My Status as an Assassin Obviously Exceeds the Hero's

Tsukimi Family's mansion was, just as I had expected, absurdly huge.

It might even have been larger than the mansion we were given. Unlike that place, this one seemed to have many live-in maids, and I could constantly feel signs of people everywhere in the building.

The room Morganaite led us to was just like an inn room. There was a large low table on the tatami floor, with four floor chairs arranged around it. On the table sat a round woven basket, and inside were plenty of sweets.

It didn't feel very lived-in, so it probably wasn't a private room. Most likely, this was the room assigned to Morganaite.

With practiced hands, Morganaite poured tea for Amelia. Since he had come as a guard, I didn't get any.

"Lady Ameliaaa, these sweets are exactly to your liking, you know. Here, aaah."

"Mm, really. Delicious."

"Right~? I, Morganaite, also know Lady Amelia's taste preferences. Ahh, and after so long, your lovely face again. What a feast for the eyes, what a feast indeed..."

Without even trying to hide his lovestruck, slack-jawed expression, Morganaite stared at Amelia with dreamy eyes. Amelia seemed completely used to being stared at from point-blank range and continued munching sweets without caring in the slightest.

There was no doubt it was this guy's fault that Amelia was so oblivious to the gazes around her. If she was used to being watched this closely, then being looked at from a distance would be nothing.

As for me, I had taken a seat opposite the two of them, but it was hard to stay calm with these two, both so striking in appearance, acting with that overly familiar, feminine closeness. So I kept my eyes away from them and silently stroked Yoru's back.

"Master, if you're going to pet me, I'd prefer under the chin or at the base of my tail."

"Oh, yeah, sure."

"Tch."

"Huh?"

"Hey now. Morganaite, that was rude."

"I-I'm sorry, Lady Amelia."

While listening to Yoru's request, I somehow got a click of the tongue from Morganaite.

What the hell is wrong with this guy?

"Lady Ameliaaa, I heard from the king about what happened in the Elf territory, but you've also traveled across the other continents, haven't you? Please tell me about that. And while you're at it, I'd also like to ask why your hair, which should have grown out by about the length of a little fingernail, has been cut."

Morganaite leaned in close to Amelia, almost draping himself over her, and rested his face on her shoulder.

He was probably being very careful not to interfere with Amelia eating her sweets, but I felt like there were plenty of other things he should be paying more attention to.

"Wait, did you call us here just to ask about that?"

"Yes, of course. True, this country is currently at war, but that's a war between the Kingdom of Yamato and the Kingdom of Reytis. It has little to do with us elves. Even as an allied nation, the Elf race can't possibly enter this war."

Morganaite said it with a bright smile.

Then he smoothly pointed at me.

"Or perhaps you think that guard of yours is involved?"

"...It's true that it has nothing to do with Amelia Rose Quartz, the princess of the Elf territory. But it does concern Amelia, Akira's companion."

"Hm."

At Amelia's firm declaration, Morganaite pursed his lips in obvious dissatisfaction.

"Then may I have your answer?"

"Answer to what?"

"The relationship between that human and Lady Amelia. I understand he is not merely a guard. Then what kind of relationship is it? A relationship that takes priority over mine, when I have adored you alone and continued gazing only at you since the very moment you were born?"

"That is..."

Morganaite's love is heavy. Unbearably heavy.

Watching the two of them argue in front of me, I couldn't help but stare off into the distance.

Still, I couldn't entirely dismiss Morganaite's point. From his perspective, it probably felt like some newcomer had swooped in and stolen Amelia away while he was forced to keep his distance for unavoidable reasons.

"Lady Amelia..."

With tears welling in his eyes, Morganaite looked up at Amelia. Even though he was taller than her, and even his seated height was probably greater, he went so far as to bend down and recreate that upward gaze. I couldn't help but admire the effort and think, Does he really need to go that far?