Gap or Smile?

"Do you like the gap? Or the smile?"

"Welcome back, sis~ And our brother-in-law too~"

"Are you kidding me."

Eret and Russell warmly welcomed the pair as they returned to the villa. Cynthia's expression as she gazed at them grew as cold as a bitter northern blizzard. Especially toward Russell, who had ignored her warning.

"Shall I take that as you wanting to die?"

"Huh? Ah, no, not at all!"

"Come on~ Sis~ Don't be so stiff. My friend here is a good guy too~"

"Good guy my ass. He's nothing but a filthy beast who can't control his own lust."

"Ego... You're really saying it harshly right in front of him."

Eret broke into a cold sweat at Cynthia's rougher-than-expected reaction. The Cynthia standing before her might possess breathtaking beauty on the outside, but her interior was pure monster. If she genuinely flew into a rage and rampaged, even Eret wouldn't be able to handle it.

She's more sensitive than I thought? How am I supposed to smooth this over...?

"Cynthia, your words are too harsh."

"But that bast... that man ignored what I said?"

"Still, he's Lady Eret's friend. They might truly love each other. It wouldn't be too late to get angry after hearing the full story."

"Huu— Rian, you say that because you don't know Eret. Do you have any idea how sloppy she is? Once you give her an inch..."

Heh~ Will you look at this sister of mine?

Eret's mysterious golden eyes shimmered with a strange light as she observed Cynthia's reaction. The rigid expression on Cynthia's face had softened gently, and even the hostility once aimed at her had vanished without a trace. Ever since Rian had calmed her anger.

Are they genuinely in love?

It was certainly a surprising development, yet something she didn't want to accept. No—this was suspicion. Knowing how tightly wound Cynthia's personality normally was, she simply couldn't believe the two were truly in love.

"How about coming inside first, sis? I've prepared delicious food and drinks for you both?"

"What did you prepare? You just ordered the caretaker, didn't you?"

"Same difference. Anyway, go wash up and come down. If you two go in together, it'll be quicker."

"...!? Wh-what nonsense is that! Going in together..."

Cynthia jumped in shock, but soon glanced sideways at Rian and asked.

"D-do you want to go in together?"

"Huh!? ...... Is that really okay?"

"Ah... Um... N-no! Of course not! I was only asking!"

"Ah, I see..."

"No, I mean. If you truly want to, I might consider it, but ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠it's still a bit embarrassing, so don't make that kind of face..."

I can't watch this with open eyes.

They were a real couple. Not an act, not a political arrangement, but a purely genuine couple. Watching the two of them, Eret felt both anticipation and hesitation at once. Destroying their relationship would no doubt be an enjoyable experience, but what if Cynthia lost her mind because of it?

... Won't I be the one who ends up dead?

"Ta-da~! How is it? I prepared it quite splendidly, didn't I?"

"... What exactly are you trying to pull? Seriously."

Eret ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠greeted Cynthia and Rian in the living room after they had finished bathing. The table was laden with all kinds of mountain and sea delicacies prepared for the pair. The food looked mouthwatering at first glance, but one thing immediately stood out.

"You. Aren't you leaving?"

"Ah... well..."

Russell shrank his neck like a turtle after Cynthia's cutting remark. As her assault began anew, Eret hurriedly rushed over and wrapped herself around him protectively.

"That's too much, sis! Why do you keep tormenting my friend?"

"You should be grateful I haven't killed him yet."

"Oh my? Killing him? Is it okay to say something like ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠that in front of Rian? Your score is probably dropping without you even realizing it."

"!?"

That seemed to strike a nerve. The startled Cynthia quickly checked Rian's expression. Naturally, he wore a gentle look that ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠said he didn't mind, yet even that expression worried her.

R-right. Rian is kind... I need to watch my words from now on.

"Sis, sit over there. Rian, take the seat beside her."

"Um... Lady Eret? I appreciate the comfortable treatment, but given our relationship, addressing us so casually is..."

"Isn't Rian a bit too stiff? Don't mind it and just sit~ I went through all this trouble to prepare such delicious food for you. You're not thinking of ignoring it, are you?"

She's the self-centered type.

Ignoring Rian's protest entirely, Eret urged them to take their seats. With no other choice, the two sat down as instructed. They were already starving, and the food on the table had clearly been prepared by the caretaker. Refusing the meal would leave them with nothing edible.

"Wow, coming to the sea really does mean rare seafood everywhere. Everything looks delicious."

"You're really hungry, aren't you? Let's eat, Rian. I'm so hungry I can't wait any longer."

"Yeah! But there are so many different dishes. Where should I even start?"

"Try this. It's coconut crab—something you can hardly get unless you come here. Here, say 'ah.'"

"Hm? Nom."

When Cynthia offered the fork-pierced morsel, Rian accepted it without hesitation. Watching him eat it with obvious pleasure, Cynthia beamed with a bright smile. Every little action from Cynthia felt astonishing to Eret.

Wow~ Who is that woman? Is that really Cynthia Rebellion?

The woman who had always been cold, haughty, and completely uninterested in men's gazes was now making adorable faces in front of a man. She was openly displaying her emotions to capture his attention. Eret had never once seen her approach anyone like this before.

"Rian, I have a question."

"... Excuse me, Lady Eret. I have no intention of being friends with you, you know?"

"Honestly, I thought my sister was forced into an engagement with you. But seeing you two now, it doesn't look that way at all. So how exactly did you manage to seduce my sister?"

Completely ignoring Rian's words, she simply said what she wanted. Rian's eyebrow twitched slightly at her attitude, but she pretended not to notice and continued smoothly.

"Do you like my sister?"

"... Yes, I do."

