Chapter 191 - Conspiracy (7)

Olivia watched Lilith's retreating figure and smirked as if she had expected it.

"I knew she'd be like that."

"Why is that?"

"She kept refusing, saying no, no. But look how she immediately agreed after seeing you once."

"...You called someone who had been refusing all along?"

"I knew she'd agree in the end. You're one of the hardest people to get close to in Eternia. Just recently, some of my classmates were asking how I got to know you."

"It seems my face has become a bit known since the sparring evaluation."

"Yeah, I thought you two would have at least talked since you're both in Art Club, so it's surprising you're not close."

"I'm not close with most people, not just Lilith."

"Lilith is sociable, so it'll be fine. You know she's popular, right? You must have seen boys lingering around Marigold Hall just to catch a glimpse of Lilith."

"I didn't know."

I had seen some male students loitering around Marigold Hall, but I just thought they were waiting for friends. I hadn't considered they might have had other purposes. So they were hanging around to see Lilith? There was something a bit suspicious about it.

"Well, anyway, you'll have a hard time finding someone as good at dancing as Lilith. She grew up strictly in a family that lacks nothing."

I wonder why Lilith accepted the request to teach dance. It didn't seem to be simply because we were in the same Art Club. She might have judged that there was something to gain from me.

If I considered it merely as goodwill... that would be naive thinking. Well, I was willing to pay the price equivalent to the value of the education she provided.

Regardless of my will, I'd likely have to attend social gatherings quite frequently in the future, so I needed to learn the etiquette and rules of that world.

"First, thank you for introducing me to someone."

Olivia waved her hand dismissively.

"No, this is nothing compared to what you've done for me. I'm going! Since you've met now, become close friends!"

She left those words and suddenly departed for her next class.

As I was left alone at the clock tower, something approached me.

When I turned my head, Luna's spirit had come to my side at some point and was sitting with its tongue out as usual.

"...?"

When did it come so close? And why is it hovering around me?

The spirit just stared silently at the departing Olivia, its thoughts unknown.

***

Fontana, a second-year student and one of the Drama Club's writers, came down from the stage after rehearsal and headed towards the audience seats. She looked at Luna, who was sitting in the middle of the audience seats, intently reading something while holding papers.

Fontana crept up to the middle row where Luna was sitting.

Luna was reading a letter with an expressionless face, a small sparrow spirit that emitted light perched on her shoulder.

"Luna!"

When she called, Luna was startled and quickly folded the letter.

"...Senior."

"What were you doing?"

"Reading a letter... from my family."

"Family? You mean the Reilis family?"

"Yes."

The Reilis family was one of the most prestigious and historic noble families in the Empire. The achievements of Luna's ancestors were so legendary that the Reilis family was always mentioned in ballads and fairy tales related to the Spirit King.

"It's so fascinating. To think that a junior making plays with me is the daughter of the Reilis family."

"..."

"How does it feel to be born and find out your father is the head of the Reilis family?"

"I don't feel anything..."

"Right, you're probably so used to it that it feels like nothing. But what did the letter say? Your expression was so serious."

"...It was asking if I did well in the sparring evaluation."

"Is that all? Your face looked so bad I thought you might have been told to drop out."

"There was nothing serious..."

"Then why do you look like that?"

Luna closed her mouth and was silent for a moment. Fontana looked at Luna's face and nodded as if she had read her thoughts.

"Oh my, it's because of the ball. They told you not to dance with boys, right?"

Luna hesitated for a moment, then reluctantly nodded.

"How did you know?"

"It's obvious. Families that are a bit strict tend to control their children like puppets even when they're far away. Adults all know how dancing brings people closer. When you look into each other's eyes and share body language with your partner, how could your eyes not meet? Haa, there are quite a few kids who can't dance because of their families, not just you. Hang in there."

"..."

"Most of the Literature Club last year was free, but the Drama Club has many kids suffering because of their families. Ah! Did you perhaps have someone in mind?"

"...No."

Though it was a regrettable situation, Fontana's expression seemed strangely pleased. Feeling uncomfortable with her subtle probing, Luna said, "Can I have a moment to think alone?"

When Luna responded somewhat coldly, Fontana immediately stepped back.

"Sure, you must not be feeling great. I'll go to the changing room for a bit. Finish up here."

"Okay."

After Fontana left, Luna picked up her aunt's letter again. The letter that arrived after a long time from a relative. What was written in it was actually different from what she had told Fontana.

Luna sighed, feeling complicated.

