Chapter 111: The Lord is With Us (32)
Chapter 111: The Lord is With Us (32)
My new daily routine at the orphanage was monotonous.
At dawn, I would wake up and swing my sword alongside Celine and Seria. It would have been nice if Senior Delphine joined us, but she simply snorted and refused.
She seemed to think that we weren't on a high enough level to associate with her.
Of course, it was an issue that could be resolved instantly if I pulled out my hand axe. However, since I had only just begun to gradually reduce the fear Senior Delphine felt toward me, that felt like a burdensome choice.
Besides, Senior Delphine had devoted her entire life to the way of the sword, so she likely had her own training methods. There was no need to force my way on her.
Afterward, if there was time left, I explored the forest or helped with the chores around the orphanage.
I had already become quite close with the children. It wasn't just me; everyone had.
Though Senior Delphine had looked a bit dissatisfied at first, she had recently begun cooperating with the orphanage's chores quite obediently, as if a new wind had blown her way.
Seria seemed particularly shocked by this.
"…S-Sister, you're doing the laundry?"
Seeing Senior Delphine wringing out wet laundry, Seria froze on the spot. Then, with a tearful face, she looked at me.
"I-Ian Senior…"
Her eyes were pleading for me to do something. To Seria, the sight of Senior Delphine doing laundry seemed to be a shock on the level of the world turning upside down.
Thinking about it, it made sense. Seria was practically a vassal of the Yurdina family.
Even if she was lowborn, Seria was a skilled swordsman and, moreover, Delphine’s sister. Based on her status alone, there was a high possibility she would serve as Delphine’s closest aide in the future.
Furthermore, the emotions Seria harbored for Senior Delphine were a mix of love and hate. She felt a jumbled mess of fear, admiration, and sisterly affection.
So, for Seria, this was essentially like watching her lord perform menial labor.
It was understandable that she was horrified. Senior Delphine was the one who would become the head of the prestigious Yurdina family of the North. To use that noble body for something as trivial as laundry…
However, there was no reason to stop Senior Delphine when she was taking the initiative. When I silently shook my head, the restless Seria quickly scurried over to Delphine.
Seria’s face stiffened from tension. As always, her expression was cold. After a moment of hesitation, she spoke cautiously.
"…Sister?"
"What is it, Seria?"
Squeeze. Even as she wrung the moisture out of the laundry, Senior Delphine’s voice was perfectly flat. That haughty tone made Seria shrink back even more.
"N-No matter what, you are the one who will lead the Yurdina family in the future… P-Please, give it to me. I’ll do it instead!"
"…Seria."
It was a low, admonishing voice. Seria’s mouth shut instantly.
Although she had achieved victory over Senior Delphine in the previous Hunting Festival, Seria still feared her. It was evident just by how she was suppressed by a single word from Senior Delphine.
Glancing at Seria, Senior Delphine soon returned her indifferent gaze to the laundry.
"I am doing this because I am the successor of the Yurdina family. Do you want to turn me into a pathetic head of the family who can't even take care of herself?"
"N-No! That’s not it…"
"…I am aware of your concerns."
The words were exhaled with a sigh. Seria hesitated and avoided Senior Delphine’s gaze.
That dynamic—I’ve seen it somewhere before.
Somehow, it resembled the way Senior Delphine treated me. Though, I wondered if thinking that was a bit too arrogant of me.
"But a person who cannot handle trivial tasks cannot achieve great things. In a situation like this where we are short-handed, being picky about work is nothing but a luxury."
"Sister…"
Strangely, Seria looked a bit moved. A moment later, she trotted back to me and spoke in a voice filled with lingering emotion.
"Ian Senior, I’ve reflected on myself. Sister really is a strong person."
"I suppose so," I replied with a hollow agreement, upholding Senior Delphine’s dignity. I dreaded the day Seria would eventually learn the truth about Senior Delphine.
My eyes drifted toward Senior Delphine. She was silently wringing out the water when her eyes happened to meet mine.
A faint blush rose to Senior Delphine’s cheeks. She cleared her throat as if trying to regain her dignity as a senior, but now she just looked cute.
I recalled what happened yesterday afternoon.
It was the incident where they fought over a glass of water.
I had only asked for a single glass of water.
But simply because Senior Delphine had given me that glass, the surrounding temperature was dropping rapidly.
Senior Elsie’s eyes were cold as she stared at Senior Delphine.
On the contrary, Senior Delphine seemed to relish Senior Elsie’s hostility. Her lips curled into a charming arc. With a confident and haughty smile, she threw out a provocation.
"What’s wrong, Lainella? The Hand Axe Young Master got what he needed, and you didn't have to run a petty errand… Isn't it all gain for you?"
