‘What is he talking about?’

I stared blankly at him for a moment, then belatedly understood and asked.

“Oh, are you talking about going to Kelston? Did Martha already tell you?”

“…….”

It hadn’t been officially announced yet, so I was curious about how he heard it, but Arkle remained silent.

His red eyes, quietly watching me, were harder to read today.

‘What is it? He seems to have something to say….’

“Would you like to come in and talk?”

Arkle followed me into the room without a word.

“You must have been surprised to hear about it. I didn’t mean to hide it.”

“…….”

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. And there’s no need to worry at all!”

I smiled warmly.

“With the money you and Martha gave me, I can hire the entire Taschen Mercenary Corps and have plenty left. Plus, the Cayenne family’s knights are coming too.”

“…Is it to heal them?”

“That’s right. If it’s out of a sense of responsibility, it’s fine. I’m doing this purely because I want to.”

“I don’t like it.”

“What?”

I looked at him with a puzzled expression at his unexpected words.

Fixing his gaze on me, Arkle spoke without a change in expression.

“You mentioned before that to manifest holy power, one must show reverence to you.”

“That’s right….”

‘Why is he bringing that up now…?’

I was waiting for Arkle to continue when he suddenly bent one knee.

“Arkle?”

I blinked in surprise.

Kneeling on the floor, Arkle looked up at me with inscrutable eyes.

“…Touch me.”

His low words left me with dozens of question marks in my mind.

‘S-suddenly? I mean, I like it, but it’s so sudden…! Why all of a sudden—’

As if answering my question, Arkle spoke calmly.

“I don’t like others saying that to you.”

Though his face was expressionless, there was a peculiar light in his red eyes.

It was the first time he had shown such an expression without suffering from magical resonance.

Arkle slowly raised a hand and clasped mine.

Then, he placed it on his cheek.

It was the same position as the day I first quelled his magical resonance.

“I don’t like you doing this for others, either.”

“…….”

“I want you to only touch me.”

“…But we can’t lose the precious knights of Cayenne.”

“Knights aside, I don’t like the other strangers.”

The other strangers… was he referring to the Taschen Mercenary Corps?

I finally understood why he was acting this way.

“You don’t like me using my power on others?”

“…Are you disappointed?”

As if gauging my reaction, his red eyes looked up at me.

“Do you think I’m selfish?”

I wasn’t disappointed, but I was surprised to see Arkle, who always seemed indifferent to everything, showing this side.

‘Well, my power is the only way to quell magical resonance. It’s understandable he wouldn’t want to share it with others.’

That’s why Arkle could act so desperately. I understood completely.

When I remained silent for a moment, Arkle spoke softly.

“You seem disappointed.”

I shook my head and smiled brightly.

“Not at all!”

“…….”

I leaned closer to meet his gaze.

With my other hand, I cupped his cheek and spoke,

“You’re still beautiful, even with this expression.”

“…….”

Every time I see a new side of him, I want to see all the faces this man has.

‘Expressions filled with emotion are truly the best.’

But to think Arkle wanted to monopolize my power….

I spoke playfully in a teasing voice.

“I’m not disappointed, but it’s quite cheeky.”

“…….”

“While you can be honest when you want something, why weren’t you like that before?”

In the original work, he wanted nothing, but it seems I’ve given Arkle something to desire.

‘The power of holy force, it seems.’

Or maybe it was always Lize’s ability, so I didn’t give it to him?

Anyway.

I didn’t know why he wanted to monopolize my power, but it worked out much better for me.

If Arkle went with me, there would be no need to hire an expensive mercenary corps.

There’s a world’s strongest character who could destroy the empire if he wanted to, so why take others along?

And although I told Martha it was fine, it’s not like I wasn’t reluctant to use the check.

‘It’s my hard-earned wealth… but thanks to him, I can save it.’

Moreover….

Arkle’s eyes, which always seemed dead and empty, now held a different light.

Arkle’s expressionless face was unrealistically beautiful, but it was incomparable to when desire appeared.

Knowing that I held what he wanted made me feel like the master holding his leash.

‘Holy power…. I feel like I can use this well to my advantage.’

In contrast to such a sinister thought, I wore a gentle smile.

“Alright.”

I readily agreed, stepping away from him.

Arkle, still kneeling, quietly watched me.

He seemed surprised that I agreed so easily.

“If you’re going with me, I’m grateful. Martha will also be more at ease. I’m counting on you.”

I said with a smile, and Arkle slowly stood up.

“You’re not angry?”

“Angry? Me? Why?”

I shrugged with a playful face.

Despite my teasing response, Arkle didn’t smile.

In a low voice, he asked softly.

“Is it okay for me to be this selfish?”

‘He must mean wanting to monopolize my holy power.’

Regarding that, it was much better for me, as I concluded earlier.

I could see Arkle’s face when he desired something, and I had his leash in my hand.

I nodded vigorously.

“I told you, didn’t I?”

“…….”

“You look the most beautiful when you’re honest.”

“…….”

Arkle turned his gaze and replied.

“…Thank you.”

‘Is he embarrassed? Cute…!’

Seeing Arkle mumbling, I couldn’t help but smile fondly like a mother.

“I’ll talk to my sister. You should rest, wife.”

Before leaving the room, Arkle stopped and looked back at me.

“May I ask one last thing?”

“What is it?”

Fixing his gaze on me, he spoke in a low voice.

“…Can I really want you?”

His voice, resonating low and calm, inexplicably gave off a momentarily dangerous feeling.

‘Well, the more you want my power, the better it is for me.’

“Of course.”

When I smiled brightly without a hint of hesitation, Arkle’s expression changed slightly.

His eyes widened in surprise for a moment….

‘Oh? Just now…?’

He smiled at me.

It was the clearest smile I had seen from him so far.

His usually rigid lips curved into a soft arc.

A pleasant voice flowed from his beautiful lips.

“Then I will want you as much as I please.”

Arkle nodded slightly and left the room.

In the end, I saved money and confirmed that I held Arkle’s leash….

‘What did he just say? He wants me?’

His last words left me momentarily dazed.

‘Hmm… he must have meant he wants my power. It’s nothing.’

I soon dismissed it as nothing significant.

❖ ❖ ❖

Martha’s office.

Without much ado, Arkle declared that he would go to Kelston with Lize.

Martha casually granted permission, saying, “If that’s your wish….” but inwardly, she was delighted.

She had assumed her plan was successful when she heard the knock on the door.

“You seem relieved that I’m going.”

“Yes, thanks to you….”

“You thought of reducing the expenses, didn’t you?”

Martha flinched slightly and looked at Arkle.

“…Well, if you’re going yourself, only a few knights need to accompany you. Naturally, the expenses will decrease….”

She was indeed pleased that the expenses could be significantly reduced, but she thought this explanation would satisfy her brother and he wouldn’t make an issue of it.

As usual, she expected him to dismiss it with a “Is that so?” and not care.

However,

“You’re really meticulous, sister.”

“What?”

Arkle continued without hesitation.

“Lize is going to the land of the undead solely for you. It would be insufficient to send all the knights of the Cayenne family, yet you’re thinking of saving that little money. I don’t know if I should say this, but… you seem not just meticulous but stingy.”

“…For someone who claims not to know, you speak quite frankly.”

As Martha struggled to suppress her boiling anger, Arkle gave a faint smile at her words.

At that moment, Martha almost punched him.

“…She said it was beautiful.”

“What?”

“She said my honest self… was beautiful.”

Arkle, wearing a soft smile as if recalling a happy memory, looked at Martha and asked,

“What do you think? Do you also find my honest self pleasing?”

“…Are you mocking me?”