"…What!? You're the emperor!? And Yuki, you are the head of church!? But you told me you were traders!"
"Well, that's because back then we were. It's a long and complicated story, and I don't think I can summarize it in a way that makes it seem believable. So you will have to make do with that."
"That's… Really inconsiderate! I mean, ahem… Sorry, I did not mean to lose my temper like that. It's just that it took me off guard. I haven't been quite myself recently… But even so, I have to ask a big favor of you…
My country has fallen victim to senseless violence and corruption, and I alongside my family was cast out by those I've sworn to protect, and I don't know how to help anyone, not even myself…
So I, as representative of the royal family of the Great Naru Empire, daughter of her Majesty the Empress, beg of you, to save our nation…!"
"…"
Yamato could not help but feel a bit embarrassed as she suddenly bowed down in front of them, while the large crowd from the piano play was still gathered around them, now even more confused about what this elf was talking to their emperor. Though the fact that it was a public request could have been intentional, which Yamato found difficult to determine with Satomi.
"…And what would my nation get in return?"
"I don't have any money, or valuables besides what I earned today and a bit from yesterday… But you have my word that I will give you whatever you want in return once I am able to! Even… Even if it's my own body, I will—…"
Unsurprisingly, that last part did not sit well with Yuki. And the fact that it was a public offer at that made it all the more unacceptable.
"Excuse me…? You come here and beg for help, dare call it a favor, and in the same moment find the time to insult us by assuming we would be interested in prostitution? Don't you have any shame or dignity? Or even simple manners at that? To think someone like you calls herself a princess is the epitome of—"
"Okay, enough, Yuki… Satomi, as you can see, though I'm sure pure in intent, your offer is somewhat offensive… However, Yuki has taken things a bit too far herself, so I hope you can forgive her as we will forgive you. Furthermore, as sign of our appreciation in your trust, I will make you a promise right now. I will help you get your nation back. I will help you find your family. And I will save you too."
Satomi, who after Yuki's rant had barely stopped herself from crying, now ended up shedding a tear anyway, but for a different reason.
"B-but why… I don't understand…"
"We are friends, you and I, are we not?"
"Y-yes… Yes we are!"
And so Yuki watched silently as what was surface level relationship at best all of the sudden turned into friendship. However, she also saw the dramatic scene Satomi had forced them to portray in public, so she felt the need to remove herself and Yamato from the public, to which Satomi happen to be dragged along. Upon her request, her carriage was outside the Cube as well by some guards which happened to be close by. However, Yuki left half way to the Cube, saying she needed to take care of something real quick and would meet then there.
"So, Satomi, what happened to your companion? Ken, was it? I assume he was a guard of sorts. Surely he would come with you in a situation like this."
"He… Stayed behind… When the castle was invaded, he brought me to a stable where imports were stored, and I was able to snuck out in a carriage which still had horses attached. It just so happened that the piano was in the back… It's kind of funny actually… It was supposed to be my birthday present. I had many things, but no instruments, and I really wanted one, y'know? Now it's all I have…"
"I'm sorry to hear that… I'm sure he'a alright as well. He seemeed capable back then."
"Yeah, he was always reliable and strong…"
Meanwhile right outside town, Yuki, who had identified and beaten the traders to death in less than five minutes, was in the middle of cleaning up the mess she had made. Leaving the bodies to Iky, while making sure their goods would not just remain on the side of the road for ever. Making a selfless donation to the church was the least they could do, after all. After all was sorted, her thoughts wandered off to what happened with Satomi just now. One could think her out lashing at Satomi was somehow disadvantageous for Yamato, however she was quite content with how things played out, and she believed Yamato was too. After all, she understood by now how Yamato liked to do things. And if she was right, then she did exactly as she was supposed to. Meaning Yamato would most likely praise her. Though she was not entirely sure what Yamato's plan was with Satomi, knowing that she understood enough to make contributions anyway filled her with pride.
She then proceeded to return to the Cube, where Yamato was waiting with Satomi, who curiously looked at the to her unknown material.
"So, this is what exactly?"
"It's a church, but also functions as our primary residence. Like a castle, if you will."
"It doesn't look like a castle… Or anything really."
"Well, it's not finished! Sorry for being busy.", Yuki said in her greatest architectural achievement's defense.
