The Maid Chief's Master Plan
Cani adjusted her maid uniform with a satisfied hum, drawing every eye in the academy as she wandered its sprawling grounds. She'd passed by the Knight Academy building a few times before, but the campus was enormous, with countless structures making it surprisingly easy to get lost.
"Wow, she's adorable."
"Right?"
The students watching Cani toddle around with wide smiles suddenly panicked when she tried to enter one of the buildings.
"Servants aren't allowed inside!"
"You could get in serious trouble with the nobles!"
The commoner students, genuinely worried she'd get scolded, blocked her path. In response, Cani reached into her maid uniform's pocket and pulled out a single sheet of paper.
"It's okay. I have permission."
The students' eyes widened like saucers at the sight of the pass bearing the academy chairman's personal signature.
"Whoa, that's the chairman's actual handwritten signature! Which noble family do you work for?"
"The Edgar County household."
"Gasp! Then you're... with Lord Hendel...?"
Cani nodded cheerfully.
"Sorry for getting in your way. Please, go right in."
"Thank you."
Grateful for the students' kindness, Cani stepped into the Knight Academy building.
"Wow, they actually gave a maid a pass."
"She's young and pretty. Think she's one of Lord Hendel's women?"
"Probably."
Cani pretended not to hear their whispered conversation, but a pleased little smile played on her lips as she walked deeper inside. The word young especially warmed her heart.
That's right. I'm still young. My skin is firm, and my chest is firm too!
Once inside the Knight Academy building, Cani peeked into various classrooms as she wandered the halls.
"Hey, there's a maid over there."
"What? Maids aren't allowed in the building, don't you know that?"
"Look again."
"Whoa... you're right."
"Students, please focus."
"Yes, sir."
Cani kept sneaking glances through doorways until a delightful aroma caught her attention.
"Sniff... what's that smell?"
Following the sweet scent of fresh bread, she headed straight for its source. This fragrance could only belong to one person: Serina.
Knock knock.
"Yes, come in!"
Confirming Serina's voice, Cani opened the door without hesitation.
"Huh? Cani?"
Serina, who had promised to speak casually with her last time, greeted her with a bright, welcoming smile.
"Did Hendel come with you?"
Cani shook her head.
"Nope, just me."
"What? How?"
When Cani showed her the magical pass again, Serina nodded in understanding.
"Now that you mention it, I think I heard something about getting you a pass last time."
Ding!
The oven chimed to signal the bread was done. Serina, wearing oven mitts, pulled out a tray of mouthwatering pastries.
"Perfect timing! I tried making pain aux amandes for the first time today. Let's eat together!"
Serina, who found pure joy in watching others enjoy her baking, sat Cani down and arranged the treats before her: fresh-from-the-oven almond pastries, yesterday's egg tarts, and honey bread baked two days ago.
Watching Serina hum happily while bustling about, Cani spoke up.
"Do you bake like this every day? It must take forever."
"Hehe, I do it because I love it. The food here in the cooking lab is free, so it's perfect for replacing meals too."
"I see."
"Oh, and I packed up some bread for you to take. Share it with everyone at home. I made extra since Lady Marine lives there now too."
As Cani accepted the bag, she studied Serina carefully. If Serina felt even the slightest affection for Hendel, she should show some reaction to the news that he was now living with Marine.
"Doesn't it bother you at all, Serina?"
"What?"
"That Lord Hendel and Lady Marine are living together now."
"Ah..."
Serina scratched her cheek with her index finger and laughed awkwardly.
"I'm not really sure... haha..."
To Cani's expert eye in matters of romance, Serina's subtle agitation was obvious. In truth, Serina was most disappointed about no longer sharing a dormitory with her admired Marine, but Cani, unaware of that, became convinced Serina harbored feelings for Hendel. And deeper ones than she'd expected!
Her expression brightening, Cani grabbed both of Serina's hands.
"I'll help you!"
"Huh...? With what?"
Cani pulled the flustered Serina to her feet. Though clearly confused, Serina stood up obediently.
"Do you have more classes?"
"No... I'm done for the day."
"Perfect. Then let's head to the Magic Department."
"The Magic Department? Suddenly?"
"You put so much heart into these baked goods. They should be delivered to the young master in person."
"But I made them for you too, Cani..."
Ignoring Serina's protest, Cani headed straight for the Magic Department.
"Let's go!"
"U-um... okay."
One of my lectures had been canceled today, so I left the Magic Department and headed toward the parked carriage.
