Chapter 30: Trish Fillaunete The Maid

Anna clasped her hands behind her back, rocking slightly on her heels as she drew out the pause with theatrical precision.

"He said..."

She met my eyes, and her smile softened.

"That he’s fine with our relationship."

✧ ✦ ✧

Fine.

Honestly, I didn’t know what to expect. Maybe I’d been a little too hopeful; my father was tougher to crack than I’d initially thought.

I expected fanfare; having a disgraced son suddenly become a King-Class mage in just a month would have most fathers foaming at the mouth.

Well, assuming Anna told him about it. And she undoubtedly did.

Guess his standards were just unnaturally high. Either that, or my superb performance had skewed them to the point of being unrealistic.

Well, at least Anna was happy.

THUMP!

I flopped back onto my bed, feeling the constant flow of mana training me. I had no idea when this empty-vessel state would end.

So I had to make the most of it while I could. According to the book I’d read, everyone’s empty-vessel duration differs, so I couldn’t rely on the average being three months.

I wasn’t that lax.

"It would be nice if Anna stayed longer."

I sighed, remembering the moment she told me what my father had said to her. Then a maid appeared to interrupt us, calling about some family matters.

Well, no matter. I’d talk to her tomorrow and see how her new personality held up with this newfound information.

See how many more boundaries she’d break now that she had Gavian’s and my father’s approval.

The curiosity was enough to make me want to invent time travel.

"Actually... I think I know how to push her buttons a little."

✧ ✦ ✧

"It’s pouring..."

Rain first thing in the morning. Now that’s what I call a good start to the day. Sunny days are nice, but waking up to the sound of rain and the cool air was unbeatable.

I sat up in bed, rubbing my eyes as I prepared for a special day at the academy. The announcements, now that was something I’d been waiting a month for.

And with my plan to push Anna a little further over the edge.

This was the most excited I’d ever been to go to school.

"Good morning, master."

"Morning to you too."

I stood and looked at myself in the mirror to check my face, but froze a moment later.

Wait... when did I get a maid in my room? And why the hell did she sound like Trish!?

"H-Huh!?"

I turned, and I wasn’t hallucinating. Beside me, standing by my bedside, was literally Trish. And she was already dressed in the academy uniform, having prepared hours before me.

"Morning, Lord Reyn."

"W-Why are you here!?"

"Well... House Fillaunete wanted to thank you for saving our house. And, well... they thought having a maid the same age as you would be a perfect thank-you gift. Your father approved of it as well."

What is this...? An adult novel? What kind of family would even do something like that?

"And... you’re okay with that?"

"Well, it certainly was a surprise. But knowing you, Rey—I mean, Lord Reyn—I don’t mind."

So this was the reason she disappeared midway through the academy yesterday...

Her family had been planning something like this all along. Honestly, I was now deathly curious about her parents. I wanted to see the crazy bastards who thought shipping their beautiful daughter to me was a good idea...

"I-I see. And what are you doing in my room?"

"Well, your father said I should help you prepare."

"Uh huh..."

I stared at Trish for a long moment, my brain still catching up to the situation.

She stood there with her hands clasped neatly in front of her, the picture of a perfect maid. Silver hair tied back with a simple ribbon. Violet eyes watching me with that same mix of gratitude and admiration I’d seen yesterday.

Except now she was in my bedroom. At the crack of dawn. While I was still in my sleepwear.

"My father approved this?"

"Immediately, from what I was told."

Trish nodded, a hint of pink dusting her cheeks.

"Lord Cain said it was the least House Fillaunete could do after your recommendation saved them from ruin. He also mentioned something about it being... good for your continued development."

Of course he did. Father wasn’t just being generous. He was keeping me on a leash. A very soft, very pretty leash, but a leash nonetheless.

Place a grateful, observant noblewoman in my service, and now he’ll be able to see if I really changed as a person.

Not that I could complain. Trish was supposed to be one of my targets anyway. Having her literally delivered to my bedroom just accelerated the timeline significantly.

"Lord Reyn?"

Trish tilted her head, concern flickering across her features.

"You’re staring. Is something wrong?"

"Nothing’s wrong. Just... processing."

I ran a hand through my hair. If Trish was going to be my maid, I might as well get used to her presence.

"So what exactly does ’helping me prepare’ entail?"

"Well..."

She gestured to a folded uniform on my dresser, already pressed and arranged with military precision. Beside it sat a tray with what looked like a light breakfast, pastries, fruit, and a steaming cup of tea.

"I took the liberty of preparing your uniform and breakfast. I wasn’t sure about your preferences, so I asked the kitchen staff what you usually eat."

"I see. Then keep watch over it while I bathe."

But before I could even turn the door handle, Trish was already speaking.

"Do you, umm... want me to help out with that?"

She’s supposed to be a maid, right? But I guess a noblewoman like her wouldn’t really know what her boundaries as a maid were supposed to be.

Still, I’ll take advantage of it nonetheless.

Father can’t really complain. I won’t do anything to her, and even if he did accuse me, I’m sure Trish would support my innocence.

"Well, if you don’t mind, I’d love that."