“There’s a task I need to assign to you alone.” “
Yes, please tell me, Count.”
“You need to go see the Princess while we’re having our meal.”
“…”
At Aslan’s nonchalant command, Yuri’s expression momentarily twisted into one of disgust.
The idea of enjoying a romantic dinner with Charlotte and Julia while she was left to wander around made her uneasy.
The thought of leaving Charlotte and Julia with Aslan was also unsettling.
“…Why is that?”
“You’re the only one who can persuade the Princess.”
“Wouldn’t it be better if the Count persuaded her himself?”
“I’m done for. The Princess probably sees me as being on the same side as the Archduke of the North. Once such an impression is formed, no matter what I say, it won’t be heard.”
That was… quite a reasonable point.
The Princess seemed to have a significant rebellious streak. It was likely more advantageous for someone of her own age to break down her mental barriers than an adult.
In Yuri’s view, that was about the only advantage.
“Understood. Should I persuade her to attend the dinner?”
“Yes. But you’re so bad with words that you’ll surely fail if you just try to persuade her.”
“…”
Yuri fell silent.
‘You’re bad with words.’
She had heard that countless times from those around her.
To put it nicely, it meant she focused on just the main points; to put it badly, she tended to compress all meaning.
Once, she had simply said “You’ll die” to a student precariously sitting on the edge of the Academy’s rooftop, meaning they should move to a safer place, which had terrified the student so much they stayed locked up at home for a week.
“Certainly…”
“So, you need to use your weapon.”
“My weapon? The training one-handed sword I brought from the training ground…”
“No, not that. I’m talking about your annoyingly handsome face.”
“…?”
Huh?
For a moment, Yuri was confused, and her movements froze.
My handsome… what?
“Why not just slightly lift your mask? Pretend it’s an accident or that you’re wiping sweat and briefly take off your mask. That way, your words will have tremendous persuasive power for the Princess.”
“…”
So, in other words, he was suggesting she use her looks to persuade the Princess.
Just showing her this face would make the Princess fall for her right away?
Hah! How absurd!
Does this guy see me as a pretty boy or what?
While Yuri had often heard people say she was rather pretty for a man, this was the first time anyone had said she was handsome.
Frustration mounted as she tried to pierce through the ceiling of hatred, and Yuri clenched her fists.
If it hadn’t been for the mask, she might have been fired long ago.
“Yes… I’ll give it a try…”
Even though she was angry, she had to do it.
What’s the point if it’s bound to be useless anyway?
Leaving behind the noisy and glamorous banquet hall, Yuri headed towards the increasingly dark manor alone.
.
.
.
“Adults are all fools…”
Thunk.
As she plopped down on a well-spread mat, Merilda voiced her irritation.
The sun had already set, and the manor was dark, with no flowers in sight.
Yet, Merilda stayed at the manor under the pretense of flower viewing.
She didn’t want to go to the banquet hall.
She didn’t want to be in a place full of adults.
After all, the adults were all eager to send her off to the Academy.
They were making a fuss like fools.
“No one cares about my opinion…”
Ester wasn’t dangerous at all.
Merilda couldn’t understand why everyone kept trying to send her away.
It was a complete waste of money and resources.
Lavishing unnecessary things was a failure as a ruler.
All she wanted was to walk the path of a ruler following in her father’s footsteps, not to be spoiled.
It seemed the adults were unwilling to give Merilda such an opportunity.
So, this was her form of protest.
She would not eat or show her face until her opinions were considered.
She didn’t care if it was impolite to Count Vermont.
After all, that man looked rather unpleasant. She didn’t want to be close to him.
“…Who’s there?”
Rustle.
At the sound of rustling in the bushes, Merilda quickly turned her head.
What appeared was a masked bodyguard.
Ugh.
It was the same person who came with Aslan Vermont.
“What is it?”
“I heard you were alone and wondered if I could keep you company.”
“I’m sorry, but I don’t need it. Don’t tell me you thought I wanted a companion my age or someone to be friendly with? I just meant I didn’t need a guard. I didn’t expect young bodyguards like you to be with Vermont.”
