While it’s a pleasant evening banquet and there are no nobles who raise their voices or threaten her, suppressing her feelings is even more tiring.
(…Master Byleth)
Having finished greeting another person, Sia sends a wistful glance towards her master.
There— replacing Sonya, Aria’s personal maid, are two maids… greeting Byleth.
Though nervous, they seem to be enjoying themselves.
(I wish… I could join them)
Those two maids are classmates who have already exchanged greetings at the venue.
They’re maids who listened with interest when Byleth was discussed at the academy.
This scene is undoubtedly progress for Byleth. While it’s a good thing, for Sia, it makes her chest tighten painfully.
Invitations and flirtations from the opposite sex.
Having received so many such words, and because he’s her proud master, she unconsciously harbors these thoughts.
[Isn’t Master Byleth receiving such invitations too?]
He might not be able to refuse because he doesn’t want to hurt others.
Maybe he even thinks, [I want to bring this person in].
The two maids currently greeting Byleth are among the top performers at the academy.
Moreover, they have mature features like Aria, Elena, and Luna. They don’t have childish features like herself.
It’s unavoidable to think this way even more.
“…”
Sia’s job is to handle greetings on behalf of her master. She must focus on this until the buffet time at 8 PM.
However—
(Please forgive my selfishness… just for a little while…)
Byleth is the one she consulted about her future. The one she admires the most.
Her personal feelings inevitably overflow.
No matter how much she trusts her master, she’s overwhelmed by great concern.
(Just five minutes… no, even just three minutes…)
With her eyebrows drooping and a hand on her chest, Sia confirms that there’s no food left on her master’s plate and immediately moves.
She goes to the table with the food and carefully selects dishes considering the color balance.
Then, as she quietly approaches the three, she hears excited voices.
“R-Really!?”
“Yes! I’ve always looked up to you as a role model…!”
“I greatly respect you too…!”
“Well, hearing that makes me proud as a master. Ah, but saying that myself might put pressure on you… I’d be happy if we could continue to get along.”
“Th-That’s what I should be asking for…!”
“I feel the same way!”
Her master smiling, and the two maids fluttering about. At that moment—
“Ah, Sia.”
She had intended to wait until the greetings were finished, but she was noticed.
“Um… I’m sorry for interrupting your greetings. I thought Master Byleth’s hands looked empty, so I selected some of his favorites…”
“Sorry for troubling you when you’re busy. Thank you so much.”
“No… More importantly, about the greetings I interrupted…”
While she’s truly happy to receive attention, the situation is different now.
As she hurriedly prompts this, the two maids smile.
[It’s just as we’ve heard]
[So this is how you always interact]
Their expressions seem to convey this as they step back and speak.
“Master Byleth. We apologize for our lack of manners, but… we’ll take our leave now.”
“Thank you very much for taking the time to greet us.”
“Ah… Yes. Thank you too.”
As everyone reads the atmosphere, the classmates lightly lift the hems of their skirts with both hands and suddenly depart, which her master simply watches.
“Ahaha… They were considerate of you, Sia.”
“!!”
She didn’t mean to interrupt the greetings. But in the end, that’s what happened.
As she’s about to bow her head to apologize immediately, his tone changes as if to say [I understand].
“I wonder… Could those two have figured out our relationship? You know, the future plans we discussed…”
“N-No! I swear I haven’t told anyone about that!”
“Really? Then… I wonder if that kind of atmosphere was showing? Those two seemed to be trying to give us some time alone, right?”
“M-Maybe… that’s the case. Ehehe…”
Her master lowered his gaze, seeming somewhat embarrassed. Seeing him like that, Sia felt the embarrassment spreading to her as well.
“W-well, it’s not really a problem if they figure it out. We’re not doing anything wrong, after all.”
“Y-yes, that’s true…”
They looked at each other. Perhaps their blushing faces were giving us away.
But for Sia, this was a very happy moment.
With the help of those around her, she had managed to fulfill her long-cherished wish…
“Hey, Sia, do you have some free time right now? About 15 minutes or so?”
“Yes, I’m free! Completely free!”
“That’s great. Would you mind joining me for a quick bite to eat? I was planning to be alone for a while.”
“Of course, I’d be honored to accompany you!”
“Then, may I choose some food for you? As a way to repay you for this.”
“A-are you sure that’s alright?!”
“I’d actually prefer it that way.”
“Thank you so much!!”
“Alright! Well, we shouldn’t waste time, so shall we get going?”
“Yes!!”
The most delightful invitation of the day had come her way.
Sia was happy to be able to show others her closeness and the kindness of her master.
“Oh, sorry. Could you hold this plate for a moment? I need both hands free to choose the food.”
“Gladly!”
Her cheeks relaxed unconsciously. Sia received the plate with such a smile.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT GADGETIZEDPANDA.COM
“Are you enjoying yourself?”
“Haha, yes, thanks to you. The food is delicious too.”
“Oh, I’m glad it suits your taste.”
This was after Byleth had a light meal with Sia, his personal maid.
As soon as Byleth was alone, Elena—the host of the dinner party—came over to chat.
“Oh, by the way, something good happened. Listen to this.”
“What is it?”
“Three people greeted me at the dinner party! Isn’t that amazing?”
“…”
Byleth reported excitedly, his spirits high.
Anyone else might think, “Just three people…?” and find it a pitiful report, but Elena knew the circumstances.
Sensing his daily struggles, she smiled.
“Fufufu. Well, considering your position of being misunderstood as ‘a bad guy,’ that is quite impressive.”
“Right?!”
For Byleth, receiving greetings—something usually taken for granted—was not a given.
“Still, it’s a bit of a sad boast, isn’t it?”
“It’s fine because it’s a boast I only make to friends.”
