“Is your trust in me that low?”

Hearing her mistress say those words with tears welling in her eyes, Rina was so shocked, that her mind stopped working. In her mind, she had said nothing, that should have made Clara sad. But now, she stood there motionless, watching her crush trying to hold back her tears.

Rina really wanted to take out a handkerchief to give it to the older girl, but refrained from doing so. Although she couldn't quite understand why Clara was sad, she did know that it was her fault. So, it was definitely not her place to comfort her mistress. That was why Rina just stood there and waited patiently for Clara to calm down.

“Tell me, Rina. What is our relationship like?” Clara asked, noticing that her maid was just staring at her.

But before Rina could answer the question, the blonde girl continued in a low voice. “Is it a master-servant relationship? Is it a relationship where you do what I want and where you protect me with your body when I'm in any danger?”

This time, Clara was actually waiting for an answer, so Rina nodded.

“I see... then what will you do when my father rejects you next year?”

At the question, Rina clenched her fists. Until now, she had tried not to think about the fact, that her time at Clara's side was only temporary. Next year she would still have to pass a test that would decide whether she could stay here or not. But she knew that it was not only the test, that could prevent her from being employed further. Her time until then surely also served as some sort of probationary period, during which the Dragonherz couple would observe her. She even suspected that Fran had been assigned to watch her as well. So, one mistake could be enough to separate her from her crush.

And now, she had seemingly hurt Clara. Rina didn't know why, but it was clear, that Clara was disappointed in her. Looking at the older girl's facial expression, she was sure that her happy days had come to an end. One word from Clara to Eric was enough for Rina to be dismissed.

Once again, before Rina could finish her thoughts to reply to her mistress's question, Clara interrupted with a lonely smile. “Hey, Rina... let me guess your current thoughts... You are probably thinking, that I will convince Father to fire you, aren't you?”

“!... That's-”

This time Clara put her hands over Rina's mouth, preventing her from finishing that sentence. “No need to answer. It was a rhetorical question... Looking at your face, I can already imagine your answer... I've been watching you very closely for the past year, after all”

“...”

“Well then,” Clara took her hands from her maid's mouth, walked over to the door, and opened it. “I will not disturb you any longer in your training.” But before she left, she turned around and bowed to the elf. “I leave her in your hands, but please, don't undress her again.” Then, she left the room.

*Clack*

As the door closed again, Fran finally spoke up, having watched the situation unfold in silence the whole time. “There you have it, Rina. From now on you have to practice the Loading Phase with your clothes on.”

“Nononono, I think there are more pressing matters to comment on than that!” Rina couldn't help but retort to her instructor's statement.

“Well, then what do you want me to comment on?”

“That you don't have to teach me anymore from tomorrow onwards?”

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“... Wow. The young Lady really can read your mind... Is that what you really think? That you will be fired tomorrow?”

“Well if it's not tomorrow or on one of the following days, I'm sure that I won't be able to pass the test next year.”

“Because you hurt the young Lady?”

The red-haired girl nodded at the question.

“I'm speechless... you're really dumb for being such a mature girl.”

“Ehehehe...” At first, Rina blushed at the praise for her maturity, but then she realised that she was actually being insulted. “D-dumb!?”

“Yeah, your reaction pretty much confirms it. Do you know why that girl was hurt?”

“...” Rina just remained silent, avoiding eye contact.

“...Haaaaah... Well, fine, let's just end today's lesson here. I don't think you can concentrate today. Go back and rest. Think about your mistress's words, figure out her feelings, and talk to her tomorrow.”

“... I understand... I'm sorry for the inconvenience I have caused you tonight.”

With those words, Rina bid farewell to Fran for the night, stepped out, and went to her room. As Clara's personal maid, it was situated right next to her mistress's room. In noble society, this arrangement was quite common, so that in emergencies the personal assistants could rush to their master's side as quickly as possible. This was especially important when the assistant also acted as a guard, like in Rina's case.

Once arrived in her private space, she changed out of her maid outfit into her sleepwear, which, incidentally, had been handed down to her by Clara. Of course, this was usually unheard of, as it would damage their esteem if nobles started giving their servants old, worn clothes. For some reason, however, the blonde had really insisted on Rina wearing her old clothes except for the maid uniform.

At first, it seemed to Rina that her mistress wanted to be a bit more intimate with her. After all, from what she had heard in conversations, girls in her former life often swapped clothes with their best friends or lovers. She even did It with her twin several times during childhood. But it was clear to her that this wasn't Clara's intention. Rina suspected that the blonde was just kind enough to give her those clothes so that Rina wouldn't have to waste money buying new ones. Still, regardless of Clara's motives, Rina was just glad to be able to wear her crush's old wardrobe. For her, this was still a symbol of intimacy.

There was only one problem. Rina's pride took a big hit, as the sleepwear had just changed into had been worn by her mistress when she was five years old.

***

The following next morning, Rina opened her eyes as usual at 5 AM, prepared herself for the day, changed into her uniform, and walked over to the door leading to Clara's room to collect her mistress's laundry. Luckily, the blonde had a very deep sleep which was why her actions had never woken Clara up before. But strangely, when Rina entered Clara's room, its owner was already up, sitting on the bed as if she waited for her.

“Good Morning Rina, you are already up?”

“Y-yes, good morning, Lady Clara. My day usually starts at this time.” Normally, when they were alone like right now, Rina would call Clara by her name without the 'Lady' prefix. However, because of what had happened the night before, she wasn't sure if it was still appropriate.

But as if Clara could sense the thoughts that were swirling in her maid's head, she spoke up. “Won't you call me as usual when we're alone?”

Those words instantly cleared Rina's inner anxiety, resulting in her blossoming like a flower. “Yes, if that's what you wish, Clara.”

Unfortunately, her smile was only met with a weak one from Clara. Seeing that, Rina's mood soured again and she remembered the question from the day before. “Is your trust in me that low?” she had been asked. Following Fran's advice, the red-haired girl had spent half of the night thinking about these words and whether they had any deeper meaning. Sadly, she couldn't reach any certain conclusions. She only suspected that Clara was disappointed for not being told about the secrets concerning her Dark magic.

That's why she could only hope that their relationship could be repaired with her next words, “Clara, would you like to join me for the private magic sessions with Lady Fran at night?”

Hearing that, a bit of happiness could be seen gleaming in the blonde's eyes. “Are you sure, Rina? It would mean that I might learn every detail of your magic.”

“Yes, I don't mind it.”

“W-why all of a sudden? Give me your reason!” Clara couldn't help but be a bit hopeful, that her maid would finally understand her.

“I trust you, Clara...”

Hearing this, the blonde was about to jump out of her bed and hug her maid. But then the next words stripped her of her strength again.

“... I trust that you won't go around telling people about my powers even if I failed the test next year.”

“...”

“Clara? D-did I say something wrong again?” Seeing how her mistress suddenly stopped in whatever she wanted to do, Rina grew anxious.

“... Haaaaah... I don't know what I was expecting.”

“W-what do you mean?”

“... It's just...”

“Just?” Rina tilted her head as she repeated Clara's words.

“You're a tough nut to crack, aren't you?”