What’s with this guy?
Milin had never met someone so stubborn before. She was instantly infuriated and, with a swift move, grabbed Luc’s wrist, forcefully trying to lift her up.
“…!”
Both of their faces changed at the same time. They suddenly realized that in the area where they each had the most confidence—their strength—the other was a match for them.
“Those eyes of yours… So you’re a Demon Race as well. No wonder you’re so strong.”
Only when she locked eyes with Luc did Milin notice that this maid, whom she’d previously paid little attention to, actually had the same Demon Eyes as that Princess, marking her as a Demon Race.
And this, instead, sparked Milin’s competitive spirit—since she’s also a Demon Race, with a superior physique, then there’s no problem with me using my real strength, is there?
“But if you think you can beat me, you’re still too green!—Stand up!”
With her bold declaration, Luc suddenly felt the strength lifting her up increase several fold. Caught off guard, she was nearly pulled up.
This girl isn’t even using magic, and she’s already this strong? If I don’t use magic, I might actually lose… No! If she isn’t using it, neither can I! This concerns the dignity of the Demon Race!
“Keep dreaming! There’s no way… I’ll ever lose to you!”
So she too exerted her full strength to counter Milin. For a moment, the two were locked in a stalemate—
Meliya walked over to the struggling pair and flicked each of their foreheads.
“Ah…!”
“Ow! Mother, what are you doing?!”
The sudden pain caused both girls to lose their strength and topple toward each other.
Clearly, neither wanted to support the other, so they simply let their bodies fall with the momentum.
“What are you two doing? Honestly, just a pair of children.”
Before their faces could crash together, Meliya caught them each with one arm.
Milin grinned foolishly in enjoyment, “hehehe”… but Luc reacted as if startled, struggling to escape from her embrace:
“Let me go!”
“Oh my.”
Meliya was surprised by her fierce resistance and quickly let go. Luc stumbled backward and once again pressed herself against the wall.
That suffocatingly familiar feeling again… The instant Meliya’s arms wrapped around her, a warmth and aura, so similar to that person’s, shot up her back, making her whole body shudder uncontrollably.
She realized she didn’t actually dislike being looked at so gently by the Duchess, nor did she reject her warm embrace— because that was something she’d longed for but could never obtain.
But that was exactly what made this woman frightening. How could she do such a thing?
This presence radiating from her…
A mere Human, with no magic at all, how can she give me the same feeling as the Regent…?
Luc would not allow even a trace of darkness to mar the image of that noble person in her heart.
She shook her head desperately, using memories of the past to banish her momentary wavering.
That noble one would never treat her like this… or rather, would not treat her like this anymore.
Ever since she’d been given the title of Regent, that noble one had never again looked at Luc with gentle eyes, nor embraced her even once.
—And the reason for that was all because of my own weakness and incompetence. And what am I doing now…?
I actually let the gentleness of a Human tarnish her image in my heart! And this Human is practically her mortal enemy…
Hatred surged like the tide, washing away the shame born from her wavering.
Luc glared intently into Meliya’s eyes, determined to get used to that gaze which always made her lose composure, in order to suppress her own swelling emotions—
“Ah!”
Then Feiyin gave her a solid knock on the back of the head, making her stagger.
“Sorry, Madam. This child was only arranged to fill in at the last minute, so she’s a bit rough around the edges. Please forgive her rudeness.”
“There’s nothing to forgive. Since she’s a Demon Race… she may well have plenty of reason to dislike me.”
Meliya gave a somewhat regretful smile. Even after being rejected again and again, she still continued speaking to Luc:
“Child… If I’ve reminded you of anything unpleasant, I apologize. What is your name?”
“…This lowly one’s humble name is not worthy of the Duchess’s memory.”
Faced with Meliya’s kind gaze, Luc still responded coldly. But she couldn’t understand why this woman didn’t get angry, even after all this.
“How can you be so ungrateful?” Milin couldn’t help but interrupt.
“Mother’s always spoken kindly to you, yet you keep scowling and snapping at her! Are you looking to get fired or what?”
“Don’t threaten people like that.”
Meliya shot Milin a glare to make her hush, then helplessly looked at the child who stubbornly refused to communicate with her.
At last, she turned to Feiyin and said,
“Feiyin, take her to collect the substitute’s wages. Since she dislikes me so much, I can’t force her to keep us company.”
“Well, Princess may have a headache then. After all, before Madam and Miss arrived, this child and Princess were practically glued together, quite close indeed.”
“Oh? Is that so?”
Suddenly becoming the focus of everyone’s attention, Selene, who had been anxiously watching Luc, was taken aback.
“Um… Ah? Y-yes, that’s right…”
To prevent Luc from being taken away, she could only endure the embarrassment and nod repeatedly.
“Looks like we’re the ones intruding, then. Niece… Princess, please make yourself at home. Milin and I will go on ahead.”
“Feiyin, what did you mean by ‘glued together’?”
“Don’t ask! Come change clothes with Mom!”
Watching the blush spread across Selene’s face, Meliya covered her mouth and laughed softly.
She winked playfully at the two Demon Race girls, then ushered the still-baffled Milin off to change clothes and enter the bathhouse.
“Well then, I’ll leave you two alone. Please continue your little tête-à-tête.”
Feiyin gave the two a polite bow, then, after changing, left as well.
In the blink of an eye, the previously chaotic dressing room was once again quiet, leaving only Selene and Luc, staring awkwardly at each other, the silence so heavy they could hear each other’s breathing.
“…Is it really over just like that?”
“…”
“Luc? What’s wrong?”
Selene waved her hand in front of the silent Luc’s eyes.
“Don’t call my name. Go to the clothing basket and find that Frostblade, then use your ability to analyze it… Don’t get the wrong idea—I just want you to analyze it, for future use. We still can’t steal it now.”
The Demon Race girl slumped wearily to the floor, holding her forehead.
“Oh… Alright.”
Seeing her so gloomy, Selene figured she shouldn’t complain about that bossy tone—at least not right now.
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