Chapter 409

From the day I lost something precious to Ethan in the secret cave along Plyana Beach, a week has passed.

Back at Blackwood Estate, a subtle tension lingered between Ethan and me.

“Lilith, have you heard any news about Father’s return?”

“I’m not sure. The academy term has ended, so he should be back soon…”

“Right. Knowing him, it’s probably nothing serious, but I can’t help but worry a little.”

“He’ll likely return soon. Being a professor at the academy, I imagine he’s occupied with many responsibilities.”

“Yeah, I guess that’s probably it.”

“…”

“…”

Despite returning to Blackwood Estate, Harold had yet to come back. Both Ethan and I wished for his swift return, but not because Blackwood needed his charisma to function. Instead, our reasons for wanting him back were a bit more personal.

“Father needs to come back soon so I can begin my Blackwood heir training.”

“Indeed, Master Ethan.”

“…I also need to continue my sword practice with him. We barely got a chance this term.”

“Yes, Master Ethan.”

At Professor Mamari’s villa and even the coastal caves along Plyana Beach, things heated up without any real conclusion. Both Ethan and I were growing increasingly impatient.

This term’s classes mostly involved explorations outside the academy, which left little opportunity for Ethan to spar with Harold, which also meant fewer chances for him to claim his ‘rewards’ from winning. Though we found… alternative ways to handle each other’s needs, they could never fully satisfy the fundamental desires between men and women.

Ethan had to win a match against Harold, by any means, for us to have a proper excuse to be together. We agreed to refrain from anything else until then, committing ourselves to some semblance of restraint.

‘But seriously, where is Harold…?’

I knew that professors usually stayed longer at the academy than students, but it had been ten days since our classes ended, and still, no sign of him. This was unusual.

Considering we lived in a fantasy world, it wasn’t impossible that something urgent had delayed him without time to send word. As we waited anxiously, a letter from the academy arrived, bearing the Blackwood family seal. It could only have been from Harold.

“Master Ethan, you have a letter from your father.”

“A letter?”

Ethan’s eyes narrowed slightly at the mention of the letter. It was no surprise; after all, receiving a letter instead of him personally showing up likely meant he was explaining his absence.

Sure enough, as Ethan read through the letter, his expression quickly hardened, even from my angle. I could easily guess the contents without asking.

“Is he saying his return will be delayed?”

“Not just delayed—he won’t be coming back to Blackwood Estate at all this summer.”

“What?”

“He mentioned something about business in the northwestern mountains, so he won’t have time to return here. He’ll spend the entire summer there and then head straight back to the academy.”

“…What?”

Wait, what?

Then what about Ethan’s sparring with Harold? What about the ‘rewards’ that come with winning?

“Did he mention anything about inviting you to join him there? Perhaps he’s arranged some intense training for you in that environment…”

“No, quite the opposite. He wants me to stay here and handle estate matters as his proxy. I’m supposed to manage correspondence from the branch families and ask Dietmar, the head butler, or Melissa, the head maid, for guidance if I have any questions.”

“I see…”

“I don’t think I’ll be able to spar with Father this summer, Lilith.”

“…I understand.”

Oh no.

Oh, no, no, no!

Ahhhhh…!!

⁎ ⁎ ⁎

With Harold abruptly gone on some assignment, there would be no sparring, and the accompanying ‘rewards’ that should follow were left dangling in uncertainty. I couldn’t even express the disappointment in words.

‘I was just looking forward to summer vacation this term…’

This term, Ethan barely got a chance to spar with Harold, mainly due to Harold not going easy on him and the many external classes that disrupted Ethan’s conditioning. The curriculum changed in our third year, so even creating opportunities for Ethan to claim a reward became challenging.

But with summer break, I’d assumed they’d spar daily, and Ethan’s victories would pile up naturally. Harold’s sudden departure felt like a thunderbolt from a clear sky.

‘We’re both reaching our limits just with teasing…’

If I were a man, it might be enough to just rub and leave it at that, but for someone like me, there’s something inherently lacking without that deeper, more fulfilling connection. And as a unicorn in a past life, I couldn’t bear the thought of allowing anything but Ethan into my body. Fingers might help, but they lack the necessary depth and thickness.

‘Not that my complaining will change anything…’

There was no way I could chase after Harold to the northwestern highlands, nor could I leave Blackwood without Ethan, who was expected to stay behind and manage the estate.

“Master Ethan, would you like some refreshments while you work?”

“Oh, thanks, Lilith.”

Helping Ethan in the study like this was the most I could do. I didn’t dislike fulfilling my duties as his personal maid, but the feeling was akin to a child whose Christmas present had been snatched away.

“Lilith, could you draft a reply to the Pinewood family? Just something along the lines of, ‘We acknowledge your request, but we won’t be able to offer support this year.’”

“Are you sure I should be the one to do it? Isn’t this a task your father assigned to you?”

“Your handwriting is so much better, Lilith. Father won’t mind if it’s you.”

“…Understood. I’ll draft it, but I’ll still need you to review it before finalizing, Master Ethan.”

“Alright, thanks.”

I began writing the reply, feeling slightly unsure about my hand in Blackwood affairs, but following Ethan’s instructions. Sitting here, working side-by-side with Ethan, gave me a fleeting sense of being the lady of the estate.

…Though it was unlikely I’d actually become his wife, given that Lady Rainey, the princess, would most likely take that position.

‘I haven’t seen Lady Rainey at all this term.’@@novelbin@@

Though we were in different departments, I thought I’d bump into her at least once. Among the other heroines, the one I encountered most was the alchemist Mezlen, since we were both in the same department.

Reflecting on all this, I finished the correspondence with Ethan, realizing it was already evening. He seemed unaware of the time, engrossed in his work like Harold often was. I gently approached him to let him know.

“Master Ethan, it’s time for dinner.”

“Oh, really? Is it that late already?”

“Yes. While it’s admirable to be so dedicated, you should take a break. With plenty of summer break left, it’s important to balance work and rest.”

“Understood, Lilith. Oh, about the letters…”

“I’ll leave them on your desk for you to review tomorrow. If they look good, you can seal them.”

“Alright. Could you let them know I’ll have dinner in about an hour? There’s something I need to finish first.”

“Of course. I’ll inform the kitchen.”

Ethan hurried out of the study, leaving me to tidy up before heading to the kitchen to relay his instructions.

‘But where could he have gone in such a hurry?’

If he needed assistance with bathing, he would’ve called for me. I had seen him head downstairs, so he hadn’t gone back to his room.

‘His remaining task for the day… must be…’

With only one item left on his to-do list, I followed him out to the training grounds, hoping my personal dagger might come in handy.