“That’s not what I meant. After meeting you, Princess, I thought you were a very thoughtful person. I just came to find you because I thought this might be a chance to speak to you alone.”
“Hmm…”
So, you came because you were interested in me?
Hmph. You know I’m pretty, huh?
But somehow…
I’m not interested in someone like you.
‘After all, men are all simple.’
Men are so foolish and single-minded.
Growing up with her father and brothers, Merilda had no particular admiration for men.
This bodyguard was probably just like any other man.
As Merilda was sneering.
“Phew. Wearing the mask for too long makes me sweat.”
“…!”
Clink.
The bodyguard slowly removed his mask.
At the same time, the clouds that had been obscuring the sky shifted.
Swoosh.
The dark clouds parted, and bright moonlight streamed down through the glass ceiling of the manor.
The moonlight illuminated the face of the bodyguard as he took off his mask.
Merilda found herself captivated by the face she saw.
“W-What is your name…?”
Perhaps not all men are the same.
She had thought all men were burly and rugged with beards like her father and brothers.
But in front of this face, which was as beautiful as a girl’s, Merilda found herself unexpectedly charmed.
***
“See, I told you it would work.”
“…”
Yuri, with his arms crossed and his head turned away, remained silent.
Little brat.
Clearly, he seemed quite upset with him.
If he had any complaints, he should voice them directly.
It was as if he were a spoiled girl throwing a tantrum.
He seriously began to worry.
Was enjoying dressing as a woman making him mentally become more feminine?
‘When will I ask him to go to the bathhouse with me?’
With the protagonist in this state, he felt uneasy leaving Charlotte and Julia in his care.
Maybe he needed to hold a meeting with men sometime and give a speech about masculinity.
It was a moment of serious contemplation.
“Merilda! Since you’re here, let me introduce you properly! This is Count Vermont!”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Merilda Friedrich. And please don’t misunderstand. Just because I’m here doesn’t mean I’m seeking protection or trying to escape. I’m merely a bit hungry…”
Glance.
Merilda greeted him casually and immediately shifted her gaze to Yuri.
The eyes that had been cold and distant were now dripping with sweetness.
“I’ll get some food. Y-Yuria, you haven’t eaten yet, right? Shall we go together?”
“Merilda!”
Merilda, seeming shy, twirled her roll-like hair around her finger and moved closer to Yuri.
As they headed out together, the Archduke of the North desperately cried out.
He glared at Yuri, gritted his teeth, and, after a moment, managed to calm himself with tears.
“Is this the Count’s plan? It was good to use that parasitic man to bring her to the negotiation table. But how do you plan to persuade the daughter? Merilda’s will is strong. Even if you can temporarily shake her resolve, you won’t be able to break her self-determined will!”
The Archduke of the North, with a solemn face, boasted confidently.
Indeed, Merilda was known for her strong will… or was she?
Seeing her happily laughing next to Yuri didn’t seem to support that claim.
Even as he spoke, the Archduke began to sweat with concern on his forehead.
‘If we keep pushing with beauty tricks, it might be possible to make her flee to the Academy.’
Continuing to use Yuri’s chance could be a method.
If Yuri were to charm Merilda, she might quickly fall for it.
But that approach was close to deception and Yuri wasn’t particularly fond of it, so it was discarded.
“It’s alright. I have a way.”
However, since Merilda had come to the negotiation table of her own accord, persuading her was already a piece of cake.
With my experience handling stubborn kids, it would be no exaggeration to say I had reached the level of understanding their psychology completely.
“Hey, Mister. Mister.”
“…?”
Tap Tap.
At that moment, Charlotte gently tugged at his sleeve, quietly calling him.
He had been eating well, so what was the matter?
He bent down and put his ear to Charlotte, who whispered into it.
“Julia seems very nervous, so I’m telling you…”
“Hey! We agreed to keep that a secret!”
“She said you shouldn’t aim for the Princess just because she’s cute!”
“…Don’t worry. That won’t happen.”
What do they take me for?
That I’m crazy enough to covet the only daughter of the Archduke of the North?
More than anything, seeing the Princess’s impeccable manners and precise personality made him lose interest.
A wife should be someone he personally teaches and nurtures.
