Little Tyrant Doesn’t Want to Meet with a Bad End

a problem, let alone someone in the ruling class.
You should understand that those in the upper stratum of society have the motive and power to deal with you.
Yes, I acknowledge that the Ascart House does have the power and influence to deal with most enemies who try to go after you, but what if the one who covets your power is someone whom you deem a friend? Are you confident that you’ll be able to tell foes from friends?

“I know that you’re close with the two of them, but that’s only in the present.
You don’t know how your relationship with them will develop in the future.
It’s too risky to involve them in this,” said Lilian.

The prophecy she had heard from Artasia opened her eyes to the darker side of a romantic relationship, and that deepened her belief that neither Nora nor Charlotte was trustworthy. 

She didn’t think that she was the only one with a darker side.
Those two women might truly love Roel, but their love could grow twisted as well.
There was no guarantee that they wouldn’t try to hurt Roel should their feelings for him ever turn into hatred, so it would be unwise to enlighten them of Roel’s weakness. 

“I trust Nora and Charlotte.
They will never do anything to hurt me,” replied Roel confidently. 

Lilian sighed inwardly at Roel’s naivety, but at the same time, she admired his innocence to believe in others. 

“Even if you do trust them, it’s far too dangerous to attempt to send them a message now.
I know that such a measure isn’t satisfactory to you, but trust me this once and leave this to me,” she said.

“… Alright.”

There was a long moment of hesitation, but Roel eventually succumbed to Lilian’s worried and pleading eyes.
Lilian heaved a sigh of relief, but at the same time, she felt conscience-stricken too.

She wasn’t lying when she raised those concerns, but she wasn’t being fully truthful to Roel either.
For one, she was also motivated by the selfish desires sparked by her obsession. 

She didn’t want to share this secret with others.
She didn’t want others to see this side of Roel.
She wanted to have him all to herself.
She had no idea when these obsessions started popping up in her mind, but they had already grown to a point where she could hardly repress them anymore. 

She told herself that this was a continuation from where they had left off from the Witness State.

We defeated the enemy together, so isn’t it only right for us to bear the consequences together? Why should we allow a third party to interfere in our private affairs?

Ironically, she was also aware that this was no more than self-justification, but she was more than willing to feign ignorance to it. 

She planted a kiss on Roel’s forehead once more before heading back to her seat to continue altering Roel’s pants.
Once she was done, she proceeded to find a simple shirt and a belt for him too. 

Roel’s arms and legs were so thin that the oversized armholes and leg opening would catch wind, so she took the trouble to cut out a few strips of leather so as to tighten them up. 

The clothes did feel much more comfortable after her alteration.
The loose sleeves with tightened armholes created a puff sleeve effect that looked good on Roel with his long hair and beautiful face, making him look extraordinarily adorable. 

“With this, you shouldn’t feel too cold when we travel at high speed.”

Lilian looked at the boy in front of the mirror and smiled, satisfied with the fruits of her labor.
It was then that Roel suddenly thought of a question.

“Senior, how did you bring me out of the wine cellar yesterday?”

“I blasted a hole in the ceiling and escaped through it.
It’s fortunate that no one saw us.
Now that I think about it, it almost feels like we’re eloping.”

“I guess it does.”

Roel’s face reddened a little before averting his eyes.
However, his unwitting action brought something unexpected to his attention—a small pile of clothes on the ground next to the bed.

Is this senior’s clothes? But that location… 

Looking at the clothes scattered by the bedside, Roel blinked his eyes hesitantly before raising his doubt.

“Senior, where did you sleep last night?”

“!”

In the mirror, Lilian’s eyes widened upon hearing the question.
She lowered her head slightly, as if contemplating something, but her face was slowly turning redder.
A while later, she turned over to look at Roel. 

“…”

“…”

It was like the two of them were having a silent conversation.
Roel caught her drift and started to blush.
Lilian thought that his reaction was rather cute, so she couldn’t resist the urge to lean toward his ear and whisper softly. 

“We shared a bed last night.”