Chapter 276 |
TL: TangSanFan
ED/PR: Tanthus
『Side Story』 Pursuing the Butterfly (3)
Is everything peaceful with you, Young Master Ed?
I am Head Maid Belle Mayar.
If my predictions are correct, Miss Lucy should currently have left the Rothtaylor estate and reached Acken Island. Being the astute sir that you are, I presume you’ve already grasped the situation.
Not even ten mouths could express my apologies.
Despite the direct orders you gave, I have failed to support Miss Lucy to the end. I won’t indulge in lengthy excuses. The maids in charge, including myself, are prepared to accept any disciplinary actions you may see fit to impose.
By the time you read this letter, a maid dispatched from our estate will have arrived on Acken Island.
Once again, I extend my deepest apologies.
I have failed to carry out the duties you stressed importantly. This is due to our staff’s inadequacies, and I will faithfully execute any detailed disciplinary measures you may send back in your reply.
Signed,
Belle Mayar.
———————————————————–
### Reply from Ed Rothtaylor
No need for discipline.
Lucy has her reasons, so I will be taking care of her for a while.
Also, make a good batch of jerky and send it over. Just have it delivered to my assistant’s room in the Triss Department research building. And make it a bit salty.
———————————————————–
Belle, faced with her maids’ tense expressions, could not help but show a brief look of incredulity as she read Ed’s reply.
What sort of dreadful content could have been in that letter to cause Belle, always so composed, to make such a bewildered face?
The gathered maids had no option but to hold their breath in anticipation.
* * *
Considering the situation with the Executioner Zellan, it seems highly inefficient to send Lucy back to the mansion right away. Now that things have come to this, I’ll take care of issues related to the relics as well.
While Lucy has been convalescing in the estate, it’s a good time to extract how well she has recovered, so I’ve decided to keep her on Acken Island for now.
– ‘You’re already incredibly busy attending to academic matters, sir. I fear it might be too much to take care of Miss Lucy in her convalescence as well.’
The maid dispatched by Belle Mayar politely expressed this concern, bowing her head, but I brushed it off, unconcerned.
The worried glance in the maid’s eyes said it all; for them, dealing with Lucy Mayrill was a formidable and uncontrollable assignment.
Perhaps they’d feel somewhat aggrieved knowing this, but from my point of view, it wasn’t that severe.
If I’m sitting quietly at my desk, Lucy would occasionally come to sit on my lap or sprawl on a nearby sofa reading a book or simply gazing into the crackling fire.
When I feel the silence becoming too oppressive, pressing on Lucy’s head helps me collect my thoughts, or abruptly, I might pull her in for a cuddle as she sits in front of the fireplace… Usually, she’d comply without issue, but sometimes, she’d unexpectedly push away in embarrassment.
It’s a back-and-forth dance. Anyway, having her around certainly livened up the mundane routine of my day-to-day life.
Lucy herself seemed quite pleased with these interactions, often showing a contented expression unwittingly.
The maid’s worries are, therefore, unfounded.
And so, amidst rumors that the legendary grand mage Lucy Mayrill was appearing here and there across the academy, we continued with our academic routines.
Our days were monotonous yet tumultuous in detail.
And then, as half the semester had passed…
“The inspection delegation planned by the imperial court is set to visit next week,” said the Dean of the Magic Department, Professor McDowell, during an academic meeting.
The mood was somber as senior professors filled the conference room, due to the importance of the topic brought by the Dean.
“As you know, the royal inspections are quite rare, and if we can’t manage them cleanly, the repercussions could be troublesome.”
Standing in for Headmaster Obel, who still couldn’t move properly, McDowell was the acting chancellor handling the day-to-day affairs.
Failure to meet expectations during the imperial inspections would unfavorably position the Sylvania Academy, a body under the imperial jurisdiction.
Issues like reductions in public funding or downsizing of the academy were a given, but most importantly, it would shatter the institution’s trust and image.
“As for this, it would be best if Professor Ed Rothtaylor could take the lead in guiding the inspection delegation…”
While task distribution is the Dean’s prerogative, I raised my hand to speak.
