Chapter 233: Academy Heroine's Right Diagonal Back Seat
Chapter 233
The moment Sylvia realized that Sebastian had seen through her plans, countless thoughts raced through her mind.
He knows? This is bad, how did he figure it out?
Muttering to herself in confusion, Sylvia slowly lifted her head and looked at Sebastian with a deeply bewildered expression before asking, in a trembling voice, “...How did you know?”
Sebastian, with a face that seemed to say, *How could I not know?*, answered calmly, “Miss, do you really think I wouldn’t know what you’re planning? How many years have we been together?”
He continued, “When someone who was looking so down suddenly decides to eat a meal, it becomes pretty clear. I suspected you might be up to something, but now it’s confirmed. The First Elder knew too. He didn’t expect you to give up easily, though I doubt he thought you’d go this far.”
Sylvia remained silent as Sebastian spoke.
“Knowing it’d be troublesome for you to leave, I gave the guards a drink laced with a strong sedative earlier. They’ll all be knocked out soon. If you plan to leave, that will be the best time.”
Still too stunned to speak, Sylvia stared at Sebastian, who looked back at her with a calm, understanding gaze.
“But, Miss Sylvia, how were you planning to deal with the magical device on your ankle? Don’t tell me you were considering cutting it off…”
“Th-that…” Sylvia stuttered as Sebastian hit the mark, her body trembling. He sighed heavily, rubbing his forehead as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
“Ugh, unbelievable… Miss, do you ever think about how I would feel? Seeing you with just your ankle left—thank goodness the First Elder entrusted me with the key... Give me your ankle. I’ll remove it.”
Sylvia, unable to help herself, extended her ankle toward Sebastian. He knelt down, took out a key from his pocket, and began unlocking the device as she asked hesitantly, “...Are you sure this is okay?”
Sebastian paused and replied, “Honestly, I’m a bit scared. Defying the First Elder means I’ll probably be fired. But what choice do I have? If I don’t help you, you’ll be miserable like you were earlier, barely eating and living in despair. I want to see you smile and live happily, not like that.”
“...Sebastian.”
“I told you before, didn’t I? I’m not on the side of the Astra family—I’m on your side. So it’s fine.”
Kneeling before her, Sebastian spoke with an air of nonchalance, but his words carried immense weight.
It was deeply moving.
However, that wasn’t what Sylvia was asking.
So, she asked him again, more firmly this time.
“...Sebastian, that’s not what I meant. I’m asking if you are really okay with this.”
Sylvia wasn’t asking about his loyalty. She already knew Sebastian would side with her, even if it came at a personal cost. What she was asking was how he truly felt about her choosing this dangerous path.
How could someone like him, who cared so deeply for her well-being, be okay with letting her take this risk?
Sebastian’s hands, which had been holding her ankle, trembled slightly. The key faltered, missed the lock a few times, and then paused.
“No... Of course I’m not okay with this.”
With his head lowered, Sebastian’s voice was filled with fear and concern as he continued.
“Honestly, I want to stop you right now. I’m terrified of what might happen to you. I want to beg you to stay safe, to not go. You’re the most important thing to me, more than anything. I wish you wouldn’t go…”
His voice was trembling with worry, anxiety, and fear. Despite that, Sebastian spoke further.
“But I know... I know you, Miss Sylvia. You can’t be stopped by something like this.”
“...”
“No matter how much I try to hold you back, once you’ve made up your mind, there’s no stopping you. Even if I stopped you this time, you’d only do something more reckless next time, maybe worse than cutting off your ankle. You’re someone who won’t settle until you achieve what you truly want.”
“...Sebastian.”
“So, I didn’t try to stop you. I knew it was pointless. Instead, I decided to help you leave in the safest way possible. But even so, I’m scared. I’m worried that I’m putting you in danger, that you won’t come back…”
Sebastian’s hands were shaking as he spoke, his voice turning into a desperate plea.
“So please, just promise me one thing. Promise you’ll come back safely. That’s all I ask. I need to know you’ll return safely, so I can have some peace of mind...”
Sylvia thought back to all the times Sebastian had scolded her for making mistakes, only to forgive her when she promised not to do it again. He had always been like that, caring yet firm.
She reached out and cupped his face gently, making him look at her as she spoke.
“I promise, Sebastian. I’ll come back safely.”
“You’re not going to break that promise, are you?”
Sylvia smiled brightly and responded with confidence, “Let me ask you, Sebastian—when have I ever broken a promise to you?”
At that, Sebastian let out a dry laugh and murmured, “...No. You’ve always kept your promises, no matter what.”
With that, Sebastian took a deep breath and, without further hesitation, inserted the key into the magical bracelet on her ankle. He turned the key, and with a soft *click*, the bracelet unlocked.
Carefully, as if afraid to harm her, Sebastian removed the bracelet and bowed his head as he spoke.
“I believe in you, Miss Sylvia. As always.”
“I’ll keep my promise. Just like always.”
Sylvia smiled, her voice filled with determination. It was natural for him to be worried—it was proof of how much he cared for her. So all she could do was answer his faith with trust in return.
I will return. I’ll come back safe and sound, just like he wants.
With that resolve in her heart, Sylvia turned and glanced out the window.
The guards were all sprawled out across the estate grounds, fast asleep.
Seeing them, Sylvia chuckled and said to Sebastian, “Looks like the guards are asleep. I was planning to fight my way out.”
“Well, it’s good news for the guards, then. You’re quite strong, Miss.”
“Am I?”
Sylvia laughed at Sebastian’s comment and picked up the bundle from the desk before asking, “By the way, what’s in here?”
“I didn’t have much time to pack, but I managed to include some medicine, a magic flask that generates water, and some emergency rations.”
“Emergency rations? What kind?”
When she asked curiously, Sebastian responded with a playful grin.
“You know, the next-generation combat rations we developed. The ones that were left in storage because of the taste.”
“Ugh... Not those? The ones that are so bad they’re basically inedible?”
“Yes, those. The taste is awful, but nothing beats them in terms of nutritional value.”
Sylvia groaned and clutched her head in despair.
“Oh no... I can’t believe I’ll have to put that offensive thing in my mouth…”
Sebastian chuckled at her reaction and added, “I figured you’d say that, so I packed a few macarons for you too. Make sure to savor them.”
Sylvia’s face lit up at the mention of macarons. “...Sebastian, you really know exactly what I need.”
Both of them laughed together, sharing a light moment amidst the tension.
Then, the mood shifted as they calmed down.
“...Well, I guess it’s time to go. Thank you, Sebastian.”
“No need to thank me. It’s my duty to serve you.”
With a soft creak, the window opened.
The bracelet was gone, and the guards were asleep.
The mansion that had once been a prison was now a gateway to the open, blue sky.
Before leaving, Sylvia turned to Sebastian—her loyal servant, her family—and with a bright smile, she said, “I’m off, Sebastian.”
“Safe travels, Miss.”
* * *
As Sylvia disappeared into the night sky, trailing starlight behind her, Sebastian stood with his head bowed in respect.
Only after the starlight had faded did he lift his gaze, watching the last trace of her disappear over the horizon. Silently, he offered a prayer.
Just like the chamomile tea he had brewed for her, which symbolized strength in adversity, he whispered softly to the stars.
“May you find strength, even in the face of hardship.”
Sebastian MVP
ReplyDeleteTfnc :33 how loyalty :')
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