[User] "I told my mother I hated her." "I…" What could I do? How could I heal this wound? "The last time I saw my mother, we were fighting…" Her eyes were still dry, but she was obviously crying on the inside. Forgetting all about the difference in our status, I embraced Miss Claire. I didn’t care if I would be punished for disrespect; I was just afraid that if I let go of Miss Claire, I would lose her. Someone… Please help this girl… Please save this delicate soul. I didn’t pray to the God of the Spiritual Church, who had failed to return the Madam to Claire, but I prayed to someone, somewhere, that I didn’t know.

[Assistant] "Lene, Lene! I met a prince!"

[User] My prayers were answered. Miss Claire slowly returned to being her old self, partly because, apparently, she’d met a “prince” at the house of the distant relatives she’d been sent to stay with. I didn’t know the details, but I was relieved to see her excitement.

[Assistant] "That’s wonderful. What is the name of this fated suitor?" I asked. I would have to thank him for saving the life of the person I now thought of as my own little sister.

[User] "His name is Manaria! He is wonderful!"

[Assistant] I was stunned. Manaria was one of the daughters of the Larnach family—Melia’s family. A woman, not a prince, though she had short hair and was known to be tomboyish.

[User] "Oh…is that so? Can you tell me all about Master Manaria?"

[Assistant] "Of course! Manaria is slim and has a beautiful face—"

[User] I didn’t dare correct Miss Claire about Miss Manaria’s gender. She needed something to keep her mind occupied, and I was happy to let the misunderstanding continue if it brought her joy. There are people who will tell you that painkillers don’t address the root cause of pain. For my part, I believe that some wounds can’t wait to be healed. Still, someday ... I prayed from the bottom of my heart that a real prince would appear before Claire. I hoped he would be as wonderful as Manaria and that he would make Miss Claire’s heart race. At the time, I had no idea that Miss Claire’s savior would be not a prince but a strange commoner girl. But that is another story for another time.


[User] "EXCUSE ME. Are you trying to let my skin burn in the sun? Hold the parasol straight." It was Claire who grumpily said this, walking by my side one early summer evening.

[Assistant] It was just starting to get dark, but the hot sun still beat down on us as we headed back to the dormitories, having finished our daily duties for the Academy Knights.

[User] "Oh, I’m so sorry, Miss Claire. I was just so busy staring at you, I lost control of my hand." I said as I scrambled to fix the parasol.

[Assistant] I couldn’t possibly let Claire’s porcelain skin sustain so much as a single blemish. They didn’t even have any good skin lightening creams in this world.

[User] "I have no idea what you’re talking about, but would you mind doing your job?"

[Assistant] "I’m so sorry."

[User] "Hmph…" Claire turned her head sharply away with a huff. She was adorable when she glowered.

[Assistant] I would’ve expected her to fling more harsh words my way, but she hadn’t been herself of late. Losing Lene had taken its toll.

[User] "Miss Claire."

[Assistant] "What is it?"

[User] "Once school is out, how about I make you something sweet?"

[Assistant] "Why this, all of a sudden? There’s no need for that."

[User] "Even the crème brûlée you love?"

[Assistant] "That’s the recipe you gave to Lene, right?" Claire said in a sad voice.

[User] Ah. Here I’d been trying to make her feel better and ended up doing the exact opposite. This wouldn’t do.

[Assistant] "Miss Claire."

[User] "What is it?"

[Assistant] "C’mon, chin up."

[User] "I am perfectly fine."

[Assistant] It was clear that Claire was putting on a brave face, but I couldn’t think of a good way to console her.

[User] "Miss Claire."

[Assistant] "What is it?"

[User] "Can I hug you?"

[Assistant] "What? !"

[User] Oh dear. Coming up blank on other ideas, my brain had gone straight to my own simple, worldly desires.

[Assistant] "Of course you may not. What kind of servant asks their master for a hug?"

[User] "Um? This kind?"

[Assistant] "Don’t play dumb with me!"

[User] Like the silver lining of a dark cloud, getting angry with me seemed to improve Claire’s mood. This was as good a time as any to say it.

[Assistant] "Miss Claire."

[User] "That’s the fourth time you’ve said that. What is it?"

[Assistant] "I like you."

[User] "Yes, yes. And I hate you." She shot me down at once.

[Assistant] "That’s strange. I thought my timing was perfect."

[User] "Perfect for what? !"

[Assistant] "Oh, you want me to say it? Miss Claire, you have such a dirty mind."

[User] "You started it!"

[Assistant] It was perfect. She was warming up to me. I escorted Claire to her dorm room, unlocked the door, and went inside. While unpacking and putting her things away, I noticed something in the letter tray. Inspecting and sorting the mail was another of my jobs as her servant, and I recognized the wax seal.


[User] It was the first time I’d seen it since being transported to this world, but I’d played Revolution enough times to guess at the contents of the letter, let alone the sender. She was coming.

[Assistant] "Miss Claire, you have a letter."

[User] "Who is it from?"

[Assistant] "Manaria Sousse."

[User] "Sister?!" Claire walked briskly up to me and snatched the letter away, eyes fixed on the sending address.

[Assistant] "Please open it."

[User] "Yes, Miss." I took the envelope from her and carefully sliced it open with a silver letter opener. The contents were a single slip of paper. I handed it to Claire. She read it in silence, but a happy look washed across her face. Claire yearned deeply for this person she called “sister.” As for who Manaria was—you’ll see soon enough.

[Assistant] "Miss Claire, shall we go to the cafeteria?"

[User] "You go ahead. I’ll join you after I read this letter."

[Assistant] "In that case, I’ll wait too." Claire didn’t answer, lost in the letter’s contents. It was like she was reading a long-awaited message from her sweetheart. Something unpleasant rose in my chest.

[User] "My sister… She’s come to the Academy." Claire eventually muttered in a feverish tone, finally finished reading.

[Assistant] "Your sister is this Manaria?" Unable to remain silent, I said.

[User] "That’s right. She is the First Crown Princess of the Sousse Kingdom. I greatly admire her."

[Assistant] "Heh…"

[User] "It seems she is on exchange to the Bauer Kingdom and has enrolled here. The letter was an apology for waiting so long to contact me."

[Assistant] "Oh, is that so?"

[User] "Your voice sounds excessively flat, or dare I say it, even dissatisfied?"

[Assistant] "It must be your imagination, Miss Claire." My only wish was for Claire to be happy. I knew, rationally, that it didn’t matter who she cared for—but my heart wasn’t rational.

[User] "Shall we head to the cafeteria?"

[Assistant] "Yes, let’s… But my heart is so full right now, I don’t think I’ll be able to eat much."

[User] "Oh, is that so? Let’s go quickly."

[Assistant] "See, you are dissatisfied, aren’t you?"

[User] "Huh? No?" I don’t care one bit.

[Assistant] "Could it be you’re jealous?"

[User] "Yes."

[Assistant] "Such a prompt answer!"

[User] "I mean… I already told you that I pine for you, didn’t I, Miss Claire?"

[Assistant] "I grow tired of you repeating that joke."

[User] "How can I convince you that I’m being serious?"

[Assistant] "Impossible… But, well—" Claire cut herself off and then broke into a sly smile. "Would you place an offering of the Flower of Flora on the scales? That would prove to me your feelings are true." This was an uncharacteristic show of romanticism, coming from her.

[User] "You mean Poesie Amour?"

[Assistant] "Oh, you know of it?" Poesie Amour was an ancient legend in the Bauer Kingdom. The story went like this: Two men, one tall and one short, vied for the love of a shrine maiden. Each held a position of power in the kingdom, and as they neglected their duties to wage this romantic rivalry, the land and its people suffered.


[User] Claire had just recited the lines the maiden had said to the men as she presented them with the God’s Scale.

[Assistant] "Do you like such stories too, Miss Claire?"

[User] "I don’t dislike them. But I’m not a romantic." And yet, Claire’s steps were lighter than usual, perhaps buoyed by the good news that Manaria had come to the Academy.

[Assistant] "I don’t dislike love stories either, but I’m not a fan of Poesie Amour."

[User] "Oh? Why is that?" It was so cute when she cocked her head to the side like that.

[Assistant] "I just don’t see why the maiden didn’t choose one of them in the first place. To make them feud like that… She’s the worst kind of villainess."

[User] "That’s not true at all."

[Assistant] Claire frowned as though I were clueless.

[User] "The maiden was surely unable to choose. When you’re truly in love, it can’t be easy to decide who gets how much of your love." Her words were so young, and so naive.

[Assistant] "I don’t even know how much I love, let alone who. I almost wish someone would tell me," Claire continued, growing more poetic with every word. Of course, she was well read in such things.

[User] "Miss Claire."

[Assistant] "How many times are you going to say that today?" Despite her clear exasperation, Claire always responded when I said her name.

[User] "I’m hungry," Telling her frankly and truthfully what I was feeling.

[Assistant] "You are just—such a—!" Claire’s face turned red as a boiled lobster for a moment before she slumped her shoulders in disappointment.

[User] "Well, I guess I can’t expect someone who ridicules love to understand such nuance." She flounced out of the room.

[Assistant] "But I’m not joking…" I muttered to myself as I followed after her.


[User] "My name is Manaria Sousse. It’s a pleasure to meet you all." Manaria said with an eloquent smile. For whatever reason, the Academy had a homeroom hour before classes began every day, just like Japanese schools. Manaria, now attending as an exchange student, stood before the class and introduced herself—also just like in a Japanese school. Her platinum-blonde hair was cut short in a boyish style, and she had the full attention of not just the boys but all the girls too.

[Assistant] Claire, who sat next to me, had a proud look on her face. Her nose was practically twitching.

[User] "As most of you probably know, Lady Manaria is the First Crown Princess of the Sousse Kingdom. Keep in mind that—"

[Assistant] "Mr. Torrid, that won’t be necessary." Manaria interrupted.

[User] "This is not the Sousse Kingdom."


[User] "In this country, I am just another student. Please treat me as you would anyone else. Everyone, I hope we will come to be friends." She bowed dramatically, placing her hand on her chest and bending at the waist. When she lifted her head, she gave another refreshing smile. I could almost see the flowery shoujo manga backdrop behind her.

[Assistant] "Brava, Sister," Claire said, blushing—just as I expected her to. "That is very gracious, Lady Manaria. But we cannot possibly treat the First Crown Princess of Sousse like an ordinary student."

[User] Mr. Torrid seemed unsure of what to do. Although he’d been awarded his own noble title, he came from commoner roots, and he was visibly hesitant to drop all formalities in the presence of royalty. "'First Crown Princess' is a meaningless title. I was part of a battle for succession that has essentially resulted in my being sent away,"

[Assistant] Manaria said. Since she was still smiling, it took Mr. Torrid and the other students some time to process the meaning of those words. "The official story is that I’m studying abroad, but the truth is that for all intents and purposes, I’ve been exiled." The classroom erupted in chatter at this frank summary.

[User] "Did you know?"

[Assistant] "Yes. It’s of little consequence, really."

[User] "As you can see, I am no longer a princess. Once again, I ask that you all treat me as your equal," Manaria said without a hint of despair in her voice. She was still smiling with utmost charm, as if she were thoroughly enjoying herself.

[Assistant] "A-ahem. We will continue to reflect on how to treat Lady Manaria. For now, let us resume class," Mr. Torrid said, motioning for Manaria to take her seat.

[User] "Understood, Mr. Torrid." Manaria headed toward us. She took the seat to Claire’s left, opposite me, and greeted her with a confident smile. "Hey, Claire. It’s been a while,"

[Assistant] "It has been quite a long time, Sister. I am glad to see you look well." Claire smiled back. "I cannot believe the Sousse Kingdom would cast you aside in favor of that imbecile."