“Given the matter involves the royal court, it’s logical that I, with connections there, should undertake the responsibility. However…”
My eyes lingered on the top name on the inspection delegation list, the individual with ultimate authority.
72nd Session – Comprehensive Inspection Delegation List
Chief Inspector – Sella Einyr Clorel.
For the imperial court, overseeing subsidiary entities is crucial.
To verify the appropriate functioning of operational bodies, a talent capable of assessing on-site independently, without influence, is necessary. The best scenario would be for the emperor to attend personally, but that’s not feasible.
Hence, it’s often the task of royal family members to take on the role of chief inspector.
It was the first princess, Sella Einyr Clorel, who had eagerly undertaken such responsibilities during the intense imperial competition.
But after complete surrender of the imperial authority to Princess Phoenia, she had been quietly overseeing the lands of the empire’s west and northwest.
Though it was unclear if her sentiments had changed since losing influence over imperial affairs, she had not been actively seeking work like this…
“… Frankly, my relationship with Princess Sella isn’t exactly amicable…”
“… Nevertheless, your existing relations with the royal court make you the most suitable choice for this, as far as I see…”
“If that’s your decision… then I’ll do what I can. But I can’t guarantee smooth execution.”
Being under the protection of the future emperor, Phoenia Elias Clorel, often meant such responsibilities became burdens. Royal relations mattered during significant events and expectations were often laid on me.
But it was clear that, now on Phoenia’s side, Princess Sella wouldn’t take kindly to me.
She occasionally visited the Rothtaylor estate, each time lamenting why I still lived in such a small manor, insisting that someone under royal patronage could not be confined like this, stomping her feet in frustration.
“And besides that… Should she stay… until the meeting is over…?”
McDowell hesitated tentatively.
I knew what he wanted to say.
The solemnity of the meeting was at odds with an incongruous presence: Lucy Mayrill.
Sitting on my lap, hugging my waist, she swung her legs listlessly, seeming bored by the proceedings.
“… Well, I understand what you’re saying, but I think it’s better to always have her tagging along like this rather than causing a stir in the Academy…”
“Student Lucy… oh, not a student anymore… If you really have nowhere else to go, the Academy could provide separate accommodations…”
“I’m comfortable here.”
Lucy cut off the conversation sharply, resting her head near my solar plexus, and then tightly hugging her witch’s hat, she closed her eyes firmly. It was her way of saying she was going to take another nap.
“These days, she’s always stuck to me like this… Just think of her as a part of my body.”
“……”
“I’m aware it sounds absurd…”
“Well, Professor Ed has contributed to the Academy, so we can overlook that much.”
McDowell let out a few snorts of laughter, then composed his voice and continued the conversation.
“Anyway, once this inspection is over, we won’t have much to do until the break period begins. Just let this period flow smoothly.”
From among the gathered professors came soft affirmative responses. Everyone seemed eager.
* * *
“So… I wanted to see your face after this long… and to find you in such a state…”
“……”
Time skipped another month, and the day of the Imperial inspection of Sylvania Academy had arrived.
It was a busy day, with many things to prepare as royalty was visiting the Academy. The intricate details of such preparations hardly warrant an explanation.
Leading an imposingly sized inspection team, after a brief speech at the Student Union, Princess Sella immediately made her way to the lobby of Tricks Hall where I was waiting.
The princess might have been out of the imperial power struggle, but she still carried the blood of the emperor. She was accompanied not only by the inspection team but also by a sizeable escort.
There were rumors that since being pushed out of the competition for power, Princess Sella had become surprisingly amiable.
Gone was her extreme discrimination based on status, and quite a few subordinates now sincerely followed her.
But one’s true nature rarely changes so quickly.
She remained proud, with an indefatigable spirit. Her frosty, bluish tresses were as chilling as her cold disposition, lingering with a frosty air.
The reason for her anger was understandable.
“……”
It was the presence of Lucy Mayrill. She had become almost an inseparable part of the Academy.
But Princess Sella, upon seeing Lucy so closely attached, crossed her arms at her waist with a deep sigh of displeasure.
