N-A 1: A raven’s intuition.
The world is a cruel place.
Growing up in an orphanage, I gradually realized that.
My parents, who I still don't even know even to this day, abandoned , so I was sent to the orphanage as a baby, keeping only the na 'Nydia' with . Nydia ans raven, and I am a raven-kin, so it is quite suitable, I suppose. Either way, it's fortunate that I didn't need to live on the streets.
Life in the orphanage wasn't exactly good however, as it wasn't at all well-funded by the monarchy, and the people running the orphanage were embezzling a large chunk of the money for themselves, leaving us with little to cope with.
I only noticed it when I turned six. One of the older kids beside complained about how little food we were getting, and that was when it suddenly clicked. Combined with their complacent attitude, we were having a hard ti for certain. Luckily, we weren't being abused physically on top of being hungry, so we had hope.
Eventually, we grew up, relying on each other, like siblings. Selling handmade trinkets, begging, doing small part-ti jobs,... We sohow got through together.
When I was sixteen, so of the older kids were forced to find proper jobs for themselves, and that got wondering—
'What job should I try to find?'
Sixteen years of living in the orphanage had developed quite a good foundation in combat. I had so talents in fighting, as my skill options and base stats were decently good, so I trained myself, frequently sneaking out to fight small monsters. At that point, I was at level 14—quite impressive for a sixteen-year-old.
I had intended to beco a rcenary or an adventurer, fighting monsters to earn money, but ultimately, I didn't need to. By pure chance, the Lady of Luminous Dukedom and I t on the street, and she imdiately took an interest in . She wanted to beco her maid because of my rather unique appearance.
The job was simple, and the pay was unexpectedly high. With it being stable on top of those, I took it right away.
So I bid goodbye to the kids and beca a maid. I still keep in contact with them to this day, by the way.
Regardless, Lady Alia Luminous was your typical noble lady—prideful, slightly arrogant, and a bit pretentious in social interactions. Except, her temper was horrible.
She would get angry at the slightest things, so I was constantly on edge serving her. But again, luckily, she wasn't abusive.
Three years quickly passed, I turned nineteen, and my lady turned eighteen.
It was ti for her to attend the academy. Everything was going smoothly, and then... Right after the admission, sothing strange happened to my lady.
She... Changed. Her entire personality changed, for whatever reason. Sure, when interacting with other nobles or her own family, she was still the sa pretentious noble, but when alone, the old Alia Luminous was nowhere to be seen.
Her words beca milder and more playful, and her temper disappeared completely.
'Has my lady finally escaped puberty?!'
I rejoiced. It was much, much more fun serving the cheerful lady than the grumpy one.
After that, she decided to bring to the academy, although school wouldn't start until much later.
Initially, I was confused. Then the next day, I was even more confused.
From nowhere, she brought back a whole owl girl!
The girl set to be her maid was incredibly beautiful. Skin white as snow, silky-smooth white hair, a face carved by the goddess herself, and a pair of piercing slit orange eyes. She was your typical cold beauty, just, ten tis more attractive.
I was imdiately captivated. Who wouldn't? It was the first ti I saw soone else with wings like , not to ntion she was this beautiful!
'Wait...?!'
I suddenly had an epiphany. What if, what if... Lady Alia brought her back for to hook up with after hearing my confession about liking bird girls?!
I was overjoyed, then my hope was imdiately crushed.
On Aurora's fourth finger was a silver ring, similar to what Lady Alia had on her fourth finger. They were a couple. I couldn't inspect the rings, so they were not just magic items without deeper aning either. I half gave up.
And the world was cruel. Because she and I both had the sa position beside Lady Alia, I was forced to see them flirting all day long...!
But, but, I also noticed that they weren't kissing or doing anything like real lovers, instead, it was more like Lady Alia being a fool for Aurora, which was weird to see, anyway, the point is...
'Maybe I still have a chance...?'
I decided to not give up on my romance. During the next two months, I tried my best to get as close to Aurora as possible. I tried to follow everywhere she went, used any and all excuses to make physical contact with her, and tried to appeal to her as much as possible.
It was foolish of , sure, to try to steal my lady's crush. But I don't regret it.
Especially when it was this fun staying with Aurora. The girl was exceptionally sassy and had an imposing aura that did not fit a maid, so every ti soone tried to bully her, they got bullied back instead.
Even if I won't be able to date her in the future, I still want to be her friend.
But enough of the reminiscence. The joint practical class is ongoing, which ans Lady Alia is not here, which ans I can be alone with Aurora!
We both entered Lady Alia's designated room earlier after Aurora went for a quick bathroom, now sitting at the table. Aurora is rarely napping.
Admiring her sleeping profile, I can't help but let out a sigh. Why does my lady have to pursue her... I just saw them rubbing cheeks back in the car, no less. Annoying...
gulp—!
M-Maybe I can touch her face a bit...? She won't get mad, right?
An immoral feeling arises. I slowly reach my hand out and gently, very gently stroke her smooth cheek. The warmth quickly transfers to my fingertips, and sothing rather pleasant pricks my heart.
Right when I'm about to be bolder and try scratching her chin—
[KIEEEEK—!!!]
''?!''
A thunderous shriek can be heard in the distance. I hurriedly look out the window toward the hunting field only to see a terrible monster crawling itself out of an ominous rift.
''Aurora!'' I imdiately shake her shoulder. ''Wake up! We need to run!''
''Mghm...''
Aurora slowly opens her eyes before looking around confusedly. She only becos more urgent after seeing the monster.
''Alright, let's run.'' She stands up with a serious face.
I need to call the Duke to send his soldiers here as well. I hope you are alright, Lady Alia...!
''Go!''
I grab Aurora's left hand and we both run out of the room. The silver ring on her hand is annoyingly rubbing against both my flesh and my heart, but now it is not ti for that.
''...Hm?''
Feeling a slight incongruity, I belatedly turn around.
''What's wrong?''
Aurora looks at with her usual expression. Her voice is the sa, her actions are the sa, even the calm look in her eyes is the sa, yet...
I squint my eyes and once again look very closely at this 'Aurora'. I usually have very good intuition, and... My intuition is screaming at that...
''You...''
That the one in front of is not Aurora.
''Who are you...?''
''What are you saying? Go report this quickly.'' Aurora imdiately shoots back. ''Did eating too many almonds make you go nuts?''
''Eh? A-Alright, let's go!''
Was it just my imagination...?
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