The subordinates who had gathered at the mansion left to carry out their respective roles.
I went to find Lucy, who was resting in her room.
“For the master to come all this way…”
“Rest easy. I just came to check on your condition.”
I waved my hand at Lucy, who was fidgeting as she sat up in bed.
Almost forcing her to lie back down, I took a seat on the chair beside her.
“You were affected by a powerful drug, so I’ve been worried. The priest said there shouldn’t be any lasting effects, but how are you feeling now?”
“I’m… a little dizzy, but otherwise fine. I’m sorry for causing you concern.”
“Don’t feel burdened worrying about me. You’re my person, after all. But your face is quite red—are you sure you’re really okay?”
As I spoke, I noticed Lucy’s cheeks were flushed, and her lips were slightly parted.
No, for the usually stoic Lucy to make such an expression…
Feeling concerned, I placed my hand on her soft forehead.
“Hmm. You seem to have a slight fever.”
“M-Master… Ugh.”
Even though I had only lightly touched her forehead, Lucy flinched.
According to High Priestess Hene, the effects of the drug should no longer be lingering.
So it’s not like she’s suddenly excited or anything…
Could it be that her immunity has weakened, and she’s caught a cold?
Even in this world, colds are common during seasonal changes.
I had let my guard down, thinking that the advanced living standards and magitech of this world would prevent such things, but it seems the threat of illness lurks everywhere.
Moreover, seeing her fidgeting with her lower abdomen, it seemed her stomach was bothering her too.
Seeing her like that, I couldn’t help but tense up.
I tightly held Lucy’s hand as she lay in bed.
“Lucy, is there anywhere you’re feeling uncomfortable? Tell me honestly.”
“Hng…! I’m… fine.”
“If you’re in pain, I’m in pain too. So don’t get sick, okay?”
“…Master.”
Lucy looked up at me with moist eyes.
I added one more thing, worried she might overthink it.
“Focus on recovering. From now on, Liliana will also assist with the aide duties, so don’t worry too much.”
“Huh?”
At that moment, Lucy’s eyes darkened in an instant.
Ah. I made a mistake.
“What do you mean by that?”
“Well, exactly what I said. Liliana has been wanting to repay me, so I’ve decided to appoint her as my side and have her assist with the work.”
“But isn’t Liliana still a student at the academy?”
Lucy, with an expression colder than frost, sat up in bed and spoke.
Feeling a strange pressure from her gestures, I leaned back slightly and continued.
“There’s no need to worry about that. Academy students are allowed to take on jobs, so it’s not a problem.”
“Ah, I see. I forgot about that for a moment.”
“You’ll teach Liliana the ropes. I expect you to show her the exemplary behavior of a senior, right?”
“…Yes.”
After a moment of hesitation, she answered.
Though Liliana seemed to be on her mind, she obediently accepted my command.
‘But Lucy, this girl… She’s surprisingly jealous, isn’t she?’
I understand that she wants to monopolize me since she’s shown affection, but…
I hope she can get along well with the other women.
After all, I plan to have multiple wives in the future.
This is a world where polygamy is common.
With women like Raphaella actively vying for my attention, I never intended to disappoint their expectations.
I want to make all my women happy without exception.
Though there might be conflicts among the wives…
I’ll mediate well to ensure they get along.
“Then, Liliana—”
“You can call her casually. She’s your junior now.”
“Yes. Then I’ll go meet Liliana. I’ll make sure to teach her well so she can be of help to you.”
“It’s probably better to start training her tomorrow. Liliana is at the church’s orphanage right now.”
“The orphanage… you say?”
“There are some children we’ve crossed paths with, so she went to meet them. She’ll probably be back by sunset.”
I stood up and gazed out the window at the drifting clouds.
The young girls we had rescued from the forest with Luke, the original protagonist.
The image of them crying silently in the slave trader’s carriage after losing their parents flashed through my mind.
They’re probably eating together by now.
Liliana had asked me to come along, but I gently declined.
I wanted her to be away for a while as the subordinates gathered at the mansion.
Though I trust her, it’s still too early to share our plans with her.
Things like dealing with the second prince or founding a new nation…
‘How could I talk about such things in front of others…’
In time, I’ll be able to tell Liliana too.
I gathered my thoughts and stood up.
“Don’t worry about anything today and just rest. Once you’ve recovered, start teaching Liliana the aide duties little by little from tomorrow. Understood?”
“Yes… understood.”
Liliana nodded.
Her beautiful silver hair cascaded softly over her shoulders.
Her translucent skin peeked through her disheveled clothes.
‘But she definitely seems more alluring than before.’
Her slightly flushed breath and drooping eyes stirred a protective instinct.
If I stayed in the room any longer, I might not be able to resist devouring her.
I gently patted Lucy’s head and left the room.
As I walked down the corridor,
A cute-looking maid with long straight hair approached me nervously.
“M-Master. There’s a message from Her Highness the Princess.”
“From Her Highness Justia?”
“Y-Yes…! She wishes to communicate via visual magic. What should we do?”
A message from Justia?
That’s welcome news.
But the maid seemed extremely tense, as if she were facing something difficult.
