“Nice to meet you. My name is Yuria.”
“Something’s strange about your voice…”
“I’m Charlotte! But what’s with that mask?”
“…Don’t touch it.”
“Ah.”
Thump.
Yuri’s body reacted instinctively, pushing Charlotte’s hand away.
Charlotte’s bright expression suddenly turned rigid, as if she were flustered.
Yuri felt as though his heart was being torn apart by the reaction.
“…It’s a mask I wear to focus on my mission.”
“Why not take it off? I’d like to get to know you better.”
“That’s not part of my mission.”
“Charlotte, it seems like there’s a reason you don’t want to take off the mask. Let’s wait for now.”
“Okay…”
Slowly.
Charlotte, acknowledging Yuri’s words, stepped back.
Her face clearly showed her disappointment.
Yuri bit his lips behind the mask and let out a silent groan.
‘Seeing up close, it doesn’t seem like much has changed since before…’
Certainly, things had changed.
Though not flashy, her dress was neat and looked elegant.
And even if it seemed modest, it had a refined style with its thin armor.
Moreover, both of them now exuded a confident, spirited aura, completely different from the timid appearances of their orphanage days.
But people are not defined by appearances alone.
Yuri could see that.
Even though their outward appearance had changed slightly, Charlotte and Julia’s inner selves hadn’t changed much, as he could tell from the brief conversation.
Whether there had been brainwashing or if it had been lifted, Yuri couldn’t tell.
But he hoped that perhaps now, it wouldn’t matter if he revealed his true identity.
And then, at that moment.
“…!”
Feeling a subtle but intense killing intent pressing on him, Yuri flinched and turned around.
Aslan Vermont.
The nobleman with a fearsome presence was staring directly at Yuri.
A distinct killing intent emanated from him toward Yuri.
Yuri’s instincts told him that Aslan Vermont was an unremarkable human.
He didn’t seem particularly strong in martial prowess or magic.
So there was no reason to be afraid.
Yet, strangely, Yuri felt his whole body shrink and his hands begin to tremble.
Even though the killing intent was not very intense, it was enough to affect him this much.
‘The Vermont family is known for emitting killing intent when they’re angry. The fact that it’s so faint means he’s suppressing it a lot.’
Aslan Vermont was angry.
But why?
As Aslan began to stride toward Yuri, his mind went blank.
Oh no, what should he do!
“…Ugh.”
Yuri dodged Aslan’s reaching hand toward the mask. He was startled.
He hadn’t expected him to try to take off the mask immediately!
Aslan kept demanding that he remove the mask.
Yuri had no memory of how he made excuses afterward.
He was just babbling incoherently.
Exposed to Aslan Vermont’s raw killing intent, Yuri was on the brink of mental collapse.
‘Aslan Vermont suspects me…!’
Has he already noticed?
Is he suspecting that I know Charlotte and Julia?
That’s why he’s so desperately trying to take off the mask…!
Yuri adjusted his mask and swallowed hard.
He absolutely couldn’t take it off.
No matter what happens, he mustn’t.
Yuri adjusted his mask again and swallowed hard.
‘If I’m discovered, it’s over…!’
How did I get this far?
Would I give up on Charlotte and Julia now that I’ve come this far?
I’ll face Aslan Vermont’s suspicions head-on…!
Yuri clenched his teeth and resolved himself once more.
.
.
.
“Master, wouldn’t it be better to suppress your anger a bit?”
“Anger? Does it look like I’m angry?”
“No. It’s not visible on the surface, but there’s… killing intent.”
Sylvia approached me and spoke very carefully.
Killing intent?
Is it a metaphorical expression?
It seems that strong individuals like Sylvia have means to detect if someone is angry beyond just their facial expressions.
If Sylvia can sense it, Yuri probably can as well.
Maybe Yuri flinched occasionally because of this.
Or maybe that monstrous guy isn’t scared of someone like me.
Anyway, I concluded that it’s better to temper my anger in front of Yuri.
“I understand. I’ll try to control it. I didn’t expect that little brat would come wearing a mask.”
“A mask. Should I forcibly remove it?”
“No. Don’t do that. Is there anything uglier than using force on a child?”
“Master…”
Sylvia looked at me with a distant, wistful gaze, as if she had discovered an unexpected side of me.
There are surprisingly many ways to remove that mask.
