"Do you actually... want me to come with you...?"
Maria's words hit me like a sledgehammer. Well, I expected something similar, but why was she asking such a direct question?
Her personality probably made it difficult to be more roundabout with her words.
And so, she waited for my answer with a calm look.
'Whether she comes or not probably depends on my response.'
"Why are you asking? It's not like anything will change depending on my answer." I spoke, coyly avoiding any direct response to her question.
Even if I didn't want her to go with us, Serah's words were absolute.
"If it would inconvenience you, or the mission, in any way, then... I'll make a petition to drop out. So, please, be honest with me..."
Once again, her earnestness caused my heart to squeeze.
"... Am I disturbing you?"
The fact that she unflinchingly stared at me with her eyes was something that unnerved me a little.
'This girl... doesn't she get embarrassed or flustered?!'
Even Ana wasn't this direct in our conversations! Even if she was, we were already pretty close, so I wouldn't consider it strange.
But, Maria was almost a stranger to me.
It was difficult talking to her when she was this forward about everything.
Still, since she asked for the truth with such a steadfast personality, it was my duty to give it to return the favor.
"Then, I'll be honest with you..." I said, making sure I maintained eye contact.
'Two can play this game!'
"I didn't want anyone else except the five I initially mentioned. It wasn't that I don't want you per se, but... I deemed anyone more than the initial five suggestions to be pointless additions."
Once I said this, the look in her eyes darkened even more.
It was only subtle, but I could tell that her mood had changed.
"I see. Then... it's best not trouble you and—"
"I wasn't finished," I said, interrupting her obviously downcast voice.
Her face was currently turned away from me, most likely to avoid any embarrassing display, but... now was the time to strike!
"That was my initial position. After Serah mentioned you, I probably still felt the same way..."
"I—I see..." Her voice seemed even weaker.
"But, with you before me now... that position has changed somewhat."
Once I said this, she sharply looked in my direction.
Both surprise and slight satisfaction were now displayed in her eyes.
No matter how one tried to hide their emotions, their eyes couldn't completely fool another person.
Eyes were a window to the soul, after all.
"You've grown, Maria. I didn't realize it before since I was busy, but now...?"
I smiled, placing my hand on her shoulder. Since I was taller, it was an effortless action.
Standing opposite each other in the dark courtyard, I felt the tense atmosphere lift.
"... I want you to come with us. After all, I'm interested in you now."
'How much you've grown. How powerful you've become. What your training regiment is like. How being in the Imperial Forces has helped you.'
So many questions ran through my mind.
Rather than simply asking, it would be nice to have her by my side to see for myself.
"I... I see..." Her voice faltered even more and, once again, she looked away from me.
'Haha! So you indeed get flustered, don't you?' I mused.
"Is that all you wanted to ask?"
"Y-yeah..." She murmured, and then... her eyes darted to my hand which was still on her shoulder.
"O—oh, sorry about that!" I stuttered, quickly withdrawing my hand.
For a moment, I saw her eyes waver once I stepped away. Was it relief... or disappointment?
Either way, it was all over in a flash.
"I should go now. Like you said... I should rest." Maria said, stepping back from me.
'But you said you were fine...' My mind trailed as I stared at her.
To be honest, it would be nice if we could converse a bit more.
I was curious about how she had been. Plus, I also wanted to ask about Stefan, and other Ainzlark adventures while we were at it.
But, before I could even raise any topic, the girl was already a far distance from me.
"Well, I suppose we'll meet soon," I murmured, looking at her as she left.
There wasn't much to do at the moment, but... it was never too late to get busy with more training, right?
>VWUUUUSSSHHH!!!<
In a spark of lightning and a surge of energy, I vanished from the courtyard.
************************
>THUMP<
>THUMP<
>THUMP<
Maria Helmsworth's heart raced with every step she took.
Her pale face was now flushed with bright pink as she walked away.
It would seem as though her eyes were teary, but... it was simply because of the overwhelming emotion that assailed her.
'Why am I so...!!!' She screamed internally.
Being a prim and proper lady was something Maria had always displayed.
Never had she let any person see an unsightly aspect of her.
Despite being young, her family—one of the Ducal Households—made sure she was perfect in any way.
That was partially the reason behind her usually calm and cold demeanor.
However, everything nearly came crashing down on one fateful day.
The day of the Ainzlark Entrance Exams!
It was the first time she had met Jared Leonard.
Initially, it was just a passing recognition.
'He's handsome. He has a good physique. He's also articulate and carries himself with composure.'
Observing her surroundings and those around her was one of the things she did to keep herself busy.
Still, she hadn't felt like anything about him stood out.
Then, when his argument with Stefan reached a crescendo... the boy made the most shocking move.
He approached her—drew close to her face—and asked her the most absurd question.
"Am I disturbing you?"
That was the first question that started everything.
The boy was brazen enough to approach her so directly.
While he might not have known of her status, wasn't it already clear to many people that she was someone special? Besides, there was no way he hadn't seen her Magic performance!
Even when she didn't add those into consideration, her attractive appearance was enough to make men fall for her.
So, why...?!
How could he have been so straightforward with her?
It wasn't until later that Maria realized just what kind of person Jared Leonard was.
It turned out that the special one among the two of them wasn't her... but him.
