episode_0048

The woman who appeared to be a 10-year-old girl just a few seconds ago, but now has a mature appearance that makes her look like she is in her mid to late teens.

Looking at her, Katlena put aside her usual confident attitude as a princess and walked forward past Zeros with a nervous expression.

and..

“… Huh?”

“… .”

Politely towards the woman in front of you.

Katlena slightly lifts her skirt and bows her head.

Then she spoke to the woman in front of her in a polite, courteous voice, as was customary.

“It is truly an honor to meet you. The girl, Katlena Sophia Dragona, meets the Imperial Princess, Maev Rune Caesar Augustina.”

Imperial Princess.

Maeb Rune Caesar Augustina.

Princess Katlena is the only one, aside from her older sisters, to whom she has no choice but to bow her head.

At the same time, he is the leader of Noblesse, which is considered the strongest faction in the Academy.

Katlena bowed her head politely, looking embarrassed and wary at her sudden ‘visit’.

And, seeing Katlena’s reaction, Zeros put away the wooden sword he was holding and bowed his head to follow his master.

‘That person is Princess Maeb… I knew I would see her someday from the moment I came here, but I never thought it would be like this…’

Of course, Zeros already knew who she was.

Just a moment ago, he had noticed her identity as a girl, because he had information about her abilities and appearance.

‘The daughter of the Imperial Padishah (Emperor) and a villain who periodically clashed with Elios in the original work… Why is such a person approaching us, who have no connection to her?’

Even with his head down, Zeros is still very alert and watches the princess in front of him.

Meanwhile, Maev spoke to them with an even more interested expression as he watched the two people immediately recognizing him and taking a humble stance.

“Unexpectedly, I didn’t know there would be someone who would bow to me so quickly. Not only did he figure out my identity, he even recognized my face. As expected, they’re not ordinary guys like I’ve heard.”

“You are too kind, Princess. You were just a little lucky.”

“Hehehe..”

Catlena speaks to the princess with more courtesy than she would to her older sister.

At this, Princess Maeb laughed as if she found it amusing, and Katlena continued speaking cautiously to the princess.

“Your Highness. There must be a reason why the Princess appeared in front of the girl like this. Could you tell me what that reason is?”

“Yes, that’s right. There is a reason. There is a very important reason. In that sense, it’s a bit awkward to do it here, so I’d like to have the conversation in a place with as few distractions as possible?”

“If you wish, I will do so.”

Katlena showed her intention to obey the princess’s words obediently, and Princess Maeb smiled and led the way, while Katlena and Zeros quietly followed behind her.

However, contrary to appearances, at this moment, Katlena’s mind was truly complicated due to this unexpected situation that had suddenly occurred.

‘What on earth is going on? I noticed it from the moment you stood on the street and cried… But I never thought the princess would come to see me like this.’

I had met Katlena in person several times in my previous life, and I knew her face.

However, this was only a brief exchange since she was appointed as the successor to the Duke’s throne and was trying to expand her network with the royal family. Within the academy, they had barely even met each other in person due to the age and grade differences between them.

‘But the reason I know this person is because… I heard that this woman and her older sister were always at odds. Even after she graduated from the academy and became an adult, the two’s conflict never ended…’

It wasn’t just because of the growing conflict between the two nations, the Empire and the Duchy of Dragona.

The biggest reason is,

Although Maeb was superior in command due to her status as a princess, Maeb was never able to defeat Elios in almost all other aspects.

It wasn’t that she was incompetent.

It’s just that Elios, the person she considered her rival and who would continue to be her competitor in the future, was so outstanding.

She was also a person who lived her life at the academy while being called a genius, without being ashamed of the name of princess, and the power of the faction she led was also so strong that it could not be ignored.

He holds the position of Student Council President, the highest authority in the organization, and has never once fallen short of being the top student in his class. He is also an overwhelming presence with his own fighting prowess that comes from his transcendent magical skills.

