Far from the noble estates of the capital and the refined elegance of the great dukedoms, there existed a quieter corner of the Empire.
A small provincial town.
Simple homes made of stone and wood lined the narrow streets, merchants closed their stalls as evening approached, and children's laughter could still be heard echoing from nearby alleyways.
At the edge of the town stood a modest building surrounded by a wooden fence.
An orphanage.
It was not grand, nor particularly well funded, but it was warm.
Many children called it home.
Inside that orphanage, a girl quietly opened the door to a small room.
She stepped inside and immediately leaned forward, collapsing onto the wooden table.
"Mwaaaaa…"
Her long brown hair spilled across the surface.
"So tiring…"
The girl stretched her arms across the table dramatically.
Her name was Miharu.
She had long brown hair that flowed down her back and soft facial features that carried a gentle beauty.
Anyone who looked closely might notice something interesting.
Her face bore a surprising resemblance to a certain maid in the distant Sumeragi Dukedom.
Of course, Miharu herself had no idea about that connection.
Today had been another long day.
Miharu wasn't officially a worker of the orphanage yet, but she had naturally grown into the role of helping the adults.
She spent the morning helping the younger children with their lessons.
Then she had broken up a small fight between two boys who argued over a toy sword.
Later, she helped the kitchen staff prepare vegetables for dinner.
After that, she accompanied one of the caretakers into town to purchase food supplies.
By the time evening arrived—
Her entire body felt exhausted.
Miharu groaned softly.
"Why are kids so energetic…"
She turned her head slightly.
The faint smell of sweat reached her nose.
"…Ah."
Right.
She looked down at her clothes.
They were slightly dirty from the day's work.
Miharu pouted.
"I should probably bathe…"
With a small sigh, she pushed herself up and grabbed a towel.
The orphanage bathhouse was simple.
Stone floors.
Wooden walls.
Large buckets of warm water.
The bath was separated by gender, but since this was an orphanage, the women's side was often quiet in the evenings.
Miharu stepped inside and carefully removed her clothes.
Steam gently rose from the bathwater.
A moment later—
Splash.
Warm water ran down her body.
"Fuwaaaaaaaah…"
Miharu relaxed instantly.
"Bath time is the best!"
Her shoulders dropped as the warmth washed away the fatigue from the day.
Under the soft glow of the bathhouse lanterns, Miharu's figure was revealed.
She was slender.
Graceful.
Her skin was smooth and pale.
Her proportions were surprisingly elegant.
In truth—
If Miharu were dressed in fine noble clothing, with styled hair and jewelry, she could easily rival the beauty of many noble ladies.
But here, inside the humble bathhouse of an orphanage—
She was simply Miharu.
Just another girl helping take care of the children.
Miharu closed her eyes, enjoying the moment.
But she wasn't alone.
"Miharu-chan."
A familiar voice echoed gently through the bathhouse.
"Did you have fun today?"
Miharu jumped slightly.
"Manager!?"
She turned quickly.
Sitting calmly in the bath nearby was an older woman.
The orphanage manager.
She had a gentle face and warm eyes that carried the kindness of someone who had spent years caring for children.
Miharu immediately covered herself slightly in embarrassment.
"Y-you were here too?"
Even though they were both women, Miharu still felt shy being seen like this.
The manager chuckled softly.
"Don't be shy, Miharu-chan."
She splashed water lightly over her shoulder.
"I'm just happy to see you smiling again."
Miharu blinked.
"Smiling?"
The manager nodded gently.
"Yes."
She looked at Miharu with a soft expression.
"It's been a long time since you truly smiled."
"Especially since the day your sister left."
The bathhouse became quiet.
Miharu's cheerful expression faded slightly.
"…Yes."
She looked down at the water.
"She suddenly disappeared."
Her fingers traced small ripples in the bath.
"She left a note."
"A small one."
The words were simple.
We will meet again in the future.
Be strong.
Miharu smiled sadly.
"She was always reliable since we were little."
"She protected me."
"She worked hard."
"And yet…"
Her voice grew softer.
"She just abandoned me."
The manager frowned slightly.
"Child…"
Miharu continued quietly.
"Maybe she got tired."
"Tired of taking care of me."
She hugged her knees slightly.
"I was always the one being protected."
"…Maybe I was a burden."
Before she could say more—
The manager moved closer.
Then she gently hugged Miharu.
Warm.
Comforting.
"Miharu."
"You shouldn't think that way."
