"This... this can't be. Could it be the same monster that had been left dormant in the abandoned church for decades...?"

"It is the magic sealing stone containing the undead monster, Harlequin Queen, Professor Mamari."

"Incredible... Just as I thought, my eyes didn’t deceive me...!"

‘Let me out immediately...! What do you plan to do with me, sealing me in here like this...!’

Even after we returned from the abandoned church to Professor Mamari's villa, the Harlequin Queen wouldn’t stop her noisy complaints.

Trapped in the sealing stone, she seemed no more dangerous than an ordinary nun’s spirit. However, despite appearances, she was actually a depraved monster who had possessed countless women and claimed to be a virgin herself.

Unlike other boss monsters, the Harlequin Queen was safely contained within a single sealing stone, so I handed over my portion of the sealing stones to capture a moderate-level ghost-type monster with Ethan.

Since it was already certain that Ethan and I would take the first and second places in this necromancy research class, if there was no difference in scores, it made sense to let Ethan have the top spot.

‘W-wait a moment! Are you seriously planning to use or sell a creature like me as just an academy assignment?! Are you both out of your minds?!’

“With a soul this strong, I might finally succeed in creating the intelligent golem I’ve always dreamed of... Such a powerful spirit could withstand the physio-magic conversion autonomously. Yes, this time, the spirit golem...”

‘H-how terrifying...! Please, I’ll even put up with your filthy habits, but don’t hand me over to this dangerous human!’

Watching Professor Mamari's unsettling grin as he gazed at the Harlequin Queen’s soul, she seemed to realize her predicament, pleading with Ethan and me. But it was too late; she was already submitted as a project for the necromancy class.

I had no sympathy for a wretch like her. What Professor Mamari would do with her was none of my concern.

"Then we’ll be heading in, Professor Mamari."

"Good work, both of you... You’re welcome to use the villa until the day after tomorrow. Get plenty of rest and leave by the morning."

"Thank you for your hospitality, Professor."

"By the way, have you considered pursuing advanced studies in necromancy under my tutelage?"

"I sincerely appreciate the offer, but as the sole heir of the Blackwood family, I must focus on swordsmanship."

"I, too, would like to explore broader knowledge. It is quite late, so if you’ll excuse us."

"Yes, yes... Rest well, both of you..."

Professor Mamari’s disappointment was almost pitiful, but I had no intention of extending my studies here any longer than necessary.

“Such a strong spirit capable of possessing women over decades... Perhaps I should start by testing how much it can endure...”

‘Wait, please! Don’t leave me with this creepy woman! I’m going to be killed! I’ll be dissected piece by piece!’

What Professor Mamari chose to do with the Harlequin Queen was of no concern to me. She would pay for the many lives she had sullied.

⁎ ⁎ ⁎

It was the third night since we’d begun staying at Professor Mamari's villa.

After clearing all the final assignments of the necromancy research class, today felt unusually relaxed. With no meetings to discuss tomorrow’s boss monster, I could enjoy the evening without any responsibilities.

‘Welcome back, Master Ethan, Lady Lilith. Shall I prepare dinner or a bath?’

"Dinner first, followed by a bath, please."

‘Shall I prepare the bath so you two can share it again?’

"..."

"..."

‘Forgive me for asking. I’ll return in thirty minutes.’

Dina took her leave, having picked up on our response with a knowing look.

Though Ethan and I hadn’t done anything overt in front of her, Dina seemed fully aware of what we’d been up to during our stay here.

"The last night at the villa, isn’t it?"

"Yes, Master Ethan."

"Thank you for your hard work during the necromancy research class. I know it was a difficult course for you, but you saw it through to the end."

"Your swordsmanship was truly exceptional, Master Ethan. Especially your handling of the Toxic Blood Ghoul. I believe you have no weaknesses left when it comes to fighting undead."

"I had to protect you. Last time, I was the one being protected, and it weighed on my mind."

"At the end of the last class, I was the one being protected, wasn’t I? I think it’s enough that we can rely on each other, Master Ethan."

"..."

"...."

An awkward silence lingered between us, and the atmosphere grew slightly embarrassing.

When I thought back on our time at the villa, it felt like I was left with nothing but strange memories.

The first night, I had tried to cheer up Ethan and half-jokingly offered to let him touch my chest, only for Dina to catch on and make the situation even more embarrassing. In the bathroom, I was too flustered to say anything after that.

On the second night, after Ethan got hurt, I had to feed and bathe him myself, and at night, I used my healing aura, pressing close to him.

‘It wasn’t like I joined the necromancy research class just to fool around…’

In strict terms, I had simply fulfilled my maid duties on the first night and tended to Ethan’s wounds on the second. Though they weren’t intended as indecent acts, they might have appeared so from an outside perspective.

Starting tomorrow, there would be no more necromancy research class, and the only thing left was to return to the academy. I had no reason to indulge in any carnal thoughts.

‘What am I thinking? This is absurd.’

I’d promised only to engage in ‘those’ acts when Ethan beat Harold. I wasn’t about to break my own rule.

Besides, even if I felt a certain way, there was no guarantee Ethan did too. Not that I was currently feeling that way; just hypothetically.

‘Damn that incident this morning for stirring up these thoughts.’

When I woke up, finding Ethan’s... discharge on my thigh nearly made me lose my composure.

We’d fallen asleep wrapped in each other’s arms, so as a man, he was bound to be stimulated.

‘Master Ethan, Lady Lilith, your meal is ready.’

"Oh, yes, thank you."

"Thank you, Dina."

Despite not having done anything indecent, an awkwardness had settled between Ethan and me. We could sense what the other was thinking without needing to say it.

⁎ ⁎ ⁎

"I’ll turn off the lights, Master Ethan."

"Yes, Lilith."

-Click.

That night, we went to bed with a lingering awkwardness, both of us unable to say what was on our minds during dinner and in the bath.

‘So we’re just going to sleep quietly, huh?’

If Ethan had said even one word, I might have gone along with it.

With Dina in the villa, any loud activities were out of the question. But intimacy didn’t always have to be noisy.

Yet Ethan chose to keep his composure and went to bed quietly. So, I did the same, setting aside any impure thoughts and lying down beside him.

I had my own rules as his maid, and running to him impulsively would be embarrassing.

-Slide.

“Good night, Lilith.”

“Good night, Master Ethan.”

We fell asleep holding hands under the covers, basking in each other’s warmth.

The day’s fatigue quickly pulled me into a deep sleep, and I was out in no time compared to the first two nights.

-Soft breathing.

“….”

A few hours passed.

-Rustle.

“….”

-Rustle, rustle.

“...?”

In the dim light of the moonlit room, I stirred, awakened by the sound of rustling blankets and the faint sound of Ethan’s quickened breathing.