The world is a cruel place.

Growing up in an orphanage, I gradually realized that.

My parents, who I still don't even know even to this day, abandoned me, so I was sent to the orphanage as a baby, keeping only the name 'Nydia' with me. Nydia means raven, and I am a raven-kin, so it is quite suitable, I suppose. Either way, it's fortunate that I didn't need to live on the streets.

Life in the orphanage wasn't exactly good however, as it wasn't at all well-funded by the monarchy, and the people running the orphanage were embezzling a large chunk of the money for themselves, leaving us with little to cope with.

I only noticed it when I turned six. One of the older kids beside me complained about how little food we were getting, and that was when it suddenly clicked. Combined with their complacent attitude, we were having a hard time for certain. Luckily, we weren't being abused physically on top of being hungry, so we had hope.

Eventually, we grew up, relying on each other, like siblings. Selling handmade trinkets, begging, doing small part-time jobs,... We somehow got through together.

When I was sixteen, some of the older kids were forced to find proper jobs for themselves, and that got me wondering—

'What job should I try to find?'

Sixteen years of living in the orphanage had me developed quite a good foundation in combat. I had some talents in fighting, as my skill options and base stats were decently good, so I trained myself, frequently sneaking out to fight small monsters. At that point, I was at level 14—quite impressive for a sixteen-year-old.

I had intended to become a mercenary or an adventurer, fighting monsters to earn money, but ultimately, I didn't need to. By pure chance, the Lady of Luminous Dukedom and I met on the street, and she immediately took an interest in me. She wanted me to become her maid because of my rather unique appearance.

The job was simple, and the pay was unexpectedly high. With it being stable on top of those, I took it right away.

So I bid goodbye to the kids and became a maid. I still keep in contact with them to this day, by the way.

Regardless, Lady Amelia Luminous was your typical noble lady—prideful, slightly arrogant, and a bit pretentious in social interactions. Except, her temper was horrible.

She would get angry at the slightest things, so I was constantly on edge serving her. But again, luckily, she wasn't abusive.

Three years quickly passed, I turned nineteen, and my lady turned eighteen.

It was time for her to attend the academy. Everything was going smoothly, and then... Right after the admission, something strange happened to my lady.

She... Changed. Her entire personality changed, for whatever reason. Sure, when interacting with other nobles or her own family, she was still the same pretentious noble, but when alone, the old Amelia Luminous was nowhere to be seen.

Her words became milder and more playful, and her temper disappeared completely.

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'Has my lady finally escaped puberty?!'

I rejoiced. It was much, much more fun serving the cheerful lady than the grumpy one.

After that, she decided to bring me to the academy, although school wouldn't start until much later.

Initially, I was confused. Then the next day, I was even more confused.

From nowhere, she brought back a whole owl girl!

The girl set to be her maid was incredibly beautiful. Skin white as snow, silky-smooth white hair, a face carved by the goddess herself, and a pair of piercing slit orange eyes. She was your typical cold beauty, just, ten times more attractive.

I was immediately captivated. Who wouldn't? It was the first time I saw someone else with wings like me, not to mention she was this beautiful!

'Wait...?!'

I suddenly had an epiphany. What if, what if... Lady Amelia brought her back for me to hook up with after hearing my confession about liking bird girls?!

I was overjoyed, then my hope was immediately crushed.

On Aurora's fourth finger was a silver ring, similar to what Lady Amelia had on her fourth finger. They were a couple. I couldn't inspect the rings, so they were not just magic items without deeper meaning either. I half gave up.

And the world was cruel. Because she and I both had the same position beside Lady Amelia, I was forced to see them flirting all day long...!

But, but, I also noticed that they weren't kissing or doing anything like real lovers, instead, it was more like Lady Amelia being a fool for Aurora, which was weird to see, anyway, the point is...

'Maybe I still have a chance...?'

I decided to not give up on my romance. During the next two months, I tried my best to get as close to Aurora as possible. I tried to follow everywhere she went, used any and all excuses to make physical contact with her, and tried to appeal to her as much as possible.

It was foolish of me, sure, to try to steal my lady's crush. But I don't regret it.

Especially when it was this fun staying with Aurora. The girl was exceptionally sassy and had an imposing aura that did not fit a maid, so every time someone tried to bully her, they got bullied back instead.

Even if I won't be able to date her in the future, I still want to be her friend.

But enough of the reminiscence. The joint practical class is ongoing, which means Lady Amelia is not here, which means I can be alone with Aurora!

We both entered Lady Amelia's designated room earlier after Aurora went for a quick bathroom, now sitting at the table. Aurora is rarely napping.

Admiring her sleeping profile, I can't help but let out a sigh. Why does my lady have to pursue her... I just saw them rubbing cheeks back in the car, no less. Annoying...

gulp—!

M-Maybe I can touch her face a bit...? She won't get mad, right?

An immoral feeling arises. I slowly reach my hand out and gently, very gently stroke her smooth cheek. The warmth quickly transfers to my fingertips, and something rather pleasant pricks my heart.

Right when I'm about to be bolder and try scratching her chin—

[KIEEEEK—!!!]

''?!''

A thunderous shriek can be heard in the distance. I hurriedly look out the window toward the hunting field only to see a terrible monster crawling itself out of an ominous rift.

''Aurora!'' I immediately shake her shoulder. ''Wake up! We need to run!''

''Mghm...''

Aurora slowly opens her eyes before looking around confusedly. She only becomes more urgent after seeing the monster.

''Alright, let's run.'' She stands up with a serious face.

I need to call the Duke to send his soldiers here as well. I hope you are alright, Lady Amelia...!

''Go!''

I grab Aurora's left hand and we both run out of the room. The silver ring on her hand is annoyingly rubbing against both my flesh and my heart, but now it is not time for that.

''...Hm?''

Feeling a slight incongruity, I belatedly turn around.

''What's wrong?''

Aurora looks at me with her usual expression. Her voice is the same, her actions are the same, even the calm look in her eyes is the same, yet...

I squint my eyes and once again look very closely at this 'Aurora'. I usually have very good intuition, and... My intuition is screaming at me that...

''You...''

That the one in front of me is not Aurora.

''Who are you...?''

''What are you saying? Go report this quickly.'' Aurora immediately shoots back. ''Did eating too many almonds make you go nuts?''

''Eh? A-Alright, let's go!''

Was it just my imagination...?