Free Web Novel“Liya...”
Looking at the younger girl tied to a chair in such a shameful posture by his senior, Muen couldn’t help twitching the corner of his mouth, his expression twisted.
“Can you explain why you’re not in class, but instead showed up here at this time—doing this kind of thing? If I remember correctly, the time I invited you was supposed to be tomorrow.”
To be honest, even in a thousand guesses, Muen could never have imagined this situation.
The future Saintess of the Life Church, Liya Angel, had shown up right when he and his senior were doing that—and not only that, but... peeping?
Her saintly persona had completely collapsed!
“Uuuh... I didn’t, I wasn’t doing that... no, absolutely not.”
Liya wailed, denying over and over, but even she had no confidence. Her protests grew quieter, while her face steadily flushed red again.
Suddenly, she bit her lip, lifted her head, and glared hatefully at Muen with tear-filled eyes.
“And it’s all your fault, Muen Campbell!”
“Huh?”
Muen blinked in confusion.
My fault?
Why?
Was it my fault for being too handsome, for having pecs too attractive, or for nailing the whole charismatic vibe too well?
For luring in your gaze with such arrogance?
“It’s all your fault! You didn’t keep your promise. You only contacted me after nearly a month! I thought you were scheming some kind of plot, so... so I came...”
Liya’s little feet twisted uneasily against the floor, as she stammered:
“So I came a day early to scout it out.”
“Pff—”
Muen almost spat blood on the spot.
A plot?
Scouting?
Scouting that turned into... that?
What kind of script logic was this?!
Looking at Liya glaring at him with such an adorably puffed expression, Muen wanted to crack open her head to see just what was going on inside.
“I—”
“Oh my... a promise? A plot? That sounds... rather suggestive, doesn’t it?”
Just as Muen was about to speak, his senior’s voice rang meaningfully behind him. He shivered, spun around, and forced a smile.
“W-what do you mean, suggestive? Senior, you’re reading too much into it! She and I are perfectly innocent!”
“Is that so?” freёweɓnovel.com
Anna sat atop a desk, her long legs in black stockings crossed, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
Her appearance no longer bore the slightest trace of their earlier frenzy. Clothes neat, demeanor serene, her lips curved with a soft smile.
But in Muen’s mind, death warnings blared. He instantly straightened his back.
“O-of course! Liya is merely the personal musician I invited to play for me. We barely exchanged a few words before this. Our relationship is absolutely pure!”
“A personal musician, invited to play?”
As if recalling something, Anna narrowed her eyes slightly, fixing him with a knowing look.
“Why does this sound so familiar?”
Muen froze. “I-is it?”
“Would you mind explaining why you suddenly needed a personal musician?”
“Uh...”
At the side, hearing Anna pose the question, Liya’s eyes flickered with panic.
She didn’t want that matter exposed—not only because of the shame, but also because of her hidden identity. If word got out, it would surely affect her future.
But...
Liya silently lowered her head.
In this state, she had no right to stop it...
“Because, as a future Duke, isn’t it normal to improve my musical appreciation? The Academy doesn’t offer such a course, so I had no choice but to hire my own private musician.”
Eh?
Liya’s eyes widened in surprise, just in time to see Muen grab Anna’s hand and whine:
“Senior, you wouldn’t want your dearest junior to be looked down on by those fat-bellied nobles with guts full of grease, would you?”
“Heh, even the excuse is as pompous as before?”
“It’s not what you think! There’s really nothing between us. Besides, Liya being able to find this place proves it. I meant to bring her here so you could meet her first, Senior. I just never thought... cough, cough... doing it so openly, all just so you wouldn’t misunderstand!”
“How do I know you’re not just playing some trick in the shadows?”
“I don’t play around like that!” Muen said miserably. “If you still don’t believe me, then I’ll—I’ll swear to the Goddess! If I really—”
“Spare me.”
Anna suddenly pressed a finger to his lips, coldly.
“I’m not a believer of the Goddess. Your oath means nothing.”
“Mmph... Senior~”
“Hmph.”
Anna stepped up to Liya, raising a finger to lift her chin. She studied the younger girl’s delicate face, then sighed.
“This face... seems like the type that man would like.”
“N-no it isn’t!”
Liya’s cheeks burned red again as she shouted:
“I... really don’t have anything to do with that guy! And... and I could never be involved with someone whose head is filled with nothing but filthy, nasty thoughts!”
“Is that so?”
“Of course!”
“Heh.”
Anna chuckled softly, a deep note in her voice, but said no more.
“In that case, I’ll be going. You two can continue your little music appreciation class.”
