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Should I not have said anything? I whisper to Gilles so that only he can hear me.

No, its fine. He would have found out about it eventually. and Im already used to people treating me differently, so it doesnt matter.

Id like to say that I wish you wouldnt get used to that sort of thing. But as its impossible to completely get rid of such discrimination, it would be an irresponsible request to make.

After saying that, I look back at Paul-san, examining his expression.

He doesnt seem to have a very good impression of the impoverished village. No matter how kind and gentle he may seem, even he can be prejudiced. And as a noble, its not even unusual for him to feel that way. Even if he has recognized Gilless intelligence and abilities, its unavoidable that somewhere in the depths of Paul-sans heart there will be leftover misgivings about Gilless origins.

So hes attending the magic academy even though hes from the impoverished village? Paul-san probes somewhat skeptically as he looks over in Gilless direction.

..Ah, this was entirely my mistake. From now on, I need to think more before I speak.

Hes attending as my assistant, I tell Paul-san a bit curtly, giving him a wide smile that doesnt quite reach my eyes.

Is the king aware of this?

Yes. He is.

At my words, a complicated expression crosses Paul-sans face.

At this rate, if Paul-san ends up leaking this information, theres going to be trouble. I need to do something before this becomes an issue..

Maybe I should try to threaten him in true villainess fashion?

I look Paul-san straight in the eyes and raise the corners of my lips to an evilly confident degree.

Paul-san, would you mind keeping this particular piece of information between us? If you were to let it slip. Im afraid Id have to kill you.

Paul-sans expression hardens. Henry-Oniisama and Gilles, too, are both staring at me wide-eyed.

But of course. To threaten to murder someone upon your first meeting after so many years, this sort of reaction is only to be expected.

Ugh, the more I interact with people, the more bothersome it becomes. Whenever dealing with others, it seems that theres no getting around issues of superiority and inferiority and other such tiresome power struggles. Human relationships really are much too convoluted.

I wont say anything. Though, I suppose being killed off by a beautiful woman wouldnt be so bad, Paul-san says with a light laugh.

..Did Paul-san always have this sort of character? This side of him certainly never made an appearance during the game.

What sort of assurance do I have? How do I know you wont betray us? I ask, narrowing my eye.

Paul-sans smile turns bitter.

What do you think Ive been collecting from Henry and Gilles in exchange for the information that I provide?

..I dont know.

Money.

What? I reply on reflex.

Keeping my shop running requires a considerable amount of funds. And obtaining rare medicinal herbs isnt cheap either. Plus, my parents cut me off. Thats why I got into the business of selling information in the first place, Paul-san says in a low tone.

Which means that despite being a noble, hes broke.. To think that hed go this far just because he wants to run a shop in town. Thats quite the eccentric ambition.

Though, hearing all this, I feel like the dots are connecting one-by-one.

Honestly, I hate the impoverished village. And, of course, all the villagers in it. However, Gilles is my client. And, for being a former resident there, hes pretty smart. So Ill make sure to properly keep his secret.

I get the feeling that I just accidentally saw a dark and ugly side to Paul-san that he usually keeps hidden.

And thats why we can trust him, Gilles says, the corners of his lips arching high.

So these two have one glaring thing in common: they both have a blackened side to them that is all too willing to put others to their own personal use.

Now that thats all settled, can you tell us what you were able to find out about the wolf incident now? Henry-Oniisama says a bit sardonically, looking over at Paul-san.

Wolf? So Gilles had already found time to ask Henry-Oniisama about what had happened that day? What a fast worker.

At Henry-Oniisamas request, the look in Paul-sans eyes suddenly changes. The air around us seems to stretch out thin and strained. Even the radiant sunlight reflecting off of Paul-sans glasses seems to flash ominously.

It would be best if you didnt get involved in that incident any further, Paul-san says quietly, his voice low and foreboding.

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T/N: Woah woah woah! I never would have guessed that Paul. the refreshing, plant loving Paul. would actually be bigoted against the impoverished village. Or, that he would throw out that remark about being killed by a beautiful woman lol. Was that kind faade completely fake!? Or does he just have his little quirks? 0_0

A couple of you guys were even feeling suspicious of him last chapter haha. You are way more observant than me XD Were you predicting something like this would happen!?