During these days spent with Beatrice, Adam felt quite happy.
Despite her stubborn and proud nature — speaking harshly and maintaining a cold demeanor — Beatrice, like Ram, was kind-hearted and cared about everyone, though she showed her concern in roundabout ways.
Though she constantly complained, she never refused requests from others in the mansion.
Seeing Beatrice , Adam wanted to save her! Not using the contract as an excuse with ulterior motives, but purely wanting to rescue her from her long and fruitless wait!
In truth, he had long been prepared for Beatrice treating him as "that person". Strategically, he was using this to increase his importance in her heart.
He wanted to stay by her side daily, deepening their bond while encouraging her to interact more with people in the mansion, gradually opening her closed heart. Her own consciousness was crucial — only then could Beatrice understand she wasn't living solely for the contract or for "that person".
Once she realized this truth and acknowledged her genuine feelings, Adam would firmly free her from the contract's constraints.
Even earlier when he asked her, he thought: if it doesn't work now, there's always next time.
But reality proved different. While disappointed in her, he was also disappointed in himself. When she refused, Adam couldn't maintain his composure.
He could take the easy route by simply claiming "I am the person you're waiting for". But that would only trap her further in her self-made prison of avoidance and lies, rather than truly reaching her heart or freeing her.
Though the gradual approach wasn't wrong, Beatrice's 400-year wait had created an obsession that couldn't be easily dispelled.
In the end, Adam's thinking had been too simplistic!
She needed time to calm down now, which is why he suggested they not meet for a while.
"Ah, this is really tough for me." Adam shook his head and sighed.
"Oh my, if it isn't Carter? What are you doing here alone?"
Roswaal's peculiar voice reached his ears at the moment he least wanted to hear it.
"Oh, it's you, Roswaal." Adam turned to look at the approaching clown, "What about you, where are you heading?"
Roswaal was walking toward the courtyard, with Ram following behind him, carrying fragrant tea. This seemed to be a genuine coincidence.
He pointed to the girl behind him and said, "Me? I'm going to enjoy afternoon tea! Carter, would you like to join us?"
"The Royal Selection is about to begin, yet the Count wants to leisurely enjoy afternoon tea in the courtyard?" Adam said mockingly, "You're quite slothful, aren't you."
This guy, every time I'm troubled, he's leisurely drinking afternoon tea.
Are you doing this on purpose, you jerk?!
"Aha ha ha, one should rest well even amid busy times." Roswaal laughed awkwardly, "So, would you like to join us?"
"Sure." Adam nodded at the repeated invitation.
The three returned to the courtyard pavilion, with the two men sitting opposite each other.
"Please." Like last time, Roswaal placed the fragrant hot tea in front of Adam.
Lifting the cup, he took a small sip.
"Oh?" Adam was slightly surprised, "This tea tastes somewhat different from last time!"
"Is that so?" Hearing his comment, Roswaal quickly and elegantly raised his teacup for a sip, "Indeed, it has changed quite a bit from the usual tea. What's going on, Ram? Could you explain?"
The tea was delicious, with a notably richer flavor than usual. This change piqued his interest.
"Yes, Lord Roswaal." Ram refilled their tea and explained, "This is the result of discussing tea brewing with Carter last time."
"Just one discussion led to such improvement?"
This time, both Roswaal and Adam were surprised.
To think that Ram could improve so dramatically after watching him brew tea just once!
Even though she had merely tasted his tea, her remarkable talent made him wonder if she possessed analysis and copying abilities like his own.
But of course, that was impossible! This was purely her natural talent!
"Ram, your talent for brewing tea is truly unmatched." Adam said sincerely.
"Hmph." She let out a proud snort.
Roswaal beamed with pride, "Indeed! When it comes to brewing tea, Ram is truly unmatched."
The two continued enjoying their tea.
"Carter, did you have a quarrel with Beatrice?"
Adam froze at the sudden question.
"What makes you say that?"
"You've worn a troubled expression ever since leaving the Forbidden Library."
"Couldn't it be due to poor relations with others in the mansion?"
"Your expression was fine when you left the guest room, and besides." Roswaal raised his teacup to eye level, "I'm certain Beatrice is the source of your troubles. Hehe, shall I tell you how to get along with her?"
