The other servants occasionally get letters from their families. But she has no such opportunity.
That’s likely why she’s gripping those envelopes so tightly.
Haha. In that case, let me erase that loneliness.
“Alice.”
“…Yes.”
“Come to my room tonight. I’ll give you something good.”
Something good… Of course, it’s a letter of gratitude from me.
Alice often troubles my mind, but I’ve never forgotten to be thankful to her either.
If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t have the strength I have now, and Reina wouldn’t be by my side either.
She must be my devoted follower. She’ll surely cry tears of joy.
My relationships with Reina, Mashiro, and Karen are important, but I can’t help but cherish Alice, who has been supporting me the most closely.
Even in the future where I succeed my father, I’ll have her support, so a letter or two is a small price. I’ll write as many as I can.
Changing your mood really does sharpen the mind.
There’s nothing to obstruct my untroubled intellect now.
“Oh, are you enjoying yourself, Ouga-kun?”
“Reina. Don’t say things like that.”
“Rest assured, Lady Reina. Such a thing is impossible. Absolutely impossible.”
Hmm, it seems Alice understands well.
She’s emphasizing it quite strongly.
“Thank you, Lord Ouga. I’ll visit your room tonight.”
“Ah. And I was thinking of taking a short break now. After I give the letters to everyone, could you call Mashiro and Karen… to the courtyard?”
The sun is starting to set, and the temperature is just right.
Let’s take a breather on the open terrace in the courtyard.
“Understood. I’ll bring some tea and sweets as well.”
“I appreciate it.”
Alice bowed her head and turned around, heading back into the mansion.
Her steps seemed quicker than usual.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT GADGETIZEDPANDA.COM
“Mm! These cookies are so crispy and delicious~!”
“Sweet things really are nourishment for the soul, aren’t they?”
“Definitely~!!”
Mashiro agreed, munching on the cookies arranged on the plate.
She’ll probably grow even bigger this way.
And a few days later, she’ll regret it when she sees her own belly.
I’d wholeheartedly welcome Mashiro’s chubby figure, but if I said that to her, I’d be labeled as a chubby-lover, which she’d dislike.
The kind thing to do is to keep quiet about it.
I took a sip of the citrus-flavored tea that Reina had made.
It was refreshing, and the sweetness of the snacks was just right.
“How is your studying going, you two?”
“Yes! I think we’ll be able to finish all the assignments the academy gave us by tomorrow or the day after.”
“That’s… an impressive pace.”
Reina seemed surprised as well. I agree.
The academy must have given a daunting amount of homework, since the long vacation’s end is uncertain.
For Mashiro, who was originally a commoner, to be almost done with it is truly incredible.
“You don’t have to hurry so much, you know? Make sure you’re not overdoing it.”
“It’s okay, I’m taking breaks when I start feeling tired.”
“Morina-san has been helping us as a tutor. Her support is probably why we’re progressing so quickly.”
“I see, Morina… If it’s her, I’m sure it’s been fruitful. I was taught a lot about magic in my childhood too.”
Even without magical aptitude, knowledge of magic was essential for navigating noble society. In that regard, Morina patiently taught me, never showing any disdain.
I’m sure she’s providing valuable lessons to Mashiro and the others as well.
“I’m sorry, Ouga-kun. I went ahead and asked Morina-san for help.”
“It’s fine. Morina likes to be helpful and take care of people. She’s probably doing it gladly.”
“I just didn’t want to be a burden…”
“Don’t worry about it. She hasn’t been the head maid of this mansion for over ten years for nothing.”
In fact, she seemed a bit bored after stepping down from being my and Celicia’s study supervisor, so she’s likely enjoying this.
I see, with Morina’s support, their remarkable progress makes sense.
“Since you two have been working so hard, let’s all go somewhere for fun again later on.”
“Yay~! …Well, actually, there’s something Bok- I mean, we’d like to ask you and Lady Reina…”
“If it’s ‘we,’ then Karen is involved too?”
“Yeah. Not just Ouga, but Lady Reina as well…”
“Me as well?”
Reina and I exchanged glances. I wonder what it could be.
The two stood up and bowed to us.
“Ouga(-kun)! Lady Reina! Please train us!”
“…You two, raise your heads and have a seat first.”
I was taken aback by their unexpected request, but managed to compose myself and invited them to sit down.
