Became the Villainess’s Guardian

To be honest, I had anticipated such a situation would eventually arise.

Within the kingdom, people were already aware that Edan harbored little concern for such matters.
While he had received confessions or proposals on a few occasions long ago, he had remained steadfastly unmoved for over a decade since his university days, leaving them with no recourse but to abandon their pursuits.

However, in Belfast – visited for the first time – circumstances differed.

Intellectually, I comprehended the situation better than most.
Objectively, his prolonged bachelorhood seemed increasingly anomalous. Yet whenever I had tentatively broached the subject, it had swiftly dispelled any notion of him harboring such inclinations towards men.

For those who had inadvertently discovered this fact, their subsequent prodding stemmed from the mentality of “no harm in trying.”
Rejection might invite momentary embarrassment, but even the faintest possibility of gaining the affections of a promising, illustrious magician warranted the attempt.

Still, Freugne clung to one reassuring factor:

None other than Edan’s own conduct thus far – that served as her guarantee.
Had he genuinely contemplated marriage or romance, he could have easily pursued prospects within Londinium given his stature. Yet he had not.

She had been aware, convincing herself it would be fine.

“…Perhaps uncle does harbor such thoughts after all.”

But experiencing it firsthand seemed to differ.

Edan responded with polite refusals amid his awkward laughter, deflecting the onslaught of inquiries.
Still, he did not outright rebuff them – understandable, given his amiable nature and the challenges of bold rejections in a foreign land. Yet a lingering unease persisted.

After briefly observing the spectacle from a partially concealed alleyway vantage point, Edan eventually mumbled some excuses before retreating into the hotel.
Having lost their subject of interest, the crowd naturally dispersed. While he claimed to have visited Belfast for work, I had booked the pricey accommodations as a pre-graduation holiday treat – preventing the crowd from pursuing him past the security checkpoint.

However, now that news of his presence had spread, such incidents would likely recur.
No, considering he had only arrived in Antrim two days prior, more admirers would undoubtedly flock upon catching wind.

‘I ought to join him soon.’

As the commotion outside the hotel subsided, Freugne nonchalantly passed through the lingering bystanders.
Stuffing the list outlining her planned activities deep into her pocket, she ascended the stairs and entered the room Edan had previously retreated into.

Still, Freugne exercised a modicum of restraint – she harbored no immediate intentions within this foreign nation.
Of course, having set her sights on a prospective acquisition, her innate reluctance to relinquish such gains remained undiminished.

“Ah, you’re back. How was Antrim?”

“Splendid. Cleaner air than Londinium, and the nightscape blended beautifully with the architecture.”

“Is that so? Then we should view it together tomorrow.”

“Ah, speaking of which…”

Hence, she indulged in this minor provocation.
Letting the matter pass without acknowledgment would have been unjustly vexing – especially when the subject himself, Edan, seemed utterly oblivious.

And Freugne narrowed her eyes slightly, taking a step closer as she remarked in a rather solemn tone:

“…How was your day, uncle? You seemed to be enjoying yourself immensely.”

An era where magicians were idols.
The most promising career path, an unprecedented time where scholars were objects of admiration.

While research remained the paramount priority, external engagement could not be neglected.

During my time in Londinium, I had frequently granted newspaper interviews, delivered lectures upon invitation or at the Royal Academy’s behest.
At Ceres Martop, I had delegated many public engagements to Freyja, though I still made occasional appearances at results presentations or shareholder meetings.
I maintained consistent attendance at academic conferences held near Londinium and engaged in regular charitable activities.

In essence, my presence in Londinium was hardly an anomaly warranting undue attention.
No matter how remarkable one’s accomplishments, the novelty inevitably faded after gracing newspaper front pages for months on end.

“Ah, if it isn’t Mr. Edan – I’ve seen you in the papers a few times……”

“Even if they don’t recognize you, surely they’re aware of your inventions? I recall one being installed at the factory where you work.”

“You mean the air conditioner! Ah, now I remember.”

“This is a newspaper I purchased a few days ago. Might you be so kind as to autograph the article mentioning you, sir?”

However, Belfast differed.
Largely due to my own infrequent travels beyond Londinium, venturing overseas remained a rarity.