[User] "Ha ha ha. Don’t say that. I was illegitimate, after all."

[Assistant] "But—"

[User] "I’m actually quite relieved to escape all the family drama. Now, I’m free." Manaria smiled innocently at Claire’s persistence. She sounded like she was being honest.

[Assistant] "Very well. If you say so, then I will not push the issue further."

[User] "Thank you. And who is this?" Manaria looked curiously at me with her brown eyes.

[Assistant] "She is my servant. You, introduce yourself."

[User] "I am Rae Taylor, slave to my beloved Miss Claire."


[User] "I am pleased to meet you.”

[Assistant] “A slave?” Manaria laughed, seeming to appreciate my tasteless humor. “What nonsense is this? You are a servant—a servant!”

[User] Claire scrambled to correct me. “That’s an unusual name.”

[Assistant] "Perhaps you’re an aristocrat from outside the Bauer Kingdom?”

[User] “No, she’s a commoner. A pustule on the face of the Academy’s honor and traditions. It’s only natural that you wouldn’t have heard of her.” Claire said vehemently.

[Assistant] “Oh, but if she made it into the Academy as a commoner, she must be special.”

[User] “She is far inferior to you, Sister,” Claire insisted before turning to me. “Listen, you. Don’t think you can start showing off that you’re a dual-caster, you hear? Sister is the world’s only quad-caster.”

[Assistant] “I see no reason to brag about abilities I was born with.” Manaria grumbled.

[User] “What are you saying? Your very existence is a gift from the heavens.” Claire corrected her.

[Assistant] “Lady Manaria, Miss Claire, forgive me—I must finish making these announcements. Would you mind rekindling your friendship at a later time?” Mr. Torrid said, genuinely apologetic.

[User] “Oh. Excuse us, Mr. Torrid.”

[Assistant] “I’m so sorry.”

[User] “Now, the Amour Festival scheduled for the end of the month…” Mr. Torrid continued.


[Assistant] As I sat with my head tilted to one side, listening to the professor’s voice, hoarse with age— I heard a voice in my head.

[User] Hey, Rae. Can I ask you something? Sorry, I don’t mean to startle you. I’m using magic to speak to you telepathically. Don’t worry—I can’t actually read your mind.

[Assistant] I understand, I replied.

[User] You know how to do this? Manaria asked.

[Assistant] You’ve set up the channel, Lady Manaria. All I need to do is use it, I said.

[User] So, what do you need?

[Assistant] Mmm. I wanted to get to know you.

[User] I am merely a boring commoner.


[User] I have nothing to offer the Lady Manaria, I responded to her indifferently. I had no intention of wooing the princes, and I actually wanted to spend time with Claire, so Manaria’s presence didn’t matter to me. In fact, I was a little jealous of how much Claire loved her. She was my rival.

[Assistant] "Mmm. That is a refreshing response. I grow even more interested in you," came her reply. I glanced at Manaria out of the corner of my eye and saw that she wore a smirk. This is going to be a pain in the neck. I kept that last thought to myself, far away from our telepathic channel.


[User] Manaria assimilated to the school quickly.

[Assistant] “Claire, you haven’t changed one bit.”

[User] “I’m glad to see that you haven’t either, Sister.”

[Assistant] “Lady Manaria, please speak to me too.”

[User] “Hey, Pepi, don’t butt in. I want to talk to Lady Manaria as well.”

[Assistant] Today, Manaria had joined Claire’s entourage for tea. It didn’t take long for her to win over every member of Claire’s coterie; I’d thought Claire might not appreciate that, but apparently, Manaria was a special case.

[User] “Thank you both, Pepi and Loretta. I’m so glad we can be friends.” Manaria’s royal pedigree was evinced by her social skills. She smiled suavely at the squealing girls rather than letting herself be overcome by their ardor—the exact opposite of someone I knew. I mean myself, of course.

[Assistant] “That poem you composed in our last class—why did you choose the wording ‘I send this song to you’ instead of the standard ‘This sonnet I devote to you’?” one of them asked.

[User] “It’s an older form of prosody. I drew inspiration from a verse by the ancient poet Aine.” Manaria proceeded to recite the poem in question.

[Assistant] “I like Aine’s work too. Her Amour poems are particularly moving.”

[User] “Ah, you must mean ‘Tip the Scales’? Gerle is also excellent when it comes to Amour poems.” Manaria was royalty, through and through—cultured and educated in the classics. I knew what she was talking about from playing the game, but I lacked the confidence to converse about these things as freely as she did. Manaria was on a completely different level from Claire’s entourage, right down to the elegance with which she tilted her teacup to her lips. The only person who didn’t look out of place next to her was Claire.

[Assistant] “Why don’t you take a seat, Rae? Have tea with us,” Manaria invited.

[User] “It’s fine, Sister. Rae is a servant. It wouldn’t do for her to join us.” Claire made it immediately clear she didn’t want me in her circle, and that was fine. I liked that about her. But—

[Assistant] “Don’t say that, Claire. I’d like to get to know her,” Manaria said, prompting sour looks from Claire and her entourage.

[User] “Sister, Why are you so interested in this commoner?”

[Assistant] “Who cares about status? I want to know all about her."


[User] “Rae, come here.”

[Assistant] “No, Miss Claire is correct. I will let you be.”

[User] “Well! How rude of you to refuse Lady Manaria’s kind invitation!” Pepi gasped.

[Assistant] “Unbelievable—just because she has some skills, this peasant thinks she can do whatever she wants!” Loretta sniffed.

[User] “Rae, are you really that skilled?” Manaria asked.

[Assistant] “No, she’s nothing like you, Lady Manaria—” Pepi insisted.

[User] “You bet she’s skilled,” It was Rod, this time, who interrupted the entourage’s attempt to flatter Manaria.

[Assistant] “Well, well, Master Rod. How nice to see you.”

[User] “It’s been a while, Manaria.” Rod approached us and took a seat without hesitation, as if he belonged at a table surrounded by only girls.

[Assistant] “Might I ask, Master Rod, just how skilled is Rae?” Manaria asked.

[User] “She’s better than me. Her manners are only average, but she outshines aristocrats in every other area. Her magic is particularly fascinating.” Rod accepted a cup of tea from his servant.

[Assistant] “Goodness. I would love to face her on the dueling grounds, if that’s true.”

[User] “Yeah, so would I, but she’s head over heels in love with Claire. It’s tough to get her to agree to be your opponent in anything. I challenged her to chess once, and she wiped the board with me.”

[Assistant] “So, she’s giving His Royal Highness, Rod, the cold shoulder? What a fascinating development.”

[User] “Right?” The two royal children met eyes, then broke out into delighted laughter.

[Assistant] “Well, I’m interested in you too, Manaria. I want to see what the rumored quad-caster looks like in battle.”

[User] “Hm, I suppose I might like to see your Flame Troops with my own eyes.”

[Assistant] “How about it, Manaria? Shall we test our skills?” Rod baited.

[User] “I wouldn’t mind that.” Manaria nodded nonchalantly.

[Assistant] “Let’s get down to the track, then.”


[User] And with that, we were suddenly on our way to witness a royal duel. We stopped by the storage room where the tools used to reduce magic damage via the creation of barriers were kept—the same tools we’d used in the entrance exam for the Academy Knights—and went to watch Rod and Manaria face off.

[Assistant] “Don’t hold back, okay?”

[User] “Do what you will.”

[Assistant] “Okay, then… Show me what you got, Quad-caster!” And with that, an endless sea of flame soldiers appeared around Rod.

[User] “My, how impressive.” A normal person might have flinched at the sight, but Manaria just smiled, unfazed.

[Assistant] “Charge!” Rod ordered, and his minions besieged Manaria.

[User] “Hm. Well, let’s start with the textbook response, shall we?” With a snap of her fingers, Manaria summoned ice arrows to counter the minions. The ice arrows and flame troops canceled each other out, both disappearing.


[User] "It’s not over yet." Rod said, immediately summoning more fiery minions.

[Assistant] If Manaria stayed in defense mode, she would be able to hold off the minions, but she risked running out of oxygen.

[User] "Hmm… They really are never-ending. I suppose I had better attack, then." Manaria snapped her fingers again, and we were blasted by cool air. When the chilly winds died down, she was surrounded by what could only be called ice minions.

[Assistant] "Are you taking a page from my book?"

[User] "Is that permissible?"

[Assistant] "I’m a little offended, but I suppose we’ll see how long they’ll hold."

[User] "What’s going to happen?" Claire looked anxious as she watched the miniature fire and ice soldiers collide violently with each other.

[Assistant] "Lady Manaria isn’t even trying yet." I said without thinking, unable to stand seeing Claire so worried.

[User] "I know that, but the Flame Troops only work as a tactic because of Rod’s rare abundance of magical power. Isn’t he at an advantage if she uses the same tactic?"

[Assistant] "Lady Manaria has a trump card."

[User] Claire turned back to the match with a puzzled look on her face.

[Assistant] "Ah, I have it." Manaria said, abruptly.

[User] "Have what? How I’m going to defeat you?"

[Assistant] "No. I mean this." Manaria snapped her fingers again, not missing a beat.

[User] "What the? !" Rattled, Rod tried to summon his minions again, but not a single one appeared.

[Assistant] "I…surrender."

[User] "Thank you for your time."

[Assistant] "How did you do that?"

[User] "I countered your magic. It’s my specialty." Manaria smiled.

[Assistant] "You’re unreal." Rod said.

[User] "I’ve been told so." Manaria said.


[User] “This is the first time I’ve been so thoroughly defeated. You took me out. I acknowledge your superior strength.”

[Assistant] “Thank you very much.” The two shook hands, and the crowd erupted in cheers.

[User] “Sister…that was amazing.” Claire’s eyes were full of passion as she gazed at Manaria. The sight filled me with conflict.


[Assistant] “Scales of Love…? That Amour poem?”

[User] the approaching Amour Festival at the end of the month. In attendance were Claire’s entourage, Manaria, Yu, and, in a rare occurrence, Thane.

[Assistant] Yu, who was well versed in the religious ceremonies of the Church, explained the festival to Manaria.

[User] “And here I thought the Poesie Amour was just legend.” Manaria said as she elegantly tipped her cup to her lips. Perhaps because they were similarly placed in the lines of succession to their respective thrones, she spoke more easily with Yu than she did Rod.

[Assistant] “Poesie Amour itself is said to draw on a number of different folktales.”

[User] “But the scales really exist?”

[Assistant] “Well…they’re probably just magical tools.” Thane said.

[User] Yu nodded in agreement. “We’ve only recently begun deliberately designing what we call magical tools, but items with strange powers have appeared all through history.”

[Assistant] “And how are the Scales of Love used in the festival?”

[User] “Well, it’s a sort of duel, I suppose. You might even call it a blind date… Basically, it’s a quest to secure a bride.” Yu said with a grin.

[Assistant] “As is written in Poesie Amour, love has long been a seed of war. The Amour Festival is the battle for a bride spoken of in the legend’s verses.”

[User] “Is there an offering?” Manaria asked. She was joking, but, well…

[Assistant] “That is exactly correct. Offerings of love are placed on the scales, and their weight decides the victor of the battle.” Yu affirmed.

[User] “I’m stunned. I’ve studied the history of the Bauer Kingdom, so I knew the legend, but I had no idea the scales actually existed.”

[Assistant] “Well, our history is full of elaborate customs and rituals. Perhaps your instructor couldn’t cover everything in detail.” Yu said as I quietly filled his empty cup. He thanked me and continued.

