"Father. Are you really considering doing what Count Vermont asked?" "What are you talking about?" "I’m talking about promoting the minions of the evil deity...!" "…"

Haijik whispered with a stiff expression. The corner of Count Arient's eyes twitched, which had seemed so calm before. To say Aslan Vermont’s request meant spreading the word about the necromancer who tames the evil deity and the dark knight with a strange way of speaking who cannot be controlled.

"I have to do it, what can I do...?" "Father!"

But can that truly be called a request? How can it be a request made right after supporting the restoration of Arient Territory? Anyone could see it was an order. To obtain support for the restoration work, it was a request that had to be accepted.

"This is a path towards destruction!" "Are you saying that my brother Vermont is committing suicide? I can tolerate insults directed at me, but I cannot allow anyone to insult my brother, no matter who they are! Get down on the ground, Haijik!" "No...!"

Haijik muttered as he pressed his head to the ground. How did my father end up like this? He had seemed so composed, but ever since getting involved with Aslan Vermont, he had changed strangely.

"Of course, I know well what kind of future could unfold if we spread rumors as they are. Vermont will be attacked by all powers, including the emperor, and we won’t be safe from that inferno either."

Father! You’re capable of such high-level thinking? Looking up at Count Arient, who spoke so calmly, Haijik's eyes brimmed with tears. Recently, he had genuinely worried that his father might have developed dementia.

"However, it’s impossible to pretend I don’t know my brother’s request. Even if the world fears and shuns him, he is still our benefactor. The way to repay that grace is to distort the rumors a bit." "Distort the rumors...?" "Spread the word about a righteous necromancer and a dark knight who simply has a peculiar way of speaking because of their pure heart!"

"…!"

Haijik's eyes widened. Oh my! You mean to distort it that much!?

"In reality, the necromancer is controlling a great spirit, not a fragment of the evil deity! The weapon the dark knight wields is a holy sword that merely looks fearsome! The seventh holy sword of the master craftsman Jain has yet to be found, you know? What if she manages to obtain that sword...?" "Father! You know that’s nonsense!" "I know! I also know it’s completely absurd!"

Count Arient shouted, tightly closing his eyes. Of course, it was nonsense that even a dog wouldn't believe. But isn't it necessary to do this? The oppression that will befall Vermont is already clear in my mind; how can we just watch as our benefactor walks the path of destruction?

For the sake of the gracious brother, I could easily become a clown ridiculed by the world. I wouldn’t mind being scolded by my brother for distorting the rumors. Leading the benefactor back onto the right path. This is the true meaning of loyalty.

"Anyway, the rumors will be spread this way, so keep that in mind!" "Father!" "This is the only way for both Vermont and Arient to survive...!"

As long as we can avoid the oppression, I’ll spread anything! Even if the rumors state that the necromancer and dark knight were raised with warmth, love, and education instead of cruel human experimentation...! With a resolute gaze, Count Arient clenched his fist.

It was midday, with the sun high in the sky. Sunlight gently streamed through the window. Yulia woke up, bleary-eyed.

"Ugh...?"

This hand, big and warm. As always, in her drowsiness, she rubbed her cheeks against the familiar palm and smiled shyly.

"Hmph. So this is how Yulia acts cute." "…!?"

Startled! Yulia opened her eyes wide in shock. The first thing that came into her view was Charlotte, looking at her with a suppressed smile.

"Huh?"

Yulia’s expression went blank. Her pupils spun around as she tried to shake off the remnants of sleep while grasping the situation.

Wait, she had fallen asleep not in Aslan’s office but in the carriage...? So Charlotte was also here...? Then, did she just let Charlotte see her rubbing her cheek against Aslan’s hand while pretending to be asleep...?

Yulia’s face turned beet red in an instant.

"Huh? Aah!?" "Shh. Uncle is still asleep." "…?"

Thud. Charlotte quickly covered Yulia's mouth as she was about to scream. Yulia gently lifted her head to peek at Aslan’s face.

Oh. It’s true. He’s asleep with his eyes closed. No, it’s more like he looks like he’s dead...?

In a panic, Yulia hurriedly placed a finger near Aslan's nostrils. Fortunately, he was breathing lightly.

"Hehe. I was surprised at first, thinking he was dead. He was sleeping so soundly." "Hah. That’s a relief... But I think this is the first time I’ve seen Aslan sleep. No, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him resting with his eyes closed."

Gently, Yulia whispered as she stroked Aslan's cheek. So this is what it’s like when Aslan sleeps like a corpse. She had always fallen asleep first, so she never knew. He seemed like someone who never slept.

