“…You… are really Xia?”

“…If not me, who else?”

“I don’t think it’s you…”

Lily sat across from me, cradling a teacup. She blew gently on the steam while staring at me and muttering.

“That perverted, lowbrow Overlord—handsome but oozing thug vibes even when standing straight? Are you his twin brother or something?”

Lily eyed me suspiciously, then bluntly stated her observation.

“Meow, I think so too,” Ona chimed in beside me. “Is the Dark Lord really the Dark Lord?”

“Authentic and genuine,” I replied. Seated elegantly, I lifted my teacup, took a delicate sip, and answered.

It was a pleasant October afternoon. Warm sunlight bathed us—comforting, not scorching. Checking the weather, I decided it was perfect for tea. I’d invited Wuluwu to bring Lily, Hawthorn, and Ona over.

“This is fine Eastern tea. Don’t waste it,” I said after sipping, nodding in satisfaction.

Present were Wuluwu, Lily, Hawthorn, Ona, Aerin beaming beside me, and Cecilia standing gracefully nearby, ready to serve.

“This is off. Off. Off. The Xia I know couldn’t be this refined—a noble paragon… Hawthorn, you agree it’s not just me, right?”

Lily stared at me awhile, then turned to Hawthorn. Expressionless, Hawthorn studied me before nodding. “Yes, Master. I think so too.”

“I also think that, meow~!” Ona added.

“…That’s harsh. Can’t I be refined sometimes?” I straightened my chest, eyes closed to savor the tea’s aftertaste.

“Exactly! Darling has good sides too,” Aerin cooed from my left, hugging my arm.

“…Suspicious… We only left for a morning,” Lily narrowed her eyes at my saintly act, unwilling to drop it. But neither I nor Aerin would spill the morning’s mishap.

“Just enjoy the tea. The Dark Lord might get angry,” Wuluwu said from my right, sipping hers.

“Hmm, truly good tea.”

“Right?” I smiled.

“…Uh, bitter. Weird,” Lily tried a tiny sip, making a face. Clearly unused to tea.

Hawthorn and Ona cautiously tasted theirs too, grimacing. Their first experience was unpleasant.

“Don’t like it?” I asked.

“Not really…” they nodded together.

“Dark Lord, beginners shouldn’t start with high-end tea. Something ordinary works better,” Cecilia advised wisely. I realized instantly.

“Oh, right.”

“Shall I fetch other tea?” Aerin offered.

“Yes, go ahead.” She rose to get new leaves for them.

“Alright, Aerin’s gone. Speak your mind,” I said calmly, sipping tea again.

“…You’re married? I never expected that,” Lily stared straight at me.

“Unexpected?” I chuckled lightly.

“I didn’t expect it either, meow~” Ona giggled.

“You’re so promiscuous, I thought you had no family…”

“Having a family bans a harem? Human emperors had three thousand concubines. And ‘men aren’t good’—I admit that’s true.”

“Uh…” I smiled sweetly, leaving Lily speechless.

“You… you shameless bastard…” she finally choked out.

“To be the Overlord, you must be shameless. The hesitant die young,” I replied elegantly like a nobleman—though my words were hardly proper.

“Meow, the Dark Lord’s so open-minded. I’m amazed,” Ona exclaimed. Lily’s cheeks flushed slightly—shyness or other thoughts?

“Don’t worry. I’m not one to seduce and abandon,” I said, guessing her thoughts after a brief pause.

“Gah! What are you saying?!” Lily froze, then shot up shouting. I laughed heartily at her reaction.

Lily’s little thoughts were easy to read. Her mind wasn’t so different from any ordinary girl’s.