After being interrupted by Irene, Elenora really had no heart left to continue teaching Liliane.
Elenora could only share some insights with Liliane and have her take notes.
Dinner time came quickly.
Since Elenora had said earlier, “Let’s keep having dinner together from now on,” the two of them had been eating together every night in the small dining room.
The maids, watching the interactions between Elenora and Liliane, felt quite satisfied.
Miss Irene especially loved to pry during breakfast about what Liliane and Elenora had talked about the day before.
There really wasn’t much to talk about.
Although Liliane told Elenora to speak up if anything was on her mind, it was obvious Elenora just couldn’t.
Whenever she opened her mouth, it was all stiff talk about etiquette, magic knowledge, or things like “Don’t bring shame to the Cohen family,” or “Your learning progress is a bit slow.”
Liliane knew not to rush things; these matters had to progress slowly.
Any change was good.
After all, didn’t she see how just half a month ago Elenora was still trying to find fault with her, targeting her everywhere?
Now like this was already pretty good.
She just didn’t know when they’d be able to get even closer, so Liliane could think about coming and going freely between the count’s manor and the inner city.
Many things were impossible because she was restricted to the manor.
“Tap tap.”
Liliane followed Elenora into the small dining room.
Just as she was about to sit opposite Elenora at their usual table, she realized her chair was missing.
Elenora ignored Liliane and walked straight to the bench, sitting down.
Her face was slightly flushed, expression a bit stiff as she patted the spot beside her.
“Your chair… broke… so just sit next to me today.”
Liliane looked around the room at the other perfectly fine chairs, speechless.
Not even pretending anymore, huh.
But she didn’t mind.
She didn’t even need her maid instincts to tell her—she already knew Elenora was inviting her to sit closer.
Getting closer was always better.
She walked over and sat right next to Elenora.
Elenora’s body tensed.
This situation was different from the magic lessons.
During lessons, she was the one in control, and both of them were fully focused on magic and sigils.
Except for today, when Liliane got shocked by the Thunder Sigil and collapsed softly into her arms, allowing Elenora to enjoy it guilt-free.
At other times, she didn’t dare to really pay attention to the physical sensations.
If it got unbearable, she could just push Liliane away.
Now, Liliane had blocked her exit.
Though it was Elenora’s own decision, having Liliane sit next to her still made her feel shamefully soft.
Too, too close…
This close proximity reminded Elenora of the morning when Liliane helped her put on socks.
She instinctively pressed her legs together, her body stiffening.
Sensing something was off with Elenora, Liliane asked,
“Master, are you okay?”
“Nothing, just a bit… not used to this…”
“Oh.”
Hearing Liliane’s flat “Oh,” Elenora inexplicably got a bit annoyed.
“You’re a maid, sitting next to your master—no matter how you think about it, it’s not normal.”
“Today the chair broke, so I magnanimously let you sit beside me just this once…”
Ugh… What am I even saying!
As soon as the words left her mouth, Elenora regretted it.
Why did she instinctively say such things again…
“Eh—” Liliane sounded a little disappointed. “I actually want to have dinner sitting beside you every day.”
Hearing that, Elenora’s heart leapt with joy, but she forced herself to remain composed, only letting a slight smile curl at the corner of her mouth, though her tone remained firm.
“W-well, since you’re begging me like that, I’ll agree.”
Begging? Where?
“All right.”
【Make Master Happy, EXP +2】
Plus 2—this meant she was really happy.
Seeing the system prompt, Liliane was a bit speechless.
Elora was so stubborn even when cooked through and through.
Dinner was served—same dishes as usual.
But today’s mushroom cream soup was quite good.
The mushrooms were delicious and fresh, and Liliane couldn’t help but eat a few more.
Elenora noticed and suddenly understood that Liliane liked the mushrooms.
She picked all the mushrooms out of her own plate and put them onto Liliane’s.
Liliane was a little puzzled.
Elenora turned her head away, avoiding Liliane’s gaze.
“These mushrooms taste awful. I don’t like them, so you can have them.”
That was a lie.
The maids always prepared food according to Elenora’s preferences.
If Elenora found it bad, the maids who cooked would be fired.
Liliane didn’t say anything for a long time, so Elenora carefully glanced at her.
She hoped Liliane wasn’t disgusted by the mushrooms she put on her plate…
Elenora felt a chill in her heart, like suddenly being dunked in cold water.
“All right, thank you, Master.” Liliane gave a helpless smile and ate all the mushrooms.
She actually cared about me.
Maybe I was just too loud earlier—Elenora, you’re so adorable.
Liliane admitted her heart felt warm, like basking in the sun.
After Liliane finished the mushrooms, Elenora turned her head away and gave a silly smile.
Noticing the maids all watching her, she quickly wiped the smile off.
Especially Irene, who was snickering—she really deserved a bonus deduction!
Liliane felt the atmosphere was very good today, so after some thought, she decided to speak up.
“Master, I want to be able to come and go freely between the count’s manor and the inner city.”
“Hm?” Elenora was caught off guard by the sudden topic.
She anxiously asked, “What do you want to do?”
“I need to buy medicinal ingredients for alchemy and things for training.”
“Can’t you have Irene and the others do that?”
“Too troublesome. Besides, it’s better if I handle buying those things myself.”
Elenora fell silent.
She didn’t want Liliane to leave the manor, but couldn’t find a reason to object.
“Also, staying at the manor and the little training ground every day is kind of boring…”
Bored, huh…
Tying Liliane down like this really was a bit excessive…
“Sorry…”
“Huh?” Liliane was caught off guard by Elenora’s sudden apology.
“But you said you were bored…”
For a moment, Liliane remembered Elenora hugging her that morning, crying and apologizing.
She turned to see Elenora pursing her lips, full of guilt—but thankfully not crying.
Liliane sighed with relief and couldn’t help but smile a little.
Why was she always so sensitive about these strange little things?
She cared about being restricted from doing her own tasks.
But Elenora cared more about feeling bored.
She just didn’t understand…
But doesn’t this mean I can finally go out?
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