The carriage rumbled and trembled at the brick pavement, the hooves of the horses clopping on the ground.

I was looking outside the window, watching various establishments being lit by colorful lamps and shades. This was the usual look of the heart of the city at dusk.

I couldn't see it, by I guess that the sky was turning black as the night was arriving.

“Milady, you look unwell, is something matter?” That came from my trusted butler, and as well the oldest servant of our household, Etgar.

He was wearing a black suit as all butler should be, he sat straight, observing me with a caring gaze. He was like a father to me.

“Nothing Etgar...” I said, letting out a soft breathe that only I could hear.

“There is no use lying, milady, I have known you since you're an infant.”

I chuckled at him, and he did so too. This only showed how close we were.

Finally giving up, I told him secrets that I normally wouldn't let anyone know. “I guess you can tell that I'm sad.”

“Sad? Why is that?” He asked. There was a moment of silent—not entirely, the hubbub of people was still present—before I answered back.

“Sad that the day had ended.” That was right. I am saddened by the fact that the day ended.

I might look childish right now, but that was the last thing I would worry about if I am with Etgar who was sixty-five years older than me.

“Sad that the day ended? I'm sorry milady, but I'm afraid I don't understand what you're trying to say.” He said somberly.

“It's fine,” I assured him. “I don't get it either.”

I wish for the next sun to come and stay a bit longer than usual. Everything came across as melancholic. A hint of beauty that I was now noticing.

I remained like this, even after arriving at our mansion. A big structure surrounded by gardens and guards and walls. The iron gate opened with a sound, and we entered it.

There was the noise of coachman shouting at his horse before the carriage halted. Our door was opened by the servants standing nearby.

“Welcome back, milady Lisa.” A group of maids in their uniform said, bowing their heads to me.

I didn't reply, of course, for it was normal for me to be greeted this way, and answering back was not something a noble like me should do—or at least, that was I am taught.

“I mean, yeah, everyone likes nice girls right?”

His face emerged in my mind, and there, he was grinning, despite the fact that he rarely smiles. Elric always sounded irritated, bad-mannered, yet, it's the part that I like him the most.

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Like... Like... Does that mean I like him, in some way?

“I am back,” I announced briefly before exiting the garden and reaching the mansion door.

““...”” They didn't reply, they just stared at me with blank faces until I was no longer in their eyes.

Inside the mansion was spacious than what it appeared to be outside. There was a giant crystal chandelier that glowed white faint light.

Vases placed on the corners, paintings hung on the wall. And in the middle, there was a pile of different swords from different era, it was the thing that separated us from other powerful nobles.

From great sword to dagger, shields, and armors of all kind. The history of our house was before my very eyes. There was a bulky man standing next to the swords, he was admiring the beauty of our collection, as usual.

“I am home, Father.” I hunched my head elegantly as I could, and stayed that way, waiting for his reply.

“Welcome home Lisa.” He replied, and I finally held my head up. He didn't show happiness nor sadness, I wasn't even sure if he actually acknowledged my existence.

After that, the two of us said nothing. This was very different from what I was experiencing in school, especially in recent times.

There, I was free, I could be myself... And then, there's him. Just the sudden thought made my step unbalanced. I almost fell from the giant staircase, but I am trained ever since I was young, regaining my feet was something I could perform even in my sleep.

I looked around to see if there was someone who saw my unsightly behavior—my father, who was observing me for some time now squinted his eyes. “You seem weaker. Just what are you doing in that school?”

His low voice sent chills down to my spine. This was the pressure of a certified swordsman who was recognized by the king himself.

“I don't know what you mean father.” That was my attempt to lie to him.

“...” He stayed silent, turning his back and started walking away. There was no way he didn't notice my eccentric behavior today.

I was scared of what he might be up to, and so I decided to head to my room as quickly as possible.

There were only two rooms on the second floor, it was for my parents and me. I traced the floor with uncertain steps and arrived at my room.

Strange, am I sick? I feel feverish, my breath seemed hot. What was happening to me?

I recalled the moment when Elric touched my forehead, he was staring straight into my eyes.

We had the same eye color, which made me happy somehow. Hot...hot...

Soon, my dizziness became unbearable and I collapsed on my knees. My heart was beating wild, I could hear it thumping. A surge of blood forced their way into my face.

Oh... This is not the same thing as Rito... This feeling is stronger than in the past... Just what is this?

As I was breathing jaggedly, I managed to crawl into my bed, burying my face into the soft pillows that scented like flowers.

I eventually steadied myself down, then I stared at the white ceiling of my room.

“So you're really worried about me?”

“I am, are you happy now?”

The scene played like a moving picture inside my head, I remember everything at that time. How he looked annoyed but honest, to how I was beaming ear to ear.

Gosh... He said he's worried about me! Just the thought of it made me want to scream, of course, I couldn't do that, so I settled in pounding the bed with my fist.

I took off the clip that kept my hair together, the strand then flowed down like water and rest on my shoulder.

I combed it happily while reminiscing the happenings today. I am aware of how out of character for me to act like this, but I couldn't help it.

Was I chuckling? Humming, even? I sure didn't know, except for the fact I couldn't show this to anyone.

-

Just when did everything go wrong? I was currently on my wits end just to think of a plan that could potentially develop the feelings of both Lisa and Rito so that I could finally finish this request and take another easier and simpler job.

There was no light around me, but there were noises of shouting and cursing even in the middle of the night.

Gazing at the raven sky, I admired the stars and moon. It was said that the moon was something that the higher gods of order gave us to remind that there still light even in the deep sea of dark.

I wonder what is my sister doing at this time? It was a genuine question that couldn't be answered right now.

The wind carried the whiff of sewer, running through my face, then into my house. Something that I was used to by now.

My wet uniform dangled in the breeze, producing droplets that hit the ground.

That salad thing is really tasty... I wonder if I can recreate them using wild herbs. I thought. It was all thanks to Lisa that I could taste them, so that was why I am serious about making her and Rito a couple.

Weird as she is, she's a good girl inside, and she deserves to be happy. I grew fond of her just in the few days, I also am disappointed sometimes in her actions, but that didn't mean I hate her.

My sister often said that I am a natural “care-taker” and that I couldn't look away when someone was in danger. Well, she also said that she liked that part of me the most.

Would Claire be proud that I am helping, but at the cost of money? I caressed my hair several times, and then I pulled my long bangs down to my nose, thinking of how nice it would be if I could get my hair cut.

“I saw you eating literal rats you dumbf*ck!”

“So what!? At least I don't suck d*ck for money!”

My neighbor kept shouting at each other again. Yawn... I gave my body a big stretch before laying down to bed. Tomorrow... I just need a big chance tomorrow so that I can make everything work. Yes. A big event that would shake the entire school... And little did I know, that exactly what happened.