"Claire..."
Iris quickly tugged at Claire's sleeve and leaned in to whisper in her ear.
"Your Highness Iris?"
Claire looked at the young princess with wide-eyed shock.
"What's wrong with you? This is basic etiquette! You never used to excuse such disrespectful behavior before!"
What a rigid woman.
Eiji silently scoffed in his mind.
"Has this man truly clouded your judgnt?"
Claire glared at Eiji with deep suspicion, spreading her arms protectively in front of Iris like a mother shielding her child, blocking her line of sight.
"Don't look at his face! This man is like poison to won! You're still too young to know how to resist the toxicity of a man like him!"
Here it cos.
Eiji had vaguely sensed it back on the snowy plains, but only now did Claire's hostility toward him beco unmistakably clear.
Normally, any woman who laid eyes on Eiji—with his divine charm—would instantly feel an overwhelming attraction. Falling in love at first sight was practically the default reaction.
But Claire was different. Instead of being captivated by his allure, she displayed an unusual level of hostility.
For soone to react this way upon first eting, there could only be one explanation.
"Are you a lily?"
Eiji suddenly asked with keen interest.
"W-w-w-w-what kind of question is that out of nowhere?!"
Claire's voice shot up at least an octave as she flailed in panic, shouting at Eiji.
"Pfft—!"
Rein burst out laughing but quickly covered her mouth.
"What's a lily?"
Iris blinked innocently, whispering the question to Claire.
"It's nothing, Your Highness! You don't need to rember such an impure word! In fact, you must never rember it!"
"Huh? Oh, okay..."
Startled by Claire's frantic outburst, Iris obediently nodded.
"A lily refers to romantic love between won."
Eiji interjected smoothly, smiling amiably.
"Given how protective Claire is of you, I suspect she harbors improper feelings. I'm just looking out for your proper upbringing, Your Highness!"
"AAAAAHHHHH!"
Claire clutched her head and let out a scream worthy of a groundhog.
"L-love...?"
Iris's smile stiffened slightly.
"No! Absolutely not! As Your Highness's education supervisor, it's my duty to safeguard your moral upbringing in every aspect! I d-definitely don't have any strange thoughts! Your Highness, don't believe a word he says!"
Claire panicked, anxiously watching Iris.
"Okay, okay, I understand! Just calm down, Claire!"
Iris quickly reassured her.
It took Claire a while to compose herself, but when she caught sight of Iris's smile, her heart twisted uncomfortably.
Sothing was off.
Princess Iris used to smile at her with much more warmth, relying on her in countless ways, always calling her na—Claire, Claire—in a way that lted her heart.
But now, her smile had beco... polite. Distant.
Compared to their previous relationship, this was clearly growing distant!
Damn it!
That man's words had ultimately planted seeds of doubt in the princess's heart!
Damn it, I knew from the start we shouldn't have let Princess Iris co into contact with this man!
He's toxic!
Toxic in every way!
"B-by the way, Mr. Nangou is really strong! Much stronger than the average black-haired adventurer!"
Seemingly stung by Claire's wounded gaze, Iris hurriedly changed the subject.
The transition was awkward.
But judging by how she took the initiative to talk to Eiji, she must have mustered up a lot of courage.
"Just decent, I suppose."
Eiji played along amiably.
"How did you get so strong?"
Relieved that he was willing to engage, Princess Iris imdiately brightened and asked eagerly.
"I've always trained, that's all."
Eiji vaguely brushed off the question.
"I'm actually surprised that Iris is this strong."
"How dare you address Her Highness by her real na, you insolent fool!"
Claire flew into a rage.
"It's fine, it's fine, I don't mind, Claire..."
Iris quickly turned to soothe Claire again.
"See? Iris says she doesn't mind. You're really not a competent retainer if you can't even spare your master this kind of trouble!"
Eiji looked at Claire with pity, as if saying, "I'm disappointed in you."
"Ugh..."
Iris was on the verge of tears.
While Claire was indeed too rigid, Mr. Nangou didn't seem like an easygoing person either.
"Who do you think you are?! What right do you have to judge my loyalty to Her Highness?!"
As if a string in her brain had snapped, Claire roared in fury.
"You're angry?"
Eiji grinned.
"Good. The angrier you get, the happier I feel. Hiahiahiahia!"
"Grrrk!"
For a mont, Iris could hear Claire grinding her teeth.
Claire clenched her jaw so hard her veins bulged on her forehead, glaring daggers at Eiji with tightly balled fists, looking like she wanted nothing more than to charge forward and beat him to death.
"I can't take this anymore!"
Iris covered her face, utterly at a loss.
She really didn't know how to diate between these two!
...
Nightti.
After the banquet ended.
Under Claire's murderous gaze, Eiji swaggered out of the royal palace.
"This is the residence hall for us reincarnators! The kingdom specially funds it to provide for our needs—als, lodging, training, hot springs, everything you could want!"
Led by the trio of Yamada, Eiji arrived in front of an extrely luxurious hall.
For an inn, it was far too grand.
According to the trio, there were only about a dozen active reincarnators in the capital, so the hall also allowed reincarnators to bring their companions to stay.
At the entrance of the hall stood a tall girl waiting, her long legs particularly eye-catching.
"Wow, a beauty! I'm in love!"
"Perfect! All the beauties at the banquet were drawn to Nangou—I didn't get to flirt with a single one. I'm going for her!"
"Wait, let's rock-paper-scissors! The winner gets to flirt with the beauty!"
The three of them started bickering.
Though she wore a hood, the delicate lower half of her face was still visible.
"Finally decided to show up?"
Just then, the long-legged beauty in a hoodie walked up.
"Did it really take you this long to attend a banquet? I've been waiting here for two hours! I told the guards several tis that I was with you, but they still wouldn't let in!"
She complained impatiently.
Her words were directed at Eiji, of course.
"I got dumped again!"
"Pretty boys should be executed!"
"Don't ever say we're friends again!"
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