episode_0147

As I faced Princess Seraphine’s face, I could immediately recall something I had forgotten.

The dagger that I had temporarily kept to provoke her attack during the last evaluation battle with Luke… I hadn’t returned it yet.

Seeing the expressions on both their faces, I could vaguely remember that fact.

“In fact, I completely forgot about it.”

It wasn’t intentional, I had genuinely forgotten about it.

It was understandable, considering that the item I had been using lately was of such high quality that I couldn’t even remember Seraphine’s dagger.

Crafted by a half-dwarf artisan and imbued with the protection of a fire spirit, the Blackwood dagger.

While Seraphine’s dagger was sharper, the one gifted by Edan with the Blackwood pattern also had considerable cutting power.

Moreover, Edan’s gift had the protection of a fire spirit, making it even more desirable for someone like me, whose luck was in dire need…

“No, this is not the time for this.”

Although for a moment, it seemed like I was making excuses in my mind, there was only one thing I had to do now.

Apologize for daring to steal the sword that the princess had gifted to her guard.

If I didn’t want my head to roll, I had to shut up and bow my head.

“Meeting like this was a coincidence, why not have a drink nearby…”

“I have committed a grave sin.”

“What?”

“I have no words to offer, even if I had ten mouths. I will accept the punishment for not only taking possession of the item the princess gifted to her guard but also using it recklessly. So, please spare my life…”

“Wait, Lilyss? Could you at least lift your head…?”

“No, as a sinner, I have no right to converse with Princess Seraphine on equal terms.”

With those words, I quietly bowed before Seraphine and lay prostrate at her feet.

As students passing by saw our scene, murmurs of confusion could be heard.

“What’s going on? Who offended the princess?”

“Hey, the one bowing, is she a crazy mage from the Magic Department?”

“Maybe she’s holding a grudge from last semester’s evaluation battle where she defeated Luke…”

I couldn’t quite make out what they were saying, but they were probably commenting on my disgraceful act of kneeling on the ground before a noble without any dignity.

But I couldn’t afford to stand up again. If I didn’t do this now, my life would be in danger.

If this ended with just a slight dent to my dignity, it would be a relief. It would be disastrous if I earned the enmity of the royal family and ruined my academy life.

“I-I will return the dagger immediately, Princess Seraphine. I used it once for an unpleasant purpose, but I have cleaned it thoroughly with my magic. If it doesn’t please you, I can offer monetary compensation…”

“U-um, could you please stand up, Lilyss? Your actions are attracting too much attention our way.”

“I cannot rise from this spot until I am forgiven by the princess.”

“Alright, I will forgive you, so please stand up for now. I honestly don’t know what you’re asking forgiveness for…”

“Yes, Princess Seraphine.”

After hearing her forgiveness, I rose from my prostration and stood up.

Seraphine was looking at me with a bewildered expression, completely unlike herself.

“Shall we move to a different location to continue our conversation? It seems like there are too many eyes here.”

“…Are we just going to talk?”

“Of course, Lilyss.”

Just talking, huh? It should be fine, then.

***

The place Seraphine brought me to share our story was the Guest Room inside the academy.

Of course, it was called a Guest ‘Room’, but in reality, the term ‘Noble Mansion’ would have been more fitting.

From the outward appearance to its use, the space was no different from a noble mansion.

Slightly overdecorated for a student dormitory, with lighting throughout the building that was hard to find anything other than chandeliers.

Just looking at the numerous fancy lights, it was almost comparable to Blackwood Manor. Of course, considering the status of the people using this place, the extravagant interior design was understandable.

This was the residence where ‘Noble Students’ stayed at Luminoir Academy.

Despite the academy’s principle of equality among all students, even the nobles used the dormitories provided by the school. However, the nobles were naturally exceptions.

If a noble were to mingle among regular students and someone got the wrong idea, it wouldn’t be surprising if an assassination occurred. It was a minimum security measure, after all.

Although I had been to this place often while playing ‘Luminoir Academy’, the scenery I saw now was distinctly different from what I remembered in the game.

Indeed, facing it in reality made my heart swell.

“Our Fourth Older Brother is expected to return home late today, so we can talk comfortably, Lilyss.”

“Oh, yes….”

When Princess Seraphine mentioned the Fourth Older Brother, she was referring to the Fourth Prince, MacHart. The only person among the students at the academy who held a higher position than Seraphine.