It was something that made her head more complex than the demand not to associate with men.

[Luna, I heard you've made many friends at Eternia. Now that spring is ripening... Eternia is also approaching its ball season. I hope you can find a boy you like... I'm very curious about what choice you'll make. Whatever you choose, we'll gladly accept and support you.]

The letter was actually encouraging her to actively participate in the ball. And the last sentence kept catching her eye.

[We would love to invite the boy who becomes your partner to the Reilis family's territory.]

Her relatives knew well about the wound in Luna's heart, and because of that, they paid more attention to whether she had a partner.

However, the ball, dancing, and invitation were all still overwhelming tasks for Luna.

And above all, she couldn't know what feelings the person she wanted as a partner had.

Though she wanted to convey positive news, she couldn't do as her heart wished. Dancing must be requested by the man.

***

I headed towards the clock tower as it was getting dark after finishing dinner.

The wind had become a bit chilly. As it was the time when everyone had gone back to their dormitories, the area around the clock tower was deserted and quiet.

After standing alone for about ten minutes, I saw a long-haired woman approaching me.

Lilith walked calmly, wearing a plain sleeveless dress. She stopped about five steps away from me and stared intently at my face.

"..."

"..."

As if engaging in a battle of wills, she kept her mouth shut without even greeting.

Since I was the one asking for a favor, I spoke first, "Is there a reason you told me to come to the clock tower at this time?"

"...I like the front of the clock tower. You can tell exactly who's late for appointments."

Liking the clock tower, is she like Cecil too? 

She didn't seem like that kind of personality when I accompanied her before.

"This doesn't seem like an appropriate place for dancing."

Lilith nodded as if it was obvious.

"Yes."

And an awkward silence settled for a moment. I first asked about Lilith's purpose, "By the way, may I ask why you accepted Senior Olivia's request?"

"There's no great reason. I just thought it might be useful to have you owe me a favor. You're quite famous, aren't you? Just know that it's not simply out of goodwill. I don't mind if you see me as materialistic."

The blurry image of Lilith in my memory gradually became clearer.

She spoke honestly without unnecessary pretense. 

Was she originally like this? Or has she changed since enrollment? 

It was much more comfortable for me that she was like this. If she had acted similar to that gray-haired girl I knew when I was young, it would have been very irritating.

If she taught properly, I could pay any price and there wouldn't be any problem.

"Alright, where will we have the lessons?"

Lilith suddenly questioned me as if perplexed, "...How can you ask me that? Don't you have a place prepared?"

"Anywhere away from people's eyes would be fine, right?"

Then Lilith shook her head.

"No, it needs to be a place where it's easy to move in shoes. Not in the mountains where my clothes might get dirty. I don't like grassy fields either. Above all, there needs to be music."

"Isn't it enough to keep time with our mouths?"

Lilith avoided my gaze and combed her hair with her hand as she spoke, "Do you think it makes sense to move your body to a rhythm without knowing what music it is? Well, it might not be necessary right away. But if you're learning properly, it's essential."

"..."

So dancing required demanding conditions. This was something I hadn't thought of.

Do we need to hire a professional musician separately?

"It seems you had no plans at all. Well, for the basic stage, keeping time with our mouths might be fine."

She took a step towards me and continued speaking, "Take me somewhere quiet and away from people's eyes. Anywhere is fine, do as you like."

Then she slightly extended her hand towards me. As if asking me to escort her.

Whatever we do, the front of the clock tower wasn't a good place.

***

In the evening as the sun had set completely. Luna paced for a long time behind the Witdruff Hall dormitory. A cool breeze from the forest behind the dormitory swept her hair.

Sensing something in that wind, Luna turned her body around.

About ten steps away, a beast with a snow-white body and blue glowing eyes was walking steadily towards her.

The beast came in front of Luna and sat down obediently like a puppy, despite its size.

She received the spirit's report there.

Luna's eyes widened momentarily as she understood the spirit's words, but she soon regained her composure and nodded quietly.

"It's okay, it's okay... They're Art Club classmates... I think that can happen. Was there nothing else?"

Luna's expression began to harden as she listened to the spirit's words.

"Damian... waves at you every time and today he rubbed your belly?"

"Woof woof!"

The wolf spirit barked once loudly, as if proud.

Luna suddenly lost strength and crouched down. Then, as her face heated up, she covered her face with her hair for reasons beyond even her. In a weak voice, she said, "What should I do? I told you... not to be noticeable..."