After gifting the rose adorned with low-level spirits to Lady Emilia, a brief calm settled in while waiting for the results of the eavesdropping.

Up until now, I had no choice but to meet with Lady Emilia for information gathering. But at this point, with the eavesdropping device in place, there was no reason to risk a meeting. So, I feigned busyness, making various excuses to delay our encounters.

Of course, it wasn't just pretending to be busy. Although I had alleviated some of my workload, there were still many tasks to handle, and I had to deal with a certain spoiled brat as well…

"Sigh. Is she here again…?"

[The wicked deity, 'Kali,' impatiently urges me to open it quickly.]

Once again, a letter flew my way today. Holding the luxurious yet plain envelope used by the Imperial Magic Academy, I sighed heavily, wishing the earth would swallow me whole.

In the past, a letter from Yuri would have me excited and tearing it open without hesitation. Nowadays, the thought of opening it makes me uncomfortable. Perhaps it’s because I realized that this guy is not a pure adolescent boy but a dangerous one who has awakened to strange sexual inclinations.

"Ha... But I should open it."

After all, he is like a father-in-law who will one day send Yuri and Charlotte off to marriage. I couldn’t let him go astray if I wanted to obtain his blessing for the engagement.

With that thought in mind, I took a deep breath and was about to tear open the envelope when—

"What’s this?"

I froze upon seeing the recipient’s name written on the back of the envelope. It wasn’t some random old man. It was Aslan Vermont. It was referring to me directly.

For a moment, I felt a surge of panic, thinking Yuri might have discovered my true identity. But when I saw that the sender's name was not Yuri but Yuria, I let out a sigh of relief.

This letter wasn’t from the student Yuri sending correspondence to her benefactor; it was from Yuria, a staff member of Vermont Security, addressed to Count Vermont.

I felt somewhat reassured. That meant he wouldn’t reveal his secret preferences. I could relax my nerves and open the envelope comfortably.

• Greetings, Count. This is Yuria, serving as a temporary instructor at Vermont Security.
• I would like to visit your mansion to urgently discuss the impacts of the significant changes to the training program and the outcomes of recent assignments.

The letter was written in neat handwriting. From what I gathered, it seemed she was coming to report and discuss her opinions on the matters at hand. It appeared there was much to discuss, enough that a simple report wouldn’t suffice.

Fine. I was planning to write back saying she could come whenever it was convenient, but upon checking, I noticed she was coming today. Was the postal delivery a bit slow?

"Master. Instructor Yuria has arrived."

Just then, the door swung open, and Silvia entered. She had already arrived? That was quick.

"Yes. I heard she was coming. Let her up."

"But, Master, you might be a little shocked, so please prepare yourself."

"What on earth do you mean?"

"You'll understand when you see."

Silvia, unable to meet my eyes, was fidgeting with her lips. It was just an employee asking for a meeting with the boss. Why was she so flustered?

Could it be that Yuri came armed? If that were the case, Silvia wouldn’t just let her in. At least, there shouldn’t be anything threatening my life. I could trust Silvia completely, if nothing else.

"Is there really a need to prepare? Unless you’re saying that Vermont Security collapsed overnight or something… Huh?"

Suddenly, a chill ran down my spine. Now that I think about it, there’s no reason for Irene to target only me. It wouldn’t be strange if she tried to ruin my business as well. Surely, the news Yuri brought isn’t of that sort…?

As I anxiously fidgeted with my shoes while waiting, I heard light footsteps approaching down the hallway. The office door gently opened.

And the moment I casually looked up, I realized why Silvia said I should prepare myself.

"Have you come? Please summarize the main points for me…"

"I-it’s a pleasure to meet you, Count."

"…"

The protagonist is here. She’s made sure to slap makeup on her face and has shown up in a dress.

I’ve messed up. I’ve messed up. I’ve messed up. I’ve messed up. I’ve really messed up!

Yuri felt her mind go completely blank as she stood before Aslan.

