Vol 1 Chapter 13: The Trap

—“I’d heard plenty about your progress, but I never expected results this spectacular!”

The one praising us so enthusiastically was Duke Howard, newly arrived in the royal capital.

Seated beside him, in a pale-blue dress, was Tina.

She really is a beauty. A few years from now, the kingdom’s men won’t leave her alone.

“T—Her Highness Tina and Ellie were the outstanding ones. Please praise them.”

“Ha-ha-ha! If I say that, all the tutors will be out of a job.”

“It’s thanks to you, Sensei—so please, call me ‘Tina,’ like always.”

“No, that is …”

“I permit it.”

“Y-yes, milady.”

The duke declared this gravely, and Tina blushed at his words.

…This is going to be hard to bring up.

“This girl was accepted to the Royal Academy as valedictorian, tying the all-time record! Ellie ranked near the top as well. If that isn’t a triumph, what is?”

Both of them safely passed the Royal Academy entrance exams.

Tina even took first place with a score that matched the record high.

Second place went—exactly as expected—to Liene.

Needless to say, after those results came out, those sisters bullied me to no end.

…I have had more than enough of butler uniforms.

“I’m truly grateful to you. Would you consider staying on as their tutor?”

“That is—”

It was an excellent offer.

The three-month salary was nothing short of generous.

But… I don’t want to stay in the capital.

“I’m honored, but I must decline.”

“Sensei!”

“Why is that?”

“Well …”

“—No need to worry about the royal family matter.”

“—So you knew.”

“Of course.”

“What do you mean?”

Tina looked at me, waiting for an explanation.

…I really don’t want to talk about this.

While I agonized, the duke seemed to be enjoying himself.

“The Royal Court Mage exam consists of a written test, a practical, and an interview. Just between us, you ranked first in the written, high in the interview… but dead last in the practical.”

“…Impossible.”

Her voice was like an ice storm.

The moment her emotions rose, cold air leaked out.

I reached out and patted her head; the chill vanished at once.

A discreet cough came from the side. My apologies.

“For the practical, examinees normally keep their faces hidden so they don’t get nervous. But the Second Prince—Gerald-sama, your opponent—didn’t follow that rule. Worse yet, he openly mocked your family and Miss Lidia by name.”

“Your Excellency, perhaps that’s enough.”

“I want to hear it.”

Tina fixed me with a serious gaze.

…Even Lidia doesn’t know this part.

“You did nothing at first. Then, once the exam began, you canceled every spell and drained every ounce of Gerald-sama’s mana.”

“I have no regrets.”

“Even though it cost you a Royal Court Mage post?”

“—I’m an orphan. But my adoptive parents, my sister, and Lidia all love me. I’m not mature enough to laugh off insults to them. And I refuse to let the people who’ve helped me suffer for my sake.”

I have no lingering attachment to becoming a Court Mage.

Honestly, everything up to now has gone too well anyway.

“I see.”

“…I-I refuse! Absolutely refuse!!”

With that, Tina bolted from the room.

And the one who entered in her place—

“Now, who’s the scoundrel that made Lady Tina cry?”

“…Professor? Why are you here?”

“I’m Walter’s old partner in crime. First, go after her.”

Still confused, I bowed to the duke and left the room.

…Professor, what’s with that grin? The duke, by contrast, looked grim.

A maid in the corridor said Tina had gone out to the courtyard.

Spring was near, yet the capital air was still chilly.

Following directions, I found Tina standing alone, my scarf—still on loan—wrapped around her neck.

“Tina.”

“…Are you really quitting?”

She’s as straightforward as ever.

In that respect, she’s a bit like Lidia.

“I won’t hole up somewhere. Someone would kill me if I did.”

“…That’s not an answer.”

“Even without me—”

“No! You can’t go… because now I know…”

“Know what?”

I asked, but she only looked down in silence.

I gently patted her head, then crouched to meet her eyes.

“Even if I quit, I’ll still be your Sensei.”

“…Really?”

“Really.”

“Then I’ll return this. Since this is the last time, let me tie it properly.”

She removed the scarf and fastened it around my neck—then held the end, refusing to let go.

Just as I tried to speak, she yanked me forward—

—and in that instant, stole my lips.

“!?”

“—Saw that. Walter, you saw it too, right?”

“…Indeed.”

I turned. Behind us stood the amused professor and the duke, his expression complicated.

No way.

“…You set me up, didn’t you?”

“Whatever do you mean? I merely offered ‘the most effective way to make you stay.’ Surely you won’t abandon her after a kiss?”

“Y-you—!”

“Sensei.”

Tina, her face bright red, looked up at me.

…Good grief.

I ruffled her hair, kissed her forehead, and dropped to one knee.

“!?”

“—Your Ladyship, would you grant me another chance to be your tutor?”

“Eh?”

“—No? Then perhaps Miss Ellie, hiding over there—”

“I-I’d be honored! And please, do that for me too!”

“N-no!! I allow it… Just don’t go off on your own, okay? If you leave, I’m coming with you.”

…I feel like someone else said something similar not long ago.

And so, this hopelessly soft-hearted teacher fell neatly into the trap and agreed to remain tutor to Her Ladyship.

—Some time later, Lidia learned about the Court Mage incident as well. My bout of mortified suffering is a story for another day.