"Yum! The freshly baked cookies are delicious!" "Hey! Don’t get distracted by the cookies…"

Charlotte, with a cookie in her mouth, let out a blissful sound, while Yulia whispered in frustration.

"Don’t forget. We came here to listen to what those two are talking about." "Oh, right! I forgot!" "Shh, shhh…!"

Only then did Charlotte seem to remember and became startled, while Yulia desperately tried to quiet her voice. They were quite a distance away, and it was difficult to hear the conversation, so it was crucial to listen without drawing attention.

"Stay quiet..."

Charlotte and Yulia pressed their lips together, starting to focus on the conversation taking place at the desk. It seemed the topic had shifted to us.

My mouth itched to join in, but I had to resist. I needed to act uninterested! I had to pretend I was only focused on the cookies!

"What adorable kids..."

Crunch.

"...my lord."

Crunch, crunch.

"...with love and care."

Crunch, crunch.

"...is felt."

Crunch, crunch. As Charlotte kept stuffing cookies into her mouth, the noise became so loud that it drowned out the conversation. Just as Yulia suddenly turned her head...

'Ah!? She’s already almost finished the cookies!'

The plate that had once been piled high with cookies was now nearly empty. Just freshly baked, warm cookies!!! As I bit down, they crunched yet remained soft and moist inside! I was only pretending to eat quietly, but Charlotte was shamelessly devouring them!

"Mm? Ah!" "…!"

As Yulia’s gaze turned to Charlotte with anger, Charlotte wore a confused expression, as if wondering what was wrong. But soon, realizing the situation, Charlotte eagerly offered a cookie to Yulia. So Yulia wanted to eat too? She should have spoken up earlier!

"Ugh…!" "…?"

That’s not the issue! It’s too noisy with the cookie crunching; I can’t hear anything! Yulia was about to show her annoyance, but then...

"…."

Charlotte quickly snatched the cookie she was about to take back and stuffed it into her mouth. …I can’t resist the last chocolate cookie.

As I crunched down, the rich cocoa aroma burst in my mouth. The chocolate pieces melting against my tongue created a heavenly flavor. Ah! I want to learn how to bake cookies from those maidens! I want to be able to make these myself…!

'Oh wait! This isn’t the time for that!?'

Suddenly snapping back to reality, Yulia’s eyes widened. This wasn’t the time to savor cookies! We needed to eavesdrop on how Aslan’s marriage proposal was progressing!

Yulia swallowed the cookie and turned her focus back to the two's conversation.

"It’s essential and fundamental for a man to…" "…."

The conversation had come to a complete halt, and the atmosphere turned cold. The woman stood there, her mouth agape in shock, while Aslan seemed to sense his mistake and tightly closed his eyes.

What was that!? What did they just say to provoke that reaction? Yulia felt frustrated and silently yelled in her mind.

"Ugh…!"

Charlotte continued to savor her remaining cookie.

After about thirty minutes of brief discourse, Emilia stepped out of the Vermont mansion, letting out a deep sigh.

'What a strange person…'

At first, I thought that Earl Vermont might be quite normal, contrary to the rumors. He had manners that belied his appearance, and the atmosphere of the mansion was not at all like that of a creepy demon king’s castle.

I even thought marrying him wouldn’t be so bad. It seemed that favorable. …That is, until the earl revealed his true preferences.

'I thought he raised me like a daughter…'

The rumors that Earl Vermont brought in commoner orphans to raise as wives, like all other rumors, I believed to be false. But I never expected that particular rumor would be true. Startled, I couldn't help but show my shocked expression before the earl. I absolutely had to secure this marriage, but after successfully keeping up the act, I made such a critical mistake...

'Still, the reaction was positive. It’s worth hoping for.'

Of course, Earl Aslan Vermont was a sick and twisted noble aiming to raise a commoner child as his bride. But that doesn’t mean marriage is impossible. If there is a clear benefit, Aslan Vermont will not hesitate to marry. Since he showed interest, all that remains is to appeal and push for the marriage.

To be honest, it feels a bit unsettling. I have someone I love and am pursuing a marriage based solely on material gain. But I couldn’t turn it down. This was all for Irene...

"Did you return, Emilia?" "Ah! Yes!"

Just then, a cold hand unexpectedly reached out from behind and brushed against Emilia's cheek. Emilia stood stiffly in place, responding in a raised voice. Irene Vermont. She had silently approached and was now standing behind Emilia.

