episode_0027

If it’s the youngest son of the Northern Duke, then I knew him well.

Apart from his noble abilities resembling those of the Duke, he was said to possess monstrous physical abilities.

At the age of 7, he went hunting with the Duke and single-handedly caught a wolf, which was quite a famous incident.

His name was Fran, if I remember correctly.

I knew almost everything about the nobles.

Having strong royal power means having access to all their information, which is why I knew almost everything about the Academy figures, their personalities, backgrounds, and so on.

To me, the Academy was a place where everything flowed predictably.

Except for this guy.

I glanced down at the little fool next to me, who was at least a head shorter than me.

His sky-blue hair, as if it were taken straight from the sky, was beautiful.

It was too much for such a fool.

Is he a little cute?

If you say he looks soft, it might be a bit strange.

Ria.

If you think of a noble surname, it’s Ria Linas.

He was a strange guy.

He dared to demand that I save the princess, knowing that she was in danger.

And he had no fear, no matter how much I tried to scare him.

His unique, flustered expression made his fist clench.

It was strange and fascinating.

So, I spent some time pretending to be friends with him.

I wanted to know more about Ria.

My curiosity was justified.

I had information about everything else.

But information about one person was too scarce.

How did he realize that the princess was in danger?

Why wasn’t he afraid of me?

Was he really not going to change his stupid expression and pajamas?

I had too many questions.

“Your Highness, would you like some candy?”

“…No, thanks.”

“Come on, just take one, there are plenty.”

Even though Ria clearly said I didn’t want it, she took out a candy from her pajama pocket and handed it to me.

As I sighed, I could tell the taste of the candy even before eating it.

It must be lemon-flavored.

Sure enough, as I put the candy in my mouth, the familiar freshness was felt.

“It’s my favorite flavor.”

With a silly smile, Ria said, looking down at me.

“Then you’ll eat it alone, why do you keep giving it to me every time we meet?”

She gives me one candy each time we meet.

It’s been almost a week already.

“Well, it’s more enjoyable to eat something delicious together, isn’t it?”

“The real reason?”

His flustered expression might seem like a good disguise, but if he tells a lie, it’s immediately obvious.

Avoiding eye contact awkwardly like this is one of the typical examples.

As I stared at her intently, Ria chuckled foolishly and honestly.

“To earn points with Your Highness?”

“With just one candy?”

“Was it too obvious?”

“I guess so.”

To think that she was trying to win favor with a prince by offering just candy.

It should have annoyed me, but a thought that stirred my mind suppressed the irritation.

That thought was a disappointment, like ‘I knew it.’

I couldn’t even muster up irritation, just a helpless, wry smile.

Maybe because I didn’t think Ria was being sincere, that’s why I had such thoughts.

Living close to politics makes you doubt others’ words and become sensitive to others’ enmity.

But look at her.

Doesn’t she look stupid, as if she has no thoughts at all.

Perhaps it’s just a matter of giving out candy as a reward for thinking.

I haven’t completely ruled out the possibility of acting—

But why would there be a reason for me to pretend to be a fool in front of me?

“Is there a reason to give me a score?”

“Just, if I become friends with royalty, I won’t go hungry for meals…?”

“Isn’t that too honest?”

“It’s not a bad thing, is it?”

I was at a loss for words at the shameless remark.

Well, it’s not a bad thing.

It’s just that you should know that I have no intention of taking responsibility for the future.

“I have no intention of taking responsibility for your future.”

“…You really have no mercy in throwing away friends….”

What’s with that disappointed look?

“It’s natural, to take responsibility for someone because of a mere promise….”

It wasn’t an attitude that someone with power should have.

Especially if it was someone with the strongest power.

“Cold-blooded.”

What the heck?

“If you want me to take responsibility, bring enough ability.”

If there was enough ability, there was a willingness to take responsibility.

After all, even a person in power is human, so if there are two people with similar abilities, they can only choose the one with whom they have a relationship.

“I’m good at eating and sleeping….”

I don’t know how he understood my words, but I lightly pressed the head of the guy who shamelessly and cutely spat out pitiful words.

“You don’t need that kind of ability.”

If that’s an ability, it’s much better to raise a dog or a cat.

With a forceful pressure on the head, the guy who shook without resistance was ridiculed.

Honestly, it felt like fluffy hair, and I kind of liked it.

It was subtly addictive.

“…You’ll regret it if I don’t grow tall.”

I raised my head in resistance, spreading my arms wide.

“…Do you want to blame me for not growing tall?”

It was only a month, a short time, but it was enough time for children’s bodies to grow, and both Shasha and Seina showed some signs of growth.

But this guy seemed to be the only one who didn’t know that he was still the same as when they first met.

“…You’ll regret it.”

Ria repeated her words and turned her head subtly.

No way, did this guy really intend to use me as an excuse for his slow growth?

I was so dumbfounded that I stared blankly.

The guy made an effort to return his gaze to me and looked at me with a pouty expression.

“You’re saying mean things even though I gave you expensive candy….”

“I never asked for it, did I?”

With fluffy sky-blue hair and eyes like blue jewels.

Skin as fresh as freshly squeezed milk.

Unlike other nobles’ floral scents, there was a sweet scent that I couldn’t quite place,

And with slightly chubby cheeks that made me smile, to be honest, he was cute.

His stupid and foolish side was much more prominent, but his appearance was much better than most young ladies.

“Get rid of that ugly face.”

“…If you’re at that level, you’re actually quite cute.”

I knew, but I didn’t want to admit it to his shameless words.

Tsk— I scolded Ria while biting my tongue.

“More importantly, I helped you this time, but be careful with your words in the future.”

“…What did I do….”

“Do you realize that you’ve been spreading strange rumors?”

That the prince at the academy is keeping a commoner as a pet, or using them as a footstool.

Strange rumors were circulating.

And probably Fran had heard those rumors.

Strange rumors were circulating about me.

That’s why he investigated the rumors and found the culprit.

Perhaps he came to confirm whether the guy causing trouble for me was not the one.

The Duke of the North, Jane Ga, was a nobleman from a loyal royalist family for generations.

If I had deemed him a real troublemaker,

he might have faced some consequences on my behalf.

Would he even know?

That if I hadn’t helped, he could have ended up as a cold corpse disguised as an accident.

Continuing like this, even if I were to turn a blind eye, one day he might suddenly drop dead, so a firm warning must be given.

In response to my warning, he timidly spoke, pointing his finger.

“…Those of higher status are often plagued by malicious rumors.”

“…That may be true, but at least the one who started the rumor shouldn’t have anything to say.”

With a sharp snap, I gripped his forehead with force, causing him to scream as I held his head in my clenched fist.

“Aaah!”

I don’t usually prefer using violence, but with him, I could easily grip his forehead without hesitation.

Perhaps, this could be considered a strange talent.

I lightly chuckled at Lia’s tear-streaked face.

Then, after mumbling a few times, he seemed to realize his mistake and bowed his head deeply without any resistance.

…I think I may have been a bit too harsh, my heart softens.

“…Did I hit you too hard…?”

“…You didn’t hit me hard… but…”

But?

“…You hit me in a sensitive spot…”

Hmm, I don’t know how to react to that.

He’s not crying because the hit hurt, but because he got hit in the same spot again.

My sense of guilt faded away, replaced by a feeling of pity.

“Don’t do things that deserve a hit.”

“…Uuu…”

I reached out and gently stroked Lia’s head.

Her soft, fluffy hair felt nice.

Feeling good, I gave her another smack.

Lia screamed.