Melina's Visit
“Master, I'll be off then.”
Standing at the entrance, Eily bowed deeply with a polite greeting. Her neatly combed-back hair and impeccably pressed maid uniform showcased her usual meticulousness. Yet behind her bright smile lurked an inexplicable tension.
“Have a safe trip. Hope nothing comes up.”
“It's nothing major, so please don't worry!”
Her fingers tightened slightly on the bag clutched in both hands. Though she replied casually, that subtle gesture hinted she wasn't entirely at ease.
Today was the day Eily had to step out briefly. She'd received a summons from the head maid of her family, requiring her to return to the mansion for quarterly settlements and duty inspections.
“If you're curious, you can read the letter the head maid sent.”
“Nah, it's fine. What could it be? Go on.”
With a casual wave granting permission, she bowed once more. Just as it seemed she was finally leaving, she halted at the threshold, lips pursing hesitantly.
“M-Master.”
Her voice trembled faintly. Tilting his head, Arnold looked at her, and Eily fidgeted with her fingers, struggling to speak.
“What's up?”
“C-Could I ask a favor... would you grant it?”
Eily continued softly, head slightly lowered, her voice small and cautious—but her eyes were resolute and earnest.
“What favor? If I can, sure.”
His light response brightened her face. Her flushed cheeks and awkward smile revealed how long she'd hesitated to ask.
Without further delay, she stepped forward briskly and leaned gently against him. Her cautious closeness evoked a cat showing affection to its owner.
“Can I stay like this for a bit?”
Her expression blended shyness and determination. Though the contact felt awkward and unfamiliar, she clearly craved it intensely in this moment.
“You want to do this?”
“...Just for a moment, before parting from you. I wanted to feel your warmth one last time.”
She closed her eyes gently, her face serene like basking in warm sunlight. But that peace was fleeting—her brow furrowed slightly, as if a foreboding thought had crossed her mind.
“Above all... I need to leave even a little of my trace...”
Her murmur was too soft to catch fully, like a whisper to herself. Before he could ask what she meant, she lifted her head, flashed a bright smile, and said,
“Now I'm satisfied. Thank you, Master!”
With a cheerful greeting, she stepped back, straightened her posture, and strode purposefully toward the door.
“Then I'll really be off!”
Click.
The entrance door shut, plunging the interior into sudden quiet. Her absence left only silence in its wake.
Even as a special dorm, it felt too vast for one person. As mentioned before, despite the name, its space rivaled a 30-pyeong apartment from his old world.
Dorm rules didn't apply here—no special restrictions or limits on outsiders. It was essentially a private residence for select individuals, the "dorm" label mere formality.
“Guess I'll read a bit.”
He pulled a thick grimoire from the shelf and lounged on the sofa. Studying and mastering magic in spare time had become routine.
“...”
How much time passed?
Knock, knock, knock.
Not long after Eily left, immersed in turning pages, a knock echoed from the entrance.
“Hm?”
No visitors expected, he wondered if Eily had returned—maybe forgotten something.
Click.
Setting the book on the sofa, he headed to the door and opened it.
“Oh, hi, Arnold!”
But it wasn't Eily. Golden hair gleaming in the sunlight, exquisite features befitting her noble race, and those distinctive pointed ears twitching slightly. She waved with an awkward smile.
“Melina?”
The visitor was none other than Melina. Her long golden locks shone brilliantly under the clear sky, her ears flicking faintly. She approached hesitantly, lacking her usual poise.
“Um... you got time?”
“Hoo.”
Melina's visit stemmed largely from yesterday's fortune-teller's words: seize the opportunity proactively.
“Should I knock? Yeah, I should.”
Following that advice, she'd come to his dorm to grasp her chance.
“Oh, hi, Arnold!”
“Melina?”
She greeted him, masking her nerves, but her smile came off unnatural to him.
“Um... you got time?”
“What's up?”
“Just...! No plans on my day off, so I thought I'd drop by.”
Melina's cheeks flushed. She brushed a lock behind her ear, her shyness rendering her pure and beautiful like a fairy-tale girl.
“If it's okay, mind if I come in?”
Arnold paused thoughtfully, then swung the door wide, stepping aside and gesturing inside.
“Sure, I was alone anyway and had nothing going on. Perfect timing.”
“Alone...!”
His offhand remark sparked motivation and joy in Melina. Being alone meant ideal timing for their time together.
“And Eily?”
“She had work today, went back home. So it'll just be me today.”
Melina's eyes widened in silent triumph. Inside, she wanted to jump for joy, thanking the heavens.
“Really?!”
From her view, the ever-present guardian by Arnold's side was absent today. Eily had been a headache to plan around even before arriving here.
But now, with no maid to interfere, nothing stood between her and Arnold.
“Then, 'scuse me...!”
Beaming, she entered his dorm. Guided to the living room sofa, she sat.
“Oh, and this is a little gift? Cookies and chocolate I made myself...!”
Seated, Melina offered the bag from her hand. Arnold accepted with a smile and thanks.
“Thanks. I'll enjoy them. Oh, perfect with tea. I'll whip some up quick.”
Like a proper host, he headed to the kitchen, seemingly for tea time together.
“So this is where Arnold lives.”
Alone in the living room, Melina whispered to herself, voice hushed lest he hear.
“Everything's so tidy? Well, he lives with Eily, after all...”
She glanced around, taking in his space. But her curiosity faded, expression hardening.
“So basically, she's by his side 24/7?”
Jealousy tinged her words. She felt miffed at Arnold living under one roof with a girl her age, envying his maid.
“...Always right by Arnold's side...”
She puffed her cheeks. The thought crossed her mind: maybe Eily was the real winner.
“I knew it vaguely, but what an advantageous setup.”
Without status differences, nothing would block them. Cohabiting with her beloved—after shaking off her lifelong curse, it was her sole wish.
“Ugh... Huh?”
Irked, she crossed her arms. Then her eyes caught a thick book on the table.
“A grimoire? Arnold's?”
She examined the well-worn tome he often read, fingerprints attesting to its long use.
“Wait...”
Suddenly inspired, her gaze lingered on the book bearing his traces, face reddening further. Whatever flashed in her mind made her shoulders tremble with shame and excitement.
“He should take a bit longer, right?”
She eyed the kitchen—only faint sounds, no sign of return.
“Mmm...”
After a brief wait, resolve firm, she boldly lifted his grimoire.
And—
Sniff...
Like a puppy, she pressed her nose to it and inhaled deeply. Not exactly fragrant, but his scent lingered faintly.
“Ooh...♡”
Shocked at her own act, her face burned—yet no regret, only thrill.
“Arnold's smell♡”
She inhaled again, eyes closed, savoring the sensation deliberately.
“Hehe...”
This moment felt blissful, her beaming smile saying it all.
“Melina?”
But the bliss shattered. Clutching the grimoire in rapture, she heard the owner call her name—and sprang up like a thief caught red-handed.