Book 9: Chapter 1: A Drawer Full of Treasures

The morning of the school festival arrived with a situation that could hardly be described as perfect. Monica got up from the bed and took out the coffee pot for the first time in a long time to make a coffee. A cup of coffee was a ritual for Monica to refresh her mind. While blowing on the hot coffee to cool it down, Monica glanced at Nero.

Nero was still sleeping in his bed, muffled. It's been so cold lately that Nero, who's sensitive to the cold, has become completely sluggish. When Monica had finished her coffee and changed into her uniform, Nero finally crawled out of bed with a muffled cry.

"The freezing cold stings… I want to hibernate…"

"You know, it's a lot warmer here than in the mountain cabin."

While responding to Nero, Monica opened a drawer in her desk. In the only locked drawer, Monica's treasures were inside. There was a coffee pot, a ribbon and a letter from Lana, a peridot necklace, and her father's book given to her by Felix—Eig.

At first, it was nothing but a coffee pot, but before she knew it, the contents of the drawer had grown considerably, which made Monica feel a little emotional.

…ever since I came to this school, I've gained a lot of important things.

When she first came to this school, all she cared about were her father's coffee pot and Nero. And yet, right now, there are so many things she doesn't want to lose, so many things she doesn't want to be taken away, so many people she doesn't want to be hurt.

…I will protect all of them… For I am the Seven Sages, the Silent Witch.

Telling herself that, Monica picked up her favorite ribbon and tied her hair up.

Just then, there was a knocking at the window. Opening the window pane, a beautiful woman in a maid's uniform—Lynn—fluttered over the window frame and walked in.

"Good morning, Miss Silent Witch."

"Good morning, Lynn. Aren't you going to be a little bird today?"

When Lynn came in through the window, she often disguised herself as a small bird to avoid being spotted. This is rather unusual, Monica wondered, and Lynn nodded her head.

"Yes, there was something I wanted to deliver."

"…………?"

"But first, let's discuss our plans for today."

Lynn called it a meeting, but in reality, there was not much to discuss.

It's basically the same as in the chess tournament. Lynn and Nero will disguise themselves as a little bird and a cat, respectively, and mark Felix thoroughly. Monica pretends to be a student as usual, and Louis pretends to be a guest at the school festival and constantly keeps an eye on the school. That's it.

Nero looked up at Monica, yawning with a tension-free.

"Well, let's not be too rigid and just go about our business as usual. It's a school festival, right? It would be a shame if we didn't enjoy it."

"…Nero, you are absolutely NOT allowed to take human form today, you understand?"

Remembering the incident at the chess tournament, Monica gave him a nudge, but Nero looked away and wagged his tail as if to play a fool.

Monica scooped Nero up in her arms and stared at him.

"Ne.ro.?"

"All right, all right, I got it! I'll be a good little kitty today!"

Repeating her warning to Nero, Monica glanced at Lynn.

"…you too, Lynn. Please try not to barge in as a human."

"Yes, today I'm a cute little bird."

So long as she persistently nudges them, things should be fine. Maybe.

If Nero and Lynn guard His Highness thoroughly, they should be able to handle it as long as it doesn't go too badly.

In fact, it would be safer if Felix can hold the barrier magic tool that she improvised. However, she was unable to find the magic tool brooch she had dropped yesterday. Remembering her own carelessness, Monica let out a sigh, and then Lynn said quietly.

"Miss [Silent Witch], please enjoy the school festival in moderation so that the Second Prince will not be suspicious of you."

"…I'm sorry for making it sound like I'm the only one who enjoys it."

"Please don't mind me. It is quite fun to pretend to be a bird and eavesdrop on human conversations."

"………"

"Oh, and while you're at it, let me give you this."

As she said this, Lynn suddenly started flapping the skirt of her maid's uniform. Then a white box fell out of her skirt with a thud. What kind of trick did she use to have that kind of setup?

As Monica stood in shock, Lynn held out the box to her at her own pace.

"I heard that you are planning to borrow a dress from a friend for today's ball."

"Uh, yeah…"

"Sir Louis told me, ‘Why didn't she just ask me to provide a dress for her? Well, I guess let me at least prepare your shoes for you'."

"A-ha ha… sorry."

Monica had a wry smile on her face and opened the box she had received from Lynn.

Inside the box was a pair of white shoes with a pretty ribbon attached.

"Oh, this is so cute! …Huh?"

Taking out a pair of shoes, she found a note on the bottom of the box, written in Louis' familiar handwriting.

"Give me back my handkerchief, you stupid girl."

"…………"

Come to think of it, during the incident of the assassination attempt by Casey, she borrowed a handkerchief from Louis and forgot to return it afterward.

Monica hurriedly opened a drawer, took out a cleaned and ironed handkerchief, and presented it to Lynn.

"Oh, um, please give this to Louis… and tell him I'm sorry it took me so long to return this…"

"I did receive it. Now, please accept this instead."

Lynn took a small paper package from the pocket of her maid's uniform and held it out to Monica. What is it? Monica wondered as she opened the package and found a handkerchief with beautiful flowers embroidered on it.

…Did Louis make this? Hmm, I guess not… wait, I've seen this before.

Monica had seen those beautiful embroidery designs before.

——"Casey, your handkerchief is so beautiful."

——"Haha, thanks. I embroidered this myself."

——"Eh!? You made all these detailed patterns by yourself!?"

——"I'm good at embroidery. I am going to make some for the bazaar at the school festival. Do you want me to make one for you, too?"

——"Eh? But, I…"

——"Feel free, no pressure!"

As Monica clutched the handkerchief as she lowered her face down, Lynn said plainly with a blank expression.

"The giver said to be anonymous."

"………."

"This is just me talking to myself, but… she was shoveling the snow with so much enthusiasm."

"…it's just like her."

Monica stared at the handkerchief with a crying smile on her face. There are so many colors of flower embroidery. But among them, yellow flowers are the most common.

——"Yellow flowers are a symbol of happiness in my hometown. We also give yellow flowers to brides."

The bright smile on Casey's face as she said those words came to mind.

…I've got another treasure.

With a girlish smile on her innocent face, Monica hugged her brand new shoes and embroidered handkerchief to her chest with a heart full of happiness.