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One evening at dinner while he was thinking about such things.
That day, Kansas, head of the Brandy Marquess Family, was also present, and the five of them — Laika, Ains, Sophia, and Talidge — gathered for dinner.
Recently it had been rare to dine with Kansas. He had been running around handling political adjustments involving the Sobi House and royalty concerning Talidge.
Laika frowned slightly and asked Kansas if he was alright, thinking he looked thinner.
“Ah, I’m fine. Everything’s been settled. More importantly, tomorrow is Laika’s acceptance announcement.”
The topic was the Sorcery Academy entrance exam results. The outcome would finally be revealed tomorrow.
“Yes. I should be fine, but the class placements should also be posted, so I’ll go check tomorrow.”
Laika turned toward Ains, who was silently eating the food prepared by the Brandy family’s proud chef.
“Will you come too, Ains?”
He briefly raised his face with a “Hm?” but—
“I’ll pass. I’m not interested in whether you pass or not.”
—he immediately resumed moving the knife in his hand.
“…I see. If you passed, I was going to buy you whatever food you liked as a celebration, but if you won’t come, it can’t be helped.”
“I shall accompany you, Laika-ojōsama.”
Laika’s shoulders dropped in obvious disappointment, but the moment Ains heard food would be bought, he instantly changed his attitude.
“Ains-sama. I have also been entrusted with money from Commander Gaus. Even without following Laika-sama, I believe your wishes can be fulfilled.”
Sophia interjected from the side, but—
“…But Laika’s lived in Kirk longer, so she definitely knows more than you. I’ll go with you another time, Sophia.”
—he coldly brushed her off.
Sophia reflexively dropped the fork and knife she was holding, but in the carpeted dining room no sound was made. As expected of a marquess household.
Only the nearby maid noticed and quickly replaced Sophia’s fork and knife with new ones. Without anyone else noticing, Sophia was crushed.
“Riste? So tomorrow morning, no matter how much Ains resists, drag him out of bed, alright?”
“Understood.”
Riste quietly bowed, while Ains laughed it off, saying,
“Gourmet food is waiting for me. With anticipation like that, oversleeping won’t happen — I might even stay awake all night.”
Talidge, unconcerned as ever, continued eating rudely with clattering tableware.
After finishing dinner, Ains, Sophia, Talidge, and the others left for their assigned guest rooms.
As Laika also stood to return to her room, Kansas beside her called out.
“Laika, could you stay a moment? I have something to discuss.”
She could hardly refuse her father. Not knowing what it was about, she watched the three of them leave the dining room before sitting back down.
Only Kansas and Laika remained.
“So, what is it?”
Laika began.
“Yes. You’re going to see the results tomorrow, right? You might run into Princess Kirishiya, so I thought I should tell you beforehand.”
“Does Kirishiya have something to do with it?”
Laika knew Kansas had frequently visited the royal castle recently regarding Talidge’s matter.
She guessed the king might have spoken about Kirishiya during one of those times.
“It concerns Ains-dono. From what’s happened so far and his behavior the other day, you likely understand already — Ains-dono is the very person we call the ‘Demon God’ and the ‘Silver Snow Sorcerer, Ains Silverta.’”
“…Yes. A great figure from about two thousand years ago, right? I still can’t fully believe it, but after hearing his words, seeing his abilities, knowledge, and his lack of common sense… well, I can’t deny it.”
Facing such a historical figure, she was still able to interact casually as before — which made Laika think she still hadn’t truly accepted Ains as that Demon God.
“At the private audience before, His Majesty and the others didn’t properly recognize Ains-dono, but now His Majesty, Prince Haral, and Chancellor Elliott seem to understand correctly.”
Kansas thought to himself it was surely thanks to Lizelotte.
Still, having gotten through the audience safely was enough for him.
Kansas relaxed his cheeks slightly and continued.
“His Majesty is also a father. He wishes to keep Princess Kirishiya away from politics. He told me to warn you as well.”
Laika finally understood.
“So we keep Ains’s identity hidden?”
“In addition, His Majesty wishes Laika to continue maintaining a friendly relationship with Princess Kirishiya as friends.”
“As friends, of course. Even if Kirishiya says she hates me, I’ll still remain her friend. I understand about Ains.”
Kirishiya would continue to recognize Ains as Laika’s guest. If she recognized him as the Silver Snow Sorcerer, she would be drawn into the storms caused by mages and into political schemes not solvable by murky justice alone.
If someone as pure as Kirishiya entered the bottomless swamp of politics, it was easy to imagine her drowning without escape.
She was a precious friend. Laika strongly wished to avoid that and nodded to Kansas.
Seeing his daughter’s reaction, Kansas sighed as if the talk was over and left the dining room.
Watching his back, Laika suddenly thought:
Even if they hid Ains, being involved with her meant unknowingly living right beside a storm. Would nothing really happen just by hiding it?
“…Well, Prince Haral the sister-complex is around and he knows the circumstances, so maybe I’m overthinking.”
Laika also left the dining room.
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