The Maid's Wish (2)
“Ugh...”
The day's routine was finally over. As I headed back to the dormitory, the sunset sky dyed orange filled my view. It struck me suddenly, but the sky in this world was so clear. Compared to the world I used to live in, it was refreshingly pristine.
“...”
I stretched briefly, letting out a deep breath to shake off the day's fatigue as I walked along.
“See you tomorrow!”
“Uwaa, it's finally over!”
“I'm so tired~”
The main gate of the academy building was bustling with other students. Their voices blended into a harmonious chorus. I wove through them gracefully.
“You worked hard today too, Master.”
By my side, Eily offered words of encouragement. She walked politely, holding my backpack in both hands in front of her knees.
“You worked hard too. Taking care of chores and studying—you must have it tougher.”
I replied, turning my gaze. The evening breeze brushed my hair, making it sway softly.
“Not at all. It's only natural as Master's maid.”
She smiled brightly at her dutiful words. But the smile faded quickly, and she pressed her lips together firmly.
“Um... Master...”
After a moment's hesitation, as if she'd made up her mind, she barely opened her mouth.
“What's wrong?”
Her slightly worried expression puzzled me. She whispered to me, tense on one side and trembling with anxiety on the other.
“What do you think of Lady Melina...?”
It was a rather vague question. I couldn't grasp her intent, so one eyebrow twitched.
“Sorry, but... I don't get what you mean. What do you mean, what do I think of Melina?”
At that, courage flickered in Eily's eyes. She swallowed hard and asked in a solemn tone.
“By any chance... what do you think of Lady Melina as a woman, with her so openly showing affection toward you?”
What did I think of Melina as a woman...? I reflected inward at the question.
Well... Of course, I couldn't deny she was stunningly beautiful. From my perspective of only seeing her as a graphic avatar on a screen before, it was a welcome sight too. But did my heart race or did I fall in love at the sight of her? Not really.
It wasn't something I could pinpoint exactly, but... she didn't strike me as a woman, per se. Someone might think it was male pride speaking, but this applied not just to Melina, but to all the heroines. After all, Elisha and Melina were originally meant to end up with Varis. In reality, I'd hoped they'd pair with him too, so my romantic feelings toward them were faint or nonexistent.
Of course, when Melina clung to me so boldly today, I did feel a flutter. It seemed like an inevitable male instinct toward an attractive opposite sex.
“Not really... Her sticking to me like today feels more annoying than anything.”
I organized my thoughts and answered Eily's curiosity. Her face brightened, and she sighed in relief, “Phew~”
“By the way, why are you curious about that?”
Now it was my turn to ask.
“Ah, no! It's nothing...!”
She waved her hands frantically as if flustered. Though she denied it verbally, her guilty look stirred suspicion.
“Alright then...”
A bit of doubt lingered, but since she seemed troubled, I decided not to press.
“That's a relief... So there's still a chance...”
Just then, she muttered something again. Her voice was too soft to catch.
“What did you say?”
“Ah, nothing!!”
“Leave the luggage and clothes to me.”
Back at the dormitory, I handed off all the fiddly tasks to Eily. Of course, it was maid work, but treating her like a slave made me feel guilty. Still, she'd fret that she wasn't fulfilling her duties properly if I didn't, so I usually let her handle it.
“Thanks.”
I handed her my black suit as I took it off. As I loosened my tie, I remembered my promise to Elisha earlier.
“I think the divorce contract is at the mansion. Could you find it later when you have time?”
But no sooner had the words left my mouth than Eily's face twisted sharply for some reason.
“Pardon?”
She looked shocked, her mouth gaping like a goldfish, bewilderment clear on her face.
“The d-divorce contract? It'd be there if we look, but... why do you need it?”
Her lips trembled as she forced out the words. Each syllable seemed to pain her like a needle prick; her complexion darkened.
“Elisha wants to cancel the divorce and continue the engagement. She even asked with a wish coupon.”
“Master!”
No sooner had I finished than Eily cried out in a voice mixed with resentment and anger.
But her hatred wasn't directed at me.
“Absolutely not! As I told you once before, Lady Elisha is the one who discarded you and looked at you only with disgust!”
“For the past five years, you always tried to approach her, but she ignored every chance!”
“And yet you're saying you'll give her another opportunity?!”
A torrent of abuse poured out against Elisha. She'd long harbored ill will toward her, and now her loathing pierced the heavens.
“I promised to grant one request, so I have no choice.”
“Then I'll use the wish coupon you gave me too! Divorce Lady Elisha!”
I brushed it off with the earlier incident, and Eily countered instantly with her own wish coupon, as if she'd been waiting. Regardless of anything else, she seemed utterly unwilling to tolerate me with Elisha, desperately trying to sever our bond.
“That serious about it? Why on earth?”
“That serious?! Rather, I want to ask you—why are you so forgiving and lenient?! Even a lifetime of hatred wouldn't suffice, yet you're willing to embrace her warmly?!”
Her voice grew hoarse with rage. On the verge of tears from frustration and jealousy, she began to sob.
“Please, Master... I beg you like this... Rethink your relationship with Lady Elisha.”
“She doesn't suit you. Absolutely—”
Her fury toward Elisha peaked. Her face flushed red with emotion, and she bared her teeth like a beast in excitement.
“Still, she asked, so I can't help it. I wasn't hurt anyway.”
