Chapter 24

Vernelli has recently been harboring a doubt.

After waking up early and finishing breakfast preparations, Vernelli usually heads to the bedroom on the third floor of the mansion. Most of the time, Laila, Julius's fiancée, is already up before Julius.

However, since Laila doesn't force Julius to wake up, it's Vernelli's job to rouse him in the morning. This has been the case since he started working here five years ago, and it hasn't changed.

The only difference is that the place where he goes to wake Julius up used to be a separate room where magical outbursts could be contained, but for the past two months, it has been the bedroom.

Julius tends to be a bit hypotensive in the morning, and this hasn't changed even since he started sleeping with his fiancée. Therefore, after opening the curtains, he often tries to go back to sleep, so Vernelli has to wake him up, help him change, and encourage him to eat breakfast.

"Here, Master Julius. Vernelli has come to wake you up. Let's get up."

Today, Julius, who was trying to go back to sleep, opened his eyes and smiled like a flower when Laila shook him.

"Good morning, Laila."

"Good morning, Master Julius. I hope we have a good day today."

"Yeah, I hope so too."

Julius, who sat up, faced Laila and looked at her with a gaze full of boundless affection. While this is fine, Vernelli feels a bit uncomfortable.

Helka will soon arrive, so Laila goes downstairs with her to change, while Vernelli helps Julius get dressed. Since Julius is often dazed, if left to his own devices, he will almost certainly button his shirt incorrectly.

However, as he gradually wakes up, by the time he and Laila sit down for breakfast in the living room, he displays the demeanor of a noble young man.

After breakfast, Julius and Laila usually go their separate ways.

Julius reviews documents sent from the Balthscheik family's main residence or the magic research institute, or repairs malfunctioning magical devices. Laila, on the other hand, reads books or makes pastries with Helka.

...But recently, before they start their respective morning activities, they have been hugging tightly more often.

"How are you feeling, Master Julius?"

"Um, I feel great. I think I can do well today."

"I'm glad to hear that. See you at lunch."

Their conversation is rather formal, and there is no hint of anything amorous in their hug.

...There shouldn't be, but watching them makes Vernelli feel a bit uneasy.

After lunch and the afternoon tea time, Laila brings up pastries she has baked.

Today, it seems she has made soufflés that need to be eaten while still hot, so she and Julius sit side by side and hurriedly spoon them into their mouths.

Up to this point, it's a typical scene.

"I heard from my aunt that there's a custom where people feed each other."

"That's not really a custom. ...It's more like 'ahh.' You can see couples doing this in cafes around town."

"Hmm. So, if we do this 'ahh,' it wouldn't be strange, right?"

"W-well, that's true... but, aah! The soufflé is going to deflate, so let's skip it today!"

"Right, we should eat quickly."

The two of them, talking happily, put the soufflés in their mouths, looking truly content.

But Vernelli, who silently brews tea beside them, feels a bit uneasy in her heart.

After the afternoon activities, after eating the nutritious dinner that Vernelli prepared, it's time to go to bed.

When Julius finishes his bath, Laila, who has also bathed and changed into a negligee, is escorted upstairs by Helka.

From this point on, it's Laila's most important time, so Vernelli and Helka say goodnight and leave.

"Hey, Laila, I feel like chatting a bit before bed... Is that okay?"

"Oh, I was just thinking the same thing. Of course, it's fine."

"Thank you. About the letter that arrived the other day..."

At that moment, Helka cruelly closed the door, cutting off the warm conversation between the two.

The sight of the master and his fiancée sitting side by side on the bed, chatting, is very endearing, but watching them from the hallway makes Vernelli feel a bit uneasy in her heart.

"Well, they'll probably go to sleep when they get sleepy... Let's call it a day, shall we?"

"Wait a moment, Helka."

"Oh, an invitation for the night?"

"Don't be ridiculous. It's a serious matter."

Helka, who is beautiful even when she just smiles silently, is very disappointing for always being so sharp and critical towards Vernelli.

Calling Helka to a corner of the hallway, Vernelli consults her with a serious face.

She says that watching Julius and Laila from morning to night makes her feel strange.

This feeling started around the time they returned from the Balthscheik family's party, and she wants to know the cause of this discomfort.

Initially, Helka listened seriously, but soon her expression turned serious, and she started playing with her hair. When she finished listening, she sighed.

"You... If you're this insensitive, you'll really become annoying to them."

"Wh-What's that supposed to mean! Do you know something!?"

"Well, I haven't seen it directly, but... I think the two of them are getting closer emotionally."

"Getting... closer?"

"During their stay at the Balthscheik family's, something must have happened. At least, Master Julius seems to be more 'aggressive' now, and Lady Laila seems to be accepting it, right?"

"Aggressive...?"

"Perhaps they've discussed the reasons for their engagement. ...And, this is just a guess... but they might have already kissed."

"Kissed...!"

"If they are getting along well, that's the best. Although, premarital relations are forbidden by Lady Isabella, so I doubt Master Julius would go that far..."

"Go that far...?"

While Helka spoke fluently, Vernelli could only utter meaningless syllables. The head of the brilliant student at the academy and the cold, pragmatic researcher at the magic research institute was now filled with unknown information.

"We just need to watch them as they slowly build their relationship. We shouldn't interfere and should support them at their own pace... You understand that, right, Vernelli?"

"......I... I understand! Who do you think I am!"

Glaring at her with a white, disapproving look, as if to say, "You didn't understand at all," Vernelli laughed.

"Yes, yes, I understand! Their relationship is progressing, and that's a good thing for us! Of course, I knew that!"

"Liar."

"Did you say something?"

"No? ...Well, let's get some rest for tomorrow. Your meals are delicious, and I look forward to them every day."

"Hmph, you can only eat 'nothing,' so of course."

"Insensitive, shy guy."

"Shut up. Get back to your room."

"Sure, sure."

Since Vernelli's concerns seem to have been resolved, standing in the hallway chatting any longer would be a waste of time.

Helka swept her long hair and passed by Vernelli.

"...Thank you."

At the mumbled voice, Helka turned around.

But Vernelli was already walking away, and her black-robed figure quickly disappeared around the corner of the hallway.

Helka narrowed her eyes and placed her slender fingers to her lips.

"...That's what really annoys me. That's why I can't hate you."

Helka's voice, which neither the departed Vernelli nor the chatting Julius and Laila in the bedroom could hear, dissolved into the night air of the mansion.