“Eh, leaving already?”
Muen blinked, then quickly rushed to hold her, nervous.
“Are you angry?”
“Of course not. Why would I be angry at a scoundrel like you?”
Feeling the warmth enveloping her, Anna’s heart softened. With a sigh, she said helplessly:
“I’ve already wasted enough time waiting for you. The Silent Bureau has been urging me again and again.”
“But there’s no need to rush so much.”
Muen had been hoping to drag her somewhere else and continue what had been left unfinished.
“This is punishment.”
“Hm?”
“Punishment for a junior who doesn’t behave.”
Anna rapped her knuckle firmly against Muen’s forehead, scolding playfully:
“Come find me again when you learn to behave.”
“Eh... I don’t want to...”
“Get lost...”
“Just let me hug you—no, at least kiss you once before you go...”
“Who wants your hug—mm, let go.”
“Heh heh... Senior’s mouth says no, but your body’s awfully honest.”
“You scoun—”
After a moment of tenderness, Muen reluctantly watched his senior leave.
Then he turned back to the other girl in the classroom.
When she saw him look her way, the girl who had been sneaking glances with a flushed face quickly turned her head aside.
“Sigh.”
Muen let out a helpless sigh and moved to untie Liya.
The atmosphere in the classroom grew quiet and awkward.
After a long moment, stretching her numb arms, Liya lowered her head and asked softly:
“Muen ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) Campbell.”
“Mm?”
“Why didn’t you say it just now?”
“Say what?”
“Th-the real reason you hired me.”
Liya twisted her fingers.
“If you told that senior what happened that night, let her know you were only helping me, then there wouldn’t be all these misunderstandings.”
“...I never intended to help anyone. I simply needed a personal musician, nothing more.” Muen shot her a glance, speaking viciously.
“And if you want to talk misunderstandings, it’s you who caused all this by doing what you did!”
“Uuuh...”
“Sigh. Forget it. I did leave you hanging for a month without clarifying. That’s on me too.”
Muen sighed again.
“You don’t need to worry. Someone as rational and gentle as Senior would never develop unnecessary misunderstandings over something like this.”
“Really?”
A trace of doubt flickered in Liya’s eyes.
She recalled that senior just now.
Her mature, intelligent aura put her in a completely different league from a low-grade girl like Liya. She hardly seemed like the type who could be fooled by a scumbag.
And yet, she had so obviously, so fiercely, so recklessly fallen for Muen Campbell.
Remembering that meaningful look of hers, Liya couldn’t help lifting her gaze to the blond man before her.
He stood in a patch of pale light spilling through the window, his profile turned toward the snow outside, as though seeking someone’s shadow.
Even though they were alone together—a man and a woman—in the strange atmosphere following such an act, his clear blue eyes remained pure, untainted by a trace of impurity.
“...Sorry.”
“Mm?”
Muen turned, staring oddly at the girl who suddenly apologized.
“Sorry, Muen. I misunderstood you again.”
Feeling the warmth stirred in her chest, Liya sniffled, wiped her tears with her fingers, and smiled.
“Seems you really are different from the rumors... and from what Ariel said.”
“I’ve been working at it for so long, and you’re only just realizing now? That’s a bit embarrassing.”
Muen smiled too, pulling out a handkerchief and handing it to her.
“Here, wipe up. I don’t want my personal musician performing with a crying face.”
“Mm.”
Liya accepted the handkerchief, dabbing at her eyes.
“...Hm?”
But as she wiped, something felt off.
This handkerchief carried a strange scent and warmth.
Would Muen Campbell, a grown man, really spray perfume on his handkerchief like a young girl?
And its color and material...
Liya looked down.
A black “handkerchief,” with a rebellious, peculiar design and ties. The lace trim along the edges gave her palm an exquisite texture.
And right at the most conspicuous spot, a small red bow, delicate as a living butterfly, quivered in the faint breeze as though about to flutter its wings.
Quivered...
Quivered...
Spreading the “handkerchief” out in her hand.
But this wasn’t a handkerchief at all.
This was...
Liya’s face flushed scarlet again. Eyes wide and brimming with tears, she lifted her gaze to the blond man—whose own expression had just frozen stiff.
“W-wait, Liya, let me explain, this is a misunderstanding, really this time it is!”
“Muen Campbell, you—!”
Her furious cry rang through the building, followed by a crisp slap and a miserable yelp.
“Pervert! Lecher! Shameless! I misjudged you after all! Your head really is filled with nothing but filth!”
“Uuugh... scoundrel!”
