the first few sentences, she tossed the letter back onto her desk. "Yep. It's the exact same letter."

Curious, her secretary gave the letter a read. "No, my Lady," she then said, "it seems this one is worded more strongly than the last one."

"Oh, 'strongly'. That makes a world of difference." She waved her hand dismissively. "Throw it away."

Unfazed with her open sarcasm, the secretary retorted, "It would be rude to not send a reply to two letters in a row, especially one as strongly worded as this."

The girl clicked her tongue. "I've got more important things to do than reply seriously to a ridiculous request. Tell him to fu-" At that moment, she realized, just in time, what she was about to say and cupped her mouth.

Uh oh, I almost let myself go there...

A deep breath in, and then out. After that short ritual, she finally regained her composure.

Alright... That was close. This girl is my new secretary, Eris. It won't do to show her my bad side immediately. Especially since she's always so straight and neat. Sort of unlike Rika...

After slipping her secretary a glance, she quickly looked away.

But I can't really relax around her. It's like having a teacher hovering over my shoulder all day...

"Excuse me?" the secretary raised an eyebrow. It was perhaps the first change in her facial expression all day.

"Err, just tell him what I already said the first time - I've lowered the tax on Dellwick to let the farmers grow their fields, so we can have a larger harvest in the future. That means I've also cut the wheat levy, so I'm not getting any more free food and neither is he. If he really wants it, he can negotiate the food caravans with the farmers themselves." Then, as if coming onto a very clever idea, she smirked and pointed a gun-gesture at her new secretary, adding, "Oh, and word it strongly."

Alas, her hopes were crushed as, apart from a short pause, the stoic young woman appeared completely unfazed by her gag. "Yes, my Lady," she replied in her usual cold tone, before putting away the letter and proceeding with the next document.

Tsk. No reaction? It's been a few days since we've started working together and she's still as distant as ever...

Sylphia sighed.

She's not very cute at all...

Like a reflex, she glanced at Eris's face.

The woman's eyes, shrouded behind the light refracted by her glasses,  came with a dull gray tone. Her tiny lips, always unamused, nevertheless flushed with what appeared to be lip gloss. Her figure was nothing to scoff at, either. She stood about as tall as Letty, placing Sylphia at her abdomen at most. Meanwhile, her chest rolled into a slight, yet noticeable, curve that popped out even from the double layer of her blouse and blazer.

On top of that, her movements were precise and graceful. Never did she wobble nor fidget. Her eyes were sharp, and projected a constant, stony focus that she directed to everyone - even Sylphia, her new superior.

A shame since she's quite pretty, if it comes right down to it. I wonder if she gives everyone that permanent stink-eye though? Didn't she use to serve under the King?

Uwah... I can totally imagine it.

Her secretary soon took notice of her long stare, however, and asked, "Is there something wrong, my Lady?"

The little girl jumped in her seat. "Ah, no, it's nothing!"

"I see. In that case-" She then placed another document on the desk and slid it in front of Sylphia. "This is the formal declaration my Lady's tax reform for Dellwick. It have confirmed that the signature of the village elder is already in place."

"E-ah? Just now?" She scratched her head. "I asked for this days ago..."

"Dellwick  is located quite far from the capitol, after all. Just the journey to send this document back and forth would normally take two days."

She clicked her tongue. "You mean it's going to be delayed like this all the time?"

"I'm afraid so, my Lady."

"Hm... This isn't gonna work. What if some emergency happens?"

"There is one simple solution to my Lady's problem."

"Oh!" Her eyes gleamed. "Could it be that you know some sort of messaging magic!?"

"...no, my Lady. I'm sorry to say that I am not blessed with eyes for the arcane."

"Boo." She pouted. "That would have been amazing. Well, what is it, then?"

"Since it is necessary to relay a message to Dellwick quite often, then my Lady should simply take residence there. In that case, there would not even be a need to employ a messenger."

"Hm. Hm. So, you mean there's an official estate there that I can move into?"

"I'm afraid Dellwick does not have one. Being a minor hold, the previous Lords have always governed the village from afar. Both the late Marquess Farleigh and the King did so from their respective castles."

"Eh? So you mean..."

"Yes, my Lady should construct her own estate in Dellwick."

"Geh..." Sylphia winced.

Eris's eyelids closed hallway through. "My Lady should not waver from such an expense. The benefit in efficiency that it would bring should pay for in the long run. In any case, depending on the size of the estate, it may not even be so expensive."

"Ho? How much are we talking about, then? For he littlest one you can imagine?" She brought her index finger and thumb together, to emphasize the smallness she desired.

