Ch.250Summer Break Again (2)

The long-awaited vacation finally arrived. For freshmen, it was like rain during a drought, while for sophomores, it was just a regular rest period.

The fact that vacation was approaching meant there was about a week left until the exhibition. I’m eager to arrive at the estate soon and see my family.

I’ll also need to check how things are progressing at the estate. Just from the rumors I’ve heard, I can imagine my father’s exhausted appearance.

Still, I’m quite excited since I hear the estate is steadily developing. The Mayshall estate, which was once just a quiet rural territory, is now growing into a city of culture.

First, I’ll head straight to the Mayshall estate with Cecilly’s help via teleport, but I wanted to ask my acquaintances about their plans first.

Marie and Rina plan to visit officially after thorough preparations, but others have different circumstances.

First was Leona. Surprisingly, she told me she would travel separately. When I asked why, she said she wanted to spend quality time with her mother.

She plans to chat with her mother during the carriage ride to the Mayshall estate. Understanding her filial devotion, I accepted her decision.

Instead, I paid for her carriage fare to ensure she would have a comfortable journey. After all, she’s meeting family after a long time and should be able to talk comfortably.

Leona is a student who needs to work part-time throughout the vacation to afford the next semester. When I paid for her, she jumped with joy.

It wasn’t just about the money, but more about my consideration for her time with her mother. Her calling me “darling” in that coquettish voice was just a bonus.

With Leona’s situation settled, Cherry was next. Though she said she would attend the exhibition, I wondered how she had prepared.

Informing her family, the Roseberrys, would only result in getting scolded and dragged away, so that was out of the question. She literally needed to come with just herself.

Currently, Cherry is publicly known as my acquaintance, or rather Xenon’s acquaintance, using the pen name “Merry.”

Since I’ve already informed my family about this, introducing Cherry wouldn’t be difficult, but her preparations were somewhat concerning.

Her cherry blossom-colored hair already attracts attention, and wearing a dress would draw even more eyes. Yet wearing a robe would look even more suspicious.

While the chances of Cherry’s parents attending the exhibition are very low, rumors tend to spread.

If any noble recognizes her pink hair and speaks to her, the situation could become very complicated.

Since this was a troublesome matter, I asked those around me for help. If possible, I wanted to at least change her pink hair.

And Cecilly provided a remarkably simple solution.

“Why not just use dyeing magic?”

“That’s possible with magic?”

“Yes. I can even change your eye color if you want.”

As she explained, before the Biography of Xenon was published, some demons needed “disguises” to venture outside Helium.

Jet-black hair and blood-red eyes were characteristics unique to demons, and even if they hid their horns, these features would immediately give them away.

So disguise magic was developed, allowing for various color changes. This would be a great help for Cherry.

“Thank you so much. Magic really is amazing.”

“If you’re grateful… you know, right? I’ll be looking forward to it in two months.”

“…”

Is she really serious about this? I gave Cecilly a sour look as she winked at me seductively.

Though she’s usually playful, her recent behavior toward me doesn’t seem like mere teasing.

It seems Arwen’s reincarnation statement and Volume 19 have significantly changed her feelings.

Anyway, with Cecilly’s help, we could change Cherry’s pink hair and eyes to a completely ordinary brown.

When her iconic pink hair changed to brown through magic, Cherry looked at it with curious eyes.

Seeing curiosity in her usually gloomy eyes made me feel oddly proud. This way, she could enjoy the exhibition without worry.

However, with her exceptional beauty and prominent chest, she would stand out wherever she went. Moreover, I’m currently being targeted by Hyria.

I might not have time to pay attention to her during the exhibition. While I’d like to show her everything, the situation isn’t favorable.

Although Rina promised to handle things well, I have no idea how things are progressing. Leort and Rina might target me to keep Hyria in check.

Considering this, I explained to Cherry that I might not be able to accompany her. I’d try my best to stay with her, but circumstances might make it difficult.

To this, Cherry’s response was…

“Yes.”

“…That’s it?”

“What more is needed? It’s your ‘request,’ senior.”

“No, don’t you think it’s irresponsible? I’m the one who invited you to the exhibition.”

“What’s wrong with following your ‘request,’ senior?”

“…”

I was wrong. We’re completely failing to communicate. Even a yes-man wouldn’t answer like that.

She seems ready to take her own life if I ordered her to die. Her dark, sunken eyes add credibility to this hypothesis.

I wanted to ask her about it right away, but I decided to postpone it. What mattered now was introducing Cherry to my parents.

I suggested traveling together with Cecilly’s teleport, but surprisingly, she shook her head in refusal. When I asked why, she said she needed to buy a new dress.

The dress she originally brought was pink to match her hair, but now that her hair was brown, she needed a matching dress.

In this regard, she’s not just a doll that obediently follows my words, but a person with her own agency. She’s quite peculiar in many ways…

“If you request it, senior, I’ll wear what I have. If you want, as I said before, I can even come naked…”

“That’s enough.”

…or rather, she’s a child with loose screws. Like Adelia’s case, Cherry’s extreme behavior makes me realize how important one’s family environment is.

Anyway, with my acquaintances taken care of, Adelia was next. Given her personality, she had already prepared everything, so we just needed to move.

