Melody is an amazing maid.
When I consulted her after forgetting that a young lady making her debut
must be accompanied by a male escort in order to attend...
This is my friend who I just happened to run into earlier.
Come to think of it, Melody shouldn't have that many acquaintances,
since she only just arrived at the royal capital.
But either way, it made me happy.
That said...
You know...
A-Aren't you Lord Chancellor Reclentos's...
Greetings, Count Rudleberg.
I am Maxwell Reclentos, and I will be escorting your daughter today.
She didn't tell me she'd be bringing along the lord chancellor's son!
Heroine? Saint? No, I'm an All-Works Maid (And Proud of It)!
Episode
Two Girls Proceed to the Royal Castle
I can't take it anymore!
What's the deal with the heroine not showing up?!
At this rate, we're all going to di—
Chest!
That was close, Anna!
Are you trying to kill me?!
That's actually not a bad idea.
Then perhaps someone more wonderful will be reborn as the crown prince.
You're horrible!
You're lacking awareness as a love interest, Christopher...
I mean, Hideki Kurita!
Speak for yourself.
You're supposed to be a villainess, so be more kind to the prince, Anna Asakura!
They were both six years old when they regained their previous life's memories.
Along with retaining the memories of their old appearances,
they are fully aware that they are part of the otome game,
The Silver Saint and the Five Oaths,
and what their individual roles are.
In this world, the "Dark One" was sealed away a long time ago.
The only one capable of opposing the Dark One is the heroine,
who inherited the powers of the Saint, a mystical maiden who once sealed it.
Maxwell Reclentos
Ability
Total
Cecilia Leginbarth
Oh, Lord Maxwell is a second-year here...
After enrolling, this heroine is supposed to meet several love interests,
Christopher von Theolas
Ability
Total
Cecilia Leginbarth
So he's the crown prince.
He's the person I ran into during the entrance ceremony, right?
fall in love with one of them, and awaken the Saint's true powers.
Lectias Froude
Ability
Total
Cecilia Leginbarth
Thank you for protecting me all this time, Lord Lect.
Cecilia Leginbarth
I won't give in to despair...
I'll live on with you!
I won't give in to despair...
I'll live on with you!
For oneself and for others— the great vow.
Voice
For oneself and for others—the great vow.
Bestow the silver blessing upon the sacred maiden.
The Dark One gets defeated,
and the heroine lives happily ever after with her love interest...
Or so it's supposed to go.
A list of new students?
Her name isn't on there.
Our little heroine, Cecilia Leginbarth, hasn't enrolled in the academy.
You think Count Leginbarth hasn't found the heroine yet?
But we know her name, and she has silver hair and lapis-lazuli eyes.
Aren't those features pretty unique?
She's given that name after the count takes her in.
It's because the heroine's mother was a maid,
so it looks bad if he doesn't, you know?
In the game, those scenes are easily skipped, and...
The fan book that was supposed to reveal those mysteries was coming out!
I thought I'd finally be able to lay eyes on our little heroine,
so why won't she show herself?!
Man, you really love cute girls, don't you?
It's just too cruel that the only thing I get to look at
is this spineless crown prince with his stupid face who I have zero interest in.
The least they could do is show me the lean, muscular, handsome Lord Rect!
I would have preferred a slender girl
over someone with big boobs like you, too!
Huh?! That's sexual harassment, you know!
You're the one who started it!
Do you even know how much I struggle to keep this figure?!
As if I'd kno— Whoa!
Seriously, you're gonna kill me with that!
Shut up! Die!
I said stop it!
Your Highness. I'd like a word about tonight's... ball...
My, if it isn't Lord Maxwell. Good day.
They were just fighting
Lady Anna-Marie...
Why don't you two officially get engaged?
What?
In the game, they are engaged to each other.
However, the two of them have done their best to keep it from becoming official.
Oh my, it is nearly time for my gown fitting, so I must take my leave.
Oh, me too. Sorry, Max, I'll see you later.
Oh, yes. Then...
