Attempted Noble Murder (2)

“M-Maid… hey…!”

-Bang!

Lilith, slamming the door shut irritably and disappearing outside the room.

Watching her retreating back, Ethan Richard Blackwood couldn’t help but fall into deep thought.

The first time in his life he’d felt pure murderous intent.

Someone genuinely wishing for his death and actually attempting to kill him.

For the young master of the Blackwood family, this was an utterly new and extreme experience.

The overwhelming pressure left Ethan unable to rise from his spot long after Lilith had left the room.

“…I.”

All I wanted was to get the maid’s attention.

Just to make her notice me a little more, since she rarely reacted no matter what pranks I pulled.

The young Ethan had been too immature to realize his actions could breed such deep resentment and hatred.

And this was the result.

The choking pressure of the thin fabric around his neck, the faint marks still lingering.

Lilith’s face filled with rage as his consciousness faded.

Then her hesitation at taking his life, tears forming.

Finally, her retreating figure after hurling every curse and insult at him.

Each moment burned vividly in the immature Ethan’s mind, each carrying an intensity he’d never experienced before.

It became the catalyst for realizing how wrong his past pranks had been.

“Maid…”

Though he couldn’t fully comprehend all of Lilith’s words, he felt the intensity of her emotions clearly.

And now he even understood the nature of those unfamiliar feelings she’d been showing him.

Ethan, who had always acted foolishly to avoid others’ expectations, now found himself craving that very attention.

But from only one person.

‘Being with you was hell. Let’s never meet again.’

“……”

Recalling Lilith’s hate-filled expression, Ethan felt a stabbing pain in his chest.

Would she forgive him if he apologized now?

He didn’t want to lose her forever.

Could they return to that secret promise they’d shared alone in the kitchen at dawn?

To when he’d revealed their kitchen secret during her moment of danger and earned her gratitude?

If possible, he wanted to apologize immediately.

But remembering her reaction, even a teenage boy knew better than to expect forgiveness.

‘Don’t talk to me. Ethan, you fucking bastard.’

“Hic.”

He never wanted to see that terrifying expression again.

Facing Lilith’s disgust-filled eyes terrified him.

And realistically, one apology wouldn’t undo everything.

Even with a teenager’s limited perspective, his noble upbringing taught him some things.

If emotions could be mended so easily, this never would have happened.

“Ah…”

The stretched, torn fabric beyond repair.

The very garment that had choked him, symbolizing Lilith’s hatred.

Fixing their relationship would be as impossible as restoring this ruined cloth.

Normally, Ethan would consult his father with such problems.

But this incident could never reach Harold Richard Blackwood’s ears.

If it did, Lilith’s fate would be sealed.

Just as she’d said before leaving:

‘This is the end. If your father learns I tried to kill you, he won’t let me live.’

Having already lost his mother, death wasn’t an abstract concept to Ethan.

Something irreversible, separating people forever.

If his father learned of the attempted murder…

“……”

Lilith would join his mother in becoming someone he could never see again.

Though she hated him enough to kill, he didn’t reciprocate that hatred.

He wanted to prevent her death. To recapture those nostalgic childhood feelings.

At least not lose her like this.

Solving this problem without consulting others and conveying his apology to Lilith.

This became Ethan Richard Blackwood’s first true challenge.

⁎ ⁎ ⁎

The next morning.

“……Huu.”

How frustrating that my body now automatically wakes at 5 AM, conditioned by the maid’s schedule.

‘At least on my last day, I wanted to sleep in.’

Already fully awake, returning to bed seemed pointless with this restless mood.

I simply sat waiting for my punishment.

‘By now, that bastard Ethan must have reported me to Harold.’

Anticipating an intrusion, I’d barely slept.

Harold would storm in furiously upon hearing of the attempted murder.

That he hadn’t yet might be his final act of mercy before executing me.

After all, I did help recover Tanathia’s nearly lost necklace.

And though unintended, I eliminated Hookfang in the commercial district when the guards couldn’t.

Considering my achievements as Lilith, perhaps execution would be excessive.

Maybe exile after gouging my eyes out? Or “service” in Silverwood like Eiria or Alicia?

…Either option would be equally terrible.

Frankly, death might be preferable.

Not that I’d have a choice.

Facing death again made Isabelle and Katarina’s faces flicker in my mind.

“…Maybe I should’ve said goodbye.”

I’d avoided it to prevent unnecessary worry. Had I known they’d handle this civilly, farewells might’ve been nice.

Harold’s restraint suggested he wanted this handled quietly.

Perhaps they’ll tell Isabelle and Katarina I was transferred elsewhere.

Losing a close friend overnight would shock them – a warning might’ve helped.

Though meaningless if Harold publicly executes me.

‘This is complicated.’

I considered causing chaos with shockwaves or mana arrows, but reconsidered.

Further crimes might endanger Isabelle and Katarina.

Especially Katarina, who hid my magic use – her position could worsen.

‘If I’m leaving, let it just be Lilith. No point in ugly last stands.’

Besides, my death would mainly inconvenience the game’s protagonist.

While “Luminor Academy” isn’t unplayable without Lilith, her absence would raise difficulty.

If the protagonist is another transmigrator like me, they’d struggle early on.

Not that it matters to me anymore.

Crying through the night helped process my emotions.

Whatever comes next, I can accept it… maybe.

At least I’ve made peace with potential death.

‘If it’s execution, I’ll accept it. If it’s Silverwood, I’ll find a way to die.’

A triple-cast mana arrow to my vitals should suffice.

Changing into my maid uniform, I took a deep breath before the door.

“……Huuu”

Hard not to feel nervous.

My first death was accidental – no preparation needed.

But awaiting unwanted death requires extraordinary mental fortitude.

At 6 AM, my usual time, I exited the private maid’s quarters casually.

Opening the door, the face that greeted me nearly made me stumble back in shock.

“……!”

“M-Maid.”

Standing there was the Blackwood heir I’d tried to strangle yesterday.

Ethan Richard Blackwood, waiting at my door.