Her voice was kind but firm.
"If your sister left you a message saying you would meet again…"
"Then she never saw you as a burden."
She gently rubbed Miharu's head.
"She is your sister."
"And sisters don't abandon each other."
Miharu remained quiet for a moment.
Then she slowly returned the hug.
"…Maybe."
The bathwater rippled softly around them.
Despite the slightly embarrassing situation of hugging while completely naked—
The moment felt calm.
Peaceful.
After a while, the two finished bathing and wrapped themselves in towels.
As they stepped out of the bathhouse, the manager suddenly remembered something.
"Oh."
"Miharu."
She walked toward a nearby shelf.
"There's something for you."
Miharu tilted her head.
"For me?"
The manager picked up a sealed envelope.
The wax seal carried an official imperial crest.
"It arrived earlier today."
"It's from the Empire's Education Department."
Miharu blinked.
"Education department?"
Her eyes widened slightly.
"Wait…"
"Isn't that the department that kept visiting the orphanage?"
She crossed her arms and pouted.
"They always gave us those horrible tests!"
The manager laughed.
"Yes."
"They do that."
Miharu puffed her cheeks.
"I studied so hard because of those tests!"
"They were sooo difficult!"
She shivered dramatically.
"Especially the last one!"
"What was that even for!?"
The manager smiled knowingly.
"Well…"
"That test is usually given to commoners when they reach their coming of age."
"Around sixteen years old."
Miharu blinked.
"Coming of age…?"
The manager nodded.
"It's an opportunity."
She handed the letter to Miharu.
"A chance to be selected for admission into the Imperial Academy."
Miharu froze.
"…What?"
Her brain slowly processed the words.
"…That was the test!?"
She nearly shouted.
"It was soooo harrrrrd!"
The manager laughed again.
"Well, noble children usually learn those subjects much earlier."
"So naturally they enroll there."
She leaned slightly against the wall.
"This opportunity for commoners was created during the previous generation."
"Through reforms led by the Duke of Sumeragi."
Sumeragi Arata
"Alongside the current Emperor."
Hoshimi Masaki
Miharu listened carefully.
"The purpose was to allow talented commoners to receive education."
The manager continued.
"To improve literacy."
"To develop skills."
"And to slowly change the Empire's structure."
She smiled gently.
"A system where power does not come only from noble blood."
Miharu looked down at the letter in her hands.
"…If they sent this…"
The manager nodded.
"Yes."
"You're likely one of the selected commoners."
"You've been accepted into the Imperial Academy."
Miharu's eyes widened.
"Really!?"
Then her excitement quickly faltered.
"Wait…"
She looked worried.
"But I can't support myself…"
"I don't have money…"
The manager chuckled.
"Don't worry."
"Commoner students receive full scholarships."
"Food."
"Uniforms."
"Basic clothing."
"And even a small allowance."
Miharu's eyes sparkled.
"Waaaaah!"
"That's so generous!"
She clutched the letter carefully.
"That could change someone's life…"
The manager looked at her warmly.
"Miharu."
Her voice became slightly emotional.
"You know the orphanage rules."
"Orphans who reach seventeen must leave."
Miharu nodded slowly.
She had known that for years.
"I was planning to hire you as one of the orphanage staff."
"You've always been reliable."
"And the younger children adore you."
Miharu smiled softly.
But the manager continued.
"However…"
"This is a better opportunity."
"A chance for you to live a more comfortable life."
Miharu looked down again.
"…I know."
Her voice was quiet.
"I've been thinking about what I should do once I turn seventeen."
"I would have to work."
"Live alone."
Then she smiled faintly.
"I was planning to search for my sister."
She looked at the letter again.
"The Imperial Academy…"
Her fingers traced the seal carefully.
"…That's a completely different path."
The orphanage hallways were quiet as the night deepened.
The faint glow of oil lamps illuminated the wooden corridor, casting long shadows across the worn floorboards. Most of the younger children had already gone to sleep, their soft breathing echoing gently through the building.
Standing near the bathhouse entrance, the orphanage manager gave Miharu a small push on the shoulder.
"Alright, alright."
Her tone was gentle but firm.
"You've had a long day."
She waved her hand toward the hallway.
"Go to your room and rest."
Miharu blinked.
"B-But manager—"
"No buts."
The older woman crossed her arms with a teasing smile.
"You'll have plenty of time to think about the letter tomorrow."
She gently shooed Miharu away.
"Off you go."
