“So, from the very beginning… this ridiculous thing was a woman, huh?”
As I opened the drawer, a pile of letters came into view.
The moment I saw them, I couldn’t help but let out a sound from my mouth, which was smiling—a sound of grinding my teeth involuntarily.
For a guy, he was quite emotional and overly dramatic.
I really was fooled.
No one deceived me, but here I was, the one who had been deceived, in this strange phenomenon.
“Damn…”
Now that I knew she was a woman, the contents of the letters, which had seemed strange until now, began to appear completely natural.
I had thought maybe she was into cross-dressing, but now I realized it was just fashion talk.
It was nothing more than the ordinary topics that teenage girls typically chat about.
Along with that, there were stories about dolls and various restaurants around school…
Exchanging letters on such trivial topics, I found myself smiling every time I heard Yuri’s stories.
Each time, I would force my expression to harden, thinking, “What am I doing reading a guy’s letters?”
But now, I didn’t need to do that anymore.
I could read them with a chuckle, just like listening to the worries of a cute girl.
Until now, I had felt self-conscious whenever I thought, “Yuri, this guy, is actually pretty cute”.
But now, I didn’t have to feel that way anymore.
‘At least, I won’t need to doubt my s*xual identity…’
With this, there was no longer any reason for me to doubt myself.
At first, I was too lazy to even reply, but later, I found my heart racing just at the news that Yuri’s letter had arrived.
When I saw Yuri in a dress, it felt like my heart stopped.
To think that all these were normal reactions; really, I had just survived ten years of torture.
‘Of course, knowing the correct gender doesn’t change much.’
It was just that the old misunderstandings had been cleared up.
This wouldn’t solve any problems or lead to any drastic changes.
Yuri would still be wary of me, fearful, lingering nearby, waiting for an opportunity to take Charlotte and Julia away.
Yuri hadn’t changed. Yuri hadn’t.
However, my attitude toward Yuri could change drastically.
No, it had to change.
Even if I consciously tried to act as I had before, the difference in my response when I thought of Yuri as a man versus now knowing he was a woman would be as different as day and night.
Then, rather than trying to force myself to act like I did before, why not aim for a complete renewal starting today?
The direction of that renewal was already clearly set in my mind.
‘If Yuri were a man, this would be impossible. But being a woman makes it possible…’
The moment I heard that Yuri was a woman, this idea sprang to mind.
“I will marry Yuri.”
[The Evil God ‘Kali’ praises your extraordinary decision!]
This is the path to becoming engaged to Yuri.
If I were worried that my friends were captured by the wicked Count Vermont, wouldn’t my anxiety be resolved if even the main culprit fell into my hands?
Then, Yuri wouldn’t have to worry about her friends anymore, which would be good for her.
I wouldn’t have to worry about being murdered, which would be good for me.
Plus, I would gain a bride who is docile, cute, serious when focused, clumsy in unfamiliar areas, and about to burst with embarrassment when wearing an awkwardly feminine outfit.
Wow, there’s nothing but benefits.
Even Kali, who is usually strict with me, would likely applaud this solid and constructive plan.
If I were to write up this plan and show it, everyone would likely applaud and approve.
The only problem is that “everyone” doesn’t include Yuri.
‘Yuri’s feelings toward me must already be at rock bottom…’
From the very beginning, we were tangled up.
Yuri viewed me as a terrible villain who enslaved her friends.
Of course, that perception likely still holds.
From Yuri’s perspective, I must be the worst of the worst.
If such a person suddenly proposed engagement, how would she react?
Perhaps she would be more frightened than disgusted.
So, pushing for an engagement right away would be absurd.
It seems I’ll need a considerable preparation period. It might even stretch into years.
‘If I wanted to, I could use a cheat key…’
If I wanted to skip the preparation phase, there is a way to do it.
A cheat key that could instantly raise Yuri’s affection for me.
The truth is that I am the black-clad Mister whom you’ve been exchanging letters with all this time, who supports you.
