《What…?》
《I said, choose just one. The one you like the most out of the four of us.》
Like the most…?
That’s impossible…
《Ah! Let me go!》
《You bug-like bitch. If you had any eyes, you would see our superior appearances of the Academy’s Four Heroes.》
《Heh, sure. It’s a bit much for someone like you, but go ahead and choose.》
I…I can’t…
Who could ever like scoundrels like you?
I don’t want to choose…
I don’t…
Thud!
《Ugh!》
《Heh, this bitch really doesn’t get it, does she? Do you think we will just let you stay quiet like that?》
《Oh dear. Kyle, did you forget we’re supposed to be chosen by this bug-like bitch?》
《Ah, right. I did forget for a second. You’re always so wise, Blund.》
Why are they acting like this…?
Calling me a bug-like bitch…
When they don’t even want to be chosen by me…?
《Hey, Elden? If you stay in the back, you might miss your chance!》
《Heh, the stoic type, huh?》
《Isn’t that right, Elden? Shouldn’t you show off your charms to the bug? Or are you just that confident?》
《…I have no interest in such childish games.》
《Tsk, tsk. You really don’t understand the fun, do you? Come on, Erenscia~ Just choose already. The quicker you do, the quicker this will end, right?》
P-Please…Stop this…
It’s pointless anyway…
No matter who I choose, you’ll just beat me afterward…
Thud!
《Ugh!》
《Ah, it’s so frustrating! Is it the case that you need to be hit to understand? How will you survive in this cruel world if you’re this pathetic?》
Crack-!
《Ahhh! M-My hand! It hurts….》
I get it now…
I know already…
Just…please…
Stop hitting me…
It hurts…
It hurts so much I could die…
《Now! Choose! Among the illustrious Academy’s Four Heroes, who do you think is the most dashing?》
……Elden Raphelion.
《Pffft-. Hahaha-!!》
《Ha! Did you hear that, Elden?! You got chosen by the bug!》
《Hehehe, aren’t you pleased, Elden? Being admired by Erencia of all people… Hahahaha!》
《……》
N-No, it’s not like that…!
I…I just didn’t want to choose anyone else…!
I just picked him…Because he doesn’t hit me…!
B-But…Elden…You’re just as awful as the others…!
You’re all terrible…!
《Hahaha-! Hey Elden, how much must she despise you to choose you like that?》
《Right! I think she’s throwing a tantrum because you didn’t play with her!》
《But if a kid throws a tantrum, the adults should punish them, right? So, come on, Elden, discipline her a bit~》
《……》
D-Don’t look at me like that!
I didn’t choose you because I wanted to…!
I think you’re disgusting…!
You make me want to throw up!
Thwack-!
《Kyaaa-!》
《Well done, Elden! You really should join us more often! Look at that!》
《…If you all are done playing around, let’s go out. I heard a new brothel opened with beastfolk whores.》
《Really? Let’s go then!》
…It always ends like this…
When their ‘toy’ becomes boring, they seek out a new one.
And I’m always left behind, alone, feeling my body ache as I watch their backs fade away.
Forever too weak.
Forever helpless.
But,
Now that I think about it,
This was already the second time you rejected me, wasn’t it?
Once as Erencia Velroc,
And once as Lumia Winterfell.
Of course, both times were soulless, done out of obligation… But still, it’s truly disgusting.
After all, I was rejected by a villain like you… Twice… Someone not worthy of a sprinkle of love… Twice…
Haha-.
Ah,
That’s
Funny
Right?
Isn’t it hilarious,
Elden?
Hahahahahahahaha-.
What on Earth could have happened…?
Marien was the Third Northern Duchess’s handmaiden,
Though born of common folk, there was a special reason she became Lumia’s maid.
Usually, maids in noble households hailed from common backgrounds.
However, handmaidens and butlers serving the noble families were often of lower nobility.
It was common for the daughters of barons who hadn’t yet entered a betrothal to serve as handmaidens while young lords served as head butlers.
Thus, Marien becoming a handmaiden was quite the exception.
Logan, the Grand Duke, wanted his daughter to have a female knight or someone of higher birth as her maid, but he couldn’t bend Lumia’s stubborn will.
《The only one I need is Marien.》
It all began with a chance encounter, a coincidence that landed Marien in her role.
After the accidental death of Ronica, Lumia’s last maid, she continued her research alone and, one day, while carrying experimental tools, materials, and books, bumped into a newly hired maid who was lost in the Grand Palace.
At that instant, Marien caught a glimpse of fallen book titles and research materials, deducing what experiments they related to, which piqued Lumia’s interest.
Thus began their bond, turning them into inseparable partners.
Both women moved in sync.
With just a glance, they could decipher each other’s thoughts, and a simple gesture was enough for them to understand desires.
Because of that,
“……”
Marien instantly sensed something was amiss when Lumia returned to her bedroom.
And she assumed that it had to do with Lord Elden.
These days, her Lady had been consumed with thoughts of him.
Limping along, Marien reached the counter to prepare a cup of tea.
Having healed enough to return her crutches, she had yet to free herself from the bandages.
“My Lady…?”
She prepared Lumia’s favorite, the comforting Winter-Blossom tea.
Just before handing it to her, Lumia removed her mask and placed it on the bedside.
Marien looked at her with concern.
Her Lady’s complexion…was deathly pale.
“P-Please, My Lady, drink some tea.”
