A peaceful daily life continued in the grand mansion. There, shabby jealousy and solemn beads of sweat were mixing together.

Among them, the shabby jealousy transformed into the chilling sound of someone grinding their teeth, spreading throughout the scene.

Crunch, grind, gnash.

“Focus on your sword and increase the density of your battle aura.”

Gnash, crunch, grind!

“Yes, Marquess Justitia!”

The boy who received the instruction swung his sword while deliberately ignoring the gaze of the strange man. But even that seemed insufficient to satisfy Irefi’s discerning eye.

“This time, your sword path is too rigid—”

Crunch, crack!

The first to speak amid the ear-piercing, ugly jealousy was Irefi.

“Sigh, Nepy? Please stop that, it’s distracting.”

“I don’t like it… I really don’t like it.”

Yes. I was the owner of that shabby jealousy. And the person toward whom my envious gaze was directed was Arnel Chester. A small genius who was growing rapidly under Irefi’s guidance.

“To think that someone who dares to look at our Miren with those kinds of eyes would come here…!”

“Honestly. Anyone watching would think you and Miren have known each other for ten years.”

Irefi scolded me with exasperation. The loneliness of not having even my beloved partner take my side was as bitter as tea leaves.

“Looking at me with those pitiful eyes won’t help.”

“…Irefi. Haven’t you been cold to me lately?”

“Nepy, why are you showing interest in a girl who isn’t me?”

“That’s because Miren is like a little sister.”

“As I’ve repeatedly said, she’s ‘my’ little sister. And now she’s a proper young marchioness.”

As expected of Irefi. Her logic was flawless. Either that, or I was just a fool.

However, even if logic and reason could convince me, emotions were a separate matter. I felt disappointed that Irefi had half-accepted Arnel.

To such feelings, Irefi offered one solution to force my acceptance.

“Nepy. If family is so important to you… shall we take on a challenge?”

“This challenge. I hope you’re not referring to that activity where two become three.”

Irefi remained silent and pulled her lips into a gentle smile. The meaning behind her beautiful smile, like a full moon descending at night, was clear.

I felt chills run down my spine at this extremely creepy nonverbal expression.

“…I’ll retreat for today.”

I backed away while muttering a line worthy of a cheap third-rate villain. My love for Irefi kept growing, but my capabilities couldn’t keep up with my feelings.

Irefi’s gaze toward me as I moonwalked away was painful. She heaved a deep sigh and muttered to herself.

“You always treat people like monsters… that’s why I’m being cold. Silly Nepy…”

Leaving behind her cute complaint, Irefi bloomed with a modest smile.

“But well, once ‘that thing’ arrives, everything should be fine.”

◇

“Humans are creatures with different fronts and backs, so you can’t intuitively know what’s inside.”

“That’s right.”

He readily agreed.

“Behind an apparently innocent facade might lurk some kind of monstrous temperament.”

“I deeply sympathize with that.”

This time too, he nodded lightly.

“Irefi is surprisingly insensitive about these things. In the end, she’s forcing me to step in…”

“Even I would argue that’s not insensitivity but good manners.”

“What did you say?”

The man who had been silently taking my side suddenly reversed his attitude. I twisted my face like Dionysus whose mood had been ruined.

“I was wondering why you suddenly barged into the imperial palace, and it turns out you want help stalking your much younger sister-in-law. And the person asking for help is a father. If this were your previous life, wouldn’t this be worthy of the 9 o’clock news?”

“Shut uuuuup!!! Zikharun!!! This is just my duty as a guardian. It’s definitely not the criminal act you’re claiming!”

“My goodness, talk about helicopter parenting. In your original world, you would definitely have been an overbearing, troublesome parent.”

Zikharun shook his head. Ignoring such provocative behavior, I kept my gaze fixed on the young man and woman walking down the street.

‘Just you wait…’

My precious, adorable Miren and Arnel, who might be harboring who knows what intentions, were pleasantly strolling down the street.

The subtle distance between them was strangely irritating and grated on my nerves. One could say their intentions were clearly evident.

“You’re sure you deployed the spirit magic properly?”

“I’m doing it reluctantly. I really don’t feel good about this. After all, we’re essentially stalking relatives. So… what do you call your biological stepmother’s younger sister? The family tree is so confusing.”

“Never mind that, just be careful not to let it disperse.”

Water Spirit Magic – Dream Mist.

An illusion-type spirit magic that distorts surrounding shapes and transforms them into completely different scenery.

In the game, it was a skill that came with decreased accuracy and increased evasion options.

With this alone, I could approach Miren and Arnel disguised as someone else. I judged that we would be safe at least seven steps away.

“I wish you’d consider my position, being forced to go along with this ridiculous nonsense.”

“If you don’t like it, I can send Charle to sit next to you instead. Just say the word.”

“Today marks the beginning of a grand adventure following Dad’s footsteps.”

While we were having this conversation that only fools would engage in, Miren, who had been walking pleasantly with Arnel, hesitated and stopped, then turned her gaze.

Her brilliant golden eyes swept across our minds. Miren’s chilling gaze, directed precisely at us, curved like a crescent moon.

Both Zikharun and I were startled by the silent confrontation of gazes.

“Hey, hey… she didn’t notice us, did she…?”

“That’s impossible. Even Bartlant’s sister couldn’t detect this magic. It’s not something a mere girl could perceive.”

