Date (1)

The morning meeting ended somewhat aimlessly, with a few additional points to note about the Witch’s Forest.

Gyeotmwa Jyosyegigot and Celista would go to the Northeastern Great Plains with Seraphine two days later, while I, Ethan, and Agnes would go to the Southwestern Witch’s Forest four days later.

That Gyeotmwa Jyosyegigot fellow said he would send a letter to Lara, stating that we would arrive first to help instead of the Hero. This meant that six days later, the three of us would arrive first and help Lara with her tasks, and then about a week after that, Gyeotmwa Jyosyegigot and the others would arrive to proceed with the main event.

Since I roughly knew the development of Lara’s episode, it was a progression that I could fully understand. Anyway, the first week’s test wouldn’t have very difficult tasks. We could probably get through it somehow, even with just the help of us three, without the Hero and Celista.

‘So, they’re trying to kill two birds with one stone in the end.’

From the perspective of a 『Luminor Academy』 player, it was a greedy play that might backfire and cause them to burst from overeating, but if they succeeded, they would gain reinforcements from both sides and two unique items, so the payoff was clear.

First of all, since the Hero said he was heading to the Great Plains with Celista and Seraphine, he would at least surely finish the Lilia episode before returning.

As for Lara’s side, the possibility of things going wrong due to my intervention wasn’t entirely 0%, but Gyeotmwa Jyosyegigot, who chose the Lilia route, would surely finish that episode and return.

From the beginning, there wasn’t much to worry about, given that Seraphine would accompany them. Setting aside her future sight that sees the future, there was no reason to worry when Seraphine, a cheat key for political diplomacy, was accompanying them.

‘If I just finish this episode, this tiresome Saintess role will finally be over.’

Honestly, after becoming a Saintess, the only time I properly used my power was during the Machart subjugation operation, but I didn’t particularly regret it. From the start, such troublesome power was something I didn’t really need.

For me, the most ideal future was to quickly hand over this troublesome power, which brought no wealth or authority but only duties and responsibilities, to Celista and return to being an ordinary person A.

Anyway, as the schedule was decided that way, there were four days of free time until the departure date. Since there was nothing specific to do in the Imperial Capital, like hunting monsters or training magic, these four days naturally became a vacation for me, Ethan, and Agnes.

As I was leaving the meeting room and heading back to my private quarters on the second floor, Ethan naturally asked me about the schedule for the remaining period.

“Lillith.”

“Yes, Young Master Ethan.”

“We decided to depart four days later, but do you happen to have any plans during that time?”

“No, my schedule is basically set to Young Master Ethan’s, so it’s not fixed.”

“…That’s right. But last night at the exchange meeting, Lillith participated not as my maid, but as a noble partner, didn’t she? So, for a few days, how about you live normally like a noble young lady instead of being my maid?”

“Even if you tell me, a commoner, to live normally like a noble young lady, it only sounds like a joke, Young Master Ethan.”

“…Hmm, is that how it is?”

Well, even so, I roughly understood what Ethan was trying to say.

It must mean that while I’m staying at the Star Palace, I should live as Lillith Rosewood, the Baronet’s noble daughter, the only daughter of the Rosewood Family, instead of Ethan’s exclusive maid Lillith.

Since it was a rare vacation, Ethan must have meant for me to break free from my duties and status and enjoy the holiday. Actually, a low-ranking noble and a Blackwood maid might be pretty much the same in terms of status, but let’s just gloss over that part.

“Still, it’s tiring to address everyone with such a stiff tone, isn’=”text-align: justify;”>”Okay, Lillith. Then tomorrow after breakfast….”

“Oh, now that I think about it, Miss Agnes also needs to prepare food and a change of clothes, right? Since it’s come to this, how about we all just go together tomorrow?”

“…….”

“…….”

Ethan suddenly stopped what he was saying and looked at me with a stiff expression, and Agnes, who had been showing no interest as if we were discussing something unrelated to her, looked at me with a dumbfounded expression at my words.

As I stood bewildered, wondering why the atmosphere had suddenly changed, Agnes let out a sigh with a dumbfounded expression.

“…Haa, sometimes, whenever it’s like this, I really get confused if you’re doing it on purpose.”

“Huh?”

“Never mind, I’ll prepare separately. I’m not tactless enough to intrude on someone else’s date.”

“Huh? A date?”

“Then, isn’t it? After all, your master is suggesting you meet outside, not as Young Master and maid, but as fellow nobles. If that’s not a date, then what is it?”

……Ah.

Wait. Then that, does it really become like that?

“A da-date…?”

“Lillith, are you really an idiot?”

“…….”

“One is an idiot who only knows his maid, and the other is just an idiot. Idiots really suit each other.”

With a dumbfounded expression directed at me and Ethan, Agnes then entered her own quarters, the room next to mine.

After she disappeared, only Ethan and I remained in the second-floor hallway, exuding an awkward aura.

“Was that really a date invitation, Ethan?”

“……Yeah.”

“…I’m sorry, I was tactless.”

“It’s okay. I half-expected it anyway. I also thought it would be fine even if you didn’t think of it as a date.”

“I-I see.”

“…Were you going to refuse if it was a date, Lillith?”

“Ah, no. Of course not…. Ethan and I are temporary lovers, so of course we can go on a date anytime….”

“…Th-that’s right. Then I’ll see you later at mealtime, Lillith.”

“…Yes, Ethan.”

Perhaps because of the rapidly awkward atmosphere that arose as soon as we recognized it as a date, Ethan and I ended up not having a single proper conversation until the next day.

…That, I just need to do it normally, like the last date. Normally….