"Ah! Y-you… how can you be like this? You actually… uuu, Felt can't get married now!"
Finally snapping back to reality, Felt shoved Hayashi Maki away, her face burning so hot it was practically steaming.
Hayashi Maki chuckled. "This is for your protection. Stamp complete—Felt's my person now, contract established. From now on, no matter where you are, as long as you call me, I'll appear to protect you."
"Really?" Felt pressed a hand to her chest, heart racing, and eyed him suspiciously.
"Of course it's real. I wouldn't lie about something like this."
He ruffled her hair, wearing a gentle smile.
"Feel a bit more at ease now? Work hard and get stronger, little girl. Your potential is way more than just 'quick hands and feet' and a wind blessing."
"Hmph, I'll try my best!"
Looking at that expression on his face, she simply couldn't stay mad.
Being protected didn't feel all that bad, actually.
And compared to that red-haired sword geek, who only cared about the country and her bloodline, Hayashi Maki cared about her will.
He was pushing her into the Royal Selection not for the nation's sake, but so she wouldn't regret it later.
And unlike Reinhard's promises of some vague "future," Hayashi Maki had given her a tangible sense of security in his own way.
That kiss had been proof enough. She could feel the contract between them.
After confirming Felt's decision to join the Royal Selection, Hayashi Maki left her alone to think and wandered off the lawn.
Once he was gone, Rom ambled over.
"Girl, have you made up your mind?"
"Yeah. I have, Rom."
Felt nodded, a bright, confident grin blooming on her young face.
"Even if I refuse, that so-called strongest red-haired Sword Saint is just going to keep pestering me. I hate being forced or dragged into things I don't want to do."
"But if someone as strong as Hayashi Maki is willing to back me and protect me… I think I can at least try this royal selection thing and see if I can change this country with my own ideas."
"And anyway, I'm a princess, aren't I? Once I'm a noble, I'll have my own territory. Even if I can't change the whole nation, changing my own lands is still something."
"That's way better than staying in the slums forever as a petty thief!"
"And the price isn't even that high—I just have to join the Axis Church and become a follower of Hayashi Maki and Goddess Aqua."
Aqua had already explained the "requirements" for joining.
Honestly, the Axis Church was ridiculously tolerant.
As long as you weren't a demon, lich, undead, or some kind of monster, and you believed in Goddess Aqua, you could join. No harsh rules, no forced offerings. You just had to stand with the others and believe.
Seeing the determination in Felt's eyes, Rom sighed softly and patted her head.
"Felt… if that's your decision, then go for it."
"Mm! I will, Rom!"
"See? The chance to leave the slums is right in front of me. From here on out, it's my stage."
…
Meanwhile, Hayashi Maki was strolling down the mansion corridor, fingers absently brushing his lips as he replayed Felt's flustered expression in his mind. A satisfied grin tugged at his mouth.
Shame she was still a bit too young—he couldn't go too far yet.
But a "stamp" for now was good enough.
Honestly, that red-haired Sword Saint in the original story hadn't exactly been kind.
All he cared about was dragging Felt away to verify her royal blood. He didn't spare a thought for Rom, the old man who'd raised her.
Later he even used Rom's crime of trespassing in the royal castle to force Felt into the Royal Selection.
In the end, Reinhard only cared about the kingdom and about "Princess Felt," the proper royal heir.
He wanted to save the country—sure, big noble ideals, and the Astrea family's loyalty was unquestionable.
But he'd never once seriously considered what Felt herself wanted.
Not that Hayashi Maki cared that much. He was just complaining in passing.
An upright knight like that is exactly the kind of "gentleman" who's easy to take advantage of.
Heh. In the end, Reinhard von Astrea was going to serve his maid. As long as Hayashi Maki achieved that, he was more than satisfied.
Walking lazily with Beatrice's tiny hand in his, he looked completely relaxed.
In the courtyard, Emilia and Puck watched from a distance, both a little stunned.
"It's unbelievable… Beatrice is actually that close to Hayashi Maki."
Puck sighed, genuinely happy for her.
Finally, someone was taking Beatrice away from that lonely library.
For a great spirit, a contractor isn't just a partner—they're their everything.
"Yeah… pretty unbelievable," Emilia murmured, violet eyes shimmering as she stared at his back.
She thought of what Hayashi Maki had told her earlier—that he liked her, that he wanted to be her knight—and her heart stirred.
Despite having Roswaal's support, becoming a royal candidate and technically outranking him, she still couldn't change the fact that silver-haired half-elves weren't welcome.
All the other candidates had at least one knight, with entire squads of royal knights ready to throw their lives on the line. And her?
Not even one.
"Hehehe, so, Half-Elf-san~ wanna join our Axis Church? With how amazing Hayashi Maki is, you definitely won't lose out."
Aqua swooped in to proselytize.
"Uh… can I think about it?" Emilia asked, flustered. "I don't really know much about the Axis Church yet… and I don't know what joining would mean."
In this world, the Witch Cult had made religion synonymous with insanity.
People generally assumed anyone devoted to a "faith" wasn't right in the head.
So this unfamiliar Axis Church naturally triggered Emilia's—and Puck's—wariness.
But Aqua was steadfastly earnest as she explained.
"Joining the Axis Church doesn't require you to do anything big. Just sincerely believe in me, Goddess Aqua, and that's enough. As long as you pray with a true heart, I'll grant you my blessing!"
"Someone as strong as Hayashi Maki joined us—that alone proves how great the Axis Church is!"
That actually gave Emilia pause.
Her feelings for Hayashi Maki were very favorable.
But "just believe and get help" sounded way too good to be true.
She didn't believe anything in this world came for free, and she didn't want to walk blindly into something without understanding it.
So for now, she kept listening, watching, and quietly weighing Aqua's words.