End of the First Semester (2)

Luke Cruella, Vice-President of the Technology Department at Luminor Academy.

Originally one of Princess Seraphine’s two royal escorts currently enrolled at the academy, due to various circumstances, she now serves as her exclusive maid.

Having entered the academy simultaneously with her mistress, Princess Seraphine, she too was nearing the end of her first semester like the other students.

With only the final exam-the semester evaluation-remaining, Luke quietly nurtured a growing resentment toward a certain individual in her heart.

‘Lilith, that damn woman….’

Why had she been forced to give up her role as an escort and take on the duties of the princess’s exclusive maid?

Knowing better than anyone the person responsible for this turn of events, Luke quietly harbored her anger toward Lilith.

Of course, nurturing this resentment didn’t mean she had any direct means of revenge.

As Seraphine’s exclusive maid, she couldn’t afford to act out of personal motives.

Besides, targeting Lilith would be no small feat for anyone-after all, she was the fiancée of a “Blackwood.”

‘That’s why she had the audacity to refuse the offer to become Princess Seraphine’s exclusive maid. She must have been relying on that backing.’

Though she hadn’t witnessed the refusal firsthand-having stepped away briefly for a “walk”-she was certain Lilith had arrogantly and shamelessly declined, confident in her fiancé’s influence.

From their very first meeting, Lilith hadn’t left a favorable impression.

Seeing how Seraphine, who had worked with Luke as her escort for five years, showed such consideration to Lilith-someone she had known for less than a month-gnawed at her.

Moreover, Lilith had initially appeared as nothing more than a maid of the Blackwood family, only to suddenly enroll in the academy as a baronet noblewoman.

And when Luke learned that this status had been fabricated through Seraphine’s behind-the-scenes maneuvering to get Lilith into the Magic Department, she couldn’t help but feel an inexplicable sense of defeat.

She had served Seraphine far longer than Lilith, and her loyalty was unquestionably stronger than anyone else’s.

That was why she had obediently accepted even this humiliating exclusive maid role without protest, following the princess’s orders.

So why was her mistress showing more interest in another woman? Luke couldn’t understand it.

Above all, Lilith-who had shamelessly accepted the status of a baronet noblewoman-had the nerve to refuse the princess’s offer. That was unforgivable.

Had Luke been in her place, she would have accepted without hesitation-even if the position had been that of an errand girl or a janitor.

Worse still, the exclusive maid duties she now performed were only hers because Lilith had refused them. The resentment only grew.

If, just if.

Princess Seraphine had originally brought an exclusive maid to the academy, but due to unforeseen circumstances, that maid had become unable to perform her duties.

In that case, Luke would have gladly accepted the role of exclusive maid-seeing it as proof that Seraphine trusted her above all others to take care of her within the academy.

For someone whose loyalty to Seraphine was absolute, such an order would have been the highest honor.

Yet, the title of exclusive maid she now held didn’t feel like an honor to Luke.

It was a position that had been left vacant with Lilith in mind from the start.

To Luke, this seat felt like nothing more than a placeholder for that woman, and the dissatisfaction with her duties only grew in comparison to her previous role as an escort.

Even more so because of the ridiculous uniform she now wore-one that eerily resembled Lilith’s.

Of course, it was her mistress, Seraphine, who had dressed her this way, so Luke never voiced her complaints-simply focusing on her duties as a maid.

“Luke.”

“Yes, Princess Seraphine.”

“You’ve worked hard this semester, suddenly taking on the role of my exclusive maid. It must have been unfamiliar, but you’ve done far better than I expected. Your hair-braiding skills have improved wonderfully too.”

“…Thank you, Your Highness.”

“Do you think you’d like to continue as my exclusive maid next semester? I think it might actually work out well if you stayed in the role.”

“…I appreciate the offer, but I believe I’m still better suited to being Your Highness’s escort.”

“I thought you might say that, Luke.”

“……”

Seraphine accepted her refusal to remain as an exclusive maid and return to being an escort with little reaction-as if she had already expected it.

But would she have reacted the same if Lilith had been the one to say she was quitting the role?

Probably not. Princess Seraphine had gone to great lengths to make Lilith her exclusive maid.

She had even left her usual maid behind at the imperial palace, waiting for Lilith-who had entered the Magic Department without any backing-to become isolated so she could offer her the position under the right pretext.

That was how much effort the princess had put into recruiting her-though she likely hadn’t anticipated Lilith’s refusal.

Had Lilith accepted the position only to later try to quit, Seraphine would have gone to any lengths to keep her.

Why had that woman caught the princess’s eye?

Why had Luke suddenly become her replacement?