Now, there are a few things I’d like to ask… But let’s start with this.
“…What made you decide this?”
“Umm, well, you see… I also want to be helpful to Ouga-kun, so I have to work harder.”
“…About the incident on the Island. We couldn’t do anything to help. This time too, I had to be protected by Ouga… I don’t want to always be behind him. I want to stand by his side… as his fiancée.”
“I-I feel the same way! I don’t want to just be protected all the time! I want to become strong enough that Ouga-kun can entrust his back to me!”
The determination of the two, and the emotions conveyed in their words, are genuine. Anyone looking into their eyes can see that.
But if they make that choice, they won’t be able to return to their old lives.
It’s painful, so I’ll quit after all. I can’t send them into the battlefield with just that level of resolve.
I understood it in the fight against Reina. Surely those who show that kind of dependence are the ones who end up dying.
That’s why I’ll boldly tell them the harsh truth.
“…So, you’re saying you both want to go to the battlefield where lives are at stake? Do you really have that kind of resolve?”
“Yes, I do! Because Ouga-kun said, being forever by the side of a ‘failure’ is my punishment. From that time on… my feelings have been decided.”
“Ouga gave me a chance to be reborn. I’m tired of being indecisive and just going with the flow. I… I want to be with Ouga of my own will! I want to walk that path.”
“…I see. Understood.”
…Ah, damn it. Normally I could endure this. I could endure it, but… this time it’s a little too effective.
I intended to protect Mashiro and Karen, and I made that clear to them.
Considering their position, there was no need for them to come here voluntarily…
If I’m being honest, I’d prefer if they stayed in a safe place. No, even Reina would be better off staying behind me.
If I’m aiming to become an evil lord, the logical thing would be to reject their opinions and keep them safely locked up in the mansion.
But that kind of appearance would be completely uncool.
The life of evil I’m aiming for is supposed to be stylish. It’s different from those third-rate types.
My feelings towards them are no longer just treating them as a harem.
I want to respect their feelings, while also fulfilling my own selfish desires.
“I’ve decided to live freely doing as I please”… wasn’t that it?
I’ll make them stronger, and become strong enough to protect them.
This is the righteous path of the supreme overlord that I must walk!
“I’ll take on that proposal.”
“If that’s what you two are saying, then I’ll cooperate as well.”
“…Yes…!”
“Thank you, Ouga! Reina-san!”
The two of them tightly grasped our hands, shaking them back and forth in their joy.
“Ah, that’s right! I’d like to ask Alice-san as well…”
“Got it. I’ll let her know.”
She left her seat to call Mashiro and the others, bringing tea and snacks, and then went to deliver the letter to her colleagues.
But I’m sure Alice will give a positive response.
She doesn’t seem the type to dismiss their passionate pleas.
“Ouga-kun! Reina-san! Thank you so much!”
“Make sure to directly ask her yourself, you two.”
“Yes, of course! We did it, didn’t we, Mashiro-san!”
“Yeah, Karen-san!”
The two of them clasped their hands together, sharing in the joy.
The smiling faces of the two beautiful girls before me… Ah, this happy world is a soothing balm for my weary mind.
I should also make further efforts to ensure their smiles are never plucked away.
They’re trying to support me of their own will.
///
scene transition
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Even after such a dangerous incident, they fearlessly say they want to stand by my side.
…How happy that makes me now.
“…You see, I told you they’d say the same thing, didn’t I?”
Reina winks and whispers in my ear.
“…I’m a lucky guy.”
If asked, I’d have to swallow that embarrassing murmur as I take another sip of my tea.
“The happiness is mutual, Ouga-kun. …Oh my, your ears are turning red…”
It must be Reina’s imagination.
I’ll refrain from commenting on that.
After the tea party where I learned of Mashiro and Karen’s feelings, I was in my room, writing the letter I had promised Alice.
Right now, I’m overflowing with emotion.
If I put the pen to paper while my heart is still warm, I’ll be able to write a letter that will delight Alice.
“…All right, it’s done.”
I re-read the completed letter to Alice, checking for any strange parts.
For things like this, it’s better to keep it concise, rather than rambling on.
But considering all that Alice normally does for me, I ended up writing until the page was nearly full.
That just shows how much of a presence she holds in my life… I’ve known it for a while, but now she’s become an indispensable existence.
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