Even after the three disappeared from sight, Ram continued gazing into the distance. Though her expression remained stoic as always, worry flickered in her eyes.
This demeanor was quite unlike her usual coldness.
She really was such a caring sister.
"Are you worried about them?" Adam asked from beside her, "If so, why don't you go with them?"
"No, Ram must clean and guard the mansion." She replied with a shake of her head, "Ram cannot leave — someone might take advantage and cause trouble."
"But isn't Roswaal here?" He asked, "Who would dare cause trouble at the mansion of the Court's Chief Magician?"
"Lord Roswaal left last night." She informed him calmly.
"He left last night?"
"Yes, before dinner."
"I see... well, even so, aren't I still here?"
"That's precisely why Ram said she needs to stay — to prevent anyone from causing unnecessary trouble."
Hiss... Adam seemed to grasp her meaning.
"Um... Ram, when you say 'anyone who might cause trouble', you wouldn't happen to mean me, would you?"
"Oh my, has the guest finally understood? Ram thought she might need to make it even more obvious."
Am I really that untrustworthy to you?!
In the end, Adam couldn't voice these words, fearing they might damage their delicate rapport.
"Hehe, I'm just joking." She said with a soft laugh, "Ram is staying at the mansion on Lord Roswaal's orders. Besides, doesn't our guest need someone to attend to him?"
Though it was just for a moment, he caught it.
Ram, who maintained an expressionless face and was incredibly cold to everyone, actually laughed?!
While he was still stunned, Ram had already returned to her usual self and turned to leave.
As she walked, she said, "Earlier, the guest mentioned that Ram's tea ceremony skills were slightly inferior to his. Ram would like to discuss this matter properly."
Perhaps Adam's words had sparked her competitive spirit — she seemed determined to have him prove his claims.
"Sure." He followed her with a smile.
"By the way, since we've known each other for so long, why don't you call me by my name?"
"Mm, that sounds nice."
"Guest... no, Adam, are you a libertine?"
"How did you reach that conclusion?"
"Look, who asks someone to call them by their first name right after meeting?"
"Hey hey hey, we've been together for several days now — how is this 'right after meeting'?!"
"Indeed, Adam is a libertine."
"Just where are you getting this conclusion from?!"
"Asking someone to use your first name so soon, isn't that too intimate?"
"Are you suspecting I have ulterior motives?"
The two walked back while bickering, Ram's sharp tongue as merciless as ever.
The Count's mansion felt empty now. Only three people remained in the vast building, including a golden-haired girl with drill-styled curls who never left the Forbidden Library and remained unseen.
They arrived at the kitchen.
Ram brought out the mansion's finest tea and asked Adam to brew it.
Let the performance begin.
Her movements and expression betrayed her anticipation to witness tea ceremony skills that might surpass her own.
Adam performed an otherworldly tea ceremony for her.
His technique, which he had learned from Amane Ubuyashiki, brought a unique charm to brewing black tea. A rich aroma spread through the air, making both their mouths water.
After it was ready, Ram eagerly took a sip.
"Delicious." She praised honestly.
This cup of tea proved his mastery. The fragrance was rich and warming, with a longan-like aroma that lingered pleasantly.
It was entirely different from her own tea-brewing style!
"Right?" Adam's face showed enjoyment as he tasted it.
The tea leaves were precious, high-grade, and rare items not for sale, creating an exquisite flavor he had never experienced before.
While they were both enjoying themselves, he suddenly said, "So, Ram, did you call me here for something?"
"Just be direct. Though you can hide your thoughts and maintain a neutral expression, it's all completely transparent to me."
Ram's expression changed slightly as she asked softly, "It's about Lord Roswaal..."
"Ah, of course." Looking at her with an expression that said 'just as I thought', he continued, "If you're coming to find me, it must be about Roswaal. Did he send you?"
"So you took it upon yourself?"
After receiving her answer, Adam set down his teacup, "Well then, what is it?"
"About what Adam said yesterday..."
As one of the few who knew about Roswaal's Book of Wisdom, Ram couldn't help but harbor doubts and curiosity about Adam's words from yesterday.
Roswaal had always been fiercely protective of the Book. At first, she had dismissed Adam's words as nonsense, but after reflection, she wasn't so sure — which was why she had come to ask.
"Ah, that..." Adam waved his hand dismissively, "That was just to keep Roswaal in check — a simple deception."
"Eh?" Ram's confusion was evident.
"Think about it." He explained, "Emilia is staying at the Count's mansion, and Roswaal controls her every move. She has no freedom of her own."
"This isn't right! At this rate, Emilia will become nothing but his puppet. If she becomes King, wouldn't that make Roswaal the true ruler of Lugunica, with the entire kingdom dancing to his tune?"
"As a loyal subject, how could I let that happen?"
His words rang with conviction.
His passionate defense of Emilia's interests left Ram uncertain whether he truly knew about the Book's existence.
"So you're saying you said those things to protect Lady Emilia from Lord Roswaal's interference?"
"Then yesterday, Adam—!"
"Ahem, stop right there!" Adam cut her off mid-sentence, "You're Roswaal's servant— you'll report everything to him. Some things are better left unsaid."
The topic ended abruptly.
Ram fell silent, fixing him with an expressionless stare that seemed to pierce right through him.
Adam shifted uncomfortably, shrugging his shoulders.
"Hey now, even I get self-conscious when you stare like that! Tone down that unsettling gaze, would you?"
But she remained unmoved.
"Alright, you win." He surrendered, picking up his tea as he stood, "I'm going to check on Beatrice. And please send my lunch to the Forbidden Library."
With that, he left to search for the Door of Providence.
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