Bianka's eyes were sky-blue, gleaming like sapphires. Her golden hair shone especially brightly beneath the sunlight, setting off the beauty of her eyes and making them even more delightful.
As a Sword Saint, Kureha had very few friends, and even fewer people she acknowledged. She was fortunate to have such a friend.
In particular, she greatly admired Bianka's character—independent and strong, with her own ideals and convictions, steadfastly acting upon them. Kureha deeply identified with that resolve.
That was why she cared so much about this friend.
A thousand cups were too few when drinking with a kindred spirit.
A true friend one could open one's heart to was worth more than gold.
Just as Bianka was returning to the Imperial Capital, Rita received some interesting news as well.
It made her preparations even more thorough!
"You're saying Freia's full-blooded younger sister has returned to the Imperial Capital?"
Rita sat in her chair, lightly stirring a cup of coffee as her wine-red eyes gently fixed upon Princess Mia before her.
She had previously investigated Princess Norn, who was reputed to be a "wise one" and a "military genius," but unfortunately... Norn had not been in the Imperial Capital then. She had been elsewhere.
Unexpectedly, she had returned to the Imperial Capital before Lady Bianka.
"Yes. Sister Norn should have returned to the Imperial Capital last night."
At the mention of that royal sister's return, Mia seemed somewhat afraid.
Unlike her fear of Freia, whenever she stood before Sister Norn, she felt as though she had been completely seen through... as though she had no secrets at all.
She truly had no secrets in the past, so it had not mattered much.
But now, whenever she thought about the matter she was concealing from Sister Freia, she did not dare