It was around sunset when Fren called for Vanessa again. As soon as the attendant told him, Vanessa cast aside the weapon he was cleaning and ran at full speed to Fren’s room. Being called for by Fren was always a joy.

　　Outside the door, he straightened his clothes and calmed his breathing, then spoke in his gentlest voice possible.

　　“Lord Fren, it is Vanessa. I have just arrived.”

　　Kneeling and pressing his forehead to the floor, he continued,

　　“May I dare enter your room, Lord Fren?”

　　Fren’s voice came from beyond the door, telling him to enter. Vanessa quietly opened the door and stepped inside, only to be utterly captivated. Fren’s shirt was unbuttoned at the top, and his braided hair had been undone, falling loose around him.

　　Fren was running his fingers through his hair, but he smiled brightly the moment he spotted Vanessa. Vanessa felt dazed once more by the way the corners of Fren’s eyes creased at the sight of him, but he quickly snapped back to his senses upon noticing how exhausted Fren looked.

　　“Shall I bring you more comfortable clothes?”

　　Fren nodded at Vanessa’s question, and so Vanessa helped him change in the dressing room. As soon as Fren was dressed in ivory loungewear light as air, he sank into a chair.

　　Vanessa quickly brought a pair of comfortable slippers. Fren looked down at him as he knelt to slip them onto his feet, and began to whine.

　　“I’m so tired.”

　　Vanessa immediately looked up at him with worried eyes.

　　“You do look exhausted. Shall I prepare your bed?”

　　Fren leaned forward instead of answering the question.

　　With a soft kiss, lips as gentle as flower petals touched his cheek and pulled away, and instantly his cheek, white as whipped cream, flushed red as if infused with strawberry juice.

　　Feeling his whole body heat up, Vanessa hurriedly bowed his head again. Fren chuckled softly.

　　“I feel like I can finally breathe. Thank you, Vanessa.”

　　“…No need to thank me, Master. I didn’t do anything.”

　　“Just having you by my side gives me strength.”

　　Fren gazed at him with warm eyes before asking softly.

　　“Could you move me over to the window?”

　　“Yes, Lord Fren.”

　　Vanessa carefully picked Fren up as if moving a delicate glass doll, then effortlessly settled him onto the chair by the window. Fren stared out at the sky flushed with orange light and let out a small yawn. Worried, Vanessa made a suggestion.

　　“Why don’t you lie down in bed and get some rest?”

　　“No, it’s fine. I can’t go to sleep just yet. I haven’t even had dinner.”

　　Despite his words, Fren slumped onto the table as if overcome with drowsiness. Vanessa was frantically trying to think of a way to relieve his master’s fatigue when Fren spoke up.

　　“…You know, Vanessa.”

　　Fren called out feebly. Vanessa immediately readied himself to listen and looked at him. Fren continued in the same listless voice.

　　“Nefer talks way too much.”

　　He pressed down firmly on his long ears, which had suffered the entire time he was with Nefer.

　　“If I stay around that siren for more than half a day, I’m going to go deaf.”

　　“Lord Fren…”

　　Vanessa felt genuinely sorry for him as Fren went on complaining.

　　“Yet he’s too competent for me to keep my distance. Even today, he resolved something I was curious about.”

　　“Curious about? Do you mean that matter?”

　　“Yes, exactly.”

　　Vanessa recalled the gem that Fren had been trying to purchase through Nefer. He had always found it strange that Nefer, who usually procured any item in no time, hadn’t mentioned the gem even after so much time had passed. Rubbing his forehead with his palm as if nursing a headache, Fren continued.

　　“Thanks to the few clues Nefer turned up, I found out that the culprit who swept up all the gems was Prince Artua.”

　　“…”

　　“Oh? Why aren’t you surprised?”

　　“Because the only ones capable of moving a step ahead of you, Lord Fren, are fellow Elders and royalty. And above all, Prince Artua…”

　　Vanessa trailed off with a troubled look. But Fren spoke nonchalantly.

　　“True. After all, His Highness considers me a rival. Isn’t it hilarious? Nobody else thinks that way except him.”

　　“…”

　　Vanessa agreed in silence, relieved that no one else was present. After all, Artua Anata Mren was a powerful figure, third in line to inherit the throne. Fren let out a sigh.

　　“What should I do? I want to see the jewel with my own eyes as soon as possible. But I don’t want him to hate me any more than he already does. I would like to get along with him.”

　　The moment Fren finished speaking, Vanessa spoke up.

　　“If you will permit it, Master, I will infiltrate his residence and retrieve the gem.”

　　“You?”

　　Vanessa nodded. The corners of Fren’s mouth curved in amusement before asking languidly.

　　“Do you even know where His Highness is staying?”