"What do you like about her?"

"We're still in the process of getting to know each other, but I find the gap in her personality adorable."

"Gap?"

"At first she was quite cold. She barely spoke and her reactions were harsh, so it was honestly difficult in the beginning."

"Ah~ I know exactly what you mean. Even as her sister, there were times I thought she was icy."

Thud! At Rian's words, Cynthia dropped her head. Her expression turned apologetic, as though she had nothing to say in her defense. Rian chuckled at the sight and continued.

"But it's not necessarily a bad thing."

"Oh~? In what way?"

"She's usually cold, but when she's alone with me, she's incredibly cute. I'm being completely sincere—she's the cutest woman I've ever seen in my life."

"Cute??? Who???"

"Your sister. When she clings to me and rubs her head against me, I feel like I'm going to lose my mind..."

"W-wait a second, Rian. Wh-what are you saying?"

At the sudden bombshell, Cynthia couldn't hide her panic and cut him off. It seemed so embarrassing it bordered on painful—tears glistened at the corners of her eyes. Rian stopped joking and looked at Eret with a serious expression once more.

"That's why I have no intention of letting Cynthia go. I expect I'll keep liking her from now on as well. So please don't address me so casually. After all, I'm going to be your 'future brother-in-law.'"

"Oooooh! So fucking cool! 'Brother-in-law!'"

"Kyahk...! Kugh!"

Tremble~! Unable to bear the embarrassment, Cynthia began making strange noises. With her head still bowed, her entire body started twisting in shame.

Whoa... She's seriously beautiful.

Meanwhile, Russell, watching from the corner, couldn't tear his eyes away from her. That beautiful face, that sensual body, and now the way she squirmed in embarrassment after being praised by the person she loved. She maintained a cold attitude toward him, but her existence was so captivating that he wanted to ignore it completely.

Can I really embrace her? A woman like that?

Gulp!

She was perfect. There wasn't a single flaw to be found. If he could hold a woman like her—if he could make her carry his 'seed'—wouldn't the rest of his life be joyful and meaningful?

I want to hold her. Fuck. I want to fuck her so goddamn bad.

Tap tap— Having made up his mind, Russell nudged Eret's side. It was the signal that he was ready and she should begin carrying out the plan. Eret made a brief show of pondering, then nodded in understanding.

"Shall we have a simple self-introduction session?"

"... At this point?"

Cynthia stared at Eret with an expression that screamed is this bitch insane? Her face, which had regained some composure at the abrupt statement, now looked extremely uncomfortable. Of course, Eret was used to such glares and casually brushed it aside, beginning to introduce the man sitting beside her.

"This friend's name is Russell Benedict. He's the heir to Count Benedict's family. Not bad, right?"

"What's not bad about it?"

"Isn't the heir to a count family good enough for an affair partner?"

"Shut up. Don't you feel any shame at all for what you're saying?"

Cynthia continued radiating intense hostility toward Russell. At first he looked intimidated, but he soon collected himself and met her gaze.

I can't keep getting pushed around.

"I understand. I believe it's perfectly natural for the young lady to view me unfavorably."

"If you understand that..."

"However, I have never done anything Lady Eret would dislike. The reason I'm here is to create good memories with her, and I fully intend to avoid causing her any trouble because of my presence."

"... Your words sound nice, but ultimately you just like Eret's 'body' and want to continue the relationship, don't you?"

"Th-that's not..."

"Aigoo, sis? Shouldn't you refrain from meddling too much in other people's private affairs? You're killing the whole mood!"

Eret raised her voice again to shift the topic. Cynthia glared with clear dissatisfaction at the ridiculous deflection, but as expected, Eret avoided her gaze. Since Cynthia's 'weakness' was sitting right in front of her, dodging the conversation was easy.

"Next! Rian, brother-in-law!"

"Ah... Do I need to introduce myself too?"

"Isn't it obvious? And if you're planning to become my brother-in-law, you should speak informally from now on. You said we should make our relationship proper first, so why are you answering so politely?"

"I-is that how it is?"

At Eret's slightly scolding tone, Rian smiled awkwardly and introduced himself.

"My name is Rian Veilburg. I'm in a good relationship with Cynthia with marriage in mind."

"Yes, yes~ We already know that part, so next! Sister Cynthia!"

"What? I have to do it too?"

"Of course? Or should I go first?"

"... Cynthia Rebellion."

"Whose fiancée are you?"

"... R-Rian Veilburg's."

Blush! It was a perfectly ordinary thing to say, yet announcing it in front of others was mortifying. Seeing Cynthia lower her head again, Eret pressed the attack without mercy.

"Since brother-in-law Rian already said his piece, sister has to do it too, right?"

"...What?"

"What do you like about brother-in-law Rian~?"

"What!?"

"What? You can't say it? He told us, but you can't?"

Aish, this girl...

Watching Eret tease her so openly, Cynthia's face twisted with irritation, but she held back her anger and moved her lips. After all, her fiancé was sitting right beside her with an expectant look on his face.

"...... His smile."

"Pardon?"

"His smiling face... looks good."

"... That's it?"

"And... his personality is good... he's handsome... and when I'm with him, I feel happy."

"Oh ho!? That's a great answer!"

Blush! Rian's face began turning red as well. The pair looked like they would only grow more entertaining to watch, but Eret flipped the atmosphere here. What she wanted wasn't a sweet, refreshing love story—it was a sticky, sordid affair.

"Perfect~ Now that the self-introductions are done and the mood is improving, shall we bring this out?"

"Huh?"

"What is it?"

Thud! A long rectangular box was placed on the table. Eret slowly lifted it and pulled out its contents for all to see.