Translator: RyuUdon
Editor: Lilia
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Chapter 16
“Hello.”
Just past noon, I was tilling the ground when someone greeted me from behind. I looked back and to my surprise, William-sama was standing there.
“Eh? Ah, sorry, hello.”
I stood up straight and bowed my head a little. Why was he here?
And then, I ended up glancing around the vicinity. The young Lady… wasn’t here.
“Fufu, Miluka is not here.”
William-sama caught onto my behaviour and chuckled.
Crap. I hurried to defend myself.
“Ah, no no, I didn’t mean that.”
“It’s alright.”
“H-haah… um, today is…?”
I got a little defensive, wondering what he was after.
“I’m sorry to have come so abruptly. I hadn’t apologised for the other day.” William-sama bowed his head. And then, for some reason, he apologised to me.
The other day was… when I was shoved by the young Lady? That was what William-sama was apologising for?
Why?
“Eh? Did you go out of your way just to tell me that? No, but William-sama has done nothing to apologise for… Rather, that young Lady…”
Oops, oh no. That slipped out.
I quickly added, “Sorry, don’t worry about that. I think it’s a reasonable response to someone of my social status,” and shook my head.
“No, no matter how much she didn’t like it, she nevertheless raised her hand against you… it’s a bad habit of Miluka’s. She’s been that way for a long time. Frankly speaking, it’s a problem. I’m not really good with her either,” William-sama said, like he was annoyed.
Was that the case? That’s an absurdly bad habit.
…Hm? Did he say he wasn’t good with her?
They seemed to get along well enough, but was it actually a difficult relationship?
It probably showed on my face, because he said, “You seem surprised. Our families are close, and we happened to be the same age, so somehow we were always together. Let’s just call it the result of being childhood friends. I’d rather be alone, though.”
Woah, that was pretty direct. The young Lady might get a shock hearing that. It might be bad to phrase it like this, but was it just my imagination that they were like a boss and henchman? Of course, the boss would be the young Lady. But the henchman wasn’t a menacing henchman.
“O-ohh. Is that so…? People have their own ways of socializing too.”
Seeing my current situation, William-sama said with a wry grin, “I’d like to invite you for tea, but I was wondering if you’re busy?”
Tea? With me? Why?
“Ah, no, I had some free time so I was doing some gardening. His Majesty said I could do whatever I liked. I took him at his word and I’m doing what I like.” I held up the spade to emphasize my words, and William-sama smiled happily.
“…So that’s how it is. Then, may I invite you to tea?”
“Eh? Is it really okay to invite me? I don’t know if I’m the right person to talk to? I think you’d get bored.”
“You are an interesting person. We’re both candidates, so I thought we’d get along better. Does Ollie-sama not like it?”
“A-absolutely not! Please come to my room. I’ll prepare you some tea.”
I hurriedly invited William-sama to my room. Uwaaー, I’m kind of nervous. Though, compared to when I found out Iyuri-san was the Emperor, I wasn’t nervous at all. Rather, I calmed down? I guess? Like I could talk freely to him. He’s a mystery, that guy.
When we entered the room, Solvay-san looked surprised to see William-san. Yeah, that’s to be expected. But he immediately recovered, saying, “I will prepare tea. Please wait a moment.” He bowed and went into the kitchen.
As expected. He’s very attentive. Thank you very much, Solvay-san.
“Please, have a seat.” I pulled up a chair and invited him to sit.
“Thank you.”
Every single movement was graceful. I couldn’t believe how beautiful he looked just sitting down; of course, the upper echelons were different. I excused myself for a moment before I sat down, and went into the kitchen to wash my hands.
As soon as I appeared in the kitchen, Solvay-san’s expression changed.
“Ollie-sama! What’s going on? Does His Majesty know of his presence here!?!?!”
“He doesn’t. I was gardening when he suddenly showed up. It surprised me too.”
“I will report this immediately.”
“That’s okay! You don’t have to report every single thing like that. William-sama seems harmless, it’s fine, it’s fine.” I spoke with a whispering voice to not be overheard.
Solvay-san was about to depart immediately, but I asked him not to. I didn’t want to get in the way of his work. It would probably be fine, right?
I left him to prepare the tea, washed my hands and tidied my clothes, and returned to William-sama again.
“By the way, hasn’t your atmosphere changed a little recently?”
At William-sama’s words, I almost spat out the cake I was eating. Deja vu!
“Huh?? Whaat?!?! Wh-what do you mean!?!!”
Crap! Did he find out that we did it together?!?!
No, that can’t be it! My heat ended and there’s no scent! Surely. Besides, at that time, the Ero Emperor said he put up a barrier!
“Well, it’s somehow… alluring.”
Kaboom!!
“No no, please think about it. Just lazing around with three meals and a nap, does that make you alluring? Rather, when it comes to being alluring, William-sama is alluring and very beautiful! What special self-care routine do you do?” I waved my hands around nervously while evading the topic.
William-sama put his hand over his mouth to cover a chuckle and said, “Thank you. No, nothing in particular.”
I was internally sweating a flood. Crap! Is this natural for an Alpha? Is there a difference after all? I mean, I’m alluring? Uwah!! I didn’t even know! When I bathe, I’ll scrub my entire body! I’ll quickly change the subject.
“B-by the way, William-sama is…”
As I started to speak, Solvay-san bowed his head deeply. William-sama’s gaze shifted and poof, his complexion changed. It didn’t change to blue, but a light red. I turned my gaze to match theirs. I had a bad feeling.
“Excuse me, do you already have a visitor?”
Oiiiii!!!! It’s you!
I had a feeling. I did. But I wanted it to be wrong.
My stable life in the inner palace is on the verge of collapse, and you…! Why!!! Bad timing! Very bad!
William-sama stood up and bowed. I rushed to bow as well.
“Young master1, you may rise. Ollie-san, I brought you some rare ingredients that I was gifted as a tribute.” He spoke flatly to William-sama, smiled softly at me, and unwrapped a parcel in his arms and showed it to me.
Wait! Affection! That smiling face!!
But my curiosity got the better of me, and I said, “Eh? What is it, what is it?” and went to Iyuri-san’s side to peer inside. Iyuri-san also started happily explaining the ingredients. Then I returned to myself. S-shoot!
I looked at William-sama timidly, and I didn’t know if he was offended or not, but he smiled and stood. My eyes widened. So nonchalant!!!
Don’t say things that will make people get the wrong idea! You pompous prick! My face got bright red.
No, if I get flustered here, they’ll think the opposite. It’s not enough to desperately maintain a straight face. I am a statue. A statue. A statue that has abandoned all emotion.
“Oh dear, what are you talking about? You must be joking. Is this an Emperor joke2? It’s completely, not at all, not one bit funny. Please enjoy tea with William-sama without issue.”
With a bunn, I shook off his hand and bolted out of the room at top speed.