As soon as Hayashi Maki finished speaking, the atmosphere instantly turned tense.
Ram and Rem stared at him sharply.
In Roswaal's mismatched eyes, a chill flashed for just a moment.
Emilia looked uneasy. She instinctively glanced at Roswaal, her eyes full of pleading.
She was, after all, living under someone else's roof.
Ever since she'd awakened from the Elior Forest, Emilia had lost all her old memories.
Puck had found her, and after living together in the forest for a few months, she was approached by Roswaal.
He'd told her that if she took the royal selection insignia and became king, there would be a chance to revive the people trapped in ice.
Hayashi Maki and Aqua were essentially her benefactors. If not for them, she wouldn't have gotten her insignia back or survived the assassin's surprise attack intact.
So of course she agreed to let Hayashi Maki stay as a guest.
Also, Hayashi Maki was different from other people—he didn't look at her with the same gaze they used for the Witch.
Roswaal noticed Emilia's look.
He smiled and, in his strange singsong voice, said:
"Buuut of course, that's no problem at all~. You can all stay here. After all, you're Emilia-sama's benefactors."
"Buuut, before that, there are still some things I would like to clear up~."
"Fair enough. Roswaal-sama, if there's anything you want to know, I'll answer honestly. Please, ask away."
Hayashi Maki remained calm, answering in a relaxed, almost fearless tone.
Roswaal was a little surprised inside, but his face stayed smiling.
"In that case, Hayashi Maki-san, are you aware of this country's current condition? Our dear kingdom is currently without a king~."
"Yeah, I've more or less heard. And I know Emilia is one of the royal candidates."
Hayashi Maki waved his hand lightly and continued:
"Given that, it's pretty natural that my sudden appearance with Aqua, getting involved in Emilia's stolen insignia, then asking to stay in the estate of the very margrave who supports her… would make us look like spies. That's what you're thinking, isn't it, Roswaal-sama?"
"Hohoho~ that's exactly right~," Roswaal clapped lightly, as if applauding. Then, still smiling, he went on:
"So Hayashi Maki-san needs to prove that he is not a spy. Otherwise, even if you are Emilia-sama's benefactor, for the safety of this mansion, I cannot agree to your request to stay~."
"And as for Felt-san and Rom, I've also heard a bit about them. It seems Sir Reinhard, the Sword Saint, has identified Felt-san as the fifth royal candidate."
"That makes you and Emilia-sama rivals, which only increases the suspicion of espionage~."
At that, Felt frowned, annoyed.
"I'm not some spy. I'm only here because my lifesaver told me to come. If you don't want us, Rom and I can leave whenever we want!"
She couldn't care less about nobles. If not for Hayashi Maki, she never would've come here.
Ram and Rem both found this very rude. As guests, Felt's attitude toward their master was far too disrespectful.
"Um, Roswaal-san, I believe in Hayashi Maki. And Felt-san isn't a bad person either.
Maybe she'll make a different choice in the future and become my rival, but right now she's my friend—my guest!"
Emilia stood up, speaking earnestly, expressing her trust in Hayashi Maki and also trying to smooth things over for Felt.
Roswaal just waved a hand mildly. "But of course, I trust Emilia-sama's judgment as well~."
"Hayashi Maki-san, I'm sure you understand that what you helped Emilia retrieve is something extremely important—a proof of her status as a royal candidate."
"If this dragon stone were lost, the people would begin to doubt the royal candidate's competence. It would be a great blow both to Emilia-sama and to me~."
"So I acknowledge this favor you've done for us. In addition to allowing you to stay, if you and Miss Aqua have any other requests, please feel free to ask me~."
"Don't be fooled by my appearance. I am the lord of this domain and commander of the border forces, Roswaal L. Mathers, after all~."
Hearing that, Hayashi Maki's eyes lit up.
"Really anything?"
Aqua was just as eager, eyes shining.
If there were benefits to be had, how could she possibly sit still?
"Of course, Hayashi Maki-kun. Ask whatever you like!" Emilia said happily, relieved the tension was easing.
Hayashi Maki perked up.
Given that both the margrave and the princess he supported had said as much, it would be a waste not to ask for something now.
"All right, but if I say it, you're not allowed to get mad, Roswaal-sama."
He warned him first.
Roswaal kept smiling. "Go ahead~. I am a margrave, after all. There are a lo~t of things I can do."
He was genuinely curious what these two sudden strangers would ask for.
"In that case, Roswaal-sama, I don't have many hobbies in life… but I do love beautiful girls. Those two adorable maids behind you are so full of charm. I wonder if you'd be willing to part with them and let me have them?"
As soon as he finished, Aqua shot him a huge eye-roll.
Emilia and Felt both clapped their hands over their mouths in shock. None of them had expected him to ask something so bold and outrageous—to outright request that Roswaal hand over his maids.
Rem quietly cursed him in her heart. Calling him a "lewd guest" earlier had been completely justified!
Ram, who had been yawning a moment ago, opened her pink eyes to give Hayashi Maki a cold glance.
The mood froze over again, the pressure in the room seeming to rise.
But Hayashi Maki stayed totally relaxed, looking at Roswaal expectantly while his gaze kept drifting back to the twin maids behind him, who looked identical.
"Ohoho~ Hayashi Maki-san does love to joke, doesn't he~? Ram and Rem are very important members of this household. They handle most of the daily work here. Without them, things simply wouldn't function~."
"How about you choose a different request instead~?"
Not knowing Hayashi Maki's true limits, Roswaal had no intention of giving up Ram and Rem.
In his eyes, everyone in the mansion had value.
And that value, in the right moment, was to be sacrificed.
~~~
New Fanfic: Fusion of Template in Naruto!