The regular click of footsteps echoed through the royal castle corridor. Celes Lindbloom, knight escort, guided Noir Elmreef from one step behind toward the "Tea Room" on the second floor of the east wing. The afternoon sunlight streaming through the windows painted bright patterns across the stone floor. [gentle] So this is the tea room. Noir stopped before the door and let out a small breath. Her jet-black hair swayed ever so slightly. Those deep violet-blue eyes quietly gazed at the ancient magic circle pattern carved into the door. [serious] Yes. His Highness awaits. When Celes pushed open the heavy door, inside the room— A young man stood there. His hair, a deep chestnut streaked with blackish red, shone in the light from the window. Golden eyes, characteristic of the royal family. Tall, clad in formal royal attire, he looked exactly like a prince from a painting. But. [excited] Ah. I've been waiting, Noir. The moment Crown Prince Gilvest saw Noir, he came rushing over with loud footsteps. Carried by that momentum, he spread both arms wide, attempting to embrace her. Celes wordlessly stepped between them. Thud. The dull sound of Gilvest's forehead colliding with Celes's chest plate as he charged forward. [sad] That hurt, Celes... Why did you stop me? [cold] Your Highness, please refrain from trying to embrace every person you meet for the first time, time and time again. Blaming it on your mana hyperaccumulation disorder is going too far. Celes's voice was cold. Noir watched the scene with a relaxed smile. Hmm. (So this is the Crown Prince...) She murmured that in her heart. His appearance was completely that of a prince, yet his behavior was like that of a puppy. She felt like the documents she'd obtained had written something about "noble and exalted royalty," but perhaps that was about a different royal family. [gentle] It's a pleasure to meet you, Crown Prince Gilvest. I am Noir Elmreef. I look forward to working with you. Noir bowed slowly. [excited] Ah, likewise. To tell the truth, I've wanted to meet you for so long! I heard there was a genius shut away in the forest doing research. [gentle] I wouldn't go so far as to say genius... Hmm. But I will do my best to be of service. [excited] I've read all of your research papers. Especially "New Theory of Mana Transfer and the Application of Non-Contact Mediators" was magnificent. The third section, the examination of the binding coefficient between emotional resonance and mana particles—I was absolutely struck by it! Noir blinked in surprise. (...So someone actually read that paper.) That was something she had sent to the Royal Magic Academy three years ago, thinking, "Even if it gets published, no one will read it." Indeed, it had received no response whatsoever. [gentle] Oh my... I'm delighted. That was something I wrote almost as a hobby. [excited] As a hobby! That? No, it was precisely because of that paper that I was able to call you here. The idea of transferring mana through tea—no one else could have conceived of it. Gilvest's eyes sparkled brightly. A short distance away, Celes stood with his arms crossed, watching over the two of them. (I haven't seen that expression on His Highness's face... in a long time.) (But for some reason, there's a slight, stinging pain deep in my chest.) —Well, never mind. Focus on the mission. Celes shook his head slightly and turned his gaze outside the window. In the garden, the queen of the night flowers were in full bloom, quietly blossoming even though it was daytime. [gentle] Now then, shall we begin preparing the tea? Noir opened the small wooden box she had brought. Inside, it was tightly packed with special tea leaves that sparkled silver. This was "Moonlight Tea," which grows only deep within the forest of Caldona. Her fingertips gently touched the tea utensils. The series of movements flowed smoothly, yet were astonishingly quiet. She warmed the teaware, placed the tea leaves into the pot, and poured the freshly boiled water. Steam rose softly, and a sweet, refreshing fragrance spread throughout the room. Gilvest sat in a chair in front of the table, leaning forward and staring intently at her hands. Then, just as suddenly, he began to fidget restlessly. [serious] Your Highness, please be quiet. I'm not being noisy! I-I'm not, but how should I put it—seeing Noir up close, I was just thinking she's beautiful. [surprised] ...Huh? Noir's hands stopped. (Beautiful... Me?) She had never been told such a thing before. In the forest, she had never cared about her appearance, and out of necessity, she had always worn an indigo robe. Now, at Celes's suggestion, she was wearing a white blouse and a black pencil skirt, but she had never even considered whether that was "beautiful" or not. [gentle] ...Your Highness says the most interesting things. I don't recall hallucinations being listed among the symptoms of mana hyperaccumulation disorder. [angry] It's not a symptom, it's my true feelings! Gilvest slammed the table with a bang. The tea utensils rattled. [serious] Your Highness, the tea utensils will break. A calm voice flew from a distance. [embarrassed] Ah, sorry... —Clatter. This time, as Gilvest tried to stand up, he tripped over the leg of the chair and fell spectacularly. [surprised] Your Highness!? [sad] Ugh... How embarrassing... The Crown Prince hung his head, hands on the floor. Noir let out a small, quiet giggle. That laughter was as clear as the sound of a bell, and it mysteriously softened the atmosphere of the room. [gentle] Are you alright? Hmm... I thought royalty would be more, well, solemn and unapproachable. But Crown Prince Gilvest, you're somehow like a little puppy—quite adorable. [surprised] A-Adorable!? [gentle] Yes. Especially right now, the way you're