She Banished Me Yesterday, But Today She Calls Me Master? - Episode 17

“I’m home, Linde.”

“Welcome back, Master.”

When I returned home, visibly exhausted, Linde greeted me with her usual warm smile. Yet behind that smile, I thought I saw a faint trace of tension.

“How was your day? Did Lady Eltrinde’s visit to the academy go well?”

There was a slight tremble in Linde’s voice. As I took off my coat, I let out a deep sigh.

“A lot happened… I have something I want to talk about. Mind if we sit down for a bit?”

“Of course. I’ll bring you something to drink.”

Linde hurried into the kitchen and quickly returned with a cup of hot tea. We sat down facing each other on the living room sofa.

“So… what happened?”

I took a sip of the tea and began to gather my thoughts.

“Eltrinde came to the academy. There was a magic duel between her and Professor Arnold…”

I told her everything—Arnold’s arrogant behavior, the fire spirit he summoned going out of control, and how Eltrinde and I worked together to stop it. Linde listened silently, but when I mentioned the moment

Eltrinde and I locked eyes, her hand trembled slightly.

“And… how did Lady Eltrinde seem?”

“She was cold. But… there was a moment that reminded me of the old her. When she repeated the phrase I once taught her: ‘Mastering the basics is the surest path to strength’… I was honestly shocked.”

As I carefully chose my words, I thought I saw Linde’s eyes glisten.

“That’s… wonderful. It means your teachings still remained in her heart.”

“Maybe… But it only made me more confused about why she banished me. The look in her eyes today—it didn’t feel like hatred.”

Linde took a breath and quietly set her teacup down.

“If… there was a reason behind her actions, would you want to know it?”

“Yes. I don’t resent her. I just want to understand her pain.”

When I answered without hesitation, her expression wavered for a moment. She opened her mouth as if to speak but then swallowed her words.

“Also… it seems Eltrinde will be joining us for tomorrow’s field training outside the city. I’m thinking of trying to talk to her then. What do you think?”

“Eh? You mean…”

“It’s a rare chance. I want to know her true feelings. She might not answer, but… I want to try.”

“Master… you really are…”

Linde gazed at me with eyes full of emotion, eyes that shimmered with both admiration and something more difficult to place. There was something intoxicating about the way she looked at me—it made my heart skip a beat.

“You’re so kind… You must be very popular, aren’t you? Like that female colleague of yours…”

“You mean Rosalie-sensei? Well, we get along, but she’s more of a die-hard fan of Eltrinde than anything. I doubt she’s even interested in romance. She was thrilled just to see Eltrinde today. And she… she put her hand on my shoulder.”

“I see… your shoulder, huh…”

I noticed Linde’s expression subtly shift. It was as though something clicked in her mind, and the light vanished from her eyes. Her lips pressed into a tight line.

“So, you and Rosalie-sensei are very close, then.”

“No, it’s not like that…”

“And you seem friendly with one of the female students too… Teresa, was it?”

Her voice was quiet but carried an unmistakable chill.

“Yeah, she’s a dedicated student. Always comes to ask questions. Even today after class—”

“You often pat her head, don’t you?”

“Huh? How did you—”

Linde gave a small smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes. I had only done that once—when she came to visit me while I was sick. She must have seen it.

“Just a guess. You’re always so kind to women, Master.”

There was a faint sting in her words.

“Linde… are you jealous?”

When I asked directly, her face turned bright red and she shook her head in panic.

“N-no! Of course not! I’m just a slave—I don’t have the right to feel such things!”

“Rights have nothing to do with it.”

Seeing her sorrowful expression, I instinctively reached out and took her hand.

“Linde, you’re important to me. It doesn’t matter if you’re a slave or not.”

“Master…?”

“Honestly, work’s been rough. The overtime’s draining, and I’ve had my share of bad days. But I got through it thanks to your cooking and the way you keep this place so warm and tidy. Don’t say you’re just a slave.”

As I spoke from the heart, tears welled up in Linde’s eyes.

“You… you really feel that way about me…”

“So please, just be honest. Were you bothered… by Rosalie or Teresa?”

