episode_0014

The strange girl in pajamas, smiling brightly, kept lingering in my mind.

At first, honestly, it felt scary.

I was sitting on a chair in the quiet garden, admiring the flowers.

Suddenly, she appeared from somewhere, panting heavily as she approached me closely.

I thought she was a pervert…

But I didn’t have the courage to firmly push her away.

She was much smaller than me but approached so boldly that my mind went blank.

If the prince hadn’t shown up, what would have happened?

She didn’t seem like a bad kid, but…

“…I don’t know.”

I really didn’t know.

Why did she come up to me?

I don’t understand the reason.

She didn’t demand anything from me, just stroked my head…

“…It felt nice being petted.”

Although she claimed to be a commoner, she daringly reached out and petted my head.

It was a rude gesture, but it felt good, so I stayed quiet.

Moreover…

“…She said I was pretty.”

It was the first time I heard those words.

I’ve heard plenty of unpleasant, hateful, disgusting words due to my appearance, so “pretty” felt truly new.

My heart fluttered.

“…Friend?”

She seemed like a friend with the prince.

Before leaving with the prince, she offered her hand to me, suggesting we become friends.

I held her hand.

Enchanted by the word “friend.”

I never completely gave up hope of making a friend, despite abandoning it long ago due to my innate differences; a neglected expectation gathered dust in a corner of my heart, pushing its way forward.

“…Could it happen?”

I wanted a friend.

But could it happen?

Would someone want to be friends with someone like me?

I don’t know.

But I thought it would be nice if we could be friends.

***

“The world is barbaric.”

“Suddenly?”

Despite Deron looking at me as if bewildered, he didn’t stop clicking his tongue.

Or was there something wrong with what I said?

“Calling someone a demon because of their hair or eye color, how childish.”

There are people who, out of ignorance, might mock others with pure malice.

But who would dare ridicule Lady Seina, the noble heiress of the viscount?

So, inevitably, my gaze had to rise.

Those who could openly spit such vile words at Lady Seina, the viscount’s heiress.

Thinking of them, I furrowed my brow, and Deron, staring at me, sighed deeply.

“…Near the border, superstitions hold strong power.”

“Why is that?”

“With constant invasions, life becomes unstable, so people want something to believe in.”

No matter how much you blame unavoidable invasions, nothing changes.

Hating and rejecting savages and monsters does not alter anything.

That’s why superstitions hold power.

Even if you hate an uncontrollable force, there’s nothing you can do about it.

If they can create a reason they can believe in.

By pouring hatred into it, they can unite the citizens.

Listening to such explanations, I began to guess what kind of superstition was circulating around the Pras family.

Perhaps they used red as a symbol of superstition.

However, it still didn’t make sense to me.

To make red a symbol of hatred when your daughter possesses red.

As if reading my thoughts, the prince briefly clicked his tongue.

“…In Seina’s case, it’s a bit unfortunate.”

“Do you know what’s going on?”

“A little.”

He said “a little,” but I felt like his “little” wasn’t the same as mine.

Well, considering he memorized all the academy maps in just two days, this guy was exceptional.

“That’s why the arrogant ones…”

“That’s harsh.”

“Be satisfied with pets that talk, please.”

“…Could it be that you’re upset about that?”

“…How much is it?”

“…You’re upset.”

Yeah, I’m upset.

What is an animal to a person, not even a friend?

“…I would have been fine with being considered just an acquaintance if you didn’t want to call me a friend.”

Since I can’t even receive basic human treatment, I feel a bit melancholic.

If you’re not going to treat me like a person at least, it would be better if you viewed me negatively, but it’s not like that.

Not wanting to pursue this conversation further, I changed the subject.

“By the way, Seina, you’re from a prestigious family, right? It wouldn’t hurt to have a little confidence.”

What good is the color red as a symbol of disgust?

When it came to Prussia, she was one of the few nobles in the kingdom.

Usually, when children come from influential families, they tend to be arrogant due to borrowing that influence.

Seina was so gentle that she didn’t fit the role of a villainess.

“You can’t change a person in an instant, can you?”

