'Why? Why is he so insistent on this personal tutoring?'

Scratch, scratch.
As Yulia scribbled notes, she glanced sideways. Sitting with a serious demeanor, Aslan seemed to be listening intently.

He must be teasing me.
Just looking at that sly, wicked face makes it obvious. Yet strangely, to Yulia's eyes, Aslan appeared to be genuinely focused on this basic magic lesson.

'Why…?'

I didn’t understand.
This is something every noble learns from a young age. Even if they hadn’t learned it, what reason would there be to want to learn it now? Especially from a much younger slave.

Regardless, I just couldn’t comprehend it.

"Yikes!?"
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing. …"

Yulia jumped as her arm brushed against mine. This guy did that on purpose. There was plenty of space, yet he intentionally moved his arm to touch me.

At the same time, Yulia recalled snippets of gossip from the maids.

"I'm so frustrated. How can the Lord be so clueless about women's hearts?"
"It seems like he looks out for the girls, but it only comes off as pure help!"
"Exactly! He should at least pretend to flirt. Ugh, it’s infuriating!"

Did Aslan hear that?
After hearing that, did he think, 'Oh, I should get closer'? Is that why he’s deliberately bumping into me? Ah!

'You lecher…!'

Now I get it!
The basic magic was merely an excuse to spend time with me! That’s why he’s been babbling nonsense, creating moments for just the two of us!

Feeling a sudden clarity, Yulia opened her mouth wide.

"Yulia, your mouth is hanging open. Continue the lecture."
"Yikes!?"
"…Why are you looking at me with such disdain?"
"Oh, it’s nothing. …"

As Aslan's gaze turned toward her, Yulia instinctively looked away.
A man's advances… I had never experienced this before. Moreover, from someone who seems to flaunt their status…? Huh?

'Is Aslan Vermont not one of those types?'

Suddenly, I felt confused.
Aslan Vermont is definitely a scoundrel. He always gives food to slaves in dog bowls, dressing them in clothes of his choosing. He’s a shameless person who demands they earn a ridiculous amount of 10 billion Lark just to be freed.

What kind of deeds has this man committed?
Reviving the economy of the territory.
Awakening Charlotte's and my abilities (though I find it somewhat disagreeable).
Constructing roads to enhance transportation.

Contrary to rumors that he’s a hopeless wastrel.
The Aslan Vermont I’ve seen has been quite capable.
What’s going on here? Just as I pondered, I recalled another conversation the maids had been having.

"The Lord is truly amazing. How can a person change so completely?"
"It seems the power of love is incredible. Even a person like him can become responsible."

Indeed, I think I’ve heard that he changed since Charlotte and I arrived at the mansion.
Could it be that he’s acting this way to impress us?
If Aslan's transformation is due to that, everything makes sense.

The rare kindness that peeked through his generally indifferent demeanor.
I feel like I’ve uncovered its true identity.
This man wasn’t just nurturing us to welcome us as future partners.
He was already preparing to capture us!

'What a madman. We’re still so much younger than you…'

He’s really insane.
Yulia shuddered, trembling at the thought.
It felt strange.

'Why does he like me?'

Above all, that was what I was most curious about.
The pure and honest Charlotte is adored by everyone.
She adapts well and is loved wherever she goes, but I’m not.

I’m always full of complaints.
I’m irritable.
I make countless demands—annoying, right?
Yulia thought that about herself too.

Sometimes, very rarely, I might think positively of Aslan.
But it’s mostly for public interest, like when I reported the orphanage director.
From the perspective of the evil Vermont family, I must be an eyesore.

'Huh!? Is that the reason?'

Is it that he’s uninterested in easy women?
Is he trying to enjoy breaking and corrupting someone straightforward like me?
Do I look like I’d give in?
Even if I become a Countess, do you think I’d turn to evil…!?

'There’s really no way out now!'

Aslan has already set his sights on me.
No matter what trick I try, escaping the future of becoming a Countess will be difficult.
So, there’s no other option.
The only way is to stay in the mansion as the Countess and become an insider!

