The Gloomy and Timid Princess Heads to the Academy – Chapter 64

Chapter 64: A Precious Vote

As I sipped on the strawberry milk, watching his face only made him seem more insufferable.

I’d have preferred if he groveled miserably for forgiveness, but instead, he simultaneously adopted the attitude of a condemned prisoner awaiting execution and a criminal already pardoned.

His expression was clear: I know I did wrong, but you’re going to forgive me anyway, right?

When I told him to leave, I was half-serious, but who actually listens and leaves when told to do so?

…Fine, I appreciated him bringing me strawberry milk at the right moment, but that was one thing, and this was another.

I was still debating whether to scold him or praise him. If I thought about what he did yesterday, he deserved to be punished a hundred times over, but the strawberry milk was stopping me.

Still, seeing Han Dogeon’s faintly smiling face made me want to punish him all over again.

This cycle kept repeating. It was far from ideal.

“…So. You understand what you did wrong, right?”

I was still sucking on the strawberry milk, but I figured my emotions were clearly conveyed.

His smile dimmed a little. However, regaining his composure quickly, he smoothly answered my question.

“Despite Her Highness’s concern, I acted in a way that seemed to disregard my life. I do admit it was an extreme prank.”

Oh? A prank, you say?

While I thought the sky was falling because I genuinely believed he was going to die, Dogeon apparently thought it was just a prank.

…I couldn’t just let that slide.

I set the strawberry milk down with a clatter and glared at him.

“You call that a prank?”

“…I admit I went too far. I’ll reflect on my actions.”

Hmph. Pretending to reflect now only makes it worse. The only moment he could have genuinely apologized was right after pulling that stunt with divine power.

And even then, he should’ve panicked and said sorry instead of wearing that lukewarm smile.

How could someone who saw firsthand how shocked I was behave like that in the moment?

Laughing? I almost broke down crying, thinking he might actually die. Of course, I didn’t, and that’s why we’re both sitting here now.

“…Fine. You seem to be reflecting a little. So…”

I picked up the strawberry milk and took another sip. The rising heat in me started to subside again.

Since things ended well enough and he even brought me exactly what I wanted as an apology, was there any need to keep berating him?

He was a dear friend, after all. Dogeon also acted quickly to prove he wasn’t affected by divine power.

Thinking about it, Dogeon had plenty of redeeming qualities.

Compared to protagonists in other stories who run away claiming they did nothing wrong, he practically looked like a saint.

Fine. Let’s end it here. Last time, I used my foot, so this time…

“Come here.”

“Yes.”

Still kneeling in front of me, Dogeon shuffled closer, and I firmly pressed my hand on his head.

“Ow, ow…”

The fact that he didn’t make a sound when I stomped on him but now complained under my hand might’ve made me push harder without realizing it.

“…Sigh. I’m begging you. Please don’t pull stunts like that again, okay?”

When I released my iron claw hold, Dogeon rubbed his forehead and responded sincerely to my request.

“I’ll say it again: I’ll keep it in mind. I won’t pull any pranks that’ll scare you like that in the future. Really.”

The way he phrased it, it felt like he was saying he’d still pull pranks, just not the scary kind. I couldn’t tell if I was being paranoid or if Dogeon was really the type to make that distinction.

I didn’t know. I’d better just finish my strawberry milk.

“Is it good?”

“…Yeah.”

…Could it be? Did Dogeon bring this on purpose, knowing I’d react this way? What a sly guy.

Still, it was delicious, so I’d let it slide. The creamy milk combined with luxurious whipped cream flavor and soft strawberry essence was truly delightful.

No joke, it was like tasting happiness the moment it touched my tongue.

But it wasn’t perfect food—it was expensive. After a month at Amaurus Academy, I knew it wasn’t something I could afford to drink whenever I wanted.

Did he really buy this expensive drink just for me? He didn’t seem to have much to spare, so it was touching.

…No, wait. In novels, protagonists’ pockets are like treasure chests owned by heroic kings—endlessly replenished.

A guy who buys his own clothes at department stores with his own money must have cash popping up from nowhere.

Might as well take advantage while I can.

