In the Aldyvorn Dukedom, a great commotion was being stirred, yet the one who had caused it was sleeping soundly—seemingly oblivious to the massive ripples she had set in motion.
"Lady Nyx, please wake up," an elegant voice resonated through the room.
Whose voice is this? It feels strangely familiar yet...
Ahhh, it doesn't matter...
"Hmm, five more minutes..." the one who had caused a massive commotion mumbled softly.
"...Lady Nyx, that's the third time already."
The owner of that elegant voice sighed and walked towards the windows—opening them.
Sliide—
Waking Nyx instantly.
So bright! Why is the sunlight so bright?!
She jolted upright in bed, squinting against the flash of the morning sun.
Why is there such a beautiful maid? Hmm? Pointy ears?
"...Lady Nyx, it's already near noon."
Ah, that's right... I transmigrated.
Half Dazed, Nyx's gaze scanned the room. As if looking for something... Rather, someone.
Elaris looked at the young lady before her.
The young lady's eyes squinted, her expression dazed from just waking up, as her head subtly swayed from side to side, as if searching for someone.
'She's so cute!' Elaris couldn't help but think—though not a single trace of that emotion showed on her elegant, composed face.
"Young Master is currently outside... He said he's going to come back when you're awake." Her voice was composed, and elegant.
"...I understand," Nyx replied, her voice soft and coarse.
"Then, I'll take my leave for now and inform the young master."
Nyx's gaze then shifted to the dark-toned elf maid elegantly walking towards the door.
...Elaris Mystborn, one of the target heroines in the game, and the protagonist's assigned maid.
Nyx's lips curled into one of mischief.
That means she should have feelings for the protagonist, hehe. Such a sinful man, aren't you?
***
After a while, Nyx sat up in the bed and would start to wear her dark robe—until something she had been neglecting for a while suddenly came back to strike her... Her cheeks flushed. After all—this is what she meant when she said being a girl isn't just all about romance...
I need to take a bath... but... I'm a girl now... damn... Still, I need to wash myself or else...
Nyx sniffed her own body, but surprisingly...
"I don't smell at all?"
She was perplexed. After all, she hadn't taken a bath for nearly three days already—and she's still human..?
She shook her head.
It doesn't matter, human or not. I still need to take a bath.
Her gaze then began to investigate the entire room, looking for what seemed to be a bathroom.
"Where is it supposed to be?"
Nyx stood up and started to wander around the room, That's when the door suddenly started to open.
Creak
She lightly turned around, and her gaze shifted to the young man with handsome features—icy blue hair, a fit build, and a tall stature.
Cael opened his mouth, his voice cold—yet something warm lay beneath.
"...Nyx."
...!!!
Nyx tensed up, after all...
"...Hey, don't just start calling my name."
"Why?" Cael instantly replied.
He was perplexed—after all, it was just as simple as calling someone's name.
"...No reason, really... It's just unfamiliar to me," she mumbled, as if she didn't want the man before her to hear.
Cael heard her mumbling—after all, his senses were already beyond those of a normal person, even by this world's standard.
"...I understand... But what are you doing?" He looked at her, puzzled. After all, it seemed like she was just exploring the room, from his point of view.
"Ah, that's right. Where's the bathroom?"
"Why?"
"...What do you mean, why?" Nyx replied with a hint of irritation—she was already dealing with a dilemma of her own, and now someone was adding to it.
Cael felt stupid. After all, during all this time while conversing with Nyx, he hadn't made a single moment of eye contact—as if his eyes were deliberately avoiding her.
Cael sighed.
"It's in that door over there," he pointed at it whilst replying. But after a quick pause, he added, "Also, be quick about it if possible—the food downstairs is getting cold."
Actually, food doesn't necessarily get cold in this world—after all, fire magic exists. The meal was originally prepared for breakfast, but because of Nyx's unseemly sleeping habits, it was postponed until lunch.
Regardless, her expression shifted to one of deeper annoyance, her eyes squinting at the man before her before she silently turned back towards the bathroom.
"...What do you mean, 'be quick'?" Nyx mumbled — though it was more accurate to say she was quietly grumbling.
Cael felt even more perplexed... He truly couldn't understand.
But after her grumbling, she turned around once again, her cheeks flushed even deeper.
Nyx seemed to be hesitating and unsure about what she was about to say... But this time—yet again—she truly had no choice.
"...Clothes," She muttered so quietly that she was pretty much the only one who could hear it. Her gaze avoided the man before her.
Cael looked at the girl before him with a resigned expression and sighed.
"...I'll inform Elaris about it, so just take a bath for now."
"...I appreciate it." She mumbled, though once again it could barely be heard, and her face was now completely beet red.
Damn it, damn it, why must I suffer this embarrassment?!
***
Nyx left the bathroom with a hint of flush on her cheeks, and unlike earlier—she now wore her dark cape, completely covering her interior.
Because of that, Cael—sitting in the same chair he had the day before—unknowingly felt relieved and more at ease when he looked at her.
But his gaze then shifted to Nyx's hair, which was dripping with water, and he started to walk towards her, causing Nyx to be puzzled.
"W-what is it?"
"...Stand still, I'm gonna dry your hair."
He walked up behind her and raised his hands, casting a wind magic spell towards her hair.
Whoosh
Nyx's expression shifted into one of intrigue—still, she just stared at the display. But after her hair was completely dry...
"...Hey, after the meal. Can I ask you for a favor?"
"Alright." He replied, he was curious about what it was, still—he would know about it later. So, there's no point in doing so.
***
Afterwards, they left the room and began walking through the hallway on the second floor.
I-it's really huge... no matter how many times I see this view... Still, again—I've only seen it once... But why is there no one?
Nyx glanced toward Cael, her gaze lingering with curiosity.
"Where did all those maids and butlers go?"
She was puzzled. There had been at least over a hundred maids and butlers yesterday—yet now, there were none.
"I sent them all away earlier."
If the workers were here, they'd cause such a huge commotion that it would be extremely bothersome—so for now, only Elaris and the three of them are in the mansion.
They were walking side by side. Even though her question had already been answered, it seemed like there was more and her gaze lingered on him.
"...Umm, another question." Her voice came out with a bit of hesitation.
"What is it?"
"...Are you going to enter the Academy?"
Cael, who had been looking straight ahead, was now responding to her gaze. Though their heights were quite different, so he had to look down.
"Are you going to enter yourself?"
Nyx's gaze then shifted straight ahead down the hallway, seemingly unsure of what to say.
"I'm not sure anymore... depends on your choice..."
Cael pondered about it for a while. After all, for him, entering the academy held very little benefit... But that was just for him, not for the girl before him.
"Let's do it then. It's also a great way to improve your skills and become more familiar with this world. More importantly, we could explore the other regions or even the hollows."
In the Academy, they regularly send out students to assist other regions—and, more often than not, even entire continents like the World Tree or deploy them into the Hollows as support backups. Of course, there's a high chance of accidents, but that's generally accepted as normal occurrence.
"That's true... But I still need to take the practical exams tomorrow. I don't even know if I can pass in the first place." She answered hesitantly.
"...With your skills, you could easily pass, but..."
"But what?"
"...I need you to reach S-Class—so I can monitor you."
Her lips curled up, as if she were coming up with something mischievous yet again.
"Hmm? Monitor me? Are you my..." Her words trailed off, and her gaze turned hazy as she realized she was being insensitive.
Cael simply stared at her, unsure of how to respond…
So, he just placed his hand on top of the girl before him and gently patted her head.
"...It's fine. I know you didn't mean it." His voice was gentle and no coldness could be found beneath it.
Nyx didn't reply, nor did she protest the hand softly patting her head. She just let it be, her expression unreadable.
***
After arriving at the dining room—just as large as the hallway and with an extremely wide table that could seat nearly a hundred—Cael and Nyx took their seats, with Elaris standing quietly to the side.
For a while, silence lingered between them, until Nyx finally broke it.
"...Where's the Duke?" she asked curiously. After all, that man was far too eccentric to be missing something like this.
"The Duke is currently meeting someone. It might also have something to do with both you, Young Master, and Lady Nyx."
"...I see." Nyx was curious, but unlike with Cael, she wasn't as familiar with the elf before her—so she chose to stay silent and focused on her meal.
Cael noticed the reluctance that Nyx was showing, so he tried to come up with something...
"...How is the food?" he asked, though his voice came out rather awkwardly.
"What do you mean? I mean, it's good...? I'm still a human you know?" Nyx replied, puzzled—or at least, that's how her face appeared to be.
It failed miserably. After all, they were eating perfectly cooked steak and sausages with eggs—there was no way it wouldn't taste good.
"...I see."
"Mm... I appreciate the thought." Her lips curled into a faint smile. Of course, she understood what Cael was trying to do. Though a bit awkward, his consideration was starting to grow on her and she found it entertaining to tease the man before her.
Cael sighed, realizing he was being played yet again... He really couldn't handle this small girl before him.
***
Meanwhile, Elaris was observing them— her face hinted at an approving look,
They really are a pair made in heaven... If it's this young lady, then—I don't mind...
For the first time in a long while, Elaris's cold, expressionless face showed a small, genuine smile—as if just watching the two before her was enough to warm her heart.
But because of that, the topic she had been trying to put aside could no longer be ignored.
"Young Master, about the business your father is currently dealing with..."
Cael's gaze shifted to Elaris, his eyes showing a hint of indifference and disinterest—though not as extreme as the day before. Meanwhile, Nyx just looked at them with a hint of curiosity.
Elaris appeared to be very hesitant to continue her words—after all, as it was quite a sensitive topic.
"It's regarding Lady Erica, I mean... Your Fiancée." After a quick pause, she added "She appears to be on her way here. Most likely… she intends to join us for dinner."
| Chapter 9 - Brewing Storm (?)