Olga-Marie no longer trusted anyone or opened her heart to anyone."
Shirou said, "Then do you think I can do it?"
"Of course you can."
Leinys smiled and asserted, "After all, even my sharp-tongued and heartless brother-in-law—the Lord El-Melloi—changed because of you, didn't he?"
"..."
Shirou was speechless.
He could understand Leinys's thinking: she couldn't stand seeing Olga-Marie drifting aimlessly, lost and helpless, so she wanted to give her a push. Of course, it would be even better if she could make Olga-Marie owe her a favor.
But Leinys's method had gone too far.
Stealing an important heirloom that Olga-Marie treasured was outrageous, no matter how one looked at it.
"I never expected you to like me. As long as everything turns out happily, that's enough."
Leinys said this without concern.
"All right, I've explained everything. You can be angry now... Are you going to punish me?
"Please don't tell Olga-Marie that I stole the heirloom. If you're willing to keep my secret, I'll accept any punishment—
"Actually, I was prepared for it from the very beginning."
"..."
Shirou raised his hand with a serious expression.
"So you really are going to hit me."
Leinys looked up at him and gave a humming laugh.
"I'm sorry, but if you're going to hit me, could you try to avoid my cheeks?
"If you leave an obvious mark, Olga-Marie might notice—"
"Shut up."
Shirou placed his hand on the girl's hair and gently stroked it.
"Leinys... Can you promise me that you won't do something like this again? If you can, I'll keep your secret."
The golden-haired girl was stunned, but her eyes unconsciously narrowed as she enjoyed the soothing sensation.
"Mm... I understand. I won't do it again..."
The girl hurriedly escaped from Shirou's grasp.
She had thought she would definitely