Instead of gathering her hair under a hat, she let her short bob hang down naturally. She wore a black dress she had agonized over buying every time she passed by a clothing store. She had even borrowed help from a senior to put makeup on her face for the very first time.

Looking into the mirror, she was taken aback. I can look this feminine?

With this, Aslan Vermont would no longer be able to say I look like a boy…!

'It’s a frontal assault. I must endure even if it’s embarrassing.'

I can’t help it. To protect Charlotte and Yuri from that ruthless man, I have to do everything I can to catch Aslan’s attention…!

I had timed my arrival perfectly. Right now, Charlotte and Yuri were out observing the Vermont Security training grounds. So there was no worry about my friends seeing this embarrassing side of me!

As Yuri closed her eyes tightly, Aslan’s impression as he looked at her for a long while was as follows:

'She looks like she’s really mentally unstable…?'

A dress dyed entirely black with frills dangling everywhere. A big ribbon decoration on her head. And shoes that looked several sizes too big.

No matter how you look at it, it was the kind of fashion someone with poor mental health would wear. To be more specific, it was a look that suggested low self-esteem and a fragile mentality, struggling with severe affection deficit and wanting to catch the attention of the opposite sex with a flashy outfit.

It radiated an atmosphere that hinted that once involved, things wouldn’t end well.

'What is her intention!?'

Aslan broke out in a cold sweat as he racked his brain to decipher Yuri’s intentions. The last letter he received from her was almost a lament, complaining that Aslan Vermont didn’t acknowledge her cross-dressing skills.

What did I reply to that?

Aslan quickly retraced his memory and soon fell into despair.

• Since you’ve shared a secret with me, I can’t help but share a secret as well. I sometimes cross paths with Count Vermont, and in our casual conversations, your name came up. I initially thought Yuria was a boy, but as time went on, she seems more like a girl…
• So, why not not be too disheartened and try a little harder?

I added unnecessary words. The phrase "try a little harder" led her to interpret it literally, and she came fully dressed like this!? What part of this looks like "just a little more"?

Aslan was momentarily flabbergasted, but he quickly composed himself and continued the conversation.

"…What is that getup?"

"Ah. Well, when I don’t have work, I usually go around like this."

"…That’s casual wear?"

"Yes."

"What’s the reason you chose that outfit?"

"Because it’s cute… I picked it."

Aslan’s gaze remained glued to Yuri’s outfit, and inside, Yuri was cheering.

'Yes! He seems very interested! The rumors that Aslan Vermont is a filthy scoundrel attracted to little girls are true!'

Finally, Aslan Vermont has started to react! The same Aslan who always treated me like a boy and wouldn’t even glance my way!

At this rate, seducing Aslan is just a matter of time. I’ll be able to prevent the disaster of Charlotte and Yuri becoming countesses!

Yuri was overjoyed, almost ready to fly.

"Yuria…"

"Yes, Count."

"If you’re going through a tough time, don’t hesitate to let me know. I’ll help you as much as I can."

"Yes! Thank you!"

Aslan extended a pitying gaze as he reached out his hand, and Yuri cheerfully took it.

The moment their hands touched, Aslan felt like he might burst into tears.

'She’s been struggling so much that she wants to escape reality through the absurd act of cross-dressing…'

Until now, I hadn’t tried to understand Yuri at all. I had just assumed that because she was the protagonist, she must be perfect and flawless.

But Yuri's mental state was far from intact.

I should have noticed when she took up cross-dressing as a hobby. Before long, Yuri had become unable to escape reality without a hard hobby like cross-dressing.

I hadn’t realized how far Yuri's mind had been pushed to the brink. I had thought she was just a young girl with a bright future.

Aslan reflected deeply on the past, his eyes glistening with tears.

"This won’t do! How about we take a bath together? When you’re feeling down, it’s best to sweat it out in a refreshing way!"

"Y-yes!?"

Yuri’s pupils began to shake. This guy… is even more of a pervert than I thought…!?