"Kahyu... kahyu..." gasping for breath, I explained the events of last night to Serena while rolling on the training ground.
I told her not only about Mary and the dinner party but also about how I conveyed Mary's treatment to the head chambermaid.
However, my attempt to portray myself as a kind man, by saying, "I decided to give her to Vikir as a punishment. Isn't that kind of me?" with a sly, wicked smile, only resulted in a subtle expression from the head chambermaid.
No doubt, my reputation has worsened even more. How painful.
"I see."
In stark contrast to me, Serena remained calm, despite all the commotion she had caused.
"However, I still think, Prince Elysion, that you're a bit too lenient. It might have been less troublesome in the long run to just expel her without thinking..."
"Ah, ahaha..."
Being glared at with sapphire eyes, I chuckled awkwardly.
Certainly, if I were to expel her, there would be no future interactions, and perhaps she wouldn't even appear once 'Engage Hundered times ' starts.
Because Mary's appearance in 'Engage Hundered times ' coincides with an event at the Royal Academy. Probably, she could afford to attend the academy because she had earned money as a palace maid.
Though there was a chance to increase the flag count, it seemed like I had been too lenient, just as Serena pointed out. Moreover, I had connected her with Vikir before the main story even began...
"Ah, Serena!?" I exclaimed.
"Hehe... but I find your kindness very desirable."
She came close to me and offered her lap as a pillow.
Wait, doing this with my ultimate favourite girl, doesn't this raise some strange death flags?
'I can't believe that the Elysion who broke off the engagement with this amazing woman was me.'
"By the way, changing the subject, prince Elysion, how do you want to become stronger? For example, do you want to aim to become a swordsman, or perhaps a magician?"
''There are various weapons to choose from, and having a goal in mind beforehand will make your training more efficient. Although I'm currently prioritizing building basic stamina for you, considering the future, it would be efficient to set goals."
"Uh..."
What do I want to become, huh...
Come to think of it, I know Elysion's stats within 'Engage Hundered times ,' so I've been thinking about building up those stats to their limits and making the most of his only advantage, the magic-related stats.
"Well, I've been thinking about getting stronger no matter what. I haven't really thought about what I want to become. Also, I don't seem suitable for martial arts with my lack of physical strength."
"I see. Indeed, everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. However, I believe that knowing what you want to be, what you want to achieve, is what makes a person strong. So, there's no need to narrow down your choices from the beginning."
Yeah, that's right...
I loved this world, 'Engage Hundered times ,' more than anything in my past life.
When I played this game for the first time, it was mainly for the two-dimensional heroines, but even so, I remember feeling excited like a child when I finished the tutorial and learned about the game's content.
Perhaps, I became too familiar and attached to 'Engage Hundered times ,' leading me to seek only efficiency.
If that's the case...
"Serena-sama, I want to become a man who can protect myself and the one I cherish. It doesn't have to be cool path, and it's okay if it's rough profession."
"But, no matter when, no matter who the opponent is, I want to have the strength to protect what's important to me, such as my women. That's the kind of strength I desire."
That's right. I regained my memories from my past life and learned that I was a lackey, even worse than a lapdog.
I decided to survive and break all the flags. I promised myself that I would never break off my engagement with Serena—That's why I want to become strong.
"For the things I want to protect... for the woman I want to protect?"
With a somewhat blushing face, Serena murmured my words.
"Hehe... to include me among the things you want to protect is…hehe…Well then, I will train you to become such a person, someone who can protect me at all costs."
"Ah, ahaha... Please, go easy on me..."
Looking at her sparkling eyes and determined spirit, I felt a hint of anxiety.
And, as expected, from that day on, her training became exceedingly brutal.
"I want to become a strong man who can protect myself and the woman I cherish. I don't have to be cool or charming. But, I want the strength to protect what's important, no matter the circumstances or who the opponent is."
As I rode in the carriage from the palace back to the Ravenhurst family's townhouse, I repeated Prince Elysion's words in my heart countless times. But, that was only natural.
The fact that my beloved had clearly stated he wanted to become strong to protect me made my heart flutter.
"Hehe... Prince Elysion has not changed from that time; if anything, he has become even more wonderful~~"
Back in those days when I was young, it was none other than Prince Elysion who saved me when I was weak. That's why I, not just as a member of the Ravenhurst family but for that person, trained tirelessly day after day.
Of course, that wasn't the only reason.
Whenever and however we meet, I never wanted to disappoint Prince Elysion, who remained kind-hearted and never changed. So, I mastered manners befitting a duke's daughter and acquired knowledge that wouldn't embarrass me as a lady of the Ravenhurst family.
Now, as the only fiancee of Prince Elysion, I will fully demonstrate these qualities.
"But... Prince Elysion has no allies..."
The woman assigned to him by the palace, Mary or whatever.
Probably was chosen merely because she was close in age to Prince Elysion, that woman never tried to see the true nature of that person and merely accepted society's evaluation.
...Or rather, she was judged to have no utility... and discarded.
Naturally, I won't forgive that woman. I immediately went through the procedures to protest to the palace as a member of the Ravenhurst family.
However, before I could do that, Prince Elysion had removed that woman from being his exclusive maid and, moreover, assigned her to Vikir, the 'tainted prince.'
Although for Prince Elysion, having her continue to serve as a maid within the palace, might be considered lenient, in my opinion, it is a bit too indulgent.
Eh? Did Prince Elysion's actions disappoint me... you ask? No, not at all.
On the contrary, getting to know more about that person's gentle nature made my feelings even stronger.
However...
"...It's not guaranteed that something similar won't happen again." I squinted my eyes.
Now that that woman has been removed as Prince Elysion's exclusive maid, another one will likely be prepared. However, it's also not guaranteed that another despicable woman won't appear to harm my fiance.
'No, the next person might do the same, insulting Prince Elysion etcetc...'
Then... to serve him and keep undesirable individuals away, I should prepare the next exclusive maid myself.
"In that case, there's no one else but her."
The maid who served me since childhood, sometimes treating me like an older sister.
She is the descendant of a family that has served the Ravenhurst family for generations, possessing not only maid skills but also mastering assassination techniques. In terms of abilities, she is flawless...
"...But I can only see her creating an undesirable future."
Unfortunately, she has a troublesome personality, easily mocking even me, her mistress. How many times have I been embarrassed by her?
Ah, of course, she has sworn absolute loyalty to me and the Ravenhurst family. She would never show her fangs, right? I'm starting to feel a little uneasy.
Anyway, from her perspective, Prince Elysion is the perfect toy... without a doubt, she'll indulge in mischief and confuse that person.
"I need to make it clear."
With determination, I clenched my fists in front of my chest, but it probably won't mean anything. Anyway, if she becomes Prince Elysion's exclusive maid, his surroundings will be protected. For now, I have to be satisfied with that.
The carriage was parked at the entrance of the Ravenhurst mansion.
And then...
"Welcome back, milady."
A maid welcomed me with a deep bow and hand over her chest.
―She is the exclusive maid who will serve Prince Elysion, 'Mir Aye.'