Tundra jumped up. No!The sound rang loudly. His cries even expended a small amount of mana.


    Hickson hit the back of Tundras head. Why are you screaming and going crazy?


    Oh


    With those final words, Jermi and Vi went on and held hands.


    To be exact, it was actually just for a handshake, but in Tundras eyes, it seemed to have been holding hands.


    He felt very unpleasant, thus asking Hickson, Teacher, dont you feel bad?


    What?


    Prince Jermi said he would be friends with the princess.


    Vi epted it.


    Instinctively, he hated it. The fact that Vi was burdened with Jermi.


    That was why he hated him.


    Vi. Im going to borrow him for a second.


    Why?


    I have a ce to take him to.


    Where?


    I dont know if I can tell you. Anyway, I thought of a way to make this man more powerful.


    Tundra actually tried to refuse. He didnt want to be away from Vi for a moment, thinking it was a natural mindset as a dog.


    Will he be stronger?


    He realized it again while having a duel with Jermi. Tundra was progressing rapidly, but it was not enoughpared to how far he had yet to go. If he had won overwhelmingly, it urred to him that Vi would not have be friends with Jermi.


    Tundra, do you want to go?


    No.


    He wanted to be by her side more.


    But he hid his secret. He had to be strong.


    I will go.


    Yeah, then go.


    This sight was also unfamiliar to Jermi. The Vi that he thought of was a person who ruled andmanded.


    For someone to act like that towards a servant


    Still, she seemed to care enough about Tundra.


    She asked Tundras intention first, and she was doing what Tundra wanted.


    Vi spoke informally, Lets go tomorrow at nine in the morning. Is that good?


    Okay, good. Ill be waiting at the front gate.


    Watching Jermifortably talking informally, Tundra growled again.


    ***


    That night.


    Tundra went to the ce where Jermi was staying, a shabby inns room instead of afortable room provided by the institution.


    Why are you here?


    Jermi shrugged. What kind of ce is this?


    An old and shabby ce? Jermiughed softly. Most people live like this. Have you forgotten?


    Tundra lived in far worse ces than this one. His family had lived in a hut made of logs in a mountainous area without any infrastructure.


    The security was bad and there was not enough food to eat.


    I forgot.


    His life with Vi was so abundant.


    As he lived in a finely crafted house with everything, he forgot about the previous state of his life.


    If you look down from a high ce, you cannot empathize with many people.


    If you are a man of great power, you should have an eye-level suitable for that power. You said you want to be next to Vi.


    Why are you suddenly preaching to me?


    Tundra was speechless at the moment. He didnt understand what Jermi was saying, so he just quietly listened.


    Vi is a ruler. I was born with a simr fate. The both of us must act like this, act appropriately.


    Jermi read Vis greed. In his eyes, she was a little girl who wanted to swallow Verratoux whole.


    So you have to fill in for the things that Vi cant do. A role that empathizes with the people and approaches them from a humble point of view.


    She was a person with great ambition and desire to dominate, but at the same time, she was a warm person. There was a gap between what she wanted to be and what she was.


    Shes a warm person. Thats right. Im also a person who shouldnt be seen as warm. To anyone. So, for warmth That role is yours.


    Thank you for your advice.


    Why did youe to see me?


    I came to warn you.


    Warning? What warning?


    Youre so close to the princess. What are your intentions?


    What do you mean? I want to be friends with her.


    Even at the expense of damages? Tundra thought Jermi was being reckless.


    Hed even hand over the priority ofpensation for whatever was found at the historical sites. It was difficult for him to understand why Jermi made this choice.


    Cant I just take the loss and leave it at that?


    What?


    I have a crush on Vi.


    It wasnt something he could exin, something beyond rationality.


    Jermi felt intrigued and amused when he saw her.


    If I like someone, cant I lose some money?


    If thats your intention, I guess so.


    Exactly.


    However, Tundra did not fully believe in Jermi.


    Among the rumors about the schr, there were also many rumors of ill intent.


    Regardless of his conduct, he was wildly influential. There were also rumors that he had deceived many young women. It was an unavoidable rumor that followed him because of his splendid appearance.


    If you do anything wrong to the princess, Ill slit your throat.


    Isnt that a bit excessive?


