“That’s that maid…”
“The one who knocked out two knights…”
“As expected of House Portus…”
Strange whispers reached my ears. I was walking as usual to deliver the lunchbox to the Young Lady. I tried to avoid the students as much as possible, but the Academy was so crowded that I couldn’t help but pass by people occasionally. However, everyone who passed by stared at me for a while, and when I looked back, they flinched and trembled. Then, as soon as I passed, they started whispering among themselves again.
Hmm, why are they acting like that? I tilted my head in confusion, but as long as it didn’t harm the Young Lady, it wasn’t a big deal, so I just hurried along.
“Young Lady.”
“Ah, Catherine.”
Lilian, now familiar, took the lunchbox with a face full of anticipation. Originally, I would stay and set up the lunchbox for her, but Lilian seemed to find it burdensome and insisted I leave, so I had no choice but to just hand over the lunchbox and go.
Once, after observing her meal, it became even more so. She always ate the lunchbox I brought with a look of delight. The sight of the ‘Young Lady’ being so filled with happiness was a rare scene, even after a lifetime of serving as a maid.
Honestly, I was a bit pleased to see the Young Lady enjoying her meals, ensuring she got the necessary nutrients. No, no. I shouldn’t be pleased. Catherine. That ‘Lilian’ is the one who took your Young Lady away.
I steeled my resolve and stepped back from Lilian. The way she waved her hand at me, as if seeing the Young Lady, almost broke my resolve again, but I slowly held onto my skirt and bowed.
After delivering the lunchbox to Lilian, I headed to the library. At the library, I would study ways to bring the Young Lady back and do some studying before preparing dinner. That’s how I spent my days.
Honestly, life at the Academy wasn’t much different from the mansion. It was the same work of protecting, caring for, and assisting the Young Lady as a maid. Well, it was comfortable, though. As I headed back to the library, I unexpectedly ran into a familiar face.
“Oh, hello!”
“Hello, Lady Yulia.”
“Again, calling me that.”
Seeing Yulia puff up her cheeks, I couldn’t help but think, ‘So people really do that,’ and slightly bowed my head.
“My apologies. It’s a habit.”
“Hmm, no. I didn’t mean to scold you.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. That’s right.”
She smiled and answered. Glancing around, I noticed no familiar faces. Sensing my expression, Yulia smiled and spoke.
“If you’re looking for Lilian, she’s not here. She went to sleep right after lunch, saying she got sleepy.”
“Is that so?”
Good. As soon as I get back, it’s lecture time. I mentally prepared what to say about the dangers of lying down right after eating and slowly got up.
“Huh? Leaving?”
“No. I was thinking of looking for another book.”
“Hmm. I see.”
“Lady Yulia, what book are you looking for?”
Seeing her without any books in hand, I casually asked, and she hummed, thought for a moment, then handed me a list.
“These books. I need them for homework… I looked around but couldn’t find them.”
“I’ll help you find them.”
“Huh? No, it’s fine. I can find them myself.”
She whispered while rolling up her sleeves, and I quietly shook my head.
“I was going to look for my books anyway, so let’s search together. Don’t feel burdened.”
“Hmm…”
“By the way, for something like this, you could ask the librarian.”
“Ah, yes. I was going to, but she was asleep. I didn’t want to wake her up.”
How innocent can she be? I sighed inwardly. Well, whatever. I quietly nodded and headed towards the librarian’s desk. The Apatem Academy library was quite large, so it took a while to reach the librarian’s desk. After about three minutes, I arrived and quietly tried to wake her.
“Librarian, wake up.”
“Hmm… five more minutes…”
She’s not waking up. It’s a bit awkward to touch her, and I couldn’t make loud noises in the library. After a moment of thought, I remembered a surefire way to wake someone up. I bent down slightly, brought my lips close to the librarian’s ear, and opened my mouth.