“Then what was that…? Wasn’t she looking at us?”

“It must be coincidence. Don’t get flustered over every little thing.”

“Y-yeah… sorry.”

An uneasy, uncomfortable feeling dominated a corner of my mind. But there was no contradiction in Zikharun’s claim, so I couldn’t refute it.

Our surveillance began as we deliberately ignored the anxious sensation.

◇

“Miren? Is there something behind us?”

“Mmm, nothing at all.”

To Arnel, Miren wore a mysterious expression.

It was like a quiet smile reminiscent of a moonlit forest, where displeasure and pleasure coexisted. At times she seemed to wear a cold mask, while at others she resembled a mischievous little devil.

A woman’s heart is truly complicated. Arnel could fully understand Bartlant’s struggles with understanding women’s feelings.

While Arnel was floundering alone, Miren casually suggested:

“Arnel. Let’s go to the theater.”

“Weren’t we going to the dessert shop that Marquess Justitia recommended?”

“Just. A simple whim—do you mind?”

“No! I’d love to!”

Arnel was someone with extremely modest desires. In truth, as long as he could spend time with Miren, anywhere would provide the same satisfaction.

Besides, the theater happened to be nearby, so Miren’s whim was actually welcome.

Arnel, who was awkward at leading conversations, preferred the quiet atmosphere of a theater to a cozy shop.

“Um, but Miren.”

“Yes?”

“You’re not… angry or anything, are you?”

“Hehe, of course not. It’s not like you did anything wrong, Arnel.”

“Oh, that’s a relief.”

Seeing Arnel’s dejected attitude, Miren felt unnecessarily sorry.

Although the misunderstanding was cleared up, the incident at the debutante ball where she had angrily snapped at Arnel still remained as a debt in her heart.

She felt guilty seeing how Arnel was being overly cautious for obvious reasons.

And she hated the culprits who made her refresh this guilt. Today, she really, really hated them!

While Miren was shuddering, Arnel’s hesitant voice reached her ears.

“Is it really okay for us to sit in a place like this?”

“…Sometimes I forget that Arnel is the young lord’s brother.”

“I don’t think my brother has ever sat in a place like this either, ugh.”

The seats they purchased belatedly were comfortable. Two plush chairs in a spacious area, soft enough to fall asleep in if you closed your eyes. A space just for the two of them.

Despite being the son of a duke’s family, Arnel had a commoner-like mindset due to his family’s aversion to luxury. It was only natural for him to be flustered by the sudden VIP treatment.

“You know what? We can even have simple desserts here.”

“That’s amazing…”

Just then, one of the theater staff carefully entered and presented a small plate.

On the plate was a strawberry cake, neatly cut into portions, the kind that would make Irefi’s mouth water.

At this moment, Miren formed crescents with her eyes and lips, being excessively friendly. It was similar to the mischievous smile that had appeared just before entering the theater.

“Now, Arnel.”

“Y-yes?”

“Say ‘aah’.”

“M-Miren?!”

Miren offered the cake like a lover dripping with honey.

Thanks to this, Arnel screamed loudly, abandoning all dignity. Fortunately, the scene in the play became noisy at the same time, otherwise they might have received a warning.

“What are you doing? My arm is getting tired.”

“B-but this is…”

“What’s wrong? I’m just feeding you. Don’t you like cake, Arnel?”

“No, I do like it… ugh.”

Steam seemed ready to burst from Arnel’s crown like a heated kettle. Even in the dim lighting, his bright red face and embarrassed expression were enough to stimulate sadistic tendencies.

So Miren deliberately hardened her expression more and more. To urge Arnel to make a decision.

“Ugh… okay! I’ll eat it… just don’t be disappointed.”

Only then did Miren grin.

“Well then, once more… say ‘aah’.”

“A… aah…”

Arnel awkwardly mimicking her cheerful voice was refreshing. Just as Miren, satisfied with her achievement, was about to push the cake into his mouth triumphantly!

BOOM!

“Kyaaah!? W-what was that?”

“Did the building collapse?”

“I think the ground shook a little…!”

A thunderous noise invaded the theater. Unexpected commotion caused panic among the audience.

Arnel reacted quickly to the sound that seemed to have struck the theater with tremendous impact.

Whoosh.

A green light of battle aura flickered with a chilling glow. Even without a sword, fingers wrapped in battle aura could serve as a reasonable substitute. Just like Irefi, who had been teaching him lately.

But Miren, the very person being protected, was indifferent. As if she knew that this unprecedented commotion was nothing…

“It’s okay, Arnel. Nothing will happen.”

“Just in case… let me stay like this for a bit.”

“Sigh! I said it’s fine, geez…”

Miren’s round golden eyes glared fiercely at some part of the audience. Arnel could only follow her gaze with growing curiosity.

While the cause of the mysterious boom remained unknown, the situation was quickly contained. The theater owner swiftly calmed the audience, and the troupe resumed their lively performance.

The mysterious commotion that struck in broad daylight would later make the front page of an extra edition.

“Arnel. Will you feed me this time? Aah~.”

“A… aah…!”

Miren, who had uniquely remained calm, boldly enjoyed the situation.

As if she were showing off to someone…

And so her afternoon, tinged with devilish mischief, was excellently neglected under the burning anger of an uncouth man.

Arnel occasionally sensing threats to his life was just a bonus.