Me? At the Academy? (1)

「To Miss Lilith Rosewood.」

“……”

Though momentarily startled by the eerie first line of the letter, I managed to calm my racing heart somehow.

It couldn’t be helped. After all, Seraphine was originally a character with considerable insight in the game.

That love letters would pour in from noble ladies across the land after Ethan revealed his recent appearance at the masquerade ball.

That managing the overwhelming number of love letters would fall to me, his exclusive maid, as it would be too much for a single nobleman to handle alone-all of this was likely within the realm of “predictable situations” for Seraphine.

‘It’s a bit creepy seeing it in real life, though.’

Well, what can you do? That’s just how her character is.

Denying Seraphine’s character traits now would be pointless, so I gave up overthinking and read her letter.

The letter she ostensibly sent to Ethan but actually addressed to me.

「I hope this letter finds you well, Miss Lilith Rosewood. I must first apologize for having to contact you in this manner due to the many eyes watching.

As someone who has previously collaborated with me during the full moon, I trust you can discern my identity even without explicit mention. Thus, to ensure discretion, I will refrain from including any personal details in this letter.

I am deeply indebted to you for your assistance last time. Had you not cooperated with me without hesitation that day, the damage we suffered would have been far greater. Reflecting on the alternative outcomes I glimpsed, I consider it a true blessing that things ended as they did, thanks to you.

I will not pry into how you knew about my heightened intellect during the full moon or how you, a commoner, could wield such power. Instead, I believe you deserve proper compensation for that day’s events, and I am pleased to inform you that preparations are underway.

The details are written on the back of this letter.」

‘The back of the letter?’

…She must mean the second page sealed with sealing wax.

Having learned from the game that it’s best to read Seraphine’s letters as soon as possible for one’s own safety, I immediately used a silver dagger to open the second page.

Compared to the first page, which was filled with greetings and reflections on past events, the second page contained only a single short sentence written in the center.

「We shall meet soon to discuss in person.」

…Soon?

How soon is “soon”?

As far as I know, Princess Seraphine only uses such vague phrasing when she’s certain the situation won’t pose any issues, even with ambiguous wording…

‘Don’t tell me.’

Acting on a hunch, I peeked out the window and spotted a lavish carriage approaching the mansion.

I had no choice but to drop everything and call Ethan from the next room first.

“Y-young Master! Princess Seraphine has arrived at the Blackwood Mansion!”

“…Right now?”

For now, we had to welcome the unexpected royal guest who had suddenly visited the Blackwood Mansion.

⁎ ⁎ ⁎

“It’s been a while, Prince Ethan.”

“We are honored by your visit to the Blackwood Mansion despite your busy schedule, Princess Seraphine.”

The sudden royal reception began in the Blackwood Mansion’s parlor.

With Princess Seraphine and Ethan seated across from each other at the parlor table, the mansion’s servants gathered around, creating a tense atmosphere.

Most of the servants were nervous due to the novelty of seeing a royal family member for the first time, while the male servants seemed particularly distracted by Seraphine’s appearance.

Just as I thought it would be difficult to have a serious conversation in this situation, Seraphine dismissed the entire crowd with a single gesture.

“I believe we’ll be discussing personal matters, so if you could all step out except for those absolutely necessary?”

At Seraphine’s declaration, the Blackwood Mansion servants murmured among themselves before hastily exiting the parlor one by one.

As I hesitated, unsure whether I should stay or leave, Ethan decisively settled the matter regarding my presence.

“As you wish. Everyone except my exclusive maid, Lilith, may leave.”

…So I’m supposed to stay, huh?

Well, it makes sense. The meeting was arranged because of the letter addressed to me-it wouldn’t make sense for the person who needs to have the conversation to disappear.

And the “meet to discuss” part probably involves matters concerning me for at least half of it.

Once all the other servants had left, only four people remained in the parlor.

From the Blackwood family: Ethan and me.

And from the royal family: Seraphine and her guard, Luke.

Luke is close enough to Seraphine that she’d keep him around. He’s tight-lipped, so even if he hears about me, he won’t spread it carelessly…

“What are you doing, Luke? You may leave too.”

“…Huh?”

“I said only those absolutely necessary should stay for this private discussion.”

“……”

Seraphine’s guard, Luke, looked shocked upon realizing he hadn’t been deemed “absolutely necessary.”

