"What do I do, what do I do, what do I do…"
Yunyun was unusually flustered today.
She stood before a full-length mirror, holding up one dress after another as though preparing for an important interview.
Watching her, Nero couldn't help but voice her thoughts.
"Is this really necessary?"
"Of course it is! We're going to meet Her Highness, the Princess!"
Due to their achievements in defeating multiple Demon King's generals, Nero's and Kazuma's teams had received invitations to the royal capital to be formally recognized by the princess herself.
The list of generals defeated was impressive: the headless knight Beldia, the demon duke Vanir, the poisonous slime Hans, and the chimera Sylvia.
Yes, since their battle with Vanir in the dungeon, Nero's team had gone on to take down two more of the Demon King's generals.
In recognition of these heroic feats, the princess had sent invitations to both parties.
"Umu! But honestly, I think this is more about Alice missing me and using this as an excuse to see me again," Nero mused.
Watching Yunyun fret over her dress choices, Nero sighed.
"Why are you so nervous? Didn't you and Alice play chess on the same bed back then?"
"B-b-but… but that's different! I didn't know Alice was the princess back then! Even when I found out before we parted ways, I was so sad about saying goodbye that I didn't even process it properly!"
Seeing Nero so calm, Yunyun asked tentatively, "Nero… aren't you even a little nervous?"
"Why would I be? This is just a trip to visit my little sister after a long time apart. If anyone should be nervous, it's Alice and her people," Nero replied confidently, placing a hand over her chest and smiling radiantly. "Besides, as the Emperor of Rome and the living embodiment of Venus, I am always in a state of perfect, flawless grace! There's no need for panic!"
Her confidence shifted to a sly grin.
"Relax. We're going with Kazuma's team, too. Knowing them, they're bound to stir up some chaos. Even if you do something embarrassing, their antics will make you look tame in comparison."
"Nero… isn't that a little mean?"
"Don't worry about it. At worst, it's just the guillotine."
"HOW IS THAT NOT TERRIBLE?!"
Instead of traveling with Kazuma's team, Nero and Yunyun arrived at the royal capital ahead of them via teleportation.
"Umu! The royal capital… It doesn't look like it's changed much since I left."
It was Yunyun's first visit to the capital, but not Nero's.
After all, when Nero had first arrived in this world, she had descended into this very city—specifically, into Alice's room.
Seeing Yunyun curiously taking in the surroundings, Nero asked, "Want to explore a bit first? We don't have to rush to see Alice."
"Lady Nero."
Approaching them was a familiar face: Reine, one of Alice's personal guards and a skilled mage.
Reine gave a slight bow, her polite smile as warm and pleasant as ever.
"Her Highness asked me to greet Lady Nero and Miss Yunyun upon your arrival."
Nero raised an eyebrow. "Alice sent someone to wait for us at the teleportation array? How thoughtful."
Then she frowned slightly.
"Where's Claire? Isn't she the one who's supposed to welcome me?"
"Lady Claire… isn't very thrilled about your visit, Lady Nero," Reine said, her smile becoming slightly strained. "When Her Highness announced her intention to invite you to the capital, no one protested more strongly than Claire. She was adamant that you shouldn't meet Her Highness again."
"Umu. What a pity. I quite like girls like Claire—beautiful and spirited—but she seems to have taken a disliking to me," Nero remarked with a wistful tone.
"L-l-like…"
For some reason, Yunyun's reaction to Nero's casual remark was unusually pronounced. Her face turned bright red as she stammered incoherently.
Reine quickly regained her composure and gestured toward the castle.
"This way, please. Her Highness has been eagerly awaiting your arrival."
As she turned to lead them, Reine hesitated, then glanced back over her shoulder.
"One more thing… Lady Claire might be in a bit of a foul mood. When you meet her and Her Highness… No, forget I said anything."
Nero shrugged and walked forward, pausing when she noticed Yunyun still standing rooted in place.
"Yunyun, let's go."
"Eh? Oh, r-right! Coming!"
Yunyun's behavior seemed off—like she was preoccupied with something.
But everyone has their own worries, Nero thought, deciding not to press further.
Alice's castle was the most prominent and iconic structure in the royal capital.
Seeing its grandeur for the first time, Yunyun's jaw dropped, her mouth forming an "O" large enough to fit an egg.
Awe quickly gave way to nervousness.
"Please don't be nervous, Miss Yunyun," Reine said gently, sensing her unease. "You and Lady Nero are Her Highness's friends. Even here in the capital, she often speaks of you. If you appear anxious because of her status, it might upset her."
Her tone was earnest, a clear indication of her genuine care for Alice.
"F-f-friends?"
"That's right. Her Highness treasures you both as friends and hopes you will treat her as such, just like you did in Axel."
The word "friends" seemed to flip a switch in Yunyun. Her tension melted away, replaced by determination.
"Yes! Alice and I are friends!"
Relieved to see her encouragement take effect, Reine smiled and turned to Nero, who had been silent.
"Umu! To me, Alice has always been a younger sister in need of guidance. Status and titles mean nothing to me! No position, no matter how lofty, could ever surpass mine! Umu!"
"You haven't changed a bit, Lady Nero," Reine said, chuckling softly. "It's good to see your energy hasn't waned."
Under Reine's guidance, the group entered the castle, greeted by rows of maids bowing in unison.
Yunyun stiffened, clearly overwhelmed by the formal reception.
She's not used to this kind of setting, Nero mused with a small smile.