Chapter 100
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 100
Chapter Title: The Lady Has No Intention of Letting Go of Her Servant. (1)
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“Then I’ll be off.”
After exchanging brief farewells with her family, Elena boarded the carriage.
I bowed politely to the members of the Frozenheart Ducal Family and followed her into the carriage.
Soon, with a faint vibration, the carriage began to move forward. We were departing from Elena’s home, the Frozenheart Ducal Family estate, headed for the Academy.
The mansion visible through the window gradually shrank and eventually vanished completely. At the same time, Elena’s gaze turned toward me.
“Do you have something to say?”
“…Not really.”
“Understood.”
Lately, Elena had been acting a bit off. To be more precise, ever since returning from the imperial banquet, she seemed to have something weighing on her mind.
Yet for some reason, she hadn’t confided in me. She’d always consulted me even on the tiniest worries before.
Of course, she had no obligation to share her troubles with me. And I had even less reason to pry.
But still. When someone changes this suddenly, how can you not worry? Whether it’s for better or worse.
“My lady, may I ask one thing?”
“Yes, go ahead.”
“Are you perhaps troubled by something?”
I’d waited a whole week, expecting her to bring it up first. That should be plenty of time, right?
My words must have caught her off guard. Elena’s eyes widened for a moment before she turned her gaze out the window.
“…And if I am?”
“I’d like you to tell me.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m worried about you, my lady.”
Elena’s eyes turned back to me. She said nothing, just stared blankly.
What on earth was she thinking?
In moments like this, I almost envied Erze’s ability. If I could read Elena’s mind ahead of time, I wouldn’t need to worry at all.
It was only after a little more time passed that Elena’s tightly closed lips finally parted.
“You’re right. I’ve been troubled. Or rather, I was.”
“Meaning…?”
“It’s better now. What I was worrying about feels silly in hindsight.”
“I’m glad it’s resolved.”
I replied calmly, though a corner of my mind was filled with curiosity.
Hadn’t she been agonizing over it for a full week? Could something that serious really resolve the instant I asked?
It’d make more sense if she was pretending it was solved just to avoid telling me. But no, that didn’t seem to be it. Her expression was more relaxed than I’d ever seen. Like the worries had never existed.
‘What the heck…?’
I felt like a fool for worrying about her all week. Shouldn’t have bothered.
As I sat there lost in thought, Elena’s voice suddenly broke through.
“Luke, could you say that one thing again?”
“What exactly?”
“You know, that thing about being worried and all.”
“Ah, that. Because I’m worried about you, my lady.”
“Good. Very good.”
Elena flashed a bright smile. I had no idea what about that made her so happy.
Taking it a step further, just as she reached out to pat my head—
Thud—!
Did we hit a rut? The carriage jolted violently.
The force sent Elena’s upper body, already leaning forward, floating into the air.
“Eek?!”
“My lady?!”
I hurriedly reached out and grabbed her.
Thankfully, my reaction was quick enough that she wasn’t hurt. The only issue was that she ended up sitting on my lap.
We’d never even sat like this as kids, so why on earth did this happen now that we’re grown…?
“I’m sorry, my lady. I acted in haste and…”
“Luke.”
Elena cut me off. As if telling me not to say more.
Her serious tone made me swallow hard.
“I want to act spoiled for a bit.”
“Of course, as much as you like.”
“Thank you.”
Elena’s arms wrapped around the back of my head, pulling me into her embrace. In the end, I found myself nestled in her arms.
Her warm body heat seeped through our clothes, and I could feel her slightly quickened heartbeat against my skin.
“Sorry for making you worry. My secret friend.”
There was no need for her to apologize. Worrying about her was only natural for me—as her servant and as her secret friend.
The problem was I couldn’t exactly reply with my face buried in her chest…
Oh well. She probably knew that much.
We stayed like that until the coachman’s voice came through.
“A-Are you alright?!”
The coachman peered through the small window connecting to his seat, concern evident in his voice.