[User] “Of course, when I say ‘weight,’ I don’t mean the actual mass of the objects. The scales are set to compare rarity. In other words, they tip in favor of the weight of love.”

[Assistant] "What? So, you could just offer up the Flower of Flora?"

[User] “Based on the festival’s history, the Flower of Flora is undoubtedly the heaviest offering on record.”

[Assistant] “Which is in keeping with the legend, then.” Manaria looked impressed.

[User] “You sound curious about the festival. Are you interested in participating, Manaria?” Yu teased.

[Assistant] “It’s intriguing, isn’t it? And so romantic. Even I can’t help but want to put my love to the test.”

[User] “Sister, girls can’t weigh their love on the scales."


[User] “We’re the ones the boys fight over." Claire said with a chuckle.

[Assistant] “But no one needs to fight over you, Claire. You have Rae.”

[User] “What?! Yu!”

[Assistant] “Wait, what? That’s what’s going on between Claire and Rae?”

[User] “Don’t be silly, Sister. He’s just teasing me.” Claire raised her cup to her lips in a huff.

[Assistant] “I have confessed my feelings to Miss Claire many times," I said, "but she keeps her guard up.”

[User] “Well, now. So, your love is unrequited, Rae?”

[Assistant] “For now, but not forever.”

[User] “You’d better stop that nonsense right now, you hear me?” Claire glared at me. She was perfect. “Even if I were interested in other girls, I’d pick Sister long before I would ever look at you.”

[Assistant] Manaria laughed. “That’s so sweet of you. If I were interested in girls, I’d choose you over the average boy.”

[User] “Sister!” The two girls giggled together. Get a room.

[Assistant] “Oh, that’s right, Manaria was Claire’s first love, right?”

[User] “Hey! Please don’t bring up such ancient history, Yu.”

[Assistant] “I remember this," Manaria chimed in. "You thought I was a boy.” They were referring to the time Claire had spent with Manaria’s family.

[User] “Lady Manaria’s words saved me,” Claire said.

[Assistant] “No one thinks this is your fault, Claire,” she’d told her.

[User] "I swear here and now that I will remain faithful to thee.”

[Assistant] “That’s exactly why I love Miss Claire,” I said.

[User] “What are you talking about?! What kind of non sequitur is that? !”

[Assistant] “I’m so sorry! I just love you so much.”

[User] “I see, Rae. You really do like Claire.


[User] "I see…" Manaria smiled, but I suddenly felt like a frog being eyed by a snake. She pulled Claire close and held her. "Unfortunately, Claire said she likes me better."

[Assistant] "What’s wrong, Sister?" Claire asked.

[User] "Claire, would you believe me if I said I like you?" Manaria said, voice suddenly layered with innuendo.

[Assistant] "Of course. I already believe that."

[User] "Heh, I see."

[Assistant] "Rae, you’re spilling the tea."

[User] "Please excuse me."

[Assistant] "What’s wrong? You don’t look well." Thane said to me.

[User] "It’s nothing. Thank you for your concern." I tried my hardest to smile as I responded to this boy whom I had no interest in.

[Assistant] "Claire and Manaria really are close…" Thane muttered.

[User] "Yes, they are… Would you like more tea?" I brushed aside his comment, offering to fill his cup.

[Assistant] "Rae…that’s the milk pitcher, not the teapot."

[User] Manaria watched me stumble through all of this, smiling like she was having the time of her life.


[Assistant] "Good morning, Miss Claire—"

[User] "That’s right! Ha ha ha."

[Assistant] "Heh heh, oh, Sister!"

[User] When I arrived at Claire’s room to help her get dressed the next morning—the best part of my day—someone else had beat me to it. "Hey, Rae. Morning."

[Assistant] "Good morning."

[User] "You’re late, you know? I’m already dressed."

[Assistant] "I’m so sorry…" Not only was Claire dressed, her hair was arranged perfectly. It was tricky to get her curls just right. With Lene gone, I’d thought I was the only one who could do it. "Did you do all this by yourself?"

[User] "What? No. Sister did them for me. She’s quite skilled."

[Assistant] "I used to take care of Claire all the time," Manaria said, and they laughed together like a couple.

[User] "Thank you very much, Lady Manaria."

[Assistant] "Don’t worry about it."

[User] "But taking care of Claire is my hobby—ahem—job, so I ask that you please refrain from doing this again tomorrow."

[Assistant] "Don’t think I won’t notice your threats if you talk around them like that!"

[User] "No, no. You needn’t do such cumbersome work, Rae."

[Assistant] "I enjoy it. You can leave the mornings to me."

[User] "I enjoy it too."

[Assistant] "Please leave it to me."

[User] "Yes, Sister. I…I can’t allow you to perform the duties of a servant." Claire sounded hesitant.

[Assistant] "Are you dissatisfied with my service in this regard?"

[User] "Stop teasing me, Sister!"

[Assistant] "Ah ha ha, sorry, sorry. You’re just so cute, I can’t help it."

[User] "Tee hee."

[Assistant] "Miss Claire, it’s almost time for breakfa—"

[User] "Oh, Claire. Aren’t you hungry? Let’s go to the cafeteria," Manaria cut in as if to shut me up.


[User] “Yes. Let’s get going, then.”

[Assistant] “What are you gonna eat, Claire? I’ve been obsessed with the Eastern miso soup lately.”

[User] Manaria threw her arm over Claire’s shoulder and started to head toward the door.

[Assistant] “What are you standing there for? It’s time to go.”

[User] “I’m so sorry.” I gathered Claire’s things and started to follow them.

[Assistant] “Claire, have you heard of Broumet?”

[User] “Of course.”

[Assistant] “Word is there’s a new restaurant that’s giving it a run for its money.”

[User] “Oh? What kind of restaurant is it?”

[Assistant] “I’ll take you there. May I escort you?”

[User] “Oh, Sister!” They were lost in their own little world.


[Assistant] “Hey, Rae. You all right? You don’t look so well."

[User] “I’m not getting enough Miss Claire…”

[Assistant] “Ahh, so you’re fine, then." Misha started to get in bed.

[User] “I can’t dote on Miss Claire because of Lady Manaria! She isn’t even bullying me anymore! I want to be the one feeding her with a spoon!”

[Assistant] “Oh no, you really aren’t okay. You’re even worse than usual.”

[User] “I can’t think of anything.”

[Assistant] “Perhaps this is the perfect opportunity for you to separate yourself from Miss Claire.”

[User] “No! Miss Claire is my reason for living.”

[Assistant] “If that’s the case, isn’t your only choice to fight back?”

[User] “Hmm."


[User] "It’s just… I get the feeling that would be playing right into Lady Manaria’s hands.”

[Assistant] “Her hands?”

[User] “I get the feeling she’s trying to provoke me.” But why would Manaria, who served as the player character’s ally in the game, suddenly be going for Claire? I didn’t understand.

[Assistant] “Then you just have to put up with it."

[User] “It’s not like you’ve been separated from Miss Claire.”

[Assistant] “That’s the only thing I can do." I said dolefully. I got into bed but didn’t sleep a wink. That night, I had a dream in which Manaria and I were each pulling on one of Claire’s hands, playing tug-of-war. Manaria’s spiteful behavior toward me continued the next day. I ignored her as well as I possibly could, but she was persistent in her provocation. Once again, I told myself this was fine. We were straying further and further from the Thane route I’d been trying to steer Claire onto, but she was happy now, and that was all I needed. Or so I’d thought.

[User] “You’re so patient, Rae.” Manaria finally approached me one night, after I made sure Claire was asleep and headed back to my own room.

[Assistant] “Is there something I can help you with, Lady Manaria?”

[User] “Nothing specific.” Manaria was leaning against the wall right outside the room Misha and I shared, as if she had been waiting for me. She wore her usual bright smile.

[Assistant] “You like Claire, right?”

[User] “Yes.”

[Assistant] “And yet, you’re so restrained. Even after all my provocation.”

[User] “I like Miss Claire, but all that matters to me is that she be happy. Even if that means she has no interest in me.”

[Assistant] “Hmm.” This was the first time I’d seen Manaria look discontented.

[User] “Is that so? So after all that, it wasn’t even serious… How disappointing.”

[Assistant] Annoyed, I replied curtly, “Huh? What do you mean?”

[User] “Oh, did I offend you? So sorry. That’s right. You like Claire, after all. I’m sure you know her better than I do. At least well enough to give up.” My temper was boiling.

[Assistant] “Such pettiness, Lady Manaria. Is this how the crown princess of a kingdom behaves?”

[User] “Yup. I’m a crown princess. That’s why I’m a far better match for Claire than you.”

[Assistant] “I may be a commoner, but there’s not a soul in this world who loves Miss Claire more than I do.”

[User] “Even though you’ve given up?” What was she playing at?

[Assistant] “I haven’t given up. Miss Claire’s happiness is my first—”

[User] “You’re just running away, aren’t you?” Manaria interrupted.

[Assistant] “I’m not running.”

[User] “Then I’ll steal her from you.”

[Assistant] “Are you trying to pick a fight with me?”

[User] “That’s right. Have you finally figured it out?” Manaria’s face distorted.

[Assistant] “I’ll nip this half-hearted love of yours in the bud. Claire deserves better.”

[User] “Fine!


[User] "I accept your challenge.”

[Assistant] "That’s better. I’ll see you tomorrow on the dueling grounds of the athletic field.” And with that, Manaria left.


[User] The next day, Manaria and I were surrounded by an audience on the dueling grounds of the athletic field.

[Assistant] "Umm… Do you really have to do this, Sister?”

[User] The other spectators were excited, but Claire was frowning. “What’s wrong with Rae and I going at it?”

[Assistant] "Fighting like this is uncouth. Why do you have to fight, Sister?"

[User] "Just to test my skills."

[Assistant] "I suppose I do bear her a small personal grudge. Rae isn’t suitable for you, Claire. I mean, you don’t want her stalking you like this, right?”

[User] “W-well, I…”

[Assistant] "Do you?"

[User] "I do not," Claire squeaked out.

[Assistant] Manaria turned to me. “And Rae, you don’t care for me, do you?”

[User] "I don’t."

[Assistant] "So, you see, we need to settle this once and for all.”

[User] "I understand…” Claire said, stepping away from us.

[Assistant] "Are you ready, Rae?”

[User] "I hope you’re ready, Lady Manaria.”

[Assistant] "Heh, you’re funny. That’s what I want to see,” Manaria laughed without a hint of fear.

[User] "Now, are you both prepared?”

[Assistant] "Yeah."

[User] "Yes."

[Assistant] "Then on my mark… Begin!” The crowd broke into cheers as Claire gave us the signal to start.

[User] "Now, now, what will you throw at me first?”

[Assistant] "I’ll start with this." I raised my wand, and Manaria was swallowed by the earth.

[User] “Oh, you startled me. But that’s not enough to beat me, you know?” Manaria said nonchalantly as she floated up out of the hole.

[Assistant] "I’m aware. I have something else in mind.”

[User] "Oh?”

[Assistant] I swung my wand again, and a Water Meteor—earth and water composite magic—landed on Manaria’s head.


[User] This was one of the more powerful spells in Revolution, and it looked like it had landed a direct hit, but—

[Assistant] “Good grief. You got my clothes all wet.” Manaria had suffered no damage. She’d passed through the air using an exceptionally complex spell, Teleport.

[User] “You don’t waste any time, do you, Rae?”

[Assistant] “It’s the only way I have a shot at beating you.”

