Having gained Loris's approval, I was in a good mood.
However, this good mood did not last long.
The girls who chose to leave were preparing to say their goodbyes. They wanted to thank Lycoris, and naturally, they wanted to thank me, their "benefactor," as well.
During the farewells, everyone made solemn promises.
"Even after we leave, we will always remember this kindness!"
"If you need us in the future, we will do our best to assist you!"
I smiled and nodded, but internally, I sighed.
'It's completely unnecessary.'
Life is only a few decades long. After they leave, forget about repaying kindness—even finding them again would be impossible. These were worthless checks.
If they really wanted to repay my kindness, they should choose to stay. That would be more practical than any empty promise.
'This is really a headache. If only all these girls were as smart as Loris, it would save me so much trouble.'
It was noon when Lycoris and Ine Mitarai finally woke up. The girls who had decided to leave gathered in the main hall.
Naturally, I had to be present.
Just as I was watching this extremely frustrating scene of tearful goodbyes, I felt a tug on my sleeve.
I turned to look. It was Loris.
Noticing the signal in her eyes, I reached out and grabbed her small hand. Since she had already been acknowledged as my wife (my strategist), merely holding her sleeve seemed too formal.
Leading the momentarily stunned Loris, I walked out of the room to a secluded spot in the garden.
We sat together on a stone bench.
"Is everything ready?" I asked quietly.
"Yes," Loris replied, her face impassive. "We have already hired people to spread rumors that a large group of wealthy women will be leaving the Capital today, carrying a massive amount of gold and jewelry."
By now, that intelligence should have reached the ears of every bandit and spy in the city.
This was something we had discussed in advance. The reason was simple: to lure Capella out.
We wanted the Sin Archbishop of Lust to attack the girls who were leaving.
It sounded cruel, but it was necessary. We needed to make them understand their situation. Choosing to leave would only bring disaster to themselves and their families. They needed to see that the outside world was hell, and that I was their only sanctuary.
But the problem was...
Capella had a terrible personality, but she wasn't stupid. In fact, she was quite intelligent. If I hadn't pushed her too far yesterday, she might have realized this was a trap.
Given such an obvious bait, would she really show up?
If she didn't, my plan to scare the wives back into the harem would fail.
"There must be an insurance measure," I muttered. "We need external assistance to ensure things go smoothly."
"About that," Loris said. "I've found a clue."
"Oh?"
"However, if you want their assistance, you'll have to make the trip yourself."
"That's fine. Where are they?"
"The specific address is..."
She paused.
Footsteps approached.
A girl appeared not far away. It was Ine Mitarai.
When she saw me, her eyes lit up. She quickly walked over, ignoring the serious atmosphere.
"Darling~ So you were here all along."
"Ine," I said, acknowledging her. "Will you stay and spend more time with the sisters who are about to leave?"
"Well..." She shrugged. "To be honest, there's not much I can say to them. The tearful stuff can be left to Sister Lycoris."
As she spoke, she sat down on my other side.
I looked at the girl who had taken the initiative to sit next to me, and then even more proactively leaned against my shoulder.
Although we hadn't known each other long, it was obvious what she was thinking. Ine Mitarai was definitely a little pervert. Perhaps her true nature had been suppressed for too long by the previous owner, and now she didn't want to restrain herself at all.
"Darling~ What were you whispering to Loris just now? Can you tell me too?" she asked in a gentle, sugary voice.
Her hand crept onto my chest, pressing herself closer. I could clearly feel her soft curves.
Faced with such temptation, it was impossible not to react.
'But not now! Even if I'm tempted, I have work to do!'
I couldn't give up a vast forest I hadn't even explored yet just for a moment of pleasure with one tree.
I raised my hand and flicked her forehead.
Thwack.
"Ouch!"
"You're such a greedy little cat," I scolded jokingly. "It's still broad daylight. Wait until tonight."
"No... just once?" she pleaded, rubbing her forehead. "Just one quick round? It won't take too much time."
"Not even once. You wouldn't want me to leave a bad impression on the others, would you?"
Ine pouted, frustration evident in her eyes.
She stole a glance at Loris.
She wanted to say she didn't care about impressions, but Loris was right there. And knowing Loris's personality, she would most likely report this behavior to Lycoris.
The mere thought of Lycoris—who was quite particular about etiquette—lecturing her cooled Ine's passion immediately.
Of course... there was a solution.
Ine's eyes shifted. A cunning plan formed in her mind.
'Just bring Loris in too! Make her an accomplice! She can't report me if she's guilty too!'
"I'm a genius!" she thought, admiring her own wisdom.
But she didn't realize... her little thoughts were written all over her face.
Before she could act, Loris stood up abruptly.
She wrapped her arms around my neck, pulling me down slightly. While holding me tight, she whispered the address into my ear—the information she hadn't had a chance to say yet.
As soon as she finished speaking, before Ine could react, Loris dodged Ine's grasping hands and slipped away nimbly.
She stood two meters away, smoothing her dress.
"My dear~ please look forward to the arrival of night," she said calmly.
Then, lifting the hem of her long dress, she glanced at the stunned Ine and turned to leave. Her task was complete.
But as she turned...
"She laughed..." Ine whispered, pointing a trembling finger. "She laughed! Darling, did you see that?! That Loris... she actually laughed!!!"
Ine rubbed her eyes.
"I must be dreaming... Yes, I was too tired yesterday. I'm definitely hallucinating."
Her incredulous reaction was enough to show just how rare a smile from Loris truly was.
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