"Ugh."
"…?"

With a resolute expression, Yulia clenched her teeth.
Aslan’s face turned to one of confusion.

"The day has already grown dark. Let’s end today’s lesson here."
"Uh, yeah. I was getting tired too. …"

The suffocating second lesson came to an end.
Overall, the lecture went well, just like the first time, but in between, Yulia kept glancing at my face, gasping in surprise, suddenly turning red and avoiding my gaze, stuttering and struggling to continue her words. It took much longer than expected.

What’s with this?
Is she needing the bathroom?

"If you need to go, just say so."
"Huh!? What are you saying…!"
"Or not. Just get ready to go out."
"Ready to go out? Why?"
"The performance test for Charlotte's powerful sword is probably underway right now."
"I’ll go."

Yulia hurriedly donned the outer clothing she had hung on her chair and followed me.
Not long ago, she wouldn’t have wanted to share the same carriage with me, let alone speak.

It felt like the awkwardness had greatly diminished.

"Let’s hurry. We’re already late, and we might arrive to find it over."

Charlotte would probably get upset too.
But there’s nothing I can do about that.
If I had to choose one, of course, it’s more important to make sure Yulia isn’t upset.
Charlotte would likely forget she was upset just by being left alone for a bit.

As the sun set in the late evening, we rushed out of the mansion and climbed into the carriage.

Now that I think about it, it’s the first time I’m riding alone with Yulia without Sylvia.
Yulia sat across from me, silently turning her gaze toward the window.

She looked like…
A tragic heroine being dragged to an unwanted wedding.
Why does she look so serene like that?

"We’ve arrived. Get down."
"…."
"What are you staring at? I said to get down."
"I need you to move out of the way. …"

As I extended my hand at the carriage door, Yulia stood still, not budging.
Did she misunderstand that I was blocking her path?
Stepping on the footrest, I firmly grabbed her delicate hand, and she flinched and trembled.

"When a lady gets out of the carriage, you must take my hand like this. Extending your hand means that."

"Do, do you do this with other women? The same way?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Literally. Do you offer your hand like this to other women too?"

I told her to get down.
Suddenly, she asks something strange.
Even pulling her doesn’t budge her.
I could feel her firm resolve to not move until she gets an answer.

"I would."
"You would? You didn’t just say that because you think you will?"
"I meant I haven’t had a lady ride in the same carriage yet."

Yulia chuckled softly.
Do I look like I’ve ever ridden in a carriage with a lady before?
If I had to say, it would only be Irene.
But when I extended my hand to her, she completely ignored it and got out on her own.

"So, your future wife will hold your hand like this every day."

Having laughed enough, Yulia willingly leaned against me as she got out of the carriage.
Since she was having trouble finding the footrest, I grabbed her waist to help her down.
Yulia's cheeks immediately puffed up, filled with irritation.

"This is not how you treat a lady! …"
"Did you think you were a lady? If you want to be treated like one, then grow up enough to be one."
"Ugh!"

You’re still not one.
I chuckled slightly as I told her, and Yulia slapped my hand away.
Does she really want to be treated like a lady that much?
If that’s the case…

"Here."
"What, what is it? …"
"Take my hand. A lady should walk holding the hand of the man accompanying her."
"What? Did you just make that up? …?"
"Of course not. A lady who attends an event without a male escort will be treated as a loner."

"…!"

Yulia's eyes widened as she stared at the hand I offered.
In the world of nobility, women are such beings.
They can’t do anything alone.
Wherever they go, they need a male escort and do everything in tandem with a man.

Can you endure this?
Holding my hand, which you absolutely hate, and walking in front of everyone?
Of course, you wouldn’t be able to.

"Do you understand? This is why I can’t call you a lady."

As I chuckled and withdrew my hand, it happened.
Suddenly, Yulia’s shoulder moved, and her hand lifted to reach for mine, only to pull back at the last moment.

"…."
"…."

Just now, were you really going to take my hand?
Yulia’s face turned as red as a beet.