I need to get ready myself, too.
Going back a few hours...
Could it be... Are you Lord Max?
Huh? Melody?
Oh my! It's been a while!
It has.
That outfit... It seems you managed to become a maid, just as you hoped.
Yes! Thank you so much for your help on that matter.
The necktie and ribbon are
red for first-years
blue for second-years
Hmm? That uniform is a second-year's...
Wait, huh?!
If you're a student at the academy, that must mean you're a noble's son!
Please forgive my rudeness!
We're friends, aren't we?
Anyway, what are you doing here?
I work as a maid for the House of Count Rudleberg,
and I came to deliver my lady something she had forgotten.
Rudleberg?
The impoverished noble with the haunted mansion?
When I greeted the count at the Royal Chancery,
he didn't seem like a bad fellow...
It must be tough having to suddenly take care of a noble's household.
If anything is troubling you, I could talk it over with you?
No, I'm fine!
Everyone is so very kind... Oh, but...
Did something happen?
Is she getting harassed?
It's just that we haven't found an escort for my lady yet.
An escort?
Yes. Perhaps I should just dress up as a man, and...
For Rudleberg's young lady?
Yes. But I suppose that would be going a bit too far...
Did I say something amusing?!
Sorry, sorry.
I was just glad to hear you're getting along well with your lady.
I am!
As an apology for laughing, I'll agree to escort the young lady.
Are you sure?
If it's of help to you, I'll lend you this arm of mine as much as you like.
Thank you so much!
Yeah, getting this kind of reaction makes me happy, as well.
Due to his beautiful appearance since childhood, Maxwell had become weary
of women courting him or trying to use him for their personal gain.
Though this didn't cause him to hate women, exactly,
he had ceased to engage with them and kept his distance.
But Melody was different.
She paid no attention to his good looks,
nor did her attitude change after learning he was a nobleman.
It's a comfortable relationship.
Is this feeling... love?
No, it's not.
This is truly helpful, Lord Max!
If a dear friend is in trouble, it's only natural to help, isn't it?
And so, the story returns to the beginning of the episode.
Hello, Count Rudleberg.
I am Maxwell Reclentos, and I will be escorting your daughter today.
Exactly why do people think this mansion is haunted?
A pleasure to meet you, Lady Luciana.
I look forward to our day together.
Huh? Oh, y-yes!
I look forward to chuday...
Well then, shall we be on our way?
To attend the ball together.
Yes.
I look forward to it.
I'll see you later, Melody.
Have a wonderful time, my lady.
We must get going, as well.
Yes.
You have a party to attend tonight with a friend as well, right, Melody?
Yes. I will be away from the mansion, but...
We don't mind.
I'm told you haven't taken a single day off since you've come to us.
Try not to be too late, okay?
Thank you so much!
He said he'd prepare a dress for me, but is that really okay?
Apologies!
I've kept you waiting.
Not at all. I just got here as well.
Now then, shall we, Lord Lect?
Oh my, why didn't I realize sooner...
that such a lovely maid was this close to me!
My family used to deal in cosmetics for women.
This is truly amazing, Paula.
But did you really need to go this far?
I was invited because a partner was needed,
but aren't I leaving right after I make the required greetings?
That spineless master of mine...
Well, all right.
Let's just go for now.
Sorry to have kept you waiting.
Lord Lect?
Yeah... Let us go.
Yes. Well then, Paula. See you later!
Yeah... B-Be sure to enjoy yourselves.
Huh?
Um... Where did you say this carriage is heading?
Line of sight
The royal castle.
Wh-Why the royal castle?
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It's a small spring ball held at the royal castle.
Oh, I see. Just a small...
How is that small?!
Well, I just... My boss kept bugging me to attend.
I have never heard of a maid attending a party where their lady is also present!
I should not be attending.
But Paula sacrificed her sleep working on that dress...
She spent the last three days working through the night,
but I suppose her efforts will never see the light of day.
But he's right.
Looking at the dress's quality, I can tell how much effort Paula put into it.
