LRHWB 18

Chapter 18 

Customs of Status

“I… I’m sorry. I was strictly taught to speak this way to everyone around me.
It’s… normal for me. I don’t really understand otherwise.”

“Huh. So you use polite speech with everyone? That’s a weird household.
Then everyone in your house talks formally like that?”

“No, I’m a foundling — the lowest in rank.
Besides, my mentors are all very distinguished people.”

“What?! That’s weird! Totally weird!”

Ai’s words left Lilis confused.
For her, this had always been normal — something she’d never questioned before.

“Weird? You think so?”

“Of course! That mentor of yours — is he a man?”

“No, a very beautiful woman.”

“Then that’s even stranger! That’s like your foster mother!
Why would she make you use polite speech with her? That’s just odd.”

“Oh, that’s a misunderstanding.
I was raised by a caretaker assigned from the royal castle.”

“The castle? Why would someone from the castle be involved?”

“When I was found, I was still a baby.
My mentor had no experience raising children, so she asked the castle for help.”

“Then that caretaker must’ve been a real hard case!”

“Eh—!” Lilis was at a loss for words.

“No, not at all. She only trained me strictly so I wouldn’t bring shame upon my mentor.
Even if we live under the same roof, our ranks are different.
I was taught never to overstep my place.”

“Forget that caretaker!
If she’s been with you since you were a baby, that’s basically your mom!”

Those words shocked Lilis so much she stepped back.
She shook her head vigorously in denial.

“Impossible! My mentor is such a noble, wonderful person.
For someone like me — a mere servant — to be accepted as her disciple…
That alone is already far more than I deserve!”

Just thinking otherwise felt blasphemous to her.
After all, the customs of rank and class were strict beyond reason.

“Rank? Who cares about that? Just try calling her ‘Mom’ once!
I bet she’d be delighted!”

“No! I could never… that’s unthinkable…”

Ai and Yoko exchanged glances.

“Why not? She treated you kindly, didn’t she?”

“Of course… probably.”

Lilis looked more confused than they’d ever seen her.
It was honestly frustrating to watch.

“I mean, look at me — my mom’s a rude old hag, and my dad’s a smelly, dirty old man.
They drive me nuts, but I still remember how they loved me when I was little.
Even if they weren’t my real parents, I’d still think of them as Mom and Dad.
Don’t you think?”

Lilis looked down, her expression lonely.
She had thought about it — in her own way. But still—

“…But I’m sure it would only trouble my mentor.”

“It wouldn’t! You don’t have to overthink it!
Just try saying it once — even as a joke!”

A joke? She’d never told one in her life.
Lilis had lived too earnestly, and that was perhaps her only weakness.
Besides, this was the first time she’d ever talked to kids her own age —
their way of thinking was completely foreign to her.

“In this world, rank is taken very seriously.
Please… just forget about me.”

That wasn’t okay — they couldn’t just let that go.

“No way! That’s not right! Right, Yoko?”

“Yeah. I think… it’s about boundaries — but the wrong kind.”

“See?! I knew you’d agree!”

As Ai and Yoko got fired up, Yoshii sighed.

“Cut it out already. Lilis looks uncomfortable.
Their world’s not the same as ours.”

Kian started chuckling softly.

“Shoo, Yoshii! What’s your problem?
Hey Kian, you got something to say?”

“Hmph. It’s pointless.
Orphans are normally raised in facilities until they’re old enough to work,
then they become servants or slaves.
Lilis was lucky — only because Lady Sepheria took a liking to her.
Even if she showed talent as a mage,
and even if Sepheria doted on her — she’s still, by birth, the lowest of servants.
Your world’s values don’t apply here.”

“What, so just because someone doesn’t have parents, they become a servant?!
We’ve got friends who came from orphanages and go to school like everyone else!
They’re cheerful, capable, amazing people!
It’s seriously stupid! No freedom at all — that’s the worst!”

“Freedom? What nonsense! Ridiculous!”

“You’re one to talk! You depend on Lilis all the time!”

“I don’t depend on her! She’s my attendant!
The royal astrologer predicted our bond,
and Sepheria herself recommended it — my father had no choice but to accept.
Even the nobles complained it was bad luck to let her attend the departure ceremony,
but we made it happen anyway.
I went out of my way to be considerate, you know!”

“Ah… yes, that’s true,” Lilis said with a soft laugh, bowing her head.
She remembered that ceremony well —
how she had to keep her head covered in white cloth,
forbidden to raise her eyes, to walk beside anyone, or even to speak.
So many vows and restrictions —
and still, she’d only barely been allowed to attend.
Her mentor had been furious, and calming her down afterward had been no easy task.

“All this rank nonsense — it’s just silly.
But still, your mentor’s name, Sepheria — it’s beautiful.
Totally fitting for someone like her!”

The two girls giggled and chattered playfully—
until Lilis suddenly raised her hand sharply.

“Shh! Be quiet!”

Everyone froze, hearts pounding.
They stood up, straining their ears, and listened carefully to their surroundings.