Chapter 9
It was a day no different from any other—
though if there was something different,
no, if there was quite a lot that had changed—
“Marquis, you didn’t need to come all the way here. Are you sure you’re okay?”
“There’s no need to worry too much. How is this dress?”
“Sis! The dress you bought earlier was so pretty!”
[Chirp chirp chirp!]
—it was that Layton had quietly woven himself into our daily lives.
At some point, the time we spent together had increased dramatically.
Even though he still felt a little awkward, Layton would drink tea with us, follow us around, stroll through the garden with Ailee while admiring the flowers…
Somehow, it felt like we’d grown closer than before.
Especially when Layton watched us quietly, he seemed oddly at ease.
Perhaps to relieve some stress, Layton had followed us all the way to a dress shop I hadn’t visited in a long time—and today, he looked genuinely pleased.
I had suggested going out together, but knowing how long dress shops took with all the trying-on, I hadn’t even mentioned it, thinking he’d dislike it.
Yet somehow, he’d found out and insisted on coming along.
I couldn’t bring myself to stop him.
He looked sincere—and honestly, I had no real reason to object.
Seeing Layton, who wasn’t bored at all but rather seemed a little excited, lifted my mood for no reason.
Ailee, too, seemed thrilled by the time we were spending together and shouted enthusiastically,
“Sis! When you wore that dress earlier, you looked like the empire’s greatest villain!”
“Hahaha, Lady Ailee. That is truly the highest compliment.”
“That is a compliment, right?”
I listened quietly to their perfectly in-sync conversation and let out a small laugh.
Their easy, natural rapport warmed my heart.
Then Chirp, perched on my shoulder, whispered softly.
[Those two seem really close. I still don’t like that guy, though.]
“Who? My sister, or Layton?”
[I like your sister! Her energy’s clear. Her holy power’s still weak, but I can feel it. But that guy… no matter how much I look at him, I can’t get used to him.]
“Don’t be like that. Earlier, Layton said you were cute.”
When Layton saw Chirp tagging along with me, he’d been suspicious at first, saying he’d seen that sparrow before—but once I told him it was my pet, his attitude changed immediately.
He’d even called Chirp cute and gently patted its head.
[That’s what makes it worse—it all feels fake! And for the record, I’m not cute… chirp!]
As Ailee came running toward me while chatting with Layton, Chirp immediately reverted to sparrow noises.
“Sis!”
“Yes, Ailee. Is there a dress you want? I’ll buy it for you.”
“No! Buy lots for you, Sis. I’m happiest when you look pretty!”
Ailee’s adorable face and sweet words made her unbearably cute.
I gently pinched her soft cheek.
“Are you having fun today?”
“Hehe, yeah! It’s even better because Marquis Layton is here. And Chirp too!”
Ailee grabbed Chirp lightly and rubbed it all over her mochi-soft cheek.
[Chirp chirp chirp!]
Judging by the sound, Chirp was definitely screaming ‘Save me!’
Watching Chirp’s misery and Ailee’s pure delight made me happy.
Ailee wouldn’t grow up dark and timid like in the original story.
She would live a happy life, surrounded by love—just like this.
After finishing our shopping, we walked for quite a while holding Ailee’s hand.
That’s when I noticed Layton, walking a little ahead of us.
Even though he was enjoying himself, he still kept a small, natural distance—and for some reason, it bothered me.
In the end, I called out to him.
“Marquis!”
“Yes?”
“Let’s walk togeth—”
“Hold my hand, Marquis!”
Just as I was about to ask him to walk with us, Ailee’s excited voice cut in.
Surprised, I looked at Ailee, who was tugging me forward.
I never thought Ailee would say something like that first.
She looked especially cheerful today—but I hadn’t expected her to grab Layton’s hand on her own.
Dragging me along, Ailee scurried over and firmly grabbed Layton’s hand.
Then she muttered in amazement,
“Wow, compared to my sister’s hand, the Marquis’s hand is huge.”
Unlike Layton—who looked flustered as he glanced back and forth between us—Ailee was nothing but delighted.
Watching them, I let out a quiet laugh.
Seeing Ailee completely lower her guard filled me with relief.
I’m glad Ailee likes Layton.
The thought that Ailee—who’d always relied only on me—could lean on the Marquis too…
For the first time, hope bloomed that Layton could become a strong, protective presence for the two of us.
“Sis, next time let’s go to a hamster café!”
Leaving Layton stiff and speechless behind, Ailee swung our joined hands excitedly.
“Should we? What do you think, Marquis? Is that a bit much for you?”
“A hamster café… sounds good.”
“Yay! Woohoo!”
Though he hesitated slightly, Layton soon nodded—and once his fluster faded, I saw him grip Ailee’s hand tightly.
Seeing the three of us walking together like that made me smile.
As we walked through the busy district, I felt the gazes of several nobles on us.
They’re still that curious, huh.
I glanced once at Layton holding Ailee’s hand—and once more at the people still staring.
Well.
Our Marquis Layton gets embarrassed just holding hands.
When my disapproving gaze met theirs, they quickly turned away.
