Chapter 18

Apatem Academy tends to host a lot of events after midterms. Sure, the ball is a big deal, but a surprising number of students were actually looking forward to the excursion that follows. After all, while the ball is a formal social affair fitting for nobles, the excursion has a much more relaxed atmosphere. Excursion. It was just a fancy way of saying picnic, and it often took students to sightseeing spots near the free city under the academy’s supervision.

It was said to be a chance for students to catch their breath, but it was enough to make one wonder if the academy students were even studying at all after the midterm ball.

Anyway, if the Young Lady was going out on the excursion, it was only natural that I had to prepare a protective detail. However, due to the nature of academy events, maids weren’t allowed to accompany, so I had to figure something out. To be honest, there weren’t any strong or skilled people who could tag along, so sneaking in would do the trick. But knowing the Young Lady’s personality, I figured she wouldn’t be too fond of me trailing behind her.

Wait a second. Right now, Lilian isn’t a Young Lady, is she? With that thought, I quickly asked Lilian if it would be okay for me to follow her on the excursion.

“Hmm? Excursion? Well, it’s fine if you come along.”

“…Really?”

“There’s no reason to lie about something like this.”

I felt deflated by her cheerful consent and immediately scrapped the ‘excursion infiltration operation.’ Lilian tilted her head curiously at my reaction, but all I could do was let out a sigh.

“But how will you follow me? Maids are forbidden from attending academy events.”

“I plan to follow at a distance.”

“What’s the point of that?”

“It’s a protective measure against any unforeseen dangers.”

“What? There are tons of people; nothing is going to happen! I thought you just wanted to have fun, but here you are, making it into work?”

Seeing the exasperated look on Lilian’s face, I tilted my head in confusion. To be honest, I had seen this reaction before. Back in the day, when Lilian was still a cute little girl, she would sigh if I tagged along, saying, ‘You’re making it all about work again.’

“Ugh… well, whatever. It should be fine if I just hold your hand a little.”

“Hold my hand? What do you mean by that?”

“Well, you know…”

Lilian suddenly jumped up from where she sat on the bed, fully dressed in her stockings. I started putting her school uniform on her. First, I slipped on her shorts, then the skirt. Finally, I added her shirt and blazer, and voilà—done.

“All set.”

“Thanks, Catherine. By the way… um, can I ask you a strange question?”

“Go ahead.”

“Um, it’s just… don’t you feel embarrassed taking care of me? Like when you help me bathe or dress me like this?”

What nonsense is this? That rude thought flashed through my mind, but I shook my head to dispel it. Lilian’s face flushed red, indicating what she thought of my reaction.

“Is, is that true? I’m embarrassed, though… honestly, I’d prefer to bathe alone.”

“You don’t even know how to wash yourself.”

“What do you think I am? I’ve memorized how it’s done just by watching you, of course!”

Well, I guess I could see how, in modern sensibilities, helping someone bathe could be quite embarrassing. But honestly, seeing Lilian in her natural form didn’t elicit any awkward feelings in me. It felt more like admiring a work of art.

“You know I don’t say things just for the sake of saying them.”

“What do you mean you’re saying it as if it were real?!”

“My answer, unsurprisingly, is a no. Please don’t steal my job, okay?”

At my firm refusal, Lilian let out an ‘ugh’ sound.

“…Ugh, if you say it like that, I feel like I’m a terrible employer. I just wanted to reduce your hassle and ease my embarrassment!”

“Unfortunately, there’s nothing troublesome about my work, so your concern is misplaced.”

“Why don’t you ever back down? And besides, I’m the employer here!”

I found myself staring blankly at Lilian, who looked immensely aggrieved.

“Wait. Did you just smile for a second?!”

“You must have seen it wrong.”

“No, I swear your mouth turned up just a little! Do it again, smile again!”

Oh, my mouth. Forcing myself to lift my lips, Lilian gasped with horror and anxiously grabbed my cheeks.

“D-Don’t do that again! It’s really scary!”

“Well, I can’t be that scary…”

To be honest, if she was that frightened, it hurt my feelings a bit. Yet, Lilian shook her head furiously, making a sad face.

“It’s scary! You already look so fierce anyway…!”

Damn. Is it really about my demeanor? I was actually kind of pleased to have been reincarnated into a beautiful girl, but the ominous hair and eye color, along with my cold and fierce appearance, really worked against me. Especially in a world set between medieval and modern times.

