"Eh?" I blinked, honestly taken aback by how quickly she responded. She didn't even hesitate.
"...Lenora."
"Don't waste your time trying to convince me to make such a foolish promise," she said, locking her gaze with mine. Her voice was sharp and unwavering, and her expression had shifted back to that cold, indifferent look I couldn't stand. I much preferred her when she was expressive—lively, even.
I took a second to actually look at her. Her hair was wild and unkempt, her face pale, lips chapped, and her body was trembling ever so slightly. She clearly tried to hide it, but she wasn't doing a very good job. Shouldn't she still have some ether left? Maybe she'd burned through it all just surviving out there in the cold for a full week. That might've kept her upright all that time, but it had to have drained her completely—no food, no rest, no ether. Now, she was barely holding together.
But even so... why the hell was she so stubbornly against it?
"Listen, Lenora…" I began, trying to reason.
"No, you listen, Master."
"Eh?" I faltered. I was seriously starting to feel overwhelmed. No wonder Anderson could never win against her. That unflinching stare, that iron will, her beauty, her strength—he probably kept forgetting she was supposed to be under his command.
"I will never prioritize myself over my master," she declared, each word full of unwavering resolve.
"Lenora."
"Yes?"
"Who is your master?"
"Master Anderson…"
"And where is he?" I tilted my head slightly.
"…Here?" she replied, tilting her head to mirror me. Also, side note—this gown she's wearing? Not exactly modest. Just saying.
"Right. Now tell me: what's the first rule of being a servant?"
"To place their master above all else."
"Really…?" That didn't sound right. At least, not from what I remembered of Lumiea's memory. Or maybe this place had its own twisted version of the rules?
No.
"Lenora, I'm being serious. Answer the question properly."
"…A servant must always obey their master," she finally muttered, her head dipping low in either shame or reluctant acceptance.
Yeah, that would've worked on me—if I didn't already know her game. I'd seen this exact act play out in all my memories as Anderson.
"This is a direct order, Lenora. From now on, you are to think of yourself before you think of me. I don't care if you insist on staying with me. Fine. Stay. But if you want that, then you'll follow this one, simple command." I leaned closer, my voice resolute. "Because if you don't… I won't be able to stay with you."
Her eyes widened.
"You would leave me?" she asked, her tone strange. Almost alien.
Her eyes were unnerving.
Something about this situation made it feel like I'd just stepped on a landmine of my own making.
Well… too late to backpedal now.
"Master, you can't do that," she said, a tremor in her voice as she struggled to rise.
"I said don't move," I snapped, grabbing her shoulders—Holy hell! Why is she still this strong?! Isn't she supposed to be sick?!
"Master… please… you can't leave me… please…" Her voice broke and then—she started crying.
Goddammit. Why is this maid so emotionally attached to this sleazeball Anderson?! Just thinking about it makes my head throb.
"Lenora, listen—" But she cut me off, pulling me down with her onto the bed and clinging to me like I might disappear if she let go. Her skin burned with fever.
Wait.
"LENORA!" I barked, and she flinched.
"STOP USING YOUR ETHER! YOU'RE MAKING YOUR CONDITION WORSE! I forbid it."
Her grip eased slightly.
"...Master," she whimpered, fragile and barely coherent. At this point, I was officially done trying to make logical sense of this madness. The look she gave me—it was the same one she'd give Anderson when he came back reeking of alcohol and another woman. Not even sure how she always knew, but she did. Every time.
If I didn't know better, I'd say this girl was a walking red flag dipped in obsession. Good thing I do know better. She's just a devoted maid scared of losing her master. There's no way she's a psycho… right?
Right?
I cupped her face, forcing her to meet my eyes. My voice was firm, commanding. I needed her to calm down, because for a moment there, I genuinely thought she was going to tie me down on this bed. Wouldn't be the first time, either—Larson had a lifetime where that happened more than once. It almost happened to Lumiea, too, when that psychotic fiancée lost her mind because 'I' rejected her.
Sigh.
"I won't leave you, Lenora. I just need you to obey. Fully. Can you do that for me?"
She nodded slowly.
"Good. Now rest."
As much as I wanted to untangle myself from this incredibly awkward, uncomfortable, and oddly warm cuddle trap, I didn't. I stayed. Letting her feel safe might be the fastest way to get her to fall asleep. Then I could sneak out.
"...Mmm~ Master won't leave~ Ever~" she mumbled dreamily.
A chill ran straight down my spine.
Sigh.
On second thought, maybe I should start watching my back a little more carefully. And also… I really need to do something about this weight.