Very well. I will attend.
But if I remain this way, my lady will notice.
You think so?
With makeup on, you look like a different person to me.
I mean, I think you look beautiful—
You underestimate her.
It's true, Paula's makeup skills are exceptional.
But while they might fool men, they certainly won't fool women.
I-Is that how it is?
That's how it is.
If you had only told me from the start, I wouldn't be in this dilemma.
If I had told you from the start, you would have definitely turned me down.
Well. That's...
I'm sorry.
Come to think of it, your dark hair and eyes are rare, so you'd stand out.
You're right. Just wearing makeup wouldn't be enough to...
Oh, right. In that case...
Lord Lect.
Huh?!
I'm going to borrow your hair and eye color.
Let my form be stained to my will...
Arcobaleno!
We shall now commence the spring ball.
Everyone, enjoy yourselves to your heart's content.
Now entering from the House of Marquis Victillium, Lady Anna-Marie Victillium.
And her escort, His Highness Christopher von Theolas,
It's Prince Christopher!
Lady Anna-Marie is even more beautiful than they say.
Crown Prince of the Royal House of Theolas!
As expected from the Scarlet Seductress...
The Scarlet Seductress
Though she doesn't seem like the nation-ruining kind.
Continuing on...
Oh...
Say... If our little heroine isn't here,
will tonight's ball event even happen?
That's jumping the gun, isn't it?
Don't you let your guard down.
Since our little heroine isn't around, there's no telling what might happen.
Yeah, I know.
Now entering from the House of Count Rudleberg, Lady Luciana Rudleberg.
I-I'm so nervous...
I'll be fine, right?
I did get Melody's seal of approval on my walk and dance, after all!
Lady Luciana.
Y-Yes?!
The Rudlebergs?
Can they even afford a dress for the ball?
If she had any noble pride, she wouldn't have come in the first place.
And her escort, from the House of Marquis Reclentos, Lord Maxwell Reclentos.
Her poor escort.
Impossible!
Why the Rudlebergs of all houses?!
Did he just say Lord Maxwell is the escort?
In the game, he's supposed to come by himself.
He meets the heroine at this ball for the first time
and asks to become her escort for the next ball!
That bastard... He said he didn't have anyone he was friendly with!
That traitor!
A fae princess.
Why is it so quiet?! Where's the applause?
Did I mess up something?!
This... This is what I'm talking about!
This is the kind of cute girl I've been wanting!
Her serious side has logged out
Well done, Lord Maxwell!
He's escorting the kind of beauty I like on top of that?!
Unforgivable!
Beatrice and Milliaria have appeared!
Luciana!
We're definitely going to have you explain this one!
As your best friend, I won't allow you to keep any more secrets, you hear?
Luciana
Level
Command
Fight
Spell
Run
Item
Luciana couldn't get away!
Now, now.
Do tell.
Your Highness, if you would like... um...
A duke's daughter appeared!
Beautiful lady, would you care to join me for the next dance?
Yes, with pleasure!
Christopher couldn't get away!
What is this, an izakaya?!
A marquis's son appears!
Lady Victillium, would you care to join me for the next dance?
If you will. I look forward to a fun dance.
Yes! With pleasure!
What is this, an izakaya?!
Anna-Marie couldn't get away!
If my daughter had been found,
would she have been a part of that group, too?
The sight was mysterious and, in a way, unapproachable.
It was unlike Anna-Marie's bewitching beauty,
yet also different from Luciana's innocent cuteness.
Anyone who saw her thought...
"An angel has descended upon this land."
Selena?
No, her hair and eye color are different.
Why did I feel that way?
I'm sorry for being late.
Georic Reclentos
Lord Chancellor
Maxwell's Father
It seems it was worth arriving late.
And who is this lady?
It is a pleasure to meet you for the first time.
I am Mel—
Cecilia.
I look forward to our time here.
Cecilia...
That's the name I intended to give my daughter when I eventually met her.
Wow, Luciana. A really beautiful girl just walked in.
Huh?
