''Hm? What would I do if I wasn't a maid?''

''Mhm.''

''Er... owning a business, maybe? I've always wanted to open a candy shop for children near the elementary school.''

Before I can interject, Nydia follows her sentence.

''But then again, I won't quit my job now. This way, I can spend more time with you, after all.''

''I see.''

Recently, Nydia has become quite affectionate.

She will find any and all chances to snug up on me and rub her wings against mine. I wonder if this is a way for birds to express love, but it feels quite cozy either way.

Beyond that...

''Aurora.''

''Hm?''

When I turn to her, Nydia boldly hugs my neck and closes our distance. With a brief yet swift motion, she presses her lips against mine. Even if it was a short one, I could still feel every ounce of her heat, and something about our breaths intertwining made my heart race.

''Hehe...''

A silly laugh escapes her mouth. She still blushes every time we do this, and it is honestly adorable.

Weirdly enough, we haven't determined our relationship just yet. We made no promises, no confessions, and no nothing. Still, we hug and kiss like lovers do.

Is this how a romantic relationship starts? I'm not sure.

''Do you want to quit together?''

''Why suddenly?''

That was surprising, coming from someone as diligent as Nydia.

''I've saved up a bit of money, you see.'' Nydia continues as if nothing has happened. ''Together, we can open a little shop in the capital, for example.''

''...''

''I can give you all the snacks you want... but not too much, okay? After it becomes cozy, we'll use it as our house... then... hm... should we start worshipping Neveah today? We'll need Neveah citizenships for the marriage, after all.''

...Her imagination is quite incredible.

I mean, the thought of marrying Nydia and staying with her in peace is quite attractive, but I have more things to do. Besides, I don't think I can give up on Chloe at all.

And even more unfortunate for Nydia, she will have to quit quite soon, whether she likes it or not.

----------------------------------------

January 22th, 1835.

I am currently sitting on top of a factory some distance away from the capital. This is the hideout of one of Ravenous Moon's many branches, which handles the manufacture of normalwear in this town.

Luckily, they do their job properly instead of mixing something suspicious into the clothes. I guess they are being cautious since it is so close to the heart of the empire.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

In any case, there are around thirty minutes until the designated time.

Pulling out the Sword of Black Dawn, I begin to pour a bit of mana into the blade, making it exude a frosty aura.

''...''

If I had this sword and armor before, could I have defeated Genji faster? Would something change at all?

Of course, I have thought of using Ash's ability to turn the time back to before the Valstein incident. It's pretty obvious, really. However, I can feel it on an instinctual level—that is not possible.

Turning the time itself is fine since I will simply lose a day or two of my lifespan, but there is a... barrier blocking me from accessing the time before the event. Thinking about it a bit more, won't it cause a time paradox?

By the time Valstein attacks the capital, Ash hasn't even been born yet. If it were to absorb my time-potential energy, then that energy must be fueling a non-existent entity, which, I'd imagine, is not possible.

As I glance at the introverted angel statue, which is curling up as it sits beside me, I feel conflicted.

It seems that whichever force is behind these creations is not omnipotent. If they were, they wouldn't need me anyway. Rather than that, I think we have guests already.

''Do you perhaps have a moment, Lady Silaerob?''

Rising to my feet, I keep my gaze on Ash. I don't need to turn around to know who this is.

''Did I come too soon for the 'script'? Hahah... I didn't think you had hands inside the palace, even.''

The psychopathic crown princess—Sierra Alaina Astra. It seems she only comes with three other assassins. Is she that confident?

Nevertheless, I have a role to fulfill here, which is to be myself.

''Leave. You have no business being here.''

''I do. I am a princess, someone bearing the obligation to protect the people. But enough with that.''

''...''

''Can't you at least look at me when I'm talking?''

''It is for your own good.''

''...?''

Letting out a sigh, I thrust my sword into the roof of the factory before extending the cold energy downward to make sure it is all the way through, leaving only a step left—creating an entrance.

Cutting concrete and a bit of metal is nothing hard.

It feels like I'm cutting a sheet of paper with slightly sharper scissors. Once the tiles crumble down with rumbling noises, I lift Ash and throw it down the hole.

Good luck, Ash. Take all of those experiences for yourself.

''...Shall we go somewhere quiet?''

Seeing that Sierra hasn't even batted an eye at this strange scene, I assume she must've been through a lot.

Taking the crown princess's proposal, I follow her to an abandoned building nearby, where a sound barrier is immediately established the moment we enter.

Through the tattered window, moonlight pours onto Sierra's face, turning her silvery-white pupils even more lustrous.

With a confident smile, she takes on the offense right away.

''I will be straightforward, Miss Silaerob. Will you be interested in working with me?''

''In?''

''In general. I want us to support each other. You might have realized it already, but you hold the public's affection, Miss Silaerob. As long as you can help me solidify my position, I will do my utmost to support you.''

Up until this point, it is all predicted moves.

I have more or less knew that Sierra was going to propose something similar, but...

Why are you so close?

For some reason, this princess seems eager to get close and personal with me. Is she trying to gauge my physique? Maybe.

''You know.''

Her pinkish lips move as she stares intently at me.

''I don't usually treat someone as an equal.''

''...''

''...''

The silence between us is interrupted by someone's voice.

''Your Highness, the prince's force has arrived.'' The woman in black bows her head to Sierra.

''Is that so... Miss Silaerob? What do you think?''

''I don't see a reason to refuse.''

I take Sierra's hand.

This is also true. Cooperating with the emperor or her... it doesn't really matter who I shake hands with. As long as they don't provoke me, I will gladly take the support.

I know they might turn greedy later and try to conquer Zircon, but by then, I will be the one with the advantage. So, here I am, shaking Sierra's hand like this.

''Fufu... I'm looking forward to working with you, Miss Silaerob.''

''Likewise.''

''With you, there is no doubt that I will be the empress. Even after that, I hope we can still have each other's back.''

I can tell that she is exceptionally happy about this deal. Too happy, even.

...Is this another case of fangirl?

No, no. I'm overthinking it...

She is overlooking something, though.

''Don't be too complacent.'' I seriously advise the crown princess.

''I know, I know. I will make sure that foolish brother of mine will not come anywhere close to the crown.''

Well?

I didn't say that it was the prince who she needed to be worried about.