Chapter 29

“Are you joking?”

I stared blankly at the Princess’s face. But she just looked back at me with serious eyes. The atmosphere weighed on me, and I stammered, unable to open or close my mouth, producing only strange sounds, which made the Princess smile softly again.

“What’s wrong? Am I not good enough?”

“N-no, that’s not it! But there’s the issue of our statuses, and besides, we’re both women…”

“What, do you not prefer women over men?”

Thud! Her thundering question left me gaping, and I managed to stutter out a response, piecing together my words with difficulty.

“H-how could you say that?”

“You can tell by the way you look. Usually, women don’t look at other women like that. Well, I guess it takes someone like me to notice such things.”

What did she mean by how I looked at women? Seriously, who besides the Young Lady could even decipher the meanings behind my gaze? While all kinds of thoughts swirled in my head, the Princess gently grabbed my chin and turned my face towards her.

“What…?!”

“But honestly, I don’t understand why you’re so lacking in confidence.”

“Huh?”

The Princess examined my face carefully for a moment before nodding. I wished she would just let go of my chin, but she kept holding it, beaming softly.

“Is it because there are so many beauties around? No, honestly, I think you are more beautiful than Lilian or Yulia.”

“What kind of nonsense is that?”

“Hahaha, you’re flustered. I feel like I’m seeing a whole new side of you today.”

Of course I was flustered! Honestly, I just had a face that suited being a Maid. Who would say a woman with completely dead expression muscles like mine was beautiful? The Princess’s words sounded like comparing still life to blooming flowers and saying the latter was more beautiful.

“Well, think about it seriously. If you’re looking for a romantic partner, I’m always willing to apply.”

“But Your Highness, aren’t you supposed to marry a man?”

No matter how distanced the Princess was from the throne, she still had ambitions. Even if she didn’t pursue power, being from a royal family meant she should be engaged in a political marriage. It was only natural to doubt the sincerity of someone saying they wanted to date a woman.

“Haha, that’s just unnecessary worry.”

“But…”

“Shh, that’s enough. You don’t need to think any further. My choice might make things a little difficult for me, but it’s only if you accept my feelings.”

“Accept your feelings…?”

“Isn’t it right? Let’s put aside the words liking or loving for now. Honestly, I don’t even know what my feelings truly are.”

As she said that, the Princess’s face was slightly flushed. Seeing her shy made me gasp. I thought she was the iron-fisted Princess, but she could be bashful too.

“I’m not sure how you see me, but I am, after all, a woman. A 20-year-old woman.”

“Well, Your Highness has shown such mature behavior.”

“Since I’m so mature, that means we could date, right?”

“…Well, I’ll think about it.”

As I answered calmly, the Princess giggled softly.

“So you’re not outright rejecting me.”

“If I were to reject immediately, that would be a bit… awkward.”

“Ah, even if you were to reject me, I won’t cancel the request I made to you. Rather, I’ll try even harder to seduce you.”

“Can you really declare that so confidently?”

I found it a bit ridiculous, and as I said that, the Princess elegantly raised her hand and smiled. I gently took her hand, and she began walking slowly toward the exit.

“What, you seem like someone who really distinguishes between public and private matters. Is that not so?”

“Your Highness knows me too well…”

“That just means I’ve been observing you closely.”

What in the world could charm the Princess about me? Looks? Honestly, I thought she must be under a spell. I still didn’t see myself as particularly beautiful. In fact, compared to my appearance in my past life, I looked much better, but with people like Yulia, Lilian, and Princess Chloe around, I was just ordinary or maybe slightly pretty.

In this world, the deviation in looks was abnormally high. I was just average among such people, and that was evident as no one approached me back when I worked in the Mansion.

Lost in thoughts, I hastened my steps and soon arrived at the lecture hall where classes were in session. Staring blankly at the building, the Princess let go of my hand and smiled brightly.

“Thank you for the escort. Well then, I’ll be off.”

“…Ah, please take care.”

“Hehe, okay.”

