I Became the Maid of the Lout Prince - Chapter 249 [Each of Their Thoughts (1)]

T/N: Posting this chapter to keep you entertained for a bit as I’m still busy, so there will be no bonus chapter for today. Backlog will be completed when I have the time later in the week. Apologies for the delay!

A single joint expedition was planned, following the suggestion of Gyeongmwajogyegigwat and Seraphine.

Of course, just because the expedition was decided, it didn’t mean the party was immediately formed, and it didn’t mean the next episode began right away.

The major events at Luminor Academy generally have set timelines, and arriving early wouldn’t do much besides camping nearby.

Timing-wise, it was also less than ideal. The incident at the noble exchange meeting had just ended, and it was nearly dawn. [Only on DarkStar Translations! / Axiomatic]

It was too late to travel anywhere. Considering that the very nature of the gathering was highly suspect, by the time it ended, it was time for everyone to retire to their rooms.

However, due to the Machart incident, most of the young noblemen and noblewomen had already hurriedly left the palace. Some were likely returning home via carriage at this late hour, while others might spend the night at a nearby inn and set out in the morning.

Because of this, the guest rooms, which were originally reserved for the noble offspring, were practically empty. Most of the rooms would be used again tomorrow, but for tonight, they were free for the taking.

“I’ve given the servants instructions for all of you to stay in the palace until the schedule for the ‘temporary expedition’ is finalized. Please don’t hesitate to make yourselves at home. If there’s anything you find inconvenient, feel free to ask the staff.”

“Ah, Seraphine, are you staying at the palace tonight as well?”

“No, I need to return to the main palace to report on Machart’s funeral. Since it needs to be handled discreetly, I should explain things to my father myself.”

“Oh? I was thinking of visiting your room later tonight.”

“…Pardon?”

Is this guy out of his mind?

Just moments ago, the conversation between the Hero and Seraphine suggested the temporary expedition wasn’t something thoughtless, but after that comment, my trust in him was completely shattered.

Could it be he’s suggesting this temporary partnership nonsense just to…?

“H-Hero, please say such things when we are alone. Besides, I must behave properly during my brother’s funeral…”

“Huh? Oh, no, I just meant to use the communication crystal in your room. I need to contact someone before the expedition.”

“Oh… In that case, I’ll give you the key to one of the private rooms in the palace. Feel free to use it whenever you need.”

“Thanks, Seraphine.”

Was he teasing her on purpose, or did Seraphine just misunderstand?

Her face was beet red as she bowed her head. In the game, Seraphine was a particularly annoying character, but with the freedom to interact more directly, I could see her being flustered for the first time.

At least, from the conversation, it seems he’s not the kind to push his sexual urges recklessly. I guess he’s not a terrible person.

Judging by Seraphine’s reaction, I’d say he’s already halfway to winning her over, though they haven’t reached that stage of a relationship yet.

Seriste is probably in a similar situation. However, in Seriste’s case, pushing further into a physical relationship would drastically increase the difficulty of the game, so he’ll likely have to hold back for the sake of clearing it. [Only on DarkStar Translations! / Axiomatic]

As for Agnes, while they’ve grown somewhat close, it doesn’t seem like he’s planning on seriously pursuing her. The same goes for Natalie, considering he left Thomas in her storyline.

The harem party he built was more about optimizing for clearing the game than trying to romantically pursue every female character.

‘He seems more reserved than I expected for a protagonist in an adult game.’

Of course, if he made a move on me, I’d resist him with everything I had, even if it meant swinging my daggers.

While I was lost in thought, Gyeongmwajogyegigwat and Seriste settled in rooms on the third floor, where Seraphine’s private suite was located. Ethan, Agnes, and I each claimed a vacant room on the second floor.

“Lady Agnes, could you tell us which room you’ll be staying in while at the palace? It’s just so I can greet you in the morning…”

“Antonio, you know you’re not allowed to stay in the palace. Stop bothering Miss Agnes and hurry on out.”

“Ahhh! S-Sister Sera! Please don’t pull my ear!”

Sigh.

