Case 173: The unexpectedly silly princess.

    ''''Excuse me.''''

    Guided by a small, jewel-like ice butterfly, Sierra enters the room. Of course, she properly knocked before that, and Bianca allowed this entry.

    Hmm... now that I think about it, wouldn''t it have been better if I used an owl?

    ''''...?''''

    Why are they all looking at me like that?

    What? Am I supposed to say something here?

    '''''''' ... ''''''''

    Okay, fine. Joking aside, I don''t want to reveal myself just yet. It''s not because of a grandiose cause; I simply want to see Sierra''s flustered expressions a bit.

    So...

    ''''Master. It''s fine to say something.'''' I politely remark, pointing my gaze toward the Duchess of Cecil, who is still holding documents in both of her hands.

    ''''...??''''

    Needless to say, Bianca, Chloe, and even Luxia start to look at me as if I''m saying something ridiculous. However, the damage has already been done. With just a few words, I have subtly indicated that Bianca is the one who called Sierra here, not me.

    Bianca is an ice user, too, so it makes sense, right?

    ''''So you are the one...''''

    Once locked in, Sierra''s diamond-like eyes turn crescent, and her steps toward the table hasten as she clumsily covers her grinning mouth. Ignoring the rest of us, she enthusiastically approaches Bianca,

    ''''Duchess Cecil—no, Silaerob! I certainly had my suspicion, but seeing you without the mask is surreal!''''

    ''''No, Your Highness...''''

    ''''I didn''t know you had the sacred light in you! With this, our national might should truly reach an unparalleled level!''''

    The more I watch as Sierra bursts out her innermost excitement onto the wrong target, the more I observe a sense of amusement. So I can feel like this without scaring people, too.

    ''''Hey. Are you going to let her be like that...?''''

    Still, at some point, it seems it has gone a bit overboard. By that, I mean Sierra is probably getting too excited right now, leaning over the table. I''ve never seen someone so ecstatic to the point that their legs are trembling.

    ''''Where are you looking?''''

    As Chloe would say... what was it? A different vibe?

    Either way, I can''t let my guests have nothing, especially since it is me who has forcibly brought them here. So, the freezer is my next destination. Let''s take a few cans of soda... hmm... I probably need to restock it soon. The potato chip reserve has been steadily decreasing ever since Sikare started snacking on them whenever she''s brewing potions, too.

    ''''Lady Luminous. Can you explain this situation to me?''''

    ''''Eh? Me?''''

    ''''Yes. You are an associate of Silaerob, too, right? Where are we? Is this some sort of test from her?''''

    I decide to deal with the emotional princess by myself by tacitly telling Chloe to deliver the drinks to Luxia. Now, I stand face-to-face with Sierra—without masks, without any sort of deception.

    ''''This isn''t a test.'''' I nonchalantly reply. ''''This is Silaerob''s base. I thought you might want to have a tour of it before settling on if you want to join or not.''''

    At my carefree answer, Sierra furrows her eyebrows, clearly looking annoyed, ''''But were you allowed to make such a decision on your own? What rank are you in the force, actually?''''

    ''''...''''

    What? She still doesn''t get it...?

    ''''Besides, you are clearly different from that maid Aurora...''''

    That much is true. Though, do I need to release my aura for her to realize?

    ''''Tell me. I''m eager to learn more about this place.''''

    Hmm... I mean, she''s got the spirit, I guess. A bit silly compared to her usual self, but that''s okay. Almost too naturally, I find myself smiling. Pushing a fresh can of soda toward the princess, I point to the entrance,

    ''''Go see for yourself, then. See for yourself what kind of entity we are. Come back whenever you feel satisfied.''''

    ''''Wait, I''m not done talking—''''

    Clack.

    With that, the door sternly shuts close, and I can now finally let out the giggle I''ve been holding.

    ''''Is it really that funny? Teasing that unstable princess?'''' Chloe raises her brow. ''''You have such mean hobbies...''''

    ''''Maybe.'''' I reply.

    Right then, Luxia, who is willfully wrapped in my quilt, intervenes, ''''She''s just too stunned at the sudden events. With a bit of time, I''m sure she can find the truth on her own!''''

    ''''I really do hope so...''''