The Grand Duchess Doesn't Know Men's Hearts
Students at Iferia Dorm are provided with personal maids or servants. After all, this is Teleos Academy, a gathering place for exceptional talents—and among them, only the elite in Class A get to live here. It's only fitting that they receive privileges to match. On top of that, residents enjoy fairly luxurious rooms equipped with private showers and bathrooms. Kaldir Dorm students might clutch their necks in envy upon hearing this, but it's the academy's educational policy and tradition—nothing to be done about it. If you're jealous, just get better. That's not an empty saying for nothing.
"Lady Silvena, is your hair to your liking now?"
And one such privileged figure was Rizbat Mariud, the head maid responsible for Iferia Dorm's first-years. After drying and neatly styling her assigned student—the grand duchess's daughter's hair—she asked for feedback. Silvena nodded.
"Thanks, Rizbat. You're always putting in the effort."
Once Rizbat stepped back from the finished styling, Silvena expressed her gratitude as curtly as ever, yet unmistakably sincere. Nothing fills a maid's heart quite like her lady's encouragement, so a smile naturally bloomed on Rizbat's lips.
"Not at all. That said, you've been putting a lot more effort into your appearance lately."
Back when she first entered the academy, Silvena hadn't been one to fuss much over grooming. Women tend to lean that way more than men, sure, but Silvena was... well, to put it harshly, a bit barbaric; more kindly, free-spirited. She'd towel-dry her hair just enough, then flop straight into bed. There were even mornings when Rizbat had to physically block her from heading out with bedhead, barely managing to comb it before sending her off.
But lately? She was getting her hair done three times a day—morning, lunch, evening. Even on weekends, she'd summon Rizbat just for a quick walk outside. Pointing this out made Silvena's expression stiffen in an instant, which Rizbat caught clearly.
"Mm. I don't mind taking flak myself, but I won't have the Bronheim family shamed by my sloppy demeanor. That's all."
Rizbat admired how she maintained her poker face, answering coolly despite everything. But this wasn't the reaction she was hoping for.
"I see. Oh, speaking of which—have you seen Young Master Aren lately?"
"Wh-what's his name got to do with anything all of a sudden?!"
"...Pfft."
So Rizbat twisted the angle of attack just a bit and struck deep. Silvena's facade shattered spectacularly. Rizbat barely stifled her laughter at the sight.
The grand duchess was usually so stern, sometimes even giving off a cold vibe. But the moment a certain man's name came up, her face flushed red, and her hands flailed about, not knowing where to settle. Teasing her a little more would be a drought-ending delight for a weary maid, but she was still a professional. Deriving joy from tormenting her lady went against her sense of duty, so she played it casual.
"No particular reason. It's just... you used to talk about him quite often before, but not so much lately. I was worried your relationship might have cooled off."
"I see. No, nothing like that. If anything, we're closer now than before. We even made plans to meet during break."
"...!"
It might've been a casual toss from Silvena, but to Rizbat, it hit like a thunderbolt. Break was a time when the academy—the very bridge connecting students—essentially vanished. That's why young couples, whose feelings were just sprouting like spring buds, often drifted apart during this period. Some headed home, others buried themselves in research. Schedules pulled them every which way.
'Making plans with a guy during break?'
Was the sun rising in the west tomorrow? Silvena wasn't the shy type, but Rizbat knew the truth: zero romantic experience, leaving her clueless on approaching the opposite sex. Especially since, in their chats, it seemed her northern warrior background made it even harder. Men were delicate creatures, and she was tougher than most women—hesitant, like handling fragile glasswork.
For such a Silvena to schedule alone time with a man? It took the courage of a lone hero charging into enemy lines.
"Plans, you say? Like a date? How wonderful."
The academy grounds had plenty of scenic spots, but break allowed outings, expanding options. Rizbat was about to applaud Silvena's grand strategy when—
"A date? What are you talking about?"
"...Pardon?"
Silvena's puzzled retort froze Rizbat's brain. What else could a man and woman do alone during break besides date?
"Just sword training. He asked for my help."
"Sword... training?"
Oh. Right, that existed. But it was such an unforeseen choice that it hurt. Rizbat rubbed her temples as her skull throbbed.
'Oh dear, milady!'
