Cattleya shyly closed her eyes.
Unlike the hugging and touching from before, a kiss meant something different to a girl.
Back when Cattleya was around Louise's age, she, too, had imagined what kind of person her other half might be. As a daughter of the Vallière dukedom, as a noble, her partner would have to be a noble as well. But when Viscount Wardes courted her and then promptly gave up after learning of her poor health—shifting his attention to Louise instead—it wounded Cattleya deeply.
After that, Cattleya stopped holding any expectations for marriage. With her constitution, simply living on in decent health would be blessing enough.
Her first kiss in life ended up being with her little sister Louise's man. How to describe the feeling… a bit embarrassing, yet not unpleasant. She found that although Hayashi Maki was practiced, he was also very gentle with her.
The contract itself formed in an instant. Cattleya even felt her mana link with Hayashi Maki's for a moment.
But that closeness didn't stop there. She instinctively slipped her arms around his neck; when she opened her beautiful eyes, they glistened faintly.
Those dewy eyes, that alabaster skin, a figure that outclassed Louise and Éléonore, and a delicate face—Hayashi Maki was utterly smitten. He was a simple man, after all. With the girl taking the initiative, it would be a shame not to go further.
His broad palm slid upward. Cattleya's body trembled; her cheeks burned hotter. Instinct told her this wasn't right. She did like this man and hoped he could cure her, but he was, in the end, her sister's man. She could not take that step before her sister did.
Noticing her slight resistance, Hayashi Maki released her lips and said solemnly, "It's all for the treatment, Cattleya. Be good."
His warm breath brushed her cheek, turning what was already rosy into a vivid crimson. What do you mean "for the treatment"! You're just ogling me and taking advantage! she fumed inwardly.
But her body was honest; she relaxed without realizing it. Have it your way. Besides, despite all the "stimulation," she hadn't coughed at all and felt no pain. His "treatment" really was effective.
While Hayashi Maki and Cattleya were "cordially communicating," Louise and Éléonore stood worried outside the door. They pressed their ears to it, but heard nothing—right, Cattleya's room had the best soundproofing.
Louise pouted, thinking of Hayashi Maki's butterfly-chasing behavior—lovestruck Kirche, the free-giveaway Tabitha, and even that watching-wolf maid Siesta.
That lech! He'll definitely make a move on Sister Cattleya! she thought, certain. But she couldn't stop him. If he could cure Cattleya, then… maybe it was acceptable.
She loved Cattleya too—such a gentle sister deserved her health back, to even attend the academy with her.
Éléonore stood arms folded, eyes on the door.
"Does an examination take that long? Is he even competent? He's not doing anything weird to Cattleya, is he?"
"He's competent, Éléonore. Hayashi Maki never takes on anything he can't handle," Louise said, staunchly backing her man.
Éléonore sniffed.
"So how did he get a ducal title? Our father is a duke—he earned it with real merit." Curiosity flared—she wasn't like Cattleya, who knew every detail of Louise's life via small creatures spying.
To Éléonore, Hayashi Maki had been just a familiar, not worth serious regard. Now, she couldn't quite keep seeing him that way.
Louise puffed her cheeks.
"By saving Tristain, of course. In the war with Albion, Hayashi Maki and I turned the tide and destroyed their airship fleet. He even swept the battlefield and prevented our soldiers' deaths. A duke's title is more than deserved."
If Queen Henrietta hadn't been her close friend—the one she served—and if Hayashi Maki weren't so unambitious, he could practically be king already.
"Oh? He's that impressive? You'd never guess from his looks," Éléonore said, surprised. "But little runt, don't kid yourself. You, 'Louise the Zero,' taking credit? I'd say Her Majesty just tacked your name on for Hayashi Maki's sake."
"That's not true! I completed important tasks for Her Majesty. I'm Queen Henrietta's most important right hand! Stop looking down on me! And I will cast a proper spell one day!"
They locked eyes—then, predictably, the brash Éléonore overpowered Louise and grabbed her cheeks again. Poor Louise could only wail for mercy.
"Uuu—stop pinching me, Éléonore, I'm sorry—I shouldn't have talked back!"
Satisfied at reasserting big-sister authority, Éléonore let go, pushing up her glasses with a smug little smile.
After another thirty minutes, Hayashi Maki opened the door, followed by Cattleya, cheeks flushed and lightly sweating.
"Well? Can she be cured?" Louise and Éléonore blurted at once.
"Of course. I've given Miss Cattleya preliminary treatment. She won't have any trouble going out now. For a full cure, she'll need a few more sessions," Hayashi Maki said, straight-faced. Neither Éléonore nor Louise doubted him.
Cattleya nodded with a smile. "Thanks to Mr. Hayashi Maki, I don't hurt at all. I'm still a bit weak, but compared to before—it's so much better."
"Uuu—Sister Cattleya, that's wonderful!"
"Cattleya…" Éléonore and Louise embraced her, eyes wet with emotion. Both were overjoyed at their sister's recovery.
Cattleya patted their backs with a smile. "We'll all be just fine."
As the eldest, Éléonore regained her composure first. She stroked Cattleya's hair affectionately, then released her and turned to Hayashi Maki.
"This time, I owe you. If you ever need help, I won't refuse."
Hayashi Maki nodded with a smile. "Alright. I'll remember that."
If it's willingly given—he'd gladly take it.