AMNL 06

~ Chapter : 6 ~

I felt a little embarrassed because Camilla reacted so enthusiastically to my small show of concern and charity—I couldn’t just leave her in that meager dwelling, or rather, that den.

“Hmm, we’ll only know once we go. Don’t get your hopes up too much.”

I said defensively, since Camilla’s admiration should really be reserved for someone like the male lead, not for a mere extra like me.

Rosio could give Camilla so much more.

All I could do was pretend not to notice her skipping classes and occasionally bring her some food. Helping her find a place to stay was like giving a tiny flower along her path—but Rosio could create an entire garden of flowers.

I snapped back to reality.

It was time to get to the main point: Rosio would sponsor Camilla. If I didn’t act soon, she’d probably fall for me even more, so I could also take the opportunity to appeal to her.

“Actually, I came to introduce someone who can give you more practical help, Camilla. You could have met him yesterday when you came for your part-time job.”

“Saint… my lady?”

“No, it’s none other than Duke Agnis!”

I shouted with fervor, as if introducing a great figure in an opera or theater performance.

“From the kingdom of Erdesia to now, when it has become a mighty empire, the ducal house has always stood as a pillar of stability. So handsome it makes even birds fall from the sky, with charm that mesmerizes even the highest-grade magical beasts!”

“Rosio… the duke?”

“Yes! His refined composure hides a restraint that stimulates admiration! Graduated top of his class from an academy of only elites, and now a great mage destined to lead this age, yet still humble.”

“Oh… I see…”

“Moreover, he owns major mines and a promising trading company, ruling a duchy as vast as a kingdom! Young, wealthy, intelligent, kind, handsome, tall, well-proportioned, capable… meeting him, you won’t be disappointed.”

I almost said too much to Camilla, who had just turned twenty. But this ambitious introduction seemed to pique her interest—her teal eyes now glimmered with curiosity.

“I’ve heard a lot about how amazing the duke is, but if you also praise him so highly, he must be incredible!”

Good. It seemed my attempt to appeal for the male lead was working.

“…I’m kind of jealous.”

A few seconds later, Camilla added in a barely audible voice.

Before heading to his duchy, Rosio decided to stop by the Royal Academy.

Esmeralda had a headache, and he wanted to make a magical ointment for her. Also, since someone was looking for her, he planned to deliver the list of part-time students.

With daylight providing good visibility, there was nowhere he couldn’t go with teleportation magic.

Holding the highest mana in the empire, he had enough energy to travel from one end of the empire to the other, even across kingdoms. Naturally, reaching the academy was fast.

“Th-the duke! Even seeing him from afar feels like I’ve used up a month’s luck!”

“Coming to the academy today? Did you come on royal orders?”

Students flocked to see Rosio. He greeted them politely but briefly before attending to his tasks.

He collected the part-time student list from the staff and prepared an ointment in the lab to ease Esmeralda’s headache. Then he placed the ointment and the list in a pouch along with a short note.

Afterward, he summoned a great celestial beast shaped like a giant bird. Such beasts could only be contracted by royalty or a very few select individuals, some of whom even used them for correspondence.

Rosio’s celestial beast was exceptionally fast and could cloak both its body and any items it carried while executing commands.

“Deliver this to Esmeralda of the Saint Count’s estate.”

The beast nodded lightly at Rosio’s command. He tied the pouch to its leg and sent it off to the Count’s territory.

Meanwhile, a woman had been watching him silently in the lab. Her sky-blue hair flowed like waves as she nervously bit her nails.

“Beatrice, did you see the duke just now?”

“He’s usually handsome, but today he seems even more so.”

“Could he be in love? They say love makes people more beautiful! I heard the duke was with some senior female student yesterday…”

Other students spoke to her, mostly trying to provoke her.

Her name was Beatrice, second in rank at the Royal Academy and a marchioness with a keen interest in Rosio.

“Shut up, do you think I wouldn’t notice?”

She replied coldly, eyes fixed on the sky.

Ordinary people wouldn’t notice a celestial beast, but Beatrice was no ordinary person.

Her sharp eyes detected the subtle distortions in the clouds and sky, likely caused by Rosio’s beast flapping its wings en route.

