Faced with Emilia's hesitation, Aqua wasn't in any hurry. Hayashi Maki was the one responsible for recruiting believers anyway—he was the Axis Church's big-shot High Priest.
She herself had zero sense of urgency.
Still, remembering what Hayashi Maki had told her, she quickly shifted the topic and started asking Emilia and Puck about this world and this country.
She couldn't have Hayashi Maki going around doing things while she knew nothing. She was a goddess, after all—she couldn't keep embarrassing herself like some clueless idiot.
Even if she didn't plan to micromanage, she at least needed to know who was friend and who was enemy.
Emilia answered Aqua's questions very patiently.
To be honest, aside from Puck, she didn't really have anyone to talk to.
Ram and Rem were the maids of the mansion. Although they respected her, their attitude was mostly polite and distant. As maids, it wasn't really their place to open up and share heartfelt conversations.
As for Roswaal, even less so. The clown-like marquis was gone from the mansion most of the time, busy with who-knew-what. Apart from promising to support her in the Royal Selection, there wasn't much between them.
And now, after hearing from Hayashi Maki about Roswaal's true identity and motives, Emilia trusted him even less.
So Aqua's curiosity actually delighted her. She was happy to sit and chat with someone.
Puck didn't mind at all; he just sat off to the side, acting cute and occasionally chiming in.
In Puck's eyes, both Aqua and Hayashi Maki were completely unreadable.
If they didn't actively show their power, the two of them just looked like very pretty, somewhat extraordinary people. He couldn't sense any magic from them at all.
Still, seeing Emilia chat so happily with Aqua put Puck at ease.
…
Over on Hayashi Maki's side.
After strolling around the mansion hand in hand with Beatrice, he eventually made his way to the kitchen.
Inside, Ram and Rem were busy.
One pink-haired, one blue-haired maid, both pretty and dainty, were standing over a large tub of potatoes, peeling them with serious faces.
Rem's hands were fast and precise—she could finish a potato in under a minute, perfectly clean.
Ram, however, was noticeably slower.
Hayashi Maki could tell at a glance she was doing it on purpose.
Before her horn was restored, she had to conserve magic, so she'd often be seen sneaking breaks, half-dozing when she could.
Now that her horn was fixed, she was still "slacking off"—likely because she didn't want her sister losing her sense of worth.
What a gentle big sister.
But hiding her own recovery from Rem like that… was she sure Rem wouldn't be hurt when she eventually found out?
Noticing his arrival, Rem stopped what she was doing. She and Ram bowed toward him.
"Hayashi Maki-sama, what brings you here?"
Ram asked politely, and there was an unmistakable softness in her gaze when she looked at him.
Now that she was his woman, Ram couldn't help feeling closer to him.
"I'm just wandering around. I'm not familiar with the layout yet," Hayashi Maki said casually, then glanced at the potatoes. "So we're having potatoes for lunch?"
He smiled as he looked Ram over, more and more pleased with how gentle and adorable she seemed after last night.
"Yes. Today's lunch is stewed potatoes with meat," Ram replied calmly, eyes briefly flicking down to where his hand was intertwined with Beatrice's. Her lips puffed out, ever so slightly.
What a dangerous man… Had Beatrice really fallen this quickly?
Hayashi Maki gently ruffled Ram's hair, then looked at the silent blue-haired maid.
"Rem, you're cooking today too?"
"Yes, vulgar master," Rem answered calmly with her eyes closed.
"Rem and Ram still have work to do. If vulgar master has nothing else to attend to, please leave the kitchen and refrain from disturbing us."
She really did not like him.
Hayashi Maki sighed inwardly but didn't take offense.
A maid who disliked him just meant more chances to "teach" her later—that was half the fun.
With that in mind, he simply nodded, then took Ram's hand and led her out.
"In that case, I'll borrow Ram for a bit. Rem, I'm counting on you for lunch and dinner."
Rem: "…"
Before she could answer, Hayashi Maki was already gone, with Ram and Beatrice in tow.
Rem clenched her fists, staring at their retreating backs, biting her lip.
"Damn that man… he's going to bully Ram again, isn't he…"
…
In his room, Hayashi Maki sat on the bed, watching Beatrice pout, cheeks puffed up as she glared.
"What's wrong, my little Beatrice? Why's your mouth pushed out so far? Who made you mad? Come here so I can hug you. Once I hug you, you won't be allowed to stay angry anymore."
"Hmph. Who else? You, you two-timing scoundrel!"
Beatrice huffed sourly but still obediently leapt into his arms. She then deliberately turned her head and shot a smug glance at Ram.
Ram couldn't help finding it funny. She never thought she'd see the great Beatrice getting jealous.
This man of hers really was something else.
"Ram, what are you standing there spacing out for? Come over."
Hayashi Maki's voice broke her thoughts.
When she looked up, he was patting his thigh and raising an eyebrow at her.
"Come sit."
Ram clicked her tongue, but her body was painfully honest. She walked over and sat on his lap.
Hayashi Maki wrapped an arm around her waist and gently stroked her hair.
"So, Ram, you haven't told Rem that your horn has fully healed? She still treats me like some pervert, calling me a vulgar master every chance she gets."
"I'm very sorry, Hayashi Maki-sama. Rem is still young—please forgive her," Ram pleaded softly, eyes full of apology.
"I didn't tell her my horn recovered because I don't want her to lose her sense of worth."
Leaning against his chest, she began to recount their past in her clear, bell-like voice.
Ram and Rem had been born twins among the oni.
But oni were supposed to have two horns. The pair were born with only one horn between them and were immediately branded useless. The clan decided they should be killed.
At the crucial moment, however, Rem manifested wind magic to protect Ram, and from then on, her talent slowly bloomed.
Later, Ram was hailed as a once-in-a-century genius of the oni clan, their strongest protector.
Rem, on the other hand, never reached her sister's heights and sank into deep inferiority.
When Ram's horn was cut off, Rem finally found a reason to exist—she trained relentlessly, pushed herself mercilessly, determined to use everything she had to protect her sister.
If Ram told her now that her horn was healed, and stronger than ever, Rem would likely feel useless again. She might spiral into self-loathing, thinking she no longer had any value.
Ram's reasoning was sound, but Hayashi Maki still pinched her cheek gently and said seriously:
"Your intentions are good, Ram, but instead of focusing on Rem's inferiority, have you considered just trusting her?"
Ram blinked. "Trusting Rem? I've always trusted… mmph—"
Hayashi Maki covered her mouth.
"If you think she's too fragile, that she can't handle the truth, then you don't trust her. You're denying her."
"Find the right time and tell her about your horn. And if you're not sure you can help her rebuild her confidence, then how about trusting me?"
"Anyone who makes a contract with me gets a chance at a second awakening. The seed of magic is already in you. As long as we keep working at it, let it sprout, grow roots and bloom, you'll become even stronger than before."
What he was saying made a lot of sense—but Ram still shot him a look full of pure disdain.
Because very quickly, she realized something.
Her lecherous master… was clearly eyeing Rem's body next.