He chuckled knowingly and continued.
"It's simple — just say 'I am that person.'"
"Ah, sorry, but I already refused that."
"I just told Beatrice I wasn't that person."
"?!!" Roswaal's teacup trembled, causing ripples in the red liquid and tea to spill over the rim.
His composure had clearly cracked.
Ram quickly removed his gloves and wiped his tea-dampened hands with a handkerchief.
"Carter, just how much do you know?!" Though Roswaal's tone remained level, it carried an icy threat.
Even Ram's movements grew tense.
Last time he'd had suspicions, but she'd dismissed it as Adam's self-deception — a ploy to prevent him from controlling Emilia.
But now, he had reason to believe this man knew something!
"Don't misunderstand, I know nothing," Adam said calmly, sipping his tea, "Earlier in the Library, Betty suddenly asked if I was that person. Since I didn't know what 'that person' meant, I reflexively refused. Her expression changed instantly, and she kicked me out."
Though Roswaal didn't believe him, he betrayed no obvious signs.
Most importantly, the Book of Wisdom offered no guidance!
The next moment, he slipped back into his affected manner, "Is that so? What a shame — that was the only way to get closer to Betty."
"By the way, Roswaal."
"What is it, Carter?"
"I need to leave for a while."
"You see, because of me, the mansion's atmosphere has become quite tense. Not just Emilia and Subaru, but even Beatrice is upset with me." Adam added sheepishly, "With me here, it's rather awkward, isn't it?"
"I see, so Carter wants to temporarily leave the mansion to give everyone space to improve relations, is that it?"
Roswaal nodded in understanding, "Very well, I agree."
"What? I thought you would refuse."
Adam had truly expected Roswaal to deny his request to leave. After all, Roswaal had previously insisted he stay to serve as Emilia's knight — how could he now let him leave so easily?
He had actually prepared to depart quietly; telling Roswaal was merely to test his reaction.
But unexpectedly, he agreed! This must have something to do with the Book of Wisdom!
"Well, with such issues between Carter and everyone in the mansion, as the master, I naturally must consider everyone's feelings." Roswaal delivered the lie smoothly, "It's fine if you want to leave, I agree."
"Is that so." Adam nodded, "Then it's settled — I'll leave first thing tomorrow morning."
"The sooner the better."
"Well then, has Carter decided where to go? How about I write a letter to the Knights' Order in the capital?"
"No, I want to return home for a while, so no need for a letter of introduction."
"I see." Roswaal nodded, then added, "Lady Emilia will arrive in the capital in one month, when the Royal Selection will likely begin officially. I very much hope Carter will be there."
"I will be." Adam agreed immediately.
The topic ended there.
Adam skipped dinner, uncertain about how Emilia and Natsuki were feeling, or whether Beatrice had kept her promise.
Ram had likely spread news of his departure throughout the mansion.
The situation felt awkward — as if he had only intensified the conflicts before running away like a troublemaker.
That night, while walking alone in the courtyard, Adam discovered he wasn't the only one out there.
Natsuki and Emilia stood talking beneath the moonlight.
With his keen hearing, he overheard the young man trying to lift Emilia's spirits.
"Emilia-tan, it's alright!" Natsuki called out encouragingly, "I believe you won't be stopped by such a small obstacle. Emilia-tan can definitely do it — I believe in you!"
"Subaru..." Though Emilia had reason to be angry with him, she couldn't bring herself to be — his intentions were good, even when they backfired.
She had never been good at refusing others, much less blaming them.
"Yes, I'll do my best! I'll definitely make Carter become my Knight and participate in the Royal Selection!" Her spirits lifted at his encouragement.
Natsuki grinned widely, "That's the spirit, let's keep going!"
"But this time, I won't allow Subaru to help me." Emilia insisted.
"Ah, right." Natsuki said after a moment's hesitation, "Carter said I shouldn't help you since it would affect your growth. I'm sorry, Emilia-tan, but I won't be able to help you this time."
"Don't say that! I don't need Subaru's help anyway!" Though her words sounded harsh, she simply didn't want to trouble him further.
