Chapter 9: Massage and the Magic Academy

After the door to the bedchamber was closed, the room suddenly became exceptionally quiet.

The chill that had almost frozen the air just a moment ago had vanished, leaving only soft light filtering in to rest upon the carpet. Most of the pale gold light was blocked by the heavy curtains, leaving behind only gentle shadows.

Lavia leaned against a lounging chair, her slender figure mostly enveloped by a simple yet elegant gown.

The soft fabric flowed from her waist to her knees, concealing her delicate frame within its folds.

One hand rested on the armrest, her fingertips unconsciously tapping the wooden surface. Her deep blue eyes were currently fixed on the shadows cast by the drapes.

She was dazing off.

After placing a glass of water within Lavia’s reach, Harvey caught a whiff of a familiar, faint fragrance.

It was the scent of floral dew and soft fabric, standing out clearly in the silent room.

He did not know what he should do now.

Logically, the matter had concluded, and Evelyn had already withdrawn, so he should have followed her out.

But Lavia had not dismissed him.

Thus, he stood there, waiting for further instructions.

After a moment, Lavia exhaled.

“…It’s a bit annoying.”

Harvey blinked, momentarily stunned.

He rarely heard the Eldest Miss speak like this.

In his impression, Lavia was always composed. Even with the obvious emotional fluctuation from earlier, she had only turned cold for a brief moment before quickly regaining her calm.

But now, her tone actually carried a hint of weariness.

She spoke with dissatisfaction, “Evie is always like that.”

Harvey hesitated, unsure if he should respond.

As a servant, he really should not be participating in such commentary.

Consequently, he remained silent, acting as though he had not heard.

It was not until Lavia turned her head to glance at him, her deep blue eyes filled with clear displeasure, that he felt pressured to speak.

“Why aren’t you saying anything?”

Harvey thought for a moment before saying, “…The Head Maid is only acting out of consideration for you, Eldest Miss.”

“You’re actually speaking up for her?”

“?”

Harvey looked at Lavia with confusion, failing to notice the flash of coldness that crossed her face.

Was this not a perfectly logical way of thinking?

“I only…”

His words were cut short.

Lavia had already turned her gaze away, seemingly losing interest in listening further.

She shifted her position, and her aqua-blue hair immediately cascaded down, looking like a pool of soft water spread across the snow-white carpet.

“Come here.”

She gave the command as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Harvey took two steps closer almost instinctively.

“My shoulders are a bit stiff.”

He paused.

Before he could react, Lavia had already laid facedown on the lounging chair.

“Give me a massage.”

The elegant gown clung to the girl’s slender form as she lay on the chair. The fabric at the back was slightly open, revealing a large expanse of smooth skin.

She gathered her long hair to one side, exposing the back of her neck.

From her shoulder blades to her waistline, her skin appeared exceptionally white under the light filtering through the sheer curtains, almost devoid of color.

In the soft light, it looked like fine porcelain.

That thinness, possessing almost no extra body fat, made her appear even more cold and aloof than others her age.

Harvey took one look and could not help but sigh.

There was no worldly desire in the boy’s eyes, only the helplessness of having his workload increased.

He was already long used to this.

When the two of them were alone, Lavia had made many similar requests.

The first time it happened, he had not even been as tall as her — though he was still a bit shorter even now.

“I believe this is caused by your lack of exercise, Eldest Miss.”

He knelt beside Lavia’s waist and placed his hands on her shoulders to begin the massage.

Her neck was so slender that his hand had room to spare.

Lavia gave a faint “Mhm” in response, her voice sounding lazy.

“A little lower.”

Clearly, she had no intention of listening to a servant’s advice.

Harvey followed her instructions and moved his hands down, pressing against her thin back.

The touch was slightly cool.

Perhaps because the Eldest Miss possessed a talent for Ice Magic, her body temperature was always lower than that of an average person.

As his palms pressed against that smooth skin, the coolness gradually seeped through.

The room was very quiet, save for the sound of fabric rustling.

There was also the occasional sound of the wind from outside the window.

Harvey kept his head down, focused on serving Lavia.

The fragrance that constantly lingered around him became his only solace.

It was very relaxing.

Occasionally, Lavia would squint her eyes, letting out a faint groan of relaxation.

She only had to shift her gaze slightly to see Harvey working diligently with his head bowed.

Looking at those thick bangs, they almost completely obscured his line of sight.

She exhaled.

“Not bad.”

Her tone carried a hint of satisfaction.

Harvey was a bit tired, but he still replied earnestly, “I am glad you are satisfied, Eldest Miss.”

With someone serving her so diligently, how could she not be satisfied? One could tell at a glance whether effort was being put in or not.

Lavia chuckled.

“You’re always like this, Harvey. So quiet, yet somehow you always manage to make me happy.”

Harvey was taken aback.

He had not expected the Eldest Miss to say such a thing.

For a moment, he did not know how to respond, so he simply continued to massage her with his head down.

A while later.

Lavia suddenly spoke again, “Harvey.”

“Yes?”

“Do you know much about the Royal Academy of Rune?”

Harvey said helplessly, “Eldest Miss, your Private Library contains the history of the Royal Academy.”

‘It seems you’ve forgotten everything.’

Although the Eldest Miss was more interested in researching magic than before, she still lacked interest in those dry, boring historical records.

While she did read, she would not even touch subjects that did not interest her. There were many books in the library that she had never even opened.

“Hmph, hmph. You have to answer my question!” Lavia said with dissatisfaction.

“I know of it. It is very impressive. The Royal Academy is extremely famous throughout the entire continent.”

Harvey had already massaged down to her waist. Fortunately, Lavia was not wearing that today — the corset specially made of Land-Thorn Dragon-hide. If she were, he wouldn’t be able to press into it even if he broke his hands.

That thing was practically a suit of invulnerable armor; he suspected its hardness could even withstand magical attacks.

And yet, such a stiff piece of equipment existed solely to make the girl’s figure appear more slender and dignified.

Lavia gave a hum, her feelings on the matter unclear.

“Of course it’s impressive.”

“Almost all of the best mages in the entire kingdom are there.”

She suddenly asked, “What about you, Harvey? Since you love reading so much, don’t you want to see the Academy’s library?”

The question came so suddenly that Harvey froze for a moment.

Go to the Academy?

Such a thing… he had never considered it.

While he was well aware of the glorious past of the Royal Academy, it had always stayed within the pages of books. He only read about it as common literature.

Compared to that, going to the Magic Association for certification to become a Magic Apprentice was his first step.

The magic towers of the Academy were not places commoners could simply walk into.

After a moment of silence.

Harvey resumed massaging Lavia’s shoulders, his entire demeanor becoming very calm.

“Eldest Miss, I am in no position to consider such things.”

The room suddenly fell silent.

Lavia did not speak.

Harvey kept his head lowered.

He did not know if he had said the wrong thing, but he could clearly feel the atmosphere becoming somewhat oppressive.

After a few seconds.

Lavia suddenly gave a cold laugh.

“Fool.”

She muttered the word softly and then slowly sat upright.

Harvey’s hands stopped accordingly, and he looked at her with confusion.

Those blue eyes reflected his bewilderment and loss.

“If — “

“If I were to take you with me?”

She said.

Harvey was stunned.