Chapter 16

The school life segment will continue a bit more.

I felt like a prisoner awaiting execution.

The private salon was a place that could accommodate about ten people. A table resembling mahogany and a leather sofa with golden cat feet were arranged in a C-shape. The walls were cream-colored with small flowers painted on them, and small, intricate landscape paintings were hung. It wasn't a large room, but with the large windows letting in light, one could see the greenhouse and garden, creating an open atmosphere. It even had a gazebo-like feel to it.

I should have felt comfortable, but it was the first time in a while that we were all gathered together.

It wasn't about the fluttering heart of a maiden; the most important thing was whether I had a death flag or not.

Love flags are only relevant if you have a life, right!?

The heroine would have to make a terrible mistake to get a bad ending and a death flag, but for the villainess Albertina, her happy ending or true ending equals a destruction flag!?

Realistically, considering Albertina's future, if she can't stand as a noble, her only options are retirement or becoming a nun. Since there's no Buddhism here, I think she would have to become a nun-like nun.

I thought we were quite close?

I don't think I can be someone's wife, even with a flag.

Using my father's power and the Latizche family's wealth like water, I've lived a carefree life so far, and even becoming a nun might be too much for me.

Even so, if I become a nun, only I will have a hard time, and my family won't be troubled.

While I was worrying in circles, Raven tilted his head, seemingly concerned, and gave me a rose to comfort me. He apparently went all the way to the rose garden to pick it. Maybe because he looked so happy in the maze? Yes, I was floating... What a good boy, Raven! Don't become a pervert in the future!

Gibriel muttered, "Even that little servant," as he watched. What's wrong, Gibriel? Your face looks scary!

I sent a worried glance to Anna and Raven, and Anna shook her head with a mysterious bodhisattva-like expression, while Raven looked back at me curiously.

My older sister is worried about her younger sister. Can't she do something to help?

"Miss, I've brought the macaron and cake set from the Rose Trading Company."

"Oh, are there no sweets or desserts in the school?"

"Miss, your refined palate, accustomed to the Latizche family's gourmet food, might find the school's so-called high-end pastries a bit disappointing."

Gibriel added, speaking hesitantly. Are they not delicious? They are the food and sweets that nobles and royalty enjoy, right?

...If they're not good here, life in a convent will be tough.

I should eat as much delicious food as I can now.

In the game, the food was supposed to be so good that even the princes would praise it, but by the Latizche family's standards, it's considered simple fare.

Mainly because of me? I've been so demanding to Julius, Sebastian, and Father, asking them to make all sorts of things.

Speaking of which, Kistaria once went to a royal tea party or party and said the food wasn't very good. The tea is acceptable if Julius makes it.

Julius is really good at making tea. Even with the same tea leaves, it's completely different from Raven or Anna. Everyone tilts their heads wondering why it's so different, but Julius calculates the perfect temperature and steeping time.

Tilting the thin white ceramic teacup, a faint white steam rose from the dark red tea. Taking a sip, the familiar unique bitterness and the spreading sweetness, along with the rich aroma, filled my nose, and I couldn't help but smile.

Yes, this is the taste, this is the taste.

"Phew, delicious."

"That's good to hear. We also have a new orange cake, so please try that as well."

At the perfect timing, a small piece of cake was placed. The overlapping oranges, with their sweet and sour aroma and sparkling flesh, appealed to all five senses, stimulating my appetite.

...Huh?

"Julius?"

"Yes, I am Julius Fran, your servant."

His long, slanted eyes smiled politely behind his glasses.

Realizing he was unexpectedly close, I was taken aback, but there was Julius, as calm and collected as always.

A bit too straightforward. Yes, it's Julius. It's the usual Julius. Even if I blink, the Julius with his well-suited glasses and sharp beauty, smiling, is still there. I was worried about seeing him, but once I did, I felt very relieved.

"Hehe, it's the usual Julius. I feel so relieved."

What a relief, I was so nervous for nothing.

The elite butler who always surprises me with his elegant work. Truly, it's Julius. This is Julius quality.

