(Told From Lene Aurousseau's perspective)

It was early in the morning when it started.

I was asleep in my quarters, taking in the short time I could rest. I didn't hate my job by any means, but it does get tiring sometimes when you got so many responsibilities to tend to. So, a rest where I could get it was helpful.

That rest was interrupted once a knock was made on my door.

"Who is it?"
"Lene, your assistant is required urgently… do keep your distance, please."

I was surprised to hear that the voice on the other side of the door belonged to Claire-Sama. For her to be coming in this early in the day, there must've been something serious; a sentiment reflected in her tone.

"Alright Claire-Sama, please allow me to change into..."
"There won't be a need for that now. I only need permission to enter."

It seemed like she really needed to come in quickly. I wasn't too confident in letting myself be seen out of uniform, but I shouldn't let Claire-Sama wait if matters were limited in time.

"Please come in Claire-sama."

There was no response as the door slowly creaked open as the figure of my blonde mistress crept in and carefully closed it once inside. Her flowing hair fell to her back and her night clothes still resided on her. It wasn't a surprise that she would show up in such a state with those matters being assigned to both Rei and I, however, her leaving her room like this is a telling sign. Her face showed this too, now paler in complexion and with an expression that can be best described as miffed and annoyed.

"What can I help you with tonight Claire-Sama"
"..."

The silence permeated the room. Claire-Sama showed reluctance in telling, looking around the room to think and tapping her foot to occupy herself. Yet most noticeably, she kept her right arm hidden: she went so far as to use her other arm to pull it behind her back. She couldn't keep this up for long until she addressed the issue.

"I need you to call me a chariot to the church."
"Why? Is something the matter?"
"I believe I contracted a deadly curse."
"A curse? Is it serious Claire-Sama?"

"This information was not brought to commoners", Claire-Sama sounded determined in her words, walking in front of me while still keeping her distance. Looking at her in this state, I was overcome with nervousness. "Several people at the church have fallen ill to an infliction, they're alive, but on the verge of death. I'm afraid the same might happen to me as well".

This all crashed down on me too hard, I was left frozen staring at Claire. What she just described was a fate worse than death, and for it to happen at any moment. I could only tremble.

I think she notice this as well, she looked at me with a guilty expression. She kept a brave face, but behind that, there was regret in her eyes. She lifted her head and released her arms to show the sign of the curse. Three deep red marks covered her hand, each of them together forming the sigil of house François. I don't know why such a thing would take a shape like that, but it was insulting.

"It appeared as soon as the day began. My hand started glowing and this mark formed... I apologize for dumping this on you Lene, but will you please quickly tend to my daily activities? I want to be seen by the church as soon as possible", with those words, she quickly left my room. This confrontation only took 5 minutes, and I suddenly had to comprehend the fact Claire-Sama was inflicted with a life-threatening curse. I was still trying to process what was happening before I suddenly found myself tearing up a little.

I quickly realized what happened, but I didn't let that stop me from getting to work. I stood up and got to dressing myself. I wasn't gonna waste time if a moment of hesitation meant Claire-Sama could be left beyond repair, I needed to get dressed and get to helping Claire-Sama quickly.

As I ran down the halls in uniform, I tried to move past the news. It was unbecoming to be crying while working. To remedy this, I took a couple of calming breaths. I couldn't say they completely hid my current state, but it helped me the tiniest bit.

I slowly cracked the door open to Claire-Sama's room not wasting any time, and it seemed she wasn't expecting me to wait either. So, without beating around the bush, I got to work getting her bathed, dressed, groomed, and prepped for the day. It was unnecessarily hard to do so.

After doing so I opened the door for her, keeping my head down as we entered the halls. And for the rest of the way it stayed down, at least until I had to give the current situation to Claire.

"I don't think we can get a chariot to the church this early, Claire"
"Lene, don't make a first-week mistake."
"Sorry, Claire-Sama."

I can't believe I made such a mistake thus far in this job.

"We shall wait in the clinic then, the chariot should get ready by noon", she seemed resolved about this and I just nodded. As soon as we confirmed the plan we walked off to the clinic. The halls were eerie with silence, there was nothing that could be said that wouldn't make this awkward. Luckily, I had a quick thought to break this silence.

"Should we bring Rei too, Claire-Sama? She's gonna want to say goodbye at least"
"No! I'm not gonna get a moment of peace with her around! Just tell her I'm doing important business a mere commoner wouldn't understand."
"She's not gonna buy that."
"Well don't tell her where I am. I won't get any rest if she kept checking on me."
"Right Claire-Sama"

The rest of the walk remained silent as we walked to the academy's clinic. After getting there, Claire-Sama sent me off to grab some stuff from her room.

Funnily enough, as I got there someone was peeking into her room, none other than the famed commoner Rei. I kinda felt bad she didn't know what was going on, I thought it might be better if I sent her off then and there. She would probably never forgive me if I kept her from Claire-sama however in times like this, Claire-sama would get mad if I told her the situation. But I could probably get forgiven in the latter, so I decided to approach and tell her the story.

After I finished the story, I looked up at Rei. I, of course, left out where Claire-Sama currently was, just so I could have some wiggle room for when I get lectured about this later. Yet Rei's reaction looked just as I expected, but also quizzical.
Her face held a defeated expression, her smile dropped to a frown and her head hung like a lamp. However, her eyes were curious, questioning, possibly thinking a million thoughts a minute. I had to look away to not feel guilty about doing the same move Claire-Sama did to me.

