"Come to think of it, we haven't seen Miss Danzō since this morning. Did she go to Lord Tajima-no-kami's place?"
As he spoke, Fujimaru Ritsuka glanced in Fuuma Kotarou's direction.
The relationship between Fuuma Kotarou and Katō Danzō was clearly far from simple, but it was certainly not something shallow either.
Fujimaru Ritsuka could more or less tell from Fuuma Kotarou's eyes.
Though how Fujimaru Ritsuka had managed to see Fuuma Kotarou's eyes when they were hidden behind his bangs year-round was anyone's guess.
"Probably. My lord, please stop looking at me."
Fuuma Kotarou waved his hands in embarrassment.
"Oh my, it seems you're having quite a lively conversation."
Just as Kotarou was about to explain further, an excited-sounding voice rang out.
Princess Kiyohime appeared in the doorway, her eyes sparkling as she fixed her gaze on Fujimaru Ritsuka.
"Let me join your conversation too—Lord Fujimaru Ritsuka!"
Sakumura reflexively shut his eyes—the voice was so loud it hurt his eyes.
Musashi, meanwhile, looked as though she was trying not to laugh.
"Princess—you're too close, Princess! Please stay farther away from them!"
The young guard who had been present that day looked on the verge of tears as he tried to stop Kiyohime, who had nearly pounced directly onto Fujimaru Ritsuka.
"Ah, you're still alive."
Miyamoto Musashi blurted out instinctively.
"Yes, I'm still alive, so Princess, please come over here already!"
The young guard wanted to stop her, yet did not dare to, looking utterly conflicted.
"Hmph—I don't care what you say!"
With that, Princess Kiyohime tried to throw herself at Fujimaru Ritsuka out of sheer willfulness.
Fortunately, a voice that was rather reassuring sounded at that moment.
"Princess, if you are too willful, you will trouble your retainers."
Yagyu Tajima-no-kami appeared behind Kiyohime and spoke with utmost composure.
Kiyohime finally