episode_0048

Seeing Amelia talking with our people in front of the reception room, my breath hitched.

‘No, why is she here—’

I fumbled like a criminal, hastily hiding behind a pillar in the hallway.

Hoo—Hoo—

Quietly catching my breath so she wouldn’t hear me, I suddenly thought.

Don’t I have to hide?

Her hair is a different color, her clothes and jewelry are slightly different, and her overall atmosphere is definitely different…

That thought vanished the moment I saw my reflection in the window.

The most important thing is the same; what difference does the rest make?

“What do I do, Yuri?!”

I had no choice but to summon Yuraemong.

Actually, I had a lot of worries about disguise from the moment I created a fake identity.

Others said that hiding my black hair would make them completely unable to recognize me, but I thought differently.

Since it’s a face I see every day, such a small change didn’t make any difference at all.

So once, I complained to Yuri.

“No, isn’t there anything that can change my face a little? At least put on heavy makeup… Honestly, does it make sense that people wouldn’t recognize me just because my hair color changed?”

Then Yuri brought ten fellow maids, and I had to apologize to all of them without being able to distinguish a single one properly.

I just let it go at the time.

In reality, no one at the academy recognized me as the princess by looking at my face.

But there were cases like Headmaster Natalya, who did recognize me, and being cautious couldn’t hurt, right?

Especially today, hearing that someone was coming from the Tower, while I looked forward to reuniting with Lulu, I was a little worried that someone might know Narias Philbrogue.

“Nice to meet you, Amelia Freid.”

“I’m Sharon, the head maid. You’re the one from the Tower, right?”

“Yes, I’ve brought important documents for analysis—”

But why is she here…?

Isn’t she doing her job as the academy department head?

I peeked my head out to confirm that Amelia had entered the reception room, then quickly retracted it.

“Well… is there any measure I can take, even a little…?”

“You’re too worried, Your Highness. Everyone else says there’s no problem.”

“It’s me, it’s me…!!”

It’s Amelia, not another student or instructor…

The person who spent the second most time with me at the academy among those who don’t know my identity.

Besides, someone of her caliber would easily see through simple dyeing magic, so I needed to make a plan.

“U-u-um, quickly—”

“Why- why are you doing this, really…”

“Yuraemooong—!”

Mol-kang- mol-kang-

Standing in the hallway, clinging to Yuri’s collar, unwelcome eyes were cast upon us.

Our relationship is already known to those who need to know.

Since we were engaging in even more affectionate cuddling, Yuri blushed first and surrendered.

“Okay, then try this at least…”

. . .

“It was a delightful time, Your Highness. Please visit again anytime!”

“Thank you, Chef.”

Three things I must enjoy when I return to the castle:

A sumptuous feast made with the kingdom’s specialty products.

The princess’s exclusive high-class spa.

And love in the bedroom, accompanied by the best night view.

I’ve cleared the first one, so I should move on to the spa. I thought it would be better to go after I’ve worked up a sweat, so I changed direction.

“Hu—hung~ Hu—huh-hung~”

“You seem to be in a good mood. There’s not much difference…”

I was humming a tune and skipping along with a light step.

It’s all thanks to the black veil on my head.

“No! I think nobody will recognize me with this. It’s not another color, but black, so my face isn’t easily visible, right?”

“That’s true.”

“And when I wear something like this, for some reason, I feel like a high-ranking person, so no one will stare at my face, right?”

It’s a double effect.

It doesn’t just increase defense, it also increases evasion, you know?

It’s a kind of invincible state where an attack won’t hit, and even if it does, I won’t die.

That’s why my mood is even better.

“Anyway, let’s go quickly~”

The place we headed to was none other than the swordsmanship training ground.

“Wow, Your Highness!!”

“Long time no see!”

Their unchanging nature is their strong point, no matter when I come back. I had the same smile as a year ago.

“How have you all been?”

Instead of an answer, they showed lively expressions and exuded confidence as always. After warming up, I had a brief sparring match with some of them.

But… the members of the Second Knights were still skilled.

Kaang—!

“Kuek…”

“What, you can’t even withstand this? You’ve gotten rusty…”

“Your Highness has become too strong—!”

That’s what they say.

I don’t have an easy way to confirm this, so I can only pretend to believe, but I still felt good. I will have a chance to gauge my skills soon, and simply moving my body and sweating felt refreshing.

“Good job.”

“Yeah! Now let’s really go wash up.”

Hutt— hung~

On my way to my private spa, I’m humming a tune.

Why didn’t I realize in my past life how good exercise feels?

Of course, now there’s the added benefit that physical training translates into stat upgrades, but even without that, just looking at the health aspect alone, it’s all benefits.

I can really feel my quality of life improving. If I could tell my past self, I could talk for an hour straight about the advantages of exercise.

Energy flows through my body, my head is clear…

“Oh, Student Yurias. I meet you here? That attire…”

“Hello, Headmaster. I worked here before joining the academy.”

“Ah… It suits you well.”

And what’s more?

When my head is clear, it feels like positive energy envelops me. I can say that my thought processes are more positive.

“But… who is that…?”

“Ah, you don’t know. That’s the Fifth Princess I serve.”

“Ah— ah… I, I’m sorry!”

For example, I can ignore whatever happens in front of me and continue thinking. Even if I unexpectedