The Villainous Noble Son Wants to Capture His Stepsister! - Chapter 7

Despite everything that had happened, I somehow managed to convince Heliotrope to teach me swordsmanship.

…Though, when she suddenly lunged at me with a knife, I seriously thought I was going to die. I even saw my deceased grandfather waving at me. Grandpa, why are you in another world?

Well, considering everything Kraut had done up until now, the odds of being killed weren’t exactly low. It was fifty-fifty… no, maybe thirty-seventy… or possibly even one to nine? I’ll leave it to your imagination which side was the one.

Even so, I still chose to free her from her slave contract. It was probably due to my lingering sense of morality as a former Japanese person—perhaps even my pride. Slavery? Absolutely not. Never.

Maybe because of that, the trust level that had been in the negatives had at least reached zero. The fact that I had to risk my life just to get to the starting line… yeah, this world was basically Inferno difficulty.

So, after everything, I had finally taken my first step toward becoming stronger. But… something was bothering me.

“…Heliotrope.”

“Yes? What is it?”

“Why… are you making my tea?”

With a teapot in one hand, she tilted her head slightly, as if she didn’t understand what I was asking.

“You ask the strangest things. Isn’t it obvious? Because I. Am. Your. Maid.”

She then resumed pouring the tea into my cup as if nothing was out of the ordinary.

Even though I had freed her from slavery, for some reason, she still hadn’t quit being my maid.

She had clearly stated that she hated me, so why was she still acting as my personal maid? Not that I’d complain about a beautiful maid taking care of me—I’d get on my knees and accept it in a heartbeat.

But… wait a second.

“Are you still trying to kill me!? You’re just keeping me alive long enough to find the perfect, undetectable way to murder me, aren’t you!?”

Hiiiiiiiii!!! Last time, my terror and guilt had fused into some bizarre mental breakdown that I barely survived. But if it happens again, I don’t think I’ll make it through sober!

As I clutched my head in fear, I suddenly heard a soft, stifled chuckle beside me.

When I turned toward the sound, I saw Heliotrope giggling quietly.

My heart skipped a beat at the sight of her smile—one I had never seen before. A cool beauty’s smile really is a heartbreak shot.

I found myself staring in a daze until she noticed my gaze and cleared her throat with a small “Ahem.”

“I won’t do anything like that. It’s true that I hate you. But I’ve seen your resolve. And to judge whether that resolve is real or not, remaining as your maid is rather convenient. Besides… I’m guaranteed food, clothing, and shelter.”

She added the last part a little awkwardly, as if embarrassed, and—damn. The impact of a beautiful maid showing even a hint of shyness is no joke.

I had always been into little sister-type heroines, but I can’t say I dislike older sister types either. Okay, fine. I have no preferences. Sorry for being shameless.

At any rate, I was relieved enough to have those ridiculous thoughts running through my head. A former otaku with a fragile heart like mine can’t handle too much pressure—I’d get a stomach ulcer.

“…I see. Then, I guess this is the start of a new chapter for us?”

“Yes. Likewise. …Oh, but.”

Heliotrope suddenly placed a hand on my shoulder, leaned in close, and whispered in my ear:

“If you ever betray my expectations—be prepared.”

“…………”

That’s terrifying!!!