âLady Liana, the library doors have been opened. Please, go inside.â
The new staff member still wanted to protest, but the experienced employees had already unlocked the entrance.
They knew better.
Between getting scolded and getting blacklisted by Liana, it was obvious which outcome was preferable.
Besides, if anyone found out they were forced into this, theyâd probably receive lighter punishment.
âSmart choice.â
Liana led Loraviel inside the library.
âWhatâs your innate magic?â she asked.
Loraviel hesitated before answering, ââ¦Speed.â
âSpeed, huh?â
So she really didnât know her true ability yet.
Innate magic? Speed? No.
Loraviel was the protagonist. It was never that simple.
The truth wasâher real innate magic was poison.
She was born a natural assassin.
Not only did she possess deadly venom, but she could also wield the rare magic of speed.
However, Liana couldnât just tell her that.
âOh, by the way, your true ability is poison.â
Yeah. That would sound insane.
After all, Loraviel had never shown any signs of poison magic before.
âYou. Come here.â
Liana called over a librarian.
âYou know where the books on speed magic are, donât you?â
âBut, Lady Lianaâthis is the Venus familyâs private library. Allowing a mere servant to enter is already an extreme exception...â
A noble library was not something just anyone could access.
These books were treasures.
How could they be so easily shared with outsiders?
âHmm? A servant?â Liana raised a brow. âNo. She is my property. So, of course, she qualifies.â
ââ¦Understood.â
The librarian paused for a moment but ultimately nodded.
He led Loraviel upstairs.
Meanwhile, Liana stayed on the first floor and grabbed a book on the Lisat Kingdom.
The "Liana" of this world only had memories of eating, drinking, and playing.
Her childhood memories were fragmented.
And since this was two years before the main plotline began, she needed to understand the current political situation.
She also grabbed a few basic magic books.
The higher-level sections were filled with advanced spells she wouldnât understand anyway.
âTap, tap, tap.â
Footsteps echoed from the staircase.
âGot them?â
Liana glanced at the two books in Loravielâs hands.
âYes.â
âLetâs go.â
Liana casually shoved a few more books into Loravielâs arms.
Back in her room, Liana let Loraviel rest on her bed.
She opened a book at randomâshe didnât want to sit there awkwardly staring at each other.
âLady Liana.â
Loraviel stood by her side.
âWhat?â Liana didnât look up from her book.
âMiss Olivia⦠and todayâs trip to the library⦠I truly appreciate it.â
Loraviel understood.
With her status, she would never have crossed paths with a Royal Knight.
A noble library?
That was even further out of reach.
And yetâ
Today, she had walked inside and even brought books back with her.
âIf you want to show gratitude, words arenât enough.â Liana leaned back in her chair, tilting her head.
âStrip. Get on the bed.â
â...â Silence.
âOrââ
She pulled out the collar with the familiar bell.
âYou can wear this instead.â
â...â More silence.
âCanât do it?â
ââ¦Iâm sorry, Lady Liana.â Loraviel wasnât sure what to say.
âGratefully accept it.â
Liana smirked.
âItâs my gift. A gift from Liana Venus.
For now, just focus on learning from Olivia.
If you donât get stronger, itâll be inconvenient for me when I leave the estate.â
ââ¦Understood, Lady Liana.â
Loraviel bit her lip.
âThen, since you understandâdo I really need to tell you what to do next?â
ââ¦No.â
Loraviel quietly climbed onto the bed.
One Week Later
Liana examined herself in the mirror.
A short, dark-colored skirt paired with white stockings, a light blue blouse, and a loose white overshirt for sun protection.
She twirled in front of the mirror.
Neat. Casual. Unassuming.
Not a noble ladyâmore like the girl next door.
Today marked Oliviaâs twentieth day in the Venus territory.
In that time, Liana spent her days studying, and her afternoons and evenings attending social events to keep Ruth from getting suspicious.
By now, training should be complete.
Time to check the results.
Liana strolled toward the back garden.
Even before she arrived, she could hear their voices.
âWhen facing an opponent with superior strength, donât rush to attack.â
âInstead of wasting energy, look for openings.â
âClack!â
Once again, Olivia knocked the wooden sword out of Loravielâs hands.
If you are reading this translation anywhere other than Novelight.net or SilkRoadTL, it has been stolen.
Loraviel sat on the ground, panting, her palms slightly reddened.
âApologies, Miss Olivia.â
âYouâre not very suited for swordplay, are you?â
Loraviel was trying.
But the progress wasnât particularly impressive.
âTry again.â
Loraviel reached for her swordâ
Then froze.
From the pavilion, Liana rested her chin in her hands, watching amusedly.
âLady Liana?â
âTake a break.â
Olivia had noticed her presence the moment she stepped into the garden.
âI want tea. And cookies.â
âOi! Loraviel just finished training.â
âFirstâshe is my maid. Secondâshe is my maid. And thirdâ she is my maid.
If she canât complete my orders, whatâs the point of her existence?â
âYouââ
âI understand. Miss Olivia, would you like anything?â
Loraviel quickly intervened, trying to avoid a fight.
ââ¦Anything is fine.â
Olivia exhaled sharply.
In front of Loraviel, she didnât want to argue with Liana.
To keep her at ease, Olivia had never told her the real reason she was training her.
Instead, she simply let Loraviel believe that Liana had requested it out of kindness.
And thatâironicallyâwas one of the reasons Loraviel had started feeling grateful toward Liana.
Even though that was exactly what Liana wanted.
A lucky accident.