Praise

Stella expressed her confidence.

She wouldn’t fall for something like hypnosis.

Even if she did, her personality wouldn’t change.

…Well, I didn’t particularly feel like arguing.

After all, she truly never changed her way of thinking.

Right.

Even after losing the Imperial Succession War and disappearing without a trace.

Stella’s final fate was never properly revealed.

It ended with descriptions suggesting the world moved on as if Stella never existed, as if nothing had happened.

Players could only speculate about Stella’s end.

That she was killed by the prince after losing the succession war.

Or imprisoned in some solitary cell.

There were even rumors she might have been sold into slavery.

Because of her unbending personality that would rather break than bend, Stella’s very survival became unknown.

“Her spirit is admirable, but…”

Of course, I don’t dislike that personality itself.

It’s precisely that straightforward nature that completes her character.

Anyone who genuinely likes Stella as a character would respect that aspect of her.

…But that’s not what I want.

I know full well that forcing changes to her true nature would make her hate me.

If I restored her consciousness now, she’d probably scream:

What the hell are you doing? Don’t you dare do this to me.

She might find it horrifying.

If she ever realizes what’s happening for some reason, she might genuinely try to kill me.

“Now, Stella. Repeat after me.”

“Repeating…”

“You’ll suddenly start noticing the good points of people you never paid attention to.”

“…”

“Repeat it.”

“I… will suddenly start noticing the good points of people I never paid attention to…”

Even so, I didn’t want to stop.

What I want is a happy story without tragedy for the characters I love.

If using slightly forceful methods is the only way…

Then I won’t hesitate.

I’ve always preferred happy endings.

Throw away depressing tragedies – I want everyone to have a happy conclusion.

I want the characters I love to gain laughter and happiness instead of youth soaked in blood and tragedy.

Not because they want it, but because I do.

So even if they themselves don’t want it, I don’t care.

This is my goal.

“Right. You don’t want to use your abilities on anyone except those you acknowledge. I don’t intend to deny that.”

“…”

“Then how about becoming someone who can acknowledge others, even in small ways?”

Her main problem stems from not acknowledging most people.

Unlike other playable characters, her issues come purely from this personality trait.

She’s not the type haunted by past events or showing problems due to unavoidable circumstances.

But if I openly tried to adjust this personality, someone would notice something wrong.

This is counseling.

Nothing should change dramatically.

For the students’ sake, and for my own.

Like rainwater slowly soaking through clothes, it must seep in gradually but surely.

“It’s okay if you can’t find anything to acknowledge. Just looking back at others one more time is enough.”

“…Okay.”

“Good. Today’s session ends here.”

I gently smiled while giving Stella’s forehead a light tap.

A small but definite change.

If such changes keep accumulating, someday she might become an empress beloved by all.

I thought it would be nice to witness that scene with my own eyes.

“…?”

“Don’t fall asleep, Stella-yang. Do you remember what I told you?”

“Uh, uhm…?”

Perhaps due to the shock from the forehead tap.

Stella tilted her head blankly as if unable to comprehend what happened.

Everyone always reacted this way when the hypnosis wore off.

But there was no need to worry.

Soon enough, she’d rationalize things by changing her memories according to the hypnosis’s content.

“Don’t look down on others. And properly apologize to the principal. Understood?”

“Ah, understood…”

“Good. Then we’ll end here today. Feel free to visit the counseling room whenever you have time.”

“Wha, what?! I’m fine! I don’t need more counseling-“

“It’s the principal’s order.”

“…Ugh.”

That was a lie.

The principal had never given such an order, not even once.

All she’d said was one thing:

Fix that rotten princess’s attitude.

…Well, I don’t think her personality is rotten, but anyway.

Perhaps because she’d already heard a plausible story, Stella seemed to have convinced herself by altering her own memories.

“Ah, fine… That old ha-“

“Ahem.”

“…If it’s the principal’s order, I have no choice.”

Hmm, good.

The principal would probably be satisfied if this rebellious girl started properly addressing her as principal.

Even if Stella questioned why such an order was given, she’d likely let it slide.

That’s just how she is.

…Alright. Let’s do one more thing.

“Then I’ll give you some homework before your next counseling session.”

“What? Wait, I never heard about-“

“Praise someone once a day. Easy, right?”

“Ho-how dare you order a princess to-!”

“Well then, I’ll take my leave. Until next time, Your Highness.”

Creak.

I bowed slightly to indicate I had nothing more to say and left the principal’s office.

Now, I wonder what will happen.

I began looking forward to future events.

How would people react?

Imagining the expressions of those seeing the princess suddenly praising everyone, I soon burst into quiet laughter.

“…What’s with you, Teach? Why are you creepily laughing there?”

“Ah, Orca. …Calling me creepy is rude, you know.”

“You were laughing super suspiciously! …Anyway, let’s go back to the counseling room. Light the incense.”

“…”

“What? I’m sleepy. Gonna sleep. …Look, I washed. Okay?”

When had she left the counseling room?

Orca urged me to return to the counseling room while showing me her still-damp hair that wasn’t properly dried.

Her earlier gloomy demeanor had completely vanished.

Pestering me sleepily, she looked no different from a child.

…Orca still hadn’t realized.

That she’d fallen asleep during the practice match.

That it wasn’t incense that relieved her fatigue.

Was it because she’s naturally oblivious?

Not sure.

But one thing was certain – Orca seemed much more at ease.

That someone who suffered lifelong insomnia could fall asleep so comfortably even with someone nearby.

Especially with a church member who’d always eyed her suspiciously right beside her.

This should have been impossible.

But it happened. Thanks to hypnosis.

Clearly, Orca was beginning to find peace of mind.

…It couldn’t be wrong to let her sleep peacefully.

I smiled at Orca who was glaring at me sulkily.

“Always saying you’re sleepy. Sometimes I think you’re really a kid.”

“…What’s that?”

“Want me to hold you? Want some milk?”

“Shut up! Shut your mouth!”

“Heh heh.”

***

“…Your Highness, what are you doing there?”

“…”

“If you have something to say, say it. Why are you acting so unlike yourself?”

Charlotte was baffled by her childhood friend.

This hesitant behavior from the usually confident princess was unimaginable.

Just last week after winning the tournament (even without rewards), she’d been ecstatic.

…I thought that mood would last at least a week.

What happened?

Charlotte started worrying too.

It was rare to see the princess so hesitant.

What could make the ever-confident princess reluctant to speak?

…Could she have discovered a secret society plotting to overthrow the empire?

Charlotte wanted to believe otherwise, but seeing her childhood friend so troubled made her expression turn grave.

“What’s wrong? I’ll listen if you want to talk.”

“…Really?”

“Yeah. What are friends for? My father may not be as powerful as yours, but he’s influential enough to help with most things.”

“…”

Though the ducal house and imperial family were publicly at odds, there were indirect ways to help through Charlotte.

What could possibly trouble the princess this much?

As Stella gulped nervously and looked at her, Charlotte tensed too.

What was she about to say?

“You, you’re so kind today too!”

“…What?”

“Truly my childhood friend! That good nature proves why I acknowledged you!”

“?”

“Th-then!”

Charlotte stared blankly at her childhood friend who disappeared like an arrow.

What just happened? She couldn’t comprehend the events at all.

It took Charlotte a long time to process the words that had come from her friend’s mouth.

…Did she eat something bad?