“Which one should I choose?”

Anne stood at the edge of the lake, holding a different fish in each hand, looking genuinely troubled.

In her left hand, the fish had densely packed scales and a dull gray color—it wasn’t winning any beauty contests, but it thrashed with intense strength.

The one in her right hand looked dumb and vacant, but its scales shimmered with a rainbow sheen, breathtakingly beautiful.

“In the end, I have no idea what kind of fish Young Master ate last year.”

Anne sighed lightly.

The only fish that had ever earned the Young Master's praise had been the one served when the Duke’s family came boating on Lake Beipol last year. Even the well-traveled Duke had sung its praises for how fresh and flavorful it was.

It made sense the Young Master would fixate on that memory. But that fish had been caught by the boatman, and the entire dish had been prepared by him as well. Anne never found out what species it was.

“To think I’d make such a rookie mistake... As the Young Master’s personal maid, I’ve truly lost face.”

She made up her mind: once she returned to the Ducal Estate, she would research every single freshwater species in Lake Beipol.

The strange library back at the estate probably had books on this sort of thing.

“If it’s for eating, the one in my left hand is much tastier.”

A voice came from behind Anne.

“The one in your right hand may look prettier, but it’s got an overpowering fishy stench.”

“I see.”

Without hesitation, Anne dropped the fish in her right hand back into the water, then turned around to face the girl who had returned:

“Are your companions all right now?”

“They... already left.”

“And you’re not going with them?”

“I...”

Ailuka forced out a faint, lonely smile. “One of my companions is seriously injured and needs treatment. But I’ve used up [N O V E L I G H T] all my mana, and I’d just be a burden if I went with them in this state. So I figured I’d stay here, recover a little, and then decide.

Sorry—I couldn’t bring them here to thank you properly.”

“Don’t worry about it. I already told you—I don’t need anything like that.”

Anne replied calmly:

“More importantly, you seem to know a lot about this kind of fish?”

“Yeah.”

Ailuka nodded. “Actually, my village is just across the lake. Every fall, we’d come out here as a family to catch this exact species. They only get this fatty and delicious during autumn, which is why nobles absolutely love them. They fetch a great price.”

“I see. Then I picked the right one.”

Anne stroked her chin, murmuring to herself. Then, as if remembering something, she looked seriously at Ailuka and asked:

“Would you be willing to teach me how to cook it?”

“Eh? Of course.”

“Excellent.”

With her request granted, Anne promptly knocked the fish unconscious and tossed it aside, then pulled out a small notebook she carried with her and asked:

“What’s the best cooking method for flavor?”

“Hmm... usually charcoal grilling or steaming. Since the meat’s already rich and firm, it’s best not to ruin its natural taste.”

“What kind of seasonings should be added?”

“Salt should be enough. You want to taste the original flavor, after all.”

“Spices...”

“......”

...

...

They talked for quite a while. Anne asked about everything—from cooking methods to seasonings to ideal flame control and even the best temperature for peak flavor.

Only after covering two entire pages with densely packed notes did she finally close the notebook with satisfaction. She gave Ailuka a small bow.

“Thank you for your guidance. You’ve been a great help.”

“W-Wha—no need to thank me!”

Flustered, Ailuka dodged Anne’s formal bow and scratched her cheek awkwardly.

“I just shared a little bit of knowledge. Compared to being saved by you, it’s really nothing.”

“No. To me, it’s a huge help.”

On Anne’s usual cold and dignified face, an exceedingly rare softness bloomed into a gentle smile.

Seeing it, Ailuka felt herself blank out for a moment.

“...Miss Anne, are you doing all this... because you love someone?”

“Mm?”

“Ah—sorry! That came out of nowhere... I mean, it’s your private business...”

“It’s fine. It’s not something I need to hide.”

Anne gently touched her faintly flushed cheeks with both hands, lips curving in a smile full of bliss.

“After all, I’m doing all this because I want to make a delicious fish dish for the person I love.”

“...So it really is true. That’s... really nice.”

Ailuka spoke softly, a little envious:

“To be able to offer something heartfelt to the one you love... your partner must be incredibly happy.”

“Mhm. He’s very happy.”

Anne narrowed her eyes.

“Or at least, he will be—once he fully understands the depth of my love.”

“...Eh?”

“Nothing. Don’t mind it.”

Anne drew her hands back and folded them habitually over her lower abdomen.

That elegant posture made Ailuka admire her all over again.

If only I could carry myself with such poise... then maybe Rode would finally look at me.

“Um... Miss Anne.”

“Mm?”

“I... I have something that’s been bothering me. Could I ask for your advice?”

Ailuka clutched the hem of her skirt, a bit nervously.

“You may.”

Anne replied, “Consider it thanks for teaching me how to cook. Ask away.”

“Well... I have this friend. Just a friend! A really good friend.”

“Got it. A friend. Go on.”

“And this friend, she’s been in love with someone for a really, really long time.

But she doesn’t know whether that person feels the same way, because he’s kind of dense. He’s gentle with everyone.”

“A fireplace-type guy? Always warm and glowing for everyone around him?”

“Yeah... My friend was about to confess. But right then, another woman appeared.”

“A love triangle?”

“...Mm. So lately my friend’s been unsure. Because the person she likes... he clearly treats the new girl a little better.

So now she’s wondering... would it be better to just give up?”

Ailuka stared down at the surface of the lake. The ripples danced, hiding her reflection.

Before she realized it, her fingers had curled so tightly they were turning pale.

“If they like each other, and she steps in as a third wheel... isn’t that kind of wrong?”

“I see. I understand your dilemma.”

Anne nodded, then said:

“Then I’ll ask you something—plain and direct.”

“Eh—Miss Anne?”

Ailuka gasped.

Anne had suddenly cupped her face, forcing her to meet her gaze.

“Tell me—how much do you love that man?”

“W-Wait, it’s just a friend! A friend, I swear...”

But the denial quickly lost steam. Through Anne’s eyes, Ailuka saw herself clearly—how pathetic even her lies were.

“I love him a lot. Since we were kids... I’ve loved him for years.” Ailuka admitted honestly.

“Would you give your life for him?”

“Of course.”

She answered without hesitation.

After all, she’d already done just that.

“Would you abandon morality for him?” Anne pressed further.

“Yes.”

“Would you trample the law for him?”

“...Mm.”

If she could give up her life, then morals and laws... what did they even matter?