episode_0273

Tremulous eyebrows. Cheeks stiffly clenched.

Amelia sat before me, clearly quite tense. Perhaps it’s a natural reaction. After all, at the Naifrantz Academy, she was the only one who opposed Narias Philbrog.

Well, strictly speaking, it wasn’t exactly opposition, but while most accepted me, she alone refused to acknowledge me until the very end. That weighed more heavily than the curses she spat out.

“Everything… that happened…”

“What are you referring to?”

However, compared to that relationship, which was like a cliff of dislike, Amelia’s attitude toward Princess Narita was almost mountainous. They were polar opposites.

Where did it all begin? I don’t remember clearly now, but sometime ago, Amelia fell head over heels for me in my Princess Narita guise.

Knowing this, honestly, I did take advantage of it. I often used her infatuation with Narita to get what I wanted. One example was that sacred kingdom dispatch mission.

And also the guilt over deceiving her with my two faces. Honestly, the latter was unavoidable because Amelia hated Narias so much, but even this is just an excuse.

Even setting aside that shame and guilt, Amelia’s devoted behavior towards me was truly lovely. A normally prickly woman transforming into someone demure and obedient…that feeling of conquest is intoxicating.

So, I pretended to know nothing.

“I don’t quite understand what you mean. Just treat me like you usually do.”

“I… I see…?”

“Yes, of course.”

Tears welled up slightly in her eyes, threatening to spill over. It must be a complex mix of emotions. Which side should she cater to – Princess Narita or Cadet Narias?

“If it’s too difficult… let’s just do this.”

The answer is simple. Neither of those, just meet a new person.

“Nice to meet you. First-year student of the Department of Magic, and Student Council President Narias Philbrog.”

“Y-yes…?”

“Department Head Amelia, my hand is shaking. Won’t you grab it quickly?”

I playfully shook the hand I extended. Like a cat looking at a ball of fluff, Amelia’s eyes darted around, following my hand.

And then, she gently placed her hand on top of mine.

“Naifrantz Academy… Department Head of the Department of Magic, Amelia Freid. Pleased to meet you.”

“Pleased to meet you too, Department Head.”

With that, the relationship was reset. Amelia won’t be flustered by my two identities, and I won’t have to endure insults – excellent for both of us.

My business concluded, I rose from my seat.

“Then, I’ll be going now. Both the Student Council and the Royal Family have a lot of pending matters.”

Lately, I’ve been particularly busy. Helping out with former President Frederica’s affairs was nothing compared to this. Seriously juggling two lives, even ten bodies wouldn’t be enough.

Besides, I’m not particularly skilled at administrative work. Physical work would be preferable, but unfortunately, those in high positions have to manage their subordinates.

The final decision-maker for everything. This was where I truly felt the weight of responsibility. I was just about to leave the department head’s office to swiftly process the Student Council’s backlog of documents.

“…Your Highness.”

Amelia stopped me. Her voice trembled slightly. Turning around, I saw her standing there, tears streaming down her face.

My heart sank. There was guilt in the feelings I had for Amelia.

“So… everything that happened until now is undone…? Me insulting Cadet Narias Philbrog, being cruel to her, ultimately not accepting her… everything, even peacefully drinking tea with Princess Narita…?”

It was a very sad thing. That’s how it felt. A deep, profound sadness filled the aether emanating from Amelia.

“Yes, that’s right. I truly hated Cadet Narias. She was a major eyesore. Having the talent to achieve anything yet living life however she pleased like a reckless maniac. You know that best, don’t you?”

“That’s not wrong.”

“Amelia Freid and Narias Philbrog were like that. One constantly biting, the other laughing as if nothing mattered. I may have cursed, but I never used honorifics like this.”

I’m lost in thrilling memories. Amelia Freid didn’t wear a mask in front of Narias Philbrog.

That’s why it was better. Her thoughts were obvious, and I could predict her reactions. That made things easy and enjoyable.

“And… because of that, I… truly adored Princess Narita. I thought about you to the point of questioning my own identity, and even before you, I would regress into a little girl.”

“I see.”

“That’s how it was… that’s how it was…!!”

I’m lost in quiet memories. Amelia Freid also didn’t wear a mask in front of Princess Narita.