And with that, Antonio, who had been pestering Agnes, was dragged away by Seraphine, making a rather pitiful exit.

‘He was nothing like this in the original game.’

Where was the timid prince Antonio, sidelined in the competition for royal succession?

Still, his current demeanor was better than the gloomy and cowardly version of him from the game. I wasn’t sure if his stats were also different.

“It seems we’ll be staying longer than expected. Shouldn’t you contact the master, Young Master Ethan?”

“It’s fine. Father is probably too busy to check correspondence right now. I’ll reach out when the Hero sets the final expedition date.”

“Understood.”

“You’ve had a long day, so get some rest.”

“…Yes. Goodnight, Young Master Ethan.”

With that, Ethan and I parted ways and went to our respective rooms, both exhausted.

Thud.

“Haaah…”

It had been ages since I’d felt this physically drained.

The fatigue was comparable to when we fought the Kraken of the Abyss we dealt with at the academy. Not that Machart was stronger than the Kraken, but it was more of a mental toll.

“Ugh…”

I collapsed onto the bed, barely able to move. I knew I needed to clean up and change before sleeping, but… 

‘Maybe I’ll do it tomorrow…’

There’s not much difference between washing up tonight or tomorrow morning, right?

Even though my mind knew what I should do, my body was in no state to comply.

So, for now, I surrendered to the growing drowsiness.

‘Still, what’s Gyeongmwajogyegigwat really thinking…?’

I hoped he wasn’t seriously planning to take me along to fight the Demon King. I was pretty sure I’d made it clear I wanted no part of that.

If he was, I’d have to resist however I could. A peaceful life in another world didn’t include fighting a Demon King.

But as these thoughts crossed my mind…

Snore…

The exhaustion that had built up over the past month finally pulled me into a deep sleep.

At Seraphine’s private suite in the palace…

Using the key Seraphine had given him, Gyeongmwajogyegwat entered the room and began using the magical crystal at the center of the table to contact someone.

“Where are you calling from?”

“The Imperial Palace, in the capital of the Argentian Empire. There’s a second palace near the capital.” [Only on DarkStar Translations! / Axiomatic]

“The capital? Do I have to go there?”

On the other end of the magical crystal, an elf with green hair wore an expression of distaste, and Gyeongmwajogyegwat, half-expecting it, was visibly troubled.

“I need your help, Selena.”

“The capital is full of humans. I don’t like places like that…”

“Selena…”

For the upcoming event at Luminor Academy, Selena’s help was crucial.

The plan was to bring her to the Imperial Capital as soon as possible and head to their next destination together. But Selena’s aversion to crowded places was throwing a wrench in the plans.

‘I should have raised my affection level with her higher…’

However, he’d already maxed out her affection through regular events, and the only way to get closer at this point was one last option.

He could strengthen their bond through physical intimacy. While it was a simple method found in the game guide, and this being an adult game, it was also quite standard…

‘But it feels wrong to me.’

He had always planned to return to his original world after defeating the Demon King.

Becoming romantically involved with someone in this world would be crossing a line for Gyeongmwajogyegwat.

If he chose to stay in this world, he might’ve entertained the idea of accepting the affections of the women around him, but his decision was already made.

With so much left behind in the original world, he had to return, and he was determined not to create any “attachments” that would be left behind in this world.

‘Although… there are a few who’ve already fallen for me, even though I haven’t touched them.’

Gyeongmwajogyegwat thought of a pink-haired priestess but reassured himself that everything would be fine as long as he didn’t cross that final line.

Maintaining a purely platonic relationship would allow those women to move on and find new love after he returned to his world.

“What’s wrong, Volt?”

“Huh? Oh, nothing…”

“…Do I really have to go to the capital? Really?”

“No, you don’t have to. How about meeting me in a week at the …… instead?”

“…Alright, there aren’t many people there, so it’s fine.”

“Great. Thanks, Selena. See you in a week.”

“Okay, Volt.”

After exchanging a few words with the expressionless elf through the magical crystal, Gyeongmwajogyegwat cut the connection, now alone in the room, with a bittersweet look on his face, pondering his complex emotions.