On the day of the opening ceremony, Lucia and Mary were present when everyone was leaving.
Mahina, who had always been known for her gentle, water-like temperament and seemed to harbor kindness toward everything in the world, acted like a different person, treating the new student Merlin with an icy attitude.
She stood in front of the new student Merlin, her lips—usually curled in a gentle smile—pressed into a cold, straight line.
Mary stood a little farther away, the bustle of the crowd drowning out any specific conversation, but she could see that the pink-blue eyes, always brimming with warmth, now seemed covered in a layer of frost.
Mahina.
The perfect girl beloved by all.
She was like the protagonist of a novel, showered with affection wherever she went.
Mahina was the kind of person that most people couldn’t help but like.
Long, straight black hair.
Pure, gentle, considerate, beautiful, noble, elegant, and virtuous.
Almost every adjective that captured the ideal of femininity could be used to describe her.
A beauty capable of toppling a kingdom… Her looks were by no means inferior to Merlinia’s.
She was only a second-year student, yet her strength had already reached the pinnacle of the academy, and she could even be said to have carved out a place among the strongest in the Empire.
Her past as a commoner and an orphan not only failed to become a dark mark on her history, but actually added a touch of legend to her story.
She seemed to be living the life of a true adventure story protagonist.
Isn’t it often the case? A protagonist born in a remote village, dreaming of the world beyond, whose adventures make them famous far and wide.
Harboring a longing for the vast world, step by step, they embark on a journey and, with their own effort and talent, achieve renown across the land.
Mahina seemed to have brought such a tale to life.
However, Mahina’s elegance, nobility, and strength did not make her aloof at the academy.
She remembered every student’s full name; whenever students greeted her, she would always stop and call them by name in return, her smile as warm as the spring sun, easily melting any awkwardness from first meetings.
As long as you made eye contact at school, no matter who you were, you would greet her politely.
If anyone needed her help, she would never be stingy with her time or energy.
It could be said that, regardless of gender, almost every student at the academy was her fan.
Even those who were not fans had never doubted her character.
Because of this, even the ever-calm Mary made a mistaken judgment.
Mahina, who was even reluctant to show the slightest hint of negative emotion, actually displayed such a cold expression to the new transfer student.
People instinctively placed the blame on Merlin.
Thinking back now, Merlin seemed calm and indifferent at the time, but there was a brewing anger in her eyes.
When Mahina was waiting in the hospital room, she merely sat quietly in a corner.
For someone who shone all the time, the absence of radiance was, in itself, a kind of indifference.
Mahina and Merlin were a bit alike, yet completely different; but for now, Mary couldn’t quite put it into words.
Both of them had gentle personalities.
But judging from that day’s dispute, Merlin chose to endure, while Mahina chose to confront.
If they encountered someone with bad intentions who tried to strike up a conversation—
Mahina would refuse with impeccable manners, in a gentle but firm way, gracefully sparing the other person’s dignity while drawing a clear line.
As for Merlin… she would probably hesitate to refuse directly, becoming indecisive, and might even get herself caught in an awkward situation just to avoid embarrassing the other person—ultimately making things difficult for herself.
That was the feeling.
Mahina’s gentleness had boundaries.
But Merlin’s current gentleness had none—in other words, it was just weakness.
Suddenly, Mary had a revelation.
That’s right—it was inferiority.
Merlinia had a flaw that Mahina did not: a kind of deep-seated, marrow-deep sense of inferiority.
She instinctively put herself in a lower position.
She thought she was inferior to others, which led her to unconsciously act in a way that seemed almost ingratiating.
When faced with a strong attitude or unfair treatment, her first reaction was always to yield, as if deep down she had already decided she could never match the other person.
She felt like she had nothing, and her every action was full of self-doubt.
Mary had seen many such children in the residential districts.
Orphans watching happy, complete families.
The flower-selling girl gazing at the noble young ladies dressed like dolls.
Children staring at toys in a shop window, only to be pulled away by their parents in the end.
And so on, and so forth.
Mahina and Merlinia were like two similar small creatures, who, having grown up in different environments, had gradually evolved into different forms.
“Your Highness Merlinia, allow me.”
Mary immediately stepped forward, her tone gentle but not to be refused.
There was only one step left—pouring the mixture into the mold and letting it cool and set.
What’s more, Merlinia was so small right now that Mary truly felt uneasy letting her handle it herself.
The pot was half as big as Merlinia herself; the molds were heavy, the spoon was big, and even the funnel was oversized.
Mary couldn’t help but wonder if Merlinia could actually operate these tools. Maybe she should suggest to Her Highness Ophelia that they get a lighter set?
What if she got burned, or had one of the heavy molds fall on her?
Just imagining it made Mary anxious.
“It’s fine, I’m used to doing this.”
“No… Please, let me handle it! It’s a maid’s duty to do such things.”
“Well, alright then. Thank you.”
“Please don’t thank me, Your Highness. This is my duty.”
A timid and soft personality, a petite and pure figure, completely unguarded.
As Mary skillfully operated the tools, precisely pouring the warm medicinal liquid into the molds through the funnel, she sighed inwardly.
After actually spending time with Merlinia today, Mary realized just how endearing this princess was, like a little animal one couldn’t help but want to protect.
But really… it seemed she’d never stop worrying.
She was already fifteen, yet being around her felt just like caring for a baby.
This kind of work, which required patience and technique, was already second nature to Mary.
Whether it was preparing delicate desserts for Her Highness Lucia or making flower-scented handmade soap, it was much the same.
“Ooh, ooh.”
Even Merlinia, standing to the side, couldn’t help but softly marvel at Mary’s nimble and beautiful technique.
“Now we just need to wait for it to cool. Also, please let me handle the packaging later as well.”
“Sorry to trouble you.”
“This is my duty. What you’ve made will help Her Highness Lucia’s long-term insomnia—in fact, I should be the one thanking you.”
“Alright.”
Merlinia seemed a little uncomfortable with such formal gratitude, her eyes lowering slightly.
As expected, she couldn’t bring herself to ask.
Looking at Merlinia’s quiet, obedient appearance, Mary forced herself to bury her curiosity deep inside.
Even though they hadn’t known each other long, Mary didn’t want to see Merlinia wear a sad expression—and Mahina was the trigger for that sadness.
Besides, Mahina and Merlinia were now a duke’s daughter and a princess.
Someone like her, a baron’s second daughter serving as a maid, had no place to pry into such matters.
This time, she’d have to apologize to Her Highness Lucia when she returned.
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