She might have been able to tolerate it-perhaps Lilith possessed some ability that surpassed her own, something she wasn’t aware of.

But if that were the case-

If the princess desired her presence so much, shouldn’t responding to that call have been the least she could do?

Despite owing Seraphine a debt of gratitude, Lilith hadn’t shown the same loyalty-something Luke could never forgive.

As Seraphine brushed Luke’s hair, she quietly offered her a piece of advice.

“Luke.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Did you know that last night, a full moon rose?”

“Yes, I did. …Did you see something in your divination?”

“Last night’s divination showed your face for the first time in a long while.”

“…Mine?”

“Yes, yours. It’s the first time since the incident in your hometown five years ago.”

“……”

Her face had appeared in the princess’s divination.

Having served as Seraphine’s escort for five years, Luke instinctively knew that someone’s face appearing in the monthly divination was rarely a good omen.

Tense at the princess’s words, she waited for what would come next.

“Don’t worry, the future I saw last night wasn’t particularly dangerous.”

“…Is that so.”

“However, I did learn something I hadn’t known before. It was quite interesting.”

“……”

“Answer me honestly, Luke. Are you planning to challenge Lilith to a duel in the final evaluation match?”

“…Yes, Princess Seraphine.”

The final evaluation match-the last event of the semester at the academy.

There, Luke intended to name Lilith as her opponent.

Of course, as a member of the Technology Department-one of the non-combat divisions-Luke normally wouldn’t have participated in the evaluation matches.

Unlike the five combat divisions, students in the Technology, Pharmacy, and Theology Departments typically took final written exams or comprehensive assignments instead.

However, while it wasn’t the norm, students from these departments weren’t outright barred from participating.

Those ranked within the top five of their department-the high achievers-could apply to participate in the evaluation matches, even against students from other departments, and even choose their opponents.

Of course, this was limited to other top-five students, which was why most assumed the Technology and Pharmacy Departments had no evaluation matches.

After all, even the best non-combat students stood little chance against the top combat students.

But Luke, fueled by her seething hatred, planned to challenge Lilith regardless of divisions.

As someone selected to be Seraphine’s escort, she was confident in her ability to win.

…Though her mistress had no such confidence in her victory.

“Do you oppose it, Princess Seraphine?”

“Why would you think that?”

“Because… you cherish that woman, don’t you?”

“Yes, I do. She’s someone I want by my side someday.”

“Then you don’t want to see her get hurt, do you? Is that why you’re trying to stop me from dueling her…?”

Was even her last chance for retribution going to be denied by her mistress?

As this anxious thought took hold, Seraphine’s response was something Luke hadn’t expected at all.

“Hmm, I think you’re misunderstanding something, Luke.”

“What?”

“While I don’t particularly recommend you facing Lilith in the evaluation match, it’s not because I’m worried about her getting hurt.”

“Then why…?”

“The reason I’m against it is because I’m worried about you, Luke.”

“…Me?”

Despite planning to challenge Lilith, Luke had never once considered the possibility of losing.

Seraphine’s words struck a nerve, bruising her pride.

Whether she sensed this or not, Seraphine continued, comparing the two in her explanation.

“I’m the type to keep those I cherish close, Luke.”

“Yes, I know.”

“That’s why I’m advising you. Because you’re someone I cherish deeply, I don’t want to see you get hurt in the evaluation match.”

“…Are you saying you think she would win?”

“In my divination, I only saw you and Lilith facing off in the arena. I didn’t see the outcome, but… I suspect she’ll be a tough opponent for you.”

“…Is that what you think…?”

Once again, Seraphine’s words-seeming to place faith in Lilith over her-left Luke in a foul mood.

Sensing this, the princess softened her stance slightly.

“If you’re determined to face Lilith despite my advice, I won’t stop you. I’ve also been curious about her true abilities, and you’d make for a good benchmark.”

“……”

“What will you do, Luke? Will you proceed with the evaluation match? Or will you opt for a comprehensive assignment like the other Technology Department students?”

Luke wanted to prove it.

To her mistress, Princess Seraphine, that she was far stronger than that woman.

Luke wanted to punish her.

To make Lilith-who had shamelessly refused the princess’s request despite owing her a debt-pay.

“I will proceed with the evaluation match.”

“…Very well, then.”

“Though Your Highness’s words are always wise, this time, I will prove them wrong.”

“…If you’re that confident, I’ll be looking forward to it, Luke.”

Luke Cruella, Vice-President of the Technology Department.

Lilith Blackwood Rosewood, ranked 4th in the Magic Department.

The stage was set for their semester evaluation duel.

…Though Lilith herself remained completely unaware of this arrangement.