For transportation, we naturally relied on Cecilly’s help. Teleportation is always amazing—in the blink of an eye, you’re instantly transported to another place.

“I’ll come back in a week, so see you then.”

“I’ll be preparing hard.”

“Anything you want to do before I go?”

I didn’t forget to give Cecilly a light kiss before she left. Soon after Cecilly departed, only Adelia and I remained at the entrance to the estate.

Adelia was looking at us with envious eyes as Cecilly and I kissed, but she didn’t say anything, probably thinking she was hiding it well.

Honestly, with her lips pouting and her sky-blue eyes filled with envy, it would be strange not to notice. I smirked after confirming her reaction.

“Jealous?”

“W-what are you saying! Who’s jealous…”

Adelia was initially flustered, but her voice quickly grew quieter. Seeing her face turn red as she glanced at me, it seemed she secretly wanted it too.

With a mischievous smile, I leaned close to her ear and whispered.

“I can do it for you if you want?”

“Eek…!”

At my whisper, Adelia floundered like a fish and collapsed to the ground. It seems her legs gave out momentarily.

If I had better reflexes, I would have grabbed her hand to prevent her from falling, but unfortunately, I don’t have such abilities right now.

I grabbed her hand to help her up. Adelia, who had been dumbfounded, took my hand and stood up.

“…You’re really mean.”

Adelia muttered softly as she dusted off the dirt from her bottom. Though her expression was sullen, her reddened face betrayed her true feelings.

I smiled slightly at her as she pouted with her lips. Sometimes, Adelia feels more like a younger sister than an older one.

The more affection I show, the more she can’t even look me in the eye, revealing how starved for love she is.

“Just you wait. You think I’m easy because I put up with this every day?”

“I think you look cute.”

“…”

Adelia tried to counterattack but ended up sinking after receiving a counter herself. She closed her eyes tightly, trying to hide her reaction, but her flushed face betrayed her efforts.

Eventually, when her face turned so red that it seemed like red liquid would drip if pressed, her eyes slowly opened. Her sky-blue eyes, moist and round, were filled with resentment toward me.

I shrugged and walked ahead with ease. When I started walking, Adelia grumbled once before matching her pace with mine.

Glancing sideways, I saw her matching my stride with disciplined steps. Although she was grumbling with her head turned away, she naturally slowed down when I did.

One way or another, she remained a reliable knight. She’ll soon double as a maid too.

‘Come to think of it, can’t maids accompany students at the academy?’

About a year ago, I visited a clothing store with Nicole to buy formal attire.

There, I coincidentally met Jackson, with whom I wasn’t on good terms, and I remember a servant following him around.

Perhaps Adelia will be like that someday. Imagining Adelia in a maid outfit following me around makes me feel strange.

‘I want to see her in it soon.’

What kind of charm would Adelia exude in a maid outfit? She already radiates plenty of contrasting charm, but if she shows even more…

“Again, again. You’re thinking weird thoughts again, aren’t you, you pervert.”

Perhaps sensing my gaze, Adelia pointed at my face accusingly.

Her face was still red, but I was more concerned that she had seen through my thoughts. I asked with a surprised expression.

“How did you know?”

“It’s written all over your face. How could I not know?”

“Hmm…”

I touched my face after hearing her answer. Was it that obvious?

My family, Marie, Cecilly, Arwen, and now Adelia—everyone close to me can read my thoughts.

I don’t think I’m bad at managing my expressions, so I wonder how they know.

“How do you know?”

“I just feel it. It’s a kind of intuition.”

Adelia, like Marie, has excellent intuition, so it might be a similar case. The difference between them would be whether they can grasp the other person’s true intentions.

Still, it’s not something I need to worry about. Though it was a bit embarrassing to have my thoughts exposed, I can now say it proudly.

“You’re right. I was thinking weird thoughts, just as you said.”

“What thoughts?”

“I was wondering how well a maid outfit would suit you.”

“…”

Was it an unexpected question? Adelia didn’t blush at all but blinked her eyes and then lowered her head.

She seems to be checking her figure. Indeed, she’s quite tall for a woman, so custom tailoring might be necessary.

Instead, she didn’t seem to have any aversion to wearing a maid outfit, as she responded with a “hmm” as if unsure.

“I don’t know. Is there a specific outfit for personal maids, different from regular maids?”

“Well, you’ll also be serving as a knight, so…”

As I imagined various possibilities, a clear image began to form in my mind. For convenience, not an ankle-length skirt, but one that barely covers the thighs.

A specially designed garter or garter belt for immediate use in case of emergencies.

And finally, imagining Adelia wearing such clothes…

“I think it would really suit you well.”

“Really? Honestly, with my face and figure, wouldn’t a butler suit me better than a maid…”

“No. It has to be a maid. No, it must be a maid.”

I’m not usually the type to put personal preferences into clothing. However, I couldn’t give up on Adelia as a maid.

If this were Earth, she might have strongly refused, but this is a fantasy world. Adelia didn’t have any complaints about wearing a maid outfit itself.

Look at her now. Even as I insist, she’s just showing a bewildered reaction while nodding in agreement. I smiled with satisfaction seeing this.

‘This is fantasy indeed.’

Once again, I was grateful to have been born into this world.