[User] Unlike the other characters in the game, the player character’s fighting patterns weren’t predetermined. The player could devise their own strategies to best counter Rod’s Flame Troops and Misha’s Siren, but that didn’t work with Manaria. She had Spellbreaker. You couldn’t afford to draw out a battle against her either—given enough time, she’d analyze your strategy and counter it. In other words, the only way to defeat her was to rapidly attempt new strategies one after another. That said, her earth, water, and fire attributes were high aptitude, while her wind attribute was ultra-high. I possessed ultra-high aptitude in both my attributes but there were only two of them. I’d hoped to slow her momentarily with the Pitfall and Water Meteor before I dealt a final blow, but she wasn’t going to go down that easily.

[Assistant] “You’re not out of tricks already, are you?”

[User] “Of course not.” Rae said, waving my wand again. A fog enveloped her.

[Assistant] “Hmmm, I’ve never seen this one before. But the only thing a fog can do is obstruct my vision—”

[User] “Freeze.” Ignoring her taunt, I activated the spell. The air around Manaria instantly froze. This was a large area-of-effect water-attribute spell called Judecca—high-level magic that normally didn’t show up until the second half of the game. I didn’t stop there. Stone drills emerged from the ground to impale the ice. This was the earth-attribute spell Earth Spike. Using these two spells sequentially created a combined effect known as Cocytus. This attack, so powerful and wide-ranging that it warranted a special name, could not be overcome by a normal opponent—or even a seasoned one. But—

[Assistant] “Mmm. You were so close." Manaria said, right behind me.

[User] I spun, reflexively slinging ice arrows.

[Assistant] “If your opponent had been anyone else, that probably would have ended it.” Manaria said stoically as she used Spellbreaker to make the ice arrows disappear.

[User] “How did you ward it off…?”

[Assistant] “It’s. A. Secret.” Manaria put her finger to her lips. "But Rae, maybe you’re going a bit too far? I know there’s the barrier, but I would have been seriously injured if that hit me.”

[User] “And yet you warded it off easily.”

[Assistant] “Well, this is me we’re talking about.” Manaria said, cackling. She grinned like the Cheshire Cat. “I guess it’s my turn. You showed me some interesting magic, so maybe I should fight seriously?”

[User] Oh no… She’s going to use it! I knew what was coming—I couldn’t help but know, with my knowledge of the game.


[User] Even though I knew it wouldn’t work, I activated Cocytus one more time.

[Assistant] "Dominator." The instant Manaria’s magic wand lit up, the partial Cocytus froze.

[User] "This is the end." The next instant, I felt my blood start to leave my body.

[Assistant] I collapsed, and everything went dark.


[User] "—ae!" I heard a comforting sound. It was high-pitched, probably too shrill for most, but not me. I loved this sound.

[Assistant] "Rae!" When I opened my eyes, Claire was staring down at me, her face pale.

[User] "Miss…Claire…?"

[Assistant] "Rae! Oh, thank God…" Claire gave me a rare glimpse of her face in relief.

[User] "I told you she was fine. I treated her, after all." Manaria said, aloof.

[Assistant] "Still, you went too far, Sister! To hurt Rae this much!"

[User] I gradually regained my wits and took stock of my surroundings. It seemed I was in the clinic the Church ran attached to the Academy. This was where I’d come to ask Matt about the incident with Dede.

[Assistant] "I…uh…"

[User] "You were hit with Sister’s magic and lost consciousness. Are you hurt anywhere?" Claire asked me, sounding worried.

[Assistant] "Oh, I—"

[User] "Yeah, you lost." Manaria said, like a judge delivering her verdict.

[Assistant] I’d lost. Manaria’s last attack had been composite magic that combined all four attributes. Known as Dominator, it was an attack spell of unrivaled brutality that overtook all other magic in the vicinity and made it go haywire. Once hit by Dominator, Manaria’s opponent was unable to use their magic. Worse, the higher their aptitude, the greater the damage inflicted on their body by the loss of magical control. It was the ultimate weapon to use against another spellcaster. I’d known Manaria could use Dominator. I’d known pretty much everything there was to know about her from playing the game. But I’d lost my cool because my love for Claire was being ridiculed, and now I—

[User] "Now then, can we finally say Claire belongs to me?" Manaria whispered.

[Assistant] I’d never stood a chance against Manaria.


[User] "Charge," I commanded. I was using stone cannons to punch through monkey-like monsters. The monsters exploded and scattered as I ruptured them, leaving only their magical stones behind. I somberly collected the stones and put them in a leather bag. Several days had passed since my battle with Manaria, and everyone at the Academy was busy preparing for the Amour Festival. More specifically, they were clearing the festival grounds of monsters beforehand. Since the Scales of Love used magical stones, they attracted monsters. It was normally the military’s job to exterminate the beasts, but since there were so many of them, the students helped clear out the festival grounds each year. Fortunately, the monsters in the area weren’t very strong. Even so, most first-year students weren’t used to doing battle with monsters just yet, so they worked in hunting teams. I was in a team with Claire and Manaria.

[Assistant] "Aren’t you overdoing it?" Claire approached after a while spent watching me dispassionately dispatch one monster after another.


[User] "No, I’m fine." I said, already searching the bushes for my next prey. My eyes found an amorphous green slime. For a moment, Ralaire crossed my mind—but then I obliterated it, using my stone cannon again. The slime melted into the earth.

[Assistant] "Oh dear, she’s lost it." Manaria piped in.

[User] I looked up to see Manaria with her arm around Claire, watching me with an annoying grin on her face.

[Assistant] "But she’s only just recovered." Claire sounded concerned about me.

[User] I really hated that. "I’m just fine." I repeated. "But…" It was true that Manaria had dealt me more than just a scratch, but I was back on my feet now. Before, I might have rejoiced in Claire’s concern. Now, though—I couldn’t enjoy it.

[Assistant] "Hey, Claire, you’re not moving."

[User] "Y-yes."

[Assistant] "Look, there’s a giant wasp there. You can take care of that by yourself, right, Claire?" Manaria coaxed.

[User] Claire continued to look straight at me, distressed. Finally, she pulled her eyes away and started to drive the monster back.

[Assistant] I drifted quietly away, leaving them to their own devices, and fervently slaughtered monsters as if I were carving my way through my own discontent.


[User] "Hey, you." Once we’d dispatched our quota for the day, Claire approached me once more.

[Assistant] "What is it, Miss Claire?"

[User] "You are my servant. What good is a servant who leaves their master’s side?"

[Assistant] "You were sufficiently protected as long as Lady Manaria was there."

[User] "That’s not what I mean. I’m saying it’s your job to support me."

[Assistant] She was correct, but I couldn’t quite bring myself to listen like a good servant right now. "I’m so sorry."

[User] "Do you understand what you did wrong? You’ve only just recovered. It’s extremely dangerous to go off on your own in this state."

[Assistant] If I’d been a bit calmer, I would have realized she was concerned for my well-being. As it was, though, I was getting a little fed up with her lecturing.

[User] "It’s not like I’m worried about you, but imagine what it would be like for me if my servant just up and got herself killed—"

[Assistant] "I’m so sorry. I will be more careful." I tried to leave, but Claire grabbed my arm.

[User] "You’ve been acting strange ever since your battle with Sister. What happened?"

[Assistant] "Nothing…"

[User] "You’re lying. You’re usually all over me, but you’ve been hanging back the past few days."

[Assistant] "We were battling for you, Miss Claire." I said abruptly.

[User] "Huh?"

[Assistant] I told her everything: the taunts, the challenge, the circumstances of our duel. I was surprised by the lack of emotion in my voice. Meanwhile, Claire’s face was changing inversely to mine. "So, as you can see, I am no longer qualified to be by your side, Miss Claire."

[User] "Of all the selfish things to say!" Claire burst out. "Battling for me? What were you thinking?! I am not a thing to be won! To just selfishly—" Claire was correct again.


[User] “Really? But doesn’t it feel nice? To be wanted by someone as wonderful as Lady Manaria?”

[Assistant] Claire’s eyes glazed over. “You take that back! That is no way for a servant to speak to her master. This is why I hate peasants…”

[User] “Then, I quit.”

[Assistant] “What did you say…?”

[User] “I’m done being your maid. I’m too much of a commoner and no good at it.”

[Assistant] Claire's face drained of color. “…Are you being serious right now?”

[User] “Yes.”

[Assistant] “You want to quit being my servant?”

[User] “Yes.” All I wanted to do was get out of there as quickly as possible.

[Assistant] Claire’s voice was shaking. “Understood... Miss Claire?”

[User] “Your pay will be calculated up to today, so be sure to come collect it at a later date.” Claire was instantly matter-of-fact. “You’ve given me plenty of cause for complaint, but at the end of the day, you served me well. On behalf of the François family, I offer my gratitude. Thank you for your service, Miss Taylor.” She gave me an awkward smile that even I could tell was forced. A single tear fell from her eye.

[Assistant] “Miss Clai—”

[User] “Go, now. I am sorry for always being so selfish. I hope you live a happy life, Miss Taylor.”

[Assistant] “Goodbye…” The only thing I could do was say my farewell and leave. All I wanted to do was go back to my room and crawl into bed.

[User] “So, you’re going to leave me alone, then. You liar…” Claire’s final words, said as I left, cut right through my heart.


[Assistant] Manaria stood outside with a grumpy look on her face. “I misjudged you.”

[User] “What are you talking about?”

[Assistant] Manaria glared at me. “Don’t play dumb. I’m talking about Claire. She came into my room last night and couldn’t stop crying. She wouldn’t tell me why, but I can guess.”

[User] “Please take care of Miss Claire. She gets lonely.” I was asking a favor of my rival in love…but I could trust Manaria to take care of Claire. I bowed to her.


[User] Manaria grabbed me by the collar, pulled me up, and shoved me against the wall. "If you know Claire so well, why aren’t you running to be by her side?!" Manaria’s brown eyes burned with anger.

[Assistant] "You defeated me, Lady Manaria. I have no reason to stay." I said, tears forming in my eyes.

[User] Manaria’s face grew even harder when I said that. She was beautiful, with her clean-cut features, but her eyes were cold and full of rage. "You’re giving up just because of that?! Your love is that weak?!"

[Assistant] "How can you say that?! It was you who took Miss Claire away from me!" I grabbed Manaria’s hands and tried to pry them from my collar, but she wouldn’t budge.

[User] "I took her from you? No. You gave up. You ran away."

[Assistant] "I didn’t want to give up! I never wanted to run away! If it weren’t for you, I—"

[User] "Nope." Manaria lowered her voice a notch. "Even if I never showed up, you would have given up on Claire eventually."

[Assistant] "You have no basis—"

[User] "You don’t need to be rewarded for your love. You said so yourself. You just want Claire to be happy."

[Assistant] "What’s wrong with that?! Why can’t I want the person I love to be happy?!" I activated my water magic, striking Manaria with icy stones. Caught off guard, she let go of me and stumbled back a couple steps.

[User] "And nothing in return?" she asked. "How very noble of you. You sound ready for your sainthood."

[Assistant] "That’s not what I meant!"

[User] "Of course not. You’re afraid of being hurt. You can’t let go of the hope that someday Claire will love you back—so you gave up before those hopes could be disappointed. Your escape was assured."

[Assistant] "No!" Though I denied her words, deep down inside, I wondered if Manaria was right. I loved Claire. That truth had never changed. But I wasn’t so confident I was content to receive nothing in return. Didn’t I want Claire to smile at me? Didn’t I want her to hold me? Didn’t I want to kiss her? Didn’t I want her to love me back?

[User] "No matter how much I want it, it can never happen! Miss Claire is a girl. We’re both girls! And she loves someone else."

[Assistant] "So, you’re not even going to try? You’re going to settle for a one-sided relationship? How long do you think you can keep that up?"