Linde gave a small nod, puffing out her cheeks in a pout.

“Yes… a little. Just imagining you being so close with another woman—it hurts.”

Her honesty made me smile.

“Thank you for telling me. But don’t worry. The one that matters to me is—”

I stopped myself. Now wasn’t the time. Not yet. Not before resolving things with Eltrinde… especially since Linde might be Eltrinde… or at least, someone connected to her.

“What matters is… I care deeply for you.”

Linde blushed and smiled faintly before throwing her arms around me. Her scent and warmth almost made me dizzy.

“Thank you, Master.”

“Yeah… I’m counting on you—ouch!”

I unconsciously rubbed the black markings on my left arm. Linde’s eyes followed the motion.

“Does that arm hurt?”

“Yeah. Especially when Eltrinde is nearby.”

The color drained from Linde’s face.

“When did that start…?”

“Around the time I was exiled. It’s nothing serious.”

Linde abruptly stood and walked toward the window. In the moonlight, her pale blue hair shimmered silver.

“Master… what if Eltrinde exiled you to protect you—what would you think of that?”

Her words took me by surprise.

“To protect me? You said something like that before. What do you mean—”

Linde didn’t turn around. Her shoulders trembled slightly.

“It’s just… a thought. But sometimes, people push away those they love… to keep them safe.”

I stood and stepped behind her.

“Linde… do you know something?”

She slowly turned. Her blue eyes overflowed with emotion she couldn’t put into words.

“I’m… just a slave. I know nothing…”

I instinctively placed a hand on her shoulder.

“I don’t doubt you. But… if you do know anything, please tell me.”

She met my gaze directly. For a moment, her eyes flashed a deep crimson.

Her voice was quiet, but firm.

“I’m sorry. I know nothing. Truly.”

“Linde… who are you, really?”

She cut me off with a gentle smile.

“It’s getting late, Master. I’ll prepare your bath.”

She tried to change the subject and leave, but I grabbed her wrist.

“Linde, wait. Are you really—”

Linde placed her hand over mine. It was warm… and trembling.

“Master… I’m sorry. I can’t say anything.”

Tears shimmered in her eyes. I couldn’t say a word—only nod.

After she left the room, I stood by the window and stared into the night sky. Eltrinde’s true motives. Linde’s identity. The meaning behind the black markings on my arm… It was all too much.

“Eltrinde… what are you really thinking?”

Under the moonlight, the black markings on my arm glowed faintly.

________________________________________

★★★

That night, Linde once again shed her form and returned to the palace’s hidden chamber—as Eltrinde. She stood by the window, staring at the black markings on her own left arm. The patterns had spread further, now reaching up to her shoulder.

“Lady Eltrinde, preparations for tomorrow are complete.”

Anbie entered the room quietly.

“Thank you, Anbie.”

“Today’s actions were risky. By helping Lord Asto, you’ve made him suspicious.”

Eltrinde smiled softly.

“I know. But if someone had gotten hurt, it would’ve made my brother sad. And I don’t want my identity to be exposed.”

She touched the markings on her arm. The dark lines pulsed faintly.

“My brother said he wanted to see me. That he didn’t hate me…”

Tears welled up in her eyes.

“Will you change the plan, Lady Eltrinde?”

“No. We proceed as scheduled. I’ll keep this secret—until the end. Tomorrow will be the last time I see him… both as Eltrinde, and as Linde.”

She gazed out the window with resolve.

“It’s time I said goodbye… as myself, and as Linde.”

Her voice was quiet but unwavering.

“Still…”

Her expression shifted suddenly. She clenched her fist.

“That Rosalie woman… how dare she touch his shoulder. Who does she think she is?”

Anbie let out a small sigh.

“Lady Eltrinde, she’s just a fan. If you curse her, it will only hurt Lord Asto.”

“I know! But still…”

Eltrinde bit her lip.

“And that girl student too… getting her head patted by him… she must have looked so happy.”

“Lady Eltrinde, weren’t you just hugging him a moment ago?”

“That was different! I was—”