The Villain’s Aide Has Run Away

The room was incomparably more antique and elegant than the solitary cell where he had first been granted audience with the Crown Prince. He was even assigned an attendant.

When the attendant said that the meal was ready, he followed—and found Aide Robin already seated.

“Sit down.”

Robin, who had been looking over documents, raised his head to glance at Leslun. Leslun stepped toward the dining table.

The wooden table was laden with warm soup, soft bread, steak garnished with spices, and an assortment of fresh fruit. Leslun stared blankly at the spread of food laid out before him.

“From now on, I’d like us to hold meetings during meals. How does that sound?”

At the offhand remark, Leslun lifted his head.

“The only time we have for separate meetings is during meals anyway. Or are you the type who believes one must focus solely on eating during a meal?”

“No. Not at all.”

He had not been here long, but even before this, while serving as the Count’s aide, he had never truly had a proper meal. At most, it had been something quick that could be eaten and cleared away. Now, having designated time just for eating was surprising.

Could it really be all right to eat such a luxurious meal? Perhaps his hesitation showed. Robin set down the documents with a snap and laced his fingers together.

“Let me be honest—I neglected you.”

With those words, Robin let out a light sigh. His gaze brushed over Leslun’s plate, carrying with it a subtle sense of guilt.

“Saying I was too busy to look after you is nothing but an excuse. An aide should never obstruct the person they serve. Yet I turned my back on you. It nearly caused complications. I’ve wronged you—and His Highness the Crown Prince as well.”

In that quiet confession lay a weighty regret. The guilty sincerity behind the word responsibility… Why did it make his chest feel so hot?

Leslun reached toward the soup in front of him. It was still warm.

He hadn’t even taken a single spoonful, yet he already felt a heat rising in his chest.

He knew full well that Robin couldn’t possibly harbor good feelings toward him. Robin hadn’t exactly hidden that fact. But somehow, the way he admitted his fault so frankly lingered in Leslun’s heart.

Not one superior in the past had ever told him sorry. They had always either ignored him or dismissed him outright.

That was why Leslun felt guilt instead.

Robin was among the characters who died particularly cruelly. It was meant as an example, a warning, to the villains who schemed behind the scenes.

Knowing his fate, to simply do nothing felt wrong.

Meow.

Watching Blue roll its small body as if it might tumble into a bowl, Leslun couldn’t help but smile faintly.

“I’m fine. And… thank you.”

At Leslun’s words of thanks, Robin averted his steady gaze and replied in his usual tone.

“Eat plenty. If you collapse again, I’ll force-feed you myself.”

At the threat spoken in his level, emotionless voice, Leslun hastily picked up his spoon. In doing so, he accidentally bumped Blue’s backside, which had been perched precariously on the rim of a bowl, and the little cat plopped straight into the milk.

Meoww!

“Oh? S-sorry!”

Leslun quickly pulled Blue out and wrapped it in a handkerchief, fussing as he wiped not only its soft paw pads but also the milk seeping into its fur. Robin watched the scene, unable even to laugh.

If anyone else had made the same mistake, Blue would have unsheathed its hidden claws and scratched them mercilessly. But now, though it looked ready to cry from displeasure, the moment Leslun hurriedly scooped it up and wiped it clean, it calmed down as if it actually enjoyed it.

Everyone else treated Blue with reverence, as though it were a sacred guardian beast. Leslun, by contrast, handled it as though it were simply a pet—and Blue accepted it without the slightest protest.

The Crown Prince should have seen this. Robin wondered how he would have reacted.

Meow.

Blue, now full and being petted, seemed to grow drowsy. Watching it go limp with pleasure, Robin clicked his tongue.

“More importantly—have you given thought to the candidate for headmaster?”