curled up on the floor—you look just like a golden fox cub I'd see in the forest. Hmm, it would be even cuter if you had ears and a tail. Gilvest's face turned bright red in an instant. Even his ears were red. Celes, looking out the window, pressed his lips tightly together. His shoulders trembled slightly because he was holding back laughter. (This woman, to the Crown Prince of a nation, declared him "like a puppy"...) (And "if he had ears and a tail"... with a straight face.) (What a terrifying person. In a good way.) [embarrassed] I-I am neither a dog nor a fox. I am the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Blanchelle. [gentle] Yes, I am aware. The Crown Prince, and an adorable little puppy. It's wonderful that you can be both at once. [confused] I-Is that supposed to be a compliment!? [gentle] Of course. Hmm... I am fond of cute things, after all. It was a completely innocent, natural remark, spoken without any ill intent whatsoever. But it pierced Gilvest's heart like a straight arrow. (Fond... Cute... Fond...) He stood up and grasped both of Noir's hands firmly. [serious] Noir, I've decided! From today, you shall be my— —Thud. Another dull sound. Celes had wordlessly delivered a chop to Gilvest's head. [cold] Your Highness. The tea is getting cold. [sad] Why do you stop me, Celes... I was just about to say something very important... [cold] Because I can easily imagine the content. [angry] I haven't said anything yet, have I!? Are you some kind of esper!? [cold] Esper? What manner of magic is that? Giggling softly, Noir placed cups before the two of them. The clear, amber-colored tea was steaming. That steam bore a faint silver radiance, and tiny particles of light seemed to dance within it. [gentle] Please, go ahead. This is Moonlight Tea. I've infused it with a bit of my mana, so simply by drinking it, the mana within Your Highness's body should slowly begin to shift. Hmm... If all goes well, your impulses should be calmed for the next week. Gilvest's eyes sparkled as he took the cup. [excited] Amazing... Not only is its appearance beautiful, but the aroma is wonderful too. What in the world is— He took a sip of the tea and was at a loss for words. A sensation as if something had settled deep within his chest with a soft thump. The surplus mana that had always swirled within his body grew quiet, like waves receding. [surprised] ...It's working. It's really working! [gentle] But of course. After all, I have, on occasion, been called a genius. [surprised] "On occasion"... but just earlier you said you weren't a genius... [gentle] Hmm... It depends on the situation. Right now, I am a genius. Gilvest's mouth hung open for a moment, and then he burst out laughing. [laughing] Hahaha! You are truly interesting, Noir. Every scholar and mage before you has always tensed up and shrunk back in my presence, but you are completely different. [gentle] Is that so? It's because Your Highness is adorable. [embarrassed] P-Please, stop calling me adorable... A feeble protest. But his face was breaking into a smile, helplessly happy. Standing by the wall, Celes quietly watched this scene. (His Highness... has completely taken a liking to her.) (And that smile of his. It's no wonder.) (But...) He placed a hand on his own chest. (Why is it? Even though she's such a good person, I—) He let out a small sigh and turned his gaze back outside the window. A single white bird crossed the blue sky. It was a pain like a tiny thorn, one that had no name yet. [gentle] Now then, how about another cup? This time, I'll brew it a little stronger. Just as Noir reached for the tea utensils again— [surprised] Ah. Her finger carelessly touched the pot, which was still steaming. In that instant—her body was enveloped in a pale purple light. A mana protective membrane had unconsciously deployed. The steam was repelled by that light, swirling upward and faintly illuminating the star pattern painted on the ceiling. [surprised] Noir, are you alright!? Did you burn yourself!? Gilvest leaped up and took Noir's hand. In that moment. —Crackle. Sparks like static electricity scattered between the two of them. [surprised] Whoa. Gilvest's eyes went wide. Noir's eyes also opened wide. Those sparks were caused by the surplus mana still faintly remaining within Gilvest's body reacting with Noir's protective membrane. But—the color was different. Normally, mana sparks are blue or white. Yet now, they had unmistakably taken on a pale cherry blossom hue. The emotional resonance phenomenon of mana. When one harbors feelings of love, the light of one's mana shifts to warm colors. (...Huh?) (That was a rather pretty color just now.) Noir looked at her own palm curiously, but without seeming particularly concerned, she reached for the tea utensils again. She had absolutely no idea what had just happened to her mana. [gentle] Could you step back a little, Your Highness? If you're too close, sparks will fly again. [embarrassed] Ah, r-right... I'm sorry. But are you truly alright? [gentle] Yes. I'm quite sturdy, for what it's worth. A little burn like this heals right away. Reluctantly, Gilvest took a step back. The soft sensation of her fingers still lingered in his palm. (That light just now...) (It couldn't be.) Gilvest felt his heartbeat quicken just a little. Celes, too, had widened his eyes slightly by the wall. (Cherry blossom-colored sparks... A sign of emotional resonance?) (But neither of them seems aware of their own feelings.) (...Trouble lies ahead.) A single sigh. Outside the window, the wind swayed the petals of the queen of the night flowers. One small petal fluttered lightly up into the blue sky. From somewhere in the royal castle corridor, Vira Esfort's shrill voice continued to echo as always.