How could she be this innocent? Innocence wasn't bad, of course. But as the saying went, bold women snag handsome men—and pure naivety alone wouldn't cut it in love's cutthroat jungle.
'This is my duty as a maid.'
Steel resolve in place, Rizbat decided to guide her sheltered lady through the ways of the world.
"Milady, who suggested the sword training first?"
"He did, but..."
"Then you absolutely mustn't stop there. When a man initiates plans, it always implies more than the surface excuse."
"Really?"
Silvena's eyes widened in surprise, and Rizbat nodded vigorously. She recited a line from a book she'd skimmed during break: Men's True Feelings.
"Women too, but men especially never casually make plans with someone they don't like."
"Hoh..."
"And men are sensitive creatures who always want to avoid seeming frivolous. So they need an 'excuse' for plans."
"And that excuse is sword training?"
"Exactly!"
True to her sharp mind, Silvena caught on instantly. Rizbat clapped like a seal, beaming. This must be how parents felt watching their child speak their first words!
"So ending it at just training is like saying, 'I'm not interested.' How do you think he'll feel?"
"His pride would be hurt."
"Precisely. So even if it's a hassle, the woman must propose a follow-up event. A casual outing, dinner at a nice spot—something like that."
"I see...!"
Even as she exclaimed, a shadow of doubt lingered—Silvena furrowed her brow slightly. Rizbat tilted her head.
"But Rizbat, I have a question."
"Yes?"
"If he used it as an excuse, couldn't I just propose the next one after? Why wait for the woman?"
"Simply put, he wants a signal. He's hinted at his interest indirectly; now he hopes you'll show, 'I feel the same.'"
Snap! Silvena smacked her knee the instant Rizbat finished.
"Even if you suggest a date later, he'll play it cool on the surface. 'I'm tired,' or 'I don't want to impose'—he'll refuse."
"Mm-hm."
Rizbat smiled contentedly as Silvena whipped out a notepad to jot it all down. What a studious pupil! If Rizbat were the professor, that attitude alone would earn an A.
"In that case, just take his hand silently and lead. Throw in a line like, 'Time with you is never wasted'—he'll melt."
"Th-that might be tough... but I'll try."
"You can do it!"
She pumped her fist to cheer Silvena on, but then—
"By the way, Rizbat, you seem awfully experienced in romance. How do you know men's hearts so well?"
"......"
Silvena's admiration made Rizbat's face stiffen instantly. At 23, while others paired off, she was a pitiful virgin with zero experience.
"The 107th Teleos Academy Summer Break Ceremony will now commence."
"Wooooooooo!"
The sweet allure of "break" seemed universal, no matter the town. Normally, when the principal gathered everyone for a speech, they'd be dozing off or chatting with neighbors. But today, the auditorium erupted like fans welcoming an idol at a concert.
"Students, wherever you go, never forget your duty as members of Teleos Academy..."
The exhortation kicked off, followed by brief reminders for break: some facilities' hours changing, dorm curfews loosened, no dorm supervisors, fewer guards—so stay safe. Nothing major.
The ceremony wrapped up in a blink, and students swarmed out to board their summoned carriages.
"Milady, have a safe trip."
"Yeah, see you!"
Our lady was among them. She'd planned to stay for research but decided to visit home alone to see her mother. Rizbat offered to accompany, but was turned down—just a quick visit, it'll be fine.
Well, with her roommate Theo staying too, Aren wouldn't feel too alone.
"...She's gone."
After seeing her off, Rizbat shook off the emptiness and turned—
"Aren."
"Oh, Lena. What're you still doing here?"
A familiar face appeared amid the thinning crowd—Lena, who'd been blending in while others boarded carriages.
"My home's in the Ruendel Kingdom—too far and a hassle. Plus, I've got some business."
"Business? Like Neriel, staying for magic research?"
"Something like that."
Huh, diligent one. Maybe all mages were like this.
"More importantly, why're you still here? I saw Tiabel board a carriage earlier."
"Yeah, she went alone to see her mom—just a quick visit. Wanted to tag along, but she didn't wanna impose."
"So you're solo for a bit?"
"...Pretty much."
No lady always by his side—it fit.
"Got it. Have a good break."
"You too."
She nodded, turned, and walked off. Business concluded.