Vol 9 Chapter 10: Unveiling

“Yeah… this one is definitely better.”

“I agree… I’m with Lydia-san!”

“It’s a hard choice, but… I prefer the monocle. I’ve never seen big brother like this.”

“Right. And if we pull Allen-sama’s bangs back like this—”

“Perfect!! Decided!!”

“…………”

The day after falling into Lily-san’s trap, I was in twilight despair.

Before me stood a large standing mirror. Today’s outfit was the butler uniform again.

Around me were four princesses in crimson and blue dresses. They were visibly excited.

The girls had been making me wear glasses, try on monocles, playing with my hair… I was supposed to face Lily-san’s fierce suitor candidates after this, though.

I sent a rescue request to my sister, who was watching with the flower-adorned Atra and Ria directing sparkling gazes at me from a distance. Karen! Help me!!

…But.

“Atra, Ria, big brother wants praise. Let’s praise him lots.”

“Allen, sparkly~☆”

“…………Ugh.”

I involuntarily pressed my eyes and trembled.

Why, how did this happen…

Lydia excitedly delivered a cold commentary.

“You’re not the victim, you know? You’re more like the perpetrator.”

“Exactly! Teacher losing to Lily-san’s temptation was the problem to begin with! D-Do you really like girls with big chests!?”

“Big brother… I think this is a deserved consequence. Please reflect deeply.”

“Allen-sama should consider us more. …I’ll have you do the same for me.”

“…………”

No allies. Zero allies.

The door opened and two girls entered.

One was Lily-san in a pale red dress, her back hair tied with a pure white ribbon today. An ‘arrow’ hair ornament sat in her bangs.

The other was Ellie in a maid uniform, who had been helping Lily-san change.

The red-haired lady saw me and beamed.

“Allen-san, it suits you perfectly☆”

“…Lily-san, I won’t forget this treatment.”

“A-Allen-sensei, you look so cool!”

“Ahh… Ellie…”

I approached and involuntarily hugged the angel.

Now that even the saintly student council president had fallen to evil… this child was my only salvation!

Ellie hugged me back.

“…But, but, getting wrapped up in weird things when we weren’t there was wrong. I want compensation later.”

“!?”

I separated from Ellie and staggered. The four princesses and my sister all nodded. Atra and Ria mimicked them, nodding repeatedly and hopping.

…Apparently, I truly had zero allies here.

Lily-san smiled happily.

“Now, let’s go♪ For my maid career!”

“…………In that case… throwing the match enters my options.”

“Ufufu~♪ Allen-san won’t do that☆ Because~”

The red-haired lady grinned and surveyed the Lydias in the room, then cutely pointed at herself.

“In front of the young ladies, showing something uncool—you absolutely can’t do it no matter how hard you try~★ Plus… you know I want to be a maid♪”

“…Guh.”

Bull’s-eye.

With these girls watching, I had zero intention of showing them something pathetic… and well, I knew about a certain red-haired older sister who shouted daily, “I’m gonna be a maid!”

I called my rotten childhood friend.

“Lydia.”

“Finish it quickly!”

She approached and handed me her beloved sword, which I accepted.

Next, I called the pale-blue-haired princess.

“Stella.”

“Yes. Please use it.”

The student council president also handed over her beloved sword without hesitation.

I roughly patted the dissatisfied Tina and Liene’s heads.

Startle!

“No hidden meaning. Simply, since the opponents this time are southern nobles, showing some swordplay might be better? Next time… though I think there’ll never be another, if by chance there is, I’ll borrow your staffs and swords.”

“Promise?”

“Big brother, next time will be soon!”

“…Liene, I believe in the power of words. Ellie. Will you hold the swords?”

“Y-Yes! …Ehehe♪”

I handed Lydia’s and Stella’s beloved swords to Ellie.

Immediately, my left arm got restrained by Lily-san.

“Ehehe~♪” Ah! “…………”

The red-haired lady frolicked; Tina and the others conveyed strong dissatisfaction through their gazes.

Only Lydia crossed her arms and tapped her own arm with her finger. …However, her magic was clearly sulking.

The two toddlers hopped closer.

Humming. “Allen, Ria, Ria help too?”

“Thanks. But I’m fine. Hug.”

Giggle.

I hugged Atra and Ria, and they squealed with delight.

Ahh… these children were my only remaining hope…!

The door opened with a loud sound.

—Eyes sparkling, a lively Felicia entered and explained the situation. She was wearing a Linstar maid uniform.

“Venue preparation complete! Food and drinks are flying off the shelves!! Kufufu♪ Watching the ledger digits increase is fun, but small change has its own charm☆ We’ll get big profits too?”

“…………Felicia, did you set up gambling—”

“Naturally. Surprisingly… Allen-san, you’re unpopular, aren’t you? I thought the odds would be too overwhelming to establish, but it formed easily. The payout is set for about seven times. Oh, naturally insiders didn’t bet. Only guests. Image orbs are banned. If it gets popular and we get permission, I’ll sell them★ Goes without saying, not ‘Allen-san’s’ permission, right? Kuhhuhhu~♪ I’m excited★”

“…………”

I trembled and hugged the two toddlers again.

Lily-san’s suitors were all fierce warriors and heroes under the Linstar Ducal House.

Their number—even after document screening filtered out most of them—exceeded ten.

I had to defeat all of them.

…Completely alone.

I protested, but Risa-san was calm. “If it’s Allen, no problem.”

So I appealed to Lily-san: “??? Is there a problem? Finish early and pour me tea♪”

My last hope, Lydia and the others: “Lose? Who? To whom???”

Atra and Ria smiled at me.

“Allen♪” “After you finish, carry us♪”

…………My retreat was completely cut off.

I closed both eyes.

At a time like this, if Cheryl were here—ah, no. She would only worsen things.

Worst case she’d say, “I-I’m a suitor candidate,” and barge in. She tends to go berserk.

If only Anko-san had returned from the Royal Capital, she would comfort me!

Lily-san extended her hand.

“Now—Allen-san. Let’s go! For our future.”

“That’s misleading. For ‘your’ future. Well…”

I took her hand and stood.

I patted Ellie’s head to calm myself, then turned back to the lady.

“I’ll try hard enough to protect your ‘dream.’ …………Whatever happens afterward, I’m not responsible, okay?”

“Okay♪”