"You were quite sharp with your words earlier. Telling me to die, calling me a damn son-obsessed fool, and I think there were other things as well."

"……."

"There was also something about being a blockhead or a puppet—some strange words that I couldn't quite understand. But I assume those were insults too, unless you have a habit of mixing compliments into your curses."

"…Those weren't that bad as far as curses go, Professor Harold."

"Even leaving aside the words I didn’t understand, I remember hearing some pretty harsh things. So, when exactly did you start thinking of me as a lunatic, son-obsessed fool?"

"……."

When did I start thinking of Harold as a crazed, son-obsessed maniac?

The answer was obvious. Of course, it was ever since my "previous life."

From the moment I played Luminor Academy, Harold had always been an insufferable character. Especially when I tried to clear Lilith’s route—thinking back on all the frustrating things I had to do back then, it made even more sense.

Clearing Lilith’s solo ending, getting her solo ending again in consecutive playthroughs, starting the second arc by rescuing Lilith, saving her right before the second arc ended, and then charging into the Blackwood estate near the end of the third arc. Breaking into the Blackwood estate before the second arc even started. Watching the harem ending, then the solo ending, and then trying everything possible to prevent Lilith from being ruined by Ethan.

And in every one of those routes, aside from Ethan, the most infuriating character related to Lilith was Harold.

He ruthlessly eliminated any threats to Ethan, while enabling Ethan’s every whim, allowing him to continue to degrade Lilith. He never stood up for her, never did anything to stop it, which left a terrible impression.

So, naturally, from the moment I first met Harold in this world, he was nothing more than a "crazy, son-obsessed, stone-hearted sword demon" to me.

'Honestly, I still feel pretty much the same way nowadays.'

It wasn’t Harold who had changed from his original character—it was Ethan.

Sure, because Ethan had changed, Harold no longer played the villain, but looking deeper, he was still someone who could become a villain again, depending on Ethan's actions.

To me, who had seen Harold in the original game, he would always be the fool who doted on his son and would do anything for him, no matter what.

'…Of course, I can’t tell Harold that directly, so I’ll have to come up with a plausible excuse.'

If I were seeing Harold for the first time in this world, what would make me think he was a "son-obsessed fool"?

When he punished Eiria, who had stolen Ethan’s belongings and the relics of Tanathia?

When he attached me to Ethan as his personal maid, using some strange excuse about being the only one who could see Ethan properly?

Or when he turned a blind eye, even after witnessing Ethan harassing me several times?

…No, none of that would be enough to think of him as particularly unique. Nobles tend to behave like that in any family. Calling him a "son-obsessed fool" based on that would be absurd.

No, there had to be something only Harold would do—something no other noble parent would.

Reflecting on the events of the past few years, I carefully started speaking, crafting my response.

"Over the past few years…."

"……."

"Since the day young master Ethan began learning swordsmanship until the day he entered the academy, I noticed that you, Professor Harold, personally oversaw his rigorous training nearly every day. That’s when I started to think that way."

"…Hmm?"

Harold furrowed his brow, directing his gaze toward me as if my answer didn’t make much sense.

I expected this reaction. On the surface, harshly training one’s son doesn’t seem like an act of love. It could easily be seen as a matter of preserving family honor or personal pride.

But having played the original game, I knew Harold was someone who couldn’t live without his son, and I understood why his actions could be seen as stemming from love.

"Your response is a bit strange. Most people wouldn’t interpret harsh treatment of their son as an expression of love. Usually, it’s understood as something done for the family’s honor or reputation, isn’t it?"

"…If you, Professor Harold, cared more about the family’s honor or reputation than Ethan’s happiness, then Ethan would have been learning swordsmanship long before I joined the Blackwood household."

"……."

"But young master Ethan didn’t seem particularly interested in swordsmanship or magic. He ate when he wanted, slept when he felt like it, and there were even times when he came to the kitchen at night, demanding food because he was hungry. At that time, Ethan lived entirely on his own terms."

"…Go on."

Harold's face tightened a bit at my slight criticism of Ethan’s younger days.

Realizing it wasn’t wise to dwell on this point, I quickly moved on.

"Ethan only began learning the sword in earnest about six months after I became his personal maid. And there was no intervention from you, Professor Harold. Ethan decided on his own to learn swordsmanship, and you supported him because of that, did you not?"

"…You remember things well."

"Waiting patiently for young master Ethan to make up his mind without forcing him, and then supporting him with all your strength once he was ready to grow—few parents would be able to do that, Professor Harold. Having watched you support Ethan so closely for years, how could I not think of you as a son-obsessed father?"

"Heh, heh."

…Did I manage to talk my way out of it?

Seeing Harold let out a slight chuckle, I felt that my excuse had worked, at least to some extent.

I started to think maybe I could ride the momentum and move past this whole situation, but then Harold met my gaze with an inscrutable smile.

"It seems you’re the only one who truly understands me and Ethan. Looking back, I believe it was a wise decision to make you Ethan’s personal maid all those years ago."

"…I see."

"To be honest, I never intended to fire you as Ethan’s personal maid, even if you did think I was some kind of crazed, son-obsessed fool. Ethan still needs you by his side."

"Th-Thank you."

"And besides, as you said, I’ve done things that could make me seem like a fool for Ethan. What other noble parent would become a professor just to follow their child to the academy?"

…Well, that’s a relief. It seems Harold is aware that he’s a bit crazy when it comes to his son.

I wasn’t sure which part of my answer he liked exactly, but at least it seemed I wouldn’t be losing my job as Ethan’s personal maid anytime soon.

At least Harold wasn’t one of those sneaky characters who says one thing but thinks another.

"A strong personality, someone who says whatever they’re thinking, and eyes that seem to see straight through people. You remind me so much of… someone I knew when I was younger."

"Excuse me?"

"…Never mind. Just take good care of Ethan from now on, Lilith."

"Ah, yes. Thank you…."

I wasn’t sure what Harold meant with his final remark, but it seemed like the situation had resolved safely.

I mentally patted myself on the back for my quick thinking as I sighed in relief.

—Tap.

"Now, you should head back. I’ve kept my son’s girlfriend with me for too long."

"G-Girlfriend…? I-I’m not in that kind of relationship with young master Ethan…."

"There’s no need to hide it from me. I’ve been certain ever since I saw the two of you at the estate last time. Have I ever interfered with you two meeting since then?"

"N-No, I don’t think so…."

"Well, Ethan doesn’t have a fiancée or anything official, so there’s no issue with you acting as his girlfriend. It wouldn’t be wise for me to meddle too much in my son’s personal affairs."

"…I understand."

…What just happened? It seems Harold just officially approved my temporary relationship with Ethan.

I wasn’t sure how the conversation had turned out like this, but I was satisfied with the fact that I’d managed to keep my position as Ethan’s personal maid.

As I was about to say my final goodbyes and part ways with Harold…

"Thank you very much for today’s lesson, Professor Harold. I’ll see you in the next class…."

"Get away from him this instant…! You, you thieving cat…!"

"……?"

"……?"

Both Harold and I turned in the direction of the familiar voice calling out from a distance.