"Oof, Emilia-tan, those words really hurt me." Natsuki dramatically collapsed onto the ground, playacting to earn her sympathy.
His ploy succeeded perfectly.
She quickly crouched beside him, asking anxiously, "Are you alright, Subaru? Where does it hurt?"
Seeing her concern, Natsuki's heart swelled with love for the silver-haired half-elf before him.
"Hahaha, I was just kidding!" He giggled like a child who'd pulled off a successful prank.
"Oh Subaru, really now." Emilia helped him up, her expression mixing annoyance with amusement as she found herself unable to scold him.
"Well then, it's getting late, and Emilia's evening lessons are over! Good children should all be in bed by now! That includes you, Emilia-tan, time to go to sleep!" Wanting her to rest, Natsuki urged her to return to her room.
"Yes, goodnight, Subaru."
"Goodnight, Emilia-tan."
He parted from her with a bright smile as they went their separate ways.
Just as he was leaving the courtyard, a voice called out to him.
"Subaru-kun, good evening."
"Carter?" Natsuki turned, surprised to see the figure standing nearby.
"Care to walk with me?"
"Sure." He nodded, accepting Adam's invitation.
They strolled through the quiet courtyard.
"Subaru-kun, are you angry?"
"About me refusing to become Emilia's knight twice. Are you angry? Do you hate me? Resent me?"
"Hmm, no — if anything, I feel both disappointed and happy."
Natsuki's response surprised Adam.
"I understand the disappointment, but where does the happiness come from?"
"The happiness came when I heard you refuse to become Emilia's Knight. At that moment, I thought maybe I might have a chance to become her Knight instead."
Hearing this, Adam's surprise grew, "So you were already prepared to take my place if I refused?"
Natsuki nodded firmly, "Yes, I was."
"Is that so? I hadn't expected such thoughts from you. I'm quite surprised." Adam spoke without mockery, "You do know being a Knight isn't easy, right?"
"I know! But I just want to help Emilia — I don't want her to face troubles!"
"I see." Adam could feel his conviction, "Subaru-kun, have you considered becoming a Spirit Arts User?"
"Huh?!" Natsuki startled at the sudden change in topic, "Why are you suddenly jumping to something I know nothing about?"
"You have the qualifications to become a Spirit Arts User — don't you want to try?"
"Why?" Natsuki looked completely confused.
"Two points! First, becoming a Spirit Arts User will increase your strength, letting you better protect and help Emilia. Second, as a fellow Spirit Arts User, you'll have more to discuss with Emilia, which will strengthen your bond." Though he explained this, Adam kept the most crucial reason to himself.
That being, the Sloth Archbishop could only transfer their soul to someone else's body if that person had the qualifications to become a Spirit Arts User!
And Natsuki had those qualifications!
"Hmm..." Hearing about getting closer to Emilia, Natsuki immediately considered the possibility.
But his complete lack of knowledge made him hesitate.
"Don't worry, you can just ask someone who knows." Adam said, "Emilia is a Spirit Arts User — wouldn't asking her for guidance naturally bring you closer to her?"
"That's right!" Natsuki's eyes lit up, wondering why he hadn't thought of that.
"Do your best, Subaru-kun." Adam patted his shoulder, "I hope when I see you next time, your growth will surprise me."
"Oh, I promise!" He shouted enthusiastically, then asked, "Carter, do you really have to leave?"
That afternoon, Natsuki had heard from Ram that Adam would be leaving the count's mansion early tomorrow morning.
"You understand, don't you? I'm not suitable to be at the count's mansion right now." Adam replied, "Emilia might not make wise decisions with me around, so it's better if I leave for now."
"Is that so." Natsuki's expression fell.
"It's not like we'll never meet again, don't make such a weak expression, you idiot! Not just Emilia — you need to grow quickly too! Don't get discouraged by temporary helplessness, don't run away because of momentary weakness." Adam knocked him on the head and added, "Better to make mistakes than to do nothing at all, understand?"
"And when you're unsure if this is the future you want, never be satisfied with the status quo! Understand?"
Seeing that he had taken his words to heart, Adam nodded with satisfaction.
"Alright, our talk ends here. You should go rest now."
With that, he let him leave.
Only a figure remained, standing with his back to Natsuki.
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