Chapter 8:

Lana smacked Eres’s head when she stepped out of her room the morning they were to attend the academy.

“Ack…!”

“Eres, why are you wearing your maid uniform?”

“Because I’m the young master’s personal maid…?”

“You’re a student as well, Eres. Or did you forget about the Duchess’s endorsement.”

“I mean…no, but…”

“Honestly, Eres. And your hair’s a rat’s nest. Did you even brush it?”

“W-well we might be late.”

Lana pulled Eres by the ear back into her room to help her get ready. 

An hour later, they stood by the carriage, luggage packed, the Duchess and Lana standing next to their children, ready to send them off.

“Eres.”

“Yes, head maid?”

“At the academy, you are a student just as much as Leo is. There is no hierarchy on school grounds. Be proud of your accomplishments.”

“Yes, head maid.”

She wrapped Eres in a tight hug, squeezing the air from her lungs. “Hah…It’ll be nice and quiet when the two of you are gone.”

Eres lifted her head, noticing the light moisture that spilled over from her eyes. Honestly, what a troublesome mother. She smiled. 

“Lana.”

“Hm?”

Lana, still gripping Eres, pulled back a bit to meet her eyes. 

Eres scratched her head, somewhat hesitant. “Um.”

Lana raised an eyebrow. 

“Can I…call you Mom?”

“…!”

“I-it’s fine if you don’t want me to. I’m sorry for asking a wei—ACK!”

Eres’s sentence was cut off when Lana pulled her into a back breaking hug, lifting her from the ground. 

“L-Lana, wait!”

She picked Eres up as if she were a child again. She smiled at Eres with a brilliant, shining grin.

“Hmm? Calling me Lana? Do you need more etiquette lessons?”

“N-no head m—”

Lana put a finger to her lips. “Not Head Maid. Not Lana.”

“…Mom.”

“Good. My daughter has always been so clever.”

Eres blushed in embarrassment. Maybe this was a mistake. “Can you put me down, please…?”

“Hmm~ maybe in a few minutes.”

Eres barely escaped with her life. The Head Mom nearly crushed her to death before she could tap out. She curtsied to the Duchess, who had just finished speaking with Leo.

“Thank you for your kindness, my Lady.”

“Hmm.”

Movement. Two feet appearing in her vision. A familiar sight. 

“Eres.”

She looked up. The Duchess was giving her a rare smile. She reached out with a single arm, pulling her into a light hug. Eres could feel light patting on the back of her head. Why did everyone do that…?

“Be good to Leo.”

She nodded. They separated, and without another word, the Duchess walked away. 

Leo walked up to her. “What…why were you the one that got a hug?”

“I’m cuter than you.”

“True.”

“Tsk.”

Eres turned around, ignoring the fool beside her, and stepped into the carriage. The servants had already finished packing their things. She looked out of the carriage window, getting her last glimpse of home for some time. 

It was bittersweet. This had become her home after so many years…still. She wasn’t alone. 

Leo climbed in after her, sitting in the seat beside her.

“Hey. Other side.”

“Nah.”

“Where’s a good place to dump your body on the way?”

“Ah, that side looks quite comfortable, hehe.”

Leo flew over to the seat across.

Eres shook her head. “Aren’t you my boss? How inappropriate.”

“Hmm? Eres, we’re both students at the Academy, there is no difference in status.”

“Ah, I see. So I won’t be executed if I were to cut something off.”

“….No, you would. For sure.”

“Lana would protect me.”

“I mean…if it were her, I can’t imagine even the royal army winning…”

“She’s a monster. A demon. She’d win.”

A rustle by the window.

The two of them jumped when a wraith’s face appeared. “Ah~ to think the two of you have such confidence in my strength…I suppose you wouldn’t want a lunch made by a demon, though…I guess I’ll give it to the servants.”

“M-mom, how could I not want your food…?”

Lana froze. “Ah, Eres, that really isn’t fair…”

She smiled and handed Eres the food. She walked away with a whistle and a light skip. 

Leo looked at Eres, awe painted on his face. “To think you could conquer even the final boss…”

“Am I…the strongest?” She clenched her hands and looked at them, eyes wide.

She smirked at Leo. “Hmm~ maybe the young master should watch who he teases in the future.”

“…”

Eres kicked back, lifting her feet to Leo’s knee, resting on them. Hah, was this what it felt like to be on top of the world…?

He slapped her feet off, a look of disgust on his face. 

Still, he had no answer. Haha, it was Eres’s turn to be at the top of the pecking order.

***

“You really have no taste at all.”

“Eres, please. You’re the one with no standards.”

“Hah? How many isekai did you watch, again?”

“Just because it’s isekai doesn’t mean it’s bad.”

The carriage was lively, the journey filled with banter over various subjects and arguments. 

The food the head maid gave them was delicious. Truly a meal worthy of a Mom. Maybe it got the parent buff?

