While the cafeteria was mostly empty, Eiji packed two breakfasts and quickly left.
He didn't return to his own room but instead went to the room directly opposite his on the fourth floor of the east wing.
This was Ais's bedroom.
Bete would never expect him to come here, right?
"Why are you here?"
Ais opened the door.
When she saw it was Eiji, her face turned slightly red, and she scratched her still-damp hair.
She had just finished bathing, washing off the sweat from her sword practice, and hadn't had time to tidy herself up. Her clothes were also a bit damp.
Wait, why should she care about whether she was presentable or not?
"I came to eat with you."
Eiji lifted the two breakfasts in his hands, showing a warm smile.
"See? I even brought your breakfast. Aren't I thoughtful?"
"Oh? That's quite thoughtful indeed."
From behind Ais, a jade-green elf appeared.
She looked at Eiji with a teasing smile, her amusement impossible to hide.
"Riveria, why are you here too?"
Eiji was startled.
He felt a bit embarrassed.
Being thoughtful was something he could use to fool a simple girl like Ais, but it wouldn't work on someone as experienced as Riveria.
"Every day after her bath, I help Ais comb her hair."
Riveria's demeanour was as aloof as ever.
But her attitude toward Eiji and Ais was quite friendly, lacking the usual arrogance of elves.
Her attitude toward Ais was like that of a mother looking after her daughter, something well-known within the familia. But why she was so friendly to Eiji was a mystery.
"Come in."
Ais nodded, confirming Riveria's explanation.
Eiji glanced around to make sure no one was watching, then quietly slipped into Ais's room.
Ais's room was very simple.
It looked similar to Eiji's in terms of decor. Since the space wasn't large, it was also a single-person room. The entire space lacked any girly elements, with only simple magic stone lamps, a wardrobe, a bed, a mirror, and so on. There wasn't even any makeup.
Ais indeed didn't wear makeup, always appearing with a natural face.
Eiji placed Ais's breakfast on the bedside table, then opened his own and began eating heartily.
Ais sat at the table, letting Riveria, who stood behind her, pick up a comb and tidy her golden hair.
Though "tidy" might be an overstatement. As an elf royal who was close to nature, Riveria also disliked heavy makeup and merely helped Ais's hair become a bit smoother.
"By the way, I heard some commotion in the courtyard earlier. Do you know what it was about?"
Riveria lowered her head.
Seeing that Ais had no intention of initiating conversation, she could only smile helplessly, feeling that this child was still far from being a normal person. She really didn't know how she had turned out this way.
"I heard it too. Maybe Bete really has some serious illness?"
Eiji took a bite of his sandwich, looking deeply moved. "Impotence is indeed a fatal condition for men."
"What's impotence?"
Ais suddenly chimed in.
She had been bathing earlier and missed the commotion in the courtyard. She had also never heard of impotence.
"Ais, you don't need to know about such things."
Riveria immediately cut off Ais's curiosity.
If Riveria said so, then it must be true. There was no need to understand this condition.
So.
Why had Ais been raised to be so lacking in common sense?
Riveria, who was very protective of her, didn't understand this at all.
"It's a condition only men get. It's not a big deal. Just comfort Bete if you see him, saying 'it's not a big deal' will do."
Eiji took the opportunity to encourage her.
Bete liked Ais.
Being comforted so thoughtfully by Ais, he would surely be very grateful to me.
Ah, people as helpful as me are rare these days!
Riveria rolled her eyes.
The gesture was very unladylike, but she couldn't help it.
This kid is really too much!
But she didn't stop him.
To be honest, she wasn't very fond of Bete either. Ais and he really weren't a good match.
If Eiji and Ais could get together, that would be great.
Riveria thought this to herself.
Although their personalities were quite different, they actually complemented each other well. Moreover, the two were very similar, both pursuing great strength and having common topics to discuss.
More importantly, Eiji possessed astonishing swordsmanship that even Ais admired.
The first time Riveria met Eiji, she saw Ais's shadow in him, which was why she had a special fondness for him.
Elves were very sensitive in this regard.
Unfortunately, Tiona also had her eyes on him, so she couldn't favour one over the other. Otherwise, she would have liked to play matchmaker for these two.
But on second thought, it's better to let them develop naturally.
"That's enough. Ais, you should eat too."
Riveria let Ais's golden hair fall smoothly like sand, making her look beautiful, then nodded in satisfaction.
"Mm."
Ais nodded lightly, then walked to the bedside table, opened the breakfast Eiji had brought, and began eating her sandwich in small, quick bites.
Eiji, beside her, ate his in large but equally quick bites.
"You two eat here. I'll go to the cafeteria."
Riveria, watching the two who were so opposite yet similar even in their eating habits, couldn't help but show a motherly smile. After saying this, she left the room.
"...Wait, Riveria, there's something I need to tell you."
Eiji's expression suddenly froze.
Then he stood up and followed Riveria out of the room.
Ais looked at the two in confusion, then took another bite of her sandwich.
At the doorway.
"What is it?"
Riveria stopped and looked at Eiji in confusion.
"Well... it's about..."
Eiji carefully closed the door so Ais wouldn't hear, then stammered, looking quite embarrassed.
This actually surprised Riveria. Her impression of Eiji was that he was thick-skinned and scheming. She had never seen him like this before, and it felt somewhat refreshing.
"What is it?"
She deliberately put on an impatient expression, secretly looking forward to it.
"It's... do you know that technique, the... makeup technique?"
Eiji continued to hesitate.
"I don't usually wear makeup, but I do know how to dress up."
Riveria thought for a moment.
What was he trying to say?
"Can you turn a man into a woman?"
"???"
What strange interests have you awakened?
***
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