“…That’s true, right?”

Well, even if it’s short, life has been like that.

It would be strange if I suddenly became confident just because I wished for it.

It’s just pitiful.

“…It would be fortunate if being so kind-hearted doesn’t lead to being taken advantage of.”

“I never thought I’d see a commoner worrying about a noble.”

“Before being a noble or a commoner, she’s just a child, isn’t she?”

I had no interest in watching a child get hurt or sad up close.

At least, I hope she doesn’t get sad where my eyes can reach.

“…At least, in front of me, I hope you won’t get hurt or sad, or anything like that.”

“That means…”

“Yes, if you’re going to cry, go somewhere my eyes can’t reach.”

Go out and cry. Go out.

If I could save everyone and be some great hero, well…

It wouldn’t be bad.

But I knew my limits well enough not to dare say such things.

Just don’t make me worry needlessly if you’re going to cry, do it out of my sight, without me knowing.

“…Huh.”

Was my response unexpected?

Deron looked at me as if puzzled, and his gaze felt uncomfortable, so I turned away.

“…Alright, alright then.”

What’s with that tone, almost like telling me to take care of myself.

As I stared at Deron, he pressed down on my head with his hand.

If I really don’t grow taller, I’ll curse Deron for the rest of my life.

I mean it.

“But, what are you going to do now?”

“…What do you mean?”

“The entrance ceremony is over today, and starting tomorrow, we’ll be getting into the actual classes.”

“Is that so?”

Deron continued speaking as he seemed to be expecting to add something after repeating the story I already knew.

“While the first-year classes at the academy are general, club activities will come after those classes. What are you going to do about that?”

Ah, there’s that too.

It really is just like a regular school.

Come to think of it, there were mentions of club activities in the novel.

However, at some point, the details of club activities were omitted,

and the importance faded away, so I momentarily forgot about it.

“…Hmm, it’s not mandatory, right?”

“It’s not mandatory, but if you achieve something meaningful through club activities, it can also reflect in your grades.”

“…That’s practically mandatory!”

“It’s not mandatory, and not participating won’t bring any disadvantages.”

He’s just like a carbon copy of Jo Sam-mo.

“…Since you’ve already enrolled in the academy, having good grades is important, but…”

Whether you came willingly or were forcibly drugged and kidnapped to enroll,

since you’re already here at the academy,

it’s obviously good to have good grades.

In other words, club activities are essential.

“…C-Can’t we start a club?”

If we can establish a club that can be somewhat cheeky, why not?

Desperately grabbing Deron’s sleeve and looking up at him, he avoided my gaze and answered my question quietly.

“…If you have any records in that field, and if two nobles who can vouch for your club activities without falsehoods sign along with three other club signs, then it’s done.”

“…That’s impossible!”

“Exactly, that’s why I’m asking. Which club are you going to choose?”

“Isn’t this too sudden…?”

“Probably by tomorrow, seniors will gather and recommend you to join their clubs. When that happens, don’t get flustered and end up in a strange place. Start thinking carefully from now on.”

Well, that makes sense.

When the seniors rush to find first-year students tomorrow.

It means not getting swept away by the sudden atmosphere and ending up in a weird place.

“Which club are you going to join, Your Highness?”

“The Swordsmanship Club.”

Yeah. Not surprising at all.

“…I thought about following you, Your Highness, but physical activities are a bit, well, challenging for me.”

“Oh, I’m not sure if this helps, but Shasha is joining the Reading Club.”

Shasha is joining the Reading Club?

It suits her, but even that was ambiguous.

“…Reading books just puts me to sleep.”

“…Sigh.”

I shivered slightly at Deron’s obvious sigh.

Yeah, I know it looks pathetic.

But what can you do when reality is like that?

“Think about it until tomorrow because sometimes there are really wicked places, so be careful.”

“…Yes, I’ll think about it. Thank you for bringing me here today.”

Deron casually escorted me to the dormitory,

and with a bashful smile at Deron’s actions, I waved my hand in greeting as we entered the dormitory.

From tomorrow, it’s the real start of academy life.