"The winner of the competition is Elera Voss with 95 points."
Lillian’s face darkened when she heard that. Ninety-five? Wasn’t that just one score above hers? Did she really just lose by one point!?
Marionette noticed Lillian’s eyes widening in shock and horror. The Assassin turned her face away slightly, rubbing the side of her arm with regret - she also felt the same as Lillian did.
To think the Maid she had chosen to drive her here would be the one to actually win the role of being her attendant.
’It might not be a bad thing, though...’ Marionette thought.
Although she had wanted Lillian to win dearly, she had also not wanted Lillian to accompany her to an event like the Legacy Table - especially with how beautiful the girl looked.
Marionette knew what it was like to garner stares due to her beauty, and it was greatly unsettling. The thought that a crowd of ghouls, in her eyes, were vying for her attention and affection was vile.
And while people in Lillian’s eyes may look normal, Marionette would rather no one give her girlfriend such a look except her; this was especially from a bunch of high-ranking nobles, some whose families have been known to have illegitimate children with servants.
Who knows what kind of person would appear at the event?
’The worst-case scenario is if one of them tried to court Lillian.’ Marionette huffed as she crossed her arms, finding her blood boiling at the thought.
’I’ll still be bringing Lillian along with me, nonetheless. I doubt they would deny me that.’
Marionette had heard that the Legacy Table was a two-day event filled with activities. So, those attending it would obviously be given a place to stay during it - Marionette could just leave Lillian inside the place and come back afterwards.
The Assassin began to nod to herself at the simple plan she came up with, and slowly began to imagine scenarios that may happen within their place of residence while keeping a stoic look on her face.
These imaginary scenarios would leave Lillian blushing if the Rabbit had the ability to read the Assassin’s mind.
While Marionette continued to revise the possible scenarios that may happen, Lillian was trying to wrap her mind around what to do.
How does she get into the event now?!
Lillian knew about the temporary residence each noble attending was given, but that wasn’t enough for her plan.
She needed to be IN that event!
The Rabbit’s brows furrowed intensely as she uncontrollably bit down on the nail of her thumb, regretting not putting more time and effort into the first part of the competition.
Soon after, she sighed and released the nail of her thumb.
’Oh, well...’
What could she do? Elara had won against her fair and square; it would be ridiculous for her to try to strip away something the Maid earned with her skill and experience.
As she was thinking this, she noticed that Elara had returned from the phone call she had received.
The Rabbit’s eyes followed the Maid’s movements and found her walking towards the Gardener. She then watched as the Maid said something to the man before being brought somewhere else.
Lillian narrowed her gaze at this, but found herself distracted when she found Marionette walking over to her.
The Rabbit tilted her head, smiling self-deprecatingly at her girlfriend’s arrival at her side. Then, she raised an eyebrow as she watched Marionette pinch whatever remained of her sleeve and tug it.
Lillian looked up into Marionette’s eyes, finding them to shine with an expectant light. This confused Lillian for a split second, and as she was about to ask what Marionette wanted, she heard—
Growl...
—A small but still noticeable growl coming from Marionette’s stomach.
Lillian watched as Marionette tugged at her sleeve again, then heard her girlfriend quietly mutter:
"Could you... make me something to eat? I’m hungry."
***
"You wish to handover your reward?" Gardener of Roses asked, having brought the Maid to a more isolated spot, far from the others.
Elara nodded, "Partially. I wish to still have the benefits given with the title, but I wish not to attend the event that Lady of Roses will be going to. I, however, am willing to act as her driver and everything else besides being her attendant."
"But for what reason do you wish to handover something you had rightfully earned?" The Gardener raised an eyebrow behind his mask.
His eyes then shone with suspicion, "You weren’t given orders to by the Lady of Roses, were you?"
The Maid blinked at what Gardener of Roses said before shaking her head.
"I am not. As for the reason for my decision... Isn’t it only right that someone stronger than me would do a much better job in protecting the Lady? Strength is usually how the Roselle family decides things most of the time."
Gardener of Roses continued to stare at the Maid. If he had to be honest, he agreed with the woman.
For a role like attendant, whose purpose was only to act as a bodyguard in this event, strength was a far better factor in the decision.
However.
"Very well. Your role of attendant will go to the other maid."
He was still suspicious of Elara. After all, who would suddenly get an idea to give away something they had won with their skills?
...
It was just too suspicious.
***
While that was happening...
"Say ah~"
"Ah..."
Lillian was currently feeding Marionette; the two of them were seated at a garden table.
The Rabbit smiled as she pulled the fork out of the Assassin’s mouth, watching as her girlfriend chewed with a satisfied expression before swallowing.
Marionette licked her lips before giving Lillian a small smile. She then whispered, "I missed your cooking, Lillian."
The Rabbit’s face became blank at that; her mouth then opened slightly as a small chuckle escaped her lips. Lillian found Marionette was way too cute for such a deadly assassin!
After gently pinching Marionette’s cheeks and playing with them, Lillian returned back to feeding her girlfriend her food. And as she did that, she noticed that - in the corner of her eyes - the chair that was parallel to them was pulled back and sat on.