Yet, unable to refuse her command, he silently stepped back without protest.

…Except for the resentful glare he shot me before leaving the parlor.

‘It’s not like I wanted to stay either.’

Seraphine and Ethan kept me here because they have something to say to me-why is he jealous of me?

As I worried about having unwittingly earned someone’s grudge, Ethan, who had moved from the center of the parlor sofa to one side, called me over and pointed to the empty seat.

“Maid, sit down.”

“Huh?”

“The discussion will mostly be about you anyway. It’s better to sit and talk than to stand and listen.”

“……”

“I agree, Miss Lilith.”

“…Understood.”

With both of them urging me, I had no choice but to quietly take a seat.

Seraphine in front of me, Ethan beside me.

Sitting between a princess and a prince-both capable of crushing me with their status alone-I cautiously gauged the atmosphere.

Seraphine was the first to break the silence and begin the conversation.

“First, let me explain why I’ve come to the Blackwood Mansion today.”

“……”

“……”

“To the two of you who worked hardest to subdue the King Serpent during the monster wave at the Imperial Palace, I offer my sincerest gratitude.”

“O-oh, no… I-I didn’t do that much…”

“I am simply overjoyed that my humble efforts could be of service to the Empire.”

Unlike me, who was flustered and at a loss for words, Ethan responded as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Seeing him act so smoothly, I was reminded that he truly was nobility through and through.

“The reason I came to Blackwood instead of summoning you to the Imperial Palace is to express my gratitude. It would be discourteous to make the two of you, who fought to the very end to save as many lives as possible, travel all the way to the distant palace.”

“N-no, not at all… Discourteous? Hardly…”

“You flatter us, Your Highness. It is a noble’s duty to answer the summons of the Imperial Family.”

…Why is Ethan being so sweet today?

Does he actually have feelings for Seraphine and is acting this way because of it?

Even though he denied it, is he just like any other guy deep down…?

“And besides, it would have been much harder to arrange a meeting like this at the Imperial Palace.”

“……?”

“There’s no better place than this for a relaxed conversation with Prince Ethan and you, Miss Lilith. Don’t you agree?”

“Y-yes, I suppose…”

It’s true-if Ethan and I had been invited to the Imperial Palace, a setting like this would have been impossible.

A private conversation between just the three of us-Seraphine, Ethan, and me, his exclusive maid-could never have happened there.

“May I ask how the matter we previously discussed is progressing, Your Highness?”

“It’s a bit tight on time, but I believe it can be completed within half a year. Though a baronetcy will likely be the highest rank achievable.”

“That’s more than enough. As long as noble status can be proven, that’s all that matters.”

…What? What are they talking about?

Their sudden, serious discussion in front of me made me feel inexplicably uneasy.

Noticing my reaction, Seraphine turned to me and explained what she and Ethan were discussing.

“There’s no need to worry, Miss Lilith. We’re not stripping another noble of their title-we’re merely creating a new, fictitious family.”

“…Excuse me?”

“We can’t keep your ability to use magic a secret forever. Fortunately, Her Highness believes half a year will suffice, so we should be able to arrange everything by next year’s academy enrollment.”

“W-wait a moment. I can’t make sense of anything you’re saying. A new family? Academy enrollment? These are all completely unfamiliar topics to me…”

The more they explained, the more confused I became, and my unease grew rapidly.

Sensing something amiss, Seraphine glanced at Ethan and cautiously asked,

“Prince Ethan, have you not properly explained this matter to Miss Lilith?”

“I mentioned it to her once before, but this is the first time I’m sharing the details.”

“…You told me, Young Master Ethan? I’m terribly sorry, but I have no recollection of hearing anything about this conversation between the two of you.”

“What are you talking about? I told you before. That I’d do something about my maid struggling with not being able to use magic. And that I might be able to get Princess Seraphine’s cooperation.”

“T-that… I thought you just meant you’d keep my ability to use magic a secret…?”

I was utterly baffled by Ethan’s casual remarks, while Seraphine, unable to bear it any longer, continued her explanation.

“Miss Lilith.”

“Y-yes!”

“Since Prince Ethan hasn’t explained it clearly, let me do so now.”

“……”

“Miss Lilith, how would you feel about enrolling in the academy as a noble?”

“…Excuse me?”

Me?

At the academy?

…How?