The Trap (1)
After finishing our meal, we left the restaurant side by side. When I was fully immersed in the romance-fantasy heroine vibe, I could barely tell if the food was going in through my mouth or my nose. But as the atmosphere gradually relaxed and we started chatting normally with Silvena, I was able to enjoy the dinner properly. The food was mouthwateringly delicious—no need to belabor the point—and the stories she occasionally shared about her past or her experiences in the northern regions were genuinely fascinating. They were like the alcohol that heated up the mood and the spices that enhanced the flavors.
"Was the meal to your satisfaction?"
"Oh yeah, totally. I stuffed myself for the first time in ages. That seafood dish in the middle was especially good."
I patted my belly and grinned at Silvena, who was asking for my impressions. It wasn't an exaggeration; aside from the day I was pulled from the brothel district and brought to the Roze Tail family, this was the most I'd ever eaten.
"You must have similar tastes to me. Truth be told, that seafood dish was my favorite too."
"Oh, really? They say it's best to marry someone whose tastes match yours."
"...Marriage, huh."
A line from some book I'd read long ago popped into my head, and I tossed it out without thinking. Silvena suddenly looked serious, propping her chin on her hand.
"Who would you want to marry?"
"Out of nowhere?"
She'd brought up the topic while clearing the way ahead. Actually, on second thought, it wasn't out of nowhere—I'd started it.
"Just curious. My marriageable age is approaching, so I wanted to know men's general preferences."
"Hmm, not sure if my answer will help..."
The ideal woman for this world's men probably differed a lot from mine anyway. That made me hesitate a bit, but her eyes were sparkling with anticipation, so I decided to say something.
"First off, I wouldn't like someone too extravagant."
"Ho, unexpected. Don't men usually want women who'll spend big on them?"
"Not my thing. I can earn my own money—no need to leech off anyone."
"I see. What else?"
"Someone like a friend, I think. Of course, mutual respect is key, but if it feels too distant, that's no good either. Friends have good days and bad days, right? A relationship where you can humbly accept that would be ideal."
As I spoke, it started feeling a bit philosophical, which was embarrassing. But Silvena listened intently, nodding along with interest.
"No strong preferences on looks or anything?"
"Yeah, not really... Though good looks never hurt."
"Like Tiabel?"
Why bring up the young lady here? But it was true she was pretty, so I couldn't deny it and just nodded. Maybe she came to mind naturally as one of the pretty women around me.
"Something like that. You're plenty pretty yourself, Silvena."
"R-Really? Do you find me beautiful?"
"What kind of question is that?"
What was this? Playing coy? No wonder they say the haves always want more. With that face, she still had doubts? As if the original work's heroine wouldn't be stunning.
"You're one of the prettiest I've ever seen. Did some lunatic ever tell you otherwise?"
"N-No, nothing like that. I just never heard you say it, so I didn't think you'd feel that way."
"Of course I wouldn't say it. It's embarrassing."
I barely said it to the young lady, let alone a classmate and friend. The bar was too high. As I scratched my cheek and replied, Silvena lifted the corner of her mouth.
"Hehe, so even you get embarrassed. I didn't expect it from someone who seems so casual."
"Of course I do. I'm human too."
"Then was refusing my escort earlier because you were embarrassed?"
"That was..."
So she had been holding onto that a little. It wasn't really embarrassment, though. But I couldn't exactly say, 'I couldn't take your arm because it felt like I was becoming the romance-fantasy heroine.'
"...Kinda. As a lowly commoner, it was my first time getting that kind of escort."
"I see. I thought you just disliked me."
"Who'd go out to dinner alone with a woman they hate?"
"You might not have been able to refuse."
Why was this duke's daughter so lacking in confidence? She wasn't at Neriel's level of supreme arrogance, but she deserved some self-assurance matching her status and skills. Actually, her usual demeanor didn't seem insecure. It was a strangely subtle reaction. Feeling awkward as I glanced at her, I threw out words I wouldn't normally say to boost her confidence.
"No way. I actually like you quite a bit, Silvena."
A bright smile from someone who rarely laughed was worth its weight in gold. I realized that for the first time today.
It was just past evening when she returned to the dorm with a beaming smile. Seeing her master like that, Rizbat Mariud intuited that the date had gone splendidly.
"Looks like it went well, Lady Silvena."
