I Became the Maid of the Lout Prince-Chapter 462: The last winter holidays (1)

Whether it was the lingering effects of the alcohol or the reappearance of the "Chain of Obedience," I couldn’t say. But the strange dreams I’d had since early morning had °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° left me feeling somewhat drained today.

"Lilith, are you alright? You look a bit tired," Ethan noted, eyeing me.

"Yes, I’m fine, Master Ethan. No need to worry about me."

...Still, meeting his eyes and speaking normally felt awkward after that dream. Of all things, why did it have to be such an unforgettable dream? With this, and that odd dream of Ethan dressed as a butler, I couldn’t help but wonder if I was, perhaps, a little... unsatisfied in some way.

But still...

At least I could be relieved that none of the events from that dream had come true. If my relationship with Ethan ever twisted to that irreversible point, it would surely spell nothing but ruin. In the dream, I had been unable to free myself from Ethan, resigned to a fate as his pet. I’d worked so hard to reform him, turning him from a villain to a better person, so for me to end up as some trained slave like in the original story... would be pointless.

In a way, the dream-Ethan was like a “mild” version of the ruthless one from the original, with about 99% of his cruelty dialed back. At least he hadn’t forced me into anything with other men or animals under the guise of punishment, which was a small mercy.

...But I should remain cautious. Even though the dream wasn’t real, maybe that little “pet play” session last time had awakened something in him. Judging the real Ethan by his dream counterpart might seem strange, but there was no harm in being careful.

Who knows? Perhaps the residual powers I had as a saint could have triggered some kind of vision. After all, in the original game, Lilith, despite facing numerous forms of corruption, managed to reawaken as a saint. If such a unique ability lay dormant within me, there was even a slim chance that I, too, could regain sainthood.

At least, if I hadn’t transferred my saintly powers to Celesta, she could’ve continued down her path to becoming a saint in her own right.

And if my powers truly had resurfaced as a prophetic dream, then maybe last night’s dream wasn’t something to dismiss too lightly.

‘I should probably do a little checking.’

It would help if I had some way to confirm whether Ethan had the potential to descend into that kind of darkness. Was there any way to determine if the current Ethan was the same as the dream version?

‘If Lilith ever hates me enough to kill me, then I don’t particularly mind dying.’

...Why did that line pop into my head?

Even recalling it sent a chill down my spine. Especially since in the dream, I’d nearly killed him by accident.

‘Then again... in the dream, Ethan did say he didn’t care if he died. Maybe the current Ethan feels the same way.’

If he gave a similar response, that might be a sign the two versions shared more than just a name.

With that thought in mind, I cautiously directed a question toward Ethan as we sat across from each other.

"Master Ethan."

"Yes, Lilith?"

"Do you... perhaps... want to die?"

"......What?"

No, wait.

"My apologies, that came out wrong."

"Oh... alright."

"Do you, specifically, want to die at my hands, Master Ethan?"

"......."

"Master Ethan?"

Ethan fell silent, glancing at me with a puzzled look before hesitantly responding.

"Is this about last night?"

"Sorry?"

"...I’m sorry, Lilith. I knew you wouldn’t like it, but it was the only option I could think of at the time...."

"What are you talking about?"

"Um? Isn’t it because I tied you to the dormitory table last night?"

"Didn’t I forgive you for that during the celebration afterward? I wasn’t angry at all."

"...Oh?"

...Wait, did that question make me sound like an assassin or something?

Realizing my question’s unfortunate phrasing, I quickly tried to retract it.

"No, never mind. Please pretend you didn’t hear that, Master Ethan."

"Pretend I didn’t hear... that kind of question?"

"I’m sorry. I was actually trying to ask something else, but my words got mixed up."

"It’s hard to imagine a scenario where you’d need to kill me, though...."

"......."

"But if it’s one of those ‘only one of us can survive’ scenarios, I’d hope you’d be the one to live, Lilith."

"...Excuse me?"

Where had that come from?

"Isn’t that one of those popular psychological dilemmas among women? Like if two people are hanging from a rope that can only hold one of them, should the other let go first or not?"