I could make Sylvia forcibly remove it, or perhaps threaten Julia or Charlotte as hostages.
But if I were to go that far, Yuri would definitely harbor a deep grudge against me.
If Yuri’s hostility towards me so far has only been based on vague suspicion and conjecture, then if that happens, it would turn into genuine animosity.
‘If I do that, I’ll never be able to get his consent to the engagement.’
That’s something I can’t allow.
To accept Charlotte and Julia as my wives in the future, Yuri’s support will be essential. If the possibility of improving my relationship with Yuri disappears, it would be the worst-case scenario.
“Let’s go. We’ll find a way to remove that vile guy’s mask later.”
“Did you just say ‘that guy’?”
“Why? Is there a problem?”
“No, just…”
Sylvia tilted her head, showing a subtle reaction.
Why is she like this?
It’s not like she hasn’t seen me venting before.
I had wasted quite a bit of time pretending to write a letter.
I hurriedly put on my overcoat and went outside.
“…”
When I stepped outside, Charlotte and Julia were keeping some distance from the masked monster.
At first, they had tried to approach and talk to him, but it seemed they had eventually given up after exhausting their efforts.
It’s frustrating.
If only I could get that mask off, everything would be resolved.
Maybe the guy is too cautious.
Or perhaps his face looks so sinister that it triggers strange suspicions and misconceptions…
It’s hard to determine which is worse.
“Coachman, we’re heading to the northern fortress city of Ester.”
“Yes, we will depart…”
“Wait a moment! Lord Vermont! It’s me, Jacob!”
“…?”
Thump, Thump, Thump.
At that moment, urgent footsteps and the sound of the carriage door being knocked on.
When Sylvia opened it slightly, Jacob appeared, panting heavily.
He was carrying something large on his back.
Ah, could that be…?
It seemed Sylvia had the same thought, as her expression brightened immediately.
“The sword for Knight Sylvia is completed.”
“Really!”
“However, it’s problematic if you open it now! I applied a special finish to let the sword cool slowly, but it will be ruined if exposed to sunlight. So, you must not remove the leather wrap for at least the next 24 hours.”
Sylvia tried to tear off the wrapping with her immense strength, but Jacob managed to stop her just before she could tear it off, thanks to the way he had wrapped it.
“What kind of sword is it? At least a rough description!”
“Uh… Ah, I don’t really know! It was like when I invoked my grandfather’s spirit; my body moved on its own to create the sword…! I’m not sure if it turned out well since this is my first time doing something like this! I’m sorry, Lord Vermonth! I’ll make sure to repay the deposit as soon as possible!”
“No, you’ve done well.”
“Eh…!”
I handed Jacob an envelope containing a check.
It was half of what I had promised as a deposit.
I had kept it with me, not knowing when the completed product would arrive.
Jacob’s eyes widened as he received the envelope.
It looked less like a look of amazement and more like…
Hmm. It seemed closer to a look of fear.
He really didn’t seem confident about the quality of the sword.
I patted Jacob’s shoulder and offered words of encouragement.
“Don’t worry too much. If it’s not to her liking, you can always make another one. Isn’t that right?”
“Y-Yes?”
Jacob’s face turned pale, and his pupils lost their focus.
Infinite revisions.
It might sound like I’m endlessly demanding revisions and tormenting Jacob, but in reality, it’s just a measure to help Jacob improve his skills.
If not now, when would he get a chance to practice?
I’m doing this because I care about Jacob.
He’ll understand someday.
Leaving behind a half-dazed Jacob, the carriage door closed, and we departed from the mansion.
‘This is so awkward.’
Soon, the carriage was filled with silence.
Sylvia held the sword wrapped in leather with a look akin to a pure-hearted girl in love.
Charlotte and Julia glanced over at Yuri on the opposite side, hesitating.
It made me wonder if they were always this noisy whenever they were in a carriage.
‘Right. Anyway, I can’t force that mask off.’
To be precise, Aslan Vermont cannot remove that mask.
Whatever trick I use, Yuri would only strengthen his suspicion and vigilance.
While it’s impossible for Aslan Vermont, I know someone who might be able to do it.
“Yuria.”
“Yes, Count Vermont.”
“I received a letter meant for the training grounds and kept it for you. It’s a letter addressed to you.”
“…!”
As I handed over the letter, I saw Yuri flinch.
Relying on the trust of that Mr. Black.
This was the best method for now.