[User] "That’s enough for me. I would stifle any feeling if I was doing it for Miss Claire!" But even as I said that, something screamed in my chest. What I really wanted—

[Assistant] "It’s impossible. A relationship like that would be a lie that would never last. Do you want to know how I know? Because I’ve been there." Her mouth twisted with self-loathing.


[User] “I removed myself from the line of succession because they found out that I love women.”

[Assistant] - Like I had been hit by a stone, I remembered the rest of Manaria’s background in the game. She was queer, like me. She’d fallen in love with a maid and, despite her best efforts to suppress her feelings, ended up having an affair with the woman. The relationship had proved to be one-sided, complicated by the power imbalance between a servant and a princess, and eventually, the maid left the palace. Manaria had regretted it ever since. She took to visiting brothels, thinking she could avoid making the same mistake again if she kept things purely physical and professional. But someone caught on to what she was doing and ratted her out to the court. The ensuing scandal resulted in her being driven away.

[User] “Love that seeks nothing in return always breaks. The human heart isn’t strong


[Assistant] Claire's Point of View

[User] "Are you worried about Rae, Miss Claire?" Misha asks, approaching Claire on the day of the Amour Festival. The ceremony hall was packed with people, and the Scales dealt out happiness and sorrow in turn. Fathers and sons vied for their wives and mothers’ love, and established couples joked around with friends. Almost no one here was actually competing for a bride. As for Claire—she was restless. As people took turns presenting their offerings to the Scales, Claire paced back and forth.

[Assistant] "No, not really." Claire says with all the indifference she could muster. An obvious lie, given her state.

[User] "Rae has been especially busy lately. She said she’s going to find the best offering she can make for you."

[Assistant] Claire said nothing. Sister had told her how she and Rae intended to use the Scales of Love to once more fight for Claire's affections. Claire’d pleaded with her not to do something so—so silly, but she wouldn’t be dissuaded. Instead, she asked, “Don’t you trust Rae?”

[User] Why would she ask her that about Rae? Why not about herself?

[Assistant] "Who do you want to win, Miss Claire?"

[User] "I don’t care." Claire was furious. How dare they fight over her—like she was a prize to be won—while paying no heed to her feelings on the matter?

[Assistant] "It’s true, you’ve never had anything good to say about Rae. But this is the joy of being born a woman, isn’t it?" Misha says, a rare act of baiting from her.

[User] "Who do you think you’re talking to? I am Claire François, daughter of Dole François, Minister of Finance. People love me; it’s what I was bred for." Claire snapped back.

[Assistant] And yet…I couldn’t help but wonder if these two people were different from the rabble who’d sought my affections in the past. Sister had been my first love. Yes, I’d mistaken her for a boy when we first met, but she was wonderful. As we grew into young women together, I found myself lastingly happy that she cared for me too. And Rae? From the very first day we met, I’d found her absurd. She brazenly flirted with me even though we were both girls, teased me all the time, and when I bullied her back in return—she seemed to enjoy it. Before I knew what was happening, she’d won over my father and become my maid.

[User] "Does something amuse you?"

[Assistant] "Huh?"

[User] "You’re smiling."

[Assistant] To think that it had taken Misha pointing it out for me to realize I was smiling… How embarrassing. I couldn’t believe just thinking about her made me smile. It was for the best that she was gone. Yes, I was relieved she was no longer my maid.


[User] "Miss Claire."

[Assistant] "What is it?"

[User] "Now you look sad." Absurd. But I took out my hand mirror to check, and sure enough, the reflection peering back at me wore a long face. It was like I didn’t know myself anymore.

[Assistant] "I think I want Rae to win." Misha muttered almost under her breath.

[User] "Why is that?"

[Assistant] "Sure, she’s strange. I’m certain she’s given you a great deal of trouble."

[User] "She really has."

[Assistant] "Yes… But her love is true and pure. She loves you from the bottom of her heart, Miss Claire." Misha said warmly, as if she were describing a clumsy but adorable younger sibling. "And you don’t really hate her as much as you say, do you?"

[User] "I despise her."

[Assistant] "That’s not very honest of you, is it?" Misha giggled. "I have been watching you for the past few days."

[User] "How…did I look to you?" I suddenly wanted to know.

[Assistant] "You looked lonely. Even though you were always together with someone as amazing as Lady Manaria, your mind seemed far away. Just like you were after Lene left."

[User] "That’s not—" I couldn’t finish the sentence. Sister had been by my side ever since Rae selfishly fought with her and lost, and though I loved having Manaria around, some part of me had yearned for Rae’s eccentricities.

[Assistant] "I think that it’s Rae who makes you happiest right now."

[User] "That commoner…?"

[Assistant] "Her status doesn’t matter. What matters is Rae, the person. She’s strange, but she has a way of making the people around her happy. Not that I could ever say that to her face." Misha laughed. "So please, Miss Claire. If Rae wins, give her another chance at being your maid. Ask her yourself, if possible."

[User] "That…I cannot do." I was an aristocrat. Not just any aristocrat either, but a member of one of the most important families in the kingdom. It would be unthinkable for me to petition a commoner to enter my service.

[Assistant] "I see. Being an aristocrat sure is tough."

[User] "You would know." Before their downfall, Misha’s family had been old money nobles.

[Assistant] "In that case, I will hope for a miracle."

[User] "A miracle?"

[Assistant] "Yes. A miraculous happy ending, like in a fairy tale."

[User] "That’s not—"


[Assistant] …going to happen, I was about to say, but I was interrupted by Sister.

[User] Hey, Claire. She approached us holding a strange, glowing flower.

[Assistant] "Sister…"

[User] "I see Rae hasn’t shown up yet." She said, showing me the flower in her hand.

[Assistant] "Is that flower…really…?"

[User] "Mmm. It’s the Flower of Flora." The flower from the Legend of Amour. A blossom made of pure light. The ultimate offering one could place on the Scales of Love. "It seems I will be victorious, after all." Sister said, gazing at the legendary flower with a hint of sadness.

[Assistant] Perhaps we should just go ahead and declare me the winner. For some reason, I glared at her. The God’s Scales showed what was in my heart.


[User] I swear here and now that I will remain faithful to thee. Thus went the verse from Poesie Amour—the words the shorter man, who was chosen by the Scales, said to the maiden. That verse had once dried my tears at Manaria’s family home. Long ago, the maiden it was recited to must have felt the same way. Sister put her hand under my chin and tilted my head up to look at her. I thought, in a daze, that our lips were going to touch. And if it was Sister…perhaps I wouldn’t mind. But then again—

[Assistant] "Wait!" It was the voice that I think I must have been waiting for.


[User] Manaria was going in for a kiss with Claire when I made it to the ceremony hall. All eyes turned to me, faces filling with surprise as they beheld my disheveled state. Whew. Just in the nick of time.

[Assistant] "Rae, you’re too late." Misha said, trying to hide her anxiety.

[User] "No. It just took me a little longer than I expected." I quickly inserted myself between Claire and Manaria.

[Assistant] "So, you can do something other than run away. I’ll give you that." Manaria looked annoyed.

[User] "Who’s running? I told you I wouldn’t lose, remember?" I stuck my tongue out at her and took Claire’s hand.

[Assistant] "You…" Claire looked at me with a complicated expression.

[User] "Don’t worry, Miss Claire. I won’t let this jerk take you away." I declared, still out of breath.

[Assistant] "But you’ve already lost. I don’t know what you plan to offer the Scales, but I have the Flower of Flora." Manaria said, holding up the glowing flower. "Even if you happen to have the same flower, I was here first. I remain the winn—"

[User] "This is my offering." I interrupted Manaria, pulling it out of my bag.

[Assistant] "A branch?" Claire said quietly. She was right. My offering, at first glance, looked like nothing more than an ordinary tree branch.

[User] "You’ll see when we present our offerings." I said, confidently. Claire still looked worried, so I gave her a reassuring nod.

[Assistant] "Fine. Let’s do this, then." Manaria said, moving toward the Scales of Love. The Scales of Love were made of ancient wood but still sturdy. Their design was simple and elegant, lacking ornament, but imbued with a presence befitting a sacred treasure bestowed on us by the gods. "I’ll start. I offer what is in my heart to be judged by God." Manaria recited a verse from Poesie Amour—a bit dramatically, in my opinion—then respectfully placed her Flower of Flora on the Scales, where it glowed bright. It was an appropriate offering, a celebration of the legend. The Scales immediately plunged to one side under the flower’s weight.

[User] "My turn. Here’s my offering." I placed the branch on the Scales, not reciting any of the lines from the legend. The Scales showed no sign of movement at all. "I thought so."


[User] "I wi—” Manaria started, but she was interrupted by a deep rumbling sound.

[Assistant] “Earthquake?! ” Alarm ran through the assembled crowd, but it faded as they realized it wasn’t the ground that was shaking. It was the Scales of Love.

[User] I watched as the branch I’d placed on the Scales suddenly sprouted new buds. It didn’t stop there. Roots burst from the other end, and in a matter of moments, the single branch had become a full-grown tree whose weight tilted the Scales back the other way.

[Assistant] “The Flower of Flora lost…? What is this branch…?” Manaria muttered, dumbfounded.

[User] “The Branch of Eternal Love,” I answered. These were not the intertwined branches described in Bai Juyi’s Song of Everlasting Sorrow, but they were similar. The Branch of Eternal Love was a rare drop from a powerful monster known as the Tree of Eternal Love, which lived deep in the forest behind the hall where this ceremony was held. The Tree of Eternal Love was nearly immune to magic, but it did have one weakness: slime solution could corrode its bark. With the help of my familiar, Ralaire, I’d gone on a desperate hunt through the forest and procured a branch just in time.

[Assistant] “The Flower of Flora isn’t the heaviest offering possible…?” As I’m sure you’ve already guessed, it was my knowledge of the game that had led me to the Branch. There was a Scales of Love episode in Revolution, and while you could complete the quest with the Flower of Flora, the Branch of Eternal Love was a special, secret item that could be offered instead. If you happened to secure the Branch for your offering, you unlocked a bonus image for your gallery.

[User] “Miss Claire,” I called out to my dumbfounded love.

[Assistant] “Huh?”

[User] “Whether or not these divine Scales recognize it, I love you. No matter who I lose to, I will continue to love only you. So—” I stood in front of Claire and took her hand, “will you let me return to your side not as your maid but as your partner?” It was the first time I’d articulated my hope that Claire would love me back. And I’d done it in my own words, not those from a poem. I hadn’t initially planned to use my knowledge of the Branch of Eternal Love. It often felt unfair to rely on knowledge from my previous life, even against an opponent as detestable as Manaria. But then I’d realized I couldn’t hold back. Love is a battlefield, they used to say in my previous world. Love couldn’t be rationalized or reasoned with. If I wanted Claire to be mine, I had to do whatever it took to show her.

[Assistant] “You…are really…” Tears welled in Claire’s eyes.

[User] I feared what they meant. But then…she smiled.

[Assistant] “Ah ha ha!” Manaria’s merry laugh interrupted the moment.

[User] “Lady Manaria, please read the room,” I said. “You’re ruining the moment.”

[Assistant] “Nope. I’ve decided I want you."


[User] "You’re the best." Manaria said, throwing her arms abruptly around me.

[Assistant] “Wha—Lady Manaria…”

[User] “I mean, I already thought you were fantastic, but this just proves you’re even more amazing than I imagined. You’re all I want in a companion.”

[Assistant] “S-Sister, what are you saying…?”

[User] “Oh, I’m sorry, Claire. Rae’s been my target from the start. She’s just so fun to tease, and I ended up roping you into it too.” Manaria chuckled, making a cheeky face.

[Assistant] “Hey, Lady Manaria. Please get away from me.”

