Chapter 5: ② Lord Karou Stands in the Harem

(This one’s dangerous too……)

Yuuri’s vocabulary dropped out. The density of beauty was far too abnormal. Elegant yet merciless. Get close and you’ll be burned—his body sensed the warning first.

The silver-thread rose blooming at her chest sparkled as if alive each time it swayed in the wind. Her figure was like flame. Quietly, yet surely scorching her surroundings—a “noble spark.”

White fur nestled softly against her shoulders, and jewel-like eyes locked onto him as if piercing through. And then—those eyes smiled faintly.

*(Ba-dump—)

Her smoothly flowing hair. Gently curled drills with fingertips delicately intertwined—and just a touch of upturned eyes. Yuuri’s heart was already beyond saving.

“……Oh my. After Cecily-sama, now it’s Leticia-sama.”

The voice was gentle. But each word held a faintly sinking resonance. Like poison wrapped in thin silk. Slowly, it eroded his heart.

“As expected… I can’t compete with younger women. They have firmness, luster, and vigor…”

Quietly, yet with a clear smile on her face, only her gaze turned toward Yuuri.

“Master… you prefer younger women, don’t you? Yes, I understand. A woman like me who has crossed through so many nights… is no longer desired.”

His breath stopped. No, not just his—the entire atmosphere did. Everyone present understood “oh, he just stepped on a landmine,” yet only Celine kept smiling serenely. And then came the finishing blow.

“……But even so. I can’t help but want you so desperately—surely that makes me quite foolish.”

(No! That’s not it!! I was definitely looking at her chest though!!)

“Really, you’re the worst. How much more are you going to make Mother sad!!”

No, that’s not it. No, that’s exactly it. But that’s not what this is about!!!!

“If you love ‘fluffy hair, sparkling eyes, and a generous cleavage’ that much, please just say so from the start……. I-It’s not like I’m jealous or anything!!”

Lieselotte glanced down at her own chest.

“……I’m not bothered by it at all.”

“N-No! Both Celia-san’s and Lieselotte-san’s are… everything is perfect… I couldn’t possibly choose…!!”

(What am I even saying?)

He was hopelessly confused. But he had to put it into words. If he stayed silent—surely they would gradually drift away from him.

“Yeah… I was definitely captivated for a moment!? But that’s… because Celia and Lieselotte-san were beside me, so I felt safe and let my guard down…!”

“Fufu, I’m sorry. Master was so entranced that I… couldn’t help but feel jealous…”

(……Don’t apologize like that.)

(When you apologize, it makes me feel small……)

(But, sorry, it’s impossible not to look……)

“……”

For just an instant, Lieselotte’s gaze dropped. But she immediately raised her face and declared in her usual tone as if regaining composure.

“I-I don’t care at all who you look at or where. More importantly, don’t just stand here like a fool—hurry up and go greet them.”

Her tone was decisive, the usual tsun. But just a little, the end of her sentence wavered.

Yuuri hesitated for just a moment, but immediately smiled and nodded honestly.

“……You’re right, sorry. Let’s go.”

Saying that, he took a step forward—in that mere instant of timing.

Behind him, a faint, small voice leaked out.

“……Please don’t be kind only to Mother.”

Heard or unheard, it was right at the edge of that distance. A bit too late to stop his feet. Just slightly lacking the courage to turn around.

Yuuri continued walking. But deep in his chest—that small voice clearly echoed.

(……Lieselotte-san.)

(From now on, I’ll call you Lotte… properly, with a name just for you.)

The feelings left behind felt somehow sweet and bittersweet.

(But… if I call her Lotte… will she get angry?)

Smiling slightly, he idly thought such things. Surely she’d say something like “H-Huh!? Who gave you permission to use such a nickname!?” while her ears turned bright red—and she’d quietly look away.

Yuuri found himself desperately wanting to see that face.