After the conversation in Liesel’s room, since the timing was just right, we decided to have lunch together.

Normally, Liesel meets with guests both day and night, but it just so happened that his schedule was free today.

That’s probably why, when he spotted us, he came down to the hall and decided to join us.

Even during the meal and our chat afterward, the conversation wasn’t particularly serious. I guess even he needs a break sometimes.

After finishing our chat with Liesel, we returned to the room we were using.

Even though he didn’t have any scheduled appointments, it seems he still had things to take care of and needed to finish his work by nightfall.

Rough life…

At the entrance of the room, Seriana was speaking with one of the servants about something, but I continued on into the room…

“…Hup!”

With that shout, I leapt over the table from the 【Floating Orb】 and dived onto the sofa. I bounced two, three times before landing and sprawling out limply.

“Fiiiuuuh…”

Rolling around on the sofa, I let out a long sigh.

I’d only planned on a quick and boring tour of the mansion, but we ended up discussing all sorts of things—from the mansion to the noble district, even the security arrangements of the royal capital. It turned out to be a lot more mentally taxing than I expected.

I also ended up recalling a lot of old memories…

I’m beat.

As I let out another deep breath and rolled lazily across the sofa, I noticed Seriana approaching.

“Oh? All done talking?”

“Yes. Let me sit down too.”

“Sure thing.”

I sat up to make space for Seriana, and she sat down there, handing me a 【Small Orb】 as well.

Since we weren’t planning on leaving the room again except for dinner… I guess I wouldn’t be needing it anymore.

“Sera.”

“Mm. Got it.”

Seriana, now seated beside me, pointed at her own shoulder and called my name.

◇

“Sera.”

While activating 【Mira’s Blessing】, I began massaging her shoulders. About ten minutes in, Seriana, who hadn’t said a word since I started, finally called my name again.

It’s not unusual for me to activate 【Mira’s Blessing】 on a whim, but it’s been a while since I’ve done a proper massage like this…

Maybe I was putting a bit too much effort into it.

“Was it painful?”

“No, it was just right. More importantly, did it help you relax a bit today? Things are going to gradually get busier starting tomorrow, you know.”

“Yeah. It was also a good learning experience.”

Just like Seriana said, touring the mansion and chatting with Liesel was a great change of pace, and I also got to hear things I’d never even considered before.

And…

“I kind of remembered why I was treated like a maid back in the day.”

It’s not like that anymore, but back then, I was seen more as a maid than an adventurer in the public eye.

Alec would handle the carriage as the coachman, and Elena would provide protection inside the mansion…

That was the standard formation whenever Seriana went out or visited other houses. And on top of that, having me treated as a maid made it easy to bring me along without raising suspicion, since I could do all sorts of things.

I’d heard before that it wasn’t good to bring too many guards when visiting other noble estates, but back then there were still people targeting Seriana. That arrangement must’ve been her way of protecting herself while still being considerate to the Müller family and the royal family.

…She really thought all that through, huh?

Massaging Seriana’s neck, I found myself reflecting deeply.

“Ah… back then, I was just the daughter of a count, so I couldn’t bring many guards with me. Now that I’m a duchess, I don’t need to be as cautious, but having you around was really convenient.”

“Does your rank change things that much?”

“It’s not explicitly written anywhere, but the importance you hold to the kingdom does vary depending on your status, don’t you think?”

“I don’t think it’s only about status, but… yeah, it’s easy to understand at least.”

Even though she was already engaged to Liesel, and was quite important even back then, her status at the time didn’t reflect that level of influence.

Compared to intangible things like ability or personal relationships, status is just easier for people to grasp.

And if it’s not officially written down, then I guess people are expected to read the room.

Thinking about it that way, Seriana’s position back then really was unique.

Man, to be the same age I am now and come up with all that on her own… that’s seriously impressive.

I watched Seriana from behind while massaging her shoulders, full of admiration—when she, apparently sensing my gaze, spoke up with her eyes still closed.

“Well, you’re going to be in Riana most of the time anyway, so there’s no need for you to worry too much.”

“Nu.”

She must’ve interpreted my gaze as anxiety over the change in rank or something.

I was surprised by a lot of what I learned today, but like she said, I plan to stay in Riana. I’m not really worried… and maybe this was her way of reassuring me again.

“Nufufu…”

In a good mood, I continued massaging Seriana’s shoulders.

————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Sera ・ Blessing ・ 【Hideout】 +1 【Prayer】 【Mira’s Blessing】 【Wind’s Garment】

Blessed Item ・ 【Floating Orb】 +1 【Shadow Sword】 +1 【Scarlet Bee Needle】 【Fairy’s Eye】 【Dragon’s Lung】 【Amber Sword】 【Danrem’s Thread】 【Serpent’s Tail】 【Ankle Bracelet】 【Amber Shield】 【Purple Wings】 【Red Sword】 【Monkey’s Arm】 ・ 3 cards

Seriana ・ 【Area Detection】 ・ 【】 ・ 0 cards

Elena ・ 【】 ・ 【Green Fang】 【Amber Sword】 ・ 4 cards

Alec ・ 【Strong Strike】 ・ 【Red Shield】 【Fierce Horned Trumpet】 ・ 10 cards