Editing Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 6 Chapter 3 (section)

===Part 3===
In order to celebrate their reopening after taking advantage of the vacation period to complete their interior renovation, <La Tene> had all of their waitresses wear a variety of fancy outfits to serve their guests. There were some like cats or dogs, while there were also those like female knights and young dragons; they had all kinds of strange outfits on. The store’s business was booming, and there were only a few seats remaining. If they acted even a bit slower, they might have had to wait in line.

“It’s my treat today.”

Ash sat down at the empty table, and picked up a menu as if asserting that he was going to be paying the bill for this meal. In fact, after being appointed as an Ark Dragonar, Ash’s wallet had received a monthly salary. Even under the assumption that he came to <La Tene> as a customer every day, it would not result in a great blow to his wallet. Compared to his days as a poor student, his current lifestyle was like a dream.

“Oh. You actually volunteered to treat, it looks like you’re slowly becoming financially capable.”

The generous Ash had become a reliable man in Eco’s mind. Strictly speaking though, Ash had shouldered the burden of Eco’s meal costs ever since she was born.

“Well, you just rely on a man to earn money and support you, so it seems like you don’t amount to much yourself. As a woman of the Knight Country, you should learn how to live independently, instead of being like a Chevron woman who only knows how to flatter men.”

Seeing Silvia speak as though she were attacking Eco, cold sweat dripped down Ash’s body. Sure enough, Eco began to counterattack against Silvia.

“What did you say? How about you treat for this meal, Silvia! You were the one who invited us to eat here anyway!”

“Eco! How can you speak like that to Hime-sama?”

“What, are you helping Silvia’s side now!?”

Eco’s face dyed red in anger.

“I-I…”

“Fighting over such a thing is too shameful, you two. We just came to a students’ restaurant to have a meal, so what is there to argue about? Eco is right, I was the person who invited you to this restaurant. That’s why I’ll be paying for this meal.”

Silvia’s generous statement caused Ash to feel admiration for her, but he immediately realised that something was off.

“Hold on, I’ve never seen you pay for anything before, Hime-sama.”

“Hmm? What are you trying to say, Ash?”

“Well, Hime-sama. Pardon my rudeness for asking this…do you have any cash on you?”

“Cash? I don’t understand what you’re talking about.”

Silvia furrowed her eyebrows in surprise.

“You didn't bring your wallet, right?”

“Why does the princess of a country need to carry a wallet? I normally give my wallet to Cosette to manage.”

“Where is Cosette-san right now?”

“Because the essential oils used for bathing have run out, I remember her saying that she was going to buy some new ones. However, I just need to give the name of the Lautreamont Royal Family, and the restaurant should allow us to eat as much as we like on credit.”

“No no, that might be all right in a three-star restaurant in the capital, but this is the Academy City, you know? Hime-sama, you also shouldn't give out the name of the Royal Family in a public restaurant as well, right?”

“Uh…that is true.”

“Today will still be my treat, since I have a lot of questions to ask you anyway, Hime-sama.”

“I’m sorry, Ash…”

“Hmph, it’s my win this time!”

Seeing Silvia become disappointed and downcast, Eco seemed proud and overjoyed.

“Hey hey, I’m the one treating so don’t get so cocky, alright?”

Just when Ash said that to Eco with an amazed expression—

“W-Welcome back nyan…master!”

A waitress wearing a maid outfit, with cat ears on her head, and a cat’s tail attached behind her suddenly ran out, giving Ash a surprise. What was even more surprising was that this waitress’ face was very familiar.

“You’re Anya!”

Ash stared blankly at the waitress’ face. Eco and Silvia also followed suit, and were speechless. Tan skin, dark black hair, and piercing eyes. She was small, but she had a beautiful figure like a female leopard — it was most definitely the Anya who was previously the enemy of Ash and the others.

“Wanya! It’s Ash Blake and the young dragon Eco! A-And Princess Silvia as well nya!”

“Why is your speech so strange?”

After Ash calmly pointed out her speech issue, Anya’s entire body become so red that it seemed like she was puffing out steam.

“T-This is because of the manager’s orders, I can’t just…”

Anya’s gaze wandered as she spoke vaguely and inarticulately. Ash couldn't stop himself from being mesmerised by the attraction of her exotic beauty. With the cat ears and tail as accessories, it made Anya look even more adorable. She was like a black cat that people only wanted to hug and pamper. Along with the frilly maid outfit, it was surprisingly well suited for her. The length of the skirt was above her knees, and her slightly concealed thighs would make one nervous.

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“Guha!”

While Ash was looking on in wonder, he was suddenly struck in the abdomen by an elbow on both sides.

“What…what the heck! Eco! And even you’re being so rough too, Hime-sama!”

