"Emilia, when are we leaving for the Royal Capital?"
Hearing her knight's voice, the Half-Elf girl snapped out of her wandering thoughts, her fingertips unconsciously twisting the lace edge of her skirt.
"Probably the day after tomorrow morning. The Royal Selection Meeting is scheduled for five days from now. Counting the three-day carriage ride, we'll make it just in time."
"It actually takes that long?" Grin frowned, his tone carrying a hint of surprise.
Roswaal provided a timely explanation: "It's quite unfortunate, Green-kun. The White Whale has been frequently active lately, so Flügel Avenue has been closed. Reaching there in three days by taking the long way is already quite ideal."
Grin nodded in realization. "I see. That big guy really knows how to cause trouble for people."
Emilia comforted him, her voice as soft as marshmallows.
"It's okay, Grin. Although it takes longer, the scenery along the way is beautiful."
Hearing this, Grin suddenly reached out both hands, making a viewfinder gesture to frame the girl in the center of the space. His eyes were filled with undisguised amusement. "It truly is beautiful..."
"Honestly... Grin is teasing me again."
Emilia said with bashful annoyance, turning her head to feign anger.
"Chotto matte!"
The doors to the meeting hall were pushed open with a loud bang.
Subaru Natsuki rushed in indignantly.
"How could you discuss such a big matter without calling me! Grin, you bastard, you're actually making a move on Emilia-tan while I'm not around. That's so low!"
"Subaru, don't talk nonsense!" Emilia waved her hands hurriedly, her cheeks turning a bright crimson. "Saying 'making a move' is too much..."
"No way, if this keeps up I'll be out of the game. I'm going to the Royal Capital with Emilia too!" Subaru Natsuki said as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Emilia looked a bit troubled by his words.
"Um... we're not going for fun; it's a very important summons."
Subaru spread his hands and said seriously, "Since it's important, I have to go even more. This is related to the Royal Selection, right? I want to help Emilia-tan too, please!"
What Emilia was worst at was dealing with thick-skinned guys like Subaru Natsuki. For a moment, she didn't know how to respond.
Subaru's personality was very erratic; if he went to the Royal Capital, he would definitely cause trouble.
In her helplessness, she could only seek help from her newly appointed knight.
Grin nodded understandingly, walked over to Subaru Natsuki, and patted his shoulder solemnly.
"Subaru, it's not that we aren't taking you, but we have a much more important mission to entrust to you!"
Unnoticed by anyone, the magic mirror hidden in Grin's sleeve was releasing translucent hypnotic factors.
Subaru Natsuki only felt that Grin's voice was extremely persuasive, making one instinctively want to believe him.
"What mission could be more important than protecting Emilia-tan in person?"
Grin said earnestly, "The safety of this Mansion, of course! This is Emilia's home base. If the backyard catches fire, we'll all be homeless."
"Re... really? I haven't read many books, don't lie to me."
"Don't worry, I've read plenty; I would never lie to you. Besides, I have a secret mission to give you. If you can complete it, I'll definitely give you a chance to prove yourself when the time comes. Lean in..."
Grin pulled Subaru Natsuki close and whispered a few words in his ear.
As Subaru Natsuki listened, his eyes grew brighter and brighter, and he even clenched his fists as if eager to get started.
When Grin finished, he nodded toward Subaru Natsuki.
"Well, you should know what to do now, right, Subaru?"
Subaru Natsuki stood at attention and said firmly, "First, protect the Mansion well. Second, train myself in secret! I'm going to mop the Mansion from top to bottom right now!"
Grin gripped Subaru Natsuki's shoulders with satisfaction.
"Well said! Damn it, Subaru, you're a fucking genius! Your IQ must be over 160! Now, get this damn Mansion completely clean!"
"Yes!"
Subaru Natsuki gave Grin a clumsy salute, then added weakly.
"You promised to let me earn merit, don't forget it, Grin."
After saying that, he hurried out of the meeting hall.
"Haha, Grin, you and Subaru are like actors in a play; it's so funny."
Emilia laughed happily, then continued.
"In that case, I'll go ahead and pack the things I need to take so I don't forget later. See you in a bit."
The Half-Elf girl waved a brief farewell to Grin, then ran off cheerfully with the 'clack-clack-clack' of her high heels.
"Well then~ let's adjourn the meeting for now. Green-kun, I'm very much looking forward to your performance~"
With that, Roswaal also stood up and walked toward the door.
As everyone moved further away, the lively meeting hall gradually grew quiet.
After a moment of silence, Grin poured himself some more tea, drinking while observing the pink-haired maid standing by the sofa.
"Ram, everyone else has left. What are you still doing here?"
Squeak—Thud.
Ram didn't answer but slowly closed the door to the meeting hall.
Then, she walked solemnly up to Grin, standing very close.
A faint girlish fragrance drifted through the air, like a blend of dried mint and white plum.
Even an experienced veteran like Grin felt his face flush slightly at Ram's sudden behavior.
"Ram... you're not trying to pull some 'unspoken rules' on me, are you?"
Faced with such a ridiculous remark, Ram's movements paused, and she wordlessly rolled her eyes.
"Shut up first. Ram has something to say."
Ram pressed her left hand on the armrest of the sofa and leaned down.
Then she brushed aside the hair on her forehead, revealing the diamond-shaped scar where her horn had been broken.
"Grin, look closely. Has Ram changed at all?"
Grin turned his face away, feeling a bit timid. Ram smelled too good, and being this close made him feel a bit flustered.
This was the first time he'd been so passive. Oh, how embarrassing.
Should he play hard to get?
"Ram... you really have changed a lot..."
"Mm, you noticed too?"
"Yes, you've become much more proactive..."
"Shameless bastard..." Ram's eye twitched, and a surge of nameless anger rose within her.
"Ram is talking about the change at the broken horn!"
"Oh, oh, oh. Let me see, let me see."
Sensing the murderous intent radiating from Ram, Grin quickly sat up straight.
As he observed the site of Ram's broken horn, Grin's expression gradually became solemn.
He reached out and gently ran his finger across Ram's smooth forehead. The originally flat scar now had a faint, protruding texture.
"Is your horn... growing back a little?"
"Yes, Ram is very surprised as well."
The pink-haired maid nodded, a hint of suppressed joy appearing in her eyes.
Grin's eyes nearly bugged out. If he remembered correctly, a Ram with a horn was someone who could rank fifth among all existing powerhouses.
"This is too incredible, Ram. How did you do it?"
Ram locked eyes with Grin, her gaze full of hope, and spoke slowly: "Ram thinks it was your blood that worked. Ever since coming into contact with your blood, the scar has felt itchy from time to time."
Grin's pupils dilated slightly, his gaze fixed straight on Ram, filled with unexpected shock.
But this shock came and went in an instant.
In the blink of an eye, Grin switched to a mischievous, wicked grin.
"Haha, Ram, then why don't you hurry up and beg me?"