“Yuri’s here!”
“Be careful. From now on, we should call her Yuria.”
“Oh, right! Yuria’s here!”
The two of them felt their hearts pounding as they looked out the window.
When they first heard that Yuria would stay at the mansion like Aslan had passed through, they thought it might be a joke.
But to think she was really coming!
“She brought her bag, so it doesn’t look like she’ll stay just for a short time. It really seems like she’ll stay here for the whole break.”
“I think you’re right, I think you’re right…!”
Finally, they could spend time with Yuri again!
How long had it been since they parted ways?
After that, Yuri entered the Imperial Magic Academy, got involved in connections there, joined Vermont Security, and ended up staying at the mansion.
It had taken about four months.
Just as excitement and exhilaration were rising, Charlotte and Julia quickly realized that this reunion wasn’t a complete reunion and let out a sigh.
“Yuri… she’s probably going to wear a mask again, right?”
“Most likely. But why does she hide her identity from us?”
“She’s not really hiding it from us, I think she’s hiding it from Aslan. If Aslan finds out that we know Yuri, she probably doesn’t want that to happen.”
“Why would she do that!?”
Although they reunited, Yuri didn’t show any recognition.
Wearing a mask that was already exposed, using an alias…
There must be a reason for Yuri’s actions.
Charlotte and Yulia tried to think of the reason together.
“Ugh! I don’t know!”
“Me neither…”
Not long after, they had to give up.
They couldn’t think of a plausible reason.
It wasn’t like they thought Aslan would try to separate them if he found out that they knew Yuri.
Yuri was stubborn, but not that foolish.
They wanted to pretend they had noticed something beneath her mask, but…
If they did, who knew what might happen?
They couldn’t be careless.
They didn’t want to lose the opportunity to be close to Yuri again over a small mistake…
“It can’t be helped. We’ll have to find out ourselves!”
“Did they say the break was two months long? We have plenty of time, so we can slowly probe it out. If we work together, we’ll figure it out soon…!”
“Work together… what? I don’t really understand, but anyway, we’ll be fine…!”
Charlotte and Julia nodded at each other.
Either Yuri was in some kind of difficult situation or she was misunderstanding something.
Either way, they were sure of it.
If it were the old us, they might have just been frustrated and unable to help Yuri.
But now, both of them were strong enough to help.
So there was nothing to worry about.
Unless there were internal divisions among them…!
.
.
.
“Count Vermont is raising you to be his future wife, I heard… Is that true…?”
“Heh, heh… that… really?”
“Of course it’s true!”
“It’s not true…”
“…?”
They stared at each other, bewildered.
At the same time, their heads tilted in confusion.
It was clear that they couldn’t understand each other.
“Ehh? Anyone can see that he’s raising Yulia to be his bride, right?”
“Charlotte, have you been swept up in the maids’ rumors? Aslan isn’t that kind of person. You, who’ve been closest to him, shouldn’t be saying that!”
“I’ve been swept up in rumors!? No way! It’s obvious Aslan really likes you…!”
“His ‘liking’ isn’t that kind of liking, you fool. Aslan is kinder than he looks. How have you been seeing him until now? It’s so frustrating.”
“Hah!? Ugh… you’re so frustrating, aren’t you? No wonder you’re the classic ‘tsundere’ type!”
“‘Tsundere’? What does that even mean…!”
Soon, Julia’s face turned bright red, and Charlotte’s voice grew louder.
“How can you not notice when Aslan goes out of his way to create situations where he’s alone with you? He makes time for you constantly, yet you’re completely clueless. It’s painful to watch!”
“Huff.”
Charlotte shook her head in exasperation.
Julia gasped in shock.
Despite her usually composed and intelligent demeanor, Julia had always been dense when it came to relationships.
But to miss Aslan’s obvious affection? Even the maids hinted at it.
Or maybe Julia’s pride as a self-proclaimed “rational intellectual” kept her from believing gossip.
Alternatively, she might have noticed but was afraid that acknowledging it could ruin their current relationship.
Whatever the case, it was maddening!
Julia’s obliviousness wasn’t new, but Charlotte had never been this frustrated before.
“I’m not that oblivious! Sure, I’m not the most straightforward person, but I’m not that clueless.”
“Yes, you are.”
“No, I’m not! If I’m clueless, then you’re beyond hopeless!”
“Why are you dragging me into this?”
“Because everything you said applies to you too! Aslan also makes an effort to spend time alone with you!”
“What!? What do you mean…!?”
“You seriously didn’t notice? Aslan, despite his delicate skin, hates going outside, but when you’re in the garden, he comes out to talk to you. Also, he always spends all the refill coupons for massages. And you keep complaining about how uncomfortable the expensive clothes are, but he keeps buying them for you. Can’t you see? He’s training you to be a future Countess! It’s you who’s oblivious, not me!”
“Ughhhh…”
Julia, who had been holding back, finally burst out, her voice screeching.
Yuri sighed again.
When it came to being perceptive, Charlotte could sometimes be sharp, but when she was personally involved, she became ridiculously oblivious.
It was just like back at the orphanage—some people could read the atmosphere perfectly when it came to others, but when it came to their own situation, they were completely clueless.
She never expected Charlotte to fall into that category.
Yuri acknowledged that sometimes, due to her inability to be fully honest, she became a bit oblivious on occasion. But she knew how to look at situations objectively.
If Aslan was treating her differently, it was the same for Charlotte too!
So why was she the one being groomed as a bride while Charlotte wasn’t?
That made no sense!
Julia’s logical argument left Charlotte speechless.
“No, no! Obviously, Aslan would like cute, pretty Julia more than anyone else!”
“Charlotte, you’re also cute and pretty, you know!? You have this bold charm that I don’t even have!”
“Ughhh…”
Thud!
Charlotte and Julia clashed heads without budging an inch.
They glared at each other fiercely, not backing down.
Yuri let out yet another sigh, her patience nearly spent.
Though it seemed like they were arguing sharply, if you listened carefully to their words, that wasn’t quite the case.
It was like watching two girls argue about who was cuter, when in fact, they were both too adorable to handle.
It was impossible for Yuri to look away from the utterly charming scene. For some reason, she wanted popcorn.
‘This Charlotte-Julia combination really is the best…’
Though at first glance, they seemed to be opposites, it was exactly that dynamic that created such a powerful synergy between them.
The moments when they clashed due to their differing personalities were always the sweetest opportunities to witness them bicker like this.
Ahh. So sweet.
This is corruption, pure corruption.
Yuri was almost drooling as she watched the scene unfold.
“I—I’m too childish! Aslan wouldn’t like me like that. He just thinks I’m cute, not as someone he’s considering as a bride!”
“Aslan actually does think of you as a bride! From the moment he met you, he had no interest in children who act mature or grown-up. He enjoys watching someone who’s like a child grow and mature under his protection!”
“Ah, I… I don’t think Aslan could be that kind of pervert… but… maybe he could be…?”
“Exactly. So, if he were to choose, it would obviously be Charlotte. Unlike gloomy old me, Charlotte is lively, cute, and behaves like a child!”
“Why does Aslan choosing even have to be the premise? Julia, you also have charms I don’t have! If Aslan chooses me, he won’t just pick me, he’d pick you too!”
“What!? Even Aslan wouldn’t go that far… or maybe… maybe he could…?”
“…”
Yuri was on the verge of fainting as the conversation continued.
The Charlotte-X-Julia combination and now a male intrusion?
Aslan taking them both?
Just imagining it made Yuri’s chest ache in unbearable pain.
