“Oh, Olivier… is this, perhaps?”
So engrossed in their conversation, Jared hadn’t noticed Olivier and the others approaching.
Jared had always unconsciously maintained a sense of caution, but he realized that the more he came to care for Olivier, the less vigilant he became.
For Yeny, he had no need to be wary, as she had been like a younger sister to him since childhood. Moreover, he had recently learned that she was not only skilled in swordsmanship but also adept at concealing her presence, making caution futile.
While Jared might have the advantage in overall capabilities, Yeny was superior in pure physical combat.
“Do you think you can do as you please in my mansion without getting caught?”
“No, I don’t. I’m sorry.”
Faced with his fiancée, who was clearly angry, Jared considered making an excuse but decided to apologize sincerely. He was sure any excuse would only escalate her anger.
“How did you know?”
“Yeny said something nonsensical about a waitress invading the mansion, so I suspected that perhaps Jared or Pfeil were up to something scandalous… but it was you, Rosa Roen.”
Despite being under a rather harsh misunderstanding, before Jared and Pfeil could voice their protests, Olivier’s interest shifted to Rosa.
“We meet like this for the first time, Olivier Alway. And it’s been a while, Yeny Daum.”
“Yes, let’s greet each other with ‘nice to meet you.'”
“It’s been a long time, Rosa Roen. That waitress outfit suits you.”
“Heh, I’ll accept your thanks. I personally like this uniform too.”
As they exchanged greetings, Rosa puffed out her chest when her uniform was complimented.
Jared couldn’t understand why she was so proud of her waitress attire, but if she was happy, that was all that mattered. Yeny was undoubtedly complimenting her sincerely. Only Olivier wore a complex expression, which was a small relief to Jared, though he wouldn’t admit it.
“Well, now that we’ve exchanged pleasantries, tell us quickly what you’re plotting.”
“Olivier, I’d prefer if you, and Yeny too, weren’t involved.”
“That’s not possible.”
Olivier dismissed Jared’s plea without hesitation.
“You came back yesterday clearly having experienced something, yet you claimed nothing happened. But because you lied like that, something bad has undoubtedly occurred—am I right?”
“That’s correct. As Olivier Alway suspects, something bad is indeed happening.”
“Hey, Pfeil! What are you doing saying that without permission—”
Before Jared could even decide what to do, Pfeil responded, interrupting his protest. However, Pfeil turned to Jared with a serious expression and spoke in a tone that seemed to be reasoning with him.
“Living together in this mansion, I understand all too well how much you care for Olivier Alway, Yeny Daum, Hanne, and Trane. I feel the same way. I want to protect the people of this mansion who have accepted me.”
“Then why?”
“Hiding the truth isn’t always the best course of action. Knowing there’s danger allows us to defend ourselves. Of course, I understand there are things we don’t need to know, but I believe this incident is something we should be aware of.”
Jared wanted to argue with Pfeil’s words but couldn’t.
It wasn’t that Jared wanted to keep the danger a secret out of sheer preference. With the matter concerning Cornelia Alway, an issue that Olivier and the others were dealing with, not yet resolved, he didn’t want them to get entangled in the problems of Luzer Fischer and Waalthe at this juncture.
With Almeida, who was far beyond his capabilities, promising to protect the mansion, he couldn’t help but wish for them to live peacefully.
Knowing that Olivier and Yeny would not be pleased with Jared’s intentions, and even understanding that it was self-satisfaction, he still wanted to keep things under wraps.
“You said something good, Pfeil. You can have some of Mother’s cookies later.”
Ignoring Pfeil’s small victory gesture, Jared turned to face Olivier.
“Jared, perhaps you see us as people to be protected. I myself, unlike Yeny, have no means of self-defense. However, you don’t have to bear everything alone.”
“Olivier’s older sister is right. Please let me use my sword for my older brother’s sake. It might be understandable as I’m still young, but please trust me more.”
As his two fiancés pleaded with heartbroken expressions, Jared felt as if he’d been struck in the head.
He hadn’t intended to neglect them, nor did he not trust them. He simply didn’t want to involve them in danger. However, his actions had backfired, causing them to feel sad.
In that case, what was the point of keeping them away from danger? Physically, they might be protected, but their hearts would be wounded.
“Let me offer some advice too, Jared Murphy. Never underestimate women.”
With Rosa’s words, Jared sank further into dejection.
He was aware of his self-righteousness, but he had wrongly assumed he was acting for their own good. However, he now keenly felt that such thinking was a mistake.
“Olivier, Yeny, I’m sorry for shouldering this alone. I thought it was for the best, but I didn’t consider how the people being kept in the dark would feel. I’m truly sorry.”
“From now on, please don’t bear it all yourself and talk to us, Older Brother.”
“That’s right. Even if I don’t have fighting strength, I can still offer advice. I can give opinions from the perspective of someone who can’t fight, so Jared, you should rely on us more.”
He should have known that Olivier and Yeny were strong-willed individuals, but perhaps somewhere deep down, he hadn’t truly believed it.
As Jared reflected, he also felt grateful to Pfeil and Rosa for making him realize his mistake.
Though they were once enemies, and might potentially become enemies again in the future, for now, at least, he could trust them.
“Pfeil, Rosa, thank you for making me see.”
“…As long as Hanne isn’t sad, I’m fine with that. Don’t worry about it.”
“Jared Murphy doesn’t need to thank me. I’m doing this because I want to. Besides, I want to repay a small part of my past debt.”
Pfeil turned away, and Rosa replied with her usual demeanor. Then, Olivier came over and grabbed Jared’s face. He was applying force, and it hurt.
“Now, with Jared who’s been keeping secrets finally reflecting—quickly tell me what’s happening.”
Though a smile graced her lips, Olivier’s eyes held no mirth. Jared remembered.
*My fiancée is terrifying when she’s angry.*
