Same Kind

(Caterina’s Perspective)

After hearing Margaret’s story, I felt sympathy but also a touch of envy.

She could cast aside her noble status, heedless of others’ gazes, and run toward the one she loved… Something I want but can’t do.

I’ve received too much from the ducal family… Now, I can’t easily betray the house that raised me. I couldn’t be so ungrateful.

…I felt a bit gloomy.

As I wallowed in my thoughts, Margaret suddenly shouted.

“This is a walking ultra-rare material!”

Like teleporting, she zipped to Ailena, grabbing her hand.

“Please, you must help with my research!”

“…Uh?”

Slap!

Before Ailena could react, I swatted Margaret’s hand away.

A dark cloud loomed over me.

“I respect you, but could you not touch my servant so freely?”

“…Oh?”

Gently rubbing her reddened hand, Margaret stared at me, a slight smirk forming.

For some reason, I felt her black-hole-like eyes saw right through my heart.

She leaned close, standing on tiptoe, and whispered in my ear.

“You like that maid, don’t you?”

“Wha…!?”

How did even she figure it out?

Am I really that obvious?

…If I’m so easy to read, what does that make Ailena, who never understands me?

Margaret burst into laughter.

“Hahaha, no need to be so shocked. You’re a bit obvious, but mainly, we’re kindred spirits.”

…She’s completely seen through me, hasn’t she?

She wrapped an arm around my waist… maybe aiming for my shoulder, but her height fell short.

“Hey, how far have you two gone?”

She asked in a voice only we could hear.

“…A kiss, I guess?”

It was a secret I meant to take to my grave, but with her, I somehow let it slip.

…Maybe I saw my ideal self in her.

“Oh? That far already? Doesn’t seem like it.”

“…Because I tricked Ailena into it… She’s too dense, treating me like someone to care for, probably like a little sister.”

“Oh ho?”

Margaret raised a brow.

“Is that really the case?”

She didn’t finish, but I could guess her unspoken words.

—Or are you the one holding yourself back?

As expected, she’d completely read me.

“Well… our situations are different. I have no attachment to my family, but you’re bound by ‘family’ and ‘duty.’”

How does she see so clearly? Because she’s endured more pain than me?

“I’m not preaching. I get how you feel… You’d regret either choice, right? Honestly, even I can’t give you a clear answer.”

“…”

Then, she grinned mischievously:

“No worries, you’ve got time… Agonize over it, girl. That’s a young person’s privilege.”

She sounded like an elder.

But she doesn’t look much older than me.

“…Pardon me, but how old are you?”

“Twelve.”

“We’re the same age!”

“…Young lady, aren’t you two talking a bit long?”

“Ailena?”

Suddenly, Ailena tugged my sleeve, urging me with a hint of impatience.

Margaret finally let go.

“Mmph…”

Ailena didn’t seem to notice, but her slight frown showed displeasure.

That expression was oddly endearing.

“…Hm?”

For some reason, Margaret looked at us with a puzzled gaze.

“Calling others dense when you’re just as clueless… Well, that’s amusing too.”

She muttered something.

“Ahem… Anyway, if you have troubles later, come to me. I’ll listen anytime… If you face difficulties or make a ‘decision,’ I can help.”

She handed me a peculiar, palm-sized device.

…First time seeing it, but it feels oddly familiar.

“This is a voice transmitter. We can talk no matter the distance.”

“…Is that okay? We’ve only just met.”

I was puzzled.

“Hmph, just a little help for a kindred spirit… And it’s not entirely free.”

“…Meaning?”

“I just need your maid as a sample… Don’t worry, I won’t steal her. Her blood is something I absolutely need.

My research is at a bottleneck, and her blood might be the key… Plus, my work could benefit you both, maybe even break your deadlock one day.”

…Why would Ailena be the key?

Even Ailena looked confused.

Seeing our bewilderment, Margaret explained.

“You know curses are demon magic, tied to their physiology… That’s why I’ve hit a wall. But now, there’s a super-rare speci—mmph!?”

Before she finished, Olivia rushed over, covering her mouth and whispering something in her ear.

“Mmph… You jerk, covering my mouth… I’ll remember this.”

Breaking free from Olivia, the black-haired girl glared at her irritably.

“Hmph, keeping such an interesting thing hush-hush. So cautious.”

“Don’t blab! Remember what I asked you to do!”

“Hmph, as long as that awkward noble girl lends me her maid, I’ll manage.”

Both of them… no, even Ailena turned their gazes to me.

“…”

The pressure to refuse in this atmosphere was immense.

…But I wasn’t planning to refuse anyway.

Her story was inspiring, and I wanted to offer what little help I could.

As for Ailena… she’s so kind, she’d surely agree.

Still, I should ask her.

“I’m fine with it. What about you, Ailena?”

“I… want to help!”

Clutching her chest, Ailena answered firmly.

At that, a faint smile crept onto Margaret’s haggard face.

“Thanks.”

Later, Margaret took a small sample of Ailena’s blood, gave her a brief checkup, and let us go home.

Olivia said she had more to discuss with Margaret and told us to leave first.

Margaret’s deaf sister stood at the door, smiling as she saw us off.

…I can’t help but envy them.

“…You’re sly, using that excuse to get them to agree and sneak in.”

“Hmph, wasn’t it your request? Besides, without being a bit cunning, how could I survive that brutal environment?”

“If anything goes wrong later, I’m counting on you.”

“No need to tell me… I want to help with that girl’s romance too.”

“Didn’t peg you for a gossip.”

“Aren’t you one too?”

“Ehe~”