"Ah..."

As Yulia stepped into the garden to meet the spirits, she spotted Aslan and was about to call out to him. However, she quickly silenced her voice and hurriedly hid herself.

"Is this good? No, maybe this is better."

"..."

Ignoring the dirt that stained her knees, Aslan knelt down and examined the flowers. It wasn’t typical behavior for Aslan, who didn’t seem interested in flowers at all. The fact that he was picking flowers he didn’t like suggested he intended to give them to someone who did.

But who could that possibly be? It was obvious. Naturally, it would be Emilia.

'So pretty and graceful, like a personification of the word “lady”…'

Is Aslan really fond of that kind of woman? Someone mature, polite, and knowledgeable?

I’m nothing like that. I’m clumsy in everything, and I have so much to learn from Aslan. Is he annoyed by me after all…?

'He’s been going out a lot lately…'

Aslan, who usually spent his days wrestling with paperwork somewhere in the mansion, had recently been seen leaving the house dressed smartly more often. Whenever I asked where he was going, he always said he was off to meet Lady Emilia…

Has he lost interest in me now? He doesn’t even lend me his hand while sleeping anymore. Of course, I said I didn’t need it anymore, but still…

Yulia bit her lip in frustration, unable to shake off the unknown sadness that had settled over her.

'I knew it. I knew how Aslan thought of me.'

A cute little child. A being to be protected. To Aslan, I was just a "child."

There was a time when I thought he was raising me to become his wife. But that was all just idle gossip spread by the maids who loved to gossip. Aslan had never once said such a thing himself.

I don’t judge people based solely on what others say anymore. At first, everyone chattered about how Aslan was a vicious, heartless villain. But he turned out to be a really warm person.

Just as believing the rumors the maids spread would be foolish, thinking Aslan raised me as if I were his daughter would be a misunderstanding… What should I do?

Should I continue to meet Aslan’s expectations? Or should I confess my true feelings? Ugh, I don’t know. I just don’t know…

At that moment, as gloom settled in her heart, Yulia sniffled.

"Ah. Is that you, Yulia?"

"Hik!?"

"Just in time. I was about to call you. Come over here for a moment."

"…"

She had been caught by Aslan. Was it her hair sticking out that gave her away? Yulia tried to hide her sulky expression as she stepped out from behind the bushes.

"What is it…?"

"Could you help me pick some flowers?"

"Which flowers are you picking for…? Who is it for?"

"For Lady Emilia."

You want me to help you pick a gift for your marriage partner? Really? Ugh, this is the worst…!

Yulia felt a surge of anger inside but couldn’t just turn and leave. She approached Aslan.

"Why, what? Do you want a flower that symbolizes eternal love, an unchanging heart, something like that? …?"

"Nothing like that. I want flowers that low-level spirits are drawn to."

"Spirits? Why's that? …?"

"You can hear what the spirits say, right? I thought if I gave flowers to Lady Emilia, I might be able to find out what the spirits overheard there."

"Ugh, how lowbrow…"

Oh no. I meant to say that only in my head.

Unintentionally making a disdainful expression, she spoke it out loud.

Eavesdropping on a loved one? How shady. How lowbrow. How filthy. How trashy. If I told Lady Emilia about this, the marriage talk would end right there…

Ah. Should I really say it? Yulia’s lips quivered as she was swept up in a sudden impulse.

"It’s not what you think."

"Then what is it? I’ll give you a chance to explain…"

"I found out that Lady Emilia is a puppet of my sister, Irene Vermont. They’re trying to use me for the marriage proposal, and I need your help to figure out what kind of scheme they’re plotting against me."

"Ah, ah!? Ah…! So, that’s how it is… I knew. I had a feeling. Uh-huh."

At Aslan’s response, Yulia's eyes widened in surprise, and she babbled. Was everything part of a plan?

So Aslan wasn’t interested in that woman after all! Well, that makes sense. It’s hard to believe he can’t even remember the name of someone he loves, right?

So, yeah. I’ve known everything. I noticed from the start… Or maybe…?

Yulia felt her mood suddenly lift, and the corners of her mouth began to twitch.

"The flower that spirits particularly like is this ghost flower…"

"Oh. Then I should go with this."