"Thanks to you, Rizbat."
"I didn't do much. But you came back later than expected."
She'd pointed out the time on purpose—a roundabout way of asking for details on any little episodes. Fortunately, her master caught the hint.
"Uh, yeah. Aren felt bad for making me treat him, so he bought tea and dinner afterward. That's why it got late."
"That means the date was satisfying enough! Otherwise, you'd have been the one to end it first."
"True. So Aren enjoyed the date too. What a relief."
Rizbat smiled warmly as Silvena sighed in relief. What a wonderful moment! Above all, she was thrilled that her love advice had worked so well.
I'll have to use it myself someday!
Work at Iferia Dorm was too hectic right now for free time, but she firmly believed her own fresh, colorful spring of youth would come eventually. When it did, she'd use this foundational knowledge she'd taught her master to capture that person's heart.
"Shall I heat up the bathwater right away?"
As a capable maid who knew her master's habits inside out, Rizbat asked casually. Silvena always bathed thoroughly after outings, then either meditated or went to bed. But today, unusually, she stood up, and Rizbat's eyes widened.
"No, I need to head to the training grounds for a bit. I left my gauntlets there."
"You go there at dawn anyway. No need to fetch them now..."
"It's the gift Aren gave me recently. Feels wrong leaving it there alone."
She chuckled sheepishly after saying it, but Rizbat was impressed by the thoughtfulness. If only she could show that side to Aren—he'd fall for her on the spot!
"Then take care."
"Will do."
After waving goodbye to her master as she left the room quietly, Rizbat decided to prepare the bathwater. The tub wouldn't cool much with the lid on anyway. As her maid, this was the least she could do for her love-striving master.
The academy during break was serene. Normally, you'd see students leaving the main building late after club activities, workshops with lights leaking out, and guards patrolling tirelessly for student safety even at night. But now, it felt like time had stopped—the usual chirping of crickets had faded, leaving only the eerie rustle of night wind through dense leaves.
That must be why.
Grrrumble...
As if to fill the void, an uninvited guest slipped quietly into the academy grounds, despite no one wanting it. A faint refraction in the air, barely visible unless you squinted, slithered through the shadows into a thick grove of trees.
"Security this lax? Kihihit! Fine by me."
The refraction vanished, revealing a woman with reddish hair under a robe. Unconcerned about being overheard, she cackled maniacally, her movements creaking like a broken wooden doll as she stepped forward. Unlike her jerky legs, her destination felt clear.
"Is this the place...?"
After moving some distance, she sensed the surrounding mana subtly warping— a barrier. Realizing she'd reached the rendezvous, she giggled gleefully. In response, a faint presence emerged from behind a tree.
"...You've arrived. Lady Rozeta."
A woman with navy-blue hair and an eyepatch over one eye. Rozeta grinned in satisfaction upon recognizing her.
"Kihihit! Coming out to greet me—how kind. You're Yam (Dark)'s right-hand girl, right?"
"Yes, Lena."
Despite the grotesque approach—head tilted nearly 90 degrees, eyes bulging—Lena calmly affirmed her name. It was meant to intimidate, but the bland reaction killed Rozeta's interest.
"Tch, no fun. Like boss, like subordinate? At least the thorough barrier and precautions impress me!"
"Thank you."
Rozeta clicked her tongue again at Lena's bow, her expression anything but grateful. Dealing with this group's members was tough—not a personality clash, but an instinctive repulsion.
"I heard from the leader. You're here to retrieve the offering."
"Yeah. Kihihi...! Every idiot at the meeting was a coward. The key dangled right in front of them, but they were too scared to touch it! They can't hear her desperate voice. Incompetents!"
Only she was the true devotee. Twisted emotions—arrogance, superiority, fanaticism—radiated like mana in all directions.
"We've secured the trap site. If you need any help..."
Thunk! An object like a giant nail flew past Lena's head, embedding nearby. Rozeta glared demandingly, then cackled again.
"Hee hee hee! Don't steal my thunder! Just tell me the spot. I'll handle the rest."
"Very well... Set the trap at the training grounds. My intel says the key visits there every dawn."
"Perfect! Kihihit!"
Shrr...
Moths to a flame, leaping in without need for luring. Rozeta clapped delightedly, her form dissolving into nothingness once more.