Chapter 27: Should I Be Confident? Or Not?
《Side Liese》
In my room, I was discussing with Faina-san the results of “this recent operation.”
As for the Lucky Lewd Maneuvers, besides the one I executed, I tried a few others, like holding his hand or suddenly hugging him, but none of them worked out.
“Haa~ Does he not see me as a woman?”
“I don’t think that’s the case. Each and every thing you’re doing, Liese, should be gradually melting Lord Serios’s heart.”
A sigh escaped me. If Faina-san hadn’t encouraged me, I wouldn’t have been able to continue, that’s how little Lord Serios acknowledged me as a woman.
Even though I tried so hard, in the end, aside from him seeing me change, it was a dud. I couldn’t achieve the change I was hoping for.
“I guess it really doesn’t work on Lord Serios, huh…”
Though Lord Serios’s lack of reaction wounded me a little, I couldn’t give up.
“Maybe the timing was just bad.”
Encouraged by Faina-san, I began to think of my next move.
Just then, the face that suddenly came to mind was that of the prince, Edward von Leclair. We often share the same classes and lessons.
Lord Edward is elegant and approachable, and he frequently speaks to me.
Moreover, from what I’ve seen of him speaking kindly to the other girls, it seemed he was the type quite accustomed to women.
If it’s effective on Lord Edward, it might also be effective on Lord Serios.
“…He might be a good subject to test its effectiveness.”
With the intention of having Prince Edward cooperate just a little, I planned my next maneuver.
The next day, right during lunch break, I found Lord Edward walking alone in the academy’s courtyard. Steeling my resolve, I approached him.
Since he’s usually the one to speak to me first, I started with a greeting.
“Lord Edward, good morning. Might I have a moment of your time?”
“Liese? It’s rare for you to greet me. Good morning. Of course. What is it?”
The prince looked at me with his usual gentle smile. Faced with his composed demeanor, I, feeling a little nervous, put my plan into action.
“Um… there’s something I’d like to ask you about yesterday’s lesson.”
Saying that, I stood right next to him, deliberately maintaining a close distance, and leaned my body slightly towards him. Furthermore, I gazed up at him with an upward glance.
“Uh, um… about the lesson? That’s unusual for a prodigy like you. Ah, well, nobles are indeed better at the Kingdom’s History.”
When I moved closer and swept my hair up, Lord Edward’s face instantly turned bright red.
Faina-san had said that a woman sweeping her hair up is one of the gestures men like. Since I don’t want to show my skin to anyone but Lord Serios, this much should be fine.
The prince, seeming completely unaware of my intentions, let his gaze wander. Furthermore, when I closed the distance by another step――
“!? Ah, um, Liese, you’re a little too close…”
The prince’s voice was clearly trembling. I was convinced.
(This… is working, isn’t it?)
Muttering this in my heart, I offered a slight smile, and he became even more flustered.
“I-I get it! I’ll answer any questions you have!”
“Thank you very much, Lord Edward. If there’s anything else I don’t understand, I’ll ask for your help again!”
I gave a gentle bow and left. When I looked back, the prince was still seeing me off, his face still red.
(It seems… to be effective!)
I made a small fist pump and solidified my resolve to try this maneuver on my true target, Lord Serios.
After school, I found Lord Serios in the library, reading a book quietly by himself.
“He’s so dignified and cool, as expected. Those slightly sharp eyes and that aloof coldness that keeps others at bay are what make him different from other gentlemen.”
To put my plan into action, I approached him.
“Lord Serios, might I have a moment of your time?”
“Hm? What is it, Liese?”
Just Lord Serios lifting his head to look at me makes my heart pound. Though his calm expression swayed my heart a little, I proceeded with the maneuver.
“I just wanted to ask a little about the content of yesterday’s lesson…”
Just as I did with the prince, I sat down next to him, leaned my body while closing the distance, and gazed up at Lord Serios.
“Yeah, which part?”
“Um… well, it’s about the assignment part…”
I then swept my hair up, strengthening my appeal.
I also consciously tried to make my voice sound a little like I was trying to amae.
“The assignment, I see. This part is easy. Look, it’s this part, right?”
Lord Serios showed no signs of being flustered at all and began to explain matter-of-factly while pointing at the book’s page.
“…If there’s anything you don’t understand, just say so. I’ll teach you properly.”
“…Thank you.”
Inwardly, I was dumbfounded. This maneuver, which had been effective on Lord Edward, had absolutely no effect on Lord Serios. Rather, he just treated me calmly, as usual.
(Wh-why…!?)
Lord Serios, completely unaware of my agitation, continued to explain the book’s contents in more detail. Seeing him like that, I felt tears welling up a little.
That night, I was reporting the results of the maneuver to Faina-san.
“How did it go?”
“…It had absolutely no effect on Lord Serios. Even though Prince Edward, who’s used to women, blushed immediately!!!”
When I reported this while sprawled face down on the bed, Faina-san chuckled.
“Well, it’s not going to be that easy. Lord Serios is truly oblivious, after all.”
“That much… I know. But… but… I love him.”
I lifted my face and weakly let the words spill out to Faina-san.
“What should I do…? How can I get Lord Serios to notice me?”
After thinking for a bit, Faina-san smiled gently.
“There’s no need to rush, Liese. I think Lord Serios is preoccupied with his own affairs right now. So, he might not have the capacity to properly see you.”
“But, I…”
I feel like Lord Serios is drifting further and further away. He’s so handsome, other women approach him, and he even looks at me so gently…
“I understand how you feel. But why not wait a bit, until Lord Serios starts to notice you on his own? Besides, it might be a good idea to polish your own charms more in the meantime.”
Faina-san’s words helped me calm down a little. If I proceed slowly, without rushing, perhaps the day will come when Lord Serios finally sees me.
“…Thank you, Faina-san.”
“You’re welcome. Feel free to consult me anytime you’re troubled.”
I firmed up a new resolve in my heart and decided to think once more about how to get Lord Serios to notice me.
(Next time, I absolutely will…!)
With that resolve in my heart, I stood up once more.