"Hmph. I’ve seen it." "What? Really?" "Yeah. When I was giving him a massage last time, I could stare at the sleeping uncle for a long time. Jealous, huh!?" "J-Jealous...! Why on earth should I be jealous!?"

Suddenly feeling something strange, Yulia flared up. Indeed, Aslan sleeping was a rare sight. It was indeed curious to see such an uncommon scene, but that was all. Just because it’s rare doesn’t mean it’s precious, right?

Well. It’s nice that I can poke his cheek in revenge for carelessly touching mine... It’s nice that I can take control of his busy right hand instead of his left... It’s nice to see a fierce gaze hidden behind his handsome face... But that’s really all there is to it. There’s nothing special! What’s so precious about Aslan sleeping!?

"Hmph. Acting like you’re not jealous." "Whatever! Let’s say I am jealous. But do you know? Aslan likes mature figures." "What!?"

Charlotte's eyes widened.

"You can tell just by watching him hug Knight Sylvia. Aslan likes big, curvy bodies. You might not have a chance, Charlotte, but I...!" "…."

Trailing off. With her shoulders squared, Yulia wore a smug smile. Charlotte glanced down and then over to Yulia, her expression turning a bit glum. It was apparent that the difference in combat power was significant.

"Th-That’s not something I know for sure...!" "Whether you know or not, I’m sure everyone except you knows." "Hmph. You’re saying that I’m secretly interested in Uncle while claiming you hate him, right?" "What? What!? No way!?"

Yulia’s face flushed instantly. Ah! She walked right into it! She fell into Charlotte's trap!

"You’re pretending to be uninterested, yet you’re showing great curiosity about his preferences, right?" "What? No! I just said that without thinking! I only said that because Charlotte seems so interested!" "If you’re going to be so evasive, you’re going to lose him, you know? I feel like I’ve said this before." "Lose him? What do you mean by that?" "Is there a need to be so shy between us? Just be honest with me. Even if you say you hate him, you secretly like him, right? Am I wrong?" "Ugh...!"

Charlotte moved in closer, slowly pressuring Yulia. In response, Yulia pulled her head back and attempted to escape. But soon, she was blocked by the backrest, leaving her no room to flee.

"Let’s be honest, Yulia. Huh? You’re not admitting it because of your pride, right? You hated him at first because of his first impression, but you don’t want to admit that your feelings have changed. Am I right?" "Ugh, stop it! I get it! I’ll be honest...!"

To be honest? That’s easier said than done. Charlotte, a bright and innocent girl, probably finds it easy. But for me, it’s difficult...

Just being honest with my feelings is hard... I don’t even know what my true feelings are...

But there is definitely one clear thing. Should I say it or not? Yulia's lips fluttered.

"I don’t particularly... hate him anymore... I’ve realized that I misunderstood because of my prejudice..." "So you acted all difficult to avoid admitting you misunderstood." "…."

Yulia lowered her head, teary-eyed. Silence was soon a form of affirmation. Charlotte's expression brightened immensely.

"Did you hear that, Uncle?" "…!?" "Uncle, you can stop pretending to sleep now." "Huh? Aah!?"

Charlotte whispered, pulling on Aslan’s shirt. Yulia’s mind froze for a moment. He wasn’t sleeping...? He heard everything!?

Saying I don’t particularly hate him is practically the same as saying I like him, right? Saying I like him is akin to confessing, isn’t it? If that’s the case, isn’t it practically a marriage proposal to Aslan!? If that crazy man took it that way, I’m done for!

As Yulia’s mind went blank, she was flustered. At that moment, noticing Yulia's reaction, Charlotte burst into laughter, holding her belly.

"Ahahaha...! I was just kidding! There’s no way someone can pretend to sleep so well!" "Charlotte!!!"

In a panic, Yulia failed to comprehend the situation properly. Now that she thought about it, Aslan was still sleeping like a corpse. As Yulia pieced together the situation, she started to feel like crying.

How could they joke around like that? I almost died from embarrassment...!

As Charlotte, who had been chuckling, suddenly turned her gaze toward Aslan, her laughter abruptly ceased.

"You really! I thought my heart was going to drop! Hah. If Aslan heard everything, I would have died of embarrassment." "What kind of embarrassing thing did you say?" "…? "

A low voice. Yulia’s head snapped around. In that direction, Aslan, who should have been asleep, was sitting up, eyes wide open as always.

"Uncle, did you sleep well?" "It seems I was more unconscious than sleeping for a while. But judging by how refreshed I feel, I must have had a good rest." "A-Aslan! Since when have you been awake...!? What did you hear...?"

Yulia gulped, feeling tense. Aslan smiled enigmatically as he replied.

"I wonder when it started."

Yulia’s head went blank once again. Ah. Should I just die?