Published: March 21, 2026
"I said I'd guide you around Uruk..."
When had the three behind me and the one beast disappeared?
I didn't know when they'd left, and I only noticed much later.
This is disqualifying for a guide.
"Lord Crow, you noticed?"
"Of course. Who do you think I am?"
I've never felt such resentment toward someone who says things so nonchalantly.
I puffed out my cheeks and glared fiercely at Lord Crow.
"Then why didn't you stop them!"
"The guide is you. Not me. You're the one at fault for getting lost in conversation. ...By the way, could you stop calling me that?"
He changed the subject so casually that I tilted my head, wondering if that was strange.
No matter how I thought about it, calling him Crow didn't seem wrong.
Seeing that, Lord Crow sighed.
True, back when I knew nothing I used to call him "Crow" and follow him around, but now that he's a hero among the Beastmen and was part of the former hero party, I can't call him by his name like that anymore.
As if he could read my feelings, Lord Crow narrowed his eyes.
"What is our relationship?"
"Um, godparent and the child given the name?"
I had been told that it wasn't my parents who named me, but Lord Crow.
I don't know the origin, only that he borrowed part of the name of someone he admired.
I still don't know who that person was.
Back then I couldn't appreciate the honor; I only thought of Lord Crow as the neighbor uncle.
"Who in the world calls their godparent '—sama'?"
"There's one here..."
I was about to say "here I am," but his piercing glare made me close my mouth.
Come to think of it, he used to glare like this at me a lot.
Lord Crow hasn't changed, but I'm taller now and the distance between our faces is less, so his intimidation feels stronger than before.
How was I not afraid of these eyes in the past?
As I stared into those deep blue eyes that were darker than mine, Lord Crow averted his gaze as if embarrassed.
"...Fine. Let's change location. This place feels uncomfortable."
I glanced around and flushed.
Yesterday Lady Amelia herself confirmed that Lord Akira and Lady Amelia are lovers, so we had been walking through Water Town Uruk's famous date spots.
Around us, rather than avoiding prying eyes, many couples were practically showing off, kissing in public.
It wasn't just uncomfortable.
"I-I'm sorry! Let's move somewhere else right away!"
I grabbed Lord Crow's hand and hurried away from that place.
We darted into the next street over and I finally caught my breath.
"Fu... fufu, hahaha!"
While I paused to steady my ragged breathing, a sudden sound like someone bursting out laughing made me look up. It was Lord Crow.
This man, who almost always wears a grumpy expression and rarely even smiles, was in front of me clutching his stomach and laughing.
"L-Lord Crow!?"
If it had been anyone else I might have laughed along, but not with him. Even the one-hit gag that made everyone at the village festival roar with laughter never moved his facial muscles.
Had he eaten something strange?
"You really are amusing."
Still smiling, Lord Crow placed his hand on my head.
Because of our height difference he was looking down at me, and his face was lit with a smile I had never seen before.
As his hand ruffled my hair, I froze.
I could feel heat gathering in my face like never before.
"Ah, w-what—"
I wanted to ask what he was doing, but the words stuck in my throat.
The sentence I wanted to say wouldn't form, only fragments escaped my mouth.
Lord Crow was still single, but his looks were quite handsome; it was strange he remained unwed.
If he didn't always look so stern, he would surely have one or two wives by now.
What I'm trying to say is that a smile and that kind of physical affection from such a man are devastating.
"Hey, are you okay?"
When I snapped back to myself, Lord Crow's usual inscrutable expression had returned and his hand was no longer on my head.
I shook my head to tell him it was nothing, and he gave me an odd look before starting to walk.
Chasing after him, I looked up and saw the curve of his mouth lingering like an afterglow.