Chapter 959: A Very Old Special SS 3 (1/2)

<Author's Notes>

※ Please note that these stories were posted for the Light Novel's Volume 1 (from the beginning to around the date with Kuro)

※ This story is about Lilia, when her love for dragons wasn't discovered yet.

Duchess Albert's office. The head of her household, Lilia Albert, sat in her chair, staring at the package on the desk in front of her.

[……F- Fufufu.]

As a young Duchess, she is a very serious person, which is probably why she doesn't have any hobbies…… That's what the people around her say.

However, she actually has a hobby that she keeps secret. That is……

[W- What a great piece of work. This was quite expensive, but this ”Red Dragon Model” has been wonderfully created……]

With a smile on her face, Lilia opened the package and gazed at the dragon model that revealed itself. She looked ecstatic, which is something you wouldn't normally imagine from her.

Yes, Lilia had loved dragons since she was a child. Collecting dragon scales, fangs and models…… That is her only and greatest hobby.

However, Lilia kept her hobby a secret from the people around her. The reason is simple: she felt embarrassed about it. That's why she had bought the model this time under multiple layers of disguises so that her servants wouldn't notice.

Lilia stared at the model for a while, before she looked around. There was no one in her household that would come in without knocking, and she had already confirmed in advance that there was no presence of anyone in the vicinity.

Even so, it's human nature to keep on double-checking.

After confirming that there really was no one around, Lilia approached a large bookshelf in her office and took out some books from it.

At the back of that bookshelf, there were several magic crystals and Lilia touched them in a certain order. Thereupon, the bookshelf slowly shifted to the side and a door appeared.

This was Lilia's secret collection room. Inside, she had carefully stored her collection of dragon-related items. The moment Lilia thought of putting the Red Dragon Model she had just acquired in there though…… She heard a knock on the door.

[ ! ? ]

When Lilia heard the sound, she quickly put the bookshelf back in place and quickly hid the model that was still on her desk underneath it.

Thereupon, trying to remain as calm as possible, she called out to the door.

[……C- Come in.]

[Excuse me.]

Hearing a man's voice, since there was only one man in her mansion, she immediately knew who was knocking on her door.

[Is something the matter, Kaito-san?]

[I'm sorry to bother you. There's actually something I'd like to consult with you……]

[You need to consult about something? Yes, what is it?]

(O- Of all the time, why are you consulting to me now!?)

She tried to keep her composure. However, even though she had a smile on her face, Lilia was really flustered. If the dragon model were to be discovered by someone, even her long-time friend Lunamaria would find out about this secret hobby of hers.

It would be bad for her dignity as a Duke, and more importantly, that would be embarrassing.

Lilia, who was thinking about this, wanted to end Kaito's consultation as quickly as possible.

[Ah, yes…… Arehh? Lilia-san. ”A book had fallen over there”, you know?]

[Eh? Ahh……]

Perhaps, when she had hurriedly put the bookshelf back together, a book seemed to have fallen on the floor.

[I guess this would be from that bookshelf over there?]

[P- Please wait! I- I'll get it back myself!]

(T- That won't do! The mechanism behind that bookshelf hasn't been locked yet. If Kaito-san touches it now…… the door……)

Lilia quickly stops Kaito and picks up the book herself.

The mechanism behind the bookshelf is turned on by touching the magic crystals in a specific order, and activated by touching the bookshelf in that state. When she wants to turn it off though, she needs to touch the magic crystals in the opposite order.

That's why she couldn't return the book to its original position right now. If she were to accidentally touch the bookshelf, the door to the secret room will appear.

[……Aren't you going to put the book back?]

[I- I'll just put it back later!]

[I- I see……]

Kaito curiously tilted his head at Lilia's flustered appearance, but he didn't pursue the matter deeply.

[S- So, Kaito-san? You're consulting about……]

[Ahh, yes. Actually, I'm looking for a new pair of shoes, so I'd like to know if there are any good stores……]