The woman thought about it for a moment and then said, "Perhaps it would not cost any more than 100 gold coins."

Her shoulders fell. "Yeah, no, that's impossible."

"Pardon? Surely a noble Lady would not shy away from a mere 100 gold coins."

"No, no, no," she said with a low, breathy voice, "I don't have that kind of money."

The woman's eyes widened. It had been the second emotion her secretary had ever displayed since their meeting.

Alas, the little girl shook her head, and replied, "I said, I don't have 100 gold, and there's no way I can make that much money. I only live on an allowance, you know? When I need anything, the king would give me a few pieces of silver to cover it, but there's no way I can ask him for 100 gold."

The woman's face contorted slightly. "A Lord... with no income..."

"I-I  do have an income!" flustered, Sylphia raised her voice, "I... um... I earned a few dozen silver from clearing a dungeon the other day!"

"And on top of that, a Lord that goes adventuring..."

"What's wrong with that!?"

Eris adjusted her glasses. "I'm sorry, my Lady, but if I may speak my mind..."

"You've been speaking your mind for a while now, though!?"

With a sigh, her secretary said, "I cannot recommend that my Lady continue the dangerous and unreliable career of an adventurer. It would be very troublesome, for me and for the village of Dellwick, if you were to die in some nameless dungeon all of a sudden."

Wait... what about me, though? No concern for my life, at all!?

"I get it, I get it. But how else am I supposed to make that much money?"

Eris placed her hand on her chin, "Though it may be felt in bad taste, since the Elder has already signed the document, you can still rescind your tax cuts for Dellwick and fund your estate that way. After all, your directive shall not be official until this is submitted to the Royal Chancery."

Sylphia grimaced at the thought and said, again in a low, breathy voice, "No, no, no, isn't that just embezzlement?

"Hmm? How so? It's your tax money."

She cringed away. Uwah... the shit that feudal lords can get away with is astonishing...!

"And ultimately," Eris continued, "it is being spent to better govern the village, is it not? It is nothing more than an investment."

Ugh... the way that sort of makes sense to me is pretty frightening...

"U-uhm... well, you're right, but... I think I'll figure out some other way for now..."

With a short pause, the young woman replied, "I see."

That's weird... her expression's not changing, but why do I get the feeling that she's disappointed with me...?

But man, people's way of thinking in this world is way too different from mine. So Lords could get away with anything they want? Is that it? That's scary...

What if I grow accustomed to it? I can easily see myself getting drunk with that power...

No, no! I shouldn't let it get to me. I need to restrain myself! It wouldn't do for a delightfully cute girl to go mad with power!

"Mm-hmm." Thus reached her conclusion.

For the next few minutes, the self-described cute girl busied herself with signing documents to take her mind off temptation. It was then that she came across a certain document that caught her attention.

"Hey," the girl turned to her secretary and asked, "this report says banditry is on an upswing in Dellwick. Is that true?"

Eris nodded. "I believe so, my Lady. It seems that outlaws have become bolder now that Dellwick is no longer a personal fiefdom of the King."

Tsk. I can't believe there's already an emergency this early on... it's like I just agreed to buy a rusted down jalopy!

She bit down onto her thumb nail and grumbled, "The hell are those guards doing...!?"

"Shall I dispatch a message, my Lady?"

"No." Heaving a deep sigh, Sylphia's stood up, her chair rattling against the stone floor as it shifted back. "The turnaround for these messages just take forever. It's not just this, there are a few other things I want to check on anyway, so I'd rather we went there ourselves."

"I see. Very well. Please excuse me, my Lady, I shall arrange for a carriage to bring us there."

"Alright, thanks." With Sylphia's nod, Eris left the room with the mountain of documents, most of which she hadn't finished signing yet.

The moment the door shut, the little girl's lips curled into a mischievous grin.

Hihihi... Finally, no more signing documents!

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

She skipped merrily over to her bed and leapt into its soft embrace. "Ahyaa~!", she squealed as she rolled around with a pillow in her arms. After satisfying herself with the cottony puff of her bed, she let out a sigh.

Being a Lord isn't all that's cracked up to be...

She laid in her bed for a while, resting her arm over her eyes.

I thought there'd be more getting fawned over by the masses, or at least something similar to the base building games I'm so fond of... but it's all just signing this, signing that... and on top of that, my secretary isn't cute at all and probably hates my guts...!

She gasped. In that moment, her overactive imagination conjured up a convenient fantasy for her own enjoyment.

