After the tea party where I’d learned Mashiro and Karen’s feelings, I was in my room writing the letter I’d promised Alice.
Right now I’m overflowing with emotion.
While my heart was still warm, I figured writing now would let my feelings ride the pen and produce something Alice would be glad to receive.
”…… Right, done.”
I reread the finished letter to Alice, looking for anything off.
This sort of thing is best kept short, apparently — direct rather than rambling.
But thinking about everything Alice does for me daily, I’d filled the page right to the edge.
That’s how much space she occupies around me…… I’d long known, but at this point her absence is unthinkable.
Will she, like Mashiro and Karen, pledge anew to be my blade?
No — don’t worry. With a heartfelt letter from me, Alice’s affection will rise without fail. I’ve won. Gahaha!
To face a great enemy, my inner circle has to be locked in first.
“Lord Ouga, dinner is prepared.”
Speak of the devil.
A modest knock, and Alice announced that dinner was ready.
“Alice. Could you come in?”
”…… Understood. Excuse me.”
…… Hmm? She seems farther away than usual…… ah, maybe she expected me to head out immediately, so she’s waiting near the door.
I’d been short with my words.
No helping it. I’ll go to her.
“Alice. This is from me. The thing I promised.”
“This is……”
“I told you, didn’t I? Something good. This is my letter of thanks to you. Will you accept it?”
“Lord Ouga…… I am not a person worthy of receiving such a thing……”
“What are you saying. You fought Floné, protected Mashiro. You devote yourself to me daily. You are more than qualified.”
Surprised, Alice’s eyes widened; she gingerly received the envelope.
She stared at it a while, then pressed it to her chest.
Careful not to crush it, holding it like a treasure, gently.
…… Being given this much treatment is embarrassing.
I’d expected her usual over-the-top tears and shouts — apparently I’d guessed wrong.
I still don’t know Alice all that well.
”…… Lord Ouga, thank you. I’ll read it carefully later.”
“Please do. Reading it in front of me would embarrass me.”
“You must have written something passionate. …… I’m a fortunate person.”
Alice wiped the corner of her eyes with a fingertip and bowed.
Just for writing a thank-you letter, getting this moved makes me itchy.
Let me change the topic.
“There’s another thing, Alice…… would you exchange letters with me?”
This idea came up while writing.
Like during the ear-cleaning session, I’d realized — I know very little about Alice’s private life.
It’s all surface, paperwork. I’d never asked her directly.
I’d been thinking Alice will follow me regardless, so I didn’t bother.
In practice, she’d keep wielding the sword of Ouga Veret’s blade until she discovered my schemes.
But that won’t do.
When I really need help, my prior conduct is what saves me.
Mashiro, Karen, Reina. And Alice.
All four are indispensable to my villain-lord life.
Of the four, the one I have the least private conversation with is, by virtue of role, Alice.
“On this paper, write a question. Hand it over. The other writes the answer and a new question, hands it back. That’s the only rule.”
“P-please wait, Lord Ouga. Is it really me you wish to do this with? Some kind of mistake……”
“No, especially with Alice.”
”…… L-Lord Ouga……!”
The other three I can just ask directly — no need for this roundabout method.
With Alice, the master-servant relationship gets in the way of conversation.
Through paper, maybe she’ll find it easier.
I’d already written my first question at the end of the thank-you note:
“Will you stay as my blade going forward?”
The answer is a foregone conclusion, but starting at that level lets her get used to it.
“Write honestly. No deference to me.”
”…… Understood. I’ll humbly accept.”
Right, my business is done.
The remaining task: passing on Mashiro and Karen’s request for training.
I summarized briefly.
“So Miss Liche and Lady Lebetsenka will also participate.”
“That’s right. Lend them a hand.”
”…… Yes. Acknowledged.”
Mn, mission complete.
Tasks done, hunger set in.
“All right, let’s go. We shouldn’t keep everyone waiting.”
”…… Lord Ouga, I apologize. May I drop your letter in my room before heading there?”
“Hahaha. Of course. I’ll go ahead.”
“Thank you. Excuse me.”
Bowing, Alice hurried off to the servant quarters at the manor’s edge.
What an Alice-like sort of detour.
But — to have her treat it that preciously……
My stock with Alice will, without doubt, surge.
My read — that Alice was lonely from not getting letters — was on target after all.
“Heh heh heh…… my observation is terrifying.”
I laughed quietly to myself and walked the other direction.