“Ba-ba-ba-bam-ba-ba-ra-ba-ba-ba-bam-ba-ba-bam-”
…Of course, I wasn’t crazy yet. As I hummed the military trumpet sound, the librarian shivered as if electrocuted and suddenly sat up, staring at me. Her dazed eyes, slightly drooling mouth, and askew glasses clearly showed she had been asleep.
“Wh-what was that just now…”
“Could you help me find some books?”
“Ah, no. What was that just now?”
“Just now? I’m not sure what you’re talking about.”
“No, you just sang in my ear, didn’t you?”
“No, I didn’t. Maybe you were dreaming.”
In this situation, denial was the only way. With a blank expression, I thoroughly denied it, and the librarian, unable to say more, muttered, ‘How strange,’ and picked up the list.
“Ah, could you add a few books about the Demon King and magic?”
“The Demon King and magic…? Those are practically fairy tales.”
“It’s fine. The more serious, the better.”
“Okay…”
The librarian, rubbing her dark circles, slowly got up and started heading in a familiar direction. As she handed me the books, I felt the weight and slightly bent my back. Hmm, I never noticed this as a man, but carrying so many books, they press against my chest.
“Hey, are you okay? It looks really heavy.”
“I’m fine with this.”
Having discovered a new fact, I nodded reassuringly at the concern from beside me and started heading back to my original spot. The books were heavy, but after all the intense training I’d been through, it wasn’t unbearably so.
As I headed back to where Yulia was, I started hearing some commotion. Who’s causing a ruckus in the library? Thinking that, I placed the books blocking my view on the table and realized why the commotion was happening.
“Why are you even here?”
“Well, to do homework…”
Yulia was surrounded by a group of noble ladies. Among them, a beautiful girl with purple hair and violet eyes glared sharply at Yulia.
“You? Why? At best, you’re destined to be some prince’s concubine. What reason do you have to fill that empty head with knowledge?”
Giggles and sneers reached my ears. Hmm, the girl standing in front must be Lady Ramsdell. Compared to House Portus, she’s a step, no, honestly, three steps behind, but she’s still the eldest daughter of the prestigious Count Ramsdell family.
She must have enrolled at Apatem Academy. Thinking that, I took my book and approached Yulia with the rest. Hmm, I’ll have to pass between them. Inevitably, I ended up between Lady Ramsdell and Yulia, placing the books down with a thud and calling Yulia’s name.
“Lady Yulia.”
“Who do you think you are, interrupting?”
…I haven’t interrupted yet. Just because I spoke to Yulia, Lady Ramsdell yelled at me, and I briefly looked at her. Hmm, what should I say? As I pondered, Lady Ramsdell glanced at me and started stepping back.
“Eek, th-those eyes won’t scare me!”
Even if they’re just my usual eyes. I was about to say that, but Lady Ramsdell started stepping back even faster. What’s with her? As I reached out to stop her, her face turned pale, and she quickly ran away.
“Y-you’ll see-!”
“Please be quiet in the library!”
Watching Lady Ramsdell walk away quickly while maintaining her dignity, I suddenly wanted to show that scene to Lilian. She’s been acting too carefree lately. Thinking that, I watched Lady Ramsdell leave, and the surrounding noble ladies started scattering in confusion.
Am I that scary? Feeling slightly down, I wiped my face, and Yulia gently placed her hand on my shoulder.
“Hmm, thank you.”
“No, it was nothing.”
“Only Catherine could say that.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
Yulia, looking a bit down, nodded and started checking the books one by one. After confirming all eight books, she nodded.
“Thank you, Catherine.”
“By the way, how do you plan to carry them?”
“Huh? Oh, I won’t take them all. I’ll read a few here.”
“Do you have afternoon classes…”
“No.”
“I see.”
Yulia smiled at my answer and quickly focused on her book. Watching her, I started reading the book I borrowed. So, the title was…
Even the Demon King Wants Love.
…This definitely isn’t the book I wanted.
#
