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 et with Lady Emilia for information gathering. But at this point, with the eavesdropping device in place, there was no reason to risk a eting. 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 so 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 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 whole.
In the past, a letter from Yuri would have excited and tearing it open without hesitation. Nowadays, the thought of opening it makes 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 engagent.
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 na written on the back of the envelope. It wasn’t so random old man. It was Aslan Vermont. It was referring to directly.
For a mont, I felt a surge of panic, thinking Yuri might have discovered my true identity. But when I saw that the sender's na 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 mber of Vermont Security, addressed to Count Vermont.
I felt sowhat reassured. That ant 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 outcos of recent assignnts.
The letter was written in neat handwriting. From what I gathered, it seed 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 co 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 an?"
"You'll understand when you see."
Silvia, unable to et my eyes, was fidgeting with her lips. It was just an employee asking for a eting with the boss. Why was she so flustered?
Could it be that Yuri ca ard? 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 sothing… Huh?"
Suddenly, a chill ran down my spine. Now that I think about it, there’s no reason for Irene to target only . 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 mont I casually looked up, I realized why Silvia said I should prepare myself.
"Have you co? Please summarize the main points for …"
"I-it’s a pleasure to et 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 ssed up. I’ve ssed up. I’ve ssed up. I’ve ssed up. I’ve really ssed 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 ti she passed by a clothing store. She had even borrowed help from a senior to put makeup on her face for the very first ti.
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 tid 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 !
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 ntally 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 soone with poor ntal health would wear. To be more specific, it was a look that suggested low self-esteem and a fragile ntality, 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 lant, complaining that Aslan Vermont didn’t acknowledge her cross-dressing skills.
What did I reply to that?
Aslan quickly retraced his mory and soon fell into despair.
Since you’ve shared a secret with , I can’t help but share a secret as well. I sotis cross paths with Count Vermont, and in our casual conversations, your na ca up. I initially thought Yuria was a boy, but as ti 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 ca fully dressed like this!? What part of this looks like "just a little more"?
Aslan was montarily 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 sa Aslan who always treated like a boy and wouldn’t even glance my way!
At this rate, seducing Aslan is just a matter of ti. 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 ti, don’t hesitate to let 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 mont 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 assud that because she was the protagonist, she must be perfect and flawless.
But Yuri's ntal state was far from intact.
I should have noticed when she took up cross-dressing as a hobby. Before long, Yuri had beco 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…!?
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