But I gave a short reply to her earnest plea. I'd promised Elisha first, and knowing her personality, she'd cling relentlessly if refused—I needed to make her understand.
“W-what?”
“Even if we divorce Elisha, she'll find a way to rekindle things.”
“But... that's...”
Eily clamped her mouth shut midway. Perhaps realizing I'd side with Elisha no matter what she said, desperation and despair mingled around her.
“...I understand. If that's what you say, Master, I have no choice.”
In the end, she nodded reluctantly. Though she had much to say, she pursed her lips in helpless resignation.
“Thanks for understanding.”
“No. As your maid, I follow whatever you say.”
“It's a bit late, but I'll head to the mansion quickly. I should be back before midnight.”
I left those words and departed.
Ah, I see. As expected, Master intends to forgive Lady Elisha.
I honestly anticipated it. Master is just too kind-hearted.
But... I'm not as good-hearted as Master.
I absolutely cannot tolerate seeing Master with another woman.
Not even if I have no right to interfere.
I hate it now. I don't want my heart to ache and crack anymore from only gazing at Master.
I'm sorry in advance, Master... I won't ask for forgiveness.
But please... let me make you see only this Eily.
“Mm, ugh...”
I must have fallen asleep just like that. Looking out the window, it was already night. Had Eily returned? I turned my head to scan the room.
“Eily?”
But she was nowhere to be seen. Instead, a small envelope lay on the bedside table.
“This is...”
I will be waiting in the blue field next to the academy. Please come there.
A concise message in just one line. I had no idea why she wanted me there, but since it was her request, I decided to go. I slipped out of the dorm as quietly as possible and headed to the field.
“Hoo... Why on earth call me out here...”
I forced my still-groggy mind to focus and arrived at the spot, but she wasn't there.
“Where the heck is she...?”
“I'm right here, Master.”
A sudden voice from behind made my heart drop. It had definitely been empty, so when had she been there?
“Eily? How long have you been there? And what's with the black sword?”
She held two swords. One was my usual blade, the other hers—covered in countless nicks.
Without a word, she tossed one toward me. It plunged deep into the ground, sheathless—my sword.
“The divorce contract you wanted, Master... here it is.”
She carefully pulled out a worn sheet of paper. It was familiar—the divorce contract I'd drafted about two months ago.
“Good, then hand it over—”
Ting—!
A sharp metallic clang pierced my ears suddenly.
“Haa... haa, Eily... what the hell are you doing?”
I barely deflected the blade flying right at my face. Even so, I couldn't fully absorb the impact and was pushed back hard.
“By the way, is that really you...?”
I'd managed to defend, but my fingertips throbbed with pain. Honestly, only because it was Arnold-level reflexes had I blocked it; anyone else would've died without reacting.
“How does it feel?”
She stood pointing her sword at me. Eily had swung at me. Not a casual strike, but a heavy, swift blow.
What was going on?
“Do you feel it? My capability.”
Before I could ponder, her question made me sense my body's feedback. Even accounting for the surprise, a sharp tingle lingered in my wrist.
Unbelievable. The girl always buried in housework had this skill?
My foggy mind cleared instantly, cold sweat beading. Tension and fatigue warred—heart pounding, eyelids heavy in uncomfortable limbo.
“Eily... is that really you?”
It was an intensity unimaginable from the usual Eily. She readjusted her stance and spoke.
“Master, do you know what rank I was when I entered the academy?”
The abrupt question tangled my thoughts. She'd told me her scores were “barely enough to enroll.”
“You... don't tell me, your rank wasn't low?”
At my hazy guess, she gave a wry smile.
“I'm sorry. That was my first lie to you, Master.”
Ting!
Her sword flew again. I blocked, but the power was immense.
“At enrollment, I was ranked 2nd. Second strongest in our year.”
“2nd...? You...?”
Incredible. She'd always seemed distant from combat, making it all the more shocking. I'd entered as top student, yet my clumsy, innocent maid had been right behind me? It was hard to believe.
Of course, she'd shown unexpected moves hunting with Varis once, but compared to now, it was child's play.
“Curious? How I, with no talent for fighting, got this strong.”
She gripped her sword tighter, exuding solemnity.
“It's... effort. I trained thinking only of you, Master!!”
“What...?”
Her story continued.
“Truth is, I love you more than anyone, Master!! To not be a burden to you, I gave my all every day!”
“From the day you saved my sister's life, for the past five years, I've done my utmost to grow strong!”
“Nights, I snuck to the fields to swing my sword. I squeezed every short break, practicing till I dropped!”
Her eyes blazed fiercely.
“Naturally, every day was hell. Waking up, my body screamed; busy schedules were impossible, even walking was grueling!”
“But I endured with willpower. Exhausted to collapse, I thought only of you and pushed on!”
“For you, Master—to stay by your side, to become a woman worthy of you!!”
“But what about you? I worked to be by your side... yet you charmed other women despite my feelings.”
Ting! Ting! Ting!
Fierce attacks rained; one slipped my guard, forcing me back. Confident again, she raised the divorce contract.
“Want this? I'll give it. But on one condition.”
She drew her sword and declared.
“But if... just if, you lose to me, Master, I'll keep this contract. And...”
Her voice lowered briefly.
“Tonight... hold me. Reward all my past grievances and efforts with your sincere love.”
“That is my wish.”
With those final words, she kicked off the ground and lunged. My body, wracked with fatigue, struggled to meet her strike.