Me? At the Academy? (3)

“Are you serious, maid?”

Ethan’s eyes widened in surprise at my request to extend my term as his exclusive maid.

Meeting his gaze, I nodded firmly in response.

“Yes. I’m completely serious, Young Master.”

“…Maid, perhaps you don’t fully understand because you’re still new to being a maid. Normally, noble ladies shouldn’t serve as exclusive maids for men. Of course, for family alliances, they’re sometimes sent as regular servants, but…”

“No. I’m already aware that ordinary noble ladies don’t take on exclusive maid positions for male nobles, Young Master.”

“You don’t seem to understand…”

…Considering my past behavior in front of Ethan, his skepticism was understandable. But this time, I was certain.

The issues Ethan was concerned about-the potential problems arising from me being his exclusive maid-were essentially non-issues for me.

However, Ethan continued explaining the implications, still convinced I didn’t grasp the situation.

“To put it simply, it’s a bit complicated, but I’m saying this for your sake too.”

“……”

“It might not matter now, but if it ever comes to light that you, as a noble lady, served as my exclusive maid, it could block your path to marriage in the future.”

…Well, of course it would.

An exclusive maid to a nobleman often implied “night services”-a euphemism for sexual duties.

While it was somewhat different from outright rape, being a mutual agreement, and such customs had largely faded by this era, the stigma remained.

In any case, any role that suggested premarital relations with another man was bound to draw scorn.

“It doesn’t matter to me.”

“…Huh?”

“Having my marriage prospects blocked because I served as your exclusive maid isn’t an issue for me at all.”

“…Think carefully, maid. I’m saying this because I genuinely don’t want you to face difficulties because of me.”

“I’ve already thought it through very seriously.”

Because, frankly, I had no intention of getting married in the first place.

My marriage prospects being ruined because I was Ethan’s exclusive maid? So what?

If anything, it would be an advantage-preventing noble sons from harassing me under the guise of their status, which was hard to avoid otherwise.

Of course, commoners in this world didn’t place much importance on chastity, so some might still pursue me regardless of my past.

But that was something the “baronet’s noble daughter” status granted by Ethan and Seraphine could handle.

And frankly, few commoners would be foolish enough to risk their lives just to bed a noblewoman.

“Even after receiving the status of a baronet’s daughter, I wish to remain your exclusive maid, Young Master Ethan. For all four years at the academy.”

This was the only way for Lilith-a baronet’s daughter with no backing-to survive.

While I was a capable mage who could use Mana Blast, that alone wasn’t enough to fend off the troublesome nobles at the academy.

Especially as a low-ranking baronet’s daughter with no connections, I’d inevitably face many who’d try to suppress or exploit me.

Rather than deal with that, staying close to Ethan as his exclusive maid was the safest way to survive.

Being an exclusive maid meant I’d have to accompany him for most of my academy life, firmly establishing me as part of the Blackwood household in the eyes of other students.

…And if I were to be exploited by someone, I’d rather it be Ethan than some stranger.

With all this in mind, I had requested to extend my position as his exclusive maid.

But Ethan’s response was closer to a hesitant refusal.

“…I’ll think about it slowly.”

“Huh?”

“I’m really happy you want to keep being my exclusive maid, but this is something that needs careful consideration.”

“Okay…”

“…I just need some time to prepare myself mentally, so please wait a little.”

…Mental preparation?

What kind of mental preparation? All I was asking was to continue as his exclusive maid, just like before.

Ethan’s vague answer stirred an uneasy feeling in me, but I let it slide for now.

After all, there was happier news-I could now enroll in the academy’s Magic Department as Lilith.

⁎ ⁎ ⁎

A carriage crossed the borders of the Blackwood territory, surrounded by several horses and soldiers.

Inside the luxurious carriage, its owner, Princess Seraphine, silently gazed out the window at the passing scenery.

Beside her sat her bodyguard, Luke Cruella.

As the Blackwood estate shrank into the distance beyond the gate marking the territory’s boundary, Seraphine cast one last look at the now-distant Blackwood mansion and offered a silent apology in her heart.

‘I’m sorry, Miss Lilith.’

After slaying the King Serpent at the imperial palace and ending the monster wave, she couldn’t even properly reward her. Instead, all Seraphine had given was a baronet title and admission to the academy.

Burdened by guilt, Seraphine could only stare blankly out the window, lost in thought until they left Blackwood territory.

Noticing her unusual expression, her bodyguard Luke cautiously spoke up.

“Princess Seraphine.”

“What is it, Luke?”

“If you’re troubled by something, would you confide in me?”

“……”

“If you trust me enough to share, I swear on my life I won’t breathe a word of it, Your Highness.”

Luke pleaded for her trust, vowing absolute secrecy.

Seraphine knew Luke wasn’t the type to gossip, but this wasn’t just about her own secrets.

“I’m sorry. It’s not something I can discuss with you, Luke.”

“……”

“It’s a personal matter, so don’t worry about it.”

“…Is it related to your conversation at Blackwood Manor?”

“……”

Luke’s pointed question made Seraphine’s expression falter for a moment.

Having served her for years, Luke instantly noticed the change.

“Even if there’s discord between you and the Blackwood family, I will serve you faithfully to the end, Your Highness.”

“…No, it’s nothing that serious.”

“Is it about that maid from the Blackwood household? The one who eavesdropped on your conversation in the parlor until the end-“

“…Luke.”

“Yes.”

“I distinctly remember dismissing you from that parlor.”

“…You did.”

“Then don’t make baseless assumptions about what happened inside. Do you take my orders so lightly?”

“M-my apologies!”

Realizing his blunder, Luke prostrated himself in apology.

But Seraphine paid him no mind, her eyes fixed on the scenery outside as she silently repeated her apology to Lilith in her heart.

‘Miss Lilith, you’re probably overjoyed just at the prospect of enrolling in Luminor Academy’s Magic Department.

But I know better. A baronet’s daughter with no real standing would suffer terribly in that place.’

A baronet was the lowest rank among nobles.

The moment she entered the academy, every opportunist would swarm her.

Even without future sight, this outcome was painfully predictable.

‘And your magic is powerful enough to draw unwanted attention. You’ll be approached by people whose demands will overwhelm you.

I won’t ask for your forgiveness for sending you there despite knowing this. But it was necessary. I’m sorry, Miss Lilith.’

No matter how skilled Lilith was, the relentless attention would be impossible to shake off.

Especially in the Magic Department, where only nobles were admitted-meaning no commoner students existed to buffer her from the hierarchy.

It was easy to imagine her becoming a “target” in every sense, but cruelly, Seraphine’s plan required exactly that.

‘Half a year… maybe even sooner, you’ll break. The Magic Department is no place for a baronet’s daughter to endure alone.

And when you’re at your weakest, when I offer you a way out-would you refuse? If I ask you to become my exclusive maid in exchange for protection, could you say no?

You won’t. Because I’ll only extend my hand when you’re in no position to refuse.

I’m sorry for resorting to such methods. I’ll atone for these sins in my next life…’

To prevent the future she’d foreseen, Seraphine needed strong allies under her wing.

Her right hand, the knight Luke. Her left, the maid Lilith.

In her mind, these two were her strongest pieces, and enrolling Lilith in the academy was the first step to securing her.

Thus, Seraphine’s plan to gain her second powerful subordinate seemed to proceed smoothly, just like her other schemes.

Unfortunately, there was one critical flaw she hadn’t anticipated.

That Lilith would insist on remaining Ethan’s exclusive maid-even as a noble lady. A future even Seraphine hadn’t foreseen.