Subaru Natsuki, who returned from the new Three Kingdoms

"As ordered."

Communication was interrupted.

……

The next morning, Emilia had just finished washing up when Ram stood outside the door and calmly informed her of the day's schedule.

"Lady Emilia, Lord Roswaal has instructed us to go to the Astrea residence early this morning."

"The Astrea family?"

Emilia paused for a moment.

Ram nodded.

"I visited Subaru Natsuki under the guise of expressing my gratitude."

"Pleiades?"

Her reaction was faster than she had imagined.

After she spoke, Emilia realized that her voice seemed a little too loud.

She pursed her lips slightly, lowered her head to adjust her cuffs, as if checking if there was anything wrong with the clothes.

"I see... um, I understand."

Ram glanced at her.

"Lady Emilia doesn't seem to dislike this arrangement."

"Because Subaru really helped me a lot, I should have thanked him properly."

Emilia spoke very seriously.

But after she finished speaking, she herself was a little confused.

Of course she wanted to thank him.

But the lightness in my chest seemed to come from more than just thanking them.

The feeling of not having had a chance to finish our conversation when we parted yesterday suddenly gave me the opportunity to continue.

This made her somewhat happy.

As for why she was happy, she couldn't explain it herself.

……

Before Emilia was suddenly notified, the Astrea family had already received an excessively noisy guest last night.

When Natsuki Subaru followed Reinhard through the mansion gate, his first reaction was not to feel relieved, but to stand still and not take a second step for a long time.

The spacious entrance hall is paved with smooth stone.

Crystal lights hung from the dome, casting warm glows on the coats of arms, portraits, and display shelves on the walls, making the meticulously maintained armor and longswords gleam softly.

Rows of pillars can be seen deep in the corridor.

Each pillar is adorned with intricate carvings.

The utensils displayed against the wall didn't look like everyday items; they looked like things that, if taken out on their own, could feed many people in the slums for a whole year.

Natsuki Subaru looked up at it for a long time.

"The Dragon Palace of the East Sea."

Reinhardt didn't understand.

"This is the Astrea family's residence in the capital, not a royal palace."

"It seems about the same to me."

Subaru Natsuki then looked at the silver cup and the inlaid short sword in the display case next to him.

"Reinhard, if you sold just a few of these things from your house, wouldn't you be able to buy an entire street?"

“Those are all gifts given to the Astrea family by royalty and nobles in the past, as well as mementos left by the Sword Saints of past generations when they were conferred titles or made meritorious contributions. They represent the relationship between honor and family, and cannot be easily exchanged for money.”

Reinhard quickly added that he was a little afraid that Subaru Natsuki would think that he was deliberately making him treat him to drinks when he was clearly rich.

"Can't I exchange money?"

Natsuki Subaru clearly didn't have the kind of thoughts that normal people have; instead, he immediately showed great respect.

"Things that can't be exchanged for money are the ones that are truly valuable."

Reinhard was slightly taken aback.

Ferut rolled her eyes.

"Brother, what you're saying sounds like you estimate the price of everything you see first."

"What do you know? This is called seeing the big picture from small details."

Natsuki Subaru looked around and added:

"The Astrea family is a large and extraordinary family."

Ferut snorted.

"You talk as if you're about to become the accountant here."

"That's not the case."

Natsuki Subaru rubbed his stomach.

I've been fussing for too long, and I've thrown up most of the alcohol.

He's hungry now.

"Reinhard, do you have any food at home?"

"Of course. Subaru, what would you like to eat?"

"Yes, what do you want to eat?"

Reinhard thought about it carefully.

"The kitchen should be able to prepare bread, soup, roast meat, and vegetables."

Subaru Natsuki immediately became even more respectful.

"With this kind of setup in your kitchen, the Astrea family truly lives up to its reputation as a prestigious family."

Then he swallowed again and asked:

Do you have any wine?

Reinhard thought of his father's treasured possessions...

"I guess...yes."

Ferut stood to the side, her face even more sour than before.

After she was brought here, she felt uncomfortable everywhere.

It's like being locked in a cage.

But Natsuki Subaru seems to be planning to freeload off people for a long time.

"Young man, are you really planning to stay here?"

"of course."

Natsuki Subaru turned to look at her.

"Until the choice of a master is completed, this will be my temporary military tent."

"Aren't you afraid that Reinhard will lock you up too?"

"He won't."

"how do you know?"

Subaru patted Reinhard on the shoulder.

"Because Reinhard is a very honest and kind person."

Reinhard smiled.

He wasn't sure if it was a compliment or not.

But at least the tone sounded well-intentioned.

Ferut snorted.

"Did an honest man bring me here?"

"This is called using the emperor to command the disobedient! Brilliant plan! Brilliant plan!"

Ferut was silent for two seconds.

"Are you saying I might be... the emperor?"

"This matter is rather complicated."

Natsuki Subaru said seriously:

"Even two dogs fighting over food isn't this complicated."

Ferut started baring her teeth: "Was I part of that word you just used, 'two-dog'?"

"No."

"You definitely have it."

"If I want to scold you, I will do so openly and honestly."

"So you're insulting me right now!"

Ferut raised her foot to kick him.

As if he had anticipated this, Natsuki Subaru dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding the attack.

"Look, this is the new lord's thunderous wrath."

"Who is your lord?!"

The two bickered as the servants led them to the dining room.

Reinhard walked behind.

Logically, he should have reminded Felt not to cause trouble in the mansion, and he should have reminded Subaru not to touch the exhibits.

But the words were on the tip of his tongue, and he didn't say them immediately.

It had been a long time since the spacious, clean, and suffocatingly cold mansion had been this noisy.

Ferut's voice was urgent and loud.

Subaru Natsuki's answer was absurdly serious.

The two argued from the foyer to the hallway, and then from the hallway to the restaurant entrance, so much so that even the maid who was leading the way couldn't help but steal a few glances.

Reinhard stood under the lamp and suddenly realized that he was walking a little slower than usual.

He watched as Subaru Natsuki was almost overtaken by Felt, and then watched as Felt stumbled half a step because the carpet was too soft, before being helped up by Subaru Natsuki.

"Don't touch me!" Ferut blushed slightly.

"This is to save the emperor, do you understand?"

"If you say anything weird again, I'll really kick you!"

"Reinhardt, keep an eye on your emperor! She'll be devalued sooner or later if she keeps acting like this!"

Listening to the noise in front of me.

Reinhardt's lips curled up slightly without him noticing.

The smile was very faint.

It was so subtle that even he himself was a beat too late to realize it.

He lowered his eyes, concealing the hint of a smile within his usual gentle expression.

But the long-lost feeling of ease in my chest did not immediately dissipate.