Haunted Duke’s Daughter

Lilia had only been friends with her for a short time, but it was clear that Tina was a kind and honest girl. Even though Lilia had treated her so badly, Tina still wanted to be friends with her. If you just think about that, you can imagine just how much of a good-natured person she is. Some might call it a weakness, but Lilia couldnt criticise her for it.

However, it wasnt as if Tina was particularly strong-willed. Most likely, she was actually quite sensitive. She didnt have any proof, but, it seemed that Tina was afraid of being hated by people. Because of that fear, even just the thoughtless words written on those pages were enough to drive her to the point of tears.

Lilia was angry at the people who wrote those things, but also, her anger was directed toward the prince.What does he think hes doing?If he was going to throw Lilia away like that, she wanted to see him treating Tina properly. Yet despite that, hes not looking after her at all. He should have been able to fathom something like this would befall Tina. Or perhaps, he was more of an idiot than Lilia thought.

This is trulyunforgivable

Lilia heaved a heavy sigh.

Im the only one thats allowed to bully that girl.

Dont taint everything you said before by saying that!

Sakuras voice resounded in her head. Lilia knit her brows and smiled silently.

Is there something wrong with what I said?

Yes! Nevermind. Anyway, what are you planning on doing?

When Sakura asked that, Lillia closed her eyes in silence and thought for a bit. And then she spoke.

First of all, Im going to destroy that person.

ScaaaryWell, thats exactly what makes you Lilia, though.

Sakura laughed cheerfully. Inside her head, both Lillia and Sakuras incredibly cheerful laughter resounded throughout.

The Next Day.Lilia spent her morning just as usual, and went to class just as usual. A group of students were talking casually amongst themselves. When they noticed Lilia, someone muttered something under their breath, and their stifled laughter reached her ears. It might have been about last nights party, but Lilia decided it wasnt worth worrying about.

Lilia looked around the classroom, but it didnt seem that the person she was looking for was here. A little discouraged, she gave up and took her seat.

Lilia waited for a while, and her three followers entered the classroom. When they saw Lilia, they dropped their bags off at their seats and came to her side. She found the entire thing bothersome, but greeted the three girls nonetheless.

Our deepest apologies for coming in late, Mistress Lilia!

It wasnt like I was waiting for you, so dont worry about it. More importantly, you

Lilia cast her gaze directly at the girl standing in the middle of the three girls. Seeing her face, Lilia was easily able to recall who she was. Sera Valdia. The daughter of an earl. Before she had come to the academy, the girl had absolutely nothing to do with Lilia. Even then, Lilia had merely met her at an evening party or some such ordeal.

Lilia placed the note that she took from Tina on top of her desk. The handwriting was meticulously crafted, but here and there, some telltale quirks remained. These were the same quirks Seras handwriting had. When Sera saw the note, she tilted her head in confusion.

UmmMistress Lilianne, why do you have

It seems she has no intention of hiding it. Even so, Lilia asked her, just to make sure.

This note. You wrote it, did you not?

Yes. I wrote it, and snuck it into that girls bag. Could it be that she thought you were the one who wrote it, Mistress Lilianne? What an audacious girl, immediately accusing Mistress Lilianne

Stop talking.

Lillia unconsciously spoke in a harsher tone than she intended. Sera stopped talking completely, and her face went pale. In the time since, Lilias surroundings had also fallen into complete silence.

It wasnt as if she accused me of doing it. After what happened at the evening party, I went over to Miss Tinas room to check if someone had done something foolish.

Eh?

Likely not expecting to hear that, Seras eyes hung open wide in surprise. Lilia could surmise why Sera was so surprised. The upper-class nobility stepping foot on the second floor was completely unheard of. All of the upper-class nobility looked down on the lower-class nobility, and so, they wouldnt step foot into their sphere of life. Lilia had expressly gone to the second floor to visit Tina, and so that surprise was natural.

Lilia placed her finger on the table and tapped the note. It made only a small sound, but Sera was shaking in fear from it.

I would have thought that where I go had nothing to do with you. Am I wrong?

Noyoure completely right. My deepest apologies.

Sera meekly lowered her head. Lilia turned her nose up in derision a little, and tapped the note again.

Yes?

What, might I ask, is the meaning of this?

In addition to the note Sera had written, there were also other, similar notes.Youre not worthy of being by His Highnesss side, remember your place, dont abuse Mistress Liliannes kindness,etc. Lilia couldnt help but be surprised when even her own name was mentioned when she was reading through the notes.

ItsIt is exactly as the notes say.

Which is?

Its unforgivable for that girl to be at His Highnesss side!

Sera declared this with a loud shout. In response, Lilia raised her eyebrow.Go on,Lilia urged by tapping the note once more.

Mistress Lilia should be the one at His Highnesss side! To have that stolen by that girl is unforgivable! The one who should stand at His Highnesss side is Mistress Lilianne!

I see,Lilia nodded. It seems that, in Seras mind, she had done all of this for Lilias sake.

Lilia felt sick to her stomach.

Lilia desperately bit down on her anger, and slowly lifted her gaze upward. When she levelled a glare at Sera, she suddenly let out a short shriek.

I understand what youre trying to say.

And then, Lilias lips curved into a smile. Seeing that, Sera breathed a sigh of relief, and smiled herself.

As long as Mistress Lilianne understands, that is the most important thing. This was all for Mistress Liliannes

Sera. Get out of my sight immediately.

Seras expression froze over. Lilia sighed and stood up. She glared at all three girls in turn, and all of their faces turned pale. It wasnt only these three everyone in the classroom was shaking terribly. Even Kris, who was in the center of the room, wore a stiff expression.

Lilia. Youre scary. Super scary. If someone said you were out for blood, I wouldnt doubt them.

Yes.

Ahh, youre hopeless! Totally hopeless! Well, just dont overdo it, okay?

Lilia had also received Sakuras permission. There was nothing holding her back now. Lilia glared at all three girls in turn, and fixed her gaze on Sera. Sera started shaking in fear, and, as if trying to say something, her mouth opened and closed without a sound passing through her lips. Lilia had no sympathy for her.

Even as a joke, in the name of the house of Earl Valdia, which counts itself as one of the upper noble houses, youve done something truly foolish.

B-but.I was for Mistress Lilia, I

Nobody asked you to do this sort of thing.