    Jermi tilted his head. Rather than feeling bad, he looked genuinely curious. If you im to be a faithful servant, be faithful to your role. Youre obsessed with the princess.


    I think you misunderstand my role. I dont intend to be a loyal servant. My dream is not to be a servant, but a dog.


    Are you serious about that?


    Of course.


    Jermi read the sincerity contained in Tundras eyes.


    To be able to say such nonsense so seriously


    Even Jermi smiled in vain. Do you get jealous if I hold her hand when I talk to her?


    Its not holding hands, its shaking hands.


    But the physical touch is there.


    Tundra growled again.


    Jermi felt that sound was very interesting. Hmm, anyway, youre jealous. Its fun. Its a research subject.


    Returning to his own mansion, Tundra was deeply thoughtful. His head and heart were in conflict.


    Jermi seems like a good guy.


    Thats how he felt. He had a special ability to sense the smell of mana. That helped him roughly guess whether a person was good or bad.


    Jermis smell was good. No malice was felt at all.


    But why do I hate him?


    He was definitely a good person, one who could be of great help to Vi.


    Then I guess Ill have to maintain a good rtionship with Jermi.


    I dont want to.


    Why?


    Im someone who helps Vi.


    I should like it when she makes decisions that are good for her position.


    I do not know.


    Tundra tossed and turned in anguish after a long time.


    ***


    Vi, who was treated to a grand farewell dinner by Viscount Seal, changed intofortable leather clothes.


    Its sad.


    What?


    The princess in leather is nice too, but in fact, the dress is much cuter.


    Vi frowned slightly.


    In the original, Xenon never mentioned cuteness.


    Of course.


    Because Verratoux and cuteness could not coexist.


    I told you to try it on. Is it cold?


    But again, it was awkward, Xenon looked so serious.


    No. Dont be fooled.


    Vi in the original was a genius.


    Xenon was the character who doubted and tested that genius until the end of the work.


    A person who was a strong ally and always had to be vignt.


    If you say the word cute one more time, I will sew your mouth shut.


    Okay.


    Xenon was truly disappointed. What should he do? He was only telling the truth, but it seemed that she really hated the word.


    Didnt people normally like it?


    As expected, a Verratoux was a Verratoux.


    Apologies


    Xenon hid his heart. Still, his imagination was free. What kind of dress do you want to buy next time?


    What?


    What dagger would look good on that dress?


    The greatsword used by Princess Medea would go well with it. Itd be really cute.


    He posted a report hiding his feelings.


    I posted a report to the great house and an answer came down.


    The answer was brief.


    In summary, Well done. Great job!


    There was no Verratoux who was able to aplish these things at the age of twelve. Even if they had achievements of beating up evil spirits or subjugating bandits, no one had ever managed to win a persons heart by prating human and political rtionships. Not even the First Princess, who is said to be amazing, too.


    Its fine.


    Vi just wanted the future to be on my side. Besides politics andplicated rtionships, the only thing she wanted was to be safe from the archmage who had gone after her in the novel.


    What else?


    Its about permission to explore the remains. Of course, it was a formal reporting procedure.


    Verratouxs degree of freedom for sessor candidates was something she respected. As long as she reported that she went on the exploration, there would be no problems.


    But its a little odd.


    What?


    He asked me to do a background check on Sir Jermi.


    A background check?


    Vi tilted her head.


    Why?


    Were there any scenes like that in the novel?


    She didnt think there were.


    Yes. So Im going to do some background research.


    My dad doesnt have to investigate Jermis background.


    Was there a reason to do that?


    Was there anything she was missing?


    Vi thought about the contents of the novel and the setting book, but she couldnt remember anything.


    I dont know.


    Xenon guessed it was the desire of a father who had a daughter, but he didnt say it out loud.


    ***


    It was 9 a.m.


    Hickson and Tundra left for somewhere, and Xenon and Vi headed to the main gate with greetings from their own families and outsiders.


    Princess Vi. Long time no see.


    Its been a day.


    Of course, its been a while. Jermi was wearing a mask.


    He seemed like apletely different person.


    Xenon, who was following her, moved swiftly. It was soft and natural as if a ghost was moving.


    By the way, Sir Jermi. He stood in front of Vi like a shield. I have something to tell you.


    Xenon said something unbelievable.