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It was morning, a few days after the incident with Rifael.

“Do you like it, Frey?”

“Yeah, as always.”

I sat in the mansion’s dining room, savoring an omelettes prepared by Irina.

“I’m sorry… the only thing I can make well is an omelette… are you tired of it now?”

Ever since Irina took charge of preparing meals, breakfast had consistently featured omelettes and milk.

Of course, I never really had an appetite in the morning and usually just had a sandwich and coffee, but it seemed Irina thought differently.

“No, it’s okay. It really is delicious.”

But the omelette she prepared was always delicious. Looking at the various heart and puppy patterns sprinkled on top of the omelette was also a delight.

And after tasting the dish that Serena made for me a few days ago, the omelette Irina prepared seemed even more delicious.

“So, I won’t be able to eat the omelette you make for a while?”

It was regrettable. Irina was departing for the western continent that morning, accompanying Kania’s group on an investigation in place of Clana, who had returned home earlier to assist with an investigation.

It was unfortunate, but it couldn’t be helped. Having too many people in the mansion could draw attention. I just hope she takes care of herself.

“Frey.”

While I leisurely enjoyed my omelette and contemplated, Irina caressed my cheek and whispered.

“Just wait here for a moment.”

“Huh?”

“It’ll be quick.”

With that, she stood up and made her way to her room.

It occurred to me that since her return to the mansion, Irina had been immersed in some kind of research… What was that strange noise I heard from there?

– Rustle…

After wondering for a while about Irina’s intent, I unintentionally looked down due to a noise below.

“Ah, hello… Master…”

There was Lulu, lying flat on the floor.

“Why are you here?”

“To… eat…”

Lulu answered quietly, lowering her eyes.

“…Nom nom.”

She placed her bowl on the floor and began eating silently, her actions oddly more exaggerated than usual, radiating a sense of pitifulness that had persisted for a few days.

She had trembled when Clana came home. Was she intimidated by her status as an Imperial Princess and lost her confidence?

Or was there another reason?

Surely, she doesn’t think that the incident was her fault? Her stigma had been deactivated for a long time.

“…Hmm.”

With these thoughts in mind, I observed her, my expression furrowing.

The day before, I had discovered numerous scratch marks on her shoulder, faint remnants of the Stigma of Misfortune.

After scolding her for seemingly forgetting our promise not to self-harm, I took the time to wrap her injuries in bandages. However, today, I noticed the bandages were slightly unraveled.

‘Trauma, perhaps?’

“Eek…”

As I reached out to her, Lulu flinched, tightly closing her eyes.

Seeing this, it became apparent that erasing the Stigma of Misfortune from her was one thing, but healing her trauma might prove to be a much more challenging task.

Just like ink that spreads more the more you try to wipe it off, trauma becomes more pronounced the more you try to forget it.

– Tight…!

Therefore, looking gently at Lulu, I softly stroked her head and tightened the loosened bandage around her.

“Did you sleep well last night? Nothing happened?”

And then, I conveyed the words I tell her every day.

“I love you, Lulu.”

I couldn’t pinpoint what triggered her trauma again or why she looked up at me with eyes filled with guilt.

But there was plenty of time ahead.

Even if I couldn’t erase it all at once, with continuous effort, perhaps someday I could completely heal her trauma.

“… I love you too, Master.”

Maybe she sensed my thoughts, for she cleared her bowl and crawled over to me, leaning gently against my legs.

“……”

And then Lulu gently closed her eyes.

“Sigh.”

There’s something inherently calming about her expression. She probably feels a sense of security as a pet.

Our relationship might be seen as unconventional, even undesirable to some. But right now, all that mattered was her happiness.

However, once everything is settled, I’m determined to establish a normal relationship with her.

“F, Frey.”

Lost in thoughts, observing Lulu who had fallen fast asleep against my legs, Irina reappeared after having gone to her room.

“Huff huff…”

In her arms was a small, red puppy, whose origins were unknown.

“What’s that?”

“It’s my pet dog.”

“But… your dog was a large dog, wasn’t it?”

The memory of her large dog, always ready to charge at me, was still vivid in my mind.

However, the puppy she held now, considering Irina’s chest size, was small enough to be buried in her embrace.

Did that large dog give birth to a pup? But there were no dogs in the mansion… Whose offspring could it be?

“I, I cast a shrinking spell. You seemed to have trouble with…”

“Aha.”

Then it clicked. What she was doing in her room all this time was trying to shrink the dog down to this size.

‘…Is that right?’

As I contemplated, I realized that it would indeed take someone of Irina’s caliber some time to shrink a puppy. I tilted my head in thoughtful realization.

“Well then… Please take care of my cherished… puppy. It’s a well-behaved one you’ll like.”

“Huff huff…”

Looking suspiciously at Irina, who was handing me the puppy with its tongue hanging out, I reluctantly took the little dog.

Well, even if it’s small, it appeared sturdy. Perhaps I should secure it in the yard and raise it as a guard dog?

“F, Frey… I also have a gift for you.”

“Huh?”

As I was thinking this and observing the puppy burrowing into my clothes and panting, for some reason, Irina’s face turned very red as she reached out to me.

“Give me your handkerchief.”

“…Here.”

Compliantly, I handed my handkerchief to her. Irina took a deep breath and infused her magic into it.

“Oh.”

After a while, the handkerchief she returned was warmer, adorned with a newly drawn red puppy, sticking out its tongue alongside the other animals.

“…This isn’t the end.”

As I admired the cute design, Irina moved closer and caressed my cheek.

