episode_0008

Sierra left Leo’s room and walked down the hallway.

Sierra’s and Leo’s rooms are on the same second floor

But Sierra quietly went down the stairs and headed to the basement.

And opened the locked door with the key hanging on her necklace and the basement

walked into the deep part.

Inside the dark basement

Lit a candle

The appearance of the basement begins to be revealed.

“Haa…”

[How much I suffered collecting all this…]

The basement walls are covered only with photos of Leo.

And all of them are photos from when Leo was at the Imperial Academy

After becoming the Deputy Head Maid, there was only one goal.

Leo.

She had to figure out where he was now, what he was doing, and who he was with. From then on, she invested money and people into the academy to spread and collect information.

Of course, it was the family’s money, but since it was done under the guise of identifying and ensuring the safety of Young Master Leo, no one involved could object.

“Hu… ha… Leo”

I tried calling his name with a slurred pronunciation.

Looking at him smiling in the photos

Over the past 3 years, during the time from Deputy Head Maid to Head Maid

I continuously gathered information.

What activities he’s doing now

What hardships he’s enduring

What he looks like

And…

Which woman he’s messing around with

Buying off everyone from photos and news to even people

So that there wasn’t a single thing I didn’t know about him

Sierra peeled off one of the photos attached to the wall and rubbed it on her face.

[I love you… I love you, Leo]

[Enough to devote everything I have, even if you break in the process]

And she looked around the room with a small smile.

In this room, there’s nothing missing, from his photos to information

But the most important thing among them are these documents

Sierra picked up one of the sealed documents on the desk.

The most important one among this information

I read his report every morning, and the mood of that day changed depending on its contents

The days he was confined to bed for several days, I spent the whole day smashing kitchen tools.

On days when a scene of him smiling kindly with someone was captured, that night, I chased away one of the maids.

But what I dug into most persistently were the people and groups he associated with.

On the surface, he looked like a model student, but suspicious names started circulating around him.

Especially a small group named ‘The Other Side of the Moon’ caught my eye.

‘Oppose the Empire.’

That was the group’s motto. At first, I didn’t believe it.

I thought there was no way Leo would be involved in such a place.

But the evidence didn’t lie. Numerous documents, transmission records, lists of meeting places, and even Leo’s signature.

I felt my fingertips tremble then. This was a weakness. Leo’s only, and decisive, weakness.

Now, Sierra turned off all the lights in the room and drew the curtains. Sitting by the window where moonlight shone in, she quietly looked down at the file in her hand and thought.

[Leo… you must have thought I was abandoned. But that’s a misunderstanding.]

[The one who was abandoned is you. If I don’t hold onto you again, you will disappear.]

[So, I will hold onto you again.]

——————–

Around dawn, when the faint light barely illuminated the room.

Leo quietly frowned and tossed and turned on the bed.

He was tired, but it was a night he couldn’t easily fall asleep.

And, under his eyelids, old memories crowded in, wearing the face of a dream.

When was it? It was around the time when the cherry blossoms at the mansion were still in full bloom.

A small hand tugged at his clothes and spoke.

[Master, look at this. It’s a flower ring I made.]

As if handing over a great treasure, she carefully placed a ring on his hand.

Leo, accustomed to it, accepted that smile, and,

“You made it well.”

That’s how he gave an answer that seemed like nothing special.

But the Leo in the dream now felt that moment was somehow unfamiliar.

The wind was so warm, and the sunlight was blindingly soft.

Her smile was transparent, and her gaze was directed straight at him.

[Until when will you stay with me, Master?]

He couldn’t answer that question.

As if speechless, he only turned his head and looked at the cherry blossoms.

Why didn’t he answer?

Why didn’t he hold her hand then?

Why, why did he leave her behind and leave?

Sierra in the dream had somehow changed from her young appearance to her current appearance.

But her eyes were the same.

The large and clear gaze that looked at him.

[You’re going to leave again anyway.]

Her voice was low and quiet, but it left a cold aftertaste.

[So this time, I will catch you.]

At that moment, his neck felt cold.

Her shadow stretched long, and she spread her arms as if to embrace him.

[I won’t let you go, Master. Never this time.]

──

“Haat…!”

Leo took a rough breath.

He shot up in bed and clutched his forehead.

His fingertips were damp with cold sweat.

“……I really had a ridiculous dream.”

But his eyes wavered blankly towards the window for a moment.

Beyond the moonlight, the garden’s shadow stretched long.

It seemed like someone was laughing within it.

On a morning when sunlight poured gently, the garden of Heavenfield Mansion was filled with warm air and the scent of dew.

The sunlight entering through the window dyed Leo’s hair gold, and he leaned against the windowsill, exhaling leisurely.

The sound of a door quietly opening. Turning his head, a familiar face entered. Today, Sierra was giving off a distinctly neater and cleaner impression than usual.

However, the look in her eyes contained a hint of playfulness. She carefully placed breakfast on a tray and entered.

On the tray, along with breakfast, there was a piece of paper.

[Good morning, Master.]

Just as each person has a tone in their voice, her handwriting also had a tone.

Today’s handwriting is…

I’m not sure…

While thinking that, Sierra asked me a question.

[What are you thinking about, Master?]

[Really? That expression looks somewhat complicated.]

“I just had a somewhat complicated dream. That’s all.”

[Was it a dream related to me?]

At that, Leo threw a sharp look. Even if it was a playful remark, she was by no means taking it lightly. Rather, there was always something hidden in the words she spoke.

“Ah, it’s just nothing”

[What are you thinking about, Master?]

