Morning light streamed through the window, shining directly into my eyes. Every joint in my body throbbed—the price of spending the night on the living room sofa.
"Ugh..."
As I sat up with a groan, a voice called out from beside me.
"Yahho! Good morning, Albert-kun."
Silvia was sitting at the table, watching me. The memory of her alluring figure in the bed yesterday flashed through my mind, but now her hair was brushed and her clothes were perfectly in order. She was the same cheerful, energetic Silvia I knew.
"...Are you back to your usual self? How much of yesterday do you remember?"
"I'm the same old Silvia. And I remember yesterday very clearly." She smiled brightly, her fingers trailing over her own neck. "Including how you latched onto me right here."
"Wha—!?"
That wasn't exactly me; the Essence of Albert von Kronstadt had been the one driving at the time. Still, from Silvia’s perspective, there probably wasn't a difference.
"Like how you were breathing all heavy while trying to strip me..."
"Gah!?"
"Or how you pressed your hot fingertips against my skin and looked so delighted to see me suffering."
"That’s a misunderstanding! I most certainly was not delighted!"
"—And," Silvia’s expression softened, "how you saved me. I remember it all. Truly, thank you. Thanks to you, I can still be myself."
Seeing her smile like that under the morning light while offering such sincere gratitude made it hard to look her in the eye. I felt myself starting to flush. Suppressing the feeling, I tried to sound composed.
"I see. I'm glad I could help."
"By the way, am I really your Kin now? I don't feel any different."
"You can use the power I used during my fight with Leon—'Frenzy'."
I explained the mechanics of the skill to her.
"Hmm... Skill: Physical Enhancement—Whoa!?"
Silvia activated it experimentally and stared at her own hands.
"What... is this? Power is just... overflowing!"
"That’s Frenzy. It’ll give you a massive boost in combat compared to your normal state."
"Whoaaa, amazing..." Silvia paused, blinking. "Wait, does that mean Luna-chan is a Kin, too?"
"Yeah."
"I see. She was incredible during the Monster Disturbance at the Summer Training Camp. So that was Frenzy? Her vibe definitely started to change around then."
She was right. Luna had changed after that. Part of it was likely her heart stabilizing after gaining power, but her intensity—and her obsession with me—had definitely spiked.
"You don't seem to have changed much, though," I noted.
"I suppose. Maybe it depends on the person?" Silvia replied with her usual flighty tone. "Is there anything else besides Frenzy?"
"You won't be able to disobey my commands. But don't worry, I'm not going to give you any weird orders."
"Any command at all?"
"Probably."
"Then try it. Command me like a proper villain. Tell me to 'Serve as your Night Attendant' or something."
Why that? I could have told her to do a handstand or something simple. Still, I was curious to see just how absolute the power was.
"Silvia. Serve as my Night Attendant."
The instant the words left my mouth, Silvia’s body flinched. Her eyes widened in shock. Her breathing grew heavy and ragged. She hugged her arms to her chest as if fighting an internal urge, her face turning a deep crimson as she began to fidget.
Hey, wait, this is getting serious...
"S-sorry, Albert-kun! I took the joke too far! Order Cancel! Please!"
"You don't have to serve as my Night Attendant."
The moment I spoke the counter-order, the tension drained from Silvia’s shoulders. Her breathing slowed, and she returned to normal.
"Whew... that was dangerous. My head turned completely pink for a second. That was terrifying!"
I hadn't expected the effect to be that potent.
"So, wait. Does that mean if you ever hit on me, I have no choice but to say yes?"
"Essentially."
"As a romantic, I'm shocked."
"Don't worry. I have no intention of doing that."
"As a romantic, I'm shocked."
Which one was it?!
Absolute Obedience was a tool I needed to keep someone as volatile as Luna from exploding. Silvia, however, didn't seem unstable. She was an operative; I could trust her to make her own judgments based on the situation. I decided I wouldn't place any restrictions on her unless absolutely necessary.
I changed the subject.
"Moving on... this is an all-male Boys' Dormitory. What's your plan for getting out?"
"Hmm? It's fine. Classes start soon. I'll just wait until most people are gone and slip out quietly."
"Don't get caught."
"It’s fine, it’s fine. Honestly, I wouldn't mind if we were found."
"...Give me a break. I've had enough trouble to last a lifetime after yesterday. Is there anything else I need to worry about today?"
"Well, I think my mother is checking out of her inn and heading back to her country."
"That's a huge event!"
"Are you going to do something about it?" I asked.
"I was planning to sneak out and say goodbye, but given everything..."
"Take me with you."
"Eh?"
"She jerked me around plenty. I'm not going to be satisfied until I've had my say."
I figured I had earned that much of a right.
After getting ready, we left the academy and hurried toward the inn where Silvia's mother was staying. It was a grand, imposing building located right near the Noble District. We waited in the spacious lobby. My Arcana Academia Uniform proved useful here; as a symbol of the elite and noble-born, it kept the staff from trying to kick us out.
"...She’s here," Silvia whispered.
Katerina appeared, luggage in tow. Her eyes swept over us, and a mocking smile touched her lips. Once she finished checking out at the counter, we walked up to her.
"My, my. Look at you two, so close. Have you finally become true lovers?" Katerina asked, stopping in her tracks.
I didn't waste any time. "I’ve broken your curse."
Katerina’s elegant brows twitched. She turned her gaze to Silvia. "...Is that true?"
"I won't be your puppet anymore, Mother," Silvia said firmly.
Katerina stared at her daughter for several long seconds before looking back at me. "...How did you break it?"
"I have no intention of telling you," I replied coldly. "But I will tell you one thing."
I took a breath and looked her straight in the eye.
"Listen well. She is mine! If you ever try your twisted games on Silvia again, I will treat the very principality you protect as my enemy. Consider yourself warned!"