Volume 2 - CH 20

After the play ended, Lady Sophia and I immediately made our way to the Royal Castle. Prince Alforth and Alicia sent us out, saying that they wanted us to go check how Fol was doing. 

I was worried about the possibility of us not being allowed to meet her since it was so soon after her collapse, but we were granted permission without any problems. As we walked into her bedroom, Fol was sitting up in bed.

While there was no one else in the bedroom, I could sense the presence of several people in the adjacent room. I hadn’t noticed them the last time. It was likely that they were staying nearby to serve as her guards as well. 

I had an idea about the identity of one of these people.

“Sophia, Cyril. You came to see me.”

I wouldn’t say that her complexion looked healthy, but she still broke out into a smile. When Lady Sophia saw her like this, she breathed a sigh of relief.

“I was worried when I heard that you had collapsed, but you seem to be doing better than I thought.”

“I’m sorry for worrying you. And I ended up being absent from the actual play… but I heard that you took on the role of the heroine in my place, Sophia. Were you able to finish the performance without problems?”

“Eh, about that…”

Lady Sophia was unusually flustered.

In the end, during the play’s last scene, the lights did turn off right before we could kiss. However, it seemed like Lady Sophia still hadn’t recovered from the shock. My small punishment might have been too much.

It was easy to guess that Fol had heard about it from Tristan afterwards, so it wasn’t necessary to go out of our way and provide her with more topics nor going along with her nosy questioning.

“My Lady performed as your substitute splendidly, Fol.” I jumped in when the conversation paused and offered my objective report of the situation.

I wanted to divert her attention from my Lady’s strange behavior. However, Fol’s eyes gleamed like a hunter spotting prey.

“Oh, you talk about it like it doesn’t concern you, but you substituted for Al and played as Sophia’s prince, didn’t you? I wonder how the last scene turned out…”

It seemed that she had received a report about our performance’s details as well. Since I had already considered this possibility, my expression didn’t change, but Lady Sophia was utterly discomposed.

“T-the last scene?”

“Of course, it ended just like we had planned it to. There was a slip up when the lights turned off a little late due to someone’s ineptitude, but that was all.”

I brushed Fol’s speculations aside at once. If the Elitists were to hear about this, they could start rumours about Lady Sophia’s lack of virtue. Therefore, I brought up that teacher Tristan was the reason for the delay with the lights. This meant that, if some problems were to arise, I could pin the blame on him.

Of course, most likely, something like that wouldn’t happen. Nevertheless, I wouldn’t allow for Lady Sophia to be ridiculed. It was preemptive discouragement, letting anyone who might intend to do so know that they should be prepared for a suitable counterattack.

I seemed to have successfully gotten my message across, because Fol shrugged her shoulders as if to say that she was giving up on it.

“I see. So you were able to finish the play without any problems then, yes?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Due to the swift switch of roles, some clumsy parts in Alicia’s performance had stood out. However, she was able to show Elvira’s aura really well. There had been points where Prince Alforth also struggled here and there, but, despite that, he carried out his role as the narrator impressively.

It goes without saying that Lady Sophia had excelled, and I had also performed my role adequately.

When I humbly called myself adequate, Lady Sophia said I was too modest. Nevertheless, I reported that, for now, everyone’s performance had more than reached a level suitable for a school festival’s programme. When Fol finished listening to what I had to say, she smiled a somewhat lonely smile.

As someone who had been working alongside us up until this point, she didn’t seem to be doubting whether she was really a part of our group or not. However, despite that, she must have felt disheartened over not being able to get onto the stage that she had been supposed to stand on.

For that reason, just as we had planned, I turned to Lady Sophia and nodded at her.

“Fol, please look at this.”

Lady Sophia held out a single piece of paper.

“These are… the selection results?”

“Yes, the judges selecting the School Festival’s most outstanding group have chosen the Student Council’s play.”

Fol looked a little doubtful. She was probably asking herself why these results had come out on the first day of the School Festival, not to mention before the afternoon had even finished. However, once she properly read the document, she understood. It was a notice of the Student Council’s nomination.

Therefore, at the present time, the winner had yet to be selected. I believed that we were likely to receive the prize for the best group, or, at least, an award of excellence, but it was possible that we wouldn’t receive even that much. In that case, we planned on preparing an award for her, focusing on the theatrical aspect, for preparing the only play of the School Festival.

We couldn’t behave in such a disgraceful way as to change the selection results by using our political influence. However, using political power in order to create a harmless and inoffensive award was more acceptable. As a matter of fact, it didn’t matter what its official title would be. It could be a consolation prize, or a participation award, or anything else. We simply wanted to honor the memory of her working hard with us on the play.

And, as proof of that-

“My… name is…?”

The representative that was chosen by the Student Council, written into the document we submitted to the selection committee, was listed as Eldest Daughter Fol. When she found out about it, she turned to us, bewildered. 