What an unusual ball this has been.
We're completely like air, unnoticed.
That's very clearly Melody!
She's staring at me.
H-Has she already figured me out?!
I heard he was making a rare appearance at the ball,
Haumea Reclentos
Chancellor's Wife
Maxwell's Mother
Christina
Count Leginbarth's Older Sister
Melody's Aunt
but to think he'd bring such a lovely partner along...
Why didn't you introduce us sooner?
I've only recently met her. And, since she isn't nobility,
it's her first time attending something like this.
In other words,
"This will be the only time she will be attending the ball."
"I will not be bringing her again."
You don't usually bring a partner along, but you'll bring a woman you just met?
Does that mean what I think it means?
My, my, whatever shall we do?
Let me see...
In order for her to participate in the next, she must have a suitable position.
Perhaps that of a nobleman's wife?
My, how wonderful!
This is why I didn't want to bring a companion with me!
She's really composed for someone being teased by a couple of noblewomen.
Impressive.
Lectias didn't realize...
that Melody was hiding her true feelings under that fake smile.
At that moment, Melody was, in fact, extremely flustered.
She's looking at me!
She's glaring at me!
Did she really notice me?
Even though Her Ladyship right in front of me hasn't?
Oh, right. Lady Cecilia, I'd like to introduce you to my daught—
Lord Lect!
Huh?
U-Um, would you...
Would you join me for this dance?
The action she took was a breach of etiquette.
Not only did she interrupt the lady's words,
but it is the man's role to invite the woman to dance.
Invite
The woman must quietly wait for an invite.
Wait
Y-Yeah... Sure.
However...
Cute
So cute.
It was super cute, so it's fine, right?!
Pissed
Melody!
You obviously just avoided me, didn't you?!
You just ran from me, didn't you?!
Luciana?
Why are you furrowing your eyebrows like that?
It's nothing!
It doesn't seem that way...
Anyway, will you be participating in the event after this?
What are you talking about?
You aren't aware?
This is...
It's an interesting idea, don't you think?
I'll be participating.
Really? Then...
Lord Maxwell!
Huh?
Is something the matter, Lady Luciana?
Lord Maxwell, would you...
As I reiterate, the proper etiquette is for a woman to wait for a dance invite.
Invite
Wait
Please, dance with me!
It was a moment when cuteness triumphed once again.
Okay.
I've managed to get away from my lady.
Once we're done dancing, I'll slip away into the crowd and go home unnoticed.
You seem rather stiff. Are you nervous?
Oh, no, it's...
I can't help it.
Who wouldn't get nervous when asked to dance by a woman they're interested in?
A woman I'm interested in...
Do I like this girl?
Could it be that dancing is not your forte?
You don't have to worry.
Once you get the basics down, all that's left is to enjoy yourself.
Although I was a bit passionate when teaching my lady.
There's no longer any doubt about it. I really do...
Oh, Lord Lect really can dance.
I'm sort of starting to enjoy myself.
How about this?
Would something like this be okay?
Wow, wow!
How beautiful...
Truly.
The angel and the fae princess are both dancing so beautifully.
I'm getting way too many invitations to dance.
I still haven't been able to have a word with dear Luciana.
Same.
Well, not to say I didn't enjoy dancing with a procession of beautiful girls.
Disgusting pig.
You're horrible!
Well, at least I have you-know-what after this.
You-know-what!
Thank you very much.
Yes. I had fun, too.
Oh, I need to get home.
Um, I...
Ladies and gentlemen!
How are you enjoying tonight's ball so far?
Wh-What's...?
For this one song, we'll be changing things up, so please enjoy.
This one is a spring ball staple...
Let the "Same-Sex Couple Dance" commence!
Now then, would you please join me for this dance?
Translation: Yukari Murase-Louden Timing: Edgar Cruz Editing and Typesetting: Gabriella Alabanza Quality Check: Geoff Mazzolini Final Quality Check: Elizabeth Ellis
Episode
The Truth Beneath the Moonlight
Illustration: