“Ah, oh…! I’m coming.”
Looking towards the familiar voice calling him, he spotted red-haired Elena standing up from her chair.
And next to her was another unexpected person.
As Byleth approached with Sia, he called out with widened eyes.
“Luna’s here too? It’s unusual to see you with Elena after school, isn’t it?”
“Not really. Right, Luna?”
“That’s right.”
Luna, with her beautiful hair tied in a side tail and sleepy golden eyes, seemed to be quite at ease with Elena.
She was known as the “bookworm genius” who supposedly never left the library except for coming to and leaving school.
Perhaps it was because they had built a good relationship that they accepted the invitation to this gathering.
“By the way, it’s been a while, Miss Sia. I’m glad to see you’re doing well.”
“It’s been a while, Lady Luna! I’m relieved to see you’re doing well too!”
Luna smiled gently. Sia wore a bright, cheerful grin.
These two seemed to have become quite comfortable with each other.
“You look like you’re thinking, ‘When did they get so close?’, Byleth.”
“Ah, haha. Well, you know…”
“I heard that they’ve met a few times when you weren’t around. Apparently, Sia wanted to hear someone brag about a certain someone.”
“Huh? What’s that about?”
“That’s not true, Miss Elena. She’s just been kind enough to chat with me.”
“Fufu, is that so?”
“Yes, it is.”
When trying to grasp the point of a confusing conversation, it’s helpful to refer to the personal maid who’s terrible at lying.
Glancing sideways, I saw Sia turning away, trembling slightly.
Judging by this, she must have been bragging about something.
It’s probably not something that needs to be hidden, but she likely doesn’t want it widely known.
“So, Byleth? How long do you plan on standing there? We can’t sit down until you do, you know?”
“Ah, right, right. Sia, you can sit down too. Sorry, but it’s an order.”
“Understood! Thank you for your consideration, Lord Byleth.”
Despite the school’s motto of “All students are equal,” the etiquette of nobility dictates that “those of higher status go first,” and it’s an unspoken rule.
With others watching, Elena and Luna are probably adhering to it strictly to avoid any potential rumors.
“Sigh… We’re students, it could be more relaxed.”
“Fufu, to think you’d be the one saying that.”
“This guy’s just weird.”
“When it comes to that, aren’t we all in the same boat?”
“That’s a lovely literary expression. Though the meaning is… well…”
“Eh? Sia, did you understand it?”
“N-No! I didn’t…!”
She’s waving her hands frantically in denial, clearly desperate to cover up her understanding.
“Sia’s lying.”
“L-Lord Byleth!?”
“W-What’s with all of you ganging up on me…!”
While this table was lively, it had been the center of attention even without that.
The beautiful countess’s daughter who treats everyone equally and has received countless marriage proposals.
Elena Leclerc, “The Scarlet Flower Princess.”
Always calm, the baron’s third daughter with such exceptional intellect that she’s allowed to attend classes in the library as a special case.
Luna Perenmel, “The Book-Devouring Prodigy.”
The top academic performer. The marquis’s personal maid who’s certain to be recommended to the royal palace.
Sia Alma, “The Flawless One.”
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The invincible and feared existence known for numerous infamous deeds. The marquis’s eldest son.
Byleth Saintford, “The Academy’s Most Hated Person.”
It’s no wonder they’re attracting attention, with such famous figures gathered in one place.
“So, Elena. What did you call us here for today?”
“It’s about the banquet planned for this week. As the host, I wanted to explain it again. I thought it would be a good opportunity to deepen our relationships too.”
“Ah, I see.”
While she certainly aims to fulfill her duty as the host, her true goal is likely the latter.
For Luna, who will be attending her first evening party, the three people here are probably the most reliable.
Elena’s consideration is evident.
“She’s kind, isn’t she?”
“Ahaha, truly.”
Luna speaks in a low voice, facing me, seemingly realizing we’re thinking the same thing.
“More than you think. Definitely.”
“If it’s more than I think, that’s quite something, you know?”
“Without a doubt.”
“So I’m nice to you, too? “
“I don’t know what that means”
When I jokingly point to myself, I’m met with a straight-faced retort.
“Looks like those two suddenly created their own little world, huh, Sia?”