Staring at her face, a memory from the past surfaced.
‘Ah. This maid. She’s the one who wet herself in front of me on the day I first possessed this body.’
Come to think of it, Alfred had mentioned sending additional maids to the capital mansion if I stayed there for an extended period.
She must have been one of them.
‘I thought she was a bit of a klutz, but if Alfred assigned her to the capital mansion, she must be competent.’
Whether she’s actually good at her job remains to be seen, but she’s definitely cute.
I patted her shoulder to help her relax.
“I’ll go right away. No need to guide me. Go attend to your duties. You’re always working hard.”
“Y-Yes. Th-Thank you, Master!”
Oh dear, her tongue got tangled.
The maid, who seemed unable to relax, quickly retreated.
I stared at her thighs, wondering if she had wet herself again.
…Fortunately, her thighs were clean.
* * *
“It’s been a while, Duke. Have you been well?”
Inside the office that now felt as comfortable as my own room,
I faced Justia through the communication crystal.
Her beauty, visible through the crystal, was as indescribably stunning as ever.
Her smile, filled with warmth, made my own face bloom with a wide grin.
‘But has it really been that long?’
It didn’t feel like much time had passed since we last met.
Well, if Justia says so, then it must be true—I accepted it.
“I’ve been well, without any major issues. And you, Your Highness? Have you been well?”
“I’ve been a bit busy juggling my studies and imperial duties, but I’m fine. Ah! And did you know that many people have been wanting to join our faction lately? Just a few days ago, the Goldman Merchant Group donated a substantial amount.”
“Oh. That’s wonderful news. It’s all thanks to Your Highness, the Empire’s treasure.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Your Highness is special, after all. People are starting to recognize that.”
“Hehe, thank you.”
Justia twisted her body shyly, her lips curling into a smile.
Her expression was so adorable that I struggled to suppress the grin spreading across my face.
‘So cute.’
Justia’s smile is truly the best.
I should praise Goldman later for contributing to this smile.
As we continued our pleasant conversation, Justia suddenly remembered something and spoke up.
“Oh, by the way, the Magic Swordsmanship Tournament is in a month. The Magic Department needs to decide on a representative, but Liliana, one of the top candidates alongside me, hasn’t been attending classes. The professors are quite worried.”
“Ah, Miss Liliana Mapleflower is currently staying at my mansion.”
“…………What?”
After a long silence, Justia’s voice trembled as if an earthquake had struck.
‘Is the communication crystal malfunctioning?’
The mana flow didn’t seem unstable, though.
While I was puzzled, Justia stammered and asked me.
“Wh-What do you mean by that?”
“Exactly what I said. She’s currently staying with me at the Debellion family mansion.”
“Uh… How could that be…”
Justia’s eyes widened, and her mouth hung open in deep shock.
For a moment, I thought the communication crystal had frozen into a still image.
It seemed she had some serious misunderstanding.
‘Oh no. Does she think I’ve kidnapped Liliana, preventing her from attending the academy, and am subjecting her to daily abduction, brainwashing, and assault?’
Unfortunately, that’s not the case at all.
Not knowing what to do, I quickly explained to her, who was rolling her eyes in confusion.
“I saved Liliana when she was in danger, and she’s staying at the mansion to repay that debt. Elves are quite particular about debts, after all.”
“Ah. Is that so?”
“Yes. That’s the case.”
“Phew. What a relief… Ahem. I see. Thank you for the kind explanation, Duke.”
Justia’s expression softened at my answer.
I almost caused an unnecessary misunderstanding.
I couldn’t afford to be labeled as the perverted Duke of the North, especially when I’m just starting to get closer to Justia.
As I let out a sigh of relief, Justia spoke in a brighter voice.
“I want to show everyone through this tournament that I’m not inferior to my brothers.”
“Your Highness will surely succeed. I’ll always be cheering for you.”
“Always cheering… Is it because I’m special to you?”
Justia asked cautiously, her golden eyes filled with a faint unease.
I answered her without hesitation.
“Yes, you are.”
“Hehe. I wanted to hear that.”
The shadow that had briefly crossed her face disappeared, and Justia returned to her usual bright self, smiling warmly.
“Um, Duke. By the way, this weekend in the capital—”
Knock knock-
“Master! There’s urgent news I need to inform you about.”
Just as Justia, with a slight blush on her cheeks, was about to speak, a frantic knock and the voice of Head Maid Vanessa came from beyond the door.
Such a rude interruption in the presence of the princess made me frown deeply.
“Vanessa. Don’t you realize I’m speaking with Her Highness the Princess?”
“I-I’m sorry, but…”
Vanessa hesitated, unable to continue.
I first apologized to Justia.
“I’m sorry, Your Highness. Our head maid has been rude.”
“Ah, it’s fine. It must be something urgent.”
Justia, though flustered, nodded in understanding.
Interrupting a noble’s conversation is a crime under imperial law, but…
Justia truly is an angel.
But Vanessa couldn’t possibly not know I was speaking with Justia.
Why did she interrupt?
…Could it be that important?
As countless question marks filled my mind,
Vanessa spoke in a trembling voice.
“Y-Your Highness Albiero has arrived at the mansion.”