“Are you the guide appointed by the Academy to welcome me? I understand the sentiment… you are well-regarded within the imperial circle, so the Academy is using your face to smooth over this inspection with their petty tricks.”
“More than that, I’m well-versed in imperial law. Noble Princess Sella cannot just be received by anyone.”
“Your words are quite grand. Do you think seeing your face will soften my assessment in any way?”
“… I have not entertained such thoughts.”
“Ha, you may say so, but to me…”
“… Ahem!”
A delicate cough sliced through the ambiance of Tricks Hall’s lobby.
It was an interruption of the royal speech. However, the one who coughed merely gazed at Sella, bemusedly holding onto my clothes.
“……”
Princess Sella had once been severely burnt by an encounter with Lucy.
Even though Lucy could not currently wield her full power, the fear imprinted in her memory did not fade so easily.
Was she still haunted by the sight of Lucy tearing through the Clorel Imperial Family in a fit of rage?
Sella narrowed her eyes for a moment, then spoke again in a lowered tone.
“How did you end up so obsessed with that man, Phoenia…”
“……”
“I’ll be clear; I dislike you. You’re not fun, you don’t flatter, and you always strut around as if you’re better than others, draping nice words prettily.”
“If there’s anything I’ve done wrong, I’m willing to correct it.”
“That’s just it! That feigned concern on your face right now!”
It’s a bothersome woman in any case.
By this point, I had little else to say, so I waited for Sella to diffuse her own anger.
“All the while pretending to be busy, without even a spare moment to face me leisurely. You act as if you’re so important, like you’re the busiest person in the world. One might mistake you for a construction worker instead of a magic professor. Being busy doesn’t necessarily equate to competence. Perhaps you should reflect on that. Moreover, when you visited the estate last time…”
Sella ranted on like this for a while, then once again sighed as if realizing how ridiculous she sounded.
“… What’s the use in saying this? You’re just a man of such caliber.”
“My apologies.”
“… Be sure of this: The fact that I saw you will not have a positive influence on the inspection evaluation.”
“… I did not think it would.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“… Truly? Not a single speck of thought?”
“…”
It had reached a point where I couldn’t understand what she really wanted.
“You always differentiate between public and private matters.”
“You know that? … But, speaking in such a way suggests that I may have personal feelings towards you.”
“… I did not imply such a thing in my words.”
“Be clear in your speech to avoid misunderstandings. A single word can completely change the meaning and be misinterpreted.”
“… Yes, I’ll remember that.”
I decided on a strategy of simply agreeing to whatever she said, since further discussion seemed too exhausting.
Princess Sella then quickly turned around fully, shaking her head in frustration.
“After all, you’re quite insufferable.”
Still somewhat disconcerted, she caught her breath sharply and looked back again, her hand hiding the corner of her mouth with her fan.
“When the inspection is over, come to my carriage. I wish to see you privately.”
“… To Your Highness’s carriage?”
“Yes. Come alone, without anyone else. It’s an imperial command.”
“……”
As I searched for a reply, Sella gave me a bewildered look.
Then, realizing the suggestive nature of her own words, she flapped her fan hurriedly.
“What does such a meaningful silence mean?! Your silence after my words makes them seem strange!”
“I was merely pondering. That… private reason…?”
“To clarify and eliminate any confusion… There’s someone you need to meet. They have requested to see you through me, so I reserved a space in my carriage for them. The person has that much significance.”
Someone who arrived in Princess Sella’s carriage?
And not just anyone, but in the carriage of the proud Princess Sella?
I couldn’t pinpoint who it might be from the myriad of potential candidates, but it was clear they were an exceptional individual.
The identity of the person was soon disclosed by Princess Sella herself.
“Zellan the Executioner.”
At that name, my eyebrows automatically furrowed.
“The person you’ve been so eager to meet. They also wish to see you.”
As my eyes widened, Princess Sella crossed her arms over her waist, puffed out her chest with satisfaction, and chuckled.
“You owe me one. Kuhuhu.”
Seemingly pleased with herself, Sella maintained her smile for a while.
She was an exhausting person in many ways.