Vacation (2)
In the garden of the Valentine estate, a modest tea party was underway.
"I've heard the report. You did well."
"I only did what needed doing," Milia replied casually, as if it were nothing, while Bernus sipped from his teacup.
When the attack had come from above, the greenskins had been able to do little more than scatter and flee in every direction. And even if they ran for their lives, there was no way they could shake off two opponents who ruled the skies.
"On the battlefield, the unexpected can strike at any moment. If it hadn't been for the two of you, the price would have been paid in the blood and lives of our soldiers."
"Honestly, Schwarz did most of it," Milia said, glancing back at the black-haired boy standing behind her.
"You flatter me, My Lady."
"That reminds me—I heard the news. Congratulations on winning the martial arts tournament."
"Thank you. But as a servant who injured My Lady, I am prepared to accept any punishment you see fit."
Schwarz bowed his head with a rigid expression toward Bernus, who had offered the praise. No matter that it had been a tournament, the fact remained that he had struck down his own master. Even if Bernus had ordered his head taken then and there, Schwarz would have had nothing to say in his defense.
"W-wait a second! What are you talking about?! I already told you I don't care about that!" Milia cried, rising from her seat in flustered alarm.
But—
"Milia. Listen to your father until he finishes."
"B-but…"
Melissa's gently chiding voice made Milia hesitate; she sat back down, unable to hide her unease as she watched Bernus, who had closed his eyes as though deep in thought.
After a moment, Bernus slowly opened his eyes and looked at Schwarz.
"As a servant, laying hands on your master's person is clearly improper conduct. You know that well enough."
"Yes, Count."
Schwarz answered with the same rigid expression Bernus wore. A servant's place was to assist his master in their duties—and, in times of crisis, to safeguard that master's life. What had happened in the finals, however, had been anything but protective of Milia.
Watching Schwarz nod in acceptance, Milia drew a sharp breath—but Melissa offered her a faint, reassuring smile that said not to worry.
"However… if I had ordered you to go easy on Milia in that arena, that too would have been a dismissal of her resolve."
Schwarz nodded silently. He knew full well the determination with which she had stepped onto that stage. She had taken her place there with no small measure of resolve, and so he had had no choice but to give his all. To hold back even a little would have been to trample on that very resolve.
"Therefore, we shall treat the matter as if it never happened."
"Understood, Count."
Schwarz inclined his head toward Bernus, who took another sip of tea. At the same time a faint smile touched the count's lips. The taut tension between them dissolved, and Milia let out a short breath of relief.
"That reminds me, Milia. You have something to tell me as well, do you not?"
"Ah…"
As Bernus set down his cup and asked the question, Milia let out a low murmur.
I, Milia Valentine, cannot hand Schwarz over to Her Highness the Princess… but should Your Highness ever have need of me, I will come running at any time, without fail.
The matter with Elis not long ago. Even if there had been only one real choice, deciding the fate of the house without a single word of consultation meant Bernus would have plenty to say. It wouldn't be brushed aside lightly…
Schwarz watched the two of them with a tense expression—until Bernus spoke again.
"You did well."
The words that followed were far too brief.
"Huh…? Th-that's it?"
"Yes."
Bernus calmly sipped his tea, facing his daughter's wide, bewildered eyes. Milia had braced herself for something close to house arrest at the very least; the anticlimax left her thoroughly deflated.
"It was a decision that would have to be made sooner or later. And our house has only one path open to it."
As he said, it was hard to imagine Bernus ever aligning himself with the First Prince—who was, for all intents and purposes, a mortal enemy.
"Moreover, if I were to meet Her Highness the Princess in person, it would only draw unnecessary attention. In that light, the quiet way you settled the matter is actually to our advantage."
"So that's how it is…"
Milia nodded in understanding at her father's even tone. Whether the border count went to Elis or Elis came to him, avoiding notice would have been nearly impossible. If word got out at this stage that House Valentine stood with Elis, Rayban would never simply stand by. Inside the Academy, however, it was impossible to pin down exactly whom anyone met.
"I will handle everything from here on. You focus on your studies."
"Okay. Thanks, Dad."
Only then did the tension leave her; Milia smiled the way she always did. Watching her, Bernus looked at his daughter with a father's eyes once more, as if the earlier formality had never been.
"We've finished talking, so go inside and rest."
"Okay! I'll head in first, then!"
Milia rose with a nod.
"Come on! Let's go!"
"Yes, My Lady."
With a faint smile she set off, and Schwarz followed her into the mansion.
That night.
