Adam woke up early, but despite his morning training routine, he remained sitting on his bed, feeling irritated.
The wake-up service from the charming maid Ram had initially left him satisfied.
However, what followed soured his mood.
"Guest, oversleeping is not a good habit. You should get up now." Though Ram's words were respectful, her expression showed disdain, as if Adam were delaying her room cleaning out of spite.
"What is it, lazy guest?"
"What's the meaning of this?" He pointed at the neatly folded white uniform beside the bed, "Why did you prepare this outfit for me?!"
The formal white uniform before him was the mansion's finest — superior in style, material, and comfort.
But this was clearly a knight's formal uniform! There was no mistaking it!
It was unmistakably the formal uniform of the knight order from " Re:Zero "!
"My, could it be the guest's eyes have suddenly stopped working, that you can't even recognize a knight's uniform?" Ram's sharp tongue lashed out as she continued with an annoyed tone, "This was specially prepared for you on Lord Roswaal's orders — you should accept it with gratitude."
"..." Adam struggled to process her dramatic change in attitude.
Her demeanor had grown notably hostile since yesterday, when he had challenged Roswaal to a duel at dinner. Both had returned that evening covered in wounds.
While Ram was naturally sharp-tongued, her sarcasm had reached new heights.
Adam knew it was because he had injured Roswaal — petty, perhaps, though he wasn't entirely blameless.
Still, he made one final attempt, "I'm not a knight appointed by the kingdom. Wouldn't wearing a knight's uniform invite criticism? This could be used against Roswaal — wouldn't it create a vulnerability?"
As expected, Ram, loyal to Roswaal, tensed at hearing this but remained determined to follow her master's orders.
"Ram also doesn't think someone like Carter deserves to be a knight, but..." After her characteristic sharp comment, she added dutifully, "These are Lord Roswaal's arrangements, and Ram only needs to follow orders."
It seemed persuasion was futile.
Damn it! I've been outmaneuvered! Roswaal, you schemed against me!
Only now did Adam finally grasp the depth of this 400-year-old monster's machinations!
Yesterday, during their friendly sparring match, Roswaal had proposed having him fill the vacant position as Emilia's knight guardian, asking him to consider it carefully.
While Roswaal claimed to admire his strength and wanted him to assist Emilia, Adam suspected he was merely following the youth version of the Book of Wisdom's instructions, simply wanting to keep him close.
Natsuki was already Roswaal's servant, so there was no need to worry about him.
But Adam was different. His request had been for one duel with Roswaal. After achieving that goal, would he stay or leave?
Roswaal surely couldn't predict his next move.
So he decided to use the position of Emilia's guardian as an excuse to keep Adam close!
Though Adam had been refusing until now, making it clear he had no intention of becoming Emilia's knight.
So during their duel, that crafty Roswaal had pulled a trick, deliberately burning all his clothes and preparing this brand new knight's uniform for him.
"What's wrong guest, would you like Ram to help you dress?" Ram shook out the knight's uniform, "Such a spoiled child. Well, Ram will reluctantly help you get dressed. Come here!"
Hey, wait! What's with that tone used for coaxing children?
"Sigh…" Adam couldn't help but sigh.
That Roswaal fellow had just tossed this knight's uniform at him without any consideration.
The implied meaning left only two choices: wear it or go naked. But once he put it on, it would inevitably lead to him becoming Emilia's knight.
Really now. Raising one mentally immature son was tiring enough, and now they're pushing an innocent and naive daughter on him too?
Is this making me play a real-life child-raising game?
I'm only 20 years old! I don't even have a girlfriend yet!
Adam was extremely conflicted.
"Guest, while nudity may be performance art, it's best not to do so in the earl's mansion. It would lower Lord Roswaal's public image." Ram said. She noticed his conflicted expression and secretly smiled, though her words remained merciless, "Besides, Lady Emilia will get a sty in her eye."
"Will get a sty in her eye." She repeated meaningfully.
Though whether she meant Emilia or herself remained unclear.
"Alright, alright, I'll wear it, okay?!" Adam finally conceded.
Roswaal, I'll definitely add two black eye circles to your clown makeup!
While internally plotting his revenge against Roswaal, he prepared to get up and change. But just as he was about to do so, he realized Ram was still standing there.
"Um, Ram, I'm going to change clothes..."
"Oh, is that so." Ram replied coldly, showing no intention of leaving.
Left with no choice, he repeated, "Um, I'm going to change clothes."
"What's wrong, would you like Ram to help you change? That's fine." She made as if to step forward.
"That's not what I meant!" Adam said awkwardly, "I'm shy when someone's watching!"
"Oh, is that so? Please pretend Ram isn't here." Ram had clearly caught his hint but remained unmoved, merely closing her eyes slightly in pretense.
"I suspect you have ulterior motives, and I have evidence!"
Well, whatever. As a man, Adam wouldn't be too flustered having a woman watch — just a bit embarrassed.
If she wants to watch, let her watch. It's not like he'll lose anything.
He efficiently removed his sleepwear, preparing to change into the knight's uniform.
But... Why? Why does this seemingly simple and plain knight's uniform have so many buttons?!
He fumbled with the numerous complex buttons, working up a sweat.
Ram's laugh was almost inaudible, but Adam's superior hearing caught it.
Finally, she slowly stepped forward and gently helped him sort it out. It seemed her goal from the start had been to help him successfully put on the knight's uniform.
Sorry Ram, I misunderstood you.
A moment later, he was transformed! His heroic and handsome face, black short hair, and the perfectly tailored knight's uniform on his tall, straight figure — with the black Nichirin Katana at his waist creating a perfect black and white coordination.
In one word: Handsome!
However, the kingdom's emblem that was originally on the left shoulder had been removed, replaced with the characters "愛田夢" (Adam) embroidered in golden thread.
This made him very pleased!
He decided: Just for this design, he'd go a bit easier on Roswaal in their next fight.
Afterwards, the two left the bedroom together.
T/N: If you want more chapters , check out my Find your next favorite novel on NovelHub today!Find your next favorite novel on NovelHub today!com/mrblackwing