To draw an analogy, this was akin to my inaugural overseas concert tour.
A crowd inevitably gathering under such circumstances was only natural. And I had made no effort to conceal my identity, rendering an encounter unavoidable at some point – a contingency I had anticipated.

But the crux of the issue lay with the two individuals obliged to share my notoriety.
After a somewhat raucous meal, the descending dusk became apparent. Glancing skyward before addressing the milling bystanders, one of the accompanying magicians spoke first:

“We should retire for the evening. At our age, a full day of walking rapidly depletes our energy, you understand.”

“Let us reconvene at the appointed hour. In the interim, we can explore Antrim.”

“Certainly, have a pleasant evening. Perhaps next time we could find a more tranquil setting for tea.”

Their Royal Academy membership implied a certain age and increased likelihood of being married.
Naturally, if the two accompanying me were to simply reference the rabbits and foxes awaiting them at home, they could extricate themselves from any undue attention.

Except:

“Now that you mention it, you had stated you were unwed, had you not?”

“Well, yes. Circumstances transpired as such.”

“Heh……”

“That…derisive chuckle implies you have discerned something?”

The crowd, originally meant to split their focus between us, now converged solely upon me due to that single remark.
While affording the other members a peaceful departure, I was compelled to continually parry similar inquiries.

Of course, I repeatedly asserted having an adorable daughter.
But if people readily accepted such statements at face value, the “Just Stop It” program would have been humanity’s most successful anti-bullying campaign in history.

Hence, the pestering persisted until I returned to the hotel.
Fortunately, being a foreigner afforded me some leeway in deferring responses.

“Freugne, I’m ba- Ah, she’s not here.”

Surprisingly, I had expected her to have returned by this point, but the hotel room was vacant.
She arrived shortly after I had finished changing clothes.

However, one peculiarity struck me – the vibrant demeanor I had observed that morning seemed to have diminished considerably.

“…How was your day, uncle? You seemed to be enjoying yourself immensely.”

“Ah, about that. Did you happen to witness the commotion outside the hotel earlier?”

“Yes. So, I must ask – you did not initiate those advances, did you?”

“Of course not. I hardly came all the way to Belfast for romantic pursuits. If anything, work was the primary reason, though I had also intended to explore Antrim with you since we’re here.”

Freugne took another step towards me. Now at a distance where my reflection could faintly be seen in her eyes.

“To spend time with me, you mean? Yet I felt rather lonely today.”

“Could it be…jealousy?”

“Yes.”

This time, I found myself at a loss for words. I had posed that question in an attempt to lighten the atmosphere, but her candid admission had caught me off guard.

I contemplated the reasons behind her demeanor.
Surely a second adolescence could not be the cause. But by appealing to my awareness of her loneliness, did it imply budding romantic interests?

Well, she had reached that age. So I inquired of Freugne:

“Has someone caught your fancy?”

“Yes- no!! What did you say?!”

Flushing crimson, Freugne retreated – a stark contrast to her previous advances.

“If not a particular individual, then a general desire to pursue romance, perhaps?”

“That’s, that’s not-”

“Not the case?”

“Ah, um, well, you see-”

“It’s alright. As a foreigner, I can understand, so no need for concern.”

“That’s not the issue…!!!”

I vaguely recalled a similar conversation previously, but in retrospect, Freugne did not seem to have made any meaningful progress since then.
While she had developed romantic inclinations, I would have noticed any significant changes – like preparing gifts for someone else, or witnessing her walking arm-in-arm with an unfamiliar individual.

Yet, surprisingly, I had expected her to actively pursue romance sooner.
For how could anyone resist such an adorable, kindhearted girl?

In truth, part of me wished to gently tease her over her uncharacteristic flustered state – a rarity itself.
So I addressed the crimson-faced, downcast Freugne:

“Ah, if you’re apprehensive about potential rejection, don’t fret excessively.”

“…And if I am rejected?”

“Hmm?”

“Would you take responsibility, uncle?”

To concoct such an endearingly petulant retort.
Unable to suppress my laughter, I readily acquiesced:

“Sure, I can certainly take responsibility to that extent.”