Before answering, I glanced at Elena.
Nod.
She smiled and nodded, signaling it was fine.
“We’re alright, but please be more careful going forward.”
Come to think of it, this felt oddly familiar. Like we’d hit a rut in a similar spot once before…
Whatever.
I turned my gaze back to Elena. Her ears, as she stared out the window, were flushed bright red, as if they might burst.
Rumble.
With a faint vibration, the carriage resumed moving.
* * * * *
Time passed, and before long, the world was shrouded in late-night darkness.
The carriage gradually slowed, then came to a complete stop. Under the dim moonlight, a massive building came into view—we had finally arrived at the Academy.
I spoke to Elena, who was sleeping with her head pillowed on my thigh.
“My lady, we’ve arrived at the Academy.”
“Nooo…”
No helping it—we were here whether she liked it or not.
I reached out and gently kneaded her cheeks.
“Mmm…”
Her skin felt just as soft and supple as when we were kids. Squishy yet smooth—I could probably play with it all day without getting bored.
Not that I planned to, of course.
Thankfully, Elena woke up soon after.
As we stepped out together, a mild summer night breeze tickled our skin.
The northern air had been far chillier, making me truly feel like we’d arrived at the Academy.
Anyway, it was probably best to head to the dorms soon. We had tomorrow free, but a good night’s sleep was still ideal.
“My lady, I’ll escort you to your dorm.”
“It’s fine. I can go alone. You must be tired…”
“I’m alright.”
“Really, you don’t have to…”
We were bickering like that at the Academy entrance when—
A familiarly emblazoned carriage pulled up.
Elena’s and my gazes snapped toward it simultaneously. The person who stepped out was someone all too familiar.
“Evi, Sir Walter.”
The crest on the carriage belonged to the Douglas Count family, so the pair who alighted were Evi and her brother Walter.
Hearing Elena’s voice, Evi turned, her eyes widening.
“Lady Elena…! Luke…!”
Evi strode over with obvious delight, Walter following with a nod.
Once they were close, Evi gave a light bow in greeting.
“It’s been a while, my lady.”
“Yes, it has.”
“Have you been well?”
“Yes, quite well. And you?”
“I’ve been well too. Mostly thanks to the hospitality of the Nineheart Barony.”
Elena smiled and replied, “I see,” but her voice carried a chilling edge. I couldn’t pinpoint why, but she clearly wasn’t pleased.
After finishing with Elena, Evi turned her gaze to me.
“Luke, been well?”
“Yeah, pretty… well?”
“Not using polite speech this time, huh?”
A playful smile spread across Evi’s face. She was teasing me about using formal speech back at the Nineheart Barony.
I hadn’t wanted to use it either. Circumstances just forced my hand.
Even Father used formal speech—how could I just switch to casual?
“I learned a ton from the baron. You’d be shocked if you saw.”
“Sounds good.”
“Yeah, so how about a spar soon…”
As Evi continued, Walter placed a hand on her shoulder to stop her.
“Evi, it’s late. Continuing like this would be rude to the lady.”
“R-Right. Got carried away in the excitement…”
Evi realized her mistake and bowed apologetically to Elena, who graciously accepted it.
Evi turned back to me with an awkward grin.
“Anyway, I’m heading to the dorms. What about you? If you’re going too, we could…”
“Luke is coming with me to the Magic Department dorms.”
It was Elena who spoke up for me.
Though it was a bit odd. She’d just insisted she could go alone…
I didn’t know what wind blew her way, but it worked for me. I’d planned to see her there anyway.
After brief farewells with Evi and Walter, Elena and I set off first.
A little more time passed, and we arrived at the Magic Department dorm entrance.
Elena stopped and said,
“Don’t schedule anything for tomorrow. We’re going out to the city together.”
“Understood.”
“Then I’ll be off. Good night.”
“Yes, I hope you have a restful night, my lady.”
Elena turned and entered the dorm building. I waited until she was out of sight before finally turning away.