[Side Story] Chasing a Butterfly (3)
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Are you at peace, Master Ed?
This is the maid, Belle Maia.
If my prediction is correct, Lady Lucy is expected to have left Rosstaylor Mansion and reached Aken Island. If you are a brilliant young master, you would have quickly figured out what the situation was.
Even if I had ten mouths, I would have nothing to say.
Despite the instructions given by Master Ed himself, I was unable to assist Miss Lucy until the end. I’m not going to make excuses. The maids in charge, including me, are ready to accept any disciplinary action the Master may send down.
Perhaps by the time you read this transcript, the maid dispatched from our mansion will have arrived at Aken Island.
I have explained the situation, so if you leave Lady Lucy in the care of that maid, she will be well protected and brought to the mansion. Considering the seriousness of the matter, I should go to Aken Island myself, but the head of the house has ordered me to remain at the mansion, so I am inevitably sending a representative.
Once again, I would like to offer my deepest apologies.
I was not able to properly carry out the duties that Master Ed emphasized. This is due to a lack of management personnel. If you send us a detailed disciplinary plan in a reply letter, we will implement it.
Posted by Belle Maia.
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*Reply) Ed Ross Taylor
has been disciplined.
For some reason, I am taking Lucy with me for the time being.
And make some beef jerky and send it to me. All you have to do is post it in the direction of my teaching assistant’s room in the Trix Building research building. Make the seasoning a little salty and send it to me.
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Belle opened Ed’s reply letter in front of the maids who were gathered together with nervous faces and looked dumbfounded for a moment.
What kind of terrible content was written in that letter that made Belle, who was always cool-headed, look so bewildered?
All the maids gathered around could not help but hold their breath.
* * *
Since there is something to do with Zelan the Mutilator, it would be very inefficient to send Lucy back to Aken Island right away. Now that things have come to this, I have to take care of all the issues related to relics.
I decided to keep Lucy on Aken Island for the time being to check how well Lucy had recovered while recuperating at the mansion.
― ‘You’re very busy just with your academic schedule, but I’m worried that it might be too much to take along Miss Lucy, who is recuperating.’
The maid dispatched by Belle Maia bowed her head to me and spoke very politely, but I walked away from her, saying I didn’t care.
You can tell by looking at the maid’s worried eyes, but for them, the existence of Lucy Mayril is a task that is too much to handle and difficult to control.
Actually, if they found out, they might be a bit mean, but from my perspective, it’s not that bad.
When I sit at my desk in the dorm and quietly work, Lucy occasionally comes nearby and sits on my lap or lies down on the nearby sofa to read a book or just stare at the crackling bonfire.
Once in a while, when it gets quiet, he presses Lucy’s head to collect his thoughts, or picks up Lucy who is crouching in front of the fireplace and hugs her… Most of the time, if he is fighting with Lucy without any intention, he will give his body for the sake of doing so. .. And sometimes, they suddenly become embarrassed and push it away.
If you look at this and that, there is no consistent standard. Well, anyway, Lucy played a grateful role in relieving the loneliness in my monotonous daily life.
Lucy herself seemed to really like those things, and her expression improved considerably without her knowing it.
So, it is correct to say that the maid’s concerns that I might be pushing myself too hard are unfounded.
Amidst rumors that the legendary archmage Lucy Mayril was appearing throughout the school… we just went through our school schedule together.
The days were more monotonous than expected, but if you look at the details, they were eventful.
Just like that… about half of the semester had passed.
“They said the inspection team scheduled by the imperial family is scheduled to visit sometime next week.”
This was what Professor McDowell, the top dean of the Ministry of Magic, said during an academic meeting.
The academic conference hall, where many senior professors were gathered, had a rather solemn atmosphere. This is because the agenda brought by the Chief Dean was quite important.
“As you know, it’s an imperial inspection that only happens once every few years, so if we don’t handle it neatly, it’ll be a headache if gossip comes out.”
McDowell is acting on behalf of Principal Obel, who is still unable to function properly.
If the academic evaluation does not reach the desired level during this imperial palace inspection, Sylvania Academy, an institution under the imperial family, will be in a very difficult position.
It is natural for things like cutting public support or reducing the size of academic institutions, destroying the most important trust and image.
“In relation to this, it would be good if Professor Ed Ross-Taylor would be in charge of guiding this inspection team…”
The division of work is the exclusive authority of the Chief Dean.
However, I first raised my hand and spoke.
