The Villain’s Aide Has Run Away - Chapter 43.1
Kailos Delroi did not miss the slight flinch of Miroi’s body.
Since the kidnapping, something about Miroi had changed. She had once carried herself as though she had little dissatisfaction with her life, but now she seemed to harbor a deep disillusionment within.
Kailos’s roundabout manner of speaking left Miroi feeling stifled. And yet, at the same time, she felt a spark of curiosity.
“If you entered the Academy, a life different from before would unfold before you.”
At that sweet temptation, Miroi’s eyes wavered.
***
In the aide offices within the residence, large desks filled the room. They were arranged in two rows with Robin’s desk as the center point. Except for Leslun’s desk, every surface was buried under towering piles of documents.
Leslun, while repeatedly glancing toward the door, was still busily sorting the documents by hand. His pace was quite fast.
Robin clicked his tongue.
“You seem to have the ability to work without even looking.”
“I’m sorry.”
Taking the remark as a criticism for not focusing properly, Leslun hastily turned his head back toward the papers. His speed doubled from before.
Robin had thought Leslun processed work well even without concentrating. Now it was reaching the point of astonishment.
“Your work ability is excellent, but I cannot allow you to meet His Highness the Crown Prince.”
Robin did not spare his praise for Leslun, but when it came to what was not permitted, he was absolutely firm. Leslun’s movements slowed.
He wanted to deny it, but Kailos kept coming to mind.
Leslun also wanted to focus on his duties. But no matter how much he tried, he simply couldn’t.
He could still recall the moment vividly, when he and Kailos had been entangled in such close proximity, he could not forget the warmth and scent he had felt then.
In his head, he knew this was something he must not do. And yet, he easily found himself curious about what might come next.
He knew it was not normal.
This damnable curiosity. Leslun thought that one day, it would strangle him.
At the same time, he didn’t realize he was dismissing the impulses he felt as mere curiosity.
‘No. Besides, I still have to ask about my family…’
When that thought came to him, his shoulders slumped without his realizing it.
“Aide, even in your eyes… I must seem very lacking, don’t I?”
“What are you saying?”
“Because this is a strange relationship, no matter how you look at it.”
Even if Leslun explained that nothing was going on, the gaze of the world would hardly be kind. Feeling Robin’s eyes on him, Leslun lowered his head toward the papers.
“Aide Leslun, have you ever once disobeyed your lord’s orders?”
“Eh? No, I don’t believe I ever have…”
Whatever the command was, he had carried it out without question. It was only later, after realizing the Count was playing the villain, that he fled belatedly.
“And I am the same. Especially regarding my lord’s matters of affection—I believe I have no right to interfere.”
“It is not a matter of affection.”
The words burst out louder than he intended, but Robin only slapped a stack of papers against the desk with a sharp thwap.
“Is that so? Then sort it out as nothing at all.”
As if to say—either way. But Robin always chose the path of certainty.
“In any case, I only do my duty. And in that sense, even if Aide Leslun has tangled thoughts, right now the priority is sorting the papers here.”
Robin pointed at the mountains of documents filling the desks. The sheer volume piled high across exactly eight desks made Leslun sigh.
It seemed he would not be able to see the Crown Prince anytime soon. Perhaps that was for the best.
“Since the completion ceremony is imminent, check every document thoroughly.”
It was needless nagging, given how Leslun worked, but the point was that now was not the time to be distracted by the Crown Prince. The Academy’s completion ceremony came first.
“Understood. I’ll begin by reviewing the invitation list.”
Leslun began checking through the necessary matters.
“As you know, this time His Highness the Crown Prince will even be giving a speech, so the demands are greater than usual. The seating chart, the speech order—everything must follow protocol.”
It was enough work to feel burdensome, but Leslun’s demeanor remained calm.
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