That’s why it was good. Her feelings were evident in her slightly flushed cheeks, her fingertips, her small gestures, and every nuance of her speech; that sweet affection was completely apparent.

“But how… can everything just be undone like that…?”

“I’m sorry.”

“Do you think a simple apology fixes everything…?!”

“No. But I’m still sorry.”

I rushed over and embraced Amelia. I held her gently and soothed her carefully. The shoulders of that genius and capable woman, who at a young age rose to the position of department head, were small and trembling; her sniffles continued without end.

“I really… I really loved you… Princess Narita was my first love…!!”

“I know. Thank you.”

Amelia released all her pent-up words and let go of everything. She threw her clenched fist against my chest. It wasn’t a weak punch, but it didn’t hurt in the slightest.

Several times, many times I took her punches. Her strength gradually started to wane.

“I’m still sorry. You know that, right?”

“…Yes. At this point, I don’t want anything more.”

“Even you are too much. I don’t have the body, the time, or even the love left to add you to my collection of lovers.”

Amelia still had her face buried in my arms, sobbing. I gently stroked her small head and softly whispered.

“But, you’re already someone I must protect. Still, and in the future as well.”

Whether those words were comforting, I’m not sure. You can’t fully understand people’s hearts with words alone.

But after shedding tears in my arms for a considerable time, Amelia soon pushed herself away from me and returned to her seat.

Her eyes were swollen, and she briefly looked at me before abruptly turning her head.

“…Get out, Narias.”

“Yes, Department Head.”

…

…

…

After what happened with Amelia, something came to mind.

After all, do I possess the qualifications of a king?

『[Condition: Proof] Fulfilled.』 『[Main Story Chapter 6: The King’s Qualification] progress increased.』

Following countless praises after my sparring match with Evan, I received the qualification as heir to the throne from His Majesty, my father, the King.

Until that single moment of selection, there was so much that had taken place. I reclaimed what had been taken from me, repaid what I’d lost, filling the empty spaces with shining things.

I proved it myself. That I have strength. The powerful strength to lead everyone in the kingdom beneath my feet.

That I have the qualifications to become the King of Naifrantz.

But I still have doubts.

Do I really have to become a king?

I haven’t devoted my entire life to Naifrantz. Sometimes to my lovers, sometimes to myself. There have even been times when I just lazed around without a care in the world.

‘Who would allow someone to become king for the sake of their personal desires…!!’

The words shouted by a noble at my debut still echo in my ears.

I know the fate awaiting this world, and therefore, I act for the peace of myself and my lovers. Even if that movement creates a huge result like a storm, my origin is the flutter of a tiny butterfly’s wings.

I live only for myself.

This feeling is even stronger when I work as a king. The people asking for lower taxes, the nobles requesting for relaxations in various regulations. For some reason, their words do not resonate with me.

“Princess Narita! Good morning!”

“You are so beautiful today.”

“Thanks to Your Highness, we can safely see out the rest of the year~”

I don’t think it was like this when I was younger. Just listening to people’s words made me happy. I colored the blank spaces in my heart in bright hues, using the paint of dreams flowing from them to paint the future.

‘What am I doing?’

What is my true self? The girl playing in the lower village? The maniac exterminating evil nobles? An adventurer? A princess?

The Narias Philbrog that Amelia Freid cursed daily? Or the Narita Florain Naifrantz she daily loved?

Should I just live as I did in my youth, doing whatever I wanted without a care? Now that I’m going to be king, should I try to be more serious?

If I change, is that denying my past self?

Lost in such thoughts, the sun had already set and night had fallen. With a troubled mind, I returned to my bedroom.

Creak-

A woman in thin lingerie was in the room.

“Your Highness, it’s Yuri. Tonight, I will…”

Forgetting both excitement and lust, I rushed towards her.

“Oh, I… If you’re going to embrace me, let’s at least do it on the bed…”

“…Yuri.”

“…Your Highness?”

This is the first time I’ve felt this way at the sight of Yuri in this state. I collapsed in her arms.

A faint laugh reached my ears.

“It seems you need a different kind of attention tonight.”

“…Please.”

“Anytime. I’m Your Highness’s first friend, after all? Whenever you want to clear your complex thoughts, feel free to lean on me.”

Tonight is going to be long, in a different sense.