In between my hard work I decided to hang out. Luckily, there was a nice little tea party in the palace, organized by the Queen.

The invitation specifically mentioned not to bring Enji, and I happily obliged.

It was an indoor tea party. There was nothing surprising going on. Noble ladies chatted, drank tea, lickspittled to their superiors, and badmouthed their rivals.

I was about to call New Jersey to save me from this hell, and already started typing the message, when I felt something unexpected.

There was an unknown radio emitter nearby.

I immediately started searching for a suitable excuse to leave this tea party. The usual ‘flower viewing’ won’t work in my case. They will never let me stay unattended…

When I found a nice looking excuse, I approached the queen, simultaneously with her attendant.

“One moment, Miss Iowa. You may want to hear this…” The queen beckoned the attendant to speak.

“The last guest on the list has arrived, Your Majesty.” The attendant stepped aside, and the queen looked at me with gratification.

“As I said~, you may want to postpone leaving~.” I raised my hands, and returned to the tables.

Five minutes later the doors opened, and a lady in a sky-blue cloak entered. She started with approaching the queen and greetings. The two of them quietly discussed something, and the queen stood up, and led the lady to me.

“Miss Iowa, allow me to present you baroness Delight. She happened to come a long way, and I would be most pleased, if you entertained her for now.” The queen pushed the lady forward, and retreated before we had a chance to catch her.

“Oh my, allow me to greet you properly. I am Delight, baroness of the neighboring kingdom, and Her Majesty’s faithful servant.” The lady performed curtsy.

“H-hi? I’m Iowa…” Then I bit my tongue.

“Oh my, indeed? I do wish to make an acquaintance. Shall we have a short conversation~?” We sat down at the table, and started talking.

We were talking for a long time, and enjoyed our time.

Nobody tried approaching the table, and only maids were interrupting our dialogue for another cup of tea.

When the tea party ended, instead of parting ways we went for a walk.

“It is wonderful to have somebody understanding me so well.” (D)

“Yeah, it’s great.” The source of the radio signal was evident, since it kept on moving together with the lady.

“How about we go for a short sail?”

“Please, allow me to participate then~.” We giggled, and headed to the port.

In the faraway outskirt of the port, where the battleships were standing while they are not used by us, was anchored another ship.

“Wait, is that Hood?”

“Oh my, you jest~, I am in no way as vulnerable as my aunt~.” The lady giggled.

“Then, how about we go for a sail~?” We smiled at each other.

Battleship and battlecruiser ventured out into the open sea.

“I suggest we speed up a bit. Setting speed to 20 knots.” (D)

“Speed to 20 knots, aye. There is a nice group of islands nearby. How about we visit them?”

“Oh my, I do enjoy watching nature from the sea.” (D)

Soon we were sailing past a large island. I, and quite possible the lady, was watching the moon-lit forests and shores.

“It is majestic, what do you think?” Even through emotionless pinging of radiotelegraph I could feel the lady’s emotions.

“Indeed, I like it too.”

Soon we both understood that sailing together is one thing, walking on the water is another.

“I find this idea intriguing. Shall we continue?” We sailed hand in hand.

All of my worries melted away together with my fatigue.

However, soon the morning came.

“I wish we could continue like this, however I have to go write the darned research.”

“Indeed, it was the most satisfying sailing. I wonder if it would be possible to enjoy a cup of tea with you when I return from the circumnavigation.” The lady giggled.

I escorted her to the battlecruiser, and we parted ways.

‘Sigh’

‘Sigh’

‘Sigh’

‘SIGH’

“Ok, ok! What happened, I?” Finally, I thought I will have to sigh for an entire day until she notices.

“I met such a wonderful person…!”

“Great.” (NJ)

“I am sure you would get along with her too.”

“Wonderful.” (NJ)

“Ah, if only I could spend more time with her.”

“Please, tell me more.” (NJ)

“Will it kill you to stop playing that game…? Haaa, someone like you would never get a maiden’s heart…”

“Come on, I, I just got another maiden’s heart, look.” I glanced at the screen.

“Coming to think about it, it would be better if somebody like you never approaches girls at all…”

Said I, while looking at a 2D butt.