Haunted Duke’s Daughter - C119

C119

S–Ah…….

I hear Sakura’s growl. Is she still thinking about something?

“Oh, that…….”

A voice from behind. Lilia turned around and said,

“I’ve had enough of this. I don’t think anything I say will have any persuasive power.”

“No, no, that’s not……true.”

“I just want to say this one more time.”

One by one, I looked at the faces of the female students. Everyone had a frightened look on their face, but no one looked away from me.

“Tina is a dear friend of mine. I don’t want you to ever touch her again. Next time, I will show no mercy.”

Everyone nodded gravely. Lilia confirmed this and waved them to go. One by one, they bowed their heads and left the room.

After waiting for everyone to leave, Lilia sighed slowly. She remembered what she had said to the girls and scoffed to herself.

S–No, it’s not like that. Lilia is doing her best now, so she’s very convincing.

L–I wouldn’t have done that either if Sakura hadn’t told me to…….Oh, that’s right. Sakura.

S–What?

L–I wonder why I’m doing this for now.

S–Oh…….

After waiting for a while, Sakura speaks,

S–For the future, maybe?

L–For the future?

S–Yes. If Lilia is adored by many people, the risk of being crushed by someone else will decrease.

‘The possibility of being crushed’ reminded her of when she first heard Sakura’s voice, she had said that Lilia would be destroyed if things continue as they were. She wondered if that was still going on.

S–Well, it’s still a long way off and there’s one more thing: be prepared because I don’t know if it’s going to happen.

There was no way I could know what she was talking about, and I knew immediately that she would not answer if I asked. Lilia gave a small sigh and tapped the table with her finger. Alisa immediately started to prepare the tea.

L–Sakura. Because I believe in you.

S–…….Don’t worry. I’ll take care of it.

Sakura spoke in a serious voice.

There are still many things I don’t understand and haven’t been taught, but I decided to accept it for the time being.

Next day when I met Chris in the classroom she said that the person who pushed Tina down was not given a major punishment, partly because of Tina’s wishes. The punishment given was called spirit watching. This means that the person will be watched by a specific spirit from now on until his or her death.

This may seem like a heavy punishment, but it is also a very light punishment because it has no effect on normal life. However, if a person does something that the spirits deem evil, he or she will be punished immediately.

This punishment is recognizable by its appearance because it causes a distinctive bruise somewhere on the body. Naturally, it is a stain on one’s life and in the case of this female student, unfortunately, the bruise was on her face. Lilia learned of this when the student came to apologize to her.

“I don’t know what to say…….”

She will have to live with the finger pointing at her all her life. It might have been better for a noblewoman to have died but she laughed and said she had it coming to her.

“If you have nowhere else to go…….Come to me.”

“Yes……..I will be happy to assist you then.”

The female student bowed her head, looking somewhat pleased.

Since then, things have been peaceful. The harassment of Tina has ceased, and she called Cynthia back to her room. She still can’t see Tina, but other than that, she is at peace with herself.

S–Ray is still gone, too.

L–I guess I’m free today, so I should look around a bit.

S–May I ask about the meaning of study day?

L–Sakura, life is a learning experience just by being alive.

S–I’ve heard that before, haven’t I? Well, it’s okay. Let’s go!

For some reason, Sakura suddenly became enthusiastic. I wondered about that, but it was convenient if she wouldn’t stop me. I finished my tea and was about to leave the room when,

“Wait, wait!”

Lilia sighed in disgust and turned around. Part of the ceiling had shifted, and Cynthia was peeking out.

“Cynthia, is it urgent?”

“No, no, that’s not why I’m here…….”

Cynthia said, her voice faltering. She would not make eye contact with Lilia.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea to call out from the ceiling when it’s not an emergency, do you?”

“Oh, yes. I am sorry. But, that…….”

As expected, I was a little irritated, ignored Cynthia’s words, and headed for the door.

“In front of the door, Tina-sama……!”

My eyes meet Tina’s, who looks somewhat nervous. We both froze and silence fell over us.

–Hahaha……!

Sakura was laughing. She seems to be trying to hold it in somehow, but it was leaking out completely. Then Lilia immediately thought of the reason why Sakura was so eager to go out.

L–Sakura, you noticed, didn’t you?

S–Ahahahaha!

Sakura only laughed.

That was the clear answer but Lilia’s eyebrows furrowed in disapproval, and Tina’s expression hardened when she saw it.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I’m not mad at you. I’m just angry at someone else for not reporting it sooner.”

Lilia’s words were referring to Sakura but from the point of view of Alisa and Cynthia, who did not know that, they thought she was referring to Cynthia. Cynthia hung her head as if depressed, while Alisa looked at her in dismay.

“Now that you’re here…….Come in. I’ll at least offer you some tea.”

Alisa smiled and started to prepare the tea, and Tina entered the room with her face still tense.