I messed up! I really messed up this time!
Not only did I lose control of my emotions again, but apparently it was Seraphina, the villainess who brought me to the infirmary.
But that can't be it right? Miss Julia must have been mistaken. There's no way the villainess would just help me out right? And what happened to all those other girls too?
However Miss Julia isn't the kind of character who would lie for no reason. If I consider her personality from the game, even though she comes across as a laid back teacher and nurse who doesn't care about anything at first, that isn't the case at all.
After Lucy spent some time with her, it became clear that Miss Julia was actually a nice person who does care about the students, always gently treating wounds and injuries, she just has a cold persona. She is also surprisingly knowledgeable about high society, even though she doesn't have a noble family name, so she's probably a commoner?
Although her presence radiates a noble aura even other teachers would shy away from. She was only a minor character in the game so there wasn't much information about her.
But anyway, that's not important right now. If Seraphina didn't suddenly become good, then… She must want something from me in exchange! Ah, that must be it. Why else would she help me?
Ugh, but that's even worse. What would she want from me? I'm barely getting by as it is… she must have some sort of scheme she needs me for…
Wait, no.
I quickly slap the sides of my face to stop all the worries floating around in my head.
Even if I know Seraphina is the villainess who will embrace the darkness, that doesn't mean she doesn't deserve my gratitude. Even if she had ulterior motives, that doesn't change the fact that she helped me.
So before I worry about the future, I should make sure to thank her myself… Even if just the thought of facing her sends shivers down my spine…
***
Haah. I wonder if she really got better by now.
I sigh for the umpteenth time today as I stare out the window next to me.
It's already been a day since I came across Lucy in the courtyard. We didn't have any shared classes today so I didn't get the chance to see how she's doing.
School is already over for today as well and I'm the only one left in the classroom since I didn't feel like going back to my dorm yet.
I could go and look for her, but I don't know what I'd say to her. Should I just ask about what happened? Maybe that would be the best, but I don't know, it might come across as insensitive.
I also still want to ask her about her exam performance too, but that doesn't feel right like this either.
…Whatever. Sitting here won't solve anything. We have some general classes tomorrow so if nothing else, I can at least see her then.
After deciding on my course of action, I go to stand up but then suddenly the classroom door opens. Did someone forget something?
I instinctually turn my head and a flash of golden yellow instantly catches my attention. I lock eyes with Lucy for a brief moment, at first her gaze seems determined but that quickly fades away and gets replaced by her usual, anxious look and she averts her gaze.
Oh? What is she doing here? Just as I was thinking about her… Well at least she seems to have recovered. Though why is she here?
I look at her, but she just seems to be fidgeting by the entrance.
Should I approach her after all? Mhm. No, let's not bother her for now. Maybe I'll find her a few days later.
"...! Um!... I…"
But as I turn to leave, suddenly she addresses me…Well maybe that's a bit of a stretch. She tries to say something, but only incoherent words come out. Does she want to tell me something?
"...! W-wait…"
I go to take another step to leave and she gets startled again and calls out to me, a bit louder this time.
"...Do you need me for something?" I ask.
"That… I… If it's possible… C-can I… If you have t-time… could I-I talk to you… maybe…"
After a very long time, she finally manages to express what she wants to say.
"Oh? You want to talk to me?"
"...! O-of course only if you're okay with it…"
"..."
I've noticed this before too and it's also very clear from our current encounter that Lucy is a very shy and timid person. But from the way she's shaking before me while only briefly glancing at me for a few moments at a time… Doesn't this go beyond just that?
I feel like she's afraid of me. While I'm somewhat used to getting treated like this, even I think this is a bit of an overreaction. We didn't even have a proper conversation yet, why does she seem so terrified?
"...right…I'm s-sorry for wasting your time, Lady Lazarius must be busy. I'll just l-leave."
"Wait."
It seems like she misunderstood my silence as refusal and was already ready to throw in the towel. But luckily I came to my senses in time and stopped her from leaving. I planned to give her some space, but now that she came to me herself, I won't let this chance go.
"Sure I have some time. But hm… Let's not just stand around here. Let's have some tea while we talk. Come with me."
"...! h-here is good too…"
"Hm?"
"O-of course! L-lead the way Lady Lazarius…"
"...?"
I thought I heard her mumble something, but I must have imagined it.
I lead her back to my dorm room, which goes rather uneventfully since most of the students have already left to attend clubs or to do other activities. Thankfully I had a tea party with some other noble ladies the other day so I still have all the materials ready.
Though for some reason Lucy seems more interested in my room as she keeps looking around with bright eyes.
"Ahem. You can take a seat here."
"O-okay, if you'll excuse me…"
I show her to my table specifically set up for tea parties and we sit down.
"..."
"..."
For a while only the clinking of cups and the sound of the kettle can be heard as I swiftly prepare the tea.
"Here you go."
"...! Ah, t-thank you…"
Hm. I think it came out rather well.
"D-do you always brew it yourself?" Lucy nervously asks, leaving her cup untouched.
"...? The academy doesn't allow servants so it's usually up to the host to prepare everything."
"...Is that so?"
Hm? Oh, did she not attend a tea party before? That must be why she looks so nervous.
