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Volume 9 Chapter 259

Tina’s Special Day

「Good morning, Haruto-sama」
I came to wake up Haruto-sama.
But today, things are a little different than usual.
I’m feeling a bit excited.
「Hmm, Tina… …Good morning」
Looking sleepy, Haruto-sama sits up.
「Good morning」
「……Un」
「……..」
H-huh?
What’s wrong?
Haruto-sama isn’t saying anything.
Surely, he wouldn’t be the type to—
「U-um, Haruto-sama?」
「Yeah, what is it?」
「Do you know what day it is today?」
「Today? Today is…… a day off from school, right?」
「Huh?」
「……Huh? Not right?」
「Oh, um, no. You’re correct. Today, school is closed」
「I see. Then, can I sleep for just another hour?」
Saying that, Haruto-sama slips back under the covers.
Usually, on school days, Haruto-sama would wake up as soon as I come to get him, but on days off, sometimes he wants to sleep a little longer.
「I understand. I’ll come wake you in an hour」
「Yeah… …Thanks」
With that, Haruto-sama quickly drifts back to sleep.
He must have just been tired.
There’s no way Haruto-sama would forget today’s event.
Because today is my—-
No. Let’s trust Harte-sama.
Don’t worry, I’m sure Haruto-sama will remember.
　──＊＊＊──
After an hour, I woke Haruto-sama and guided him to the dining hall where breakfast was prepared.
In the end, I didn’t hear the words I was hoping for from Haruto-sama.
Did he really forget?
Today’s cooking duty was assigned to Luna.
Everyone except for Haruto-sama and me had already finished breakfast.
I ate breakfast with Haruto-sama, enjoying the delicious meal Luna made.
At the Elnor estate, Luna is the second or third best cook. The best, of course, is me.
Especially when it comes to Haruto-sama’s favorite flavors, I’m the one who knows best. If Haruto-sama were to rank us, I would always come out on top.
It’s not arrogance.
It’s absolute confidence backed by the 『 Skill: Maid (Max)』.
「Thank you for the meal, Luna. Today’s breakfast was delicious as well」
Haruto-sama pats Luna’s head, showing his appreciation for her efforts in cooking.
「Thank you, Haruto-sama!」
Luna seemed very happy.
……I envy her.
Today, Haruto-sama would normally be completely focused on me. But today, he hasn’t even given me a single pat on the head.
No good morning kiss either.
While there are days even on normal occasions when there’s no good morning kiss, it wouldn’t have been so bad if it wasn’t today.
Could it be…… that he really doesn’t remember what day it is?
「Tina, what’s wrong?」
「Huh? Oh, um, it’s……nothing」
「Sure? Your seem down」
It can’t be helped.
Because, Haruto-sama it is my—
「I’m fine. Thank you for your concern」
As Haruto-sama’s wife and exclusive maid, I can’t let him worry about me, can I?
With all the strength I can muster, I put on a big smile and insisted that everything was fine. It might have seemed a bit forced.
「Really? If you say so……」
I had hoped, just a little bit, that Haruto-sama would remember.
But… …it seems that’s not the case.
Still, I don’t feel right about bringing it up myself.
It’s a bit disheartening.
Of course, I won’t let it show on my face.
「Today, Tina, could you run an errand for me?」
「An errand? Of course, I don’t mind」
I’ve been asked to run an errand.
Normally, I would have wanted to spend the whole day with Haruto-sama……
But, when Haruto-sama asks, he always praises me. He gives me rewards.
So, hoping for that, I decided to accept the errand.

　──＊＊＊──
The errand was to go to the Kingdom of Alheim Elves and collect a magic book from Sarion, a butler serving the Elf King.
Haruto-sama had an urgent matter today and couldn’t use teleportation magic. Additionally, the book held by Sarion was deemed necessary, so I was tasked with flying to Alheim to retrieve it using flight magic.
Sarion used to serve me in the past, so it was a good opportunity to see him again after a long time.
In the early afternoon, I safely met up with Sarion and received the magic book.
Afterward, I had a brief chat with Sarion… but he didn’t say the words I was hoping for.
Why could that be?
I thought Sarion wouldn’t forget today’s event, so the disappointment is even greater.
I feel incredibly lonely.
I was looking forward to today… …I thought everyone would celebrate.
Last month, when it was Rifa’s and Yoko’s turn, we celebrated grandly.
Yet—
「Tina-sama, are you alright?」
Even Sarion was worried about me.
But those aren’t the words I want to hear!
「I’m fine. I have received magic book」
I replied curtly.
But that’s okay.
I don’t care about Sarion anymore!
I activated flight magic and began my journey back to Haruto-sama’s mansion.
　──＊＊＊──
I returned to the Ifrus Magic Academy.
In the distance, I can see Haruto-sama’s mansion.
……Hmm?
That’s odd.
Despite it being evening, there are no lights on at the mansion.
Moreover, I can’t sense the magical presence of Haruto-sama, Yoko, or anyone else who should be there.
It’s as if magical detection is being obstructed by something.
What could have happened!?
Feeling anxious, I landed in front of the mansion’s entrance.
I sense human presence.
I can hear the sound of footsteps and murmured conversations.
But it’s abnormal that I can’t sense the magical presence inside the mansion even from this distance.
Are they all safe?
I focus on channeling my magic for combat readiness as I grasp the doorknob of the mansion.
It’s dark.
Despite my keen elven senses, it was pitch black, with visibility limited to just a few steps ahead.
This is probably dark magic.
There is a spell to obscure vision.
I cautiously make my way toward the center of the entrance hall, maintaining a combat stance in case of attack.
Then—-
「Wha-!?」
Suddenly, the surroundings brightened.
At the same time, I sense the presence of people surrounding me, but they don’t seem hostile.
Because my eyes had adjusted to the darkness, the sudden brightness blinds me, and I can’t see my surroundings clearly.
Making out shadows, I vaguely confirm the figure in front of me.
It’s Haruto-sama, with a gentle smile on his face.
And then—-
「Tina. Happy birthday!」
He said the words I wanted to hear the most today.