“But, I… I haven’t performed on stage…”

“That doesn’t matter. You are our Student Council’s representative, Fol. We won’t let anyone say otherwise. Our play is, without a doubt, a play that we have created together with you,” Lady Sophia declared.

Upon hearing this, Fol suddenly averted her eyes. However, it wasn’t because she felt displeased. Shining drops fell down along her cheeks, her face turned away.

“If- if you say things like that, it will make me cry.”

Her cheeks were so wet when she faced us once again that there was no hiding it. Even though, at a glance, there was a sorrowful expression on her face, she was smiling happily.

“Thank you for granting me these wonderful last memories,” she said.

“I was able to create a permanent place for me in your hearts, wasn’t I? If that’s the case, then, I am not scared anymore. With these feelings in my heart, I will be able to depart, smiling until the end.”

“Please, please don’t say such sad things!”

“I apologize. However, the intervals between my collapses are slowly getting shorter. I believe that I will be able to live for another few months, but I don’t think that I can exert as much strength as I did during the play rehearsals anymore.”

“N-no! Don’t say that!”

Lady Sophia, her tears pouring down her face, was whining like a child. I was sure that it was the first time she was acting her age in front of someone else besides me. That was how precious Fol was to her.

For this reason, I had been laying all the groundwork up until now. I was my Lady’s exclusive butler. My duty was to lead her to happiness at any cost. I eagerly waited for Lady Sophia to rely on me.

“Cyriiiil…”

Lady Sophia clung to me like she used to when she was a child, sobbing. So I repeated the same question I had asked her on that day. 

“What’s wrong, my Lady?”

“You see, I…no, I am…”

Even though she was sobbing like the young girl she was, my Lady didn’t forget her own status. She understood that, if she let out an unreasonable demand, she would put me, her exclusive butler, in a tough spot. The young Lady who was bound to become a villainous daughter had grown up into a young girl that was kinder than anyone else.

However, at the same time-

“You’re looking down on me, aren’t you, Lady Sophia?”

“….Looking… down on you?”

“You clung to me in tears before, just a short while after we had first met, isn’t that right? At that time, I believed in you, Lady Sophia. That’s why, please, this time, believe in me.”

Lady Sophia’s eyes widened.

She must have realized what I was trying to say. Intently, she peered into my face, her eyes showing a mix of anxiety and hope.

I took out a handkerchief and gently wiped away the tears that were welling up in her eyes.

“…Would that be alright? Cyril, would it be alright, even if I were to make a selfish wish, believing in you…?”

“Of course, my Lady. I wouldn’t say that something is alright if it weren’t. I am Sophia Rosenberg’s exclusive butler,” I declared, putting my honor on the line. 

Perhaps sensing how earnest I was, Lady Sophia nervously opened her mouth.

“Then… then… save- save Fol!”

“Is that an order?”

“…Yes. Cyril, you told me before that you would fulfill one of my wishes, no matter what it might be, right?”

“Yes, I did certainly say that.”

“Then, I will use that privilege. I, Sophia, as Marquis Rosenberg’s daughter, order Cyril to save my best friend, Her Highness, Fol the Eldest!” Stifling her anxiety, she declared in a regal way, like a rose in full bloom. As long as Lady Sophia wished for something wholeheartedly, I didn’t need any more reasons than that.

“I will save Her Highness Fol the Eldest, just as my Lady orders me to.”

Standing in front of my master, who kept maturing every single day, I bowed respectfully. 

At that moment, Lady Sophia began to cry in relief. My Lady had full faith in me. Surely, she would also believe me, even if I told her that I was a transmigrator from another world. However, Fol, who didn’t share her faith, was glaring at me sternly.

“Cyril… I didn’t think that you were one to say such blatant lies.”

“No, Fol. Your understanding of me is correct. Just as you thought, I am not the type of person who says blatant lies.”

“What- what are you saying!? Didn’t you lie to her just now!? Don’t you understand that, if you comfort her with such lies, you’re just going to cause her more grief later!?”

She bared her anger, just like a raging flame. Even though she must have felt sorrowful herself, she was still worried about Lady Sophia. Truly, she was a kind girl. I felt remorse for causing her grief with this misunderstanding.

“I apologize for misleading you. However, I do truly intend to save you.”

“What are you-? Ugh. Stop messing around! I’m suffering from an illness that can’t be healed by any means! That’s what all the pharmacists of this country, as well as my tutor, have said!”

“This tutor of yours – is teacher Tristan, isn’t it?”

Fol jolted, startled. She stayed silent, but her reaction was proof enough. However, Lady Sophia, who didn’t know about this fact, asked: “Wasn’t Fol’s tutor a woman?”

That was right.

Fol had called her tutor she several times.

“Without questioning Fol’s words, it’s natural to believe that her tutor is a woman.”

“…In other words, you’re saying that Fol has been lying?”

That wasn’t correct.