“As it is related to the imperial family, it is reasonable to judge that it would be better for me to take charge of it since I have contact with it. But…”
I quietly looked at the name of the person in power at the top of the list of imperial inspectors.
72nd Session – List of Comprehensive Inspection Teams of Affiliated Organizations Inspection Team
Leader – Selaha Einir Cloel.
Inspection of these lower-level institutions is important from the imperial family’s perspective.
In order to directly check whether a working organization is running properly, a talented person is needed who can report on the field according to his or her own beliefs without being influenced by anyone else. The best thing would be for the emperor to come in person, but that would not be easy.
Therefore, the position that the royal family is most often appointed to is the position of head of the inspection team.
In the past, when imperial competition was fierce, the first princess, Selaha Einir Cloel, was the one who was eager to take on this task.
However, after the imperial power was completely transferred to Princess Fenia, wasn’t she quietly managing the territory in the western and northwestern parts of the empire?
I’m not sure what kind of change of heart he had after completely distancing himself from the emperor, but… I don’t think he actively looked for work like this…
“…To put it bluntly, I have a very good relationship with Princess Selaha. No…”
“…Still, I think it would be easiest for you, who has even a little more connection to the imperial family, to take charge…” “
If you judge it that way… I can handle things in my own way. Just give it a try. However, it is difficult to guarantee that things will work out well.”
Receiving the protection of the next emperor, Fenia Elias Cloel, sometimes acts like a burden. If there is something important related to the relationship with the imperial family, most of the time, they just look to me and ask me to solve it, and they just suck their fingers.
However, no matter how much I thought about it, there was no way that Selaha would treat me kindly since I had completely become a member of the Fenian side.
Occasionally, he would visit Ross Taylor’s mansion, and each time he would ask why he was still living like this, he would stamp his feet, saying that he could not forgive someone who received the royal family’s protection for being stuck in such a small mansion.
“By the way… should I… wait until the meeting…?”
McDowell hesitated and asked cautiously.
I know very well what you want to say.
It was a solemn meeting place, but there was a strange being sitting there.
Actually, what more can I say? This is Lucy Mayril.
Lucy was sitting on my lap, wrapping her arms around my waist and shaking her feet as if she were bored.
“…Well, I know what you mean, but… I thought it would be better to always drag the school around like this rather than making more noise for no reason…”
“Student Lucy… No, she’s not a student anymore… That’s right. If you don’t have anywhere to go, the academic department can provide you with separate accommodation…”
“I’m comfortable here.”
Lucy spoke as if cutting me off with a single cut, then placed her head near my solar plexus and soon closed her eyes, holding the witch’s hat tightly. It meant taking a nap again.
“It’s always been like this these days… Just think of it as a part of your body.”
“….”
“I realize that this is ridiculous….”
“Yes. Well… Professor Ed has something to contribute to the academics, so we can turn a blind eye to that.”
McDowell let out a few laughs before clearing his voice and speaking.
“Anyway, if I finish this inspection well, I won’t be too busy until the vacation starts. “Let’s just use this time well.”
A soft answer flowed from the gathered professors. Everyone seemed very motivated.
* * *
“So… I was hoping to see your face for the first time in a while… but you look like this…” “
….”
Time skips another month and the imperial inspection team visits Sylvania. It’s a day.
As it was the day when the royal family appeared at the ceremony, there were many things to prepare for. There would be no point in explaining those processes in detail.
After leading a large inspection team and giving a brief speech at the student center, Selaha came straight to the Trix Building lobby where I was waiting.
Even though the emperor passed away, she is a girl who inherited the emperor’s blood. Not only were the inspection team members present, but they were also accompanied by a fairly large bodyguard.
There are rumors going around that Princess Selaha’s personality has become much kinder than expected after she was completely pushed out of the competition for the imperial throne.
Much of the tendency to overly judge the nobility of one’s social status and look down on those below her has died down, and now there are many subjects who follow her quite sincerely.
However, nature does not change easily.
His arrogant and fierce temperament has not died at all. His bluish hair, as if covered in frost, was as chilly as his cold heart.
The reason for the anger is understandable.
“….”
Lucy Mayril’s presence has now reached the point where it can truly be felt as if it were a body part.
The sight of them always hanging around… By this point, even the people at the school are somewhat used to it.
However, Princess Selaha, whom she had seen for the first time in a while, seemed to be amazed by the sight of Lucy clinging so tightly to her, so she placed both arms on her waist and sighed.
“Are you the guide who came to greet me at the academic level? “I can understand what the academic staff are thinking… Since you have a good reputation within the imperial family, it must be a cheap ploy to sell your face to get over this inspection.”