"Hmm~♩ Hmm-hmm~♪"
The cool blue light of a full moon spilled through the window. Milia sat before the mirror in the corner of her room, drying her damp hair.
"Is there anything else you require, My Lady?"
"Mmm…"
At Schwarz's question she gave a low hum, then narrowed her eyes with a mischievous smile. At the same moment Schwarz felt an ominous premonition crawl up his spine.
"Come here."
"I have a bad feeling about this…"
What is she going to make me do this time…? he thought, wearing a distinctly reluctant expression.
"Tsk. Want me to scold you?"
"Understood… I'm coming."
At the click of her tongue Schwarz let out a resigned sigh and approached. She held out the comb she had been using on her own hair.
"Brush it for me."
"Pardon?"
"I said brush it. You know how to comb hair, don't you?"
She answered curtly to his blank tone.
"Well, but…"
Schwarz glanced helplessly toward the maid waiting at the side of the room. The woman who had long overseen Milia's grooming covered her mouth in open surprise at the scene before her.
"What are you standing there for? I'm really going to get mad."
"Urgh…"
Faced with her sharp glare, Schwarz gave a low groan. Strange rumors are going to start flying… With a short, defeated sigh he took the comb she offered and began to work it through her hair.
"You're better at this than I expected. Did you learn this too?"
"Yes. The head butler said it would be essential."
"Hmm… I suppose I should thank Uncle Robert, then."
Milia giggled as he nodded and answered.
"Nina. You may leave for the night."
"Yes, My Lady."
The maid called Nina bowed lightly to Milia and stepped out into the corridor. The door clicked shut behind her.
"There. All done."
"Hmm…"
A moment later, at Schwarz's words, Milia narrowed her eyes and turned this way and that before the mirror, examining her reflection.
"Perfect."
"I'm glad it meets with your approval."
Schwarz smiled faintly as she nodded over hair that had been brushed smooth without a single tangle. He had learned the skill so long ago that he had worried he might botch it—but it seemed his fears had been groundless.
"Where's Schwarz?"
"Pardon? Ah… you mean the doll, My Lady."
He blinked in confusion, then nodded in understanding. He had just remembered that Milia had named the doll she bought in Barenberg after him—Schwarz.
"I placed it on the bed."
At his answer her eyes lit up. She hurried to the bed, lay down, and hugged the black-dragon plush resting beside the pillow as though it were the most precious thing in the world.
Does she really like it that much?
Schwarz watched her. If she wanted, he could have found her a far finer doll without the least trouble. Yet Milia treated this one—which anyone else would have called pure bad taste—like a treasure.
"Is something bothering you?"
"Did it look that way?"
Her question made his eyes widen.
"Yeah. You had a face full of complaints."
"Mmm… I wasn't thinking anything of the sort…"
That was only his own opinion, of course. A moment earlier his expression had been unmistakably sour to anyone looking.
"Don't tell me you're jealous?"
"Jealous? Me? Of that doll?"
He answered in a voice thick with disbelief as she smiled playfully. Strictly speaking, the feeling he held was indeed something close to jealousy. He simply could not bring himself to admit it.
"Hmm…?"
Milia regarded him with that same mischievous smile, eyes half-lidded.
"W-what is it, My Lady?"
"If you want, I can hug you too."
"Th-that is…?!"
At her next words Schwarz swallowed hard. His face flushed scarlet as he managed to speak.
"My Lady, your jokes go too far."
"Oh my. Is that what you thought? I was being serious."
"…"
Silence settled over the room. What am I supposed to say to that? His head spun. He knew he ought to answer something, yet no words would come.
"Pfft…"
"M-My Lady?"
Suddenly she burst into laughter, and Schwarz made a bewildered sound.
And then—
"Pwahahahaha!! What is that reaction?! That's hilarious!! Ahahahahaha!!"
"Urgh…"
Watching her double over with laughter, Schwarz realized the whole thing had been a tease and let out a short sigh.
"Please don't tease me so much…"
"Sorry, sorry. I couldn't help myself…"
Milia wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes as she answered his dejected tone.
"If there is nothing further you require, I shall take my leave. Good night, My Lady."
"Yeah. You sleep well too."
She beamed and waved as he bowed lightly; Schwarz turned and walked out into the corridor.
With the soft click of the closing door, silence returned to the room.
"…"
Milia gazed at the firmly shut door, then let out a short sigh and lay back on the bed, lifting the half-crushed black-dragon doll. Whether it knew of her restless heart or not, the plush simply stared back at her with its tongue sticking out.
"I'm in no position to talk about anyone else…"
With those words she hugged the doll tightly to her chest and slowly closed her eyes.
And so the night grew deeper.