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T/N: Today Id like to thank my Cookie Donor, Kristin!! Thanks so much for the sweets!

Gilles~

Alicia? Whats up?

Can I come in?

Sure.

I slowly open the door to Gilless room and then I walk in with Henry-Oniisama following right behind. Upon seeing my brother enter the room as well, Gilles stiffens a bit and stares hard at me.

Ali, who is that? he asks, his eyes darting back and forth between Henry-Oniisama and I.

This is my older brother.

Older brother?

Yup. He told me that he wanted the chance to talk with you.

Hearing this, the look in Gilless eyes suddenly change. All traces of surprise are whisked away and are replaced with a cold, calculating glare.

Hm, not bad Gilles. Thats a pretty scary look. Im certainly glad youre not looking at me like that.

Yeah, well I dont have a thing to say to him, Gilles says icily.

Looks like his guard is completely up now. I wonder how Oniisama is planning to deal with this sort of reaction. Since hes pretty calm usually, he shouldnt be mad just cause of something like.

Woah there, Henry-Oniisama. Whats with that look? Thats quite the threatening stare youve got there.

Thats definitely not the approach that I imagined hed take. I thought hed react like the heroine: smile no matter what happens and forgive Gilles regardless of what he says or does. But it seems that I was wrong. Rather than acting like the heroine, isnt he actually acting pretty similarly to how I would?

What? Gilles asks challengingly, still staring Henry-Oniisama down with a death glare.

You. Arent you Alis assistant?

Yeah. So?

Then shouldnt you be a little more aware of your actions?

Hah? You think I should just throw on some idiotic grin and try to curry favor with you or something?

Oh wow, the atmosphere in here is becoming pretty charged.

This is so unlike Henry-Oniisama. Ive never seen him act so aggressively before.

An idiotic grin? No, theres no need for that.

Then what the hell are you getting at? Gilles demands, raising one eyebrow.

Do you know what characteristic makes a person the most frightening?

Hah? Just spit it out. What are you even trying to say?

The people who manage to keep their emotions from showing on their face are the most terrifying. You let your emotions leak way too easily to be intimidating, kid. Did you know that when I came into the room earlier, for a moment you looked frightened?

Was not.

You might not have realized it yourself. Maybe you were momentarily wary and afraid of the unknown man who had come into your room. You had no idea whether I was an ally or an enemy. I dont know. The point is, that fear showed plain on your face.

But I wasnt afraid, Gilles claims, though his now wide eyes make it seem like he might not be as sure about that anymore.

Somehow, Henry-Oniisama seems like a completely different person. And Gilles, with those wide, hesitant eyes, is finally acting his age.

Scared, not scared. thats irrelevant, and frankly, I dont care either way. Im just saying dont let it show on your face. If youre supposed to be Alis assistant, then you should be smart enough to manage at least this much, dont you think?

I still dont know what point youre trying to make.

The moment someone reads your expression, youll be put at a disadvantage. Ali will be put at a disadvantage.

At that, Gilles sinks into silence. Without saying anything, he just continues to stare at Henry-Oniisama. Theres no longer any traces of the hostility he had only moments before.

Ive never seen Henry-Oniisama act like this. Hes always had such a friendly smile on his face, but Im starting to think that might have just been a front to hide the dark thoughts he has deep inside.

Ive always known that Albert-Oniisamas smile was hiding bad things, but up until now Ive never thought that Henry-Oniisamas smile would be the same. I thought it was a pure, happy look.

I dont know what sort of life youve lead up until now, but from now on arent you going to be staying by Alis side? You need to learn how to conceal your thoughts. Only someone whos skilled enough to manage that will be able to survive until the end.

I had been looking at Henry-Oniisama, but I take this moment to bring my attention back to Gilles.

His wariness is completely gone and his glare has vanished. In its place is a look that almost seems to have a hint of admiration in it.

What Henry-Oniisama said is right though. You need to be skilled if you are going to survive in this world.

And showing emotions, especially fear, is a definite no-no for a villainess. Going forward, I need to be careful of that as well.

My names Gilles.

Gilles took the initiative to introduce himself first. This sort of turn of events. means that its my brothers victory.

As soon as I think this, a light smile returns to Henry-Oniisamas face.

Im Henry. Nice to meet you, Gilles.

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T/N: If this Henrys true personality, Im curious to see what Alan is actually like XD I was definitely not expecting Henry to be black-bellied like this haha. Though, I guess its still possible that hes not. Maybe hes also just a tsundere like Alicia lol. What do you guys think?