If I felt this way not having gone outside much as a member of the Portus house, I couldn’t help but wonder how others must be dealing with me. Truth be told, I was starting to feel a bit curious. It was a curiosity I couldn’t resolve right now, so I had to push it aside.

“Uh, you really can’t smile, Catherine.”

“Did you say back in the day…?”

“Yeah. Back in the day when you were twelve. I made you try to smile, remember?”

An uncomfortable feeling crept in. Lilian surely wouldn’t remember that day—so why did I? I had never felt more grateful for my unexpressive face. If I hadn’t, I likely wouldn’t have managed to keep my expressions in check at all.

“…That happened, didn’t it?”

“Yeah. So Catherine… Wait, no? Why do I know this…?”

The last remark sounded like a mutter to herself, yet it rang clearly in my ears. A memory she didn’t know. Could it be that the Young Lady’s memories are flowing back to Lilian? Or perhaps, is Lilian gradually becoming the Young Lady now?

If it’s the former, there’s hope, but if it’s the latter… that means I’m going to have to serve someone who may never realize they’re the Young Lady. Until now, I managed to endure thinking that somehow I could revert the Young Lady back to her usual self, but I couldn’t handle living with this ‘Lilian’—this straightforward, kind girl who cares about others.

With the overwhelming feeling that the Young Lady might vanish, I slowly exited Lilian’s room, which was tangled in confusion. The sound of the door closing echoed like the laughter of a devil announcing the end.

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I felt utterly revolted by myself. I stepped outside, trying to suppress the rising nausea. On the surface, I appeared perfectly calm, but inside I was a mess and wanted nothing more than to rest. But I couldn’t be in that room with Lilian.

An instinctive alarm rang in my head. I staggered to a room not too far off. It was Yulia’s room. I didn’t even knock when the door suddenly opened. Completely caught off guard, I stared blankly as the door swung towards me and hit my forehead. Thudding to the ground, I glanced up dazedly to find Yulia looking down at me in surprise.

“Eek?! Catherine?!”

“…Ah.”

“Catherine? What’s wrong? You look unwell.”

“…”

How did she know? I leaned against the door for a moment, then shook my head. Yulia, glancing at me, slowly came over and offered her support. Not refusing her touch, I leaned into her as she helped me inside her room.

Though it was my first time in Yulia’s room, I couldn’t help but think, even in my disoriented state, that it reflected her personality well. The furnishings and decorations weren’t particularly expensive, but they were practical and gathered with an eye for aesthetics, making the room feel warm and inviting.

Completely different from the Young Lady’s room. Yet, the small warmth radiating from this place slowly calmed me down.

“Can I ask what’s bothering you… if that’s okay?”

“…Yes.”

“Okay. We’re friends, right? So as a friend, I’m asking you. What’s wrong?”

“Yulia.”

“Yeah?”

Startled by my sudden use of her name, Yulia looked at me. But in that moment, I was there as her friend, not as a maid from the Portus house.

“What would you do if your friend suddenly changed and became someone else?”

“…Hmm, how different?”

“Basically, they become a much better person.”

“Well… I’m not sure. Friendship usually takes time to build, so you tend to open your heart gradually over time, right?”

“…”

I strongly nodded my head, prompting Yulia to smile softly at me.

“Yeah. Of course, there are people who don’t fit that, but usually, that’s how it goes.”

Those who don’t fit that description—Yulia gazed hard at me as she continued her thought.

“Then all that’s left is to rebuild that relationship. I wouldn’t want to lose that friend.”

To be honest, my question didn’t have an entirely satisfying answer. Yet, all I really wanted in that moment was to hear her say anything to fill the emptiness. Somehow, despite my reservations, Yulia managed to pull out the core of my question.

“You mean the friend who you wouldn’t want to lose, right?”

“…”

Upon seeing my head nodding, Yulia smiled warmly and gently laid me down on the bed. She then leaned over me, looking into my eyes.

“Yeah. I hope to be that kind of friend someday. But for now, should I yield to that friend? Hehe.”

A different, yet captivating smile spread across her face. But that smile had the seasoned quality of a battle-hardened warrior.

“Yeah. This time, I’m hoping for a different outcome.”

As she whispered that, Yulia pressed a soft kiss on my cheek. Stunned, I stared at her as Yulia laughed and pulled away, wearing her usual smile.

What a wicked girl…!

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