It was a bold voice that matched her striking smile. It was a tone that well-captured the pride and arrogance of the Yurdina successor.
I thought she was being a bit too boastful for someone who had just performed a simple water errand. However, Senior Elsie seemed to be further ignited by Senior Delphine’s provocation.
She grit her teeth and let out a threatening sound. She was like an angry cat.
"…I thought you said you hated playing maid, Yurdina? Have you finally learned your place?"
"Yeah, well. It’s not so bad. Especially since I get to see you trembling like that."
What is wrong with these seniors? I pressed my temples, feeling troubled. I wanted to mediate, but since I didn't even know the root cause, I was even more flustered.
Should I ask for another water errand?
While I was lost in thought, the verbal spat between Senior Elsie and Senior Delphine intensified.
"Ha, look at you… Yurdina? Then be a maid. Maid Delphine Yurdina! It has a nice ring to it."
"Sure, I’ll be a maid. I am Lord Ian’s maid… So you, back off now."
"…What?"
As if she never expected Senior Delphine to go this far, Senior Elsie asked back, her brow furrowing slightly. Despite that, Senior Delphine remained defiant.
Her competitive streak had already caught fire. Senior Delphine’s blood-red eyes were burning with delight and combativeness.
"I’ll just do your share of the maid work too, won't I? So you can back off."
"T-That’s…!"
Senior Elsie’s blue sapphire eyes began to shake violently. She could have just backed off as told, but she kept hesitating.
A sneer appeared on the lips of Senior Delphine, who was certain she had cornered her opponent. Seeing that smile, Senior Elsie snapped.
After glancing at me several times, Senior Elsie squeezed her eyes shut and shouted.
"…I-I said I’d be the maid first! Why are you acting up now?!"
"That was when there was no competition. In any matter, wouldn't the more competent person be preferred? No matter how I think about it, I’m better than you."
At the blatant provocation, the sound of teeth grinding echoed. It was Senior Elsie.
Her blue eyes were already filled with hatred and hostility. For me, the situation itself was utterly incomprehensible.
What is this, the World’s Greatest Maid Contest?
And between Senior Elsie and Senior Delphine, of all people. A groan escaped my lips in my confusion.
Only one thought occupied my mind.
No one must see this. Along with the honor of the two families, my public image was also at stake.
Furthermore, if people saw two of the top-ranking students in the Academy’s final year acting like this, the Academy’s reputation would also be tarnished.
It was a horrific prospect.
"This bitch, I’ve been patient, but seriously!"
To make matters worse, Senior Elsie seemed excited beyond measure. Faint electrical sparks began to crackle in her hand. Senior Delphine snorted and moved her hand toward her waist.
"I was caught by a surprise attack last time, but how about today?"
"It’s already decided that you’ll end up crushed and crying, you loser!"
At the word 'loser,' Senior Delphine’s relaxed expression crumbled for a moment. She glared at Senior Elsie with a murderous gaze.
"…Fine. Then the winner gets to be the maid."
"Maid? Hah! I’m fine with being a slave."
Senior Elsie spat out such nonsense, thinking it was a provocation. If a vassal of the Lainella family had been here, they might have considered suicide out of sheer despair.
A voice barely managed to escape my throat.
"Stop it…"
However, perhaps because the atmosphere was too heated, the two women didn't even pretend to hear me. Senior Delphine frowned for a moment, then showed a provocative smile again.
"…Really? Then I’ll be a dog. Woof woof!"
"Then I’m a cat! Meow!"
"Stop it now…"
I covered my face with my palm and pleaded.
For students in their final year at the Academy, their bickering was incredibly childish. I spoke with sincerity, but my words never reached them.
It was when Senior Delphine was about to open her lips again disdainfully.
"Is that so? Then I’ll—"
"…Please, stop!"
CRACK. The sound of a wooden table splitting apart rang out.
It was the noise made as my hand axe slammed into the table. The table split in half instantly, and the water glass bounced up, unable to withstand the impact. Droplets of water scattered like a rainbow.
Though the two women hadn't listened for their lives when I spoke, their reaction was immediate once I took action.
Without knowing who was first, Senior Elsie and Senior Delphine both threw themselves onto the floor. Even the way they began to mutter nonsense while trembling was identical.
"P-Please forgive me… I was wrong… P-Please don't hate me! I-I’ll be Elsie the Bedwetter, so please…!"
"I’m sorry, I’m sorry… I won't ever overstep my bounds again… Please, please, just let it end with one arm…!"
The split table, the spilled water, and the two seniors trembling and repeating desperate words with hollow eyes.
I swallowed a hollow laugh. My hand naturally went to my forehead.
"…What a mess."
Truly, that was the only fitting description for the scene.
Now, it was my turn to clean up this mess.