I absentmindedly watched the Princess’s back as she entered the lecture hall, and then realized it was almost time for Lilian and Yulia to return, so I hurried back to the dormitory.

#

Clunk! A door that wouldn’t budge caught Yulia’s eye. Next to it, a soaking wet Maid was struggling to pull it open. After a while of pushing and pulling at the door, the Maid let out a small sigh.

“Um… Catherine?”

“Yeah, Yulia.”

Expressing gratitude for her friend, who was faithfully upholding their promise to speak informally when they were alone, Yulia couldn’t help but sigh. It wasn’t even noon, and the sun was slowly hiding behind a crimson sky; the evening was upon them, and here they were, trapped together.

The incident started like this. After finishing her dinner as usual and parting with Lilian, Yulia was leisurely walking through the campus when a professor from the Public Administration Department, who had recently shown interest in her, asked her to tidy up an empty classroom. Since Yulia had nothing else to do, she agreed to help, and that’s when it all began.

“Oh my, a commoner. What are you doing here?”

“…Huh? Professor Vent asked me to tidy up.”

The place the teacher referred to as an empty classroom was already occupied by several students using it as their hideout. Naturally, the Public Administration professor had no way of knowing this, which was why he asked Yulia for help. Unfortunately, those students were nobles who had a dreadful dislike for commoners.

“Hmph, classroom tidying. That’s just the kind of busywork for a commoner like you, isn’t it? Hehe.”

“…”

“Oh my, why is there no response? Are you ignoring a noble’s words?”

“With that so-called Lady Lilian not around, what could I possibly say?”

“Hahaha!”

Whether to revisit or not, Yulia, feeling the insulting comments directed at her, considered momentarily. The students wouldn’t budge even if she asked them to move aside. It was better to save her energy and come back later to tidy up.

Just as she was about to step away, a figure stood up from the corner. Rubbing its eyes and getting up, this person was familiar to Yulia. The students were startled, pointing fingers as Catherine, dressed like a Maid, slowly approached their group.

“W-what are you?”

“Where did you…”

“This Maid, isn’t she Lady Lilian’s?”

Slowly standing up, Catherine approached the group of students. Then, with her trademark expressionless face, she ominously spoke.

“Who insulted the Young Lady?”

“Eek!”

“Aaaah! Monster!”

As the students, eyes wide with fright, began to flee, someone threw a drink at Catherine. With a splashing sound, Catherine got soaked and sighed slightly.

“Umm, Catherine?”

“Yulia? What brings you here?”

“That’s what I want to know… why were you sleeping here?”

And in the meantime, did she overhear the slanders against Lilian? From Yulia’s perspective, Catherine’s loyalty was nothing short of astounding. Wringing out her drenched Maid uniform, Catherine answered with half-closed eyes.

“I just randomly walked and found an empty classroom, so I just lay down for a bit.”

“Uh… should we just head out?”

“Didn’t you have something to do?”

“Ah, right! I need to tidy up and leave. Umm…”

With a small sigh as she looked at the cookies and bread scattered by the students, Yulia began tidying up one by one. Why were they even snacking in an empty classroom? Did nobles stress out too? However, from what Yulia saw, nobles didn’t seem to have such a comfortable life.

After tidying up the leftovers and putting the chairs and desks in order, Yulia wiped the sweat from her brow. It was a relief that Catherine helped; if she had done it alone, it would have taken hours.

“Alright, now let’s head back. Lilian will be worried.”

“Yeah.”

As Yulia smiled and tugged at the door,

Clunk.

“Huh?”

Clunk, clunk.

She pushed harder against the door, but it still wouldn’t budge. Was it pulling? She tried to shove the door instead, but it remained immovable. Why? Looking at the doorknob, she realized it was locked from the outside. Could they possibly be trapped? Did those nobles do this? Countless thoughts raced through her mind.

“What’s wrong?”

“U-um, the door won’t open.”

Until Catherine approached, feeling something was off and asked what was happening, Yulia just hopelessly yanked at the doorknob.