[User] “Nope. I’m going to take you back to Sousse with me.”

[Assistant] “I won’t go!”

[User] “Playing hard to get makes you even cuter.”

[Assistant] “Stop—”

[User] “Nooo!” Claire's beautiful, high-pitched voice rang through the ceremony hall, stunning the crowd into silence. "Rae is mine! Don’t take her from me!”

[Assistant] “M-Miss Claire…?”

[User] “N-no! That’s not what I meant!”

[Assistant] “Miss Claire!” I embraced her without thinking.

[User] “Hey, let go!”

[Assistant] “No! I love you, Miss Claire!”

[User] “Well, I hate you! Leeet gooo of meee!”

[Assistant] “You said I’m yours!”

[User] “Shut up! Forget I said it!” Overcome by emotion, we squawked at each other, blurting out everything we wanted to say. It felt like it had been forever since we’d just gone at it like this.

[Assistant] “Excuse me, Lady Manaria. Do you agree the contest is at an end?”

[User] “Well, it seems that way.” Manaria watched us carrying on. "Love between women can be a thorny path. I hope Rae and Claire will be happy, but—”

[Assistant] "But?”

[User] “But, well. I don’t think they’ll have any regrets.” Manaria said, wearing a broad smile, as if something within her had at last burst free.

[Assistant] “Leeet gooo of meee!”

[User] “Nooo!” Claire and I, meanwhile, were completely oblivious to anything but each other.


[Assistant] “What?! You’re returning to Sousse, Sister? !”

[User] “Yeah.” The morning after the Amour Festival, Manaria announced she was returning home.

[Assistant] Claire was in disbelief, as was everyone else. "The firstborn prince has abruptly passed away. That moves me up in the line of succession, so it looks like I’ll be turning cartwheels at court once again.”

[User] Manaria laughed, but she didn’t actually seem displeased by the prospect.

[Assistant] Rod scoffed at this in seeming discontent. "You’re just going to take your winnings and go?”

[User] “I’m sure we’ll have plenty of opportunities for a rematch in the future. Don’t you think so, future King of Bauer?”

[Assistant] “Hmph. I’ll keep my head in good shape so you can cut it off.” Rod said, laughing fearlessly.

[User] “Ahh, Rae. Won’t you run away with me?” Manaria said, flirtatiously.


[User] "You’re on your own." I replied shortly, to which she pretended to sob. Not cute at all.

[Assistant] "Since Rae’s rejected me…I guess I’ll just have to go home and take the throne. Once I have a crown on my head, I can come back and be a thorn in your sides."

[User] "You don’t need to come back." I said bluntly.

[Assistant] "Rae, don’t be rude." Claire chided.

[User] "What about the scandal over your sexuality?" I asked.

[Assistant] "The populace at large remains unaware. It’ll work against me in our internal family feud, but at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter." Manaria said.

[User] "This last month has been the most fun I’ve had in my life. It’s really too bad that I must leave."

[Assistant] "I feel the same way, Sister."

[User] "Hurry up and go…" I muttered.

[Assistant] "Rae!" Claire stomped down on my foot.

[User] Ow!

[Assistant] "Have more respect for the royal family!"

[User] "My heart is just too full of my love for you, Miss Claire."

[Assistant] "Ah, argh!" Claire turned red and looked away with a huff.

[User] "By the way, Master Rod, I have some bad news for you." Manaria said, her face suddenly serious.

[Assistant] "What is it?"

[User] "The firstborn prince of Sousse was assassinated, and the deed was done by means of the same poison used on Thane in the past."

[Assistant] "What?! That means—"

[User] "The Nur Empire…"

[Assistant] "Yes."

[User] "The firstborn prince intended to move aggressively against the Nur Empire. They can’t have been very happy about that." Manaria explained.

[Assistant] "And I don’t expect they’re going to change their approach once I take the throne. An assassination attempt on Thane and the successful assassination of the prince of Sousse… They’re getting bolder. We must be careful."

[User] "Thanks. You be careful back home too." Rod responded.

[Assistant] "I appreciate your kind concern." Manaria said and then looked at me. "Rae, you be careful as well. I’m sure you can neutralize cantarella in another person, but if you’re the one poisoned, you could die."

[User] "I’ll be fine. The Academy is working on an antidote."

[Assistant] "I see. You really are remarkable. Claire, I think you should—"

[User] "I’m not giving her to you."

[Assistant] "You guys have really started to act alike." Manaria chuckled.


[User] “Oh, I’ll see you off—”

[Assistant] “Claire, you stay here. I need to borrow Rae.”

[User] “Sister, you aren’t still…”

[Assistant] “Ha ha, no. I just have something I need to discuss with her in confidence before I leave. That’s acceptable, yes, Rae?”

[User] “I suppose I have no choice…” I begrudgingly walked with Manaria to her carriage.

[Assistant] When we were some distance from Claire, she said, “Rae, there’s something I want to ask you.”

[User] “What is it?” I replied.

[Assistant] “Just who are you?” Light flashed in Manaria’s eyes.

[User] “You can counteract rare poisons, and you know of secret, legendary offerings. Where did you learn such things?”

[Assistant] “I can’t answer that.” I couldn’t fool Manaria with a half-baked lie, so instead, I answered honestly with nothing.

[User] “Are you a spy of Nur?”

[Assistant] “No, I am not.”

[User] “Really?”

[Assistant] “I swear it on Miss Claire.”

[User] “Hah. Well, in that case, I believe you. At the very least, I’m positive you won’t stab Claire in the back.”

[Assistant] “Is that all you wanted to ask me?”

[User] “No. Do you still want nothing in return for your love for Claire?” Her eyes told me she wouldn’t let me avoid the question this time.

[Assistant] “No. I…I want Miss Claire to return my feelings,” I replied, looking Manaria straight in the eye.

[User] “It’s going to be a difficult path.”

[Assistant] “I know.”

[User] “Claire has always considered herself straight.”

[Assistant] “I know that too.”

[User] “But you will persist?”

[Assistant] “Undoubtedly.” I answered each question without a hint of hesitation.

[User] “Yes, that will do. Now I can finally entrust Claire to you.” Manaria had a look on her face like a father giving his daughter away at her wedding. Whatever her feelings for me, she also cared deeply for Claire. She held out her hand.

[Assistant] “This was fun. Take care of Claire for me.”

[User] “You don’t need to ask.” I shook her hand firmly.

[Assistant] “See you again,” Manaria said. And then, like a gust of wind, she was gone.


[User] “Miss Claire—”

[Assistant] “What is it?”

[User] “Please recite it one more time for me.” After seeing Manaria off, we’d returned to Claire’s dorm room, where Claire now sat at her desk with a book open in front of her. I had my arms around her. What I was asking her to recite, of course, were the words she’d blurted out at the Amour Festival.

[Assistant] “What in the world are you talking about?”

[User] “You’re playing dumb again.” I couldn’t help but tease her when she was being this adorable.

[Assistant] Claire’s face turned crimson. "Don’t go getting any ideas! I have no such—”

[User] “Hmmm?”

[Assistant] “No such feelings about the matter either way…” Claire put her nose in the air and turned her head away from me.

[User] “Name.”

[Assistant] She didn’t respond.

[User] “You’re going to call me by it.”

[Assistant] “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I wasn’t yet convinced that Claire liked me.


[User] But still—

[Assistant] “Miss Claire.”

[User] “What is it?”

[Assistant] “I love you.”

[User] “Hmph.” I believed that Claire and I had taken a step forward.


[User] "WHAT ARE YOU ALL doing over the break?" Rod asked us in an Academy Knights meeting soon after. "We did get those free tickets at the Foundation Day Festival. I was wondering how many people are actually going to use them.”

[Assistant] “I’m going home for the holidays." Misha said indifferently.

[User] “I’m going to a beach resort, so I won’t be using a ticket either." Claire declared. "I guess that means I don’t have to ask you, Rae.”

[Assistant] “Yes. I will be with Miss Claire.” Wherever Claire went, I followed.

[User] “That leaves the three of us," Rod said, clearly disappointed. "That’s boring.”

[Assistant] Yu shrugged.

[User] Thane said nothing, looking uninterested.

[Assistant] “Why don’t you invite someone to join you? No aristocrats would turn down the royal family.”

[User] “That’s true, but if we invite someone, it becomes a whole political thing…”

[Assistant] That makes sense. Aristocrats weren’t vying for the throne, but they formed factions and engaged in power struggles all the same, including for the royal family’s favor.

[User] “Well, be that as it may… I hope none of you have forgotten your duties during the holiday as Academy students?”

[Assistant] “Our…duties?” I couldn’t think of what he could mean.

[User] “Come, Rae. Did you forget? Such disappointing behavior from my servant…” Claire said, hanging her head.

[Assistant] “Rae, he’s talking about the Undead Hunt." Misha explained.

[User] I finally remembered. The Undead Hunt—officially known as the Undead Sending—took place every summer at the Academy. Come summertime, undead tended to appear, and Academy students were duty bound to exterminate a certain number. Revolution included an incident where a group of undead showed up within the castle, but that hadn’t happened in this reality yet. And it wouldn’t. I would make sure of it.

[Assistant] “Why the sour face, Claire?”

[User] “I dislike the term Undead Hunt. It is insufficiently respectful to those who have passed.” Claire picked strange things to get serious about.

[Assistant] This one was a bit harder for me to understand, coming from a more scientifically advanced and secular world, but it made me respect her even more.

[User] “But Undead Sending sounds unpleasant too. Only the clergy use that term now.”

[Assistant] “That may be, but… Rae, say something.”

[User] “Uhhh…” Claire was finally relying on me. I didn’t want to let her down. "Do you mean it’s like Obon?”

[Assistant] “What in the world is that?”

[User] “A festival that we have back where I come from…”

[Assistant] “We don’t have the faintest idea what you’re talking about.”

[User] Well, that made sense too. In that case… "Why don’t we go for something simpler?”

[Assistant] “Oh. That might work." Claire agreed. "An entirely new phrase will be hard to remember, but we could modify the original.”

[User] Rod was on board too.


[User] So, it came to be that we decided to rechristen the Undead Sending as simply “The Sending.”

[Assistant] “Moving on. I don’t expect the Academy Knights to fall behind, but letting your guard down could prove fatal. Stay on your toes during the Sending.”

[User] “I’m not about to be defeated by some undead.” Claire put a brave smile on her face. However—

[Assistant] "But Miss Claire, I thought you were afraid of—!”

[User] “We’re not talking about ghosts! These are undead!” Claire shrieked before I finished my sentence. Adorable.

[Assistant] “Rae, you protect Claire,” Rod directed.

[User] “Leave it to me.”

[Assistant] “What do you mean, Master Rod?! I’m really not afraid of—!”

[User] “Maybe we should tell some ghost stories to set the mood?” Yu interrupted teasingly.

[Assistant] “Long ago, there lived a young priest who was excommunicated from the Church—”

[User] “That reminds me! Misha, where do your parents live?” Claire forced a change in subject, and Yu chuckled to himself. I’m the only one who gets to play with Claire, you jerk, I thought.

[Assistant] “Euclid. It’s a port town south of the capital. Rae’s from there too.”

[User] “Oh, what a coincidence. The François estate is in Euclid as well.” This wasn’t coincidental, obviously. It was a deliberate decision on the part of the game writers. Misha was the player character’s childhood friend because they came from the same town, and the François estate was located there so the main character could continue to be bullied by Claire if she chose to go home over break.

[Assistant] “In that case," Claire continued, “you should journey with us. My carriage has plenty of room for one more.”

[User] “I couldn’t possibly impose,” Misha said.

