Chapter 30: I Tried Talking to Liese.
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As I searched for Liese, I felt a sense of unease in my chest.
It wasn’t that I had ever taken her existence lightly.
I trusted her as an excellent attendant who never spared any effort. However, Claris’s words made me realize that I myself had always been drawing a line, seeing Liese as merely the heroine who appears in the game.
“How do I truly feel about Liese…?”
Right now, I am alive in this world. And Liese is alive too. That’s precisely why I wanted to ask her, to find the answer to what kind of feelings I hold for the Liese of today.
Liese, whom I finally found, was in the academy’s Courtyard, talking with three familiar young men.
The First Prince, Edward von Leclair.
The Chancellor’s son, Raoul Diego Alberto, with his impressive silver hair and intelligent demeanor.
The Marshal’s son, Gald Reinhardt, renowned as a swordsman.
The Three Stooges—no, they are high-ranking nobles who will carry the future of the kingdom.
All three of them had gathered around Liese, surrounding her as if to declare she was theirs.
Liese was talking with a smile on her face, but she looked somewhat awkward.
If the smile that had seemed joyful until now was actually her being reserved while conversing with high-ranking nobles, then perhaps it was my fault she felt she had to do that.
For a moment, my chest tightened.
Is what Claris said correct? Or, just like in the game, does she truly cherish the capture targets? I couldn’t tell which it was.
Such fainthearted thoughts crossed my mind. But, another voice welled up from deep within my heart.
Even so, there’s something I want to talk to her about. I want to convey my own feelings to Liese.
Mustering my courage, I took a step forward.
“Liese, do you have a moment?”
My voice might have trembled a little. But, I called out to her firmly.
At that moment, the Three Stooges noticed me and turned their gazes my way. Prince Edward stepped forward, looking down on me with a glare.
“Serios. Lady Liese is conversing with us. We would ask you to refrain.”
Those words were clearly laced with intimidation.
The other two also glared at me. I almost faltered under the pressure of their gazes, but when I looked at Liese, she was staring at me with wide, surprised eyes.
That expression awakened the courage that lay dormant within me.
Just as I was about to speak again, Liese opened her mouth.
“Lord Serios! Of course, I don’t mind at all!”
At her words, my chest felt a little warmer.
Liese bowed once to Edward and the others, then hurried over to me.
The moment she stood by my side, the expressions of the three men hardened.
“Serios, I understand that you are Lady Liese’s master. However, what is your reason for interrupting our conversation with her?”
Raoul asked in a calm, sarcastic tone. But his eyes clearly held displeasure.
“I don’t need a reason. I simply wanted to call her.”
I answered in a voice so calm it surprised even me. Gard crossed his arms, the corners of his mouth turning up.
“I see. You want to interfere with us getting along with Lady Liese, don’t you? What a petty fellow.”
If he calls me petty, perhaps I am. After all, I’ve realized I don’t like seeing Liese talk to other men.
“You just don’t like us talking to Liese, do you?”
For a moment, I was at a loss for words at his provocative remark, but Liese, beside me, stepped forward.
“Lord Gard, please refrain from speaking to Lord Serios in such a manner.”
“Wh-!?”
At her resolute voice, Gard seemed a little taken aback. Edward frowned, turning his gaze to Liese.
“Lady Liese, do you truly intend to side with him?”
“Lord Serios is my master. No further reason is necessary.”
At those words, the expressions of the three men clouded over.
“…Lady Liese, I’ve been wondering for a while. Why do you refuse our invitations, yet accept Serios’s? Surely, you’re not being threatened, are you?”
At Raul’s words, the other two, perhaps thinking he’d hit the mark, turned to me with triumphant expressions.
“In that case, we wouldn’t hesitate to rescue Lady Liese. Wielding power to make a woman obey is outrageous.”
“You’re just using the power of your noble status and gold to make Lady Liese obey you, aren’t you? You scoundrel!”
Prince Edward glared at me. Does Gard really know that I essentially bought Liese with gold? Hit right on the mark, I was at a loss for words.
But, as I stood there, letting them say whatever they pleased, Liese stepped in front of me.
“Lord Raul, Lord Serios has told me that I am free to do as I please at the academy. He told me to devote myself to my studies, make friends, and enjoy myself. However, I wish to support Lord Serios, my master. Therefore, I prioritize Lord Serios over any other invitation!”
She calmly answered Raul’s question. Liese then turned her gaze to Prince Edward.
“Lord Edward, Lord Serios has never once told me to obey him simply because he is a noble.”
Edward, perhaps not expecting Liese to refute him, froze with a surprised expression.
“Lord Gard, it is true that Lord Serios paid for my Mother’s medicine when she was ill. However, after that, Lord Serios asked nothing of me. Instead, he provided me with delicious meals, a warm bed, and even helped me find employment, saving me. Do you think I would be pleased to hear such a person called a scoundrel?”
“Ah, no, that’s…”
By Liese’s resolute demeanor, the three men were completely overwhelmed.
“I have spoken rudely to the three of you, who are high-ranking nobles. Please, pass your judgment upon me. Lord Serios, I deeply apologize for this failure to repay your great kindness.”
Liese, who had stated her opinion to the three with resolve, then asked them for judgment. This implied that they, using their noble authority as a pretext, would condemn Liese.
“W-We wouldn’t do such a thing!”
The first to react was Prince Edward.
“Th-That’s right. We don’t intend to force anyone to obey us just because we are nobles. So we won’t condemn you for disrespect or anything of the sort.”
“Ah, yeah. Um. Our bad.”
The three of them left, looking awkward. I turned my gaze to Liese beside me.
To be honest, I was surprised.
I hadn’t expected Liese to completely silence the three of them like that.
“…Thank you. You really helped me out.”
“Not at all. I only did what was natural.”
She replied with a smile. The moment I saw that smile, the heavy feeling in my chest lightened a little.
“Lord Serios, what was it you wanted to talk to me about?”
“Ah… um…”
Having not thought of an actual reason, I was at a bit of a loss for words. But she was looking at me gently.
“There was something I wanted to talk to you about regarding classes. And… how have you been lately? Are you doing well?”
I managed to squeeze out those words for the time being. Liese looked surprised for a moment, but then she smiled happily.
“For Lord Serios to be concerned about me… I’m very happy.”
At that smile, I once again felt my chest tighten.
(Liese… what do you really think of me?)
I still haven’t found the answer to what these swirling emotions inside me are. Even so, I felt that her being by my side was incredibly important to me.