Ahhh! This time I messed up even more! This was the worst possible outcome!
…Well maybe not that bad. But I only meant to give Seraphina those flowers as a gift and hope she doesn't ask anything unreasonable of me. But somehow I ended up having to attend a study group…? with her every day.
I really don't understand. Is this her plan to sabotage the only time I can study? Or something else?
That whole interaction was way too much for me. I kind of expected some foul play from the villainess, but the way she acted was so hard to read!
First of all, she invited me to her room. That was the first red flag. I wanted to say no from the start, but…I was too scared to. I thought the moment we were alone in the room she'd go off on me and say some of the stuff she always did in the game.
But then she just asked me to sit down and treated me normally. I also took a moment to look around her room. It was so spacious, probably three times the size of mine and it was very elegantly decorated as well.
I was really impressed and thought 'So this is what true nobility feels like'. But that distraction was my downfall. I only came to my senses when Seraphina gave me a cup of tea.
I didn't see her make it. Well even if I did, maybe that wouldn't have helped much either since I don't know much about tea… But I was completely convinced it was poisoned! Even in the game there was a time when she did try to poison Lucy as well. Though it happened later in the third year and she didn't do it herself but used one of her minions…
But! Could you blame me? She even said such ominous lines! B-but with her watching me so closely… how could I refuse her…
So I quietly prepared a healing spell, ready to release it the moment something felt wrong and downed it…
I really don't know much about tea but hm! It tasted so good! Not too sweet, not too bitter but just just the right flavor and a really refreshing, fragrant taste. I kind of lost concentration on my healing spell as well but I only realized that much later…
Thankfully it really wasn't poisoned which was another surprise by itself. But then she revealed that she knew that I turned down my class representative role because she came in second. Which was also a shock.
The exam leaderboard system was also in the game and it was used for the events of the 'Perfect Prince' capture target so I knew Seraphina was a top student. But the first spot was usually a battle between Lucy and the Prince.
So learning that she was so close during the entrance exam is a bit weird, but I guess it makes sense. She did seem to hold a grudge against Lucy from the start. And now that I know that it's supposed to be a great honor, it is understandable that she might see it as Lucy stealing it from her.
So I thought that the Seraphina of this world was taking the conversation in that direction as well, but then she asked about my performance on the first monthly exam.
Normally I wouldn't have gone into much detail, but maybe I was too scared of her or maybe I was just frustrated by how things played out…
But I ended up admitting that my books were stolen and that I couldn't study much. And for some reason that was the moment when she got angry.
Like really angry, the kind when a villain has a sadistic grin on their face, but you know they aren't smiling out of happiness. She genuinely seemed like she was about to explode, in some sense of the word.
It was so scary seeing her like that. I haven't met her too many times yet, but she always seemed very calm and collected, like her in-game version at the beginning. But that sinister look sent shivers down my spine.
Thankfully she regained control of herself, but then she proclaimed that I will be studying with her from now on. I was so confused by everything that I didn't even try to say no.
So now here I am, pacing back and forth in front of the library. I could just not show up, and it is a really tempting option but… I did agree to it. Well, more like I didn't decline… But still, I'd feel bad for standing her up… and she could also just find me later and scold me.
"Huuu~ Haaah. Huuu~"
I take a few deep breaths to ready myself to open the library door. It also took me a long time to bring myself to face Seraphina the last time as well. I was hesitating for a long time in front of the classroom, I was lucky she stayed behind for some reason back then.
Though even then, I only ended up entering when I saw that she decided to leave and I kind of moved instinctually. Ugh I wonder how long it will take this time…
"Are you going to open the door or just keep blocking the way?"
"...!"
Suddenly a familiar voice comes from behind me, completely startling me. I turn around and sure enough, the villainess is standing right before me.
"W-when did you get here?" I ask with a shaky voice.
"...Nevermind that. Come on, let's get started. We don't have much time."
Without waiting for my reaction, she strides ahead and enters the library. I follow closely behind while feeling my face heat up.
"Excuse me, we're planning to hold a long study session. Would it be okay to stay even after closing?" Seraphina approaches the library attendant with natural movements and asks.
"Ah, Lady Lazarius. Hm, naturally that can be arranged." He reaches into a drawer and fishes out a key, handing it to Seraphina.
"You can use this to close up behind you. Then you can just return it later."
"Thank you very much."
"...Huh?"
That confused response is all I can give to that short exchange. Is it really so easy? So I quickly catch up to Seraphina and can't help but ask.
"Is that really okay?"
"...? Of course. My family has donated a lot of books to the Academy throughout the years so this much should be fine. We'll only be studying anyway. And this is still Golden Vow Academy, there are a lot of security spells in place as well, just one door being unlocked doesn't change much. But anyway let's get to it." She says and walks between the shelves, taking out a few books with familiar precision.
So this is the power of nobility.
***
"Hnng!"
Lucy stretches and then deflates on top of the desk, clearly exhausted.
"..."
We spent a dense three hours studying. Most of it was spent catching Lucy up with all the materials of the first month that she missed out on.
But now I can say with certainty that she wasn't cheating and really just didn't have the chance to study properly. She soaked up everything at an astonishing speed that even made me kind of jealous.
Especially maths, it felt like she already knew everything and was just refreshing herself on her knowledge…must be nice.
Though for most of the humanities subjects like literature and history it felt like the opposite, where she was building up from nothing. Well not that it held her back for long either…
I glance at Lucy still laying on the desk, seeming like she might fall asleep at any moment. Compared to how nervous she seemed at first, she looks much more natural now. To think such a talent was hidden away for so long…
"Ahem. Let's stop here for today."
"Hm." She answers, half asleep.
"And… I know I said we should do this everyday, but it might be easier if I just lend you some books for our classes. If they have the Lazarius family crest on them nobody would dare to interfere with them."
I propose the idea that's been on my mind for a while. I mainly only pushed for these study sessions because I wanted to confirm her abilities for myself. But just after today I can tell all my grievances with her were baseless. So forcing her to spend time with me everyday feels wrong…
"No no! I can't accept that! They cost a lot of money, I can't just take them, even temporarily."
But Lucy suddenly shoots up upon hearing my proposal, suddenly looking much more awake and vehemently refuses it.
"...? But why? It would be much more convenient for you that way."
"But if I accept them then it would seem like I only got along with you to gain something from it. Friendships shouldn't be one sided."
"Huh? Friendship?"
"...! Ah! I-I mean if that's not it I'm sorry…But I still can't accept it." She timidly says.
"..."
Friends… Is that how she thinks it is? Ugh, now I feel even more guilty for approaching her for such selfish reasons. Especially since the 'friends' I know would just jump at the chance to gain something from my favor. And here she is insisting on not receiving anything…
"...Hmph. You can think what you want…"
"Hehe."
Haah. I still can't be honest… But at least she seems happy with my answer. Maybe a bit too much…?
"But it's not even that expensive…"
"Huh? But it will take me two more months of work to get the money to buy new ones."
"...? Work? What do you mean?"
"...! A-ah… That's not… I misspoke…?"
I just wanted to try to convince her to accept my offer after all, but it seems like she accidentally admitted to working. Her current, obviously flustered state makes her excuses seem even less credible. I instinctively look around, but at this late there's probably nobody else in the entire building so there's no chance anybody overheard her.
"You… you know that you're still part of nobility right? If anybody found out you're secretly working, even getting expelled wouldn't be surprising."
I can't just act like I didn't hear that, so I turn my tone serious.
"I, I know…"
"Why are you even working? Wouldn't your family cover your expenses?"
"..."
"Ah."
Looking at her dejected expression it seems like they wouldn't. So at least some of the rumors about the Castille family are true.
"Wait, is that what you are busy with everyday?"
"Hm."
"So let me get this straight. So you're working to buy the books for class and because of that you don't have time to come to the library on time to study. But you still refuse my offer to lend you the same books. Is that right?"
"...Hm. But I only need to work for this and the next month. After that I can cut back on my working hours…"
"And what if something happens to your books again?"
"..."
"Haah. Seriously. At least tell me that you found a trustworthy place and not some shady business."
"...! Of course! I'm helping out at a nice old lady's flower shop in the Academy Town."
"..."
Thankfully she seems to have at least a bit of common sense. Though I should still make sure to look into her workplace just in case.
"Haah. Fine then. Let's just keep meeting up for study sessions like this."
"...Um… about me working…" Lucy timidly trails off.
"Don't worry I won't tell anyone. But you better watch out for yourself. And stop once you don't need it."
"...! Hm! Thank you!" She thanks me with a radiant smile.
This girl… What am I supposed to do with her?