"So how did it go? Did you successfully charm my brother?" "Yes! The other noble ladies all came out within a minute, but I had a serious discussion for thirty minutes. Perhaps I caught Irene’s interest…!" "…You make it sound like I was the one charming him."

Irene’s expression twisted into a frown.

Aslan, do you know how much effort I’ve put into bringing you down? Having inherited your father’s obsession with dark magic, I’ve been waiting for the right opportunity to take you down. That simpleton suddenly became unusually cautious, and I ended up losing all my planted spies within the mansion.

If you keep avoiding me, I could easily find you. So, I decided to lay the groundwork for you to conduct your dark magic research freely. And once I had you trapped with irrefutable evidence, even your close relationship with the Emperor wouldn’t save you from ruin.

"Choosing you was the right decision. I must have hit the jackpot with Aslan’s taste." "What? It seems I wasn’t even in his thoughts?" "Impossible."

Irene tilted her head in confusion. I had personally gone to see the candidates for Aslan’s future bride. That man’s preferences must surely lean toward small and delicate figures. So, I expected Emilia to perfectly hit that mark, yet it seems I was mistaken? Tch. So picky.

"Regardless, it’s fine. Even if my seduction plan failed, that’s not the important part." "Yes. That’s true." "The important thing is to provide him with a place to freely research dark magic and to have him leave evidence of his activities. Then, to provoke him into attacking me, drawing him into a trap…" "Ah. The latter has failed." "…What do you mean by that?" "Aslan Vermont has no intention of taking revenge on your sister." "…?"

Irene’s eyes widened. What kind of creative nonsense is this now?

"I intentionally burst into tears to draw out the earl’s true feelings. If possible, I want to kill Irene Vermont. I don’t think she would act insincerely in front of someone who has done so much. Furthermore, any past disputes were just childhood incidents. He has forgiven everything and loves you dearly, my lord..."

"That can’t be true! That bastard! Aslan, that son of a bitch!!!" "…."

Irene inadvertently raised her voice in anger, and Emilia bit her lip, bowing her head. Irene clicked her tongue and turned away, letting out a deep sigh as she swept her bangs back.

"You can go now. I’ll contact you again when my brother has the next appointment scheduled." "Yes..."

She seemed calm on the surface, but Emilia quickly recognized the trembling voice, realizing that Irene was on the verge of exploding. She hurriedly exited the room. The door slammed shut. The moment I confirmed that a barrier had been cast within the room...

"AAAHHHH!!!"

Bang! Irene’s fist smashed down, shattering the mirror. That damn, damn… she muttered repeatedly, her anger not fading with the passing time.

What? No thoughts of revenge against me? You love your sister dearly? What a joke.

Irene let out a bitter laugh. At the same time, a voice like a nightmarish echo filled Irene’s ears.

'Is your sister really a true Vermont?' 'What? Doesn’t it seem that way?' 'Yes. It’s hard to believe you’re even related by blood.'

'Then do you think it’s best to eliminate her? Tell me, Aslan. What do you think?' 'I believe Vermont’s cold and rational demeanor is a strength, so maintaining it is very important. From that perspective, your sister doesn’t fit the Vermont family. She’s overly emotional, prioritizing the welfare of strangers over herself and her family. Allowing such an aberration to continue mixing with the Vermont bloodline could be dangerous.'

'Hahaha. If that’s your thought...'

To survive, I changed. Not wanting to be eliminated. Desiring to be recognized as a member of the Vermont family. From that day forward, I crushed and removed everything that blocked my path.

Because of you. Aslan, because of you, I became like this. That’s why I’m going to trample you. I’ve taken all useful retainers from you and left behind only sycophants.

I thought I was feeling quite pleased with myself. I expected you to curse me. I thought you’d tremble at the thought of me.

"Don’t joke with me! You say it’s just childhood quarrels! I nearly died, you damn…!"

Crunch. Just as I was about to smash the mirror again in anger, Irene found herself frozen, meeting her own reflection in the shattered glass.

A warped, hideous figure stared back at her. Suddenly, Irene felt a tightness in her throat.

"At this rate... it feels like I’m the only monster..."

Because of you, Aslan, you’re living well and thriving. While I’ve become trapped in the abyss, turning into a monster that everyone avoids? Irene sat down with a desolate laugh.

"Hahaha... Ahahaha!"

Her small laugh grew louder, resonating with an almost insane quality.

Aslan, you’ve forgotten everything, haven’t you? Good. Then I’ll make you remember. This time, I’ll bury you completely. This is the way for the 'true Vermont' to survive. Isn’t it?