　　“It matters not where he is, as long as I can bring back the item you desire, Lord Fren.”

　　“Vanessa.”

　　Fren abruptly clasped both of his hands.

　　“To be honest, I knew you’d say that.”

　　“You did?”

　　Fren nodded. Vanessa looked up at him with admiration.

　　“You always see several steps ahead, Lord Fren. You are truly incredible.”

　　“I just happen to know you very well.”

　　Fren released Vanessa’s hands and sank back into his chair.

　　“How wonderful it would be if every creature in the world were like you.”

　　“Pardon?”

　　“It really would be wonderful.”

　　With those words, Fren fell silent for a while before speaking again with a bright smile.

　　“Anyway… This is good. Prince Artua isn’t far from here right now.”

　　“Does that mean he is not at the royal palace?”

　　“His Highness is likely hard at work preparing for next month’s exhibition at his villa atop the western cliff. He came in person the day before my exhibition opened and told me himself, so it can’t be wrong.”

　　Vanessa couldn’t help but shake his head in disbelief. Artua, who possessed endless wealth and land, buying a villa right here to work out of? It could only be a deliberate provocation toward Fren. Nothing seemed more exhausting than royalty harboring a rivalry. Fren lightly pressed down on Vanessa’s shoulder.

　　“So, Vanessa, infiltrate that mansion and bring back the gem. Since he played dirty first, it’s only right we play dirty in return.”

　　“Yes, Lord Fren.”

　　“Oh, and if possible, I’d like you to bring it back before dinner.”

　　Fren tended to eat dinner late, but there were barely three hours left until then. Yet Vanessa answered without a moment’s hesitation.

　　“I will do so.”

　　“Really? Even I think that might be difficult.”

　　Vanessa knelt before him and looked up at him reverently, like a believer gazing upon a god.

　　“I believe it is my destiny to do anything for your sake, Lord Fren.”

　　Fren couldn’t help but smile once more. There could be no creature as beautiful as this anywhere in the world. The realization brought him both joy and sorrow, yet he showed none of it as he whispered affectionately.

　　“I’ll have a delicious meal prepared and wait for you, Vanessa.”

　　“Then I shall be on my way.”

　　After offering his farewell, Vanessa vanished like the wind. Fren stared at the closed door for a long while before calling the attendant to bring tea. Reading his expression, the attendant suggested gently.

　　“If you are bored, shall I bring another slave?”

　　“No need.”

　　Fren sipped his tea. He needed no one other than Vanessa. Hardly any time had passed since they parted, yet he already missed him.

* * *

　　While Fren was longing for Vanessa, Vanessa’s situation was not much different. He had nothing in his head but the desire to steal the gem as quickly as possible and return to Fren. Dreaming of a warm dinner with him, Vanessa mounted the gentlest horse in the stable.

　　He first stopped by the bustling downtown, then hid the horse in the woods near the western cliff and whispered.

　　“Stay quiet.”

　　The horse stared straight into Vanessa’s eyes as if in understanding. After checking that it was securely tied, he pulled out a plain black mask. If he wore a mask made by Fren, his identity would be exposed, so he had prepared the most common and featureless design possible. Putting on the mask, he turned his head.

　　Atop the snow-white cliff, reminiscent of a sandy beach, the villa stood majestically. With its charming deep-blue roof and arched windows, it was beautiful, even if it could not compare to Fren’s mansion. It had sat without an owner for quite some time, being excessively large and expensive for a mere villa. He had not expected royalty to buy it up.

　　But now was not the time to be lost in such thoughts. Vanessa took a deep breath.

　　Stay calm. I’ve infiltrated places where Elders reside before. Security was just as tight there as it is here.

　　Steeling his resolve, he climbed up a tree. Being a residence for royalty, the villa would be heavily guarded and sealed off on all sides by powerful barriers. However, a supply wagon from the grocery shop would soon pass along this road.

　　There was only one grocery shop in the vicinity trusted enough to trade with royalty. Thanks to Fren, who enjoyed touring suppliers himself to meet all sorts of people, Vanessa knew exactly where the shop posted its delivery schedule.

　　Just then, the grocery shop’s wagon appeared.

　　“Can’t you go a bit faster?”

　　“No. What if the fruit gets bruised? We can’t offer bruised fruit to His Highness.”

　　“Sheesh, no wonder we left so early for a place this close.”

　　While the two on the driver’s seat chatted away, Vanessa swiftly slipped onto the cargo bed. Moments later, he heard the voices of the guards protecting the estate.

　　“From the grocery shop?”

　　“Yes, we brought the provisions for tomorrow morning.”

　　“We need to conduct a quick inspection.”

　　Pulling back the curtain, the guard poked his head into the cargo bed.