Chapter 114: Infirmary Visit (V).
Over the years being a helpless sickly girl took a toll on her back in her past life.
There came a time where she argued with her friends because of it, she didn't want to be pitied.
"I told you I don't need any help! I'm fine!" The Japanese streamer could recount those memories in guilt and shame.
Truly she believed that she didn't need any help... she didn't want to be a burden and she hurt so many people that day.
The hurt, confusion and grief was all too much to the point she pushed all of her loved ones away.
It was a dark time.
"Friends are complicated, you're bound to hurt each other at some point, milady." (Analissa) turned to her with a determined look. "I know how you feel."
Lady Serene laughed dryly, "Hah, as if a commoner would know how I'm feeling."
"I really do milady, you're worried of hurting your friend. Even I worry like that- words are powerful, they can hurt but they can also be someone's strength." (Analissa) wanted to explain as clearly as she could. "Friends hurt each other all the time, it's just a matter of how we deal with it after that is the tricky part."
"Back in my old life- I mean in my old village I used to have arguments with the other children about um... some certain things. I was a really sickly girl- whenever I told them to leave me alone they would just come back and fight my battles with me." (Analissa) had a few real life friends standing by her side and a lot of online friends that became her family and supported her career as a streamer. "Take your time to gather your words, when you're ready you can tell her everything."
Analissa leaned a little in her direction and gave that usual comforting smile. "It'll all be okay."
Lady Serene snickers, crossing her arms, "Commoner, you really are something."
The Lackey didn't want to admit it but something she said really touched her.
"Everything will be okay, of course!" She laughed as she placed a hand on her chest. "I am a great example of great communication! I will be fine because I am a daughter of the great Sinclair family. If anyone is great at mending friendships it is I."
"Mm, I really think Lady Serene is a loyal and amazing friend to have." (Analissa) knows from the original game of her sacrifice and loyalty, she has that respectable side to her too. "Milady, she is very lucky that she has you by her side."
Analissa knows that she'll need all the help that she can get when it comes to saving Evelyn Alarie.
"Y-You should learn by now that flattery will get you nowhere!" Even though the villainess' lackey says that she really felt relieved and her mind became a little more clearer in what she needed to do next. "However I really must leave, visiting hours are almost over. Now that I have seen you alive and well..."
Lady Serene stands up and heads straight for the door. "I suppose I'll be seeing you on Monday."
"Yes, milady. I'll be seeing you on Monday." (Analissa) didn't want to push her on staying a bit longer so the best she could do is thank her for visiting. "Lady Serene, thank you for visiting me."
Step-
Her weak and soft voice made the lackey momentarily stop in her tracks, right as her hand landed on the doorknob she sighs and tried to give her a decent reply.
"...Naturally, you should be thankful."
Still she couldn't and raged in her heart on why she couldn't just say 'you're welcome' or 'it's been a pleasure to visit you!'.
'Why, why, why am I like this?! I should leave before I say something else mean.'
Analissa didn't mind her reply because she could see from her body language that she was in a good mood.
===
Creak... Clack.
The door closed and everything was over. The whole visit was very chaotic but at least now she has something to look forward to in the future. It really is a good thing that Lady Serene was starting to warm up to her even a little.
"Huh, I guess that's all for my visitors today." She looked around in the empty room and stretched her arms feeling a little lonely.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
"Hey there, are you doing alright? I seem to have seen Lady Serene leaving." (Liara) knows that the young lady of the Sinclair family is hard to get along with or even talk to properly with her harsh and mean personality.
The three sisters working for the Alarie family are well acquainted with the Sinclair servants that she brought along with her in the academy.
There would always be complaints on how whenever she gets cranky she can really be cruel unexpectedly.
Just imagining the poor little cockroach alone with that girl gave Liara the chills.
"Everything is fine Liara. I don't know if it's a custom around here but for some reason people really love giving me scarfs or blankets." (Analissa) shows her the gifts Lady Serene brought for her and that made Liara a tad bit confused.
Analissa held the scarf on one end and saw Lady Serene's signature on it.
"I think she made this scarf herself." The Japanese streamer could tell it was knitted in a rush but still the blue color is a lovely touch. "I like this color."
Liara wanted to ask if she and Lady Serene Sinclair had become close. "I suppose next month it'll be the winter season and giving a scarf to someone you care about is a common gesture of a person telling you to get well and be safe from sickness."
One of the world's greatest mysteries is finding ways to tolerate the Lackey's mean temper.
"Winter-! That's right after the exams there will be the annual winter ball." (Analissa) recounts the events of the original game now that the festival is over.
