“You mean, her abilities still have a lot of room for growth?”
Understanding what Lomio was getting at, Karlenina tried to verify her own thoughts.
“Yeah, the future looks promising.” Lomio nodded. “It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say she’s crucial.”
“If her potential is fully developed, it’s not impossible for her to become the backbone of the team.”
As a game filled with random events, Luck, although never explicitly written on anyone’s status panel, definitely has a major impact on certain side quests.
The way the ring incident played out this time was a clear example—
“My Luck must be in the negatives!”
Lomio was genuinely speechless.
If you have a “Cursed Soul” in your group, what then?
Well, you can only hope for an “Emperor of Luck” to offset it!
Thinking about it this way, Annie’s importance suddenly skyrocketed!
From now on, random events are all riding on you!
“Crucial…”
What ability was he referring to, exactly?
Given her understanding of Annie, Karlenina couldn’t help but wonder which of Annie’s qualities could have prompted Lomio to say such things.
After much thought, the only things that came to mind were her talent for gathering intelligence and her stealth skills, which were far more sophisticated than those of a typical assassin.
“If you’re satisfied, that’s all that matters.”
Out of caution, and respect for the “Examiner,” Karlenina did not press further.
Yet faintly, she felt a bit relieved.
Lomio was right.
Annie truly was someone being suppressed.
As a princess, Karlenina had indeed brought her out of the basement, but hadn’t she just led her into a bigger, more lavish cage called the “Royal Court”?
“If I had more power, if I had more say, she wouldn’t have become what she is today.”
“…..?”
Lomio frowned slightly.
What’s with this guy?
Why does it sound like… some melodramatic romance history, or maybe a dark secret?
“This isn’t something that can be solved by external means.”
Sensing something was off, Lomio began to tread carefully, trying not to get too deep into the topic:
“She’ll grow on her own. All we can do is give her the opportunity.”
As for the complicated history between this master and servant—Lomio had no interest in that!
“True, she just lacks an opportunity.”
Karlenina nodded slightly.
In the Royal Court of Russell, one’s fate is locked within the rules—stepping even half a pace out is forbidden.
But now, in this Duchy’s Magic and Martial Academy, both a candidate for the throne like herself, and a close attendant like Annie, suddenly had more possibilities.
This time, Lomio’s words finally made her sure.
He was really trying to nurture the whole team!
“If there’s anything I can do, please let me know at any time.”
“Dude, you’ve done plenty already. Ambition is great, but too much can end up being a burden to yourself.”
Lomio hurriedly tried to talk her down.
Everything else was fine, but Annie’s emotional stability was not far off from a wildcat!
If his good friend really invested her feelings into this, she’d only make things worse!
“I’ll hint at some things when necessary, don’t worry too much.”
“As you command.”
Receiving this reply, Karlenina bowed her head slightly.
Lomio’s meaning was already clear.
When it comes to personal growth, there’s no need for outsiders to interfere.
…Do you really get it?
Lomio glanced at “Kafnir” speechlessly, let out a quiet sigh, and walked out of the courtyard:
Women are trouble!
Lomio was inwardly overwhelmed!
Aside from her face being passable, how on earth did Annie—with her ticking time-bomb personality—manage to secure a place beside such an outstanding friend like mine?
Is this the standard for a matriarchal world?
It’s absolutely absurd!
“But then again, if she isn’t following my buddy around every day, wouldn’t she end up coming after me instead?”
Imagining that scene, Lomio shivered.
“Terrifying… Let my buddy shoulder this burden!”
With that thought, Lomio’s mood improved instantly, and even his steps became lighter.
After pulling an all-nighter flipping cards, then going through intense class sorting tests today, and spending half the afternoon in a trash heap—
Not even an iron man could take this much torment.
“In this cold, ruthless game world full of pitfalls, only my bed is the warmest haven!”
*****
“Good day, Lord Lomio.”
A gentle, respectful female voice sounded beside the bed.
“….”
Still drowsy, Lomio slowly opened his eyes and looked toward the bedside.
