episode_0037

＂Where did I seduce the kids？”

“No one else thinks that way!”

DeRon looked at me with a red, painful cheek wrapped in both hands, feeling the pain from being pulled and dragged.

This is really too much.

What did I do to make them react like this?

“Even if I’m rotten, I’m not trash enough to seduce kids, right?”

“…No one said that!”

Even if I were to deliberately seduce someone, they wouldn’t be these kids.

I’m already 30 years old, including reality.

How could I seduce 10-year-old kids and use them for anything!

A 20-year age difference is beyond ridiculous.

“…Wait, what do you mean by ‘kids’ don’t get seduced?”

“…Well, what about adults?”

If you’re an adult and there’s a woman you like, wouldn’t you consider pursuing her – that kind of thing. I didn’t expect them to hit on that point so suddenly, so I awkwardly responded.

“…What about adults?!”

DeRon and even Astel looked surprised, making me feel like I had answered something wrong.

I didn’t feel the need to correct it.

“Well, I didn’t know I’d be labeled as a strange woman…”

“…Even if you’re not seducing other kids, walking around in pajamas, confessing your love to the professor on the first day of class would be seen as strange by anyone.”

“…Looking back, confessing to the professor seems a bit too much, but what about the other part?”

“What? Pajamas? That’s the weirdest part?”

“The academy has a dress code.”

“Even though it’s a dress code, it’s still weird.”

To me, DeRon seemed even weirder.

To think that such comfortable clothing would be considered strange.

Of course, the bottom might be a bit short.

But it’s cool and easy to move around in.

“Prince, try wearing pajamas just once. It’s incredibly comfortable.”

“…I’d have to be crazy to do that.”

He seems to have a strong aversion to pajamas.

Maybe he’s the type who doesn’t bother changing into pajamas to sleep.

If that’s the case, it’s understandable that he doesn’t appreciate the charm of pajamas.

“Should I buy you a set?”

“Why would you buy me pajamas?”

“If you try them on once, your opinion might change.”

Knowing how comfortable pajamas are would surely lessen the strange looks people give me.

Since DeRon bought me a bed, I could at least give him a pair of pajamas.

To my suggestion, DeRon furrowed his brow and replied.

“I don’t mind the pajamas, but I don’t want to show off my pajamas to others.”

“But I’m already showing them to you, aren’t I?”

“That’s still weird!”

DeRon’s rare display of anger made me shrink back and hide behind Astel.

“Princess, the prince is angry.”

“The chief is upset.”

“…I really have no allies.”

I can’t tell if Astel likes me or dislikes me.

He seems to enjoy petting my head like this, but he won’t listen to me no matter what I say, which is quite annoying.

Nobles really can’t understand the struggles of commoners.

“It seems like I only have Shasha as a friend.”

“Do you think Shasha will take your side?”

I doubt it.

But then again, Seina would be different!

“…Seina will take my side!”

I confidently asserted with both hands raised, but DeRon looked at me with a contemptuous expression.

“Sure.”

…That’s right.

Seina has a strange personality that pretends to be timid but says everything that comes to mind.

I let out a sigh as I lowered my hands weakly and muttered to myself.

＂…Is it possible that I’ve made a mistake in choosing my friends？”

While I’ve made many friends since coming to the academy, something seemed off about their behavior.

“If we’re judging based on having friends who can’t lie, then I’ve made good choices.”

“Sometimes, white lies are necessary.”

But today, there were too many things I didn’t know.

I was helping out others, and there were many who didn’t seem to appreciate it…

Honestly, it was shocking.

Just because I lent someone a pen, shared my food with a picky eater, helped carry a heavy load, or applied medicine to a scraped knee, doesn’t mean I should be treated strangely now.

“I was just trying to help.”

I lent my pen, shared my food, helped carry a load, and applied medicine out of kindness.

To now use that as an excuse to treat me differently is disheartening.

“Even if the method is the problem…”

Just because they’re kids and I help them without hesitation, if that’s seen as a problem…

Feeling unjust, Deron approached me, and I buried my face in Astel’s back out of frustration.

“You’re not a bad person. You may be a bit strange, but you’re not bad, and I know that.”

“I like to think of myself as a good person.”

I may not be the kindest person at the academy, but I believe I fall within the top 10-20% when it comes to kindness.

“Even if saying that makes you feel better, it makes me lose the desire to comfort you.”

“I always speak the truth like my friends…”

“Alright, enough. Just be careful from now on.”

“Okay…”

Even though I was told to be careful, I’ve always been cautious.

I was just a commoner among mostly nobles here, and I knew that appearing resentful would only make my life harder.

Feeling unjust, I kept my mouth shut and walked alongside Deron.

It seemed like Shasha and Seina’s club activities weren’t over yet, and there weren’t many people on the streets.

“I’m feeling down, so buy me food.”

“Me…?”

“Don’t want to?”

Approaching Deron, I raised my head and stared at him with the saddest expression I could muster, indicating that I had no energy and someone had to buy me food.

Even forcing out a tear like a dry rag.

“…So, I’m telling you to be careful with this behavior.”

“Why?”

“…Never mind, what do you want to eat?”

In the end, he bought me food.

He may act tough on the outside, but he was secretly a soft-hearted guy.

“Anything is fine! I prefer meat over vegetables! Princess, is there anything you’d like to eat?”

“I’ll eat anything.”

“Alright then!”

I clung to Deron’s arm to make sure he couldn’t escape, and we headed to the restaurant I had been eyeing since last time.

Of course, we weren’t planning on splurging, just trying out the chicken restaurant I had seen before.

Shasha’s cooking was undoubtedly delicious, but I still wanted to try the chicken dishes at the restaurant.

As we walked with bright smiles, a fellow student approached us.

“Oh, hello, Prince, Princess… and Ria, where are you all heading so eagerly?”

At the sudden question from my classmate, I tilted my head and replied that it wouldn’t hurt to go eat with a smile on my face.

After saying that, my classmate, Deron, and Astel took turns looking at each other before the classmate casually smiled and took something out of their pocket to hand to me.

＂…Strawberry-flavored candy？”

“Don’t you like candy? You can have it.”

I don’t know why they’re giving this to me, but I should say something sharp here.

“…Thank you! Thanks! I’ll eat it well! Thank you always!”

“Okay, see you tomorrow then.”

“Yes! See you tomorrow!”

As their figure disappeared, I waved my hand with a smile on my face, and Deron looked down at me with a subtle expression.

“Why?”

“Well, you seem much more composed than when you deal with me.”

“Because you’re friends with the prince?”

“…Friends.”

“Friends don’t usually have formalities between them!”

Thinking they might want me to be more formal, I cautiously asked, and Deron just shook his head, saying, “It’s fine.”

“Seems like our current relationship is the best.”

“What do you mean?”

“Just, literally what I said.”

I shrugged.

As the female lead and male lead, not in a romantic relationship but as simple friends, a relationship with just the right amount of informality and closeness.

I simply said that because this was the most ideal relationship I wanted.

There was really no deeper meaning, so instead of continuing the conversation, I smiled bashfully.