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She led us to a sort of open-air cafe. I’m honestly surprised that they have something like this. It’s a fancy place with many female customers.

Before I died, I wouldn’t have gone to places like these. I thought to myself, but that aside, I leave the conversation to Ciel.

「What happened?」 Ciel asked after a sip of her ordered tea. It’s not terrible, but the one we drink back at home is more to my liking.
Viviana then spoke with a slight tone of urgency. 「I want to break my older sister away from the Amyulute family as soon as possible.」
「Why?」
「If we don’t hurry, she would get wedded to someone from the anti-Fiiyanamia faction.」

『Isn’t that an unavoidable thing for nobles?』
『Come to think of it, you’ve been somewhat exposed to those sorts of topics. However, since it’s a matter with the anti-Fiiyanamia faction, I do want to help her.』
『Just thinking about it normally, you wouldn’t want to fight with Fii. How do we help?』
『The easiest way would be for either me or Ciel to act as bait. The one trying to have her married off is likely her older brother who’s a part of the anti-Fiiyanamia faction, so I think it’ll be easy to lure him if we’re all alone.』
『I see. I’ll be the bait. Not that there’s much difference whether Ain or I do it anyway.』
『Still, I feel reluctant about having you as bait.』

It’s dangerous…… Actually, no. First of all, she’s unlikely to lose and I’m confident that I can defend her no matter what comes her way. Though it goes without saying that I won’t be any more useful if I was the bait.

『I was planning to go to the den anyways. Wouldn’t it be good if we deal with this while we’re at it? You’ll protect me no matter what, right Ain?』
『Yes. I won’t let even a finger touch you.』
『Then we’re good.』

Now, with how long our exchange was, Viviana probably finds Ciel’s state strange. She’s staring at us inquisitively.

「Were you discussing with Lady Ainsel?」
「Yeah.」
「I see, then it can’t be helped.」
「Can’t be helped.」

Not to put words in Ciel’s mouth, but I feel like Viviana’s likeability just increased for Ciel. Actually, wouldn’t just praising and acknowledging me make Ciel like a person easily?

Though to begin with, only a few know I even exist.

「I’ll play bait.」

Viviana was blindsided by Ciel’s sudden words, but she basically just returned to the main topic.

To help her older sister, luring her older brother and having him attack us would be an immediate victory. Attacking someone of higher status would mean they can’t complain being demanded a significant reparation.

That’s the plan at least, but Ciel was a bit lacking in words.

As I was about to tell Ciel to explain so that Viviana can understand, she suddenly confirmed with a serious look,「Are you sure?」
「I don’t mind. I’m going to the den with Ain after this, so just tell them about it.」
「…… I’m counting on you.」

She sounded pretty reluctant there, maybe she’s hesitant about leaving everything to us? After all, Viviana doesn’t have much of a role to play in this plan.
To put it simply, it’ll be a situation where a young aristocrat not knowing his place picks a fight with royalty and gets beaten. Interpreted like that, they can’t complain even if the guy gets killed.
Well, no killing this time though.

「I’ll buy a timepiece now, so tell them before we finish.」

Saying so, Ciel stood from her chair. And with light footsteps, she left the place.

『You seem to be in a hurry.』
『In a hurry? Not really. I’m just… Happy to go shopping with you, Ain.』
『Then it can’t be helped.』

I have no idea what part of it can’t be helped, though.

But since Ciel cheerfully answered with 『Can’t be helped.』, I think it can’t be helped.

◇

And so for the watch itself, those are sold at stores for high rank hunters. Probably to use in the den.
We tried asking what lower ranked hunters would use and we’re told that they measure time with candles. Once the candle is melted halfway or less, it’s time to go home it seems.
Also, we were told that the den is bright inside, for some reason.
The brightness doesn’t change with the passage of time, so it’s still best to bring something to measure time, but it’s nice to know that we don’t need to bring torches and stuff.
At the same time, I can’t help but feel this to be a bit contrived, but I guess mother Fii or the Creator God would tell us if there’s something dangerous about it.

『Which would be best?』
『At worst, we can just keep it in a magic pouch, so feel free to pick what you like.』
『I see. Then let’s go with the black one.』

Ciel giggled. As if to deliberately announce that she’s choosing my color. Realizing that, I feel a mix of happiness and embarrassment surging through me.
Knowing that Ciel can see me, I feel embarrassed and escape inside her. And even that, Ciel watches over with gentle eyes. However, she doesn’t say anything beyond that. This is probably the boundary Ciel has currently drawn.

Ciel loves to trouble me, but it’s the line she won’t cross. I don’t dislike being troubled by her, but the fact that she’s being considerate of me makes me feel happy. I don’t think I’ll be going outside Ciel for a while.

And that ends the chapter, adorably if I may add.

The Viviana interlude buildup is immediately affecting the main storyline, leading closer and closer to the exiting entrance of a fool into the main story. Ain is being a bit overprotective as she does and Viviana seems to feel guilty about our princesses having to take care of the brunt of the problem. Ending with some light (literally and figuratively) worldbuilding and Ciel being smooth with Ain as she tends to be. Remember kids, being suave is never not the wrong move, lol. Resists flashing back to Gandondorf Suavemente

Now then, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please feel free to comment. Stay clean, stay safe, and have a nice day~!