As Rosio departed for his duchy, she followed the beast’s trail.

“Oh, Camilla! No need to be jealous.”

Soon, that incredible man would be yours, and once married, the fortune would be shared!

I took a deep breath and brought up a topic that would surely interest Camilla.

“Camilla, you’ve always been interested in the academy, right?”

She nodded without hesitation, then hesitated briefly before continuing.

“I’ve always been grateful that you hid me, my lady. You even left me snacks and magic books sometimes. Thanks to that, I could study without going hungry…”

“Oh, no! I wasn’t expecting a thank you. But Duke Agnis is a patron of the academy. He has paid for the tuition of employees’ children, supported outstanding commoner students before, and if he hears about your situation, he’ll surely take interest and support you.”

“Ahh…”

Camilla seemed slightly reluctant. Strange—she was supposed to be thrilled at such an offer in the novel.

“I actually thought overnight… now that you’re no longer at the academy, I was going to prepare to enroll in an institution for commoners.”

“Instead of the Royal Academy, the best institution? Camilla, I’m glad I came before it was too late. This is an opportunity. If you get the duke’s favor… no, if you get into his eyes, a path of flowers will be waiting. You won’t need to hide to learn magic anymore.”

She’d gain the chance to develop her magical talent and even fall in love. Sure, there’d be a few mishaps caused by the villains, but she was a Munchkin heroine—she’d overcome them. I wanted to spoil this happy ending.

“Are you close to the duke, my lady?”

“Just acquaintances, but I swear, I will arrange a meeting between you two, without fail. Don’t worry, Camilla.”

“So, you came all this way for me even though you’re not close? I… I truly thought we’d never meet again…”

Camilla looked at me in surprise, her voice trembling slightly.

“Then I’ll meet the duke. Today feels like I’ve used up all my luck for life.”

Good. Even if the timeline was slightly delayed, if they met and connected, the story would progress as in the original. Rosio and Camilla would gradually become aware of each other.

They’d make eye contact, kiss, hold hands. My heart felt at peace.

“Well thought, Camilla. I hope many good things happen from now on.”

Camilla stayed silent for a moment, then smiled genuinely, looking truly happy.

Has no one properly cared for someone so lovely until now?

‘I should have arranged for her to meet Rosio earlier if I knew the original story would twist.’

In my past life, I patted her shoulder as comfort; she’d never been silently accompanied or comforted by a noble before. When I handed her a handkerchief, she said it was the first time receiving something so valuable.

The more she said “first time,” the stranger I felt. Usually, the male lead says that to the heroine—but this time, she became the heroine’s first.

Camilla hurriedly packed. Her luggage was thin: a single blanket thinner than my robe, a few clothes, some dishes, and a staff. All second-hand, of course.

We walked to where the carriage waited. Along the way, Camilla tore up her enrollment papers for the commoner institution.

Excited by her first ride in such a sturdy carriage and first visit to the Count’s estate, she ignored my comments as we arrived near a real estate office in the duchy.

It was also my first time taking such proactive steps in the past five years.

Despite having a customer, the agent came out.

“Welcome, my lady! Looking for a new villa? A few good new properties just came up.”

“I’d like to see the house listed for 5,000 darcs, if it’s still unsold.”

The agent asked in disbelief. When I repeated myself, his face gradually turned pale.

“Surely… if you buy that, we won’t be able to do business in the duchy anymore. And I haven’t even prepared retirement funds yet…”

“It’s fine. I just want to take a look. There’s no other house of that quality at that price.”

“If it’s not for your stay, I’ll keep that in mind…”

Sighing, the agent led us inside.

Both outside and inside, the place had basic cleaning done. Water worked, the bathtub was clean, and furniture and dishes, plus a few leftover items, remained from the previous owner.

“No ghosts? Haha, even ghosts are afraid of a Count’s lady, I guess.”

After checking the entire house, I shrugged at the agent.

“It’s quiet now, but just in case, please leave.”

The agent shook his head.

Meanwhile, Camilla’s eyes sparkled as she expressed her desire to finalize the contract. Once we signed the documents, the agent reluctantly left.

‘Ghosts? Whatever. Time to go.’

But right behind me, a strange “woo-woo” sound echoed.