Formerly, The Fallen Daughter of the Duke

"Vik, are the Lewis still at work?"

Claire turns to the water subtly. Hopefully, we wanted to talk where we all were.

"That's good, let's call it"

With an immediate understanding of Claire's wishes, Vike summons the neighbors to Claire's room. Claire also spoke to Dion to return.

He was slowly indulging in tea leaves in the mini-kitchen next to the lobby, as directed by Veek.

"Sorry to bother you. Wow. The outhouse room is pretty big."

Donnie comes in shaking. It seems Donnie is the one who behaves like this brightly when the atmosphere is about to get heavy. Neither did Keith and Lewis, who apparently perceive the content of Claire's story, particularly stop Donnie.

Lewie, Keith, Donnie and Dion on Veek.

Make sure everyone's in their seats, and Claire cuts them out.

"I'm sorry I called you all out of the blue. I need to talk to you."

"Yeah. I've been waiting"

To Lewis' soft expression, Claire felt pushed on her back.

"Thanks for believing my 'retrograde' story before this"

Everyone smiles at Claire's words. I feel a warm atmosphere and the nervousness lights up my mind that was getting smaller.

"The reason I'm going backwards... is to prevent the relationship between this Papeete country and my hometown of Noston from deteriorating."

"... what do you mean"

Veek, leaning against the back of the couch, rides himself forward.

Vike was aware that Claire was going backwards with a certain 'sad event' as her starting point. But it was unexpected until that 'sad event' involved inter-state matters.

"Remember the story I told you the other day? When I... will be the shield of the Pfeite nation in the future"

"Oh."

"I am a student in the Paft Country this time, but in my pre-retrograde life, I was pursued by the Royal College of Aristocracy in the Noston Country."

There are signs that the Vikes will take their breath, but Claire continues without worrying.

"For the first time in my life, I couldn't awaken the magic I expected. So I lost my place at home and school and ran away. But I met the Vikes on the way, and they invited me to the Pfeet Country. After I woke up magic on Lindell Island, I owed a baron a house to live in, and he sent me to Royal School at the mercy of Veek."

"Did you have such a history..."

Vik put his hands together and put them on his forehead. I can tell you how surprised I am, but I don't see the color of pity in my eyes, and Claire is horrified.

"So... one time I was supposed to accompany a mission to Paft to visit Noston. King Noston or my father, who found out that I was awakening my original magic, said he would not return me to the Pfeetland. But I refused to stay. As a result, relations between the two countries are on the way to deterioration. So, if I wanted to start over, I'd wind up again."

Claire almost told me what happened, but I couldn't help but say that she was engaged to Veek.

But there's no way to tell this story without Veek and Claire's engagement. Because the Paft nation is a mighty power. It was unnatural to weigh the existence of just one magician and his relationship with his neighbour, no matter how much power he might have as a shield for his country.

"... I got the whole story somehow"

Vik's index finger is moving a ton on his lap.

Claire thought, 'Coming'.

What's your relationship with me?

Claire's eyes swim at questions that are too straightforward, poking at the core as expected.

"... I think we could have gotten along better now."

After bitterness, I say in a voice that seems to disappear. It was Claire's best to stare into her eyes and answer.

"... I see"

After his emerald green eyes open wide for a moment, he returns to his original serene color.

To Vik, that answer was enough.

Lewis, who was eye-opening Keith to Claire's answer, opens his mouth.

"Anything else?

Claire really didn't want to say anything further. But we can't keep it hidden to prevent a sad future.

Besides, it's about Lewis. It was obvious that Claire had already guessed from what she had said last time to prove retrograde.

"... Lewis was badly wounded because of my sister with white magic."

"Oh well."

Lewis replied without changing one complexion, but I feel the air on the Vikes tingled a little.

"I'm here to change the future. But to be honest, it's too big a story... I can't change it on my own. That's why I want you all to help me."

Claire bowed her head.

Vik says confidently so as to relieve Claire of her tension.

"That's okay. Don't worry, I'll help you with everything. This is also a problem in the Pfeite country."

"But we can't keep Claire's magic hidden in the Noston country?

Keith is acting strange.

"It… there are signs of the worst class of magic tornadoes in history about a year from now, and I'm going to purify it. I think he'll be known for the rumors, even if he's hiding them, because he can only be the eldest daughter of the Martino family."

"Purify the Magic Tornado"

Lewis looks out for him in surprise.

"... is there going to be a magic tornado!?

"Not exactly, I won't wake up. Because I can fit in with omens."

Claire sent a calm gaze to Keith, who looked in a hurry.

"But then you shouldn't hide it, you should have a little friendly relationship from now on. And the good news is, Claire, it hurts."

Lewis, who read Doni's words in depth, stepped on Doni's foot.

Vik seemed to be thinking a little bit.

But this friend doesn't seem to have the idea of sending Claire back to Noston country against her will. I'm happy with that, and Claire leans down gently.

(I guess I can stay here...)

"... I've been thinking about it for a while. Perhaps we could install a" door. "

"Door...?

Claire gave a face to the unexpected suggestion of Veek.

"That's good! You can even play Tillard, King's Capital of the Noston Nation! Exotic girl!

"Donnie, stop consuming royal palace magicians for that"

Lewis glanced at Donnie, who looked like she was having fun. And explain it to Claire with a confused expression who doesn't understand the story.

"'Door' is where the magic of transition begins and ends. It takes a lot of magic and time to install, but once built, it's easier to get around. Even if it makes it easier, once you come and go with Ultz and Tillard, you'll need about a day's worth of magic from a magician with blue magic."

"You have something that convenient."

"It's just... there are many defensive disadvantages, and there are no examples of them being set up between states. But the fact that this case has a door gives you the peace of mind that Claire will be called in as soon as the Noston Nation has a problem."

"Sure...... But it's hard to pass that draft in Congress, Vik."

Keith has his head.

"There is no prospect of passing this proposal... honestly, there isn't. Naturally, Claire and I have moved on under a different pretext. However, the situation on your side has timing. Will you wait a little longer?"

"Yeah, sure. … thank you all so much"

Claire was afraid to talk about the events that caused the retrograde, not least because it was awkward to be informed of her engagement to Vique.

Claire was scared that she would be told, "Then you should go home after your studies." Rather than that, it was probably scarier to be made to realize that it wasn't that much of a relationship for trusting four people from the bottom of my mind.

"Anyway, I won't let it unfold like Claire is worried about. So don't worry."

Sitting directly opposite Claire, Veek rocks Claire's heart straight.

Whatever his clear eyes are, Claire thought.