Hmph. Running off at something that small.
Maybe I had a scarier presence than I thought.
As I recalled Daisy once saying I had “overwhelming charisma,” I turned my head—
—and met Layton’s eyes, which were looking in the same direction.
Had he noticed the stares too?
He was watching those people closely as well.
He didn’t get hurt by it, did he?
I gave him a firm, reassuring look.
“Marquis, if anyone gives you a hard time, tell me.”
Perhaps moved again, Layton broke into a bright, boyish smile.
Then he nodded solemnly, his expression almost wistful.
It felt like a cool breeze had passed by.
“Very well. If someone troubles me, I’ll be sure to tell you. That’s reassuring.”
“Yes. I may not wield a sword as well as you, Marquis—but I might have a bit more charisma.”
He didn’t respond.
He turned his head away, so I couldn’t see his expression—
but his shoulder shook briefly.
* * *
“Yawn— I’m bored to death. Ren. I miss the boss. Any word from him?”
On the third floor of the empire’s most popular hamster café—
In its most secret room, where no one else was allowed—
a red-haired man yawned widely, clearly bored.
He nudged a sack of money he’d received days ago with his foot.
He’d sold an absurd amount of tea just yesterday and today alone to launder it.
Processing nobles’ dirty money. Gathering sensitive information.
A burly man wearing a neatly tied apron answered bluntly.
“No. No word. He must be busy.”
“He didn’t abandon us, right? Surely not. After all the hell we’re going through for him.”
“…You’re not the one going through hell. Me and the others are.”
“Ren, you really know how to make things sound harsh.”
“Luca, you’re asking to get hit.”
As Ren approached with a fist clenched like a hammer, Luca—who’d been provoking him nonstop—flinched.
Just then, a voice called out urgently from outside.
“Sir Ren! Sir Luca!”
The tense tone made the two exchange glances before standing up at once.
They rushed outside and looked at the subordinate who’d called them.
His voice trembled as he spoke—he even looked a little dazed.
Ren and Luca’s expressions hardened.
“What is it? What’s wrong?”
“What happened? Someone come looking for us? Another head trying to trace the money?”
It wasn’t uncommon for nobles whose funds had been laundered to try and uncover the organization’s leader.
At Ren’s words, Luca slipped his hand beneath his apron, as if ready to draw a sword.
The killing intent made the subordinate step back.
“No, it’s not that…”
“Then what is it?”
“Calm down. Take your time.”
Finally catching his breath, the man spoke.
“The boss… has arrived.”
…What did he just say?
Luca stared at Ren with a look that screamed disbelief and scratched his ear as if he’d misheard.
Ren let out a dry laugh.
“Gern. Are you dreaming?”
“No, I’m serious! He’s really here—right now—!”
“It’s been a while.”
A low, indifferent voice cut off the chatter.
“B-boss. Why are you here…?”
Layton, coming all the way here?
He’d agreed to Luca’s bizarre idea of opening a hamster café, but truthfully, Layton didn’t like this place much.
So why come here now?
Seeing the tense expressions of his subordinates, Layton himself didn’t quite understand either.
The café had been a convenient front for gathering information and laundering money—
but he never liked coming here.
And yet.
“…No reason.”
“Yes?”
“I just came.”
Ignoring the stunned looks aimed at him, Layton dropped into a chair.
“Just came? You came for no reason? Why? Why would you—?”
Bombarded by Luca’s endless questions, Layton frowned deeply.
“I said I just came.”
Shadows began to creep out around him.
Watching them, Luca and Ren took a step back.
After a long silence, Layton surveyed the third floor.
Then he spoke flatly.
“The hamsters on the first floor don’t look happy. Check on that.”
“…Pardon?”
“The edges of the tables are sharp. It’s dangerous for young ladies. Fix that too.”
“…Excuse me?”
Listing improvements for the hamster café out of nowhere, Layton left Ren and Luca staring blankly.
“Are you not going to answer?”
“Yes—yes! We’ll take care of it!”
“Good. That should do.”
Layton stood abruptly.
He had followed Selena and Ailee under the pretense of needing to look gentle.
And somehow ended up here.
—
‘Sis, next time let’s go to a hamster café!’
‘Should we? What do you think, Marquis?’
Selena’s delighted expression as she responded to Ailee replayed in his mind.
Those violet eyes, blooming like fully opened violets, filled with joy because her sister was happy.
And Ailee, smiling even wider at that sight.
‘A means I must use.’
The phrase lingered in his mind, stirring unnecessary guilt.
He reminded himself not to cross the line he’d drawn.
He had drawn that line clearly.
And yet—here he was, because they were looking forward to a hamster café.
It was almost funny.
Selena, who defended him and got angry on his behalf at the word villain—
Ailee, who always said she was glad he was at the estate, without a shred of doubt—
Both weighed heavily on his mind.
This much should be fine. It’s all just to win their favor.
If he thought that way, it would be fine.
Just as he reached for the doorknob, he paused.
Running a hand through his dark brown hair, he muttered with a sigh,
“Oh—and a pet sparrow will be coming too. Make sure you account for that.”