Of course, that’s not a method I’m keen on using.
It would mean breaking my promise to meet Yuri only after she graduates from the Imperial Magic Academy.
More than anything, it’s embarrassing.
If I used this cheat key, I’d look like someone who is overly eager to have a cute and lovely bride, who is boyish yet looks good in any outfit I choose, just to satisfy my own tastes.
In reality, I’m just trying to work for peace. I would be misinterpreted as someone who wants to raise Yuri, to end her anxieties and enjoy a life of peaceful security without the threat of murder.
That noble intention would only bring me trouble.
So, I guess I’ll hold off on using the cheat key for as long as possible.
I’ll save it for when all other options are blocked, to be used as a last resort.
‘I’ve roughly set the course.’
Until now, the goal of living without the threat of murder seemed distant.
Today, that goal began to shimmer before my eyes.
Getting Yuri to accept my engagement with Charlotte and Julia was no longer a futile dream.
If I could nurture my feelings for Yuri and then deliver the finishing blow with the black-clad uncle’s coming out, that would be the end of it.
“Defeating the Hero. Let’s give it a try.”
[The Evil God ‘Kali’ fervently supports you!]
I can do this.
It will be difficult, but it’s not impossible.
With Kali’s encouragement, I decided to take on the challenge.
.
.
.
‘I’m crazy…’
Step, Step.
As I walked, my steps slowly came to a halt.
Yuri stood frozen, clutching the hem of her skirt tightly.
Today was a holiday. It was a rare day without classes at the Imperial Magic Academy.
Plus, it was a golden holiday with no work obligations.
On a day like this, I had shared a lot of ideas with Mr. Black about what to do.
I thought about getting up late and going to the brunch cafe in front of the school.
I considered visiting a bizarre place called a botanical garden where I could see plants from all four seasons.
I even promised to go shopping for outfits together with the black-clad uncle later.
With two full pages of plans for a holiday, why was I, of all people, standing in front of Aslan Vermont’s mansion?
Yuri stood in front of the mansion’s main gate, gritting her teeth and trembling.
‘I have no choice. For my friends…’
They were much more important than brunch or a botanical garden.
If I were to lose those kids and they were to be taken away to the world of nobles, never to return, nothing would be as sorrowful and regrettable.
So, I had no choice. I had to seduce Aslan Vermont…
Just then, as Yuri was trying to gather her resolve again.
‘Oh, but what about Mr. Black…?’
The thought of the uncle suddenly crossed her mind, and Yuri hesitated, her body stiffening.
For no reason, he started supporting me…
He always replied to my letters, even when he must have been busy…
He sent gifts and allowances to the point of being somewhat overwhelming…
Until I realized my feelings for him, I had no hesitation at all.
But now, every time I thought of him, my heart would race.
The idea of seducing Aslan Vermont suddenly became less appealing.
If I were to marry, I’d prefer someone like Mr. Black —considerate, good with words, affectionate, and someone who enjoys giving.
Not someone selfish, taciturn, and stingy like Aslan Vermont.
If I were to marry Aslan Vermont, to become a Countess, what would Mr. Black think of me…?
As I reached that thought, tears welled up in Yuri’s eyes, and she felt like crying.
“Why are you crying like a beggar in front of my mansion?”
“Ah. Ugh, uh…”
Just then, a low voice came from across the street.
Startled, tears burst forth from her eyes.
Yuri hastily wiped her face and turned around.
“Oh, it’s nothing. I was just passing by, so I’ll be going now…”
“First, come inside. Wash your face or something. I can’t let you leave looking like that.”
“…Yes.”
At Aslan’s soft voice, Yuri sniffled and replied.
Just now, she had made up her mind.
She had made her decision.
‘Yeah. I guess it can’t be helped. The Mr. Black doesn’t see me as a woman anyway. After all, we were never meant to be…’
Yuri clenched her fist tightly and stepped through the open gate, which creaked ominously.
It was the moment she gave up on her first love.
