kscans

Chapter 217 - Déjà Vu

Apparently, Arc had made Lydia-chan eat the gummy that was said to be the worst tasting in the world.

"You idiot. Why would you give something like that to the person you love?"

"You're the one who gave it to me in the first place."

"I just wanted to see your twisted expression."

"I didn't want to see Lydia's twisted expression... or the look in her eyes when she glared at me."

Idiot.

"And so you blamed it on me."

"That's right. I told her it was from a witch."

Just as expected from a natural delinquent. He blamed his master without a shred of guilt, and now he's come crying to that same master for help.

"So? Am I supposed to meet Lydia-chan? Let me ask you this instead, is it even okay for me to meet her?"

"It can't be helped. This is what you call an emergency."

I'm sure it's not.

"Where are we meeting? Lydia-chan's house? Or here?"

"Lydia is in my room right now, so you'll meet her there."

An unmarried woman in a man's room. And it seems that in Arc's mind, my going is already a done deal...

"I suppose it can't be helped. It's a master's job to clean up their disciple's messes..."

It was the same with Nanapon.

"Master...!"

This kid will probably be saying he's not my disciple tomorrow...

"So? Did you tell her about your gender?"

I need to get this straight, or I might say the wrong thing.

"No, I haven't. Actually, the reason I brought the souvenirs was to see if she would notice. She didn't, so I haven't told her."

"Aren't you going to tell her?"

"Eventually."

He's never going to tell her. He probably feels guilty, but it's more like he can't bring himself to say it now. The desire to take it to his grave is much stronger than his guilt. And if she finds out, he'll blame me.

"Well, whatever. Do as you like. Let's go... Ah, wait a second. I need to change."

I was wearing my jersey pajamas since I had just taken a bath. These were not appropriate clothes for meeting Lydia-chan, a person of noble standing who would likely become the next queen.

I went to my bed, took off my jersey, and pulled my black robe out of my bag.

"Hey, you should wait until I leave before you change."

"It doesn't matter. We took a bath together the other day, didn't we?"

"Well, yeah, but..."

Wait a minute... the bath.

I checked inside my bag to confirm I had the potion soap and potion shampoo.

"This should be able to get me back in her good graces..."

No matter the era or the world, this is the kind of thing that makes women happy. Especially a girl who is about to become a queen.

"Oh, can I say that's from me?"

As I was nodding to myself while looking at the body soap and shampoo, I heard Arc's self-centered remark from behind me.

This kid really has some personality.

"Are you telling me to stay on her bad side?"

"It's fine, isn't it? It's not like you'll ever see her again."

Oh yes, I will. I'm going to attend your wedding and give a speech.

"Sigh... Fine. I'll handle that part smoothly."

"Thanks."

I let out a sigh, put on the black robe, and returned to Arc's side.

"I'm ready. Take me to Lydia-chan's place."

"Before we go, don't do anything weird to Lydia."

"I won't, you idiot."

She's a child.

"And don't make her your disciple either."

"........................"

"Hey!"

I can't promise that.

"Just take me there. It's not right to keep a girl waiting."

"Alright, alright. Here we go."

Arc said and held out his hand, and my vision turned white.

◆◇◆

When my vision cleared, I was in Arc's room, which I had visited before. However, this time, there was a blonde girl in a dress sitting at a table, elegantly drinking tea. Mia stood at attention behind her.

The girl had long, wavy blonde hair and an exceptionally beautiful face. I couldn't tell for sure because she was sitting, but she didn't seem very tall. Dressed in what looked like a luxurious white dress, she was as lovely as a doll.

She looks more like a princess than Arc does...

As I was looking at the girl, who I assumed was Lydia-chan, she noticed me and our eyes met. However, she quickly averted her gaze from me and looked at Arc standing beside me.

"Arc, I don't mind you teleporting, but didn't I tell you not to come into the room so suddenly?"

"Ah, sorry. I thought it would be better to hurry..."

Within seconds of meeting Lydia-chan, I understood that Arc was completely under her thumb.

"Sigh... Well, it's fine. And who might you be?"

Lydia-chan asked, looking at me without getting up.

"Um, this is Eleanor Ocean. The Witch of Feire. Apparently, she's the Golden Witch."

What kind of introduction is that?

"I am Eleanor Ocean. A person of Feire, as you call it. I am Arc's master."

"...That's not right."

Arc's denial was quieter than usual.

"Hmm... Arc, Mia, you may leave."

Lydia-chan looked me over from head to toe, then ordered Arc and Mia to leave.

"Huh? That might be a problem..."

"Lydia-sama, I'm afraid I must agree."

It seemed Arc and Mia were against the idea. Well, that made sense.

"I have important matters to discuss with this witch. Now, leave us."

Is this girl the real princess? Arc is starting to look like a knight serving a princess.

"Um..."

Arc and Mia exchanged glances.

"Arc, Mia, please leave. It seems this girl has something to talk to me about, and I would like to speak with her as well."

"But..."

Arc made an extremely reluctant face. I understood how he felt. If I were in his shoes, I would absolutely hate this.

"...I'll handle this smoothly."

I grabbed the scruff of Arc's neck and whispered.

"...Then I'm counting on you. Use that knack for lying you're so good at to sort this out."

I'm not good at it. My masterpiece of a lie, Eleanor-san, was seen through by Kaede-chan in an instant.

"Just go. I'll call you when I'm done."

"Alright, then press that switch over there when you're finished."

Arc pointed to a protrusion on the wall. It was likely the call button that was also in the guest rooms.

"Yeah, yeah."

"Well then, Mia."

Arc looked at Mia.

"Are you sure about this?"

"It can't be helped. The situation is very unfavorable."

"Huh? Well, then, yes."

Mia didn't seem entirely convinced, but when Arc held out his hand, they both vanished in an instant.

"Now then..."

Now that we were alone, I looked at Lydia-chan. She stood up and walked toward me.

She's small. She can't be more than 150 centimeters tall. She really does look like a middle schooler.

Lydia-chan came to a stop in front of me and looked up. Then, she lowered herself and knelt on the spot.

"Hmm?"

What is she doing?

"I apologize for my rudeness, Witch-sama. My name is Lydia, from the Emile Trading Company. Thank you so much for what you've done regarding Arc."

Hmm?

"Regarding Arc?"

"Arc has become a man."

She found out fast! Ah, this feels familiar...