The first arc was the introduction for all the male love interests, after skipping their events it would be clear that things are going to change moving forward.
...
The second arc was the school festival, which was thrown into chaos with the villainess almost dying by the hands of her own fiancé but the Japanese streamer managed to save her on time with the [Wand of Light] from a secret event.
...
The third arc is the exams, this part is easy compared to the other events... Although the only problem is with all the chaos happening, Analissa didn't have much time to study.
She just has to keep her grades up to be qualified for the scholarship and financial assistance being given by the academy.
...
The fourth arc is the winter ball.
One of the most highlighted events of the season, think of it like a Christmas party but for rich people being held at the palace once a year and every noble student is invited.
Only a select few commoner students with great influence and grades can come.
In the original game this would be the chance to really deepen your relationship with either the crown prince or his butler. They would dance, party and the love interest would tell what they want to do with the heroine.
The heroine would be invited no matter what happens only as long as you kept her grades up or had a really high affection score with the male love interests.
...
The fifth arc is the field trip to the northern kingdom on ship and there's also the secret event to return Lord Einsel Loucrat's family heirloom.
In the original game this would be the chance to really get close with him ending in a kiss and finding out the true story on why he even lost the heirloom in the first place.
Now that they're true friends... Analissa will do her best to fulfill her promise to Lord Ein.
Honestly, now that he's normal she's taken a good liking to that boy.
...
That was all the important arcs she needed to go through for the 1st year of her life.
2nd year would get even more chaotic with more characters being introduced.
She intends to survive until the end of the game with a mission success that the villainess would avoid her impending doom.
"I'll have to prepare a thank-you gift for Lady Serene once I'm back on my feet." (Analissa) gently adjusted the scarf around her neck, letting its warmth settle against her skin. The fabric was soft against her cheeks, comfortable and smooth without the slightest hint of itchiness.
Lady Serene had certainly put a great deal of care into making it.
"Now that I think about it, this is my third scarf already." She brushed her fingers over the knitted material, a small smile forming on her lips as she recalled something.
"If this is your third, then you must have quite a few people who care about you, it is tradition that you give a scarf to wish someone to get well." (Liara) remarked with a gentle smile.
As Lady Evelyn's personal maid, Liara was accustomed to keeping herself composed and attentive. Yet, whenever she found herself talking to Analissa, she had to remind herself not to let her gaze linger for too long.
There was something about the girl's unguarded expressions that made it difficult to look away.
Get a hold of yourself, Liara. You're only having a conversation.
After a brief pause, she tilted her head slightly, as though a thought had just occurred to her.
"Would you like me to make you one as well?"
Analissa turned to her, surprised by the sudden offer. "You would?"
"Of course. If you don't mind waiting a little, that is. I might need some time to finish it, but I'll do my best to make it something you'll like." (Liara) kept her tone light and natural, her hands neatly folded in front of her.
She had intended to offer it casually, just as she might offer to help anyone else. Still, a small part of her hoped Analissa would accept.
After all, the thought of making something that Analissa could wear, something she might reach for on a cold day and remember who had made it, was rather appealing.
"I don't mind," (Analissa) replied warmly. "Anything you give me, I'll be happy to receive."
For the briefest moment, Liara forgot what she had meant to say next.
'Anything I give her?' She quickly lowered her gaze, pretending to consider the matter carefully while discreetly hiding the smile threatening to appear on her face.
"I... see. Then I'll make sure to choose the right yarn." She cleared her throat softly before continuing, her voice returning to its usual composure. "Tell me, Lady Analissa, what's your favorite color?"
"Hmm..." (Analissa) hummed, lightly pinching the end of her scarf as she thought about it. "I suppose it's yellow or dark purple. I like both, so it's hard to choose between them."
"Yellow and dark purple," (Liara) repeated, committing the colors to memory.
Yellow would look lovely on her. But perhaps dark purple would suit her too... She caught herself before she could dwell on the thought any further.
"Those are lovely choices," she said, offering Analissa a small, composed smile. "I'll see what I can do with them."
And although she made the promise as calmly as any maid would, Liara had already begun imagining the different shades of yarn she might use.
After all, if she was going to make a scarf for Analissa, she wanted it to be something special.
Not that she would ever admit that aloud.
Liara walks over and couldn't resist patting her head. "Now that you're making some progress with your health, someone deserves a well cooked meal after all that visit."
Analissa looks up slightly at Liara finding a strange comfort in her closeness. "Thank you, Liara."
The maid really wants to keep patting her soft head for hours and spoil her endlessly but she pinched her sides, not wanting to cross a certain line.