"Mr. Adam Carter, I'm surprised you chose to become that lady's knight. You must be having quite a difficult time now."
Wilhelm maintained his elegant and gentlemanly demeanor as he tactfully expressed his concern for Adam. He was careful not to speak ill of Emilia or tarnish her image.
This thoughtful consideration endeared the old man to Adam, though Adam himself wasn't concerned about Emilia being a silver-haired half-elf.
He let out a deep sigh and said wistfully, "Yes, raising a daughter is truly exhausting, both mentally and physically."
"Raising a daughter? Do you already have children, Mr. Carter?" Wilhelm looked at the young man, puzzled by the connection between Emilia and Carter's supposed daughter.
"Ah, pardon my unclear words." Adam laughed softly. After a moment's reflection, he continued, "To be honest, Emilia isn't yet a qualified ruler. She lacks firm conviction and determination. But she's growing quickly, and she'll soon become a worthy ruler!"
Wilhelm observed thoughtfully, "It seems you have great confidence in Lady Emilia."
"Do I?" Adam winked and said, "Well, of course I have confidence in someone I've raised myself."
It was then that Wilhelm finally grasped the meaning behind Adam's earlier comment about raising a daughter.
"...So you're treating that lady like a daughter and raising her?" Even Wilhelm, known as the Sword Demon, was taken aback by Adam's remarkable statement.
Yet his well-practiced manners and composure kept his surprise hidden.
Still, his estimation of this young man grew even higher.
While Adam and Wilhelm were engaged in conversation, a casual voice interrupted from behind them.
"Must be boring waiting out here all this time. Care for some tea?" They turned to see Natsuki approaching with steaming cups, "This is the mansion's finest tea, brewed by yours truly."
His proud demeanor made Adam's face twitch.
From the aroma, Adam recognized these as the same premium tea leaves Ram had previously asked Natsuki to practice with.
It wasn't using the premium leaves that bothered him — it was Natsuki's inadequate brewing skills failing to do justice to such fine tea.
Still, the gesture showed the young man's earnest attempt at hospitality for Emilia's sake.
"And you are...?" Wilhelm inquired politely, glancing at Adam for an introduction.
Before Adam could speak, Natsuki eagerly jumped in, "My name is Natsuki Subaru, and I'm a servant of this mansion's master."
"Ah, so you're Natsuki Subaru. I'm Wilhelm, pleased to meet you," Wilhelm said with a nod, "Though, I hear you're quite close with Lady Emilia..."
"Really?! Do Emilia-tan and I look like we have a special relationship? Really, is that how it looks?!" Natsuki beamed at these words, hastily serving Wilhelm some tea.
"Ah, it's my term of endearment for Emilia."
"I see..." Wilhelm's curiosity at the unusual honorific was evident, though he chose not to pursue it.
Natsuki served tea to both men.
They sipped simultaneously.
"It's good." Wilhelm remarked with surprise, "This has quite a nice flavor. I imagine this tea must be quite expensive."
"Indeed." Adam nodded, also recognizing the rare premium variety. However, he added, "It's just a shame that the crude brewing method wastes these premium leaves."
He shook his head, visibly pained.
"Oh? Is Mr. Carter knowledgeable about the art of tea?" Wilhelm asked with interest, "Actually, I too am well-versed in tea brewing and often prepare it for my master. If you have time, we should exchange ideas. I believe we'd have much to discuss."
"Of course, if Sir Wilhelm has the time, I'd be delighted to oblige." Carter readily accepted.
Feeling suddenly sidelined, Natsuki protested, "Wait, how did I suddenly get excluded?"
"Oh? Are you knowledgeable about tea ceremonies as well? If so, you're welcome to join our future discussion."
"No, that's not what I meant!"
Though Wilhelm had politely extended the invitation, Natsuki hadn't brought the tea to discuss tea ceremonies with them.
"Perhaps you brought this precious tea hoping to learn something from this old man?"
Wilhelm realized his attempt to change the subject had failed. Unlike the mature knight beside him, the young man hadn't noticed Wilhelm's subtle attempts to avoid the topic.
"I want to know why you're visiting today." Natsuki asked bluntly, "Please tell me something — even just a little bit."
"I apologize, but I cannot share those details." Wilhelm replied firmly.
With such a direct approach lacking any tact, rejection was inevitable.
Still, his response confirmed that he definitely knew their visit's purpose.
Hearing the firm refusal, Natsuki understood that Wilhelm wouldn't budge no matter how much he pressed.
His shoulders slumped in defeat.
"It seems the time has come." Wilhelm said, turning toward the mansion's entrance where his messenger was emerging from the count's residence — a sign their mission was complete.
Adam and Natsuki followed his gaze.
"That's Rem and... wait, who's that?" Natsuki whispered, his eyes fixed on the mysterious messenger.
It was a Beast Human of the Cat-People race.
The figure had medium-length flaxen hair tied with a white ribbon and wore a blue-white dress outfit. For a female, they would be considered quite tall and slender, with a notably flat chest.
Their large eyes sparkled with curiosity as their cat ears twitched adorably. A tail swayed gently behind them, and every movement carried a feminine charm — or perhaps it was more of a mischievous, imp-like aura.
Upon emerging with Rem, they immediately noticed Natsuki's stare, and a playful smile spread across their face.
"Hey~ I know I'm a beautiful lady and all, but isn't it rather rude to stare like that, nyaa!"
Just from that playful greeting, you could tell he was going to be a handful.
His name was Felix Argyle, a Cat-Tribe Beast Human.
And yes — he was male!
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