Hearing Hayashi Maki's explanation, Louise felt a sting in her chest.
"Oh, you really dared to say that out loud! Tabitha may be exceptional, but telling me to my face you want her—isn't that too much?"
"It is too much—but I don't want to lie to you."
Hayashi Maki lowered his head seriously, inching toward her cherry-pink lips.
"You want everyone's recognition, to be admired by all—I remember."
"Mmm—"
"I… hah… I don't want that kind of hollow admiration… I want to grow stronger so people admire me fairly…"
"In that case, I'll work even harder…" Hayashi Maki's fingertip lightly traced her soft lips. "Did you forget what I said at the start? If you want to control power and use magic normally, Louise just needs to—"
"Shut up—don't say that again!"
Louise clapped a hand over his mouth, face burning scarlet. "I'm not ready for… for that…"
Handing over her purity just to gain power—it was way too strange.
"Alright. I'll wait until you're willing. And when that time comes… I won't let you sleep," he said firmly, then released her.
Louise's thoughts were a mess; she even forgot what she'd meant to ask. Her emotions tangled tighter.
After breakfast, Louise brought Hayashi Maki to class.
Hayashi Maki was curious. "Why are you letting me in class today? Aren't you afraid I'll keep peeking under girls' skirts?"
As he spoke, he instinctively glanced back—Montmorency was in purple today. Who'd have thought? She looked so proper, but her private taste was bold. Montmorency yanked down her hem and shot Louise a mortified glare. "Louise, control your familiar!"
Louise was embarrassed and exasperated. With a shameless familiar like this, what could she do? "Sit up. No peeking!" she snapped, then muttered under her breath, "Keeping you next to me is better than letting Zerbst seduce you behind my back!"
Hmph—where she could keep an eye on him, he couldn't go bewitching anyone else.
Guiche could only seethe in silence. As a noble, he of course disdained peeking at skirts. But Hayashi Maki's behavior infuriated him—his childhood friend, lovely, gracious Montmorency, had been ogled more than once. Infuriating. He glowered… and did nothing. Having been flattened as Hayashi Maki's stepping stone, he didn't dare try anything.
Montmorency, watching Guiche's cowardice, was speechless. Since Hayashi Maki showed up, Guiche had seemed merely so-so—and philandering at that. Her opinion of him sank. Hayashi Maki might be a lech, but he never hid it; he radiated confidence. One look at him and you felt energized; he was not simple. How to put it—he had a naturally convincing aura.
Chastened by Louise, Hayashi Maki reined in his gaze and actually listened to Professor Colbert's lecture with interest. It wasn't useful to him, but Louise took careful notes every period—though she still couldn't cast any spell without it ending in an explosion.
After class, Colbert made an announcement.
"In a few days we'll hold the annual Familiar Exhibition—and this year Her Highness Princess Henrietta will attend!"
"Performances judged best will receive a royal award. Please prepare yourselves."
Colbert was visibly excited—he clearly looked forward to the princess's visit. The kingdom had lost its king; the lone heir—the nation's symbol and spiritual pillar—was Her Highness.
Hayashi Maki looked forward to it too. If it weren't for building rapport with Louise, he'd have already slipped into the palace to steal a kiss or three. Louise and Henrietta were childhood friends, and Louise's loyalty to her was absolute—nobly willing to give her life for queen and country.
Which is why he had to "contract" the princess too. He couldn't stomach Louise being willing to die for some other woman…
Back in their room, Louise fell into thought. Henrietta—she knew the name well. They'd grown up together; their bond was deep. But years had passed, and she'd been "Louise the Zero" the whole time. The shame made her shrink away from seeing Henrietta.
"What are you thinking about?" Hayashi Maki ruffled her hair. Seeing her look so downcast, his expression turned tender. Louise blushed at the head-pat and quickly shook her head. "Nothing. I'm just thinking how to perform at the exhibition. Any ideas?"
She wasn't about to mention her ties to the princess; she wasn't even sure she still deserved to call Henrietta a friend.
"I do, actually." Hayashi Maki's grin turned wicked.
"Let's perform a contract. A kiss in front of the princess—sure to make a sensation!"
He turned, only to face Louise's darkening expression as she whipped out her riding crop.
"You pervert—go die! Perform a kiss? How do you even think of this garbage? Have you no shame?"
"Haha—I'm joking," he said quickly, catching her hand and pulling her into his arms. "I'll do sword arts instead. A little show of force—to shut up anyone who still dares look down on my Louise."
"Hmph—I'm not 'yours,'" she said tsundere-style—but her body softened and her eyes brightened. If he showed his strength, she'd shine too. A familiar's power is a master's power.
Then her mood dipped again. Contract or not—what if he left one day? The thought of him being from another world made her anxious all over again.
Lost in thought, she found her lips covered once more. "Mmph—!" She pushed at him on reflex, but he didn't budge. Half struggling, half yielding, she let him have his way.