I felt my shoulders relax, and I couldn't help but smile for no reason.

Julius elegantly bowed and asked, "Is there anything else you would like to have?"

"Any recommendations, Julius? Your choices are always good."

"Then, I will do so."

Gibriel looked at Julius with a suspicious eye. Why?

Julius placed macarons with raspberries and chocolate, and a cheese cake.

When asked what he wanted, Gibriel started to seriously think. Yes, it's tough, isn't it? They're small, but trying all of them is a bit much.

Why do only ladies have to wear corsets? They're really uncomfortable. Can't someone make more comfortable body-shaping undergarments?

I glanced at Julius.

No, no matter how super Julius is, I shouldn't consult him about women's undergarments. I'll ask Mother Latizche. She must not be happy about having her waist tightly laced up for every ball or tea party.

By the way, I'm a hikikomori, so I only wear a corset when I have to wear a dress that tightens my waist. Albertina, with her naturally curvy and seductive body, doesn't need a corset, so she can manage.

However, the problem isn't just the corset; it's also the bras and panties. They're so cheap. In one word, cheap. Now that sewing techniques have improved, I think they should change this! Can't there be invisible fashion? Is there no concept of "panty of victory" in this world?

"Miss, what are you planning?"

Scary, Julius! How do you know just from a glance!?

My chicken heart screamed in fear.

"You were looking at me with those pleading eyes again."

ESP! Is Julius an ESPer!?

And is my face that easy to read?

"No, it's a secret! I won't ask Julius!"

"Hmm?"

What's with that intimidating "Hmm?"...

Wait? I'm a duke's daughter, right? I'm his employer and of higher status, right? Why do I have to be looked at with a piercing, evaluating gaze by Julius?

Even if Julius were asked to help launch a women's lingerie brand, he would be troubled, right!? As a business, would he want to be surrounded by frilly, lacy undergarments? I don't think so!

If he wanted to be surrounded, I'd be a bit put off... A pervert? At this point, an open pervert? In any case, I'd have to classify him as a dangerous person, different from Father. To think he has such tastes with that beautiful, intelligent face...

"Since it will come out anyway, it's better to talk about it honestly."

I don't want to! I'm a maiden who makes flowers blush!

Moreover, the reason is that corsets are so uncomfortable, and I want more comfortable, beautiful, and easy-to-wear undergarments for advanced lazy women! How can I tell this to such a handsome person!? What kind of embarrassing play is this!?

While I was making indescribable groans, Julius didn't let up with his interrogating gaze.

Unable to bear seeing me in distress, Raven stepped in to protect me. Seeing this, Julius raised one eyebrow skillfully.

I felt a lightning bolt flash between his purple and black eyes. A strange effect.

"Sorry, Albert... What's going on here?"

"Julius is bullying me! He's being mean!"

Kistaria burst in, knocking casually and a bit flustered. Her hair was a bit messy, as if she had been running.

When I complained without dignity, Kistaria compared me and Julius, then smiled wryly at my pleading gaze. She moved behind me, as if supporting me, and gave Julius a meaningful smile.

It's good to have a caring younger brother!

"What happened?"

"He's trying to make me say something I don't want to say!"

"Something you don't want to say?"

"I want to make new women's undergarments, and he's saying I should consult Julius about it!!"

With a loud thud, Mikaeris appeared, having opened the door after a moment. He was holding his forehead, looking very awkward.

He must have hit his face or head on the door.

His face, as red as his bright red hair, suggested that he was more embarrassed by my words than in pain.

"Miss, I understand your feelings. I apologize for pressing you."

For once, Julius apologized sincerely and humbly.

Oops, I accidentally said it out loud. Gibriel, looking a bit uncomfortable, touched his slender chest.

Jibriel's slender body is attractive in its own way!

It's not just about being big! Look, it's just a mass of fat that can cause shoulder pain!

Raven, who was looking at Gibriel's and my chest, was hit on the back of the head with a good thud by Julius. Anna, holding a silver tray behind them, looked unimpressed. Even Anna! Seniors, are you too strict on juniors?

