Socialization and Schemes

A few minutes later…

With a soft ‘whoosh,’ Seraphina closed the bathroom door, finally free from Claire’s insistent presence. She collapsed onto the living room sofa, letting out a long, weary sigh.

‘Ugh… this one. Despite being a social recluse, her mind is like that of a five- or six-year-old girl. She even needs someone to accompany her to the bathroom…’

Had Seraphina not vehemently refused, she would likely be staring at the pristine white tiles of the toilet, desperately trying to ignore the embarrassing splashing sounds behind her.

Yet, it seemed half a day of rehabilitation training had been utterly useless.

Indeed, compared to the morning, Claire had at least been able to get in and out of bed on her own, demonstrating a modicum of self-sufficiency.

However, hours had passed, and instead of gaining confidence as Seraphina had hoped, Claire had become entirely dependent on her in every aspect, behaving as though she couldn’t survive without her.

‘This won’t do… It’s clear that as long as I’m present, Claire will endlessly dote and cling to me.’

‘If this continues, before Claire can gain any confidence, I might just turn into exactly what she wants me to be… No way!’

As Seraphina agonized over this predicament…

“Miss Seraphina.” The Head Maid approached her, bowing slightly.

Witnessing her superior’s unexpected formality, Seraphina immediately felt a surge of pressure.

“Wh-what is it?”

“Mr. Gus asked me to relay a message to you. He has departed for the Imperial Capital to deliver his work report.”

The Head Maid reiterated Gus’s instructions.

Upon hearing this, Seraphina broke out in a cold sweat.

‘I’m doomed… If Claire doesn’t recover in time, with just my two short legs, I doubt I’ll be able to escape this manor…’

‘However… on the other hand, Gus won’t be here for a few days…’

“Um, Head Maid, if Mr. Gus is away, and I need to request certain… unconventional actions…”

“Could you specify what kind of actions?”

‘Like taking Claire out of the manor for a stroll around Emesden Town…’ Seraphina’s mind was already formulating a plan.

“Oh, that kind of thing.”

Although Gus hadn’t explicitly mentioned it, the Head Maid was privy to certain details. Her mind quickly processed the information, and she had an answer.

“Mr. Gus stated that for matters like these, you may arrange them yourself.”

“The only conditions are that Miss Claire’s daily routine is not disrupted, and her personal safety is guaranteed.”

“Yes, understood!”

Having received her superior’s approval, Seraphina was ecstatic.

‘Excellent! Now I can create an environment for Claire to gain experience, help her regain her confidence sooner, and become her true self again!’

Smiling triumphantly, Seraphina remained entirely oblivious to the figure in a blue dress hidden around the corner of the doorway behind the Head Maid.

****

“Hehehe~” Seeing Seraphina fall deeper into her trap, Claire flashed a wicked smile.

‘It seems the prey is still unaware of her true identity~’

****

As evening approached.

“Claire, let’s not trouble the chefs tonight~”

Impatiently, Seraphina smiled as she took Claire’s hands. “Let’s go out for dinner~”

‘That’s right… Anyone with experience raising cats knows that if you don’t want your precious pet to turn into a permanently clingy dragon, socialization training is an essential part of their development.’

‘When a kitten is young, you take it outside, allowing it to adapt to unfamiliar environments… This prevents it from developing an anxious personality.’

‘Perhaps, to some extent, humans are much the same.’

‘Before Claire becomes completely afraid of human interaction…’

‘If she steps out of this comfort zone and engages with the outside world, she might just overcome her fear of people.’

At the same time, Seraphina recalled her first encounter with Claire.

Back then, Claire had rallied a crowd under the banner of the Krieg family, leaving a profound impression on Seraphina.

Her ability to quell a riot of hundreds by herself had deeply impressed Seraphina.

‘Perhaps… in Emesden Town, I can give her a few opportunities to assert the Krieg family’s authority… Wouldn’t that build her confidence?’

However, just like a lifelong social recluse…

“Huh?” Hearing this, Claire’s small face flushed crimson. She lowered her head, her expression a mix of nervousness and shyness. “Th-that, um, I’m allergic to air, so maybe we shouldn’t…”

“Huh?” Seraphina’s face twitched.

‘To avoid going out, she’s even resorting to an ‘air allergy’ excuse? Claire, you really are something…’

“Claire, as a high-ranking noble, staying cooped up indoors like this will only make people laugh at you~”

Yet, upon reflection, Iqiyah was also the type of noble who preferred to stay at home.

Come to think of it, when she lived in Emesden Town, even in the most central areas, it was rare to see nobles venturing out.

Emesden Town was, after all, a vital stronghold on the western border of the Empire, teeming with nobles and officials.

‘Could it be… that nobles in this world truly have a penchant for staying indoors?’

‘Ugh, never mind! I must take Claire for socialization training!’

However, Claire, being pulled by Seraphina, clearly wore an unwilling expression.

“It’s fine…” Her throat constricted as if words were lodged within, and Claire squirmed, her gaze constantly darting away.

Yet, no matter how many times her gaze strayed, the focus of her emerald eyes invariably returned to Seraphina’s vibrant red ones.

Her cheeks faintly flushed, and after a long silence, Claire finally spoke with a timid voice, as if having mustered all her resolve—

“If we don’t go out, we don’t go out. Having you, Seraphina, is enough for me…”

“Ugh.”

Hearing this yandere-like declaration, Seraphina’s chest tightened.

‘Hold on, hold on, hold on. This statement is overflowing with possessiveness…’

‘I remember how puffed up Iqiyah looked when she was jealous… If Claire were as open as Iqiyah, it might be fine, but with her current withdrawn personality, she’s bound to become a yandere drenched in romantic blood sooner or later…’

‘If it comes to that… I wonder if the Krieg family will apprehend her first, or if Claire will ‘devour’ her entirely… Or perhaps, it will escalate into a war between Claire and her family, much like the [Blood Feast]…’

‘Getting embroiled in another family drama? No, thank you!’

Forcing herself to breathe steadily, Seraphina’s previously easygoing demeanor shifted, her expression becoming several shades more serious.

“Claire.”

Meeting Claire’s eyes directly, her tone grew firm. “One day, I will leave this manor.”

“Eek!”

As if struck by devastating news, Claire’s pupils constricted, and she instantly lost her composure.

“What will you do then?”

As she spoke, Seraphina had already prepared two contingency plans in her mind.

“Of course I’ll come find you…”

“Come find me? In your current state, where you depend on me for everything, how exactly do you plan to find me?”

“Eek…”

Like a primary school student who had realized their mistake, Claire pouted, silently lowering her head.

“But… I don’t want to, Seraphina…”

Tears welled in the corners of her eyes, making her appear utterly wronged.

“I know, and I don’t want to either.”

Extending her hand, Seraphina gently touched the corner of Claire’s eye.

At the moment of contact, Claire trembled slightly, much like a small animal.

However, it wasn’t unease, but rather… joy.

‘This girl…’

Seraphina offered a faint smile.

‘Though she causes concern, she is undeniably adorable.’

Yet, to prevent this adorableness from morphing into something yandere…

“So, just for my sake…”

Seraphina extended her hand, clenching it into a fist, and gazed into Claire’s deep green pupils.

“Use [Go Out] on yourself!”