Clash in the Private Chamber (3)
“I’m Eily Kesher!”
Eily stepped forward as if a switch had flipped at Elisha’s words. Her bold demeanor and confidence burned as fiercely as a knight entering the dueling grounds. Head held high, she continued slowly, as if she’d been waiting for this exact moment.
“I’m the one who stays by Master’s side at all times as his maid—the unparalleled servant who serves no other.”
Emphasizing the end of her sentence, she shrugged her shoulders in a display that went beyond mere boasting; it was pure provocation. Eily alternated glances between Elisha and Melina, firmly asserting her presence. Her intent was crystal clear to anyone watching.
Master has me by his side. I’m the closest one to him.
“As someone who has devoted my entire life to Master over many long years, I’m an indispensable part of his world.”
Eily’s resounding declaration echoed through the room, and Melina couldn’t just stand by. With her long golden hair swaying, she stepped forward, responding in a voice that was gentle yet firm.
“As I mentioned earlier, I’m Melina.”
Melina didn’t waver under Eily’s showy attitude, smoothly seizing her turn. Her eyes held a relaxed poise and unshakeable conviction.
“Arnold is my fated savior. This isn’t just blind faith—it comes straight from the prophecy.”
Her words filled the room calmly but powerfully.
“That means Arnold and I are bound by destiny itself.”
There was no tremor in Melina’s voice as she spoke of fate. Her statement wasn’t mere rivalry; it carried the weight of something far more intense. To Eily and Elisha, it felt like yet another challenge.
“Hah?”
Elisha snorted derisively, glaring at the other two. Her expression was anything but serene. Irritated by their bold claims over her connection to him, her face twisted in displeasure.
“...But I’m a special case, aren’t I?”
She fidgeted with her fingers and bit her lip, but couldn’t hold back any longer.
“As I said before, Arnold and I are fiancés.”
Elisha took a quiet step forward, masking her tension with an elegant smile. She put extra weight on that word.
Fiancé.
“Our bond was set since childhood.”
Elisha’s declaration shifted the room’s atmosphere once more. Eily and Melina turned to stare at her in unison. Amid the brief silence, Elisha met everyone’s gazes and pressed on.
“Of course, there were some misunderstandings in the past... but I believe we’ve grown beyond that now.”
With unwavering resolve in her eyes, she locked gazes with Eily and Melina.
“Which makes me the woman most worthy of Arnold!”
The air in the room grew heavy and taut, like the calm before a storm. Their clashing assertions heightened the tension to a boiling point.
“Hold on a second!”
Their voices grew louder, emotions flaring hotter. I watched the scene unfold, lips twisting in frustration. My mind raced, wondering how to defuse this mess.
“What do you mean by that?”
Elisha thrust out her chest and declared it emphatically, but backlash followed immediately.
“I’m the one who suits Master best! I’ve been with him the longest!”
Eily’s eyes sparkled as she shouted. Her voice rang out firm and fierce.
“Fate can’t be defied—just like destiny itself, I’m the only one who truly matches Arnold!”
Melina lightly brushed back her long golden hair, declaring softly but resolutely. Every word carried the force of deep conviction, resounding through the room.
Their voices tangled in a frenzy, the argument intensifying.
“Haha... but saying it to me doesn’t really mean much, does it...”
Caught in the middle, Senior Lucy forced an awkward smile, her expression troubled. She clearly wanted to stop the fight but had no desire to get involved.
“Girls, calm down...”
From the corner, Varis chimed in wearily. He seemed accustomed to this atmosphere now, his face showing fatigue more than shock.
“Ugh, you think a maid can become more than master and servant?”
Elisha shot Eily a cold smile. Eily’s face stiffened at the sharp jab.
“Th-that’s...! Aren’t you the one who committed an unforgivable sin, Lady Elisha?”
Eily retorted with a trembling voice, but her eyes burned steady. She embodied her refusal to yield.
“Then doesn’t that make me, with no issues, the perfect match?”
Melina steered the conversation back. She smiled gracefully, meeting both their gazes. But Elisha smirked coldly and fired back.
“Melina... Isn’t the only reason you’re by Arnold’s side that nonsense about fate?”
“What did you say?!”
Melina’s voice echoed through the room. Her eyes blazed like a drawn bowstring as she glared at Elisha like an enemy and stepped forward.
“Hmph...!”
Elisha didn’t back down. She crossed her arms with her signature haughty smile, though sharp tension lurked beneath.
The air between the three thickened unbearably, the room’s mood like gunpowder on the verge of explosion.
Then, the door burst open, another voice filling the space.
“What’s all this commotion in here?”
All eyes snapped to the door at the familiar voice. There stood a woman with a stern, resolute expression. Her red eyes pierced like they could read souls, her high ponytail adding to her neat, commanding air.
“Professor?”
It was Professor Adria. She scanned the room, frowning slightly.
“Teammates who need to sync up are already fracturing? What kind of mess is this?”
Her sharp voice rang out. Melina and Elisha deflated like punctured balloons, shoulders slumping.
Professor Adria was the tiger of a professor every Saint Academy student feared. Her criticism was spot-on and irrefutably logical.
“Don’t you know pointless discord drags everyone else down too?”
She alternated glares between them.
“You should be clearing up misunderstandings and realigning right here. What do you gain from fighting like this?”
At her words, Eily, Melina, and Elisha finally looked at each other. Lingering discomfort showed in their eyes, but the immediate threat of outright brawl subsided.
“...You’re right, Professor. I got too worked up,” Melina said first, bowing her head.
“I... apologize for responding emotionally too,” Elisha followed, nodding.
Only then did Professor Adria’s expression soften slightly as she nodded.
“Good. But make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
“The students under my watch need to show consideration and respect for each other.”
Her firm words plunged the room into total silence. But her gaze soon turned to me.
“And, Arnold.”
“Yes?”
She stared at me steadily, one eyebrow arching.
“Come talk with me for a bit...?”
“What’s this about?”
I asked, puzzled.
“It’s... important! Just come out.”
Skipping further explanation, she grabbed my hand and pulled me along. I followed with a baffled look.
“Master?”
“Professor, where are you taking him?”
Eily, Melina, and Elisha stared at us in unison, puzzled—Eily especially, with a sharp glint, looking ready to step forward.
But Professor Adria ignored them, swiftly leading me out the door.
As the door clicked shut, silence returned to the room. The three left behind exchanged glances, realizing their suspicions and jealousy had woven a strange tension.