“Why are you asking again?”

[Just because I’m feeling a bit spiteful]

Suddenly? Did I do something wrong or…

I did. Yes, I did.

I did leave her without a word

But doing this so suddenly is a bit perplexing

“No, why are you suddenly like this”

[Just… because I felt like it]

Ah, I see.

You’re just teasing me

It’s not about spite or anything, you just want to tease me

This ungrateful maid

[What are you thinking about now?]

“The thought that I picked up a tiger cub”

[Oh my… I prefer a fox rather than a tiger.]

“Then be a fox.”

[Keng! If you don’t give me your liver, I’ll eat you!]

“Then a tiger”

[Uh-heung! If you give me a rice cake, I won’t eat you~]

“If you give me a rice cake, I won’t eat you?”

Ah

“Was it a foreign fairy tale I read when I was young? You remember it remarkably well.”

[Because the only thing valuable to me was that time when I was young]

So that was the reason after all

“Yes, I’m sorry about that.”

“Back then, I was too weak…”

[You don’t have to apologize]

[Because I won’t forgive you anyway]

[The more you apologize, the more I’ll just dislike you]

“Okay…”

[But it’s okay]

[Because I like you more than I dislike you]

…

Is she deliberately choosing to say things like that?

[So what kind of dream did you really have just now?]

“Yes. It was a dream related to you. It was complicated because of you.”

[Then from now on, I will try to play a good role in Master’s dreams.]

[Hmm… I doubt it.]

[Then perhaps…]

[A dream where I’m holding onto Master?]

At that moment, Leo’s shoulders trembled ever so slightly.

He flinched and turned his head.

“You, what did you just say?”

[Huh? I was just imagining it. Me holding onto Master tightly and saying, “I won’t let you go”…]

“……”

She took another step closer.

Now she was close enough that their breaths could touch.

[If it was a dream like that… Hmm, was it a nightmare? Or…]

She tilted her head slightly and asked with a very playful smile.

[Is it a secret wish?]

“Step back.”

Leo’s voice was firm.

But Sierra did not step back.

Instead, she leaned her body even closer.

[But, Master. About the dream today, I got it right, didn’t I?]

“……It must be a coincidence.”

[Hmm… I feel like I was much closer in the dream…]

[That way of speaking, that expression, even that gaze. As if I were right beside you.]

“……Snap out of it, Sierra.”

Leo said coldly and walked past her.

[Master.]

She called quietly.

[This time… it’s because I came to find you first.]

She smiled sweetly and picked up a fork to prepare for the meal. Leo felt a little uncomfortable with her playful expression.

It was a feeling he always had. Sierra always played jokes that crossed the line, and that became a feeling that was not light for him.

“You, aren’t you being too pushy from the morning?”

[Oh my, pushy… It hurts a bit for Master to say that?]

She pouted her lips slightly. But even that expression seemed calculated. Like a prank she played knowing he would react.

“Don’t make that face. It’s not very cute anyway.”

[But you said I was cute before. I, well, I haven’t changed much from how I was back then.]

“People change. Both me and you.”

[Then what about now? How do I look now… in Master’s eyes?]

At that question, Leo sighed and looked at her for a moment.

“Too close. It’s uncomfortable. Stop it.”

[Then should I move away? Like before, again?]

“……Just do what you have to do as the Head Maid. Emotions stop there.”

[Well… I’ll do that]

[Ah, I haven’t given you breakfast yet]

[I’ve prepared breakfast. The eggs are soft-boiled, and the bread is the kind Master used to like]

“You remembered?”

[As I said before… I]

“Yes, I understand… I understand”

I said it with as much sincere apology as possible.

“Heh heh”

“?”

She just laughed, she definitely laughed

This wicked creature

[You’re still naive]

[Of course you’ve changed a lot… But I’m relieved that you seem the same inside]

[Well… if you’re truly that sorry… shall we make a promise?]

“A promise?”

I asked sincerely

Because I still wanted to be forgiven

Because I sincerely regretted my actions back then

[A promise that you won’t leave me anymore]

[No matter what happens. Never]

Hearing that, I

ended up saying words I would regret for a lifetime

“Don’t say such presumptuous things”

“You are not in a position to make promises with me”

“Don’t be arrogant and do your best at your job”

I

I…

couldn’t make that promise, at least.

Because I would be leaving again soon

There wasn’t much time left until entering the academy

Once I entered, I wouldn’t know when I would return

And because I would be leaving her side countless times and there would hardly be any moments staying in this house

I reflexively, like that day,

ended up saying harsh words to her.

[Alright. But I… have a lot of secrets that I don’t have to tell Master. You knew that, right?]

[And… I wish Leo wouldn’t tell such lies]

Her fingertips held a fruit knife and were pointed towards me.

At those words, Leo’s gaze turned cold. He withdrew his hand from the table and stood up.

“Are you saying you’ll use something like that as a weapon?”

[Weapon? I just… want to be a necessary presence for Master anytime.]

She quietly stood up from her seat. Her tone was still gentle, and her eyes seemed harmless, but Leo could tell. That there was something dangerous lurking within her.

“What’s needed is… your loyalty. I don’t wish for anything else.”

[Then if that loyalty gets too deep… Master will be afraid, won’t you?]

She slowly lifted the tray and took one step back.

[Have your breakfast and cheer up. You’ll be busy today too.]

In the spot she left, there remained a still-warm soft-boiled egg, warm bread, and a piece of paper quietly placed on the table. Leo picked it up.

On that paper, it was written like this.

[Master, until the day you need me… I will always be by your side.]