[Assistant] “What? You won’t ride in my carriage?” Claire frowned. I couldn’t tell if she was genuinely put out or just being mean. Maybe she just couldn’t bring herself to say directly that she wanted to ride with Misha.

[User] “That sounds fun,” Rod said suddenly.

[Assistant] "Boys, shall we go to Euclid too?”

[User] “We can’t, Brother. Euclid is too far.”

[Assistant] “We have affairs of state to attend to…” The princes couldn’t ever travel too far from the capital.

[User] “Ugh, boring!” Rod pouted like a child.

[Assistant] “Well, it can’t be helped. I suppose we’ll just enjoy our separate holidays and ward off the undead while we’re at it. I’ll say it one last time—don’t let your guard down, got it?”

[User] "Miss Claire.”

[Assistant] “What is it now, Rae?”

[User] I gathered Claire’s things and smiled. “Let’s enjoy the holidays.”

[Assistant] “What’s with that look?” she muttered. I couldn’t help giving her another sidelong glance—she was apprehensive, but my heart was all delight.


[User] With vacation around the corner, there was a spring in my step as I walked through the town. The sun was getting hotter, and I could really feel summer coming.

[Assistant] “Where are you going?” my beloved Claire asked me. I was holding a parasol over her to protect her pearly white skin from the sun.


[User] "I need to take care of some minor business before we leave."

[Assistant] "Minor business?"

[User] "It’s really small. It’s like, umm… I want to nip some things in the bud before they can become problems."

[Assistant] "I don’t understand." Claire cocked her head to the side, looking confused.

[User] "Anyway, you’ve never accompanied me on personal errands before. Why the interest now?"

[Assistant] "Nothing… No particular reason. I just wanted to get some fresh air." Claire said as she put her nose in the air and turned her head away.

[User] Wait. Was she in a bad mood? "But, Miss Claire…you don’t like the heat or the sun." I genuinely had no idea why Claire had decided of her own accord to accompany me out into the blazing summer heat.

[Assistant] "Give. It. Up! Just hurry up and do what you came to do!"

[User] "Ohhh…" Maybe she was just in a mood today. "And where are we going?"

[Assistant] "We’re almost…here." I said, coming to a stop in front of a building.

[User] "Tulle Trading Company? What are you buying here?" Claire asked, reading the name on the sign.

[Assistant] "I’m not buying anything. I need to talk to the shop owner about something."

[User] "Hmm…? Well, let’s go inside, then. It’s too hot out here."

[Assistant] "That’s why I said you should wait at the Academy—"

[User] "Hurry. Up!"

[Assistant] "Yes." I followed Claire into the shop.


[User] "Wel…come?! Oh my, Miss Claire. What would ever bring you to a place like this…?" The kindly looking shopkeeper grew flustered the moment he saw Claire.

[Assistant] "We are not attending to my business. Go on, Rae. Hurry up and do what you came to do." Claire said with an utter lack of interest as she sank onto the sofa in the corner of the store.

[User] "Hello, Hans."

[Assistant] "Hello, Rae. This is certainly a surprise. Is this the first time Miss Claire has joined you?"

[User] "Yes. It seems she was simply in the mood to come with me today."

[Assistant] "Well, then. What sort of proposal do you bring me today, Rae?" With those words, Hans’ demeanor transformed from gentle and fatherly to strictly business.


[User] "Unfortunately, I’ve come to you today to ask you to squash a business deal."

[Assistant] "Huh?" Hans looked puzzled.

[User] "I have a hunch that you’ve heard rumors of a new magical tool."

[Assistant] "What do you mean?" Hans tilted his head.

[User] "Playing dumb won’t work on me. The magical tool I’m talking about can supposedly…bring the dead to life. Ring any bells?"

[Assistant] "Well…I didn’t really think I could fool you, Rae." Hans threw both hands in the air in defeat. "You’re right, I have heard of it. It’s not cheap, so I was still pondering whether or not to stock it."

[User] "Please don’t."

[Assistant] "Can I ask why?" Hans asked, raising an eyebrow.

[User] "That magical tool, it’s a fake."

[Assistant] "How do you know that…?"

[User] "I can’t tell you. But if you try to profit from it, you’ll lose a great deal of money."

[Assistant] "Hmmm…" Hans sat there pondering my insistence, as well as my unwillingness to offer proof.


[User] "If this were coming from anyone else, I would chase them out of my shop right now. But you’ve never been wrong before, Rae…"

[Assistant] "Of course, I’m not asking you to surrender this business opportunity for free. I have a tip for you."

[User] "Of course you do." Hans smiled mischievously. "There will soon be a growing demand for weaponry and armor. And it has to be kept discreet."

[Assistant] "Well, this sounds dangerous! Are we going to war?" Hans looked at me with inquisitive eyes.

[User] "No, but something like that."

[Assistant] "And you won’t tell me how you know this, right?"

[User] "I’m afraid not. You’ll have to decide if you trust me or not."

[Assistant] Hans looked deep in thought for some time. Finally, he let out a big sigh. "Okay. I’ll pass on the magical tool. But please just tell me one thing."

[User] "What is it?"

[Assistant] "These underground demands for weaponry—will it be safe to supply them?" Hans had a sharp look in his eyes. He was testing me.

[User] "As a merchant, you should be fine. As a person…that would depend on your own personal beliefs."

[Assistant] "Hmph…" Hans let out a grunt, indicating he understood. "Fine. It sounds shady, but no risk, no reward, eh?" His expression softened. "Really, Rae… What are you? Every time you come by, it’s like you’re telling me the future."

[User] "I have no comment."

[Assistant] "Yeah, I bet you don’t. But be careful, Rae."


[User] “If I were willing to make money at any cost, I might be tempted to take you prisoner.” He said those terrifying words so casually. “I think you know that I’m a dual-caster.”

[Assistant] “Of course, I wouldn’t do it alone. I could hire someone or procure a magical sealing tool.”

[User] "Well, I’ll keep my threats to a minimum today. But don’t forget how valuable you are—and how it makes you more likely to attract misfortune.”

[Assistant] “I’ll keep that in mind.”

[User] “Please do,” Hans said, giving me a little smile. “Are you finished yet?”

[Assistant] “Yes, for now. Thank you for your time, Hans.”

[User] “Sure. Please come again.”

[Assistant] “Goodbye.” I followed Claire out of the shop.

[User] “We still have a great deal of time before curfew,” said Claire. “I’m hungry.”

[Assistant] “Shall we go back to the dormitories? I can make you something,” I said as I pulled out Claire’s parasol.

[User] “So insensitive…”

[Assistant] “What?”

[User] “Oh, nothing. Yes, let’s go back. We’ll just go back!” Claire started walking briskly.

[Assistant] “Miss Claire, your skin will burn.”

[User] “That’s fine, who cares? !”

[Assistant] “It’s not fine. Miss Claire, what if your beautiful complexion is ruined?” I rushed to catch up to hold the umbrella for her, but she stopped in her tracks. “What, would that make you hate me?”

[User] “Never,” I answered without hesitation, even though I had no idea what she was getting at. I could never hate her.

[Assistant] “I see… Hmmm.” Claire looked conflicted for some reason. What was up with her today?

[User] “Miss Claire, you’re not quite yourself today.”

[Assistant] “And whose fault do you think that is? !”

[User] “Uhhh…”

[Assistant] “Let’s hurry back! Once we’re at the Academy, you will make me crème brûlée!”

[User] “Ohh…” And now it seemed she was back to normal.

[Assistant] “After all that effort to go out…” she murmured.

[User] “What did you say?”

[Assistant] “I said it’s all your fault!” She stuck her tongue out at me. I didn’t know what was going on, but I did know this: Claire was as cute as ever.


[User] I’d been in this world for almost six months, and I still really missed cars. I was jolting along in a horse-drawn carriage en route to the François villa, accompanied by Claire, Misha, and Dole. Claire and I were in the seat behind the driver, while Dole and Misha were in the back. There had been some fuss about the seating arrangements, but Claire got her way in the end.

[Assistant] “And then I said, ‘You lie. The kingdom would fall apart without the nobility to prop it up.’” Dole, the Minister of Finance, was waving his hands around dramatically. We’d been traveling for half a day, and he hadn’t stopped talking the entire time.

[User] “Father, we already heard that story. How many times are you going to tell it?”

[Assistant] “Hmm? Have you? Well then, I’ll tell you a different story.


[User] “This happened right after Claire was born—” Dole was perhaps the most influential aristocrat in the country, second only to the royal family. If he wanted to talk, there were very few who’d dare interrupt him. Claire might, but etiquette made it difficult for her to talk over her father too. The best she could do was, as she had just done, redirect him when he took a breath here and there. Almost everything Dole had to say was a boast about his own achievements. As the Minister of Finance, he basically held the purse strings for the entire country. No legislation introduced by politicians or bureaucrats could get off the ground without Dole’s approval. He played a part in the establishment of every administrative policy, and, therefore, saw them as his own achievements. “Claire, you are still young…and a woman, so you may not understand this, but politics don’t conform to ideals.”

[Assistant] “Hm…” Claire said vaguely. She looked at me as if begging me to save her.

[User] “Master Dole, what was Miss Claire like when she was little?”

[Assistant] “She was just an angel! The most adorable being in existence!” I cast out the bait and Dole took it, hook, line, and sinker. He proceeded to ramble on in detail about Claire’s childhood, looking delighted.

[User] Misha pokes me in my side. “How can you speak so directly to Master Dole…?”

[Assistant] “Why not? He’s my future father-in-law.”

[User] “And how can you joke about something like that?” Misha sighed. She looked exhausted. As a former aristocrat, unlike me, she couldn’t help feeling under pressure in Dole’s presence.

[Assistant] “Well,” Dole said, “I permit this commoner to speak with me because Claire permits her presence. Otherwise, we would never even be in the same carriage.”

[User] “I am very grateful for the generosity of Your Excellency and Miss Claire.”

[Assistant] “Mmm.” Dole seemed satisfied with my humble comment. “Claire, you have become quite friendly with this commoner, haven’t you? What a turn of events after you started off hating her so much.”

[User] “I have no intentions of being friends with her…”

[Assistant] “Claire, your heart is too gentle for an aristocrat. Be careful with whom you show compassion,” Dole said bluntly. “Otherwise, history will repeat itself…like that traitor Aurousseau.”

[User] “Father!”

[Assistant] “After all those years, she turned out to be nothing but a disgusting whore. She should have been executed for conspiring with our enemies.” Claire looked like she was about to explode.

[User] I tried to change the topic of conversation again, but—

[Assistant] “And she was having relations with her own brother too. The very thought of you being contaminated by proximity to that filth, Clai—”

[User] “That’s enough!” Claire cried.

[Assistant] “Claire… You have a kind heart, but you cannot defend—”

[User] “Father, be silent. If you say another word about Lene, I will never forgive you.” Claire pinned a deadly serious gaze on Dole, who was speechless. “It’s true that Lene’s actions were unforgivable. In this you are correct.


[User] "But she had her own struggles, her own pain…” She bit her lip so hard it bled. “Lene admitted her guilt. She accepted her punishment. Please speak no more of it. I still think her dear to me.” Despite Lene’s betrayal, Claire sympathized with her.

[Assistant] "Aristocrats are born to rule," Dole shot back icily. "Kindness, personal sentiment—these are impediments to your obligation."

[User] "I am not being sentimental!"

[Assistant] "Then why defend a servant who betrayed you? What do you think would happen if another aristocrat heard you speak that way?"

[User] "Th-that…!” Claire trailed off.

[Assistant] "Claire, I pray you do not disappoint me."

[User] "Yes…" Claire’s voice was quiet, defeated.

