Tap, tap, tap—0

Rain drummed against the restaurant window as Epherene, drowning in melancholy, absently pushed her food around on the plate.0

“Why does life take such turns?” Epherene murmured. “It often strays too far, beyond the point of no return. When despair comes uninvited, you wish for hope to follow, but reality is seldom so kind. Relief that balances this kind of despair... is rare.”0

Epherene toyed with her chopsticks for a moment, then set them down, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.0

“B-but why? The food is delicious,” said Lethe and Endel, Sylvia’s maids, their voices tinged with confusion. To them, the steak was perfectly fine.0

“She just prefers another type of pork,” Sylvia said offhandedly, continuing to eat without a care. To her, it didn’t matter if it was rice balls, fried rice, pork, or beef.0

“Why did it have to be today, of all days...” Epherene muttered, her voice heavy with despair.0

The Flower of the Pig restaurant was closed today, leaving her puzzled. She resolved to ask Julia about it later.1

“Foolish Epherene,” Sylvia sneered, rising from her seat with a smirk.0

Epherene was too drained to respond. One of the three maids followed Sylvia out, while the other two remained, silently observing Epherene.0

“This is the first time,” one of them remarked to Epherene, whose spirit appeared utterly drained.0

“... Pardon?”0

“Since the mistress’s passing, Lady Sylvia has never once brought a friend home.”0

“Ah...” Epherene muttered, a bitter smile crossing her lips.0

Sylvia's reputation, along with her family’s history, was widely known. Not just those at the magic tower, but even ordinary university...0