episode_0161

Chilly silence flowed.

The Fox and the Rose, meeting after a long time, glared at each other. Clear hostility shone in their black and green eyes, respectively. How long had it been since their return that they were already snarling?

Crushed by the murderous atmosphere, I could only manage an awkward smile. Honestly, I had expected this, but…

‘As expected, it is as expected.’ I muttered bitterly.

I thought there might be at least some semblance of warmth, despite everything. Far from warmth, provocations were hurled from the very beginning, and expressions designed to irritate the opponent ran rampant. Elize, in particular, seemed to have found a proper opportunity and kept needling Irene.

“Won’t you congratulate me? It’s joyful news, you know.”

“Well… I wonder if the person concerned feels the same way.”

“You’re denying reality.”

“If it’s a delusion, I have no intention of interfering.”

“How pitiful. While you were gone, many things happened to us.”

“……”

A series of poking attacks. Perhaps the earlier declaration of the Prince Consort had been shocking? The Fox couldn’t even manage a counterattack. She merely stared down at the Rose in the wheelchair with sunken eyes. Even so, Elize, far from being afraid, met her gaze head-on as if amused. With her hand, she covered the corner of her mouth, twisted in delight.

Eventually.

“That’s enough.”

I, who stepped in belatedly, mediated their war of nerves. I placed a hand on the orange and red heads respectively, stroking their hair as if to calm them. My continuing touch gradually removed the coldness that had settled around them. Afterward, I made eye contact with each of them and spoke.

“How many times have I asked? It would be good if you two got along.”

“……”

“If you only show such coldness, I will simply be disappointed.”

Were they acknowledging that they had overheated? The Rose and the Fox spontaneously fell silent. The two then muttered in low voices.

“……Sorry.”

“I’ll be quiet.”

The situation was brought to an end. Whether they reacted to my words about being disappointed, the two took a step back. Even while doing so, their glaring eyes remained unchanged, however.

I pressed my temples with a faint sigh. As I savored the brief silence that was given…

Knock knock.

Belatedly arrived guests knocked on the dormitory door. As if I had been waiting, I greeted them. Waiting at the entrance were three people with pink, blue, and purple hair. When our eyes met, they greeted me with faint smiles. It had been almost half a month since we last met, so the joy of reunion was great.

“Prince, Prince-nim! I heard you returned…!”

“You really… if you returned, you should have at least told us! Don’t make us hear about it late every time!”

“Welcome back. You don’t know how much your student missed you.”

The voices belonged to Regia, Emilia, and Selena, in order. I replied with a brief smile.

“I missed all of you too.”

The group gathered in the dormitory. It seemed today would be lively in many ways.

***

We spent time with small talk. Stories that had accumulated over the past half-month. It was an opportunity to hear from each of the children what had happened to them during that time. Even if it wasn’t anything grand, the calm everyday stories were enjoyable. I sat quietly on the sofa and listened.

“Recently, I’ve been spending time with Epri… well, what should I say, I feel like she’s become more affectionate…”

“That’s amazing. To be building a bond with such a fierce summoned beast.”

“It’s, it’s not really special. Epri is such a gentle child, so…”

“As expected, Miss Regia is humble.”

“Heh, hehe…”

Her expression melted harmlessly. I stroked her pink hair with minor praises. A certain tenderness shone through the Pilot’s green eyes. Whenever I saw such a cute reaction, I couldn’t help but smile.

‘She’s growing.’

Was she slowly finding her place in the original story? Our protagonist was immature, yet she was taking definite steps of progress. It seemed she had now surpassed the level where she would compete with ordinary students. Following her deepened presence, the frequency of her stuttering had also decreased. Compared to last year, when she was frail, it was truly remarkable progress.

“Hmph… a commoner acting so conceited.”

“Lady Beniti?”

“I’m actually self-studying [Elemental Transformation], you know? It means I’m challenging the limits of magic. Something like this is only fitting for the noble name of Beniti…”

“If you wanted praise, you could have just said so.”

“Th-that’s not it at all?!”

“Is there a need to refuse? Lady Beniti, please come closer as well.”

“N-no, I, I didn’t mean it like that, ugh…”

“You always work so hard.”

“……”

Though she pretended to dislike it verbally, the villainess quietly accepted my outstretched hand. Her blue eyes wavered, holding a hint of fervor. Her distinctive drill curls bounced whenever my hand touched them. Before long, a blush had risen on her pale cheeks. As if to satisfy her need for recognition, I whispered sweet words into her ear.

“Because Lady Beniti is a truly remarkable person.”

“Ugh…”

The wall of vanity crumbled emptily. I chuckled secretly. Emilia also seemed to be pondering her next step in her own way. Her value lay in her endless jealousy and vanity, and the drive for improvement that stemmed from them. It was diligent effort, second to none.

“Prince-nim, your words are right! I’ve always admired Lady Beniti.”