[Assistant] Claire glanced over at me briefly. I was holding her hand in a way that Dole couldn’t see. I squeezed it gently, and she squeezed back harder. Her hand was warm. I hoped I was conveying warmth back to her too. We couldn’t say it out loud, but I wanted to believe there was something between us that we could both understand without words.


[User] It was evening by the time we arrived at the François villa. “This is amazing…”

[Assistant] "It really is.”

[User] "It’s quite small compared to our residence in the capital, though, isn’t it?” The villa, lit by the evening sun, was so massive you could scarcely believe it was owned by an individual.

[Assistant] "I’m going to rest first. Head maid, take care of everything."

[User] "Yes, sir."

[Assistant] Dole must have been tired from the long trip, for he retired to his room.


[User] "Miss Claire, you should rest in your own room too. Rae will carry your things."

[Assistant] "I can carry that much myself."

[User] "In other words, you want to spend some time with me, Miss Claire?" Thinking this the perfect time, I took the opportunity to tease Claire.

[Assistant] "Oh, ohhh…?" I expected her to reject me immediately, but she showed no sign of lashing out. Claire had a complicated look on her face. I suddenly didn’t know what to do.

[User] "I’ll be leaving, then. Goodbye, Miss Claire. Bye, Rae." Misha said and left for her parents’ house, maybe because she sensed the awkward air in the room.

[Assistant] "Rae, stop dawdling and pick up the luggage."

[User] "Oh, yes." The villa had its own staff of servants to help, so the luggage was sorted quickly.

[Assistant] "Sorry for making you wait, Miss Claire. Let’s go to your room." I prompted, picking up her things.

[User] "Yes…" She obeyed meekly.


[Assistant] Claire’s room was decorated in typical aristocratic fashion, with perfectly coordinated interior decorating. Despite its tidy arrangement, it wasn’t a very welcoming room. I observed Claire as I put away her things. "Miss Claire."

[User] "What is it?"

[Assistant] "Where should I put these clothes?"

[User] "Just hang them wherever in the walk-in closet."

[Assistant] "Miss Claire."

[User] "What is it?"

[Assistant] "Where should I put these undergarments?"

[User] "Just put them wherever in that dresser… What are you doing, Rae?" Claire changed tack mid-sentence when she saw me holding up each of her undergarments to check the shape.

[Assistant] "I just thought that, as your maid, I should know everything there is to know about you, Miss Claire."

[User] "You… No." Claire started to puff up in outrage, then suddenly stopped and forced a smile. "You’re teasing me to try and make me feel better, aren’t you?"

[Assistant] "Huh? No, this is just me being horny."

[User] "You could just tell me I’m right!" Claire sat heavily on the bed, as if she was exhausted from it all. "I suppose I am a bit melancholy. I took pride in being an aristocrat, but now, at times, it feels a bit painful…"

[Assistant] I didn’t say anything. I realized this was the first time she’d confided in me.

[User] "I understand what my father was saying. Casting Lene aside was the obvious choice, in my position, but…she was like an older sister to me. Even after everything, I can’t bring myself to hate her." Claire let out a deep sigh. "It’s depressing to think that I have to spend my entire vacation with my father around…" She stopped talking suddenly, as if realizing I was listening, and forced another smile. "Well, this has nothing to do with you, Rae. I’m sorry. Forget it—"

[Assistant] "Miss Claire," I said, interrupting her.


[User] "Would you like to come to my house?"

[Assistant] "Y-your house?"

[User] "My parents are peasants, so we can’t give you the welcome you deserve, but—"

[Assistant] "I’d like that."

[User] "Huh?"

[Assistant] "I want to visit your house. I’m quite curious to see what manner of home environment produces such a strange creature as you." That was harsh.

[User] "It’s just a normal peasant house, though."

[Assistant] "That’s fine."

[User] "The food is ordinary."

[Assistant] "It’s good to have some plain food now and then."

[User] "There’s nothing to do there…"

[Assistant] "You’ll be there, won’t you? It’s settled. When shall we go?"

[User] "Er, how about tomorrow?"

[Assistant] "Understood."

[User] I hadn’t expected her to be this eager to visit my home. I wondered what had struck that chord in her. "Oh, Miss Claire, do you have a swimsuit?"

[Assistant] "Of course. Why?"

[User] "I live right by the sea, so I thought we could go swimming," I proposed, but Claire looked at me with a bitter face. "I’m not very fond of the sea."

[Assistant] "Ah…" I’d forgotten Claire couldn’t swim. "I can teach you to swim?"

[User] "Wh-who said I couldn’t swim? !"

[Assistant] "So you can?"

[User] "Er…" Claire turned away in a huff. She was such a darling girl.

[Assistant] "In that case, I’ll teach you the A to Z of swimming and all the letters in between."

[User] "That’s not how the saying goes!"

[Assistant] "You’re so spoiled."

[User] "Me?! What have I done wrong? !"

[Assistant] "By the way, Miss Claire… Please watch out for my mother."

[User] "Huh?"

[Assistant] "She’s, well, you know."

[User] "I know what?"

[Assistant] "She’s even more shameless than I am."

[User] "More than you…?" Claire looked taken aback. "Maybe I shouldn’t visit, then."

[Assistant] "It will be fine."

[User] "Of course it will. I am, after all, the daughter of the François family. No one would dare—"

[Assistant] "It’s precisely because people like you are my mother’s favorite, Miss Claire."

[User] "Then how can you say it’ll be fine? !" And that was how it came about that Claire visited my home.


[Assistant] "Hey, Rae. It’s been a while."

[User] "Hi, McCloy. How have you been?"

[Assistant] "Oh look, it’s Rae. You’re back?"

[User] "Hi, Jane, how are you?" Many people called out to me as we walked through my hometown the next day. I’d forgotten I was the heroine in a videogame aimed at young girls—in other words, I was popular.

[Assistant] "How have you been? They say the capital is dangerous, so we’ve all been worried about you."

[User] "It’s okay. It’s not as scary as everyone thinks it is."

[Assistant] "Is that right? Why, even this town has been getting dangerous lately. Just a few days ago, some aristocrats who came by for the Undead Sending went missing." McCloy noticed my companion. "Who’s this young lady?"

[User] "Oh, this is—"

[Assistant] "I’m a schoolmate of Rae. My name is Claire," Claire cut in, hiding her true identity. But why?

[User] "Oh my, you certainly are polite."


[User] "With a friend like you, our little Rae must feel a bit safer even in the capital, eh?”

[Assistant] “Yes, she takes very good care of me.”

[User] “And how’s Rae doing, Claire? She was always the most capable kid in this town…”

[Assistant] “She’s very capable at the Academy too. Everyone is aware of her talent.”

[User] “Is that so?" Claire’s answer seemed to delight the townspeople, probably because in their eyes, I was a representative of their town.

[Assistant] Rae smiled along with them, I only had one thought. Stop getting in the way of our alone time. Instead, more and more people started to gather around us.


[User] “Rae…?” Argh. The one person I never wanted to see.

[Assistant] "Louie."

[User] “So it is you."

[Assistant] Louie said as he pushed through the crowd to get to us. "It’s very nice to see you, Louie.”

[User] “Why are you talking to me like a stranger? After all we’ve been through?” Louie said, chuckling at his own joke.

[Assistant] Claire looked puzzled. “Who is this?”

[User] “This is Louie. He’s my umm…”

[Assistant] “I’m like Rae’s big brother. Miss Claire," Louie finished my sentence for me. "I’m an adventurer. I know these things.”

[User] As you might expect from a generic fantasy world, adventurers took jobs from guilds and were paid for them. It made sense that such an adventurer, who traveled all over the world, would recognize the only daughter of the Bauer Kingdom’s Minister of Finance.

[Assistant] "Rae, are you going to stay a while?”

[User] “Well, just during the holiday.”

[Assistant] “I see. Stop by my house later. My mom has been asking about you.”

[User] “Okay then. We’re in a bit of a hurry, so we’ll be off now.” Rae said, pulling Claire away from that place.

[Assistant] “Hey, wasn’t that a bit rude?” Claire looked at me quizzically.

[User] “It’s fine. Louie is kind of a pain.”

[Assistant] Misha suddenly popped out of the crowd to snitch on me. “Louie is totally in love with you, Rae.”

[User] “Hey!” Rae protested.

[Assistant] “Why, if it isn’t Misha.”

[User] “It’s only been a day, Miss Claire. What in the world are you doing in a place like this?” Misha had shed her school uniform and was wearing casual clothes.

[Assistant] “I was invited to visit Rae’s house.”

[User] “Invited… Rae’s house isn’t exactly a place that you can be invited to.”

[Assistant] “Well, there’s a lot going on…” Rae stumbled, unable to mention the issues between Claire and Dole in front of Claire.

[User] “Who cares about that? ! What do you mean when you say that boy is in love with Rae? !”

[Assistant] Whoa… That was the part she was hung up on?

[User] “It’s simple. As you just saw, Rae is very popular in this town. Naturally, she has admirers.”

[Assistant] “Ummm… Hmmm.” Claire’s eyes glazed over.

[User] “Louie is just one of those admirers."


[User] "There is no truth whatsoever to that. Claire is the only one for me." Louie cuts Misha off before she could say anything else.

[Assistant] Claire’s stare was ice-cold.

[User] "Miss Claire, you aren’t jealous, are you?"

[Assistant] "I am not jealous! In fact, I don’t even know what you’re implying, though I have an idea!"

[User] "Miss Claire."

[Assistant] "What is it?"

[User] "There’s nothing going on between Louie and me."

[Assistant] "I wonder."

[User] "You don’t believe me?"

[Assistant] "Umm…"

[User] "What is it, Misha?"

[Assistant] "Would you please take your lover’s quarrel elsewhere?"

[User] "This isn’t a lover’s quarrel!" Claire squawked, angry.

[Assistant] "Oh, is that so? Then I will be leaving. Have fun, Rae."

[User] "Wait, Misha!" Having dropped that bomb on us, Misha left.

[Assistant] "C’mon, Miss Claire. Let’s go."

[User] "Hmmm."

[Assistant] "It’s really just adorable when you’re jealous."

[User] "Do you think you can fool me with such words?"

[Assistant] Louie thought for a minute. Then I hugged her in the middle of the street. "There."

[User] "Aargh? !"

[Assistant] "Hmmm. You’re so soft."

[User] "What are you doing? !" She smacked me, hard—it hurt! But I didn’t let go. "This is a public place!"

[Assistant] "I’m not letting go until you forgive me." I squeezed tighter.

[User] "Fine! Fine, now let go!"

[Assistant] "Ahhh."

[User] "Why do you sound disappointed?! Aren’t you asking me to forgive you? !"

[Assistant] "Yes, but it just feels so wonderful to be holding you, Miss Claire."

[User] "That. Is. Enough. Now. Let. Go. Of. Me!" In a feat of strength, she broke free.

[Assistant] "Just as I was starting to think you’d matured a bit…"

[User] "Nobody can stop this overflowing love I have for you."

[Assistant] "Shut up! Argh… Now I’m exhausted before I’ve even been able to greet your mother and father…"

[User] "You mean your future in-laws?"

[Assistant] "You get your mind out of the gutter, you hear me? !"


[User] "Miss Claire, are you ready?"

[Assistant] "Aren’t you being a bit dramatic?" Claire and I stood before the door to my parents’ home, which bore the name Taylor.

[User] "So, you’re ready?"

[Assistant] "Hurry up with it."

[User] Louie prompted, and I opened the door. "I’m home."

[Assistant] "Eh… Huh?" From the back of the store came a young girl who looked like a teenager. "Oh, look who it is! Rae!"