Miharu pouted slightly but nodded obediently.
"Okaaaay…"
Clutching the sealed letter carefully in her hands, she walked down the quiet hallway toward her small room.
Her footsteps were light.
Her heart was beating much faster than usual.
Because she still couldn't quite believe it.
When she reached her door, Miharu slid it open quietly and stepped inside.
Her room was simple.
A small bed.
A wooden table.
A chair.
A small cabinet where she kept the few belongings she owned.
Nothing fancy.
But it was her space.
She sat down on the edge of the bed and looked at the envelope again.
The imperial seal was unmistakable.
Slowly—
She opened it.
Her eyes scanned the first page.
And then—
Her mouth slowly opened.
"…Wah."
Her voice was barely above a whisper.
"I… really got accepted."
Miharu stared at the paper in disbelief.
Her hands trembled slightly.
The Imperial Academy.
The place where noble children studied.
The place where talented students from across the Empire gathered.
And now—
A girl from an orphanage was going there.
She fell backward onto the bed.
The letter still clutched in her hands.
"…Wahhhhh."
Her eyes sparkled as she stared at the ceiling.
"I really got in…"
For several minutes she simply lay there, letting the reality sink in.
Then Miharu suddenly sat up.
"Wait!"
Her brow furrowed.
"How do I even prepare for something like this…?"
She looked down at the letter again.
"I don't even know what I'm supposed to bring…"
Clothes?
Books?
Shoes?
She had no idea what academy life required.
Just as worry began to creep into her thoughts—
She noticed something.
"…Oh."
There was a second page attached to the letter.
Miharu quickly unfolded it.
Her eyes scanned the neatly written instructions.
"Oh!"
"There's instructions!"
She leaned closer to read carefully.
1. Visit the nearest Education Department office to request your academy uniform.
Miharu nodded seriously.
"Okay…"
"Uniform first."
That sounded simple enough.
Then she read the next line.
2. Five days before the start of classes, an orientation for commoner scholarship students will be held. The orientation lasts three days. The remaining two days will be free time before official lessons begin.
Miharu tilted her head.
"Orientation…?"
Her eyes lit up.
"That means I'll get to meet other commoner students!"
That was a relief.
She had been worried she might be the only commoner surrounded by nobles.
The thought alone was terrifying.
Then her eyes moved to the third instruction.
3. Scholarship students receive a monthly allowance of 30 silver coins.
Miharu froze.
Her brain took a moment to process the number.
"…Thirty?"
Her eyes widened dramatically.
"THIRTY SILVER COINS!?"
She almost shouted.
Then she quickly covered her mouth.
The younger children were sleeping nearby.
"…Wah…"
She whispered excitedly.
"That's so generous…"
Thirty silver coins a month was a large amount for someone like her.
With that money she could buy decent clothes.
Proper shoes.
Even enjoy good food sometimes.
For a girl who had spent most of her life carefully stretching every coin—
It felt almost unbelievable.
She clutched the paper happily.
"This academy is amazing…"
Then she read the final rule.
Her excitement slowly calmed.
4. Scholarship support is conditional. If a student's overall academic grade falls below 80, the scholarship will be revoked at the end of the semester.
Miharu blinked.
"…Oh."
Her expression turned serious.
"So there's a limit."
She reread the sentence carefully.
"If I can't keep my grades above eighty…"
"…I lose everything."
Her shoulders stiffened slightly.
That meant no free food.
No allowance.
No place to stay.
She would be forced to leave the academy.
Miharu looked down at the letter quietly.
Then she clenched her fists.
"…Alright."
Her voice was determined.
"I'll just have to work really hard."
She had studied her entire life inside the orphanage.
Even if the tests had been difficult—
She had passed them.
That meant she was capable.
Miharu nodded to herself firmly.
"I can do this."
Suddenly—
Her excitement burst out again.
She flopped backward onto the bed.
Then rolled around happily.
"Waaaaah!"
"This is amazing!"
She rolled left.
Then right.
Her long brown hair spread across the mattress as she laughed quietly into her pillow.
"This is the best thing that's ever happened to me!"
Eventually she stopped rolling and lay still.
Her breathing slowly calmed.
The room became quiet again.
Miharu stared at the ceiling.
Tomorrow…
She would start preparing.
She would visit the Education Department.
She would request her uniform.
And she would begin preparing for a new life.
But before all that—
She still had several days left in the orphanage.
Miharu smiled softly.
