Judging from the system's mission, the spy sent by Emperor André III probably didn't harbor any ill intent.
Or rather, the spy wasn't sent specifically to target Ron.
It was more likely the manifestation of an emperor's instinctive desire for control.
Since that was the case, with a piece of cheap labor practically delivering herself to his doorstep, Ron had no reason to refuse.
Anyone entrusted with an important task by Emperor André III should be at least Tier-4 or above, right?
Besides, Ron didn't really have anything to hide anymore.
Aside from the system—which was completely undetectable—the flower shop's miraculous plants, the dimensional storage room, and similar things could all be explained under the banner of the Goddess of Harvest.
If he could also use the spy's mouth to convey that he had no interest in the imperial throne, that would be even better.
Thinking this way, Ron stood up and gestured for Yuna to follow him upstairs.
Yuna obediently stood up. As she passed the tea table, her eyes flickered. Her left foot brushed against the corner of the table, and her whole body staggered forward.
"Ah!"
Yuna cried out in "panic."
Ron had his back to her. By the time he reacted, he could only reach out both hands—and Yuna fell straight into his arms.
His hands grabbed something. In any case, it was unexpectedly… substantial.
During the fall, Yuna also "accidentally" knocked her hood off, revealing a head of smooth, waist-length jet-black hair—and a pair of snow-white, soft fox ears.
Ron steadied her, then quickly withdrew his hands. He awkwardly rubbed his nose, his gaze inevitably landing on Yuna's ears.
Beside them, Nora stared wide-eyed. She was witnessing a move straight out of The Viscountess's Rise Diary happen right in front of her—and was powerless to stop it.
Then she noticed Yuna's fox ears. Her eyes widened even further. She pointed at Yuna and exclaimed in shock:
"You're a half-beast?"
"Ah!"
Yuna, "terrified," crouched down, picked up her hood, and hurriedly put it back on. As she backed away, she apologized repeatedly, tears welling up convincingly.
"S-sorry… I'm sorry… w-woo…"
Ron twitched at the corner of his mouth. That feeling of knowing full well you're acting, yet still having to play along, made him feel rather helpless.
Comrade spy… aren't you laying it on a bit thick?
You haven't even signed the contract yet—why are you already giving everything away?
Sure, I got the advantage here, but why does it still feel kind of off?
"Alright, alright. Come upstairs and sign the contract."
Ron said, a bit speechless, then directly took off the hat on Nora's head.
"Look—this one here is also an employee of the shop. She's a half-beast too, so she won't discriminate against you."
"Hey!"
Nora instinctively hugged her head and pouted, protesting softly.
"Boss~ give my hat back."
Yuna was still immersed in her performance. Her smooth, long hair fell freely, her tear-streaked little face turning toward Nora. Her expression shifted from confusion, to blankness, to unease, to timidity—and finally, as if she'd mustered a bit of courage.
In short, an Oscar-worthy performance that perfectly showcased the basic training of a high-level spy.
She slowly stood up, one small hand still clutching the brim of her hood, as if afraid it might fall again.
Ron put Nora's hat back on her head, pinched her small nose, then said to Yuna:
"Let's go."
Yuna followed Ron up to the second-floor study and hastily signed a contract.
After both signed their names and pressed their handprints, Yuna officially became an employee.
"Oh, right—do you have a place to stay?" Ron asked.
Yuna pitifully shook her head and said softly, "I usually sleep on the streets."
Ron resisted the urge to roll his eyes and instead put on a sympathetic expression to match her act.
"Then you can live here. There's an empty bedroom on the third floor. We'll tidy it up later."
"Thank you, shop owner."
"I'm the seventh prince of the human race. Call me Prince Ron."
Yuna lifted her head blankly, wearing an expression that clearly said You're actually the seventh prince?
In the end, she obediently nodded.
"Prince… Ron."
Ron nodded in satisfaction, then walked out of the study and called from the stairway:
"Nora! Close the shop and come upstairs!"
The sound of hurried footsteps came from downstairs, and soon Nora came running up.
"I'm here, Boss!"
She asked curiously as she reached the second floor.
"What is it?"
Ron ignored Yuna's puzzled look—why can she call you Boss, but I have to say Prince Ron—and smiled at Nora.
"Yuna doesn't have a place to stay, so I'm letting her live in the empty bedroom on the third floor."
"But since she's not familiar with the place, and she's a girl, I wanted to ask—would you like to move in and live here as well?"
A flash of joy passed through Nora's eyes.
But she immediately put on the modesty expected of a girl.
"Alright, Boss~ I'll take good care of Yuna."
"Mm."
Ron headed toward the small corridor.
"The third-floor bedroom is for Yuna. You'll stay in the guest room on the second floor."
"The bedding and pillows are in the cabinet. Take Yuna and tidy up both rooms. You can stay here starting tonight."
"As for your things at home, you can bring them over tomorrow when you have time."
"Mm-hm."
Nora nodded, trotted over to Yuna, and took her hand.
"Boss, then we'll go clean up the rooms!"
"Go ahead."
Ron returned to the study.
Nora led Yuna into the guest room.
Watching Nora hum cheerfully while making the bed, Yuna maintained her innocent expression and asked with naïve curiosity:
"You and Prince Ron… are you just ordinary employees and shop owners?"
"Hm?"
Nora handed Yuna the bedding for the third-floor room while replying in confusion.
"What else would we be?"
"Huh? You two haven't… done that?"
Yuna looked astonished. Despite her delicate face, her expression was oddly sultry.
Nora didn't react at first. Then her cheeks instantly flushed red like clouds at sunset.
"I—I'm not in that kind of relationship with the Boss!"
"The Boss is a really good person! He wouldn't do that!"
Yuna made a skeptical "Oh?" sound and whispered,
"I heard nobles are pretty open about that sort of thing."
Nora's expression clearly darkened.
"The Boss isn't like those nobles. You'll understand if you live here long enough."
"Prince Ron really doesn't discriminate against half-beasts?"
"Of course not."
"Then why does he still make you wear a hat and not let you show your tail?"
"That's my own request. It wouldn't be good if customers saw."
"Then how much do you earn a week?"
"Ten silver coins."
Nora sounded a little proud.
"But a single Scalevine plant from the flower shop sells for five gold coins."
"That's different. Ten silver coins are already very good," Nora retorted.
"And the Boss teaches me how to read, lets me read books, and even cooks delicious food!"
"Oh~"
Yuna nodded, leaned close to Nora's ear, and asked softly,
"With a shop owner like that… you like him a lot, don't you?"
"Eh—!?"
Nora instinctively stepped back half a pace, the blush on her face surging back again.
"Of course I like him… but not that kind of like!"
She shook her head vigorously, eyes wide, hands flailing in front of her chest, not knowing where to put them.
The hat on her head slipped off.
A pair of light black cat ears twitched nervously.
Yuna revealed the triumphant smile of a little fox, hugged the bedding, and walked out of the guest room.
"I'll have to trouble you to help with tidying the room~."
"I'm coming, I'm coming—wait for me!"