"Don't worry, I'm rather confident in my skills so you don't need to hold back." I say and also add a small smile to help her relax.
…But why does it seem like she's even more nervous than before?
"...! Phew."
After working up her courage, she suddenly lifts her cup and drinks the tea. It must have been my imagination after all.
"Oh! It's really good!"
"Is that so? I'm happy to hear."
Though why do you have such a surprised face while saying that…?
"Ahem. So if I may ask, why did you approach me?"
"...! W-well… Yesterday I had… an accident and I heard from Miss Julia that the one who brought me to the infirmary was Lady Lazarius…"
"Miss Julia?"
"Ah, she's the head nurse and the light magic teacher."
"So that's her name… Yes, I was the one who took you there. Are you feeling better? You looked quite…out of it back then." I ask cautiously.
"Y-yes! I'm alright. Though it's not like I got physically hurt from the start…"
"...Does it happen often?"
"Not that often, I just…get scared easily. Something like that."
"...?"
Is that really how it is? From her evasive gaze it's easy to tell that there is probably more to it than that.
"But back to the reason… I just wanted to sincerely thank you for helping me."
However she doesn't seem to want to discuss it further as she quickly changes the subject.
"So thank you very much! I've brought this flower to express my gratitude." Lucy suddenly stands up, bows her head and hands me the bag she had with her.
"...Um, it's okay you didn't need to give me anything."
"..." She keeps her head down as her hands holding the bag slightly tighten. She seems very intent on giving it to me.
"But I'll happily accept it."
I open the bag and find a small potted plant of vibrant yellow roses, not too unsimilar to the color of Lucy's hair. They also remind me of the flowers I saw next to the infirmary.
"Oh, this rose bush is really beautiful. Thank you."
"Hehe. I grew them myself, though I guess I had some help with it."
She seems quite happy that I accepted her gift. Hm, with this atmosphere maybe it is okay to ask about the exam after all?
"...Actually now that you're here. There's also something I wanted to talk to you about for a while now."
"...!"
"Well first of all, even though it happened a while ago, congratulations on placing first on the entrance exam."
"Huh? H-how did you know?"
"The teacher told me when she asked me to take over your role at the ceremony."
"B-but the First Prince…" She seems really surprised.
"I didn't want to take credit for a role I didn't earn so I declined as well. But I am more curious about why you gave it up. Representing our grade is a big honor. Most people wouldn't miss such an opportunity to improve their reputation and bring prestige to their family name.
"Huh? Is it really such a big deal?"
"...Yes."
"Ah, well…Luc- I mean, my father probably doesn't care about it. And nobody else knows about it either so it's probably fine."
"...You mean other than me."
"...! Y-yes, other than y- Lady Lazarius."
"So, why did you decline?"
"Oh that… Well there were a few reasons… but it was mostly because I was scared to speak in front of so many people…" She quietly mutters her response while blushing slightly.
"Haah."
This girl… seriously. She doesn't seem to be lying either. Throwing away such a chance due to ignorance and timidness… Seems like I really overthought things.
"There is something else I don't quite understand. Since then the results have been posted for the first monthly exam and I couldn't help but notice that your performance…wasn't as good as last time."
"A-ah…"
The color slightly drains from her eyes as I bring up my other question and her complicated look implies that there is more to it this time.
"I… J-just didn't study enough I guess…"
Hm, her tone now sounds more dismissive and… frustrated? I probably shouldn't push this too far either, but I do really want to know if this was a fair match. So a little more should be okay.
"Was there anything in particular that got in your way?"
"...m-my missing books… it was a bit hard to learn without them…"
"...Huh? What do you mean? Did you lose them somewhere?"
"W-well, they just kind of disappeared from my desk one day…"
"Ah… When did that happen?"
"...During the first week."
Haah.
Books don't just disappear. Someone must have taken them, she just doesn't want to say it. So Lucy was without her books from the start. Heh, some fair fight that was then. Those people who stole them are also responsible for all that time and effort I wasted during last month. If only I could get my hands on them…
I clench my fist to try to suppress my boiling anger.
"...!"
Ah, from Lucy's current startled look, I must have accidentally let my emotions show on my face. I quickly control my facial muscles and voice my thoughts:
"Why didn't you purchase new ones? Or borrowed from the library."
"Um… I don't really have money to buy them at the moment… So I didn't dare to borrow any either. If something happened to those as well I couldn't pay for them…"
"T-then studying at the library…?"
"Hm, that is what I did. It's just… the library is only open until 7pm. But I have some….prior engagements on most days until 6pm so my studying time was limited…"
"Prior engagements… No, nevermind that. So you're available after 6pm, is that right?"
I'm already holding my head trying to suppress the headache caused by all these complications and trying to come up with a solution.
"...? Um, yes?"
"Then from now on we will study together everyday from 6pm to 9pm. Starting from tomorrow, so let's meet at the library then. Is that okay for you?"
"Huh? Huh?"
Even though Lucy seems really surprised and taken aback by my proposition, this time I will make sure it's a completely fair fight and there is no interference. Or if there is… Heh, I am curious to see who'd dare to go against the Lazarius family.