Chapter 37
Chapter 37
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Academy Preparations
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One thing was certain: I still preferred women.
I'd spent more time as a man, and men had never been my type to begin with.
It was perfectly natural, nothing strange about it...
In any case, I'd been dealing with all sorts of troubles lately.
"Camellia, how are your lessons going these days?"
"They're all going well. I've been having fewer sessions than before anyway, and at this point, I could probably skip everything except magic without issue."
"These days, the Academy places a heavy emphasis on magic."
"Yes, and magic is something you start learning later than the other subjects anyway."
We were having tea together after finishing lunch with Rozalin.
Even though our relationship had grown a bit more distant compared to before, things were still good between us.
There was no difficulty in spending time like this, chatting together.
The trouble came with things like holding hands or hugging—physical contact like that.
"Should we drop all the lessons except magic before you enter the Academy?"
"I think that's a good idea. The Academy doesn't require exams anymore anyway."
"You're right about that."
"There are some things we'll learn in advance from the Academy curriculum, but... I think I've got enough already."
"Then let's taper them off and end them soon. We've been doing them since you were eight, so it's been quite a while."
Excluding Ashley's lessons, there wasn't much I was actually learning lately.
I'd thought for a while that it was best to cut back on the other classes.
They were helpful, of course, but now I figured it was better to focus my energy elsewhere than keep attending the tutors' sessions.
"Camellia, what are your plans for this summer?"
"Hmm... I suppose I'll probably hang out with Older Sister Karen after she leaves the Academy. We always meet up during breaks."
I met with Karen every summer and winter break, no exceptions.
She had entered the Academy before me, and even before that, she would visit our mansion two or three times a year.
"She'll probably reach out before the break starts."
Karen had entered the Academy last year, but I doubted this year would be any different.
After all... I was her only friend.
It was honestly baffling, but that was just Karen.
She undoubtedly spent her time at the Academy quietly, without any real interactions with others.
"But didn't Miss Karen enter the Academy a year late?"
"Yes. It's not strictly age-based, so it wasn't a big issue."
"Hmm... So next year, when you enter the Academy, she'll be two years your senior?"
"That's right."
Karen had entered the Academy a year late.
There wasn't any particular problem; it was just something that could be postponed.
There weren't many restrictions on entering the Academy anyway.
A one-year delay was no big deal.
"So take good care of her when you get there. Miss Karen really looks up to you."
"That's true."
"Looking up to you" felt a bit off somehow, but it wasn't wrong.
In fact, even though she was older, Karen listened to me well.
...Honestly, that side of her was cute and amusing, so I just went with it.
Her personality was quite introverted and easily swayed, after all... I couldn't help it.
"It's next year anyway."
"True enough."
"But Mother, don't you have to live in the dormitory at the Academy?"
"Yes?"
"So how are the dorm rooms assigned? Are they shared?"
I didn't have much interest in the Academy, but now that I was about to attend, I needed to know.
...Huh, it kinda felt like heading off to the military.
Of course, it was different from the army, but I'd be living there for three years or so.
My thoughts drifted that way involuntarily.
"Hmm... I think you'll get a private room, Camellia."
"Really?"
"Yes. Just pay a bit extra, and there shouldn't be any problem. It's tied to tuition fees. Most noble students use private rooms, while commoners share."
"Oh..."
It might be more comfortable than I thought.
I wasn't that interested in the Academy, so I'd assumed it would be like the military—multiple people crammed into one room.
A private room.
Nobles really did have it easy.
"Oh, and nobles can bring servants to the Academy."
"...Really?"
"Yes. Most of the kids there have been used to having servants help them since childhood."
That made sense for noble children; servants were essential.
Having lived that way since young, they probably couldn't handle housework at all.
Even with magic tools and all sorts of conveniences, they surely wouldn't manage properly.
"Then I can just take Lize, of course."
"Hee hee, you're so close with Lize."
As Rozalin said, Lize and I were the closest, and it would be awkward to bring any other maid.
"Then Mother, what does Lize do while I'm in class or something at the Academy?"
"Right?"
"Is she just... resting? That doesn't seem right."
"Oh... She can just sit in on the same classes. Some don't, but it's not an issue."
"...Really?"
"Yes. Servants entering with the Academy are allowed that. They need to stay near their master, and it's better than causing unnecessary trouble... just keep the servant around."
"Hmm..."
That did make sense.
These were noble kids who lived obliviously, knowing nothing else.
Having a servant along would definitely be more convenient in many ways.
Of course, it would be best if the noble kids attending the Academy had some common sense.
But I knew the odds of that were slim.
"It'll be nice having Lize with me."
"Right?"
I had a feeling the Academy would be a hassle in various ways, but this eased my mind a bit.
It was Lize, after all—no one else.
*
Perhaps because I was entering the Academy next year.
Lately, my daily life was filled with worries and concerns about it.
I'd done some pre-learning for what they'd teach there, and I'd thought about living at the Academy.
"Lize."
"Yes?"
"Next year, it looks like we'll be sharing a room."
"...Pardon?"
I said it to Lize while organizing my notes.
It was abbreviated, sure, but not wrong.
I didn't know exactly what the dorm rooms looked like, but we'd definitely be in the same one.
"Hee hee."
"Young Lady? What do you..."
"Hm? Just that."
"Pardon?"
She couldn't help but be flustered.
Anyone would be surprised to suddenly hear they'd be sharing a room.
On top of that, I wouldn't be living at the mansion next year.
So naturally, Lize wouldn't understand right away.
"You're coming to the Academy with me next year."
"...Pardon?"
"They said you can bring servants along."
That's why I told her she'd be coming too.
That was genuinely the only reason I was taking Lize.
"You don't want to?"
"...No. It's just so sudden."
"Good. I was worried you might find it bothersome."
That was true.
Living alone wasn't a problem, but I wanted Lize with me.
Ella and Karen would be at the Academy together, sure, but still.
Having Lize along would definitely be nice.
"Don't worry too much. It'll just be like wandering the Academy with me. You can sit in on classes, and if it's a hassle, just stay in the room."
"Is that so...?"
"Yes. It might even be more comfortable than living at the mansion."
Of course, she'd have to handle things related to me alone, which could be a chore.
Probably not, though.
The rooms wouldn't be as big as at the mansion, and no dealing with other servants.
As long as she just minded me...
"Ah, um..."
"...?"
Was it because of me?
Even if the workload decreased and there were fewer people around... sharing space with me, her employer, would inevitably feel a bit awkward, right?
I couldn't help seriously considering that angle.
"...Lize?"
"Yes?"
"You're not against just the two of us living together, are you?"
"No."
"No, really, be honest. It's fine. Really. I know I tease you a lot and grab your hand or hug you sometimes, but seriously, you can be honest."
If Lize truly disliked it, I was prepared to say it was okay.
No matter how often I held her hand or hugged her, I never intended to make her uncomfortable.
"It's really fine."
"Alright...?"
"Yes."
"Then... that's a relief."
I'd been wondering what I'd do if she really hated it.
But this was good.
Of course, she might feel burdened deep down, but she said it herself?
We could keep things as they were even at the Academy.
"Lize, give me your hand."
"...Yes."
With the talk done, I decided to go back to our usual routine.
One hand holding Lize's, the other jotting notes or turning pages—just like that.
After all, she'd said she was fine with it?
There was no reason not to, now that she'd said so.