"Yaaawn... H-Hey! Young Master, you've worked hard!"
The knight serving as both coachman and guard jumped in surprise at my sudden appearance.
"Where's Cani?"
"Ah, she said she'd be back shortly."
"Hmm... alright."
I decided to wait for Cani inside the carriage. She always greeted me with a bright smile whenever I came to ride, so her absence felt strangely awkward.
Tap tap tap.
As I sat there spacing out, I heard footsteps passing by the carriage.
"When the young master was little, he climbed up to the windowsill and I spotted him just in time to save him."
"Ooh, so you're basically a hero to the family?"
"Ahem, that's how I rose to Maid Chief."
"Then why did you step down?"
"I couldn't possibly let the young master come to the academy without me. So I gave up the position and followed him here."
Two girls were chatting amiably as they walked past the carriage. From their voices, it sounded like Cani and Serina. I poked my head out the window.
"Cani, are you still telling that old story?"
"Eek! Young Master, why are you in the carriage?"
Cani jumped in surprise at the sudden voice from behind her.
"One of my classes got canceled."
"Ah, perfect timing then."
Cani placed a hand on Serina's back and approached the carriage.
"Serina has something she wants to give you, Young Master."
They seemed to have grown quite close. Cani touched Serina without any hesitation. Serina shyly held out a bag tied with a cute ribbon.
"I baked these. I'd be happy if you'd try them."
"Whoa... if it's bread you made, of course I'll eat it. Thank you."
Serina seemed oddly embarrassed just from giving a simple gift. The atmosphere felt strangely charged.
Cani frowned from the side.
"Young Master, is that all?"
"What else am I supposed to do?"
"A woman worked up the courage to give you a gift! You should man up and give her a hug!"
"Eh?"
Serina looked startled.
"What the..."
I was at a loss for words too. Yet Cani's expression remained completely serious even as she received our stares.
"Isn't it common sense for a man who receives a gift full of a woman's sincerity to pull her into his arms and express his gratitude? Don't you know that, Young Master?"
"C-Cani... what are you even saying?"
Serina tried to scold her from the side, but Cani showed no sign of doubt. She clearly believed every word.
Those romance novels have completely corrupted her.
Having known Cani for so long, I was aware she sometimes took information from romance novels as universal truth. That distorted perception must have come from them too.
I flicked her on the forehead with a loud thwack.
"Just ignore Cani's weird ideas."
"U-um... okay."
"Thanks for the bread. I'll enjoy it!"
"Yeah, eat up and enjoy!"
Serina beamed with the happiness she always felt when people ate her cooking. Cani, who had been watching silently after getting flicked, suddenly chimed in again.
"Young Master, did you know?"
"Know what?"
"That Serina's been eating bread in place of proper meals."
"Really?"
"N-No! I have the cola you gave me too!"
Good grief. I'd given her ten gold in advance, thinking she'd at least eat proper food.
"What did you do with the ten gold?"
"W-Well... I sent it to my family. It seems farming in the village hasn't been going well lately."
"Where is it?"
"A small village in the north."
A small northern village, huh. I vaguely remembered hearing that crop yields in that region had been cut in half recently. The Deriposer family lived in a perpetually cold area, so poor harvests didn't affect them much, but the surrounding territories that relied on farming were suffering badly.
In that case, I'd have to feed her myself.
I took Serina's delicate hand.
"Huh?"
"Come eat with me."
"N-No, I don't want to impose..."
I looked straight into Serina's hesitant eyes.
"When a friend is in trouble, of course you help. How is that imposing?"
"B-But still..."
I placed a hand on the shoulder of the reluctant Serina. Her cheeks flushed red, probably embarrassed about her situation where she couldn't even afford proper meals.
"It's fine. Just accept help for now, and you can return the favor later when you're successful, right?"
Serina nodded silently.
"Then it's settled. Let's go eat together."
I took Serina's hand and helped her into the carriage.
Clatter clatter.
The carriage moved at a leisurely pace.
"Hmm~"
I found myself humming cheerfully. Since this world's setting was from a story, the protagonist Serina was bound to succeed. What better opportunity than to earn her debt of gratitude by feeding her during her difficult times?
"Lunch is provided by the cafeteria anyway, so from now on, we'll eat dinner together every night. Got it?"
Serina nodded with a face flushed bright red. To think I could win the favor of a romance fantasy heroine just by treating her to dinner. What incredible luck.