“Hmm.”
After giving her usual curt reply, she turned halfway and took up position right next to Byleth.
They stood with their backs to the wall, looking out at the venue together.
“It’s better like this than talking face-to-face, don’t you think?”
“W-what’s that supposed to mean? You don’t want to look at my face while we talk?”
“Why do you always interpret things so negatively? This feels more intimate, doesn’t it? …Ah, I went too far there. Let me rephrase that to ‘less formal.'”
“You don’t need to rephrase it…”
“If you didn’t have a personality that invites teasing, I wouldn’t have rephrased it.”
“I didn’t mean to… Not this time, anyway.”
“Well, I suppose your occasional playfulness is one of your good points.”
“That’s definitely not a compliment.”
“I meant it as one. Sort of.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
“Fufu, what a casual response.”
Their conversation had become relaxed and informal.
Byleth was probably the only man who could bring out this side of Elena.
“But considering those around us, wouldn’t it be better to talk face-to-face?”
“Are you saying people might misunderstand?”
“Something like that. Nobles interested in you might ask questions, and it’ll be troublesome to deal with, won’t it?”
Greetings and conversations at events like this were typically conducted face-to-face.
The sight of a man and woman standing shoulder to shoulder would indeed stand out.
“You don’t need to worry about me. I act without regrets.”
“I see.”
“…But let me ask you, are you alright with this? If strange rumors start, it could affect you just as much as me.”
“Me? Well, I’m… ‘hmm’ about it.”
“Huh? What’s with that ‘hmm’?”
Elena closed her mouth tightly and emphasized with a throat sound.
She was probably wondering what that meant, dissatisfied, but to Byleth, her expression was amusingly cute, and he couldn’t help but stare.
“Well… I’ll properly say if I don’t like something. And depending on the person, I’ll move to face them.”
“Oh, I see. If that’s the reason, I wish I hadn’t asked.”
“I wish I hadn’t said it either.”
“…”
“…”
Though they exchanged different words, the emotion they felt was the same.
‘Because it became embarrassing.’
As if surrendering to that feeling, they both fell silent and averted their gazes, but Byleth changed the subject to dispel the awkwardness.
“C-come to think of it… how is your brother Alan doing? I’ve been wondering since I haven’t seen him in the venue at all.”
“Alan is directing in the kitchen. It’s part of his studies for the future. He’s scheduled to enter the venue around the time Lady Aria sings, but he might return to clean up right away since he’s so enthusiastic.”
“I see.”
His words conveyed a strong will not to waste any opportunity to learn.
“Ah, speaking of the kitchen, you can cook, can’t you?”
“Y-yeah. I can, but… please keep it a secret, okay? I don’t want to draw unnecessary attention.”
This was just an excuse.
In reality, it was to avoid raising questions among the household staff about how Byleth, who had never cooked before, suddenly became able to cook.
For the pure-hearted Sia, a simple “I’ve been studying secretly!” might suffice, but coming up with an excuse that would work for others besides Sia was difficult.
“I’ve been thinking for a while now, I’d like to taste your cooking sometime.”
“Eh…”
“If we keep it private, among family, it shouldn’t be a problem, right? If you want it kept secret, I’ll have to get something in return.”
“Haha… You’re quite shrewd.”
“That’s how much I want to try your homemade food.”
She glanced at him from the corner of her eye.
“You want to eat it… that much?”
“That’s what I’m saying, isn’t it?”
“Well then… I guess it’s okay if it’s private, but I’m not that confident, you know?”
“That’s fine by me. By the way, when are you thinking of doing this? I’d like to hear a somewhat specific time frame.”
“Hmm, maybe before Alan opens his shop? If Elena says it’s delicious, I thought we could use that dish in Alan’s shop. Though I’d ask you to say someone else came up with the idea.”
“So it’s close to being original, right?”
“S-something like that.”
“…Sigh. You really have no ambition, do you? Ideas can sometimes sell for a high price, you know? They can also be used as bargaining chips.”
She let out an exasperated sigh. She even gave him a sidelong glance, but Byleth just didn’t want to be pressed on these matters.
“You say I have ‘no ambition,’ but aren’t you the same, Elena?”
“Not anymore. I now have one thing I really want.”
“Oh… Like decorative items or jewels?”
“Something like that. It’s a cheeky and mischievous raw gem.”
“Huh…?”
Byleth could only tilt his head at these riddle-like words.
“Recently, its value has gone up, and many people are after it.”
“So it’s that beautiful?”
“Fufu, it’s not particularly beautiful.”
“…I just realized. You’re teasing me, aren’t you, Elena?”
“That’s not my intention, but you’ll understand soon enough. Very soon.”
“Ugh!”
Elena raised her eyebrows and made a playful expression, clearly showing her implications, and poked Byleth’s side with her index finger.
“Hey, if you do that, strange rumors will definitely start, you know? Several people were watching just now.”
“It’s too late to worry about that now, isn’t it? I don’t mind.”
“Haha, that’s just like you to say that.”
If she could say it so decisively, there was no need to worry anymore. It was quite reassuring.
“Oh, right. Changing the subject, there’s something I should report to you while I can.”
“Oh? What is it?”
“I’m planning to step outside for a bit in about 30 minutes.”
“My, my. Do you have a secret rendezvous with a woman?”
“Of course not. I just want to get some fresh air and take a break.”
“I see, that’s fine then. The grounds are safe, but the further you get from the mansion, the darker it becomes, to the point where you can barely see people’s faces. Be careful where you step.”
“You don’t need to caution me like a child.”
“Knowing you, it wouldn’t be surprising if you tripped.”
“It wouldn’t be surprising at all.”
Byleth emphasized with polite language in response to Elena, who was grinning and tilting her head.
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