It had been days since her Lady had a proper meal.
And her sleep had grown troubled as well.
Marien had never seen her Lady look so distressed, which alarmed her.
“…Thank you.”
After handing over the tea, Marien set the tray on the table and sat beside Lumia.
Then, with a cautious tone, she inquired.
“My Lady…What happened?”
Lumia’s lips opened and then pressed shut.
Their bond was one without pretense, with no secrets.
Thus, Marien was the only person privy to Lumia’s plans for revenge, assisting her with counsel whenever needed.
Yet, despite all this, Lumia couldn’t muster the courage to speak about the recent events.
It was an embarrassing story.
How she had been led around, utterly stumped by every challenge posed by Elden Raphelion, the brute.
About her own vulnerability and impotence, when ‘Lumia Winterfell’ had never known failure before.
And,
How her original aim to inspire genuine repentance through guidance and enlightenment had spiraled into foolish obsession and stubbornness.
But she couldn’t figure out how to stop at this moment.
It was ironic.
Lumia had wanted more than anyone for the villain to repent and change, yet now she was the one incapable of accepting it.
She found it too shameful to utter such humiliating things.
Being ‘rejected’ by a sworn enemy she vowed revenge against was mortifying beyond belief.
Though, her confession was false, merely a ruse to lure her prey into the depths of reprisal, now she felt an inexplicable shame.
It was unfair that he appeared to take her fake declaration seriously and spurned her.
Lumia was losing her mind just imagining Elden relishing the thought of having rejected ‘the Duchess’.
She was frustrated,
This had been a disgraceful and filthy situation.
And these emotions only fueled the raging fire within her further.
Adding to that, the spy following Elden’s activities consistently reported the same mundane stuff.
He would read in the library, train intensely.
And from these accounts, Elden seemed entirely earnest in his actions.
He wasn’t pretending, and to top it off, there were even reports of Elden’s…good deeds, all done in anonymity.
Picking up trash, organizing items in disarray, fixing broken things, and so forth.
The man had cast aside all vices to focus solely on honing himself.
“Sigh….”
A sigh deeper than the night escaped her.
Following that, Lumia sought to fill the void within her with the sweet tea.
The Winter-Blossom tea, said to contain the essence of winter, was supposed to soothe one’s burning heat.
Yet, the flames of resentment inside Lumia refused to simmer down.
She held the teacup, gazing down at the liquid swirling inside.
Seeing her Lady act like this, Marien finally spoke up.
“M-My Lady, perhaps…it would be wise to accept his decision?”
“What?”
“Look at yourself, My Lady. You look dreadful.”
Suddenly, Lumia turned her head to gaze into the mirror by her bedside.
In it, she saw a pale woman…who appeared ready to collapse at any second.
“……”
“I worry for you, My Lady. At this rate, you might truly fall ill…”
Glancing at Marien, Lumia forced a smile.
But for the maid, that smile appeared more fragile and brittle than ever before.
“Don’t fret. I’m not that weak.”
“I know, My Lady. You are stronger than anyone. Still, it’s tough seeing you struggle. Perhaps trusting in Elden’s change just this once would help…?”
Marien couldn’t forget the moment she crossed paths with Elden.
It wouldn’t be exaggerated to say it was a thrilling moment akin to facing death.
But, when her ankle twisted, it was Elden who had reached out to support her.
And,
The same man who had helped her and then threatened her life should she ever let this slip.
Their initial meeting was nothing like the stories surrounding Elden’s typical behavior.
He was the complete opposite of what the rumors portrayed.
The villain known to beat maids for displeasing him had shown kindness instead.
Initially, Marien believed he had helped her solely because the evaluators were nearby, but there was no one else around.
Perhaps he knew she was the personal maid of the Third Northern Duchess, which is why his touch and gaze seemed pure.
If his good deed had been calculated, he would have wanted those around him to witness it.
Yet, he insisted on silence.
He appeared to care more about the possibility of his good deed becoming a bothersome rumor than gaining any praise.
…Should I tell her?
For a moment, Marien pondered revealing Elden’s kindness, but remembering his threat loomed, and she hesitated, thinking it wouldn’t improve her Lady’s condition.
No,
By observing her Lady’s behavior, it was likely that revealing this would only intensify her obsessive tendencies.
Thus, Marien found herself in a predicament.
She genuinely hoped her Lady would recognize his shift and regain her lively spirit.
However,
The plea for acknowledgment was quickly brushed aside.
“No.”
With a resolute response.
“…Pardon?”
“I can’t trust it. Once we meet face-to-face, all will be revealed. No. I’ll make sure of it. Certainly.”
“Maybe just conversing with the Grand Duke before then would be…”
“No. This is my choice, and I’ll see it through alone. That’s the only path to my complete freedom.”
“But…”
Marien attempted to persuade her, yet Lumia had already set her teacup down and lay back on the bed.
Pulling the quilt over her head, she turned away.
Ultimately, Marien had no choice but to leave the bedroom after placing the teacup back on the tray.
Although saddened by her Lady’s brusque words, Marien understood well what ignited her impatience and irrationality, so she withdrew.
All she could hope for was that, at the very least, her Lady’s night would be a tad more peaceful.
My site has received a lot of DMCA notices, lol. From now on, I will update the MTL on https://darkmtl.com/.
The site is fast and lightweight because there are no ads yet. However, the theme is different from Cybor-TL, so take some time to familiarize yourself.
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.