“B-But I’m just so happy to be able to participate in this gathering! Thank you so much!”
Sia shows a refined bow and glances to the side.
There, Byleth is still enjoying his conversation.
Her words of thanks seem to include gratitude for creating an opportunity for her master to have fun—for creating a chance to see him enjoying himself.
Seeing her, Elena interjects.
“Would you like to switch seats? It must be hard to see (Byleth) from there, right?”
“No, no! If I sit directly across, he might notice. I can’t disturb Lord Byleth.”
“Hm? Sia, you’re not a disturbance at all. Next time you think that, you’ll be punished, okay?”
“Eek!”
The moment he heard the word “disturbance,” Byleth turned to Sia with a serious face to reassure her.
It was a reflexive response, misunderstanding the context of “disturbance.”
Meanwhile, the perceptive Luna had been listening carefully to their conversation as well.
“It’s refreshing to see the interactions between you two for the first time.”
“He’s no different with us, is he?”
“…My admiration has grown stronger. Once again.”
“Fufu. He used to be strict, but now is now, after all.”
With multiple people gathered, the conversation partners keep changing.
“Hey Sia, do you know what ‘shibo’ means? I think it’s a really difficult word…”
“Ah, that’s…”
“Yes?”
After a brief pause, Sia answers, “It means ‘trustworthy.'”
“Eh?! R-Really? That’s embarrassing… Thanks, both of you.”
Byleth scratches his cheek and laughs awkwardly at this unexpected meaning, unaware of the truth.
Sia had read the atmosphere and… taught a slightly different meaning.
As a result, Luna narrows her eyes shyly, and Elena smiles amusedly.
“Well then, this seems like a good time to briefly discuss Saturday’s banquet.”
“Yes, please.”
“Please do.”
“I look forward to hearing about it.”
“Geez… You don’t need to be so formal.”
Elena frowns, looking somewhat uncomfortable, while the other three smile.
And so, they begin confirming the banquet schedule.
“I never imagined you’d even invite the Songstress. As expected of a Leclerc Count’s banquet.”
“Luna, you’re acquainted with Lady Aria too, right?”
“It would be presumptuous of me to say so, but since I take my tests in the library, I always interact with her when she comes to school.”
“I see…”
“Byleth, you weren’t that close with Lady Aria, were you?”
“Honestly, I can barely picture her face. I remember she left some kind of impression, but…”
As Byleth vaguely recalls his memory,
looking up at the ceiling to think of the most impactful part he could remember, Luna expressionlessly puts her hand on her chest.
“I still can’t remember… Huh?”
When he looks back, Elena is glaring at him coldly.
“W-What? Did I say something weird?”
“You didn’t say anything weird, but… Just make sure you don’t offend her, okay? If you make a blunder with Lady Aria, it could have irreparable consequences.”
“H-Haha… I’m planning to just greet her and that’s it, so it should be fine.”
“Lord Byleth, are you not interested in Aria Tielle…?”
Sia, knowing the beauty and popularity of the “Graceful Songstress,” asks curiously.
“It’s not that I’m not interested, but it’s hard to interact with people of higher status… Especially if they’re flawless.”
“You say that, but before we know it, you end up getting involved. It was the same with my brother Alan.”
“No, this time I’m serious.”
Aria, from a duke’s family, is also a student. In other words, she’s likely heard the bad rumors about Byleth.
To avoid raising further suspicion and to prevent any unintentional offense, it’s best to keep interactions to a minimum.
“Well, I don’t mind who you interact with. More importantly… You haven’t forgotten that promise, have you, Byleth?”
“Y-Yeah. Of course I haven’t forgotten.”
The moment this topic was brought up, Elena became restless.
“Um… Byleth-Saintford. You haven’t forgotten your promise to me, have you? To feel the night breeze together…”
“N-No, I haven’t forgotten that either. Feel free to invite me for a break anytime.”
“…Y-Yes.”
And Luna, similarly uneasy, lowered her voice.
In this situation, Sia, trying not to dampen the mood, quietly watched with a pleased and proud expression.
Was it because she was the dedicated maid?
Or because the person she had set her heart on was being sought after?
Only she would know the answer.
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