chapter 18

“Well, Let’s get on with it. Camellia, I’ve heard rumors that you were attacking a student at the academy.”

I see, I see. Camellia was attacking a student at the academy. . .Huh?

Both of our eyes went wide open. It was far from what anybody imagined. I’m so confused. My vision was going round and round.

What? Camelia was actually that kind of person? I didn’t think she felt like the villainous girl, but perhaps behind the scene.

. . .No, way. That’s too hard to believe.

“I am told that you are relentlessly harassing a certain student.”

“Mother, I don’t recall that ever happening.”

Relentlessly harassing. . .Hmm. Certainly that would fall under a villainous act. I mean, there was actual harassing in “Flower of Eden”

However, I have never seen that kind of conduct done toward this world’s Lily.

“For example, you brought this student into your room, and forcibly teased her.”

“Mother. . .What?”

Umm, that sounds familiar.

“In addition to that, in the hallway of the dormitory, despite being in public, you. . .forcibly kissed her.”

“. . .”

Oh, I think I’m finally understanding.

Or rather. . .It’s because the victim she is referring to is most certainly me.

“I’ve also heard you have been relentlessly stalking them.”

“. . .”

Scarlet-sama, all of that was the work of other people we know. . .

The rumors of these students who were involved must have been mixed and distorted, by the time it reached Scarelet-sama’s ears, the truth may have been hard to find.

Iris was making a lot of noise in the academy, so it’s not strange for somebody involved with her, to mistakenly take the blame. Though it’s still a little surprising that rumors reached her. I wonder if the duke’s family has an amazing or terrible information network.

For the time being, if this keeps up Camellia will be suspected of terrible things.

If Scarlet-sama knew the actual events, I’m sure this will be easily settled.

“Well, do you have any objections, Camellia.”

“. . .”

Camellia however kept her head down and didn’t talk at all.

Why? If you don’t say anything, she is going to assume the worst.

“I want to hear the truth directly from your mouth, but if you keep acting like that, then I’d have to take the rumors as fact, right?”

“. . .”

She remained silent, this is definitely getting bad.

At that time, Camellia glanced at me with a troubled smile. It’s like she has accepted her sins, and is waiting for her mother’s next words.

. . .Oh, I understand now.

When I saw that face, I finally understood the girl named Camellia. Somebody too kind, that they would take the role of the villainous.

She is afraid that her friends may be punished if she tells the truth to the duchess.

And that is painful to me.

No you shouldn’t accept a crime that didn’t happen. That’s horrible.

You never even raised a flag of ruin, so it’s foolish to do it on your own.

I can’t let you do such a stupid thing.

Because I’m the follower of a villainous. . .who is far from evil.

“. . .Scarlett-sama, may I say something. That certain student. That is me.”

I took off the maid facade, and stepped forward with courage. Magnolia stood up in a hurry to stop me, but Scarlet-sama brought her hand up to stop her.

“If the rumors are true, then I must apologize to you, the victim. Can you elaborate?”

“Yes, of course, but I don’t need an apology, it’s actually the opposite. Camellia has always been helping me.”

I was embarrassed to explain the whole truth of it, so I explained as much details as possible while still blurring some of the more risque stuff. Of course, I explained how Camelia saved me on many occasions.

Iris, Lily and Anemone probably never did anything maliciously. It may just be a prank that went too far. Well, honestly, It may be an overkill prank. I don’t know why they recklessly did that.

“That must have been really embarrassing to share. . .Thank you, for telling me everything about my daughter.”

Scarlet-sama listened until the end, and then gave me a gentle expression similar to Camellia.

My poor but full explanation was received surprisingly smoothly? I guess it was worth the courage and embarrassment.

. . .No, it doesn’t seem like that was the only reason.

“So you weren’t just a maid after all. I expected as much.”

“So you noticed. . . “

Camellia and Magnolia had a surprised expression watching me and scarlet-sama casually exchange words.

“. . .Mother?”

“The Young Mistress is too cute, so of course she would look suspicious in a maid outfit. It’s only natural that she will be exposed.”

Hmmm, Magnolia-san, that isn’t why.

I want you to think carefully. If Camellia was really harassing someone, it could damage the name of the Faun Estate. So there is no way that they would allow a maid they just met for the first time to be present in a place where such a damaging story may leak.

She must have known I wasn’t a maid from the start.

The Duchess’ eyes cannot be deceived.

This may just be my speculation, but Scarlet-sama probably never doubted her daughter.

On the contrary, She may have discovered that me and her had some kind of close relationship, and was hoping for me to chime in.

“I think I have a good understanding of my daughter.”

“Mother. . .”

“You are the daughter of a Duke, and are in a position to be exposed to many malicious actions, so I think it’s the duty of the mother to protect her child from these malicious rumors. However before dealing with it, I had to confirm the facts properly.”

If that is the case, I think there was a better way to confirm it, but. . .everything turned out okay.

Gentle and reliable. Mother and daughter are very similar, but both have some clumsy spots.

“Oh, cute and friendly maid. May I ask for your name?”

“. . .Shiran.”

She smiled once she heard my name.

“So, you are Shiran, right?”

“. . ?”

“I was finally able to meet your wonderful friend, Camellia. Shiran-san, thank you for helping my daughter.”

I gave a quiet nod.

When I looked at Camellia, for some reason her face turned bright red, and she was covering it with both hands.

I thought we could do some friendship eyes, but what is she doing?

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After that, I enjoyed chatting with Scarlett-sama for a while. . .Until I realized that it was time to go back to the academy. Time flies in an instant while having fun.

We gave our goodbye to Scarlet-sama, who became quite friendly to us, and we left the mansion.

Once we reached the entrance of the academy. I saw something on my peripheral vision. Camelia was close to my ear.

“I’m really grateful for today. If you don’t mind, could you please stay with me.”

It felt ticklish on my ear, and the moment I turned my face towards her. The feelings of lips touching my lips hit me.

. . .L-Lips?

“This. . .is a little sign of my gratitude.”

It was her lips, and she had an expression like she successfully did something mischievous.

Immediately after, she turned away, and quickly walked past us.

That is a feeling of gratitude, that is, a thank you. I-I see.

I felt like I heard Magnolia screaming. But that could have just been my imagination. Yeah, probably that.