Mistress Of The Evil Forest

Case 161: The case of Sierra Alaina Astra.

Hm...

So, I might have said something I shouldn't. To begin with, the maid Aurora has nothing to do with Sierra. I barely talk to her in this form anyway, so to blatantly say all of that as though I know everything about her... might seem suspicious.

Still, I thought I would prefer to say it rather than not.

Sierra often spills her worries, or rather, babbles on and on about her annoyances with my other identity, so I know she is suffering from overworking. It is quite a serious case, too, but I thought she could somehow get through it.

However... when I saw her ragged face earlier, my thinking changed.

The reason she's like this is partially because of me, too, when I really consider it. I knowingly accelerated the plot on top of creating artificial troubles, after all.

It should be fine since there's not a lot of chance Sierra can uncover my identity, and even if she does, with all the shenanigans we're about to do, things will probably be fine.

...Yes, I know it is still risky. Still, I feel bad when someone's looking like that because of me.

Well, what's done is already done. Let's not get too concerned over it.

---

''...''n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

I should have gotten concerned about it. I should have.

''Hey, what do you do when you have free time, hm?''

''...''

''Isn't it rude not to answer a princess? Oh, is it that you are used to treating princesses like this? My cousin isn't doing a good job of upholding the imperial family's prestige, is she?''

Sierra Alaina Astra.

As one of the main heroines of the game [Astra Magical Academy], she embodies the word 'craziness' down to its very essence. If Luxia is the type of insane and bubbly idiot you might want to avoid, then Sierra should be the landmine filled with razor blades you definitely don't want to step on.

That is the description Chloe has for the princess. As for me, I don't know her, but somehow, I think I can feel a bit of that unhingedness.

''Hello?''

Okay, I have to reply.

''...Don't you have work to do, Your Highness?'' I cautiously ask.

''Work? I dumped them all onto my foolish brother. I had a really good sleep yesterday, all thanks to you.'' Sierra chuckles.

Oh, so that's the reason she's here in the first place.

It makes sense. Normally, someone as busy as her won't have the time to sit down at the lunch table with a random maid and leisurely chat like this. I have been trying to relax recently, too, so I don't have any problem until then, but...

...can you not do this in front of everyone?

''...''

''Sierra, you...''

''Wooh... such an irresponsible princess~!''

Of course, we like to eat together as a group, and the preferred spot is the cornermost table of the park, which practically nobody visits, but 'we' also means that there are other people besides me here.

Luxia, who's chuckling; Scarlett and Claire, who appear awkward; the real Amelia, who's confused; and the duo of Chloe plus Nydia, who are practically glaring at the crown princess.

Chloe seems to be looking at me with a questioning gaze, asking how this situation even occurred in the first place, while Nydia bears a hint of terror in her eyes.

Meanwhile, Sierra is still decidedly sitting opposite where I am, her attention on me unwavering. It is as though only the two of us are here at this moment.

Perhaps because Sierra's silver-white eyes reflect more than other colors, and perhaps because I have better eyesight than usual, I can almost see my own silhouette in her irises.

''So? I even abandoned my work to be here. Do you mind hanging out with me for a while?''

Yes. Somehow, I have attracted this maniac's attention overnight.

---

From that point onward, Sierra keeps approaching me throughout the day.

The thing about this person is that she is thankfully straightforward but also painfully selfish sometimes. For example, she might use her status as the crown princess to summon me for a bit or intervene in the process of my supervising job to get me to monitor her exclusively.

She always makes a big deal out of her 'precious' time and effort spent on me, yet the topics she chooses are nothing short of ordinary. She'd ask about my favorite food, my preferred activities, or my other preferences.

After a while, I've come to realize that she merely wants to know me as a person. Even if her methods are odd at best and bizarre at worst, it just means that she is terrible at getting to know people.

''Hey, you said your favorite flavor for chips was slight salt, right?''

''...Indeed.''

''Mhm-hm.''

''...''

''...''

No, that's it? Aren't you going to buy me one?

Needless to say, her actions are strange. She still doesn't seem out of touch, though, which is a surprise.

Nevertheless, Chloe and I were worried something might go wrong thanks to this development, but it looks like nothing will happen. Sierra is Sierra, but if she genuinely wants to make friends, and that is her only goal, then she'll be more than welcome.

Oh, but the way she touches my wings is too ticklish. I'd rather have Luxia stroke my feathers. One can really tell if a person has taken care of an animal before by this.

---

And... of course, I'm at fault again for thinking that anything related to Sierra isn't a big deal.

''You're free to use anything you like, my dear guest.''

''...''

Is it my imagination? She seems to be smiling right now, even though she always doesn't do that.

No, the focus right now should be the things that are laid on the table—snacks. Not just any type of snacks, but the ones I, Aurora, the maid, have told her during the daytime: slight salt potato chips, sour strips, waffle chocolate, pocky sticks, and more.

The problem is that I am 'Silaerob' right now, not Aurora.

''You're shyer today, hm?''

Soaked in the moonlight, the crown princess's expression gets a notch more sinister. No, this might be how she usually is—detached from the work as a princess, only being herself. I think this suits her more.

Nevertheless, I don't have any other choice but to respond.

''You seem more lively today,'' I remark. ''Did something good happen?''

''Oh, for sure,'' Sierra replies. ''I finally decided on something, and I think it'll be spectacular in the future.''

''What is it?''

''I can't reveal it now. Still, you can look forward to a fun, fun show soon.''

...That sounds ominous. I'll have Luxia read her thoughts later, I guess. Should I be thankful to have someone like Luxia on my side? With her, I can at least get ahold of these unpredictable elements.

As I slowly unpack the potato chips bag and grab a piece, Sierra calls,

''Oh, right. I have a favor to ask of you, Silaerob.''

''Go ahead.''

''Can you retract your support for me as a candidate for the throne?''

...Really, now?