Chapter 23: I Can’t Stop My Feelings For You
《Liese’s Side》
Ever since my school life began, I have simply continued to “work hard.”
For both the Written Exam and the practical exams, I gave it my all, tackling them while remembering Lord Serios’s teachings. I believed this was the only way I could repay his kindness.
As a result, achieving a perfect score on the Written Exam and being able to fight on par with that Lord Gard in the practical exam was all thanks to Lord Serios. However, I’ve only recently come to realize just how much attention that was gathering within the school.
“Is Liese really an attendant to a noble?”
“A perfect score on the Written Exam… That’s an exam even royalty and high-ranking nobles find difficult to ace, you know?”
“And besides, fighting on par with that Lord Gard… is that even possible?”
“And her looks are said to rival the beauty of high-ranking nobles?”
Every time I walk down the hallway, I hear my name.
The content of their conversations is mostly about my grades, exam results, and appearance. However, this isn’t something that brings me joy.
“I’m just working hard…”
My small mutter disappears into the quiet hallway.
One lunch break, while I was reading in the Courtyard, a noble young man approached me. He was tall, with a frivolous-looking smile, and standing before me, he said straight away:
“Liese-san! Won’t you have some Tea with me?”
“…Tea, you ask?”
At the sudden invitation, I looked up from my book slightly to see him. He then smiled confidently. He had a charming smile, one that other girls might find appealing.
“It’s not often I get a chance to talk with a Prodigy like you. I’d like you to teach me various things.”
“I apologize, but I’m currently reading. Besides, I don’t have the leisure to join you for Tea, so please make an effort on your own.”
When I firmly refused, he shrugged and laughed.
“So cold. But I suppose that’s part of your charm too.”
Watching his back as he left with those parting words, I sighed. It’s because the number of men like him has been increasing lately.
The next to appear was a man who at first glance seemed quiet and exuded an intelligent aura, but his eyes held something calculating.
“Liese-san, your score on the Written Exam is truly amazing, I think.”
He spoke to me in a calm voice. However, trying to discern his intentions, I met his gaze cautiously.
“Thank you. So, is there something you need?”
“Actually, the Student Council is looking for new members. If someone as talented as you were to join, I’m sure the entire school would improve.”
Apparently, he was an upperclassman and had come to invite me to the Student Council. His words were polite and reasonable. Even so, I shook my head.
“I apologize. I have my studies and my duties as an attendant, so I don’t have the leisure to participate in Student Council activities.”
Even now, the time I get to spend with Lord Serios is short, and I don’t want it to be reduced any further.
He seemed a little surprised by my response, but he quickly smiled.
“I see. I respect your decision. But if you change your mind, please feel free to talk to me anytime.”
His response was polite, so I didn’t feel bad, but my priorities are different.
Next to appear was a short boy with a charming demeanor. He stood before me with an innocent-looking smile.
“Liese-oneechan! Let’s have lunch together!”
“Oneechan? Please don’t call me that. We should be the same age.”
I replied calmly, but he continued to smile without seeming to mind at all. It’s a little terrifying.
“But Liese, you’re so mature! You just feel like an older sister.”
“I’m an only child. I’m not anyone’s older sister. Calling me that is impolite. Also, I have no intention of eating with you.”
To those words, he just said, “Oh, okay! Well, maybe next time!” and left with a light wave.
Still, more boys kept appearing one after another. One of them was a shadowy figure exuding a dark aura.
“For a being of Light like you to even look at someone like me…”
He approached, muttering in a low voice. It was a bit scary, and his words made me want to run away.
“I didn’t intend to look at you. Our eyes just happened to meet by chance. There’s no further meaning to it.”
When I replied coldly, he laughed awkwardly and left.
Even though I don’t intend it, male students approach me one after another, and conversely, I hear from rumors that the female students despise me.
“Isn’t she trying too hard to flirt with all the boys?”
“Honestly, for a commoner, she’s trying to cozy up to nobles and the super-rich.”
“What a nasty woman.”
With days of being constantly approached and having rumors spread about me without my consent, my heart has grown weary.
“I’m just working hard…”
What I should be doing at school is to continue working hard to gain Lord Serios’s approval. Nothing else is necessary.
During class that day…
I found Lord Serios napping in a deserted Courtyard.
“Lord Serios.”
Surely, with classes every day and corresponding with his domain by letter, Lord Serios must be tired too.
Gently, I lifted Lord Serios’s head and placed it on my lap.
Lately, my chest has grown larger, like Mother Maria’s, so I can’t see Lord Serios’s head very well. I’d be happy if this makes him even a little more comfortable than sleeping on the grass.
I gently took Lord Serios’s hand and pressed it to my cheek.
“Lord Serios, you are all I need.”
I moved his hand from my cheek to my chest. Lord Serios’s large, calloused hand, a hand that wields a Sword, was touching my chest.
At that moment, as if trying to grasp something in his dream, Lord Serios squeezed my large chest.
“Nghh!”
It hurt a little. But the fact that Lord Serios was gripping my chest so tightly made my heart pound, and I wanted him to touch me more.
I took Lord Serios’s fingers into my mouth.
“Lord Serios.”
“Mmm?”
So that the now-awakened Lord Serios wouldn’t notice, I slowly returned his hand to its original position.
“Huh? Liese?”
“Good morning, Lord Serios.”
“What time is it? Weren’t we in class?”
“Yes. I found you sleeping, Lord Serios, and as your attendant, I was watching over you.”
“I see, thank you. Ah, a lap pillow! You must be tired, right?”
“No, it’s no problem at all. Would you like to stay like this a little longer?”
“No, I’ll get up. Hmm? Why are my fingers wet?”
Lord Serios looked puzzled, but I simply blushed and smiled at him silently.
“Well, whatever. Let’s get going.”
“Yes! Lord Serios!”
I pressed my hand against my pounding chest, feeling happy that Lord Serios’s hand had touched it.