“Co-commoner? Don’t butt in presumptuously…!”

Seeing Regia follow her so much said it all. The two had now become close friends. The villainess and the protagonist. Listening to their cozy conversation, I felt inexplicably content. That was because, in the original story, such a combination was unimaginable. I savored the moment.

“Yuda, student.”

“Teacher-nim.”

I also talked with Selena. The Drunkard. Now that she had quit drinking, it was a name that no longer suited her. The woman leaned her shoulder against me with her unique allure. Where we touched, her curvy figure was distinctly felt. It was a blatant sensation.

“Did you receive the letters I sent you during that time?”

“They were a great help, thanks to you.”

“You know I had a hard time organizing materials and handling all the work alone, right?”

“Of course. I’m always grateful to you, Teacher-nim.”

“If it’s a thank you, hugging me all day is enough.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“In the research lab, just the two of us…”

“That wouldn’t be bad either.”

A leisurely daily life. The day flowed on calmly. We floated in tranquility. The season reflected outside the window was full spring. The warm air around us was probably because of that. In the scenery, with not a trace of winter left, boys and girls sat. As if this much leisure alone could last a lifetime. I enjoyed the silence.

Of course.

“A beast acting so insolently.”

“As if you’re any better.”

“What an annoying Fox.”

“Don’t bother me, you pest.”

The surroundings weren’t quiet either. Subtly bickering sounds. Had they already forgotten my words about getting along? Elize and Irene were in the midst of another war of nerves, having reignited their conflict at some point.

This, too, must be part of daily life.

‘They were always like that.’

When the two were in the same space, they were always similar. They fought so much that even the children watching had grown accustomed to it. They even took on the role of stopping the arguments. The Pilot and the Vain One admonished the Fox.

“A-Irene-ssi! It would be terrible if you spoke to the Princess-nim like that…!”

“Haa… aren’t you tired of this? I wish you’d at least maintain some dignity.”

On the opposite side, the young Prince turned the Rose’s wheelchair away.

“Elize. Provoking others is a bad habit.”

With a few nagging words, he separated the two. Watching them, I couldn’t help but offer a wry smile. Should I call that affectionate, or chaotic…?

As I took in the lively scene, the Drunkard next to me suddenly tugged at my sleeve. Then she whispered in a low voice.

“Student Yuda, you must be extremely worried.”

“Well… peace is always a difficult thing, after all.”

“Still, I’m a little worried. What will they do when they live together later…?”

“Huh?”

Live together…?

I stared at her with a question mark in my mind, but all I got in return was a meaningful eye-smile. Selena poked my cheek as if telling me to think for myself.

“There’s no law that says you have to choose just one, is there?”

“……”

“It’s fine with me even if there are many. What’s important is that I can be with Student Yuda.”

Well. I don’t know about the other children’s thoughts, but. The woman added, caressing my cheek. A bewitching smile lingered on the corner of her lips.

“So.”

A soft request. Her voice softly filled my ear.

“You won’t abandon me later, will you?”

“……I’ll keep that in mind.”

Is this what experience is like? I felt like my weak point had been exploited. I, who ended up nodding, cleared my mind with a faint sigh. To avoid being swayed unnecessarily, I had to shed complex thoughts. As I savored my languid consciousness, my eyes slowly closed. And so, I sank into the tranquil atmosphere.

‘Together…’

We were together until late at night. Even until morning dawned. Though the dormitory had a curfew, it didn’t pose any particular problem. That was because our group included a professor and even a head assistant. This much could be covered by authority.

Although.

[Prince Snakers enjoys a promiscuous lifestyle.] [It is said that his ‘jewelry box’ includes not only classmates, but also professors, maids, and even princesses.] [Some students are reportedly calling for an immediate special investigation and arrest…].

The next morning. A total of five people, including a professor and students. The sight of them leaving my dormitory was caught by someone, leading to an unsavory scandal that would follow me for a while… but let’s just gloss over that part.

In any case, it was a boisterous daily life.

***

And so. Day after day continued peacefully. However, even I didn’t know that such tranquility would break so soon. I looked at the person sitting opposite me with an awkward expression. An unexpected guest had come to visit me there.

“Yuda Snakers.”

It was a face I hadn’t seen in a long time. Since rising to the position of Head Assistant, this was someone I hadn’t had much contact with. His family’s distinctive blue hair fluttered like winter even on a spring day. His eyes, reminiscent of someone, stared intently at me. His gaze was sharp. I muttered softly.

“Prince Beniti.”

The Ducal House of Beniti. He was the villainess’s only remaining blood relative and her painful finger [a person who causes worry or trouble, like a sore spot], her twin younger brother. The boy who held the key to the next chapter sat before my eyes. He spoke with a remarkably serious expression.

“I came to warn you… about something important.”

Ruthka Beniti. His sunken gaze was colder than ever. I listened calmly.

“It’s a story related to my older sister.”

It seemed. The next story was drawing near.