However, if I were to say so, the conversation would become complicated, so I smiled vaguely.

“…Let’s say that Tristan is my tutor, but why are you bringing it up?”

“I was just confirming something. Whether I can truly save you or not, that is.”

“What… are you saying?” Fol asked, bewildered. However, I couldn’t talk about everything just yet. Thinking for a moment, I decided to talk about the teacher’s goal.

“You didn’t know why your teacher has been looking for me, did you?”

“…What are you trying to say?”

“The reason why your teacher concealed their goals from you was because it was possible that it would make you rejoice prematurely. However, that worry is gone now. Isn’t that right, teacher Tristan?” I asked, turning towards the presence, facing the wall.

Most likely, he had prepared his response from the moment I had first said his name. Opening a hidden door, teacher Tristan appeared.

“…Teacher, why are you-?”

Before the bewildered Fol, teacher Tristan bowed respectfully.

“I apologize for making you worry about many things, Lady Fol. However, you do not have to worry anymore. If it’s Cyril, he will definitely be able to save you.”

“…What… are you saying?”

“Truth be told, I was going to report to you once I had made a few preparations… however, considering your and Lady Sophia’s mental well-being, now seems like the appropriate time to disclose things.”

“I’m not asking about that! Wasn’t I beyond saving?!”

Fol looked as if she was laughing while crying. After being forced to hear that she couldn’t be saved, the girl had given up on a lot of things. Suddenly being told that she could be healed, the feelings welling up in her chest had to be overwhelming.

“Your illness being incurable wasn’t a lie. However, with him here, we should be able to perfectly suppress the symptoms of your illness.”

“…with Cyril being here?”

Since it wasn’t just Fol, but also Lady Sophia who had turned her gazes towards me, asking: ‘Is that true?’ I smiled back at them and responded.

“Lady Sophia, Fol. I would like to discuss the following treatment with teacher Tristan a little, so, would you allow me to be excused?”

“Eh? Uum… I don’t mind, but…” 

Lady Sophia looked at Fol, who didn’t seem to be willing to give her consent. Despite that, Fol wasn’t able to say no when Lady Sophia asked her that way.

“I still don’t really understand it well, but, if you’re saying that you can save me, do as you wish,” she responded with a somewhat offhanded answer. 

She reminded me a little of Lady Sophia when she was sulking. As I pondered this thought, I excused myself, along with teacher Tristan.

After we left, teacher Tristan led me to a laboratory. This laboratory belonged to teacher Tristan, who seemed to be using it to develop medicines that could suppress the symptoms of Fol’s sickness.

I sat down onto a chair in said room casually.

“So, what on earth do you plan on making me do?” I asked, no longer behaving like a butler, instead exposing my real self. In response to this, teacher Tristan blinked in surprise. I found that reaction amusing, and, unconsciously, I let out a laugh.

“That’s quite the face you’re making! That’s so unlike you.”

“Well, isn’t it a surprising thing, though? Did you boast about saving Lady Fol for sure, without even understanding what you would have to do?”

“Yes, that’s right. But… I’m not wrong, am I?”

I didn’t understand why Fol’s tutor was searching for a transmigrator. However, I decided to work with the premise that Fol’s tutor was a person similar to myself, just as Fol had said. If I were Fol’s tutor, I wouldn’t involve my cute pupil, Fol, who was going to die soon as well, in my search for transmigrators. 

If I were to involve her, I would only do so if I had an appropriate reason for it.

There weren’t really many reasons to involve Fol, who only had six months of life left, into the search. However, if it was for the sake of saving the dying Fol, that itself would become a sufficient reason to involve her.

I would also want to verify whether that person had the knowledge to save Fol or not. If it was just for that purpose, there were several other ways of doing it. However, even if I had the knowledge to save Fol, if I decided not to save her, it would be meaningless.

Then, how would I get them to save her? The answer to that was simple. I should make that transmigrator believe that they wanted to save Fol. Or, I should make it so that they would be asked by Lady Sophia to save her.

In other words, her goal had been to confirm that I had the necessary knowledge while creating an environment in which I would want to save Fol. 

From the moment we were allowed to be part of the Student Council, everything had been going just according to her plan.

However, with this alone, it couldn’t be determined whether I could actually save Fol or not. So I had to think about the possibilities of another transmigrator being able to save Fol, who she, as a transmigrator, couldn’t help.

If the transmigrator was a doctor in their previous life, they might have been able to deal with an illness that was, in this world, incurable. However, I didn’t think that was what she had been looking for. The possibility of a doctor being a transmigrator was too low, so, even if she were searching for a doctor, she would have to educate herself in order to be able to verify her medical knowledge. However, the field of study under investigation during our classes was a different one.

In other words, that was the type of knowledge she was looking for.

“While I understand why you wanted to be discreet in order to not get her hopes up prematurely was there no other way to do it… big sis?”

When I uttered these words of confirmation, the corners of her mouth tugged upwards.