Lies

“Well, Teacher Ophelia? Perfect, wasn’t I?”

Stella puffed out her chest triumphantly.

She had flawlessly completed the assignment given by her teacher.

Having coincidentally befriended that troublemaker, she’d also ended up befriending Leo who happened to be nearby.

No matter how she looked at it, her approach had been absolutely perfect.

“…Please don’t act like someone who has no friends.”

“Wh-what?!”

“Sigh, I did wonder if pairing two friendless people might be awkward… But I never imagined it’d be this bad.”

“That’s harsh! I made friends exactly as you instructed!”

She’d intentionally befriended two people in public so others would spread rumors, and even gifted Leo – who looked financially struggling – a premium coat once worn by an imperial princess that would fetch a high price.

If sold on the black market or secondhand, it would net a considerable sum.

For some reason, the masses seemed to covet items she’d used.

Since it was something she’d planned to discard anyway, gifting it to Leo had been an excellent improvisation to gain his favor. Yet here she was being told not to act friendless.

Stella couldn’t comprehend what she’d done wrong.

“This is exactly why friendless people…”

“I don’t understand why I’m hearing this, Teacher Ophelia. If you don’t give me proper reasons, I’ll get angry.”

“…Friendship happens naturally over time without needing to say ‘please be my friend’.”

“?!”

“This isn’t some arranged marriage meeting. Publicly asking someone to be your friend…”

Is… is that how it works? But how could she verify this truth? Though the teacher had no reason to lie about such things…

Stella suddenly realized she’d fallen into a trap.

Agreeing with the teacher meant admitting she only had one friend.

But she couldn’t deny it either.

Teacher Ophelia wasn’t the type to lie about such matters.

Clearly, normal friendships developed naturally without formal declarations.

Yet denying it would affirm that her limited friendships left her ignorant about such relationships.

Especially since she’d publicly asked people to be her friends.

…Checkmate!

“Well, fine. Though only half-successful, you did complete the assignment.”

“Th-then…!”

“Let me give you your next assignment.”

“?!”

“Why so surprised? You only half-succeeded. Her Highness needs to learn how to grow closer to others.”

She already knew this.

To survive, Stella needed to build influence, which required cultivating charisma to attract followers.

Stella didn’t consider herself someone who could embrace others.

Hence her efforts to build charisma by following Teacher Ophelia’s advice.

…Though hearing it called “homework” dampened her motivation somewhat.

What a dreadful name.

“…So? What’s the next assignment?”

But she couldn’t refuse even if she wanted to.

Suppressing the urge to sigh deeply, Stella inquired about the next task.

To build her faction, it would surely involve more networking.

“Making friends.”

“With whom?”

Just as expected.

When her prediction proved accurate, Stella suppressed a smile.

Having done it once, the second time would be easier.

“Watcher Anastasia.”

“…What?”

“Watcher-nim. You know who I mean?”

But at the name from Teacher Ophelia’s lips, Stella’s face twisted in dismay.

“…Teacher, isn’t the difficulty suddenly too high? That’s impossible.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Because relations between the Imperial Family and Church are terrible! You must know this!”

That decade had been stained with madness.

A Pope who’d seemingly gone senile, constantly provoking the Imperial Family.

An Emperor who’d responded with unusual aggression.

What began as minor friction between two leaders erupted into war, leaving deep scars in their subordinates’ hearts.

While leaders decide wars, it’s the common people who fight and die.

Though both sides eventually ceased hostilities realizing mutual destruction was inevitable, mutual hatred remained in people’s hearts.

In such circumstances, could an Imperial Princess and Church Watcher become friends?

Only madness could make that possible…

“Why? Shouldn’t this actually be ideal?”

“…What?”

“Think carefully. What is Princess Stella trying to achieve now?”

“What am I trying to achieve…”

Wasn’t she trying to survive by becoming Emperor?

She couldn’t have forgotten Teacher Ophelia’s advice.

As Stella looked at her with puzzled eyes, the teacher smiled slyly.

“To dethrone your brother, the current crown prince, and have Princess Stella become Emperor… What do you think about this?”

“What do I think? That’s…”

“Others might not care, but the Imperial Family would consider this treason.”

“…Ah.”

Now that she mentioned it.

Though she’d acted believing survival required this path, from her brother’s perspective this was undoubtedly treason.

While she couldn’t be formally charged since the succession wasn’t finalized, her brother essentially controlled the Imperial Family.

Fabricating charges would be child’s play.

“Th-then what should I do?”

“Do? Just commit treason.”

“…Huh?”

“That’s why I’m telling you to befriend the Watcher. Treason requires proper justification.”

With a gentle smile, Teacher Ophelia leaned close to Stella’s face and whispered.

“Depose the warmongering father and extend a hand of reconciliation… Doesn’t that make excellent justification?”

“…”

“Befriending the Watcher would earn more public support.”

…Doesn’t Teacher just want to watch the world burn?

Though she knew better, Stella couldn’t help the thought.

Wish she’d mind her phrasing.

Even knowing she wasn’t that type, Stella kept trembling.

“Your reasoning makes sense, Teacher. But there’s a problem.”

“…A problem?”

“While befriending the Watcher benefits me, what does she gain?”

Stella was willing to play the villain if it achieved her goals.

But would the Watcher do the same?

The Church was more conservative than the Imperial Family.

Why would the Watcher want to befriend her enemy…

“Why wouldn’t there be benefits?”

“Huh?”

“Ah, pardon me. Please forget I said that.”

As Teacher Ophelia suddenly clamped her mouth shut like she’d misspoken, Stella narrowed her eyes.

Now that she thought about it, the Watcher had visited several times during chess matches with the teacher.

She hadn’t paid attention then, but perhaps…

“Does she have reason to befriend me?”

“…Ah, this is confidential.”

“Don’t worry, Teacher. My lips are sealed. On the Imperial Family’s honor, I swear not to tell anyone.”

“Hmm… It’s truly secret? I’m only telling you because Princess Stella’s life depends on it.”

“Of course.”

“You understand that me telling you must also remain secret?”

What could warrant such hesitation?

A creeping unease welled up.

Like sticking her head into something forbidden.

Should she back out now while she could?

…No, impossible. Befriending the Watcher without knowing her motives might bring unknown dangers.

She had to discern the Watcher’s intentions at all costs.

“Alright. This is confidential…”

Gulp.

Hearing others’ secrets always brought tension.

Stella’s body stiffened unnaturally.

“Watcher-nim isn’t satisfied with the current Church either.”

“…What?”

An unbelievable shock struck Stella’s ears.

Well, sure. It’s possible to be dissatisfied.

No one can accept everything.

But bringing this up in such a context meant…

“Reb… rebellion?”

“Who knows? Does rebellion even exist in the Papal Court?”

Her thoughts began churning chaotically.

Since when? Why? For what reason? Was there justification?

“Everyone whispers about it, but the Pope started the war, right?”

“…Correct.”

“A righteous Watcher like her must dislike that… She wants to restore the Church to its former glory, but the Pope won’t listen. She must be hoping for someone’s help…”

In a suggestive whisper, Teacher Ophelia implied they could cooperate.

The Watcher could help Stella become Emperor. Stella could help the Watcher become Pope.

They could help each other depose their leaders.

“…Teacher Ophelia, when does the Watcher come?”

“Hard to say. While not regular, she definitely visits the counseling room often.”

“Good. I expect we’ll meet frequently from now on, Teacher Ophelia.”

“The honor is mine.”

“I need to organize my thoughts, so I’ll take my leave now. Thank you for the advice.”

Stella hastily bid farewell to Teacher Ophelia and exited the counseling room.

Thus, she missed the teacher’s soft whisper.

“Well, it’s all a lie. For now.”

Leaning back in her chair, Ophelia murmured.

“Now, what should I tell Anastasia…”