You've Ruined My Atmosphere!

Lord Dulla Tyranus tapped his fingers against the dark wood of his desk and stared into the emptiness of his office. Books of practical knowledge and the occasional tasteful decoration dotted the stone-walled room.

However, he could not focus on those right now. No, not when the radiant sun threatened to burn down his door and the walls of his keep.

Erm, figuratively speaking at least. Apparently, she'd been spending the past month helping repair the environmental and infrastructure damage that'd occurred in their fight. She was very apologetic about that for some reason—an extreme rarity when it came to adventurers and 'heroes'.

He had no doubts that she could literally burn it down, however. Not just because of her absurd physical capabilities and unnatural healing, but because of her radiant aura that made him sweat buckets.

That part was literal. She was somehow that bright and happy. Even his armor warmed when he was witness to that aura of hers, and that was enchanted to handle the extremes of temperature, from the depths of the Frozen Wastes to the arid heat of the deserts of Zan'sar—

"BAH!"

The dullahan slammed his fist onto his desk, mustache bristling with frustration. He had no time for this nonsense!

Why was he even entertaining the mental image of that annoyance of a woman?

It'd been six weeks since their fateful clash, and ever since then, she'd been hounding him on his tours of his lands like a particularly persistent and grating shadow.

At first, he'd tried to deal with her the same way as their initial meeting—unbridled force. However, any progress and catharsis he felt from crossing blades with her would vanish the moment she got back up with nary a scratch.

Even more frustrating was that she seemed to enjoy being hit despite being able to dodge a fair amount of his strikes. She would purposefully take them on the chest, hips, or buttocks and grin like a loon all the while!

It made him want to slam his head against a wall, which was saying something considering how many years he'd honed his self-control. One didn't become good at governing and combat by being an impulsive fool. However, this woman was the kind of foe that his usual tricks didn't work against.

She was a strange, baffling, and utterly indestructible obstacle.

That wasn't even mentioning how the citizens under his rule—the very same ones who'd learned to live in constant fear—adored her antics without a second thought! Even the children, usually so quick to cower at the slightest hint of him, would instantly become all smiles upon seeing her like some kind of saint.

The mere thought of it made his skin crawl. It was as if she'd cast a spell that even the most powerful magic in his arsenal couldn't dispel!

It was ruining everything!

He stood to his office window and glared at the golden-haired maiden helping a farmer move his wagon from a rut. A few days ago, she'd helped an old woman carry her groceries, and before that, a group of young men with moving lumber from the forest to their workshop.

He'd spent decades fostering a respectable atmosphere of gloom and dread, and she was ruining all of his hard work with gleeful charity. If he didn't act quickly, she would continue to worm her way into the hearts and minds of the townsfolk enough for them house her, and then… then…

He shuddered.

That infectious joy would spread! Not only that, but then he would likely need to deal with her constant presence, her radiant aura, and her infuriatingly sunny disposition for an indefinite amount of time!

With a grunt of determination and newfound resolve, Lord Dulla Tyranus strode from his study and down the grand hallway of his keep.

Enough was enough.

He had another plan down his armored greaves.

***

Eirlys Gloriana—or Dame Eirlys Gloriana the Sunsteel Maiden and the Radiant Vow as she was officially known amongst her peers in the knight order of Lach'rodain—smiled at the farmer that she'd just helped. Sunlight was high in the sky, the town bustled with activity, and the townsfolk's voices were a cheerful chorus.

Eirlys couldn't help but be amazed by the sight as wind ruffled her golden locks.

So this was what Lord Dulla Tyranus had built.

She'd heard before that the people under his rule were miserable. And sure, while there'd definitely been a depressing air when she'd first arrived, it was clear that the rumors were vastly exaggerated.

The fields here were lush and fertile, cycled crops painted a sign of care and foresight, the buildings were sturdy and well-kept, the people were healthier and well-fed than most, and he'd even set up universal schooling for all his citizens—lest he need to, in his own words, "deal with damnable idiots like that 'hero' again."

Lord Dulla Tyrannus may have been a terrifying individual that ruled with an iron fist, but it was clear that he was a competent and sensible man that'd earned his people's admiration in secret.

Though from her personal experiences with him, Eirlys knew that there was even more to Lord Dulla. There was a gentle and caring soul beneath that tough exterior.

One that was willing to beat the ever-loving shit out of her~

"Hello, Dame Eirlys!" a voice called out, breaking her from her thoughts and towards a small group of children running toward her.

Eirlys smiled at them and kneeled down to their level.

"Hello my dears! How are you today?" She asked, heart warming at the sight.

"We spotted Lord Dulla on his horse!" one of the children excitedly exclaimed, her blue eyes sparkling. "He's coming this way now!"

"Really?" Eirlys's smile instantly grew brighter.

He'd finally come out of his office!

"Uh-huh!" another child chimed in. "I saw him too! In fact, I'm pretty sure—"

"DAME EIRLYS GLORIANA!"

The dullahan's voice boomed in the distance, causing everyone to jump and turn to face the source of the sound.

The image that greeted them was a sight to behold indeed, Lord Dulla Tyranus clad in his dark plate armor and, sitting astride his terrifying—but quite lovingly groomed—black horse. His eyes were a glowing storm of crimson and gold, flashing with an intensity that sent a shiver through Eirly's entire being.

He was so dreamy~

"My dear Dulla-sama!" She exclaimed, heart racing as she leapt over the children and toward him through the town's square with sword unsheathed.

"I have been eagerly waiting for you, Dulla-sama! It's so good that—"

"HOLY HELL! PUT THAT THING AWAY!"

Lord Dulla outstretched his arm as several townspeople dived for cover.

"YOU'RE NOT THE ONLY ONE HERE RIGHT NOW, DAME EIRLYS!"

"O-oh, my dearest, I am so sorry!"

A blush of embarrassment crept up her cheeks as she quickly calmed her approach. She still felt horrible for all the damage she'd caused in their first fight and would rather not risk harm to his people either.

"I got a little carried away, but I promise I'll be more careful from now on!"

Lord Dulla shook his head once she'd made it to him. His voice came out gruff as he turned his horse toward the fields.

"…Just come with me. We're going to have a talk."

Eirlys's eyes sparkled with delight at the proposal, heart fluttering in her chest like a trapped butterfly. Lord Dulla wanted to talk with her?! In private?!

"Hehe~" She drooled as she followed him, gaze never leaving his majestic form.

He was a true knight, a paragon of virtue, and she couldn't help but feel a surge of admiration for the man.

"…" That and she couldn't wait for him to beat the daylights out of her again for a few hours.

"Right behind you, Dulla-sama!"