Back during the massacre at the southwestern border, both Taeko and Chelsea had already begun to doubt whether the Revolutionary Army was truly as righteous as they claimed.
After all, if they were truly just, why would they raise their blades against innocent civilians? And why did that allied commander stop Haruki from questioning them in front of the army?
Taeko and Chelsea weren't fools. Taeko had refused to believe that Barbara, the woman who had raised and trained her like her own daughter, would ever deceive her. Chelsea had already sensed something wrong within the Revolutionary Army, but she hadn't confirmed it yet—and she didn't know what to do if her suspicions turned out to be true.
In truth, both of them had been lying to themselves all along. They were simply afraid that their deeply held beliefs would come crashing down.
Now, after hearing Haruki's words, the two of them fell into deep thought.
Yes, just as Haruki said—they had been fighting all this time to end the darkness of the Empire and bring light to the people. But if they succeeded, would the people even be grateful? In the end, they were nothing more than assassins, unable to live in the light. So what would they actually gain?
In the eyes of those in power, they were just tools—fools who worked themselves to death, all the while convincing themselves they were fighting for justice.
Putting the so-called "greater good" above all else—what was the point if they had nothing of their own left? Even if the people survived, what did that have to do with them anymore?
With that thought, Chelsea's eyes grew resolute.
She hadn't found her own happiness yet, so how could she worry about anyone else's? And now, with a man as perfect as Haruki right in front of her—shouldn't she try to seize the opportunity? Marrying someone like Haruki had always been her childhood dream. It was time to abandon those naive ideals and go after her own happiness.
As her thoughts swirled, Chelsea's face gradually turned red.
Taeko, on the other hand, couldn't deny that what Haruki said made sense, even if she didn't want to admit it.
She felt completely lost now. After Haruki killed Barbara—who had been both a mentor and mother figure to her—all she had felt was hatred. But now, after listening to Haruki, that hatred had softened.
Still, she had only ever been trained as an assassin. Other than killing, she had no idea what else she could do with her life.
While Taeko and Chelsea were caught in their own turmoil, the other women around Haruki didn't think so deeply.
To them, Haruki was their whole world. As long as they could stay by his side, they were happy. Politics and ideals were far too distant for them to worry about.
In a way, this kind of thinking made their lives much easier.
"Alright, you two think carefully about what I said. Oh, and once you've figured things out, don't forget to wash the dishes on the table. We're heading back to rest."
Haruki started off sounding serious, but by the end, he was back to his usual teasing tone—the same one he used when he was training Chelsea.
"Yes, Master."
Chelsea suddenly spoke with surprising respect.
Haruki, who had just been about to help Kurome back to her room to rest, abruptly paused mid-step.
He had only said those things to lighten the mood after his earlier, heavier comments—but he hadn't expected Chelsea, who usually loved to talk back, to respond so obediently.
Turning around, Haruki looked at Chelsea, her cheeks slightly flushed, and asked with a strange look on his face,
"Chelsea, did you take the wrong medicine today, or forget to take it? That didn't sound like something you'd say. Don't tell me my brilliant analysis of the minister and the Revolutionary Army impressed you so much that you're now in awe of me? Nah, I know myself too well for that. So what's going on?"
"You jackass. Be a little nice to you, and you get all smug."
Chelsea, who had just been trying to act ladylike in front of Haruki, instantly exploded and lashed out with a furious retort.
"See? That's more like the real you! Oh, and since you just insulted me, Taeko's off dish duty today. Chelsea gets to handle it all."
Haruki didn't get angry at Chelsea's outburst. Instead, he gave her punishment in a completely serious tone. Considering how many people had just eaten and how many dishes there were, the cleanup would definitely be a big task. Then he supported Kurome and left the room with the other girls, leaving Chelsea behind, stomping her feet in frustration.
What Haruki didn't notice was that as he teased Chelsea, the other girls behind him were all hiding faint smiles.
Frankly, Haruki's emotional intelligence was pretty low. Over the past month, everyone but him had already figured out that Chelsea liked him. She had just wanted to show her softer side, but as usual, Haruki didn't catch on.
...
Later that day, Haruki was "training" Chelsea again. She wore a pink maid outfit that he had modified himself. The long skirt, originally meant to reach her calves, had been cut scandalously short. Her legs were clad in thigh-high orange stockings that matched her hair, and a slave collar was fastened snugly around her neck. She looked so sexy and tempting that even Haruki couldn't help feeling a visceral reaction.
Because Chelsea already had feelings for Haruki, she didn't mind wearing revealing outfits that showed off her figure in front of him.
But just as the atmosphere was starting to heat up, a maid's voice called out from outside the door:
"Young Master, someone from the army has just reported in—General Esdeath has returned to the Imperial Capital. She's already entered the palace to meet with His Majesty, and should be back soon."
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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