What if... she's only acts tough on the outside... but inside she really vulnerable and indecisive!?

She swallowed her breath.

Hyahaaaa! That would be so cuuuuute! Maybe one day, I'd catch her going, 'Ah, but what if my Lady doesn't like this or that? I'm so nervous~'

"Hnnnnnngggggh!" She twisted and tumbled in her bed as she lost herself farther and farther in her delusions. "So cuuuuute! Ahyaaaaaaa!"

The precocious little girl continued as such until she was satisfied.

Exhausted both physically and mentally after indulging in her fantasies, the easily excitable little girl laid flat on her bed like a frog run over by a truck.

Once she had finally calmed down, she said to herself, "I should go get Rika now."

And so, she stepped out into the courtyard where her red-headed friend was again sparring with her mentor.

At it again today, huh? Ever since we came back from the dungeon, I feel she's been overexerting herself... She sat down and, for the moment, watched them from the sidelines. I wonder if she's still blaming herself for what happened in the dungeon? I already told her not to worry about it, but she's really stubborn at times...

Rika panted heavily and yet her movements remained quick and light. She swung her sword in short, rapid strokes, wasting little movement in both attack and defense. Part of that was that she no longer swung wide and hard, opening herself to punishment from Sir Dorlan's experienced blade hand. She was also more proactive in defense, using her shield for quick counters, rather than exclusively for blocking.

But she is making good progress... It wouldn't be right to scold her for this. Hmm... Maybe I should talk to her about it whilst treating her to a rewa- Ah! I almost forgot! I'm supposed to get Rika ready to travel!

She held up her skirt with both hands as she ran down the stone steps and onto the cobblestone path. She then approached the sparring knights and yelled, "Rika!"

"Hm?" Sir Dorlan noticed the little girl running towards them and lowered his guard. "Why if it isn't our dear Heroine. Let's pause here, Miss Evrika."

"Ah, sorry to interrupt your training, Sir Dorlan, but I need to borrow her for a while."

"Ueh?" The panting redhead swept her sweat-soaked hair off of her face as she turned around. "Sylphie? What's going on?"

"We're going to Dellwick to take care of a few things."

"Ah, official business." Sir Dorlan stretched his arms out in the air and heaved a relaxed sigh. "I guess that wraps up today, Miss Rika. Aside from your parry, I'd say you're getting much better!"  

"Really?" Rika's eyes gleamed. "Do you think I can protect Sylphie now?"

"Hahaha!" He patted her on the shoulder. "The only better protection she'd get in this kingdom is from us Royal Knights!"

"Really!?"

"Without a doubt. I trained you myself, after all!"

"Ahahaaa!" Overjoyed, Rika hopped towards Sylphia like a rabbit, grabbing both her hands. "Did you hear that, Sylphie? I can protect you now, for real!"

The girl's cheerful glow took root in Sylphia's chest, inspiring a warm smile in return as the latter replied, "Mm! I'm counting on you!"

"Ehehe!"

Thus, the two knights parted.

Sir Dorlan returned to his duties to the king and Rika to her little friend.

For the moment, the two girls were left alone on the courtyard.

"Well then," said Sylphia, "Eris is getting a carriage for us. You should have more than enough time to take a bath. So wipe that sweat off, I'll be waiting in my room, 'kay?"

Then, just as she was about to walk away, Rika tugged her right back.

Oof-!

"Hey, what giv-" However, when she turned around, Rika stood there, fidgeting with her skirt as she looked at her with puppy dog eyes. "...what is it?"

"U-um, Sylphie..." The girl averted her eyes, and, meekly scratching her cheek, she asked, "Would you care to join me?"

"Huh..."

Well I suppose I should, since we're going off the castle. At the very  least, I won't be able to take another one for at least two days, from the journey alone! I'll certainly regret it if I don't...

Absently, she nodded. "Mm. Alright then."

"Really!?" Rika's eyes widened. Then, with a quiet giggle, she radiated a brilliant smile. "Yay!"

At that time, she hadn't quite realized what she had agreed to.

Sylphia's chest pounded so heavily, she thought it was about to explode.

Oh God, what have I done!?

Sylphia found herself in the bathhouse, her bare skin hidden merely by the sparkling light reflecting off the surface of the water. She sat in Rika's arms, perched precariously between her legs. Those same arms prevented her escape as they pulled her closer and closer until, ultimately, her back rested against her friend's soft, if flat, chest.

"Pfffff-!" She imagined herself spewing blood from her eyes, nose and mouth as she slowly drained of her sanity.

