Lillian's mind was full of question marks.
'First of all, why did he switch from the rabbit story to that topic all of a sudden?'
No, it wasn't just a random transfer.
The other party was sending signals that he wanted to say something.
'Yes, I can see that intuitively'
But Lillian felt as if she was in an area outside the transmission coverage, unable to understand.
Or as if one of them speaks with the frequencies of dolphins, and the other answers with the frequencies of bats.
What is this I wonder...
Lillian stared at him carefully before opening her mouth: “Your Highness.”
“Yes”
“You seem to like, or rather, prefer only easy ways...?”
"… Yes?"
The body of the villain who was wrapping his hands around him relaxed strangely.
It seemed as if he was hearing such words for the first time.
In fact, Lillian herself was astonished; Today she was more tired than usual, so she was speaking directly and frankly.
'Did Elias… not intend to tell him?'
No, he was probably afraid of him even from his family.
'Consequently, there was no one who would dare say this to him.'
But Lillian is now in a position to speak because she has a contract with him.
She hoped he wouldn't kill her right away even if he got upset.
Most importantly, he listened carefully when an interesting topic came up.
She trusted this point and gathered her courage: “What do you gain from killing everyone?”
“Efficiency versus time invested”
“What will you do with this time you will save?”
“…Isn’t it the business of humans to arrive at results quickly and efficiently?”
“I agree with that, but… I don’t think you would really enjoy it even if you became Emperor so quickly…?”
This was really making her curious.
“You don't seem to be the type to indulge in luxury and extravagance.”
Because this man, contrary to what was expected, was frugal; The Pearl room in which Lillian was staying was the only luxurious one, while the other rooms were ordinary for some reason.
The villain looked at Lillian's face carefully.
It was as if he heard a very strange answer.
“So you, you choose the long way out and get things one by one? Even if it's ineffective?”
“What would you say if I said that I choose the path that gives me both pleasure and reputation...?”
Instead of being a tyrant who rules by fear after killing everyone —
Wouldn't it be more fun to be a good king who knows everything with a touch of prestige?
I think people's reactions will be more diverse when respect and fear are mixed in the right proportions.
“...I think that not feeling pleasure despite trying is a lack of effort...”
“Lillian, these words of yours might make the students of the academies in this world commit murder.”
“No, really, that's how life is.”
Until Lillian made salable accessories, nay, now she creates antique pieces, she has gone through countless attempts.
At those stages, she sometimes felt pain.
She had a desire to stop and wonder about what kind of wealth or prestige she was looking for.
But once that stage was passed, she would feel very happy every now and then.
“I start having a little fun from the moment I start mastering...and sometimes, it's fun to discover something new.”
“…….”
“Efficiency in finishing everything at once is nice, but those details also make sense.”
Lillian closed her eyes.
The empire's leaders who survived today should truly thank the ruler.
It was not easy to move this villain's mind with her tongue alone.
'Of course… I also hope to get a lot for a little effort…'
I wish I sold just one business and got a lifetime pension from it.
But not at the expense of human lives.
“So Lillian”
He whispered warmly: “However, if I still believe that the method I mentioned is the most efficient—”
“…….”
“And if I do that, will you leave me?”
“No”
She answered without hesitation.
As Lillian developed her social life skills, she knew how to tell an appropriate white lie.
'Anyway, as long as you're marked, you won't let me go unless you untie it.'
However, Lillian concluded her words sincerely: “But I don’t think I will be able to love you.”
“…….”
Something like this would definitely be difficult.
Lillian knew that this answer might not mean anything.
But —
'Oh'
When did the cup of water become in her hand?
While she was busy answering, she found a cup of water and a piece of candy already in her hand...
“Take your medicine here.”
“Ah, yes”
“And after eating it, put the candy in your mouth.”
She doesn't know how he knew it was time for the medicine, but he was the one who put the tablets in her palm first.
'What perfume is this man wearing?'
Because of fatigue, she had strange thoughts; The smell of that forest was so beautiful, she had to be careful of it, but it made her feel reassured despite her will.
“...about that rabbit”
Look at this.
The subject returned again to the dangerous rabbit story, but her reaction became slow due to the smell.
“Everything the Duke said is true.”
“Umm...”
“I just wanted to try using my ability on that rabbit, because it was pink and soft.”
…Lillian desperately pretended that she didn't realize that her hair was pink.
The medication you just took contained a sleep-inducing substance.
At this moment, she couldn't escape.
Moreover, he covered her with the quilt so well, there was no escape.
“I wanted to see the rabbit in the snow.”
“…….”
“Rest now, Lillian.”
He got up.
Lilian whispered to his distant back in an almost inaudible voice: “Your Highness. Indeed, it would be appropriate for him to be in the snow.”
“…….”
He didn't answer.
Lillian stared for a long time at the door through which he had left.
'By the way, this guy'
He started calling me 'Lillian' instead of 'Miss Tillard.'
* * *
Late at night, Evren muttered: “…she is truly a strange person.”
Lillian.
When he went to her because of the rabbit story, he wanted to test her out.
He wanted to see if she was afraid of him or not.
Although he hadn't decided yet what he would do if she was really afraid of him.
'...Fortunately'
Lillian wasn't afraid of him.
She even asked him questions...
'What will you do with this time you will save?'
This is the question then.
Since he was born a prince, he had a vague thought that he would become an emperor at some point.
But when he expedited that process, what did he really want to do...
'This current situation is not bad'
The fact that Lillian was in this castle, and that he was there as well, made him feel completely satisfied.
'Another pleasure instead of efficiency'
No one had ever shown him this perspective before...
'But I don't think I'll ever be able to love you'
'Why is this important?'
As he remembered those Lillian's words, he ran his finger over the table.
“Oh, what a shame”
The surface over which his finger passed faded with a soft sound.
“……?”
Although he does not use his ability unintentionally.
Evren leaned his head on the chair and closed his eyes.
He dreamed of a pink rabbit running alive through the snow.
There was a pink-haired woman with him as well.