"Everyone will probably miss me…"
After all, she had lived here almost her entire life.
She had helped cook meals.
Taken care of younger children.
Cleaned rooms.
Ran errands.
The orphanage wasn't just a place she lived.
It was her home.
She turned on her side.
Her thoughts slowly drifted toward someone important.
"…Sister."
Her voice was barely audible.
Her older sister.
The one who had suddenly left years ago.
Miharu remembered her clearly.
Reliable.
Kind.
Strong.
Even though she was still young at the time—
She had always protected Miharu.
Then one day—
She disappeared.
Leaving behind only that short note.
We will meet again in the future.
Be strong.
Miharu clutched the letter from the academy gently.
"…I'll find you."
Her eyes closed slowly.
"When I become stronger."
"If I study at the Imperial Academy…"
"I might be able to find clues."
She smiled faintly.
"You promised we would meet again."
"So I'll keep that promise too."
Outside the orphanage, the night breeze moved softly through the trees.
Inside Miharu's small room—
The girl who would soon step into a much bigger world finally fell asleep.
For the first time in a long while—
She slept with a peaceful, hopeful smile.
Night had settled over the Sumeragi Dukedom.
The grand estate that bustled with servants and activity during the day now rested beneath a quiet sky filled with stars. Lanterns glowed softly along the corridors of the mansion, and the gentle rustling of leaves could be heard from the gardens outside.
Inside the private wing of the manor, one particular room still had its window open.
Standing near that window was Harumi.
The cool night breeze brushed against her long hair as she gazed up at the sky.
Her expression was calm, but thoughtful.
Tonight had been another long day.
Between managing the household tasks, preparing for the upcoming celebration, and assisting her young master, she had barely found time for herself.
Yet before she could rest, Harumi had completed one of her most important duties.
Every night without fail, she would remind her young master about the future.
About the events that would happen.
About the personalities of characters he would meet.
About the hidden dangers that existed within the story of the world they now lived in.
Because she knew something most people didn't.
This world was once a novel.
And her young master stood dangerously close to the center of it.
Harumi leaned her elbows lightly against the window frame and sighed.
"Young master still forgets sometimes…"
Her voice was quiet as she spoke to herself.
"He tends to focus on events and outcomes…"
She shook her head gently.
"But personalities are what truly shape the future."
That was the reason she constantly reminded him.
Events in stories didn't happen randomly.
They were driven by people.
By emotions.
By pride, love, jealousy, fear, ambition.
If Rin misunderstood someone's character, the outcome could easily change.
Sometimes for the better.
Sometimes for the worse.
Harumi closed her eyes for a moment.
Fortunately, her young master had learned to listen.
Even if he complained occasionally.
A small smile appeared on her lips.
Her room was located very close to another important room in the mansion.
The room of Rin Sumeragi.
A personal maid always stayed close to her master.
That was simply the rule.
But in Harumi's case, the distance carried a deeper meaning.
She had been by Rin's side for many years.
Long enough that the relationship between master and servant had slowly changed.
In the beginning…
Their relationship had been mostly professional.
Rin had treated her kindly, but there was always a certain distance.
A wall.
A quiet defense that he kept between himself and others.
Harumi had noticed it early on.
The guarded way he spoke.
The way he held back his thoughts.
The careful politeness he showed everyone.
Even as a child.
But over the years, she had slowly chipped away at that wall.
Little by little.
Day by day.
Through teasing.
Through loyalty.
Through simple moments shared together.
Now…
Their relationship was something far more complicated than simple master and maid.
They trusted each other.
They relied on each other.
And in many ways—
Harumi knew Rin better than anyone outside his parents.
Still…
Harumi sighed softly.
"…Even so."
She looked up at the stars again.
"I still have secrets of my own."
One of those secrets would probably shock Rin if he ever learned it.
Because the quiet maid who served him faithfully…
Was connected to the very center of the story's future.
Harumi placed a hand over her chest.
"…Miharu."
The name left her lips like a soft whisper.
Her twin sister.
Yes.
The protagonist of the original story.
And the maid who served Rin shared a secret most people would never guess.
They were twins.
Miharu.
Harumi.
The similarity in their names was obvious once someone noticed it.
Harumi chuckled quietly to herself.
"Surprised?"
She imagined Rin's face if he ever discovered the truth.
"Unfortunately, young master hasn't realized it yet."
She leaned back against the wall.
"Well… it's not like he could."
After all, the circumstances made the connection almost impossible to notice.