Even through his blurry vision, it was easy to recognize Annie.
“Are you planning to get up?”
“…..”
After a brief mental lag, Lomio pulled the blanket up to cover his head.
Annie?
There’s no way Annie would be here.
“By the way, Lord Lomio.”
A devilish whisper of a voice cut cleanly through the blanket.
“Counting wash-up time, you have at most fifteen minutes left.”
Ha.
Lomio didn’t budge.
What an utterly vivid nightmare.
Can I please change the channel?
“You wouldn’t want to be late for your mentor’s class on the very first day of class division, would you?”
“…Get out.”
Sitting up in one abrupt motion, Lomio reluctantly accepted reality.
What the hell is this?!
Why is it like this!
“Did I trigger some ridiculous option last night, or did my buddy decide I needed taking care of, and lent me his maid?!”
After a quick existential crisis, Lomio looked to the bedside.
The young girl stood with a straight back, graceful posture, and was holding a silver tray.
On the tray was a sandwich steaming with the scent of wheat and meat.
Having undergone training, the professionalism of a royal maid was fully on display.
Something’s off.
In fact, nine out of ten things here felt off.
“I must have triggered some event, but… what was it?”
Desperately cross-checking his memories, Lomio was certain that in his previous life, he had never drawn Annie, nor had he seen her appear in the plot.
And it was even more impossible to have seen her exclusive CG or individual storyline!
What unknown territory was this?!
While Lomio was questioning his life choices, Annie spoke to explain her presence:
“Please don’t misunderstand. This is Lady Kafnir’s request. I’ll leave after I’ve made sure your day begins as planned.”
Annie spoke her lie without a trace.
“Oh, that explains it.”
As soon as he heard it was his buddy’s arrangement, Lomio immediately stopped caring.
Sharing the maid, huh? My buddy’s really thorough.
As long as this woman doesn’t lose her mind, who would refuse such luxury as food and clothes delivered to your hands?
This is the royal treatment after all.
“Go ahead, show me your professionalism.”
Sitting up, Lomio didn’t bother to close his half-open shirt and began enjoying it right away.
Please.
Even if he had inexplicably awakened memories of a past life and realized this was a game world, who hadn’t lived as a proper noble before?
No matter what, there had always been no shortage of maids in his home!
“Forgive me.”
Annie set the tray down for the moment and unfolded Lomio’s uniform.
Her movements were gentle and precise, carrying an elegance refined by endless practice.
The soft swishing of fabric brushing together was especially clear in the quiet room.
Lomio stretched out his arms, still half-asleep and completely at her mercy.
To be honest, he was used to this kind of treatment.
Back when he was in the Arcadia family, he’d also been a pampered young master with food and clothes delivered to him.
The maids serving him hadn’t had Annie’s skills in stealth or assassination, but their professionalism in daily care was just as good, if not better.
Thinking back on it now…
Suddenly, Lomio understood why the maids used to have to draw lots to decide who would attend to his daily needs, yet rarely wanted to serve his old man.
So the Charisma Aura was in effect all along?!
Soon, Lomio noticed Annie’s breathing had grown a bit heavier, as if she was struggling to endure something.
“Your movements are slowing down. Are you out of practice, or were you never good at this in the first place?”
“Serves you right.”
Lomio had zero regard for Annie’s feelings.
You like to pull sneak attacks in the morning, huh?
Let’s see how you fare against my Charisma Aura!
How does it feel, serving another man behind your princess’s back, hmm?
…I’m truly sorry.”
Annie bit her lip, her fingertips trembling slightly.
She forced herself to steady her mind, but her gaze kept drifting to the broad back before her.
No, this isn’t right!
What’s happening? Why is this happening?
She was just performing the most basic duties of a maid—so why was her heart pounding out of control, and why did the instant her fingertips touched his skin, her heart suddenly race?!
This man—he wasn’t doing anything in particular, yet he exuded an… irresistible, even intoxicating attraction!
“This isn’t what a maid should be feeling… What’s wrong with me?”
Thanks for the chapter!