Her strength brought humiliation to Maeb throughout their time at the Academy, and Maeb naturally found herself in a position where she could not help but feel endless hostility towards Elios.

‘The fact that Princess Maeb approached me, no matter what the reason, must have been related to Sister Elios… It certainly doesn’t seem like a very good story.’

Katlena, Elios’ younger sister, is now a member of the student council, following in her sisters’ footsteps.

That is, from Maev’s perspective, Katlena was a competitor’s younger sister and a subordinate, so Katlena thought that there would be no reason for her to meet him for positive reasons.

So, we arrived at the place guided by Maeb, with anxiety and caution.

It was a VIP room located in the deepest part of a fancy-looking cafe.

A place where communication with the outside world is virtually blocked off, and where high-ranking officials are prepared to have private conversations without being disturbed.

There Maev sat down and looked at the two people and said.

“There’s no need to be so nervous. I have no intention of doing anything to you. Just sit comfortably.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Ah.. Okay.”

The two people sit quietly in their seats after hearing Maev’s words.

Then the princess spoke to the young princess in front of her with a serious smile.

“I’ve heard quite a few stories about you. Like the incident that happened a while ago. And the story about your servant there. The one who helped a young boy who couldn’t read and write get into the academy.”

“Um..well..I didn’t really do anything about that part. It was all possible thanks to this kid’s intelligence.”

To be honest, she had not expected that something she had thoughtlessly pushed forward without considering the consequences would come out of the princess’s mouth like this, so Katlena felt quite embarrassed, and at the same time, she began to have deeper and deeper doubts about the other person’s motive for saying such a thing.

And, looking at such a Catlena, the princess took a sip of tea and spoke in a calm voice.

“There’s no need to be so humble. From any perspective, it’s definitely amazing that a 10-year-old girl has accomplished that. It’s a virtue to be humble, but if it’s too much, it can actually be unsightly.”

“..Yes, Your Majesty.”

Although he was speaking in a light tone, Katlena automatically frowned as she felt a strange sense of pressure within it.

It wasn’t just because I felt bad, it was for the same reason.

Bringing up a story like this meant that this princess was trying to say something that could show off her authority.

And, Katlena’s prediction turned out to be correct.

That’s right..

“Even though I look like this, I am actually a very greedy person. I am especially greedy about people. In that sense, as the princess and the leader of Noblesse, I would like to give you one piece of advice.”

“What is it, Princess?”

Katlena asks with a hint of anxiety.

Looking at her like that, the princess spoke in a voice that felt heavy.

“Would you like to come to our Noblesse?”

“… ”

It was a suggestion that I had thought might come true, but I still had a feeling it wouldn’t happen.

At this, Katlena suppressed her emotions and spoke to her.

“..That’s a bit too much for a joke. Haven’t you heard the news? I already joined the student council at the recommendation of Sister Elios. Even if it was the Princess’s recommendation, do you really think I could betray my sister and do something like that?”

“… Hehehe.. As expected..”

The princess shows a serious smile at Katlena’s words.

Then she looked at Katlena with a helpless expression and said:

With eyes that feel cold and chilly…

“I knew you’d say that. Well… I guess it’s normal to say that when you don’t know anything yet.”

“..What does it mean?”

Katlena asks with a stiff expression on her face, as if the words contained bones.

Looking at her like that, the princess remained quiet.

He spoke to Katlena with a smile that seemed to contain life.

“I’m telling you that there is a truth in this world that you don’t know. A cruel truth that shows you the path you really should take. Once you know that, you’ll understand why I’m giving you this advice. That’s… !”

“!”

The next moment, Princess Maeb suddenly stops talking.

Then, the princess’s gaze began to move away from Katlena, who she had been looking at just a moment ago.

At that moment, the being her gaze was fixed on was none other than the princess, who was thrusting a wooden sword into the nape of her neck.

It was the boy who had been by Katlena’s side the whole time.