NOVEL NEXT Respite with Emilia
As everyone else starts on their exams, I am inside Emilia’s office.
“Emilia.”
“Yes, mistress?”
“I am bored. Entertain me.”
Emilia looks surprised as she suddenly bows her head.
“Forgive me, mistress. I do not know how to entertain you.”
“Oh. Do not tell me that you are one of those.”
“One of what, mistress?”
“The type of person whose job is their life.”
Emilia shows a weary smile.
“I-“
She sighs as she starts to speak.
“That may be the truth, mistress.”
“How dull.”
“I apologize, mistress.”
“How does a normal day go for you?”
“Ah, it is not always the same but most of the items on my agenda are there every day.”
I nod to her in silence as I listen.
“As I am still part of your father’s information network, I receive daily updates on some of his activities.”
“Bold of you to say that in front of me.”
Emilia smiles.
“I believe that you already know why I continue to do so, mistress.”
“Yes, yes. I know.”
“Thank you for your understanding. Although I feel that I must set your expectation that most of it is not important. Since your father dabbles in a lot of things.”
“I see. No matter.”
“And after that, paperwork. Paperwork never ends, you see. As a school, we have a lot of eyes on us. Especially from those that have their children or for those who are interested.”
“Other than the usual budget concerns, I receive various missives from different people from nobility. Occasionally, there would be some from commoners. Of course, I make sure to read all of them properly and to reply if needed.”
“Budget concerns?”
“Yes. Running a school is very costly, you see. There are also a lot of sudden expenses that need to be met. Previously, we cannot directly act on those who destroy school property as it is extremely tedious to make the family pay for the expense. A school that threatens a student’s family will leave a horrible impression on people who do not know anything.”
“Ah. I understand.”
“Which is why I appreciate your presence, mistress. With your arrival, no one would dare to do anything too extreme as you have publicly stated that the school is your jurisdiction.”
“Oh? You are being a bit bold today. Telling me all of this in front of me. Is this the reason why you agreed to become mine?”
“I will be honest, mistress. It is the second most important reason.”
“Hm, how interesting. Now, tell me about these missives that you receive.”
“It is from the various families in the school. They range from all sorts of things, from inquiries to even reports from royalty.”
“I presume that would be for the prince?”
“Yes. It is surprising how much the royal family has time. They send a letter daily asking about the prince.”
“Daily?”
“Yes. There is a clause that says that I do not need to respond every time but there is no way that I will take that chance.”
“You can. I have already allowed you to use my name, after all.”
“Thank you, mistress but it is not too hard so there is no need to use your name for such a thing.”
“Hmph. It is your choice.”
“Thank you for your understanding.”
“So, other than that. What else do you do?”
“Whenever I find myself needing a break, I always find a teacher who I can talk to. I know everyone’s schedule after all so I usually talk to the teachers on how everything is going.”
“I see and they are not disturbed or bothered by you interrupting their break?”
“Ah. I never thought about it like that.”
“I see. Well, ignore that last part. From what I can see, all the teachers here are good natured.”
“Of course. I personally picked all of them. They are an assortment of people from different status of life and I made sure to know their character before I hired them. This is a school with nobles and commoners after all.”
In the game, there was no issues about the teachers after all. Whether you picked the male or female protagonist, the teachers treated you the same way. So, there was no discrimination or favoritism from the teacher’s side.
“I see. However, you are setting a bad example.”
I see Emilia smile wearily.
“I wonder how they all feel that you are fraternizing with me.”
“I do not wish to brag but they surprisingly trust me more than I thought. None of them had any issues about it. Some even said that they have trust in my decision.”
“It seems that you have built a good rapport with your colleagues”
“Yes. I am enjoying my time here.”
“Well, having work as your hobby is your choice.”
“Ah, I guess that is how it is, mistress.”
“Yes. So, what is the real reason?”
“What do you mean?”
“You did mention that using my name is the second reason. So, what is the first reason?”
It took a moment for my words to have an affect to Emilia. There was a slight tinge of pink on her cheeks. Is she blushing?
“For love, mistress.”
“What?”
“Ah, do not misunderstand. I only meant that the first reason is because of love, not that I love you specifically.”
“That still leaves me confused.”
Emilia took a moment to compose herself.
Someone I loved advised me to take care of you. That is all.”
The amount of people who would do that is extremely limited. Although it could still be someone that I do not know. It does leave me curious.
“Oh? Is it someone that I know?”
“I would like to keep it a secret, mistress.”
“You are truly bold today. That is the third time today.”
“Forgive me, mistress but professing one’s love to another is something that my heart is not ready to do. Besides, the prospect looks grim. She is like me after all.”
Similar? They are both workaholics?
“Hmph.”
“So, please let this be for now. I promise to share it with you in the future.”
“Fine. Be thankful for my generosity.”
“Thank you, mistress.”
So, even principals fall in love.