"Ah, no! Just looking at it feels eerie, doesn’t it? This flower is also known as the death flower, so its meaning is tied to death. You should never give it to your marriage partner…!"

"Then which flower do you think would be natural and good?"

"Honestly, any flower would be fine. The spirits are really good at listening to my requests, so even if they usually dislike a certain flower, it’s easy to make them stick to that flower."

"Even as time passes and the distance grows, the effect of the enchantment continues? That’s impressive."

"Heh…"

Right? I am somewhat impressive, aren’t I?

As she naturally leaned against Aslan’s large palm and rubbed her head, Yulia let out a pleased hum.

"Ha!? Don’t mess up my hair like that…!"

"Oh. Is that so?"

As if suddenly remembering something, Aslan pulled back in surprise. I’ve said I didn’t like it so many times…

Yet Aslan just chuckled and brushed it off, forgetting about it as he patted her head again.

Am I getting used to this? At some point, I stopped minding that my neatly arranged hair in the morning would get messed up.

I find myself leaning in like a puppy…

It’s not entirely unpleasant.

"Then should I go with this flower?"

"Hmm. Roses are pretty too. Should I pick one for you? …?"

"You look strangely happy. I’ll take you up on that."

"I-it’s not that I’m happy… it’s just… weird…"

Do I really look happy? Surely, I’m not grinning like an idiot?

Ugh, I don’t want that. Just as Yulia was at a loss about how to shape her expression,

"Ah!"

"…!"

With a sharp sensation, she quickly pulled her hand away from the rose. She had pricked her finger on one of its few thorns.

It was supposed to be harmless, but she got distracted by Aslan…

'Ouch…'

I wanted to skillfully pick the flower and arrange it in a vase, but what a mess this is.

Seeing a drop of blood bead on her fingertip, the pain suddenly surged through her.

Just as Yulia was about to pull her hand back, nearly crying,

"Oh dear. You should’ve been more careful. Always be cautious when handling sharp things."

"Hah!?"

Aslan swiftly grabbed Yulia’s hand. Without hesitation, he immediately placed her finger in his mouth. He sucked the blood that had collected on her fingertip and then pulled out a handkerchief to press against her wound and staunch the bleeding.

The suddenness of the situation left Yulia speechless, frozen in place.

"Fortunately, it doesn’t seem like it’ll leave a scar. Wouldn’t it be upsetting to have a scar on such beautiful hands? Be careful."

"Charlotte’s hands are full of calluses and scars…"

"Charlotte handles a sword. A clean swordmaster’s hand is the most embarrassing thing."

"Mm…"

I see. He was worried about my hands getting hurt.

Charlotte’s hands don’t matter, but he’s really protective of mine.

Yulia felt a rush of warmth flood through her once more.

"Okay… I’ll be careful. And here’s the flower. For the next two months, the low-level spirits won’t stray from this rose. If it wilts, that’ll be a problem, but roses can be grafted onto other roses or even hawthorns."

"Thank you. Keep pressing on the handkerchief. I’ll get a band-aid right away."

"Ah, that reminds me! How can you just suck on a lady’s hand like that!? Isn’t that too much!? …?"

"Where’s the lady in all this? I don’t see her."

"Ugh!!!"

With a smile, Aslan stood up, searching the room with his gaze, pretending to look for something.

Meanwhile, Yulia stood on her tiptoes, bursting with indignation.

"When will you recognize me as a lady!? …!"

"Being a lady isn’t just about age. Look at Silvia. Does she look like a lady?"

"Hmm. That’s true…"

"Still, assuming all the other criteria are met… yeah. Sixteen. If you’re sixteen, I’ll recognize you as a lady."

"Really!? No second-guessing…!"

Yulia shouted with joy. If she turned sixteen, there would only be two years left. After two years, Aslan wouldn’t be able to ignore me as just a child!

Then, will I be able to honestly confront my feelings then…?

Ah. But I’m scared of being rejected…

Just as Yulia was swept away by feelings of elation, worries and concerns began to creep back in.

'A metallic taste…'

Aslan nodded, chewing on the taste of blood left in his mouth. It was healthy blood, both in color and flavor. At least I don’t have to worry about diabetes for now.