"Rei, I know it's hard. But Claire-sama would want us to move on. I'm sure she's strong enough to get through this but... uh."

When I looked back Rei was suddenly gone from where she stood. I blinked a moment before looking around to find her.

"One second Lene! I'll be back!", she called out to me as she ran down the hall.

…

Oh no

"Wait Rei! Claire-sama doesn't want any visitors!", I chased after her, though I was unlikely to catch up to her at this rate. She was leaving marks on the floor with every turn she made. I curse this girl's determination sometimes.

Before I even knew it, the door to the clinic was kicked down and two yelling voices came from inside.

"Claire!"
"Commoner?! Get ou- hey, hey! Don't get that close to me!"

I hastily looked into the clinic out of breath when I witnessed Rei hugging Claire-Sama and, in response, getting her face pushed.

"Lene! I told you not to tell her!"
"I didn't tell her you're here Claire-Sama, she somehow figured it out by herself"
"Oh, Claire! You had me worried sick, this might be the cruelest thing you've done to me"
"Can you be quiet commoner, and did you forget to address me properly!"

Eventually, Claire-Sama's overwhelming strength got Rei off of her, she quickly readjusted her uniform. She then shot the both of us a death glare, I was probably gonna die later.

"You two are in big trouble you know. I expect you to be this horrible commoner…"
"Thank you, Claire-sama!"
"That wasn't a compliment! And Lene, you blatantly disregarded my request"
"I apologize Claire-sama. But wouldn't you agree to leave your maid confused about your disappearance, especially Rei, would only cause more trouble?"

Claire-Sama paused and looked at Rei with a stern glance, who was laughing at this situation. She thought for a bit before looking at me again.

"You have a point, but you're not off the hook."
"I understand Claire-sama."

I guess I couldn't fully escape punishment. At this moment, Rei stood back up dusting herself off with Claire-sama returning to her bed trying to close the curtain.

"You two should leave, it will be dreadful if this would continue to spread."
"Of course, Claire-Sama, come on Rei."
"Wait!"

Quickly, Rei pulled open the curtain and was at Claire's bedside getting down on one knee.

"Claire-sama! I heard of Lene's story, and I must as for your hand!"
"What!? I would never do such a thing with a commoner like you!"

I kinda had to stay to the side. Rei was back to teasing Claire-Sama, and Claire-Sama was falling for it. It seemed Rei was keeping the status quo alive.

"Claire-Sama, I believe Rei is asking to see the mark on your hand."
"Still no! I don't believe any good will come from letting that commoner touch me!"
"Haha, all right! But could you then hold it out for me then? I just want to confirm something."

There was a pause as we looked at each other. Claire-Sama was still defensive but was curious about what Rei needed to know, I myself also wanted to know.

"Lene, don't let her do anything weird to me."
"I promise I won't hurt you Claire-sama."
"I was addressing Lene, commoner!"

She conceded and lowered her hand to show the mark, Rei looked at the mark deeply. We had no idea what she was thinking but something was going through her head. She hummed as she continued thinking, and the room grew an awkward air. I just had to ask.

"What is it Rei?"
"I think I know what it is. Claire-Sama I need you to do two things for me."
"Those being"
"First you need to say I love..."
"Absolutely not!"
"Aw, but I really need you to."
"You're making that up! Don't lie to me, commoner!"
"Fine, ehe"

This really wasn't the time for jokes, but I guess this was Rei's way to make Claire-sama comfier in a twisted way.

Then the strangest string of events happened. Rei stood up and walked to an ice cabinet, reaching inside to pull out a bag of blood. Claire-Sama and I looked at her as she cleared a space. Then she opened the bag and dumped the blood on the floor and started to draw with it.

"Rei!"
"Commoner, what are you doing!?"

She didn't explain, only continuing to draw in blood. After she finished, she had a lot of blood on her, and both of us felt a little sick at her actions. Nevertheless, she stood up and looked at us, the drawing itself looked like that of a magic circle.

"Alright! Now what I need you..."
"Rei what on earth was that?!"
"Is there something actually wrong with your head?!"

We both were confused at this, and Claire-sama got up to shake some sense in her. Rei, scarily enough, was still keeping a smile on her face.

"Wait wait, just give me a chance. If I'm right, it will make some sense."
"And what exactly are you planning on doing?! A blood sacrifice?!"
"Claire-Sama! I'm serious, if I'm correct you're in no danger at all"

There was a pause, the two of them just looked each other in the eyes.

"Claire?"
"That's Claire-Sama to you! This better not be an elaborate joke commoner."
"If it is will you punish me?"
"Shut up! What do you want me to do?"

Rei would walk behind Claire and move her a little to the front of the circle.

"Now just stick your hand out."
"... what exactly is this supposed to do."
"Claire-Sama!"

Rei seemed serious for a bit which kinda shocked the two of us. Claire sighed angrily and stuck her hand out as Rei directed. Then the both of us jumped a little as the mark on her hand glowed and so too did the circle of blood.
Claire quickly yelped as she pulled her hand back and retreated away to the foot of the bed. I was surprised looking between the slowly dimming blood and Rei. Rei had the weirdest expression; she looked excited, beyond excited even. She looked like she was just crowned queen of the world. Claire was quick to grab her by her collar after she caught her breath.

"Commoner, Explain now!"

"I can't believe it! Claire-sama is a master!"