Chapter 38: A Fillaunete’s Vow

"Y’know, Reyn... you never really cease to surprise me."

"That’s a new tone from you."

Trish let out a small, almost self-conscious laugh as she settled onto the space beside me.

"Well... if you were in my position, you wouldn’t blame me."

She lifted the cover from the tray, and the scent of warm food filled the space between us. Without asking, she began cutting the meat into neat, bite-sized pieces, her movements calm and practiced.

"You’re the one who saved my entire life, Reyn. The infamous son of Duke Brimstone. A man with more scandals than my entire family tree... who somehow became the strongest student in the academy in a month, and apparently doesn’t even care about murder."

She raised a piece to my lips, and I accepted without complaint. She didn’t seem to find it strange. Neither did I.

Trish smiled faintly, watching me eat like she was the one being fed.

"It’s hard to swallow that a man like you actually exists. When I told you I was willing to do anything after you saved my house... I thought you’d ask for my body."

She paused, her violet eyes lowering briefly before flicking back up to meet mine.

"And the horrifying part was... I didn’t think I’d mind if you did."

I let the silence hang for a beat, chewing slowly as her words settled between us. The admission lingered in the air, raw and unpolished.

"Glad I didn’t then."

Trish’s eyes widened by the faintest fraction before she let out a breathless little laugh.

"Y-You’re really not like the rumors, are you?"

"Not totally. I’m a changed man, as you know. But I’m not exactly a saint either, Trish."

She shook her head, her smile small but genuine.

"I never wanted a saint. Saints are the ones who let people like my family fall apart while they pray for better days."

Another piece of meat hovered near my lips, and I accepted it without breaking eye contact. Her fingers never trembled this time.

"And I guess it’s better that way. Having a saint as my savior while I’m not one myself would probably mess with me more than you think."

She wasn’t wrong. In the novel, after the fall of House Fillaunete, Trish hadn’t wasted time wringing her hands. She was still a noblewoman, trained in every art of politics and survival.

Prim and proper on the surface, but a vulture when it mattered. Her entire archetype relied on gap moe, one of the few villainesses who were willing to get their hands dirty even before they fully went mad.

The novel never shied away from showing that through flashbacks.

"Like when you framed Lord Oryn’s son for wrecking Lord Richard’s guest room?"

"Y-You know about that!?"

"I was in the next room. I saw everything."

I laughed, and I wasn’t lying. This body did carry that memory, back when Reyn was still young and forced to socialize with other noble children at gatherings.

"We were young back then, that’s—"

"Point is, I don’t care. Coming from me, I’m sure that isn’t much of a surprise."

Trish seemed to consider my words, then let out a soft sigh of relief before feeding me another piece of food. Her violet eyes flickered with something deeper, something that looked almost like the glow of quiet, dawning obsession.

An ominous glow I found absolutely beautiful.

"...That makes it easier for me to fulfill the agreement between Anna and I, then."

Scary but beautiful. Absolutely perfect.

"Care to explain that agreement?"

"It’s a secret. But just know that... now that I know you don’t mind, I want you to understand something."

She set the fork down and met my eyes, her voice low and steady.

"Whatever happens to you, House Fillaunete—no, I, Trish Fillaunete, will do everything in my power to make sure my savior never becomes unsatisfied."

"That’s a lot of power to give someone who’s barely done anything."

"That isn’t what the letter said."

Trish replied without hesitation. And honestly, I was now deathly curious what in the world Father had written in that letter to make her so indebted to me.

Not that I mind. Whatever was in that letter, I intended to surpass it. I’m not just going to ride on my father’s recommendation.

✧ ✦ ✧

Morning arrived, and for once, it was the weekend. Just as Anna had promised, she was the first thing I saw when I opened my eyes, though not quite in the way I’d imagined.

"Trish...?"

It was Trish standing at my bedside, holding a small painted portrait of Anna directly in front of my face.

"I heard about Anna’s promise. She couldn’t make it today; apparently, something urgent came up. She sent word by messenger bird, so I was asked to keep her promise in her place."

The fact that this was the least crazy thing I’d heard all week was honestly mind-boggling. Satisfying, but mind-boggling nonetheless.

But that wasn’t the point. Today, I had something important to do.

"Tell her she owes you one, then."

I smiled and sat up, stretching my sore body. The bandages were still wrapped around my torso, but the wounds beneath them had mostly healed.

I peeled them off slowly, the passive light magic still humming through my body making sure nothing lingered longer than necessary. I looked good as new.

"Y-You really do heal quickly..."

"Perks of being a light mage. Oh, and we’re going on an outing later this afternoon. Prepare our outfits."

"An outing?"

I met her eyes, already forming the next part of the plan in my head.

"You’re my maid, aren’t you? I’m sure my father won’t mind."

Trish wasn’t exactly part of the original plan, but now that she was here, I’d just incorporate her anyway.

"O-Of course! I’ll be sure to look my best!"

Then her gaze softened, a faint blush rising to her cheeks.

"Oh, and the bath is already prepared. If you’ll allow me... I’ll be helping out again."

Now that was something to look forward to almost as much as my plans.