When the Villain Joined the Knights to Avoid Doom Flags, but Somehow the Heroines Started Approaching Him - Chapter 19: Morning Treat

Chapter 19: Morning Treat

Iris had a small joy she looked forward to every morning.

As a maid, she would rise earlier than anyone else, get ready, check the day’s schedule, and then indulge in her reward.
When she first realized her growing feelings for Yulis and decided to follow him to the knight order, she had worried that this little joy might disappear.
But when she passed the exam and was assigned to the same location as him, she felt relieved—this part of her routine wouldn’t change.

After all, this reward was something she could only enjoy with Yulis around.
Now that they were in the knight order together, just as when they were at the mansion, Iris ensured that she could still indulge in her special morning ritual.

“Hehe, Master’s sleeping face… it’s so adorable♪”

It was the morning of her very first day officially working as a knight.

Though she wasn’t wearing her usual maid uniform, Iris had neatly changed into the provided knight’s attire and stood by Yulis’s bed, her face lit up with a happy smile.

(Waking Master is part of a maid’s duties, but… it feels less like a duty and more like an absolutely blissful reward.)

Before her lay the endearing, precious figure of a boy completely at ease.
His innocent, youthful sleeping face was so adorable that Iris could gaze at it forever.
—This moment was her exclusive privilege.

Even though she had taken on the role of a knight, it was only to stay by Yulis’s side.
To her, she would always be Yulis’s personal maid.
Every morning, she would arrive earlier than needed, just to enjoy watching the face of the master she adored.
No matter how much her surroundings might change, this was one thing she would never give up.

(Looking at him like this, it’s hard to believe he can be such a monstrous fighter. Of course, when Master is in battle, he’s nothing short of cool. But this peaceful face… the contrast just makes me love him even more.)

Smiling like a lovestruck girl, Iris gently poked Yulis’s cheek, careful not to wake him.

“Hehe, no matter what kind of Master you are, your maid loves you just the same. You’re so lucky, having such a cute girl absolutely adore you—Master, you’re truly blessed, you know that?”

Indeed, from an objective standpoint, Yulis was a lucky man—if you overlooked her occasional cheekiness.

She adored him unconditionally, stayed by his side, and devoted herself to him.

On top of that, Iris’s beauty was bound to grow even more striking with time.

With such a charming girl loyally at his side, it was no doubt a situation most men would envy.

“Hehe, I wonder if this hero even realizes… kya!”

As Iris continued poking his cheek playfully, her arm was suddenly grabbed and pulled.

Losing her balance, she tumbled onto the bed, where Yulis instinctively wrapped his slender arms around her.

“~~~♪”

But Iris wasn’t surprised.

Yulis had been a restless sleeper for about three years now, often hugging whatever was nearby in his sleep.

In fact, she sometimes deliberately stayed close just for moments like this.

Far from resisting or pulling away, Iris simply nestled into his warmth, resting her face against his chest.

(Master must be a bit lonely. He never says it out loud, but it shows in moments like these.)

Unconsciously, he seemed to reach out for someone.

Maybe this habit of hugging things in his sleep was a reflection of that? She couldn’t help but think so.

(…So adorable.)

And if… if the person he was reaching out for could be her—

(I know commoners and nobles aren’t supposed to end up together, but… I don’t want to leave his side.)

Lifting her gaze, Iris looked at Yulis’s peaceful, content face as he slept.

(That’s why I’ll keep trying, no matter what place I end up in. As long as I can stay by Master’s side, I’ll do everything I can to win his favor♪)

But for now, Iris wanted to savor this precious morning moment.
Lowering her gaze, she nestled her face back into Yulis’s chest, soaking in his slightly cool warmth and the comforting sense of safety he gave her.

And then—

“…Mmm, huh…?”

Yulis’s eyes slowly fluttered open.

Still half-asleep, he glanced down at Iris in his arms and, for some reason, began gently patting her head.

“Again… Iris…”

“Yes, it’s me again♪”

“You’re such… a clingy… one…”

Mumbling those words, Yulis’s eyelids drooped shut once more.

It was still early enough that waking up wasn’t necessary yet.

Celia had mentioned the day before that as long as they gathered by the scheduled breakfast time, there would be no issues.

—And there were still forty minutes until breakfast.

Factoring in the time needed to prepare, Iris decided they could afford at least another ten minutes of peace.

(Master’s been so tired lately…)

He had worked hard to make it this far, pushing himself to qualify for the knight order.
He had endured the cold stares and judgment of others and stayed focused on his goal.
Even yesterday, he completed the mission successfully and saved someone in need.
Though Iris couldn’t help but feel a bit jealous that the person he saved happened to be another girl who might become a rival for his attention, her jealousy stemmed from her love for his kindness.

That kindness was one of the many reasons she adored him.
While she allowed herself to grumble a little in her thoughts, she wouldn’t say anything more than that.

(At the very least, I want him to rest a little longer.)

With that in mind, Iris stayed still, quietly letting Yulis sleep while cherishing the moment.

(Just ten more minutes… After we both rest a little, I’ll wake you up, Master.)

With a gentle gaze, Iris smiled softly.
Thinking only of her beloved Master, she nestled into his embrace, savoring the quiet and peaceful moment.