Fleeting Days and Doll Disasters
Short spans of everyday life feel slow, but when you open your eyes, they're always gone in a flash. ...Already two months have passed? The subjugation battle feels like it happened just two months ago. I never imagined time would fly by like this back then. It's hard to believe I've already spent over two months in this place.
At least they paid me, so that's a relief. My hand feels heavy. The thick weight makes my mood generous too. Is this the power of money?
"Hmph hmph."
A tune hums out unbidden. Money is always right, after all. With money, nothing in this world is impossible. If something seems impossible, maybe it's just a lack of money.
Still, I've saved up quite a bit. Roughly fifteen million gold in hand. It's not enough for a lifetime, but I could splurge for a month or two without a care.
Since I got paid, maybe I should make something tasty today. Ashu has finally put on some healthy weight and looks decent now. He finally resembles a proper young noble. His skin has improved, his complexion is rosy—practically a romance novel male lead. Even the maids sometimes stare at him blankly.
Well, he's the main villain, so this level of handsome plausibility is only natural.
Looks good. I'm bursting with pride knowing I made him this way.
The only flaw... is that the status window hasn't changed much. Ashu's Training Degree is stuck at 30%. It's been nearly a month with no movement.
But strangely, his Favorability is different.
Ashu Kan Hart Favorability: 78%
Why is only the favorability going up? It's not like I'm playing some dating sim. For some reason, this one's skyrocketing.
I'll think about it later... Higher favorability isn't bad anyway. The real issue is the training degree not budging.
"...Huh, what? Disciple?"
"Ideal."
Feeling stuffy, I step out to the garden for some air—and spot Ashu in the distance.
...Now he calls me by name so casually. I'm too tired to even comment anymore. Still, it's better than "Hey, you."
"What are you doing out here...?"
"Walking."
"Weren't you in your room just now?"
"..."
I definitely checked that he was in his room before leaving. Lately, every time I go for a walk, we bump into each other like this. My already scarce alone time feels even shorter.
Not that it matters. Seeing him out here so often, does Ashu have something frustrating him too?
"Do I have to announce when I'm going for a walk?"
"...No, got it."
No, looking at that sourpuss face, he clearly has no worries.
Is this favorability accurate? Who talks to someone they like that way? It's ridiculous.
When will I regain my authority as his master...? Honestly, I've probably lost all dignity as an elder too. The thought makes my shoulders slump.
"Ideal."
"Y-yes...?"
Ashu's sudden call makes me look up.
"...Never mind."
"?"
What? Why start and stop like that? Now I'm curious. Does he really have something on his mind?
Don't tell me it's his birthday...? Yeah, it's in about a month. Maybe he wants a gift.
...Should I prepare one? I have plenty of money, so buying something wouldn't hurt.
The problem is that day itself. The grand duke is probably expecting it. He's likely eagerly awaiting the day I kill Ashu Kan Hart. Realistically, he's not expecting much.
...It'd be nice to have an item for it. But I can't leave just to get one. That would leave Ashu alone, flipping host and guest.
I could use a trait, but in my current state, I can't beat the grand duke... The gap in our skills is clear. If I'm a mountain pond, he's the Han River. I need to boost my power somehow in the next month.
"Ideal."
"Eek!!"
A face suddenly pops up right in front of me. Ashu. My whole body stiffens, mouth flapping uselessly.
"Wh-what, what is it...?"
"What're you pondering so seriously?"
"Uh, um, well..."
"Forget it. Probably something weird anyway."
...He asks, then answers himself. Unbelievable.
"I-it's not weird!"
"Then what?"
"A birthday gift for you, disciple?"
"...?"
Ashu tilts his head.
"Isn't your birthday in a month?"
"Is it?"
"...?"
What kind of nonsense is this?
"No one's ever celebrated my birthday before."
Ashu says flatly, stroking his chin. Feels like I stepped on a landmine. In the heavy silence, I clear my throat awkwardly.
"W-well, we can start this year."
"...Yeah."
"Anything you want?"
Ashu stares at me intently. My face burns fiercely. Somehow, I feel my chastity threatened, body chilling instinctively.
"D-disciple...?"
"..."
"Discipleee...?"
No reaction even as I wave my hand in front of him.
...Scary!! Why's he like this all of a sudden? It's been happening more lately. That gaze sends shivers down my spine every time.
"—Nothing in particular."
Ashu's gaze lingers before he finally speaks.
"Really?"
Tricky. Even setting aside the grand duke, it's our first birthday together—I want to get him something.
Maybe something in the status window. I roll my eyes, but it's the usual. Useless.
"Really nothing?"
"Yeah."
"A-are you sure...?"
"Argh, I said nothing!"
"Eek! S-sorry!!"
...Since what I want is already here anyway.
"Huh? What'd you say?"
"Nothing."
"Felt like you said something..."
"Whatever. I'm heading in first."
Ashu vanishes in a huff. He's a pro at running away now.
...Pretty sure he said something. Eh, probably nothing.
"...Do we really have to sleep like this again tonight?"
"Yes."
"Sigh."
Ashu heaves heavy sighs. It's been two months of us sharing a bed. No assassins since the subjugation, but just in case.
And for some reason, sleeping next to Ashu leaves me refreshed. Even with just three or four hours, my body feels great. Like there's a natural fatigue potion in this room.
"Do we have to stick so close?"
"Yes."
Of course. We're in the same bed, same blanket. Separate pillows only. Ashu sighs but lies down beside me. His ears are a bit red.
What's he so embarrassed about? At ten, he shouldn't know romantic feelings. Even if I'm a woman now, to a kid, I'm just an adult.
...Though here, I'm still a minor. Turns out Ideal is only eighteen. Just eight years older than Ashu. Pretty comedic.
"...Ideal."
"Y-yes?"
I roll over at his call.
"Urk!"
Ashu groans, squeezing his eyes shut.
"Please wear clothes properly...!!"
"I-I am wearing them properly?"
"Everything's showing!!"
I glance down. A bit of cleavage, but nothing else pressed wrong.
...What exactly is showing? Ridiculous. As I fumble to adjust, Ashu just sighs in defeat.
"...Anyway. One thing I'm curious about."
"Yes?"
"—Why haven't you made those dolls in class lately?"
"...?"
I doubt my ears. Dolls? Why ask that, the very guy who knows?
He steals them every time!! Sure, I always make Ashu dolls as thugs...!! But taking them every time is too much!
"You really don't know?"
As I squint, Ashu looks briefly guilty.
"...Th-then don't make them weird!"
"Do you know how much effort I put into making them...!!"
I vent my grievance, and Ashu winces.
"A-alright! I won't take them anymore!"
"...Promise?"
Ashu nods vaguely. ...Suspicious, but I'll trust him this once. Still, it makes me proud. He was waiting for and enjoying my classes, after all. A grin creeps up unbidden.
Tomorrow might be tough, so maybe the day after.
And so, class time two days later.
"G-give them back!! Give them baaack!!"
Ideal clings to Ashu's pant leg, whining tearfully.
"I worked so haaard on them!!"
Ashu's arms are full of the dolls Ideal made.
"Give me baaack my dooolls...!!"
That day, Ideal's resentful wails echoed through the grand duke's residence for quite a while.