Of course, it was impossible to have a comfortable conversation in such a space, whether the Fourth Prince was present or not.

What could I do? If the princess wanted a comfortable conversation, I had to at least pretend to be comfortable.

As a Viscount’s daughter, refusing a conversation with a princess was impossible from the start.

-Clank.

“Please relax, Lilyss.”

“Oh, yes….”

For some reason, even after a semester had passed, Luke, who was still my exclusive maid, placed a teacup in front of me.

After confirming her slightly calmer appearance compared to when we met in the training ground last time, I took a sip of the tea in front of me.

As the herbal scent passed through my throat, calming my nerves, Seraphine looked at me and spoke.

“I didn’t call you here to interrogate you for any wrongdoing, Lilyss.”

“What?”

“First of all, it’s a misunderstanding to think that you have wronged me. It’s about Luke’s dagger, right?”

“Oh, yes….”

I nodded, thinking of one of the three daggers still in my dress pocket.

“For now, you don’t need to worry about returning that dagger. It became yours since the last duel.”

“What?”

“As an apology for the disrespect my guard… no, maid, showed you. Since you seem to use the dagger for self-defense, it’s a pretty good item, so I’m sure you’ll be satisfied with that.”

“So, you’re not angry that Princess Seraphine gave Luke a dagger as a gift?”

“Of course, that wouldn’t be possible. Since the end of the last duel, I have already considered that dagger to be yours, Miss Lillis.”

…In a way, I should consider myself lucky.

Although I felt a bit unjustified for all the worrying and suffering I went through alone in the past, it was more important to realize that Seraphine never harbored ill feelings towards me from the beginning.

Anyway, it’s much better to not hold unnecessary grudges.

The problem is, if I take this dagger with me, what will happen to Luke in the future?

“Thank you for your words, but then what about Luke’s dagger…?”

“I have already commissioned a skilled blacksmith to craft a new dagger for Luke. I am not someone who lets my subordinates use hand-me-downs.”

“….”

“Now, would you be willing to accept my gift, Miss Lillis?”

“Oh, yes… Thank you for saying so, I will gratefully accept.”

Well, if she goes to such lengths to give it to me, I didn’t really have a reason to refuse. It was rather oddly disappointing to return this decent dagger to Luke out of personal greed.

Of course, I could vaguely sense that Seraphine expressing such open kindness meant that she wanted something from me, but whether I accepted the dagger or not, I had to listen to what she had to say.

After putting the dagger back into my pocket, I quietly waited for Seraphine’s words to continue.

“Miss Lillis.”

“Oh, yes.”

“There’s no need to be nervous. The favor I want to ask of you today is not as difficult as the one I mentioned last time.”

“Oh, no. It was an honor for me to hear what you said last time. However, I couldn’t abandon my loyalty to Master Ethan and the Blackwood family…”

“Yes, I understand. That’s why this time, I have prepared a favor that won’t separate you from Master Ethan… Well, I mean, a favor that won’t interfere with the relationship between Master Ethan and Miss Lillis.”

“What?”

A favor that won’t interfere with the relationship between me and Ethan?

It feels oddly strange in a way, but it’s probably not a big deal.

I accepted it as a request that I could fulfill while maintaining my duties as Ethan’s exclusive maid, and nodded my head.

Compared to what she said before, Seraphine was asking for a favor that was a bit more improved.

“Exactly ten days from today, the election period for the academy’s student council will begin, are you aware of that?”

“Oh, yes. I am aware for now.”

The main events of the academy’s second semester always revolved around the student council election and the hunting event, which overwhelmingly dominated the storyline of Luminor Academy.

Well, the student council election episode felt like a main episode because it was closely related to the main heroine, Seraphine.

“I plan to participate in this student council election, Miss Lillis.”

“Oh, yes.”

“I have already somewhat finalized the cabinet formation. I can’t tell you until you respond to my request, but…”

“My response?”

“Yes, Miss Lillis.”

Wait a minute. Somehow, this situation feels like something I’ve experienced before.

Meeting by chance within the academy, being invited to the guest room, mentioning the student council election, and seeming to ask me for something.

If my memories from my past life are correct, this must be related to Seraphine’s student council election event at Luminor Academy…

“I’ll be straightforward, Miss Lillis.”

“….Yes.”

“If this is all you’re asking for, I trust you can uphold the ‘loyalty’ between you and Edan Gongja.”

…Somehow, it feels a bit ominous.