Then, she put something in her mouth and pressed her lips against mine.

“Smooch…”

Simultaneously, I felt the warmth of her body enveloping me.

“Mmm…”

A sweet taste lingered in my mouth. Undoubtedly the dragon fruit… or perhaps, a symbol of the puppy love she felt for me.

My favorite fruit, and a symbol of the feelings she had for me.

With closed eyes, she climbed into my lap, interlacing her tongue with mine, as if to etch the fruit onto me.

She clasped my hands in hers, and for a long time, we shared the sweet puppy love berries in our mouths, chewing and rolling them around.

“Puha…”

After the nectar that we had been sharing vanished into our stomachs, she slightly tilted her head back and asked in a soft voice.

“How… does it taste?”

“…Quite sweet.”

“It’s the fruit that blossomed from the plant I left in your dormitory.”

As I responded, she leaned closer and whispered in my ear, “Please remember this moment,” with a bright smile.

Once known as the flame of a fierce battlefield, she had once burned the Demon King’s army with a cold expression. Now, she sat on my lap, gazing down at me with loving eyes.

How could I forget such a moment?

“I love you, Frey.”

Even beyond that, Irina, who had shockingly transformed her maid clothes… I would never forget her in more ways than one.

“…I love you, too.”

Feeling strangely amused and playful, I gently licked the nectar from the corner of her mouth and gave her a little smirk.

“…..!”

She flinched, looking down at me with eyes that flickered from side to side, as if my action had caught her off guard.

“Frey, watch your behavior when I’m not around.”

She chewed on my lip as she spoke.

“…Be aware of the destructive power you have.”

With those words, she staggered up from my lap.

“Okay… I’ve done enough… Please, please, I hope it worked…”

Muttering to herself, she headed for the front door of the mansion but stopped to look at me.

“Frey, if anything happens, make sure you tear up that scroll.”

“…Yeah.”

“You must, you absolutely must, do you promise?”

She looked at me with a lingering gaze as she made her request.

“Then… Goodbye, Frey.”

She swung open the front door and emerged from the mansion, immediately greeted by the biting winter wind.

“………”

I stared blankly after her for a moment.

– Clack.

“Whoa…”

As the front door closed, my expression hardened, and I lowered my head.

“…I’m worried.”

Anxiety and heartache surge within me once more.

“It’s just getting started…”

That’s right. Today marked the commencement of the ‘Verification Ceremony’ where Ruby, the Fake Hero, would be officially unveiled to the world.

In other words, I would be heading to a place full of people who are likely to laugh at me, scorn me, attack me, and even try to kill me.

Even in a country where I’ve grown accustomed to such scrutinizing gazes, it was difficult not to succumb to fear and sadness.

Lately, the pace at which I’ve been earning points has stalled a bit, and I don’t know what would happen if I don’t go.

“Still… I’m not completely alone.”

I muttered, forcing a smile as I gradually stood up from my seat.

“This is better than before… Yeah…”

Still, I couldn’t help but feel uneasy. It would be easier if I was the only one in this.

I was so worried about the people I care about who would be in the Demon King’s sights after today.

“Hmm…”

“…Ah, Lulu.”

Calming my anxious heart, I suddenly noticed Lulu. She, now realizing the absence of the leg she had been leaning on, absentmindedly caressed the chair.

“Looks like I have to leave her behind.”

I didn’t want to put her in danger. I had no intention of placing her dangerously as a spy, nor did I want to take her to the Verification Ceremony as a servant as she requested.

If Lulu, who hadn’t responded to the Hero Party call, was spotted with me by Ruby, who was eagerly eyeing her Magic Eyes… I dread thinking of the harm she might face.

So, the servants I would bring to the upcoming coronation would be…

“The preparations are done.”

“Let’s set off.”

None other than Arianne and Alice.

It was clear that I was forcing them to be with me, so even if I used them as servants, they wouldn’t be harmed.

I also wanted to bring Miho, whom Lulu strongly recommended as a servant. Still, since the negotiations with Serena hadn’t concluded yet, I decided to leave her out.

“…Right.”

However, there was a minor problem.

[Alice’s Current Emotions: Disgust, Anger, Killing Intent]

It seemed like these two were plotting something against me today. Naturally, they would conceal their animosity and devise a strategy in secret.

“Frey, something’s off about them… please investigate…”

Serena, who had ruined a dish a few days ago and was writing an apology while sobbing, couldn’t help but sense that something was amiss when she encountered them during her interrogation by the investigation team.

“”……..””

As I pondered this, the gazes from those around me became even colder.

“Ugh…”

Of course, I had already planned for it.

“Let’s go.”

Not just for them, but also for the Verification Ceremony.

Wasn’t it unfair to be taken advantage of when you see it coming?

.

.

.

.

.

Meanwhile, at that moment.

“Hero, are you feeling better now?”

“Yes! I’ve completely recovered!”

Ruby, emerging from the hospital, greeted an Imperial Court Minister and a Bishop of the Church with a smile.

“Well, let’s set off. We’re running short on time.”

“Yes~!”

Ruby climbed into the carriage in a friendly atmosphere.

“Ah, there’s a special escort for you.”

“Huh?”

She tilted her head at the Bishop’s benign expression.

“What do you mean…”

And then, her eyes widened in surprise.

“Hello!!!!”

“…….”

For some reason, Ferloche was seated in the front, smiling with her distinct naive smile.

“My friend, Ruby!!!”

“…..Ugh.”

A small crack appeared in Ruby’s otherwise joyous expression.

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