Birthdays and gifts were not particularly significant to Redian. Or rather, such words didn’t even exist in his world initially.
“…Hug you?”
But seeing her burst into laughter, it seemed like things would be different from today.
“Is that all you want for your first-ever birthday gift?”
If possible… He wanted everything about her: the red eyes that gazed at him, the fingers that held a pen, the golden hair that draped over her shoulders, and even her warmth.
When executing a mission, Redian would pierce through his target’s head without hesitation. If they tried to escape, killing them was the end of it. There was no need to coax or lure them, nor was there any reason to leave behind unnecessary words. But…
“That’s enough for me.” T
This woman was different. So, Redian smiled brightly, hiding his feelings.
“Why? Are you getting nervous about standing on the podium?” Siani asked, tilting her head.
Nervous?
It’s impossible. It didn’t matter what anyone said or how many eyes were on him; he wasn’t interested.
“Yes, I’m nervous.”
But if Siani wished, he could give her any answer she desired.
“I can hug you, but…” Siani murmured as if picturing the sight of her hugging him might be awkward.
Although Siani was tall, she couldn’t compare to Redian. If the two were to embrace, Redian’s shadow would completely engulf Siani’s.
“Then…” Redian, looking down at the woman who barely reached half his height, took a step forward. “This should work.”
He willingly knelt on one knee before her. The one resolve he had—to never kneel before anyone—crumbled in front of this woman. Their gazes met unavoidably.
“Happy birthday in advance, Redian.”
Siani, with a smirk, gently pulled Redian’s head towards her.
“…”
At that moment, Redian had to clench his hands tightly behind his back. To control his urge to immediately caress her cheeks.
“I’ll be with you on the podium anyway.” Siani’s hand slowly stroked his silver hair. Her shoulder touched Redian’s lips, and her voice brushed past his ears. “Don’t worry.”
Yet, he still had to restrain himself. He couldn’t encroach upon what Siani hadn’t permitted. The moment he acted on his desire, those hands would coldly reject him.
“I have something to ask of you, Redian.”
“…Yes, tell me,” Redian responded as slowly as possible. Only then could he barely manage to keep his raging desires from surfacing in his voice.
“From now on, a lot of people will be watching you.”
“…”
“You might even become more famous than me.”
Siani continued to pet Redian’s hair as she spoke. Her touch was gentle yet carried an undeniable force that compelled submission.
“So, you need to be good and kind, Redian.” Siani’s tone, though soft, was firm.
Redian knew her words were not mere jest. She was earnestly commanding him.
“You’ve seen Ash, how he smiles sweetly in front of everyone despite all the vile things he does behind their backs, right?” There was a peculiar power in Siani’s voice.
“It’s the same reason why the image of the Devil King leading the Devil Legion was so fascinating.”
Her approach was strong and tender, like taming a wild beast that had been let off its leash.
“People’s hearts are weak to beautiful things.”
It was enough to resist the surges of something rising within him, the thirst to possess everything about her.
“You can go higher than that worthless Ash.”
“…”
At that time, Siani murmured something inscrutable. How could he ascend higher than him? But such things were not particularly important to Redian.
“Then, can I…” He was only curious about one thing. “Can I go higher than you, Master?”
If that were possible… Could he embrace her as she embraced him?
“Why? Do you want to be higher than me?” Siani laughed low as if she heard something amusing. “You might be able to, eventually.”
Her answer ended there, but he didn’t bother to ask more. He only regretted the warmth moving away from him.
“So, you just need to do as I say.”
“…”
“Got it?”
To her gentle inquiry, Redian slowly nodded. “Yes, I understand, Master.”
He would do whatever she asked. No matter how long it took, he would endure.
“Good, Rere.”
If that was the way to wholly possess her.
* * *
After sending Redian away, Obelo came to see me.
“You were thinking of appointing the guard Phil Roberto as the knights’ trainer, weren’t you?” Obelo asked, setting down his teacup across from me.
“Yes, that’s right. But I’ve decided to keep him as a guard.”
Even I, who seldom gets intimidated, could feel somewhat overpowered in Obelo’s presence.
“It seems he lacks the courage to deal with Norma.”
Obelo looked at me with a measured gaze. “The chief butler announced through the voice orb throughout the duchy that you were seeking his resume.”
“Loid did?”
I had expected an announcement to be made, but…
So something like that happened. Being in the duke’s office, where external noises were completely blocked, it was the first time I heard this story.
“Hearing that news, there must have been people watching Phil closely.”
“…”
“Well, the goal was to distance him from your attention, and it seems they’ve achieved that.”
“To move him away from my attention? Who?”
It was just looking for a resume of a well-performing servant, but to approach it with such depth…
“From now on, you must not forget that you are the heir to the House of Felicite.” Instead of answering my question, Obelo continued with his advice. “So you must be very careful when making your own people. Like Aeron, being close to specific individuals should also be approached with caution.”
With years of experience, his voice was calm yet solemn.
“Unless they are direct members of the knight order, you should always change the knights around you.”
“Yes.”
“And like this incident with Phil Roberto, you must not openly give attention or interest.”
“…Yes.”
Listening to Obelo’s lecture, I slightly understood why the duke said it was exhausting to deal with Obelo. However, I couldn’t refute the seasoned advice he gave.
“I was just looking for a resume, and it turned into such a fuss.”
His words made me wonder if my mere attention to Roberto was the problem. Why with all this fuss? I’ve lived through many lives and acted with discretion, but having to be cautious about even a glance was new to me.
“It’s because men are jealous creatures by nature.”
“Yes? What do you mean by that…?”
“To monopolize their master, they might bow their heads like dogs but also bite like wild beasts.” Suddenly bursting into laughter, Obelo seemed to find his own words amusing. “Such vigorous lads, I tell you! Hahaha!”
Pardon? Uh, certainly, he was an unpredictable character as well.
* * *
It was the next day.
“Princess…” Early in the morning, a pale-faced Bergman came to me. “In love, there exist two egos: an angel and a devil.”
Whether he had pulled an all-nighter again for the masks, his bloodshot eyes radiated pure madness.
“While there’s Mars, desiring absolute possession and isolation of the goddess…”
It was baffling how grand myths were attached to just one mask.
“There’s also Eros, desiring to receive love even if it means kneeling before the goddess.”
“You’re so serious, Bergman.”
But upon opening the box Bergman brought, I had to admit it.
“Last time, it was Mars’s mask, so this time it’s Eros’s.”
Although it was still a loop type that only covered the eyes, it was made of pure white satin, suggesting the silhouette of the face might be slightly visible. Additionally, the long, dangling crystal piece on one side added a dreamy feel.
Seeing that mask, I confirmed something. Bergman truly is an educated pervert.
It would indeed look beautiful with the pure white uniform…
I guess putting on the mask will end tomorrow.
Tomorrow will be the award ceremony. There, I would unveil the mask covering Redian’s face.
I just got goosebumps! I can’t wait for the grand reveal!