As soon as Ash opened his mouth to complain, Eco and Silvia gave him a foul look as they both stiffened and immediately replied

“Hmph! It’s your fault for staring open-mouthed at girls!”

“Indeed, I can’t help approving of what Eco has to say this time.”

“I can’t stand you guys, you’re both getting so worked up about such a perplexing thing.”

Ash lamented as he clutched his stomach.

“Anyway, you’re called Anya, right? Why are you in Ansarivan!?”

This time, Eco directed her anger towards Anya as she spoke.

“Shouldn't you have been left in Fontaine City for interrogation? Surely, you don’t plan on engaging in more plots, do you?”

Silvia aggressively followed like Eco, and cast a cold gaze towards Anya.

“……”

With an enemy on each side, Anya appeared to shrink back timidly.

“Ara<ref>Ara: ~ Oh my.</ref>, Anya-chan, could these be your friends?”

Then, the manager of <La Tene> came over from behind Anya. Although the manager was rather tall, the perfect proportions of her body were comparable to a model, but she always had a warm and friendly smile on her face, so it didn't give people the feeling that she was difficult to approach. At around twenty years of age, she was greatly admired by the students of the Unios course, which even gave her the nickname of ‘okaa-san’<ref>Okaa-san: Mother.</ref>, as a so-called popular manager.

“M-Manager, there are people who know my true identity…”

Anya was on the verge of tears as she turned around and looked at the manager.

“Well well, aren't you Princess Silvia? For the Princess to visit the lowly students’ restaurant <La Tene>, it’s my honour.”

The manager noticed that the customer sitting down was Silvia, and immediately bowed with respect. Then, she began to explain about Anya’s situation to the three people.

 

“—That’s basically how it is, so this girl is no longer the enemy of the Knight Country.”

In short, when she was being interrogated by Veronica, because of her cooperative attitude, she obtained a pardon afterwards, and it was arranged for her to live in Ansarivan. At that time, the one who volunteered to be Anya’s observer and guardian was the manager of <La Tene>.

“Umm…I’m really sorry for troubling everyone. Although I know it’s not something that can be forgiven with just an apology…”

Anya sombrely bowed as she apologised to Eco.

“What’s with that tone?”

Eco angrily puffed out her cheeks. Before, thanks to Anya’s doing, Eco had suffered a lot in Fontaine City, so it was hard to blame her for not forgiving her so easily. It was just that, seeing Anya maintain her deeply bowed posture without moving, the steel-hearted Eco seemed to relent.

“F-Fine…if you let me have some delicious meat, I’ll consider forgiving you.”

Hearing Eco’s words, Anya’s face suddenly brightened up a bit.

“Really!? The chef’s recommendation for today is [Grilled Lamb]!”

“…Gyruru.”

“Look at you, you’re even drooling!”

Ash quickly picked up a napkin and helped Eco to wipe the edge of her mouth, then looked at the interaction between Eco and Anya, and suddenly had mixed feelings.

“Thinking back about it now…Eco’s birth actually has an inseparable relationship with Anya. Didn't you attack me in the forest at first?”

“I-I’m really very sorry…”

Anya’s shrunk back more and more.

“You don’t need to be afraid, I’m not angry anymore. On the contrary, if not for you, Eco might not have awakened yet.”

After Ash said that with a wry smile, Eco cried out.

“What! Are you mistaken!? If your life wasn't about to end, I could've slept for another three good years!”

“Just how much do you like sleeping!? If I really let you sleep for that long, I would have graduated!”

Seeing Ash and Eco both arguing, Anya couldn't help giggling slightly.

“Hmm? What’s so funny?”

After Ash asked out of puzzlement, Anya gave a wry smile as she replied

“I just think that a Dragonar and their Pal really have a good relationship.”

“I-I don’t have a particularly good relationship with him!”

Eco crossed her arms, and turned her face away dismissively. Ash inadvertently noticed that her cheeks were slightly flushed, which in turn caused him to feel embarrassed.

“Yes yes! Anya has recently been talking all the time about Ash-san. She looks as though she’s anxious to start—”

“M-Manager! What are you saying, really!”

Anya’s ears reddened and she pushed the manager from behind as she left. Not long after, she was seen pushing the restaurant manager outside, and then dove into the kitchen.

“Wait a minute! How are we going to order? What about that tasty [Grilled Lamb]!”

Eco shouted out loudly, but Anya refused to come out no matter what.

“It’s rather strange, what could've happened to Anya?”

Ash honestly wondered about that, and Silvia, who had been silent until now, finally broke the silence.

“It’s like you’re completely off guard. Could it be that even Anya…”

Silvia muttered incomprehensibly, but it was nearly impossible to hear the latter half of what she was saying. Thus, Ash put on a serious expression, and looked at Silvia.

“Hime-sama, why are you angry?”

“You should ask yourself that question!”