Chapter 64
The room we were shown to was so ambiguous that even empty compliments like "it's nice" wouldn't stick. The mansion itself was pretty cramped compared to other nobles' places to begin with, so the guest rooms they'd prepared were honestly worse than a second-rate dorm at Amor Academy. The saving grace was that it seemed to get cleaned regularly—no rats or dust in sight. For us, who'd braced for the worst like crashing in some rundown inn, it felt like a real stroke of luck.
"Mars, that woman just now... was she your type or something?"
After we'd unpacked in our separate rooms, Polo showed up at mine and dropped that weird line. For reference, the guys' rooms and the girls' were pretty far apart. Since we were unannounced guests, they said the available spots were limited, splitting us up like this. Knowing it was our bad for barging in without warning, we'd thanked Lillia for her hospitality, unpacked, and agreed to meet up at dinner.
"What... what kinda nonsense is that outta nowhere?"
"C'mon, you know. You've never straight-up complimented a girl's looks while we've been hanging out. But this time? Right in front of the baron's wife, you go 'she's so pretty' like it's nothing."
"Oh, that?"
Come to think of it, yeah, I had said that. It just kinda slipped out—I hadn't even clocked it myself.
Polo had a point, but hey, I've got taste too. A beautiful woman registers as beautiful, and yeah, I feel that pull as a guy sometimes. It's not like I'm immune. Just haven't met one who hits me right in the chest yet. Plus, rolling with the world's top-shelf beauties has jacked up my standards—I know that much.
But with Lillia, it hit different. Strong vibe that those feelings weren't mine. Brain's like, "damn, she's a knockout," but that's it. Meanwhile, my heart's pounding like thunder, blood's boiling—yet my head's ice-cold. That weird disconnect between reason and instinct? Made me think right away: someone's messing with me. That's why I blurted it out, straight-up suspicious of the woman standing there.
"Yeah, I said it. But it was too weird—that's why."
"Weird how? She was pretty, even by my eyes."
"Exactly. Think about how picky I've gotten hanging with you and those three girls. And yet my body starts shaking, heart racing, no matter what I want? Obvious someone slipped me something."
"H-heart... racing?!"
"Yup. But not my call. My brain's fully in control, thinking straight—body's doing its own thing. Barely kept it under wraps. Without aura, I'd have gone full dog-in-heat mode."
"Th-that intense?!"
Did he even get it? I ignored Polo fumbling red-faced and headed to the window, scanning the territory.
"And that's not all. You see those servants earlier?"
"Yeah. What about 'em?"
"All dudes. She gave some lame excuse, but no female servants in a noble house? Doesn't add up. Head to that village down there, offer a maid spot—lines would form out the door."
Maid gigs are sneaky popular. Sure, draw a nasty noble and you're in hell. But land a decent one? Solid deal. Options for average commoner girls in this world are slim: slaving in the fields under the sun, cheap sewing that barely pays. Best case? Owning some inn or whatever. Knight or mage paths? Talent-blocked, not even worth dreaming. Maid, though? Bed, food, roof. Schmooze the nobles, sure—but half a day smiling beats sweating your guts out. And if you're cute? Concubine upgrade's on the table. High marks as a woman's job.
"No one in this tiny territory biting? Bull."
"But they said the women were off on leave or maternity?"
"You buying that? A noble house giving mass vacation? Work'd grind to a halt."
Duke houses with dozens of staff? Maybe. Out here? Every hand's gold. No sane noble tosses 'em away.
"So what's her game?"
"Dunno. Keeping women away, hiring guys only—what's the payoff?"
"Dunno... Maybe you're just on edge from all the recent crap, Mars?"
"Hm..."
Couldn't flat-out deny Polo's take. Shook off the nagging doubt, chatted light stuff till dinner.
Meanwhile, the girls had unpacked and gathered, chatting away.
"First time ever, right? That guy complimenting looks outta his mouth?"
...Topic was miles from the guys', but the stakes felt just as high.
"Kinda embarrassing, but yeah, I'm beautiful. Same for the duke's daughter and saintess."
She knew calling herself beautiful sounded cocky—Astraia von Kailum's cheeks flushed pink. But she powered through.
"And him saying 'super pretty' without batting an eye? Red flag."
"True... Wait, Your Highness, he's never called you beautiful or cute? Not once?"
"...You're talking like he has for you."
"Eek, once—when he picked my outfit. Said I'm a beauty, my smile's gorgeous, clothes suit me like a model~?"
"..."
Celine Euse's jab landed like a gauntlet. Astraia's face soured fast—chill settled between 'em.
"Um..."
Hertia, listening, timidly raised a hand.
"Saintess? Something wrong?"
"Well... are you two... into Mars?"
"Wh-what?!"
"N-no such thing!"
They flailed denials.
"We're just pissed a guy ignores stunners like us—till now."
"Right. Saintess, as a woman, doesn't it sting when a man's immune to your looks?"
"I'm... not sure. After that incident, men scare me... Mars's fine, but is it love? Dunno."
"Ah..."
They'd heard bits of Hertia's trauma. Awkward now for dredging it up.
"S-sorry. Didn't think of your feelings."
"Mm. My apologies too."
"No worries. Got to see new sides of you two."
Guess they're into Mars. Makes sense—they've been after Polo, so he flew under radar.
Sigh—
'Huh?'
Hertia startled at her own relief.
'Relieved? Me? Why?'
Luckily, the other two were busy cooling their flushed faces—missed the sigh. Her confusion deepened, unsolved till dinner call.
Dinner time rolled around. Guided by a butler to the dining hall, the crew let out surprised oohs at the cozy vibe.
"Hehe, thanks~ Pulled out all stops for VIPs like you. Not much, but hope it tastes good~"
"Not much," she said—but the spread was surprisingly lavish. No pricey imports given the backwater spot, but the care shone through.
I spooned the soup, senses scanning—no poison traces. Safe. Dug in proper.
"Mars? Like the food?"
Lillia sat right next to me. Not planned—the butlers seated us, ended up this way. She tossed a casual question to loosen my silent munching.
"Yes. Delicious. Chef's skilled. And I'm a baron's son too—drop the formalities."
"Oh my! To an Aura Lord of the Empire~?"
Figured. Ranks match-ish, no biggie—then something warm nudged my lips.
"Here, ahh~"
"...?"
"...?"
"...?"
"...?"
"...?"
Not just me frozen—five pairs of blank stares on her feeding attempt.
We gawked; she peeked sheepish.
"Wh-what's this?!"
"D-did it seem over-the-top...? Sorry. No kids, so... wanted to try feeding one. You eat so well, feel so familiar..."
Teary-eyed excuse, meat still hovering by my mouth. Unyielding.
"..."
Other members' glares burned. But her words tugged—reminded me of Mom. She'd baby me or try feeding; big-headed me balked, leaving her mopey like this.
"...Nom."
"Aww, good boy~ Thanks for granting a silly auntie's wish? Hehe~"
Heart softened a bit, sure—but main reason? If tampered, I'd subdue her on the spot. Nope, just normal grub.
Suddenly force-fed "ahh~" by a married woman, I endured the women's piercing stares (one guy exempt) through an awkward meal.