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We were malnourished, after all. It seems like 3 years’ time is not enough to compensate for 10 years of deficiency. We’ll probably continue being smaller than our peers in the future, but we are experiencing proper growth.
I’ve repeatedly mentioned wanting Ciel to grow to adulthood, but I suspect she’s probably going to stop aging around high school age―as early as 15 years old.

「You just seemed so adorable, I thought.」

It was a painful excuse, but I wonder what her *’adorable’* truly meant here.
Even ignoring her small stature, Ciel’s appearance is objectively―I’m not sure if I can confidently assert this, but still―adorable. However, I believe she should look more beautiful than cute, but am I wrong?

「So I am adorable even from your eyes?」

I’m not the one to say this after pondering adorableness, but I’m surprised that Ciel reacted to this topic.
While it may sound like sarcasm from how she spoke, Ciel doesn’t have that in mind at all, and the princess is also quite the pretty girl herself.

「Of course, it’s acknowledged as a fact within our class, and you do have things I feel envious of. Your smooth skin, for example…」
「Yes, yes! Great effort has been done to maintain this complexion, you know?」

Ciel said boastfully, probably because I was being praised. Lately―or rather since we started living at Mother Fii’s manor―we have been using actual expensive skin care, but my barrier is the main protector of Ciel’s skin against all external factors.
That’s why, despite the recent change, she has the tendency to associate praises to her skin as praises to my barrier.

Now then, either because Princess Leshimiiya is a familiar acquaintance by now or due to her excitement, Ciel smiled―something she rarely does in public.
Witnessing this, Princess Leshimiiya’s pupils slightly dilated in surprise, and she whispered, 「You truly are so charming.」 Then, with resolve filling her eyes, stared at Ciel.

「Um, if it would be alright with you, how would you fancy going downtown with me on our next break?」
『Seems like we’ve been invited to a date.』
『So this is the ‘date’ thing, huh.』

After hearing that unexpected invitation said with such a serious expression, I couldn’t help but mutter to myself, which Ciel overheard.
Now, it would be nice to have time to contemplate, but since it won’t be good to make the princess wait in silence, I had Ciel say, 「The next break… please give me a moment,」 for now. Then, I had her take out an appropriately sized notebook, so it looks like she is checking her journal. Does this world even have a journal-taking culture?

To begin with, it would be unthinkable for any regular noble to mull over a princess’ personal invitation, but since the princess knows the truth of Cielmer, it should be alright.
While Ciel pretends to check her schedule, we start discussing.

『For now, it’s probably less a date and more of an outing.』
『Is that so? But why the sudden invitation?』
『Hmmー… Perhaps she simply wants to become closer to us, but there might be something more to it.』

It’s completely possible that she just wants to be friends, but there’s also a chance that isn’t the case. However, personally, I don’t feel it’s necessary for us to keep a high alert for ulterior motives. Whether she purely wants to be friends or only hopes to gain a connection with Central, it’s not a problem; if she has a malicious intent, then at worst we can literally stomp it down.

『What should I do?』
『I’ll leave the decision to you. However, if you aren’t particularly against the idea, I think you should try it at least once.』

And besides, if you keep doubting someone’s intentions, you’re unlikely to ever make friends, so I vote for going on the outing.
After mulling for a moment, Ciel seemingly found her answer.

「I wouldn’t mind, but can I bring someone else with me?」
「Of course. Even I can’t truly go by myself, after all.」

Meaning she needs bodyguards. She actually is a princess, so it’s only natural. If she brings another friend… That would be troubling. The people Ciel is almost willing to open her heart to in the academy are only Munyechka, Palra, Belltina, and Princess Leshimiiya. If someone else comes, then at worst, Ciel might avoid talking altogether.

*If our relationship with the princess fails to deepen, then that’s fine, too,* I thought, but that would defeat the purpose of going to the academy to begin with, so I’ll keep it to myself.
After all, I do find the idea of quietly living in the forest with Ciel nice, too.

「I’ll relay the exact meeting time through later correspondence, but let’s meet before lunch in our next break.」
「Understood.」

And so the outing plan was settled, but now I just realized that there was no mention of our itinerary.
Well, we don’t really know much about Ausente, so I suppose we can leave it to Princess Leshimiiya. She invited us, after all, so she should at least have some places in mind, right?

Thinking about it this way, maybe I really was just overthinking the date thing.

◇

『Come to think of it, who are you planning to bring along?』

As we returned to our room, I asked Ciel. I was wondering if she plans to bring Palra or Belltina along, but they’re unlikely to come willingly. And even if they do, they probably won’t be able to say a peep.
I recall Palra having talked with the princess before, but I’m not even sure if Belltina has had a conversation with her.

「It’s Mia. Having Mia along would be reassuring, after all.」
『I see.』

She knows how nobles interact, after all, and being an attendant, it won’t be unnatural to bring you along.

「Lady Cielmer, did you call for me?」

Having no context about the conversation, Mia asked in confusion.

「On our next break, we’ll be going on an outing with Princess Leshimiiya, and I want you to come along.」
「Affirmative. Do you know where we will be going?」
「No. Princess Leshimiiya is probably going to plan the whole thing.」
「Understood. I’ll make sure to be fully prepared by then.」
「Thank you, I’ll be depending on you.」

Hearing Ciel’s words, Mia was surprised for a moment before composing herself and firmly answering, 「Please leave it to me.」