"I'm sorry, Yuki, I meant no offense by it. It's just that it sticks out a lot, and so I got curious. But the last thing I wanted was for you to feel as if it needed to be changed..."
"Whatever…"
"Doesn't look like anything… You will see who looks like nothing in comparison tomorrow!"
On their way to a room at the top floor of the Cube where they could speak in private, they ran into Pheobe, who was literally running through the corridor covered in paint and holding a piece of paper with Petrisha running after her holding a bucket of water and towels.
"Miss Pheobe, please wait…!"
"Haha, you'll never catch Pheobe!"
"Please just be careful not to hurt yourself!"
"Ah… Phoebe's out of breath… That means she wins, because you didn't catch up to her in time."
"B-but you only started running around 20 seconds ago…"
"Yay, Pheobe won in only 20 seconds!"
"…Congratulations, miss…"
"Ah, look, misses maid!"
"Hm~? What is it Pheo—…"
As Pheobe pointed at Yamato and Yuki, Petrisha went pale as her openly displayed lack of control over Pheobe would surely be met with disciplinary actions. Pheobe however, was without a care in the world and ran up to them.
"Look, Yamato, I was painting with my hands!"
"That's great, Pheobe. What did you paint?"
"Pheobe carrying a big flower, with you and Yuki on top holding hands! Do you wanna see?"
"Actually, I was just…"
As Pheobe looked up at him already holding what he presumed was the painting she wanted to show him behind her, he could not bring himself to say no to her even though he was supposed to be focusing on Satomi right now.
"Well… Sure, I'd love to."
Pheobe proudly presented the painting, which turned out to be a drawing made with crayons, but the motive was as she described. As long as you were able to identify the two people on the flower, which were made out of scrawly lines, with one having two triangles behind them, presumably wings, and two circles on their chest, as Yamato and Yuki. Though Yamato did wonder about one thing while looking at Pheobe's in paint covered clothes.
"…Didn't you say you painted with your hands? How come this is drawn with crayons?"
"Pheobe did paint with her hands…! But it got all blurry and when she asked misses maid what she saw in the pictures, she never guessed right… So Pheobe switched up to crayons cause those were easier and decided to pretend as if she made it with her hands!"
"Ah… Well, it's a great drawing regardless. We can frame it, if you want?"
"Yes, Pheobe wants all her drawings framed!"
"Feel welcome to cover the walls with them. Now, we have to get going. So why don't you and Petrisha go play a little more?"
"Hm… Okay! Misses maid, Pheobe's hungry! She wants to eat a tomato!"
After leaving her drawing with Yamato, she ran to Petrisha who was avoiding Yuki's gaze throughout the interaction.
"Alright then, let's get you a tomato, miss Pheobe…"
"Can Pheobe have two tomatoes instead?"
"I will make sure to provide you with as many tomatoes as you wish."
"Yay~"
After the chaotic encounter, they got themselves a room to talk in depth about what would be their actions moving forward, as Satomi's arrival changed how Yamato viewed the Naru Empire situation drastically.
"I-I didn't know you two already had a daughter…"
"She…"
"Well, I didn't plan for her to be of public interest, so I haven't really thought about how to introduce her to anyone… I can hardly say she is the incarnation of sloth, not that would even mean something to most people… I guess there's only one suitable response…"
"She's adopted. I apologize for the scene earlier. That must have been overwhelming for you."
"N-no, not at all…! I am a guest, after all. Please don't worry about it. Actually, I am the one who must apologize… I know you said you would help me, and that was quite literally what I had asked of you, but… I myself am not even sure how anyone could help me in this situation… I fear I put too much pressure on you, for we have just met for the first time in what I believe is close to two years…?"
"Well, if it's just that then you really don't need to worry about that. Trust me when I say that I'm glad to help you out. And no matter how much time has passed, it is we that are in your debt, after all. You really helped us out back then."
"I suppose, but I would have done so for anyone… But enough of that… How do you intend to act moving forward?"
"Well, I must inform you that our main focus currently remains to be the Holy Empire of Humanity… So I cannot guarantee that I can help you right away. But that doesn't mean I there won't be any preparations made for helping you out. For now, it would be great if you could give me a list of detailed information regarding the events that took place the day you escaped, as well as who you think important people are that I should know about. Could you do that for me?"
"If that's all, I am happy to help… I just hope you will be able to use what little I can provide…"
"Trust me, I've got a feeling you will be of much greater help than you currently think…"