It wasn’t long before the carriage pulled to a stop. Eres looked out the window with a pale expression. This feeling…she hadn’t felt it since childhood. Well, the other childhood.

“Leo.”

“Eres.”

“…I don’t wanna go.”

“…”

She looked at him with serious eyes. “We can still go be adventurers. They’ll never find us.”

Leo smirked. “It’s a bit early for us to elope.”

“Who’d wanna elope with a beanpole bastard like you?”

“Hmm? Eres? Wasn’t it you who said it’d be ok when I was taller…?”

“You’re thinner than the maids who clean the mansion, why would I be with a shrimp-like guy like you?”

Leo leaned his head on his hand. “Hmm. So we’re moving the goal post again.”

“What goal post? Go find you a proper bride in the academy and leave me alone.”

He clutched his chest. “Sorry~ Eres is the only one in my heart…!”

Leo smiled at her. “Or so I’ll tell everyone that approaches me.”

“…You wouldn’t.”

“Ah! Such romance! A maid so dedicated to her master she even got record-breaking perfect scores to attend with him!”

He reached over and pat her shoulder. “Thank you, human shield. You are strong. Stand proud.”

Eres clicked her tongue. This shameless guy, using her as a deflection for proposals. Well, maybe it’d work both ways. If it stopped a bunch of snot-nosed brats from getting close to her, it might be worth the shame of being paired with such a worthless guy.

They walked in tandem to the entrance ceremony.

They crowded in among the other students. Was it because Leo was tall that he was drawing attention? Somehow, this shameless guy shot up like a sprout recently, putting him a hand over his peers. 

He popped out of the crowd like a meerkat, his dumb little face trying to act tough. Eres stifled a laugh.

An older man walked on stage, his dress of fine make and elegant. He wore a monocle on his left eye, and his dark hair was sprinkled with hints of white. He stood at the podium, and all chatter ceased in an instant.

This guy had some serious presence…

“Welcome, all.”

His voice boomed across the auditorium. It was a commanding tone, one that held little patience for interruption.

“You are here for one reason. To attain an excellent future. I have no doubt the students standing before me will behave with aplomb in their studies, and conduct themselves in accordance with the expectations of the academy.”

He paused, letting his words sink in. His gaze washed over the audience, lingering a moment on Leo’s gawking form before continuing. 

He spoke for a while, typical school-speech things. Eres started to doze as he droned on. She tilted to one side, her head resting against Leo’s shoulder. That was the only good thing about his height. Perfect for a standing pillow. 

“…And so, I ask the top students from the entrance exam to speak a few words. This year, two excellent students tied in their admission. Leonard Fritz, Eres, please come to the stage.”

“…!”

Eres’s blood froze. What?! No! It couldn’t be! Her head creaked to the side and looked at Leo’s equally pale face. In her shock, she couldn’t help but utter a curse.

“…Fuck.”

It was quiet, but the noise carried a bit to the surrounding students. They looked at her, shocked that a young woman could speak such profanities. 

Leo gripped Eres’s shoulder, his hands trembling. “Come on.”

They walked robotically to the stage, all eyes on them. The Dean smiled as they approached. He stepped to the side and gestured to the podium.

Leo stopped a bit too early, leaving no room for Eres, so she bumped into his side, making him sidestep a bit. They both stood in front of the eyes of hundreds of their peers. 

Eres nearly cried. Ah. Maybe I’ll die? Maybe my brain will rupture so I don’t have to do this?

Leo took a shaky breath and spoke.

“I am Leonard Fritz. I am pleased to stand before you all today, and thankful for the opportunity to represent such a prestigious academy.”

Eres looked up at him in shock. Damn! When did this guy get so good at talking?! Leo looked down at her and gestured to the audience. Ah…her turn. 

She stepped forward, her face burning with warmth. Her hands clenched so hard she thought they’d bleed.

She froze for a moment, unable to speak, when something warm grabbed her hand. She reflexively looked down at Leo’s hand that had embraced her own. This guy…

…It helped.

“Hello, e-everyone. My name is Eres. Thank you very much for having me…”

Ah, fuck. She looked down, avoiding her eyes. No! Noooo! She was a laughing stock! She’d be memed for years!!

Leo, noticing her nervousness, smiled at the audience and continued. 

“We worked very hard to represent our family at the academy. I, the ducal heir of house Fritz, and Eres, a maid in my employ. We hope for a successful year with everyone.”

The students eyes widened in surprise when he mentioned she was a maid. Really? A maid got the top score…?

Hey, isn’t that the late-bloomer?! I thought she failed!

Whispers roared across the crowd. Leo looked at Eres, who trembled at his side. He sighed. Well, this was as good an opportunity as any to change what rumors circulated.

“And,” Leo spoke.

The whispers died at his voice, strong as it was.

He wrapped an arm around Eres’s waist.

“My fiancée and I wish you all the best.”

The crowd roared.