"Don't look, or you'll lose."

With a deep, chilling voice, Julius warned Raven.

I won't lose. If my chest got smaller every time I looked at it through my clothes, it would be a vast plain by now. Please don't bully cute servants. Are you a mother-in-law?

Kistaria, who had been unusually quiet, was blushing not just on her face but on her ears and neck, pressing her mouth and slowly moving away from me.

Isn't Kistaria popular in school? Mikaeris too.

To blush at such a topic, they must be teenagers—oh, they are teenagers.

Usually, all three of them are strangely calm. Why? Maybe they've experienced more than hikikomori or even those raised in a sealed environment?

"Julius, stop being so angry at Raven! He didn't mean to!"

Julius kept glaring at Raven, so I hugged Raven's head to hide him from Julius—then, not only Julius but Mikaeris and Kistaria suddenly raised their eyebrows. What's with this synchronization?

"Albert (Miss)!!!"

"Y-Yes!?"

"I've been thinking for a while, but aren't you too lenient with Raven!?"

"I've been a servant for a long time, but I've never been pampered like this."

"Regardless of being a servant or younger, hugging a member of the opposite sex is going too far."

Suddenly, I was scolded. They all opened their mouths and criticized me one after another.

Eeeek, it's scary! But Raven is different from you; he's so honest and cute! What's wrong with loving something cute!?

Why are all three of you so aggressive? Kistaria usually doesn't like being treated like a younger brother! Julius has almost no cuteness left! A cute Julius is ultra-rare! Mikaeris... is right. Sorry, I'll be more careful.

Ugh, I can't handle noble society.

I like stroking Raven's nicely shaped, round head. I like the perfect feel of his hair.

Besides, Kistaria never let me stroke his head when he was little! It's fine to do it a little! Miser! Handsome!

The three of them, with such serious faces, kept pushing me about my overly affectionate attitude towards Raven. What's going on? What are they trying to say? What is it, really!?

I'm not showering gifts like Gibriel! When Mikaeris repeatedly and awkwardly criticized me, my conscience finally kicked in! Each time, I tried to find a different approach, but it's hard to find a compromise with Mikaeris.

By the time I was completely dejected, with my eyebrows lowered and teary-eyed, Gibriel stood up gracefully, like a cat.

Anna watched the three with a cold eye.

The cake was finished, and the tea was drunk. They seemed to have enjoyed the tea time. I want to enjoy tea time too...

Gibriel stood in front of the three, moving with a graceful and supple gait.

"Excuse me."

Three beautiful right hooks landed on the cheeks of the three handsome men.

In a split second. The gong rang out, and in my mind, a manga-style referee shouted "KO!"

I gaped at Gibriel, who delivered the unexpected punch. Raven watched with a straight face. The three, who were hit, looked up at Gibriel with slightly twisted faces. They all fell or tumbled off the sofa from the momentum.

Gibriel's delicate red eyes glowed with a cold flame as she looked down at the handsome trio.

She crossed her arms below her modest chest and tilted her chin up.

"Stop scaring Miss with your silly jealousy. Next time, it won't be just one hit."

Gibriel, you're so cool.

I felt an unprecedented fluttering, not for the handsome trio but for the younger beauty.

But, does it not hurt to punch someone with bare hands?

When I checked Gibriel's hand, it was slightly red, and the three, looking very awkward with their red cheeks, watched her.

Unable to help it, I tried to cast a healing spell on the three, but Raven brought a first-aid kit, and Gibriel, snatching it, silently handed it to Julius.

It was as if I heard a voiceless voice saying, "You three, go lick each other's wounds! Hmph!"

...My cute Gibriel can't be thinking like a delinquent or a gang girl, right!?

While the three were treating each other in a funeral-like atmosphere, Father arrived.

The three, with matching bandages on their cheeks, and Gibriel, sipping a second cup of tea elegantly, and I, drinking a slightly cooled tea leisurely, saw Father trace his chin with his finger.

"...I'm glad Gibriel is a woman, you three."

Father's cold, teasing glance and words.

Father, how do you know?

Thank you for reading!