She only realized her mistaken when she saw Sebastian while undressing. At that point, however, it was already too late to make up an excuse.

At the very least, I was able to make Sebastian promise not to use the curse to teleport inside the bath, but...

Her cheeks flushed bright red, Sylphia sank her head halfway into the water and blew up some bubbles.

I-it's not like I don't like this, but...!

She struggled to even turn her head, wary that she might catch a glimpse of that which she should not.

This is too sudden! I mean, what the hell!? How could I forget something like that!? Maybe all this roleplaying is starting to mess with my head... uuuuu...

Amid all this, her cheerful friend, ever carefree, simply hummed a little tune as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Noticing Sylphia's anxious fidgeting, she then bent over bringing her face over the little girl's shoulder and asked, "Mm? Is there something wrong, Sylphie?" However, as a direct consequence of this action, her chest pressed further into the girl's back, further intensifying her tension.

Eeeeek! Ahh, they're so tiny... but soft- Urrrgh!

She shook her head violently.

No! No! Bad! Stop it!

"Sylphie...? You're acting strange." Rika whimpered, "Did... did you actually /not/ want to take a bath with me.?"

She flinched. "Eh!? N-no! Well... I mean, that's not..."

Actually, is it really normal that we're acting so close like this!? We only met like a few months ago... And yet, we're sharing a bath together? Do girls in this world normally do this sort of thing!?

Sylphia hung her head and shyly asked, "A-are you really okay with this?"

"Hm?"

"I mean, sharing a bath with me, and stuff..."

"Mm!" she answered without hesitation, "Of course I am! I wouldn't invite you otherwise, right?"

"I-I see..."

Well, at least, she isn't forcing herself. Urk. In that case... is that what's really going on?

Her face flushed bright red.

I really... want to know.

"S-say," Sylphia asked, "what do you think about me?"

"What I think...? Hmm..." Rika poked a finger into her chin and thought for a few moments. Then, she said, with a giggle, "I think Sylphie is nice and kind and a lot of fun!"

"Ah, no, no I mean..." Her shoulders fell. /Ugh... how do I say it...?/

"Oh! Of course, I love you!" She boldly said, with a wide grin drawn across her face. "Ehehe!"

Her heart skipped a beat. "Ueeeeeehhh!?"

W-w-w-w-w-wait, was she always like that!? She knows Sylphia is a little girl, right!? I mean, I knew she was a big fan of heroes, but, otherwise, she always struck me as pretty normal! I didn't use any magic on her, did I!?

Wait a second... come to think of it, the first time we met, didn't she just throw herself at me!?

Oh my God! She was always like this!

A dyed-in-the-wool lolicon!

While Sylphia screamed internally, Rika relaxed her hold on her. The redhead then rested her chin on top of the little girl's head and said, "I think I see Sylphie as my little sister... Ehehe, not that I had a little sister though."

"Eh?"

"I'm the youngest in my family, so was always treated like a child... I guess that's why I tended to lash out - going out trying to be an adventurer, and then being a guard, always going against my dad's wishes... Ehehe, it's probably why I sort of always wanted a little sister I could take care of, myself." She giggled. "Of course, I admire you as a Legendary Hero, but... you know? After coming to know you more, I get the feeling that I want to protect you... or something? Ehehe..."

All of a sudden, everything fell into place. Sylphia lowered her head into the water and pouted.

Ahh... so that's what it is. I guess Sylphia does look young enough to be her little sister, after all. Come to think of it, I didn't have a big sister, either...

A tiny sigh of relief escaped her lips.

Little sister, huh... that's... not so bad.

As she thought this, her pursed lips relaxed into a meek smile.

"Ehehe... not that I've ever been any use, though..." Rika continued as she scratched her head.

"That's not-"

"But I want to get stronger! I will get stronger! And one of these days, I'll save Sylphie from... from...!"

"...from what?"

"Umm... well, whatever it is! I'll save you!"

Both of them chuckled.

Then, Sylphia turned her head upwards and gazed into those bright green eyes. They glistened like polished jade from the scattered reflections upon the water. Somehow, she felt a feeling of resolution - that, one way or another, she had become more sure about their relationship. With this in mind, she grinned, saying, "I'll be in your care, then, big sister."

"Ehehe!" With one last chuckle, Rika wrapped her arms tightly around the little girl once more, shaking her fondly from side-to-side.

With heart and mind at ease, she finally rested her head upon her partner's welcoming chest. That warm embrace filled her with a sense of comfort she hadn't felt since arriving in the new world - home.