WHCP 30

Chapter 30.

One week later. Moro Mansion.

“I’ve been seriously thinking about marriage during this time.”

Mio sat in the parlor, imitating a modest lady. Although there was no rule that the true mistress of the mansion had to be quiet and gentle, it was unlikely anyone would like a villainess no matter what.

“More seriously than ever before.”

Perhaps thanks to the letters she had sent relentlessly during her disappearance, saying, “I’m thinking about our marriage now, so I need some time alone,” Aletheia had not searched for Mio for a whole week.

For Mio, who had worried that he might ignore the letters and show up to drag her straight to the temple, this was truly a relief.

“After thinking it over, my feelings changed a little. Now I’ve decided to look at marriage positively.”

Though it felt like a marriage scam, and she didn’t feel great about it, there was no other choice. Mio had no way but to delay the marriage until the final chapter of the original story while removing the risky element—the pledge.

“But that doesn’t mean I want to get married right away. For the next three months, I want to experience whether I can adapt well in this mansion or not. Think of it as a trial period.”

Mio quickly continued, worried that Aletheia might object.

“Oh, and this is my maid, Rosa. Remember you said I could bring in any servant I liked last time?”

Rosa, carrying several suitcases, bowed politely with a nervous expression.

“For the next three months, she will serve me here at Moro Mansion.”

In truth, it took a week to get here because of the foxes.

For the past week, Mio had been training the foxes on how to act confidently in front of the Mind Reader.

For example, thinking and speaking only in human language when in human form, or only having harmless random thoughts that wouldn’t be read… It was a simple exercise in some ways.

“That training failed for Roi, so I couldn’t bring him as a servant.”

It was fortunate to bring Rosa at least as a servant. Worried that Aletheia might smell something suspicious, Mio quickly gestured for Rosa to leave the room.

“Even if there’s a risk of being found out, I have a way to grab her hand and shut off her powers if it’s urgent, so it’ll be fine.”

Three months until the final stage. Delay the change of status caused by marriage until then, become the owner of the safe, and eliminate the uncertain variable—the pledge.

“Heh heh, perfect.”

It felt as if a rainbow suddenly appeared before Mio’s previously stormy future.

Within three months, either become the owner of the safe and tear up the pledge, or survive the three months safely and complete the original story, then ditch Aletheia without a care.

“One or the other. No, both goals are achievable.”

She felt confident and it didn’t seem too difficult. Even if things went wrong, she only needed to endure for three months—what could be complicated?

“Haha, there’s no way Aletheia could stop me. If I hold on a little longer with this method, I’ll escape the original story.”

While smiling proudly, Mio noticed that Aletheia, sitting opposite, was reacting strangely.

“Hmm.”

Mio thought he would be happy to hear she was positive about marriage.

“No reaction at all?”

Well, it was better than him going crazy with joy. That would only be burdensome. She was going to run away without getting married anyway.

Unaware of Mio’s true thoughts, Aletheia asked with a confused expression:

“If we’re going to get married eventually anyway, why do you need a trial period?”

Ah, so it was that. Since the outcome was marriage anyway, why need extra time?

Aletheia’s confidence surely came from the existence of the “Alkmel Pledge.” Mio felt a burning desire to be recognized as the owner of the mansion as soon as possible and become the owner of the safe.

“He’s going to get into big trouble trusting only that pledge, that bastard.”

Mio almost let her inner voice slip out but cleared her throat and answered.

“Uh, uh. I told you before, Aletheia.”

“Nickname.”

“Ah, that… I might regret it later. This is, after all, for Al…”

“……”

“It’s a decision for you, Letheia. Ha ha…”

How does he never forget that nickname? Yet he forgets everything else well.

Mio struggled to finish her sentence. Aletheia answered indifferently.

“Well. It doesn’t really seem that way.”

Listening to that, Mio quietly stared at Aletheia, who sat with a slightly lethargic face, resting his chin on his hand.

“What’s this? His attitude is weird today.”

A bit uncooperative, perhaps? Not that Aletheia had been very cooperative before, but this felt different. There was an uncanny feeling like he wasn’t the same person from a week ago.

“Could he be sulking because I left him alone all this time? Or… is he sick again?”

Recalling how he had lost consciousness from illness the last time they met, Mio felt a little worried. Aletheia, quietly moving his fingers, said:

“Anyway, starting today, you’re going to live with me, right?”

“Ah, yes.”

Temporarily, at least.

“Then that’s settled. I never really cared about the wedding anyway.”

Having said that, Aletheia stood up. Mio quickly followed. If he was sick, there were things she had to do.

“Taking care of this guy is also part of becoming the owner of the safe. No choice.”

From now on, she would serve him very diligently. Mio vowed, holding Aletheia’s hand. Aletheia stopped where he was. Mio, clinging to his side, asked worriedly:

“You were so sick last time you lost consciousness. Are you okay now?”

“…It’s strange to hear worries a week later.”

He was sulking… She was right.

Well, he had rushed to the duke’s castle before because he couldn’t bear it for even a day or two. So, enduring for a week deserved praise. Mio spoke kindly, intending to praise.

“Didn’t you see the letters I sent every day? I was really worried. That’s why I came running as soon as you made the decision.”

“Yeah. It’s better now that it’s quiet.”

Was there something noisy going on for a week? Wasn’t he just shut up at home? Putting the question aside, Mio brought up another topic, also necessary for becoming the mansion’s owner.

“Oh! Have you thought about separating the library like last time?”

“Library… what was that again?”

Aletheia frowned as if he didn’t remember. Mio kindly explained.

“Moro Mansion has many empty rooms, and you told me to decorate one.”

“Oh… right.”

“You also said you wanted to separate the library and bedroom.”

He nodded lightly.

“I haven’t thought much about it. Do as you like.”

“Okay, got it.”

It would help to be recognized as the owner if she put in the effort to decorate. Since she now knew the secret of the safe, there was no need to probe Aletheia for hidden rooms anymore.

“…”

At that moment, Aletheia, standing nearby, silently started walking again. Seeing him head toward the stairs, it seemed he was going to the bedroom. Mio looked up at his side profile and thought:

“Is he really sick…?”

He looked oddly drained. Without realizing it, Mio brought her hand to Aletheia’s forehead. A cool temperature touched his smooth forehead.

“No fever. His hands aren’t cold like last time either.”

Aletheia stopped and looked down at Mio with a slightly surprised expression. Meeting that gaze, Mio realized what she had done and awkwardly smiled.

“Ah, well. You just looked a little sick.”

“…I haven’t been sleeping well.”

“Oh no. For how long?”

“Since the banquet.”

Eek. That means for a whole week? Could it be he wasn’t patiently waiting after reading her letters but had been too sick to come get her?