Chapter 14: A Noble’s Secret and a Servant’s Scheme

“That day, I asked you if I was truly suited to studying magic. Do you recall your answer?”

“Of course I do,” Yalin affirmed, nodding his head.

“I said that the Young Lady’s aptitude was merely average, and that to become a mage, she would need to exert far more effort than an ordinary person.”

“Heh heh, you certainly have a way with words, beating around the bush like that.”

Luluti tilted her head, gazing at Yalin. “Let me ask you again now: do I seem like the type of person who would diligently study magic?”

Yalin remained silent for a moment, before a smile bloomed on his face as well.

“With all due respect, I perceive not a single spark of enthusiasm for magic within the Young Lady.”

“Exactly, right? I have absolutely no interest in magic whatsoever; I can’t even be bothered to touch it. Even a fool could see that.”

“And yet, can you guess what that group of old men who came to apply had to say?”

Yalin merely smiled, offering no words, as Luluti continued speaking, engrossed in her own narrative.

“They claimed my talent far surpassed that of ordinary people, asserting it simply hadn’t been unleashed yet. They even went so far as to say they could discern a thirst for knowledge in my eyes…”

“Heh heh, a bunch of scoundrels! Were they truly trying to make a fool out of me?”

Luluti muttered curses under her breath.

Though she was indeed pampered and capricious, Luluti was unlike those self-important young ladies, possessing a remarkably clear understanding of herself.

Her elemental affinity was utterly unremarkable, manipulating magical energy proved to be an arduous task, and those intricate formulas and patterns were as inscrutable as celestial scriptures to her.

She knew, with absolute certainty, that she possessed no talent for magic whatsoever.

Yet, she saw no issue with this fact.

Not everyone was a prodigy, and she had never once harbored the ambition of becoming a mage.

However, as a scion of the Astria family, she was obligated to master a certain degree of magical knowledge.

After all, within the kingdom, magic was not merely a symbol of power; it was also an embodiment of noble status and refined upbringing.

Initially, the family had dedicated tutors, but as they all resided in the Royal Capital, they were unable to arrive promptly. Consequently, Luluti was compelled to recruit a private tutor in Elanmia.

As anticipated, the day after the notice was posted, the courtyard was swarming with applicants vying for the position.

Nevertheless, after an entire morning of interviews, Luluti had yet to find a single candidate she deemed suitable.

Each applicant resembled a programmed automaton, displaying identical, practiced smiles and uttering platitudes they themselves surely didn’t believe.

Compared to the seasoned veterans of the Royal Capital, their performances were truly amateurish. The compliments they painstakingly concocted filled Luluti with a deep sense of revulsion.

It was not until Yalin entered that she finally lifted her gaze for the first time.

Although he, too, was smiling, his smile was utterly distinct from the others—devoid of any flattery or hypocrisy, it was as gentle as a refreshing breeze.

‘Perhaps, I might never be able to wear such a smile myself…’

“Young Lady, are you feeling unwell today?” Yalin inquired abruptly.

He was a master at discerning subtle cues and reading people’s expressions.

Though a faint smile played on Luluti’s lips, her eyes betrayed little amusement. Coupling this with her earlier uncharacteristic behavior, Yalin swiftly deduced the truth.

Sure enough, Luluti paused, her gaze dimming slightly.

“It’s none of your concern. Even if I told you, you wouldn’t understand anyway.”

She let out a cold huff, then turned her back to Yalin.

After a brief pause, she spoke again.

“To be honest, sometimes, I truly envy you.”

“So, the Young Lady truly envies someone like me? I, for one, have always dreamed of living a life like yours. How about we switch places?” Yalin quipped playfully.

“You truly are shamelessly impudent.”

Luluti let out a scoffing laugh.

“But, this is quite good… this is fine just as it is.”

Yalin refrained from speaking further, simply gazing with a soft smile at her slender back.

He understood perfectly that Luluti had grown up amidst a web of falsehoods.

As the esteemed daughter of the Astria family, her ears had been filled with nothing but praise and flattery since childhood.

No one dared to criticize her, nor even offer an objective assessment.

Perhaps, precisely because of this, she harbored such a profound yearning for the truth.

‘Only, Young Lady, what a pity.’

She believed Yalin incapable of deceit, when in reality, the opposite was true.

He was, in fact, exceedingly skilled at it.

It was precisely for this reason that Yalin could utter every lie with such naturalness that it sounded indistinguishable from the truth.

Luluti continued to lie still, utterly motionless.

After a considerable while, she abruptly scrambled up from the bed, revealing two sharp, pointed canines as she glared fiercely at Yalin.

“Forget everything I just said, understand? If you dare breathe a word of it outside, I’ll make you regret it dearly!”

“Rest assured, Young Lady, I swear I would sooner die than reveal it to anyone.”

“Hmph, that’s more like it.”

Luluti nodded, a look of satisfaction on her face.

“Never mind. Let’s begin the lesson. After all, if I don’t achieve some results, you won’t be able to report back to Father, will you?”

“I appreciate the Young Lady’s consideration.”

Yalin offered his heartfelt thanks.

Those words, at least, were genuine.

Truth be told, despite the Young Lady’s rather volatile temper, she did possess a modicum of conscience, enough to consider his predicament.

If this continued, with her simply refusing to engage, Yalin would be packing his bags and dismissed within two weeks.

“Before that, bring me my socks. My feet are freezing, and it’s terribly uncomfortable.”

“Understood.”

Yalin respectfully picked up the neatly folded white stockings and presented them to Luluti.

“Would the Young Lady require my assistance in putting them on?”

“Er… there’s no need.”

Luluti, feeling a flicker of embarrassment and annoyance, snatched her socks from Yalin’s hand and slipped them on in a few swift movements.

Knock, knock, knock!

Just then, a sudden knocking echoed from the room’s door.

“Meow-whoop!”

A startled Luluti let out a peculiar yelp, instantly leaping from the bed.

Once she finally steadied herself, she demanded indignantly, “What is it?”

“It-it’s me… Young Lady, I-I’ve come to bring your afternoon tea…”

A somewhat trembling voice sounded from beyond the door.

“Tsk… enter.”

“Y-yes, of course. Forgive the intrusion.”

The door swung open, and a cat-girl maid, dressed in her uniform, entered.

With flaxen hair and deep green eyes, she bore a certain resemblance to Luluti.

However, none of the confidence and pride typical of a noble young lady could be discerned in her; only nervous unease and awkwardness.

“Th-this is black tea and the freshly baked… er, yes, cookies! Pl-please, enjoy!”

She carefully placed the tray onto the desk, then hastily tried to depart. Yet, no sooner had she turned than her legs gave way, causing her to tumble to the ground with a thud.

Her head struck the cabinet with a loud bang.

“Hey, what, what in the world are you doing?”

Luluti was utterly bewildered by her. It took a moment for her to process what had happened before she quickly moved to help the maid up.

‘This clumsy oaf…’

Yalin stood to the side, his face a mask of surprise, as if he, too, had been startled.

Inwardly, however, his mind was racing.

This cat-girl maid was far from clumsy.

Yalin distinctly noticed that, under the pretense of her fall, she had swiftly placed a listening device beneath the cabinet.