Harumi had been picked up from the streets of the Sumeragi Dukedom when she was young.
Back then she looked like nothing more than a starving orphan child.
It had been pure coincidence.
Or perhaps fate.
That on that particular day—
Sumeragi Nao had decided to take a stroll through the town.
Harumi still remembered that moment clearly.
The warm sunlight.
The smell of street food.
The feeling of hunger twisting in her stomach.
Then a shadow had fallen over her.
She looked up.
And saw the elegant woman who would change her life.
Nao had looked down at the thin little girl sitting by the roadside.
Then she had smiled.
"Would you like to come with me?"
That was all it took.
Harumi closed her eyes, remembering.
She had been eight years old.
Eight years old when she escaped the orphanage.
Eight years old when she ran away from her old life.
Eight years old when she left Miharu behind.
Her twin sister.
Harumi's smile turned faint.
"…I'm sorry, Miharu."
She whispered the words quietly into the night.
Leaving her sister behind had not been easy.
But Harumi believed it was necessary.
For Miharu to grow.
For Miharu to become strong.
And most importantly—
For Harumi to complete the mission she had chosen.
Her eyes slowly opened again.
The stars above seemed endless.
Harumi's thoughts drifted further back.
To a moment that felt like a distant dream.
A voice.
A voice that sounded painfully familiar.
Soft.
Exhausted.
Full of suffering.
"Even if it ends badly now…"
The memory echoed faintly in her mind.
"At the very least… I can give this world another chance again."
Harumi's expression became serious.
That voice.
She remembered it clearly.
"I just hope…"
The voice trembled.
"That… all this suffering… will come to an end."
Harumi slowly clenched her hand.
She remembered the moment she made her decision.
The moment she chose to carry part of that burden.
To walk a path that would hurt more than anyone else's.
She could still feel it.
The warmth of those hands.
Holding her tightly.
As if trying to stop her.
As if begging her not to go.
Because the person holding her knew.
They knew the path Harumi had chosen.
A path filled with sacrifice.
A path filled with pain.
Harumi sighed softly.
"Hmph."
She folded her arms.
"You were always that self-sacrificing type."
Her voice carried a small hint of affection.
The stars glittered quietly above her.
But after a moment, Harumi shook her head.
"Enough of that."
Dwelling on the past too long wouldn't help anyone.
Right now—
There were more immediate responsibilities waiting for her.
Namely…
The upcoming birthday celebration of her young master.
Preparations had already begun throughout the Sumeragi mansion.
Servants were organizing decorations.
Merchants were being contacted.
Supplies were arriving daily.
And with the involvement of certain powerful individuals…
The event was quickly becoming far larger than Rin had originally hoped.
Harumi chuckled softly.
"Young master will definitely complain tomorrow."
She could already imagine his tired expression.
Still—
Despite the chaos—
Harumi found herself looking forward to it.
Because seeing Rin surrounded by lively people…
Was something she secretly enjoyed.
Finally, she pushed herself away from the window.
"Alright."
"It's time to sleep."
She stretched lightly.
Her room was neat and simple, just like her personality.
A bed.
A small table.
A cabinet for her belongings.
Harumi walked toward the bed.
Then suddenly paused.
"…Hmm."
A mischievous smile slowly appeared on her face.
She placed a finger against her lips thoughtfully.
"I wonder how I should wake young master tomorrow…"
Morning routines were one of Harumi's favorite moments of the day.
Especially because Rin was notoriously bad at waking up early.
And watching him become flustered first thing in the morning…
Was simply too entertaining.
Her eyes sparkled slightly.
"Should I pull the curtains dramatically?"
She tilted her head.
"Or perhaps…"
She tapped her chin.
"…a gentle whisper near his ear?"
Then she giggled softly.
"Ah."
"That might be too effective."
After all, Rin tended to become extremely embarrassed when caught off guard.
Which only made it more fun.
Harumi lightly skipped the final few steps toward her bed.
Her mood had completely improved.
Whatever difficulties waited in the future—
Tonight, she would simply rest.
Tomorrow would bring another busy day.
Another morning to tease her young master.
And another step forward in the long story that continued to unfold around them.
Harumi climbed onto the bed and pulled the blanket over herself.
Her eyes slowly closed.
The smile on her face remained.
Somewhere far away, her twin sister Miharu slept peacefully in an orphanage.
And here in the Sumeragi Dukedom—
The girl who had chosen a far heavier path drifted into sleep beneath the same sky.