Not in the mood to practice swordsmanship, Hayashi Maki wandered out to the lawn.
Most students had gone to rest. First- and third-years were in class. The grass was nearly empty.
"Mr. Hayashi Maki, what are you doing?"
A gentle voice sounded behind him. He turned and smiled.
"Siesta—just taking a walk, and I thought I'd watch others practice, but it looks like they've all turned in."
Carrying a bucket, Siesta smiled and explained, "Second-years can move freely today, but we still follow a normal class schedule. Class ended, so of course they went back to rest."
"Everyone's busy because Her Highness Princess Henrietta is coming."
Noticing her bright expression, Hayashi Maki was a bit surprised.
"You seem happy about the princess's visit."
"Of course! Tristain is currently without a king, and Her Highness is the kingdom's spiritual pillar. For such a noble princess to come in person—everyone's excited. Just seeing her is an honor."
As she spoke, she stole glances at his face. His patient, gentle look sent a tremor through her heart. Blushing, she lowered her head.
"Um… Mr. Hayashi Maki—Count Mott suddenly canceled the order naming me to work at his manor…"
Hayashi Maki nodded with a smile. "That's great, isn't it? I keep my word. So—how will you thank me?"
Siesta's body gave a little start. She'd suspected it was his doing, but hearing it confirmed still made her flutter. She bit her lip, glanced around, then quickly rose on tiptoe and kissed his cheek.
"Thank you, Mr. Hayashi Maki…"
With that, she scampered off. Hayashi Maki watched the shy maid flee, lips quirking.
He left the lawn for a quiet spot. Soon, Matilda arrived—he'd summoned her through their contract, and she'd made sure the coast was clear. She looked at the man who had forcibly claimed her with a complicated gaze.
"You called me—what for?"
He slipped an arm around her waist and grinned.
"What do you think? When a man calls a beautiful woman, what else?"
Matilda stiffened, a stab of humiliation passing through her. She shut her eyes to accept her fate, but Hayashi Maki let go.
"Such a tease. I'm taking you to fetch a royal treasure—the Staff of Destruction."
"As the 'Fouquet the Crumbling Dirt,' isn't that what you've always wanted? I figured you wouldn't believe me if I just said it's useless—so I'll let you see for yourself."
Matilda brightened. "You're helping me get it? Aren't you afraid of being discovered?"
He rolled his eyes. "Relax. We won't be."
He pulled her close—one blink, and they were in the palace vault. Her gaze went straight to the round-bored launcher labeled "Staff of Destruction." Her pulse jumped. She'd long wanted it to raise her power, but the vault's walls had been reinforced by multiple Triangle mages with earth magic—beyond her to breach. And yet, here it was in her hands.
Another blink; they were in the wilderness. Hayashi Maki hefted the tube onto his shoulder and demonstrated. With a whoosh, a shell streaked into a boulder.
Boom!
The rock shattered.
"Here—your turn."
Matilda took it eagerly and pulled the trigger as instructed—nothing. Her face fell.
"Only one shot? That's the Staff of Destruction?"
Thinking of her old plans, she felt foolish. The power was fine—but one and done made it worthless for strengthening herself.
"Well? Believe me now?" Hayashi Maki asked, amused.
She tossed it back with a huff. "I believe you. I won't waste thought on it again. Let's put it back before it causes trouble."
"Not so fast," Hayashi Maki smiled. "Let's do something 'interesting' first."
Understanding dawned at his look; she silently cursed him as a lech—but didn't resist. After their clouds-and-rain, she felt oddly at ease. Without a noble title, there was little a commoner could do in the kingdom. Noble privilege was absolute—how could a commoner resist? She'd never accepted it; she desperately wanted her status back.
…
After a bath, Hayashi Maki returned to Louise's room. Meeting her probing gaze, he casually sat on the bed.
"It's late. Shall we sleep?"
She leaned in and sniffed—no trace of Kirche or Tabitha's perfume. Satisfied, she nodded.
"Sleep. And don't touch me—or you can go sleep in the hallway."
He slid under the covers, wrapped an arm around her waist, and said matter-of-factly,
"I'm not sleeping in the hall. If you kick me out, I'll just go see Kirche."
"You wouldn't!"
Louise glared, trembling. He pinched her cheek.
"If you don't want me to, be good, Louise. Tonight, I want to…"
"Ugh—degenerate! Can't you be serious? How can I show you to the princess like this?"
Saying it out loud, her annoyance mixed with worry.
"Tomorrow I'll teach you some noble etiquette—and coach your manners. You must be polite, or it'll be mortifying."
"I refuse. I talk how I talk—being direct isn't a crime. Besides, since you and the princess are childhood friends, you should act close. Your country just lost its king; a princess who's lost her father must be under pressure. Shouldn't you comfort your friend?"
"How about I help comfort her?" he added solemnly.
Louise balled her fists and swatted him.
"That's what you wanted to say, right? And how would you 'take care' of the princess—by taking her to bed?"
Hayashi Maki feigned shock.
"Louise, you understand me better every day—I'm thrilled. I should reward you."
He leaned in and kissed her. Louise stared at the shameless, incorrigible man—flustered and helpless. Their heartbeats quickened… and somewhere along the way, the noble girl's white lace dress ended up in disarray.
~~~
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