"...Something like that."

It seemed like he’d misunderstood, but I nodded along anyway, since I didn’t have a better explanation at hand.

Honestly, asking the current Ethan a question that the dream version had posed was strange, to say the least.

"If it ever came to that, I’d want you to keep living, Lilith. I doubt I could manage in a world without you."

"...I see."

"So, what about you?"

"Sorry?"

"In that kind of scenario, would you rather I survive, or would you?"

I hadn’t ever thought about it, so I wasn’t sure.

"I don’t really know."

"But I gave you my answer. Isn’t it fair you answer, too?"

"...If such a situation ever arose...."

"......."

"I think I’d hang on to the rope with you until it broke, and we’d both fall together."

"...You didn’t say you’d let go first."

"As you’ve already pointed out, I doubt you’d fare well in a world without me. So, I’m only trying to be considerate."

"Hmm."

"Besides, if you sacrificed yourself for me, living with that knowledge would be just as hard for me. If our feelings align, wouldn’t it be best to hold on as long as possible, so neither of us feels regret or guilt about the other going first?"

"That response is very... you, Lilith."

From an objective standpoint, this did seem the most balanced and logical choice.

While it wasn’t exactly the question I’d intended to ask, I could still get a glimpse into Ethan’s heart from his answer. If our bond grew any deeper than it already was, then perhaps he really would come to adopt the mindset of that dream version.

Then again, learning both counter-spell casting and dagger fighting within just one year would be utterly ridiculous.

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In the dream, it had felt strangely plausible, but only because dreams can indulge such absurdities.

‘It’s probably best to part ways before things get too deep.’

That decision would be better for both Ethan and me in the long run.

In any case, I had yet another reason to leave Blackwood Mansion as soon as possible.

⁎ ⁎ ⁎

Much like the first semester, I expected the Academy’s third-year second-semester curriculum to focus on field research courses. However, most of the classes shifted to on-campus training.

The primary reason was the recent abduction of Princess Mezzlen. The incident raised serious concerns about security and safety within the Academy after she and her maid nearly lost their lives. Given this, the outdoor field research classes were replaced with on-campus activities or training in nearby hunting grounds, where safety was more manageable with fewer risks.

‘This part is just like the original storyline.’

In the original story, Seraphine’s kidnapping also led to field research classes moving indoors.

If the princess’s kidnapping hadn’t occurred, it’s uncertain whether the outdoor field research classes would have proceeded as planned. But with things unfolding this way, I couldn’t resolve that speculation.

Not that I minded. It was far less of a hassle to train within the Academy than to trek through unknown areas outside. Besides, following the original storyline should mean fewer unexpected complications.

For a while, things flowed peacefully without any unusual events or dangerous encounters.

Princess Mezzlen and Kate were discharged without further incident, and Harold, who had taken a two-week break for his blood transfusion recovery, returned to teaching magic combat.

"E-Ethan...! P-please... not anymore... ah...?!"

...Ethan occasionally enjoyed the victory rewards he earned from sparring with Harold.

And ever since that night with Ethan, the strange dreams had ceased. Perhaps it had indeed been a symptom of frustration.

Apart from that, I spent time conversing with a noticeably subdued Princess Mezzlen, who had grown much calmer after her close brush with abduction, as well as greeting Princess Rainy, whom I’d begun encountering frequently since the second semester. I also got to know Lizzie and Liria, characters who played more minor roles in the main storyline.

Dispatching the sinister schemes of demons was the job of the Hero and his party, not mine.

Since I’d confirmed that they could handle surprises on their own, I no longer felt compelled to obsessively monitor their every move.

Thus, after a semester that felt both long and short, the Academy began its winter break just as the season’s first snowfall blanketed the Isle of Knowledge. Seizing the quiet moment, I finally voiced the question that had lingered in my mind.

“I was merely asking for your objective opinion, Master Ethan. If there ever came a time where you were fated to die at my hands... would you be willing to accept it?”

“...Ah.”