Even facing a deep plea from an Elf with "terrifying charm potential," I don’t regret my reply after Beren’s confession a few nights ago.

“I’m sorry, Miss Beren. You’re a wonderful girl—you’ll definitely find a better man someday!”

I didn’t reject her so bluntly. I just lowered my head and murmured, “Sorry. Not now.”

That was my only answer. After all, “Mr. Alisha Da, the caring butler” doesn’t truly exist. I can’t deceive Beren with a male disguise forever.

I rejected her as “Mr. Alisha Da” to face her feelings with my true self. Besides… I should at least get permission from that little jealous one at home first, right?

Yet Beren, after being rejected, wasn’t doing well. For days, she drifted in a daze of heartbreak. Even Lorian, who used her as a model, grew worried.

…

“Haa… I guess at my age—X years old—I’d definitely get dumped…”

“He probably sees me as a foolish old cow chasing fresh grass…”

“Beren, you idiot. Sigh…”

Today, like before, Beren sighed heavily while modeling for Lorian.

I felt bad, but I truly couldn’t help her. Lorian was still upset with me—I couldn’t even mention that night.

“Hey, Brother Arisa, what’s wrong with Teacher?” Lorian set down her pencil and leaned close. “She looks totally heartbroken. Did you do this?”

“No… not me.” I forced a smile.

You’re spot-on, Lorian—but if I tell you now, you might kill me.

Beren clearly hated “me in women’s clothes,” yet somehow fell for “Mr. Alisha Da”—“me in men’s clothes.”

If I revealed the truth, Beren might have a mental breakdown.

Why must this troublesome Elf make even a first love so complicated?

As I fretted, Lorian packed up her easel.

She didn’t push Beren into any “shameful poses” today. She ended the “art practice” early.

“Teacher Beren, that’s all for today.”

“Huh!? Already done!?” Beren snapped out of her “Thinker” pose. “T-today’s over just like that!?”

Seriously?

Do you, foolish Elf, actually want some adult anime scene?

“Y-you didn’t even make me undress! Then Arisa the pervert wouldn’t shove his dirty hands in and grope me with filthy motions… Nothing happened!?”

We’d never do that! And I’d never “grope” anyone!

More importantly, shouldn’t we treat your heartbreak first!?

Before I could clear things up, Lorian—finished packing—showed no sign of leaving.

Instead, she clung to my arm.

“So, Brother Arisa, let’s visit a brothel or somewhere like that next!”

Sure! A date sounds great—makes up for last time… Wait?

“Lorian, where did you say?”

Did the Princess of Luo City just say something weird?

B-brothel!? Is that even a place for dates!?

“Brothel? I think that’s the term… I’m not sure.” Lorian tilted her head. “My recent drawings feel off. I bet it’s because my model research isn’t realistic enough.”

No… it’s probably about skill, not models…

“So I’ll gather references from a more ‘real’ place. The maids said Luo City has ‘brothels’ perfect for research. With Brother Arisa beside me, I’ll be safe, right?”

Ugh! Those shameless maids—what twisted ideas did they plant in Lorian!?

A princess should sip tea in flower-filled gardens! Not visit places with “princesses” of another sort!

Before I could speak, Beren—still heartbroken but ever the guardian of morals—sensed “lawlessness.”

“W-what are you two planning!? Shameless! Disregarding decency! Blah blah blah…”

…

In the end, Beren didn’t believe our “research” excuse. Under “supervision,” she followed Lorian and me to the brothel that evening.

Ignorant and fearless, Lorian—who had no clue what a brothel was—glanced around curiously amid perfume and smoke.

“Whoa! Is this the brothel the maids mentioned!?”

In casual clothes—or rather, because of them—we drew lewd stares the moment we entered.

This girl has zero princess awareness.

“Lorian, stay close. Hold my hand.” I pulled her near.

As a man, I had to claim my girl’s presence! That should deter those suspicious gazes…

Wait, why are there even more now…

…

Crap! I’m in women’s clothes today!!

Bad, bad—find a quiet spot fast. Let Lorian finish her research and leave.

Grabbing Lorian’s hand, I instinctively hooked my arm through Beren’s.

This Elf trembled even on her second visit. Besides…

“Beren? You okay? Zoning out?”

“…Huh!? Ah! F-fine!” She glanced at me thoughtfully but gripped my arm tighter.

Daydreaming here gets you taken advantage of, foolish Elf.

…

Rushing to find privacy, I missed how Beren’s gaze never left me since we arrived.

Her whisper blended into the noisy brothel.

“This scent and feeling… so like that person…”

“Snap out of it, Beren. You’re not a girl anymore—stop these weird fantasies.”

“But… mmm… impossible. Absolutely impossible…”