“Rather, it is because I am well aware of the royal family’s laws. “It is impossible to let just anyone welcome the noble Princess Selaha.”
“You talk so flashy. Why do you think I would make any judgment based on your face?”
“…I didn’t think about that.”
“You may talk like that, but in my eyes…”
“…Kuch!”
“….”
A cute coughing sound split the lobby of the Trix Building.
It was the cough that interrupted the royal family. However, the person who sneezed was just looking at Selaha with blank eyes.
While grabbing my collar.
“….”
Princess Selaha is a person who has been greatly harmed by Lucy.
Of course, right now Lucy is unable to summon her full strength, but even so, the fear imprinted in her memory does not easily disappear.
Is it still good to see Lucy going on a rampage, single-handedly overturning the royal family?
Selaha narrowed his eyebrows for a moment and then spoke in a lower tone.
“How on earth did Fenia become so obsessed with a man like you?…” “
….”
“Let me tell you, I hate you. “It’s not fun, it’s not flattering, it’s always acting like it’s great and just saying nice things.”
“If I made a mistake, I will correct it.”
“Yeah, that part right now! “You don’t even care about me, but you look very sorry.”
Anyway, she is an annoying woman in every way.
At this point, I have nothing more to say, so I have to wait for Selaha to resolve her anger on her own.
“At the same time, you seem to be so busy that you can’t even find time to meet face to face. You walk around like you’re the busiest person in the world, doing amazing things. Anyone who saw him would think he was a construction worker or something, not a magic professor. Just because you work so loudly doesn’t mean you’re capable… Shouldn’t you check yourself to see if you’re under some strange delusion? And again… the last time I visited the mansion…”
Selaha, who had been swearing for a long time, sighed once again, as if he felt quite ridiculous.
“…So what can I say? “That’s what a man like you is like.”
“I’m sorry.”
“…I’m sure. “Never think that my seeing your face will have any positive effect on my evaluation of the inspection.”
“…I didn’t even think about that.”
“So is it true?”
“yes.”
“…really? “Didn’t you do even a single thing?”
“…”
At this point, I got to the point where I couldn’t figure out what I wanted.
“You are a person who clearly distinguishes between public and private matters.”
“You know very well. … If I just talk like that, wouldn’t it give the impression that I have personal feelings for you?”
“…I didn’t mean to imply that.”
“Make sure what you say is straight so there is no chance of misunderstanding. “Language is something where the meaning of a word can change with just a single stem, making it easy to misunderstand.”
“…Yes, I will keep that in mind.”
It became increasingly difficult to respond, so I developed a strategy to just say yes to everything.
Princess Selaha looked at me as she tilted her head for no reason, and then she completely turned her body back.
“Anyway, I’m a person who doesn’t have a single thing I like about him.”
Selaha trembled for no reason, took a deep breath, and then turned around again and spoke. The sight of him touching the corner of his mouth with the tip of his fan seemed very unnatural.
“And when you’re done inspecting, come to my carriage. “I need to see you in private.”
“…You mean the princess’s carriage?”
“okay. Please come alone and do not bring anyone else with you. “It’s Hwangmyeong.”
“….”
As I was looking for words to reply for a moment, Selaha looked puzzled.
Eventually, he must have realized that what he had just said was very likely to be misunderstood, and he looked startled and waved the fan he was holding in his hand.
“What is such a meaningful reaction?! “Wouldn’t my words sound a bit strange if you remained silent there?”
“I was thinking about it for a moment. “What do you mean by… personal reasons…?”
“Just to avoid any misunderstanding… there is someone you need to meet. You asked me so earnestly that I wanted to meet you, so I gave you a place in my carriage. “He was worth it.”
You said you got a ride in the princess’s carriage?
Not anyone else, but the carriage of the arrogant Princess Selaha?
I don’t know who he was, but it was clear that he was an extraordinary person. A lot of candidates came to mind, but it was very difficult to pinpoint just one person.
The identity of that person immediately came out of Princess Selaha’s mouth.
“Zelan the Cutter.”
When I heard that name, my eyebrows suddenly narrowed.
“I heard you’re the person they really want to meet. “They wanted to meet you too.”
When I opened my eyes wide, Princess Selaha put both arms on her waist, puffed out her chest, and smiled contentedly.
“You are indebted to me. Kuhuhu.”
What made that feel so good didn’t wipe the smile off Selaha’s face for a while.
Anyway, I was a tired person in many ways.