“So… Is apologizing the only reason you came today?”

Wasn’t there something fun, like suggesting a place to hang out? Did he really just come here to apologize?

…Not that I minded hanging out with him. It was fun enough just being together. But people are greedy creatures who always want ‘a little more.’

“Well… for now, yeah. But, Hoyeon, did you vote?”

Vote?

…What, do they elect kings here? Or principals? This being an utterly chaotic academy setting, I wouldn’t be surprised if they did.

Wait. Was there even a vote happening?

Listening to Dogeon, I racked my brain trying to figure out what he was talking about, but nothing came to mind.

When I shook my head at him once or twice, he spoke in a reassuring tone.

“You might not know about it. Want to go vote then? It’s to decide the destination for the school trip, and it’d be nice to end up somewhere you like.”

Oh, right. Come to think of it, there was something like that.

But… wouldn’t something like that usually already be decided? Considering how long it would take to gather student opinions and choose a destination, it seemed inefficient.

Besides, it wouldn’t make a difference whether someone like me voted or not.

“…But, do we really need to vote? In the end, the higher-ups will decide anyway.”

“Do you really think so?”

Dogeon asked, as if he didn’t agree with my opinion.

To be honest, if I hadn’t grown up on the Eastern Continent, I might’ve thought the same as him. But after personally witnessing the gods, things like voting or democracy just seemed too tedious.

“If you entrust all decisions to the most competent person, isn’t that enough? It just… feels like a cumbersome process.”

“But no one like that exists. And even if there were, there’s no guarantee their decisions would satisfy everyone. That’s why voting is the best method everyone can at least accept… that’s how I see it.”

Hmm. As expected, the most reasonable-sounding answer was democracy.

“I see… Fine. Let’s go vote.”

It wasn’t something I could change anyway, and as a student right now, I decided to just go along with it.

Dogeon didn’t seem to have any intention of lecturing me further on the importance of voting. 

He dusted off his pants, got up, and headed towards the student council building, where the voting booths were set up.

“Since you didn’t even know there was a vote, I guess you haven’t thought of a destination yet. So… where would you like to go?”

On the way, Dogeon asked where I’d want to travel.

I had no idea. Traveling wasn’t something I’d ever thought about. I’d lived keeping my distance from the word “travel.”

Coming to see Dogeon had been an exception. He’s the protagonist of this world, so I came to see him. It wasn’t because of the academy.

“…I don’t know.”

“Don’t know? Not even some island or the Great Forest of the Elves?”

“Nope.”

The sights around the academy were more than enough for me. There’s a department store and even a zoo—why bother traveling?

“Maybe you’ll know when you get there. For now, the Great Forest of the Elves and an island in the east are the strongest candidates. There are others, but they’re not as popular.”

“I see.”

An island or a forest didn’t particularly interest me. The thought that my one vote wouldn’t make a difference kept circling in my mind.

Still, Dogeon seemed determined to see me cast a vote, so… if I had to pick, the forest seemed better.

Apparently, the trees in that clearing are descendants of the World Tree itself. That thing I keep fiddling with in my pocket must be a fruit—or something similar—of the World Tree.

Though my mother said it was fine, I might’ve stolen something far too significant.

“Is something bothering you?”

“Huh…? No, nothing.”

Dogeon’s question came at a pretty bad time, but I managed to smooth it over.

I wasn’t sure, but the Great Forest might have the original World Tree. If so, how much easier would it be to breathe there? The thought alone was exciting.

When we arrived at the student council building, we found a surprisingly well-prepared voting station set up in one corner.

They’d even made example images and pamphlets to highlight the advantages of each location. But since my mind was already made up, I didn’t bother looking at them.

I stamped my vote on the ballot, dropped it into the box, and walked out with light steps. 

Dogeon followed shortly after, appearing from the other side.

“What did you pick?”

Honestly, I couldn’t resist asking what he voted for.

Dogeon didn’t seem intent on keeping it a secret and answered readily.

“The Great Forest of the Elves. And you?”

“I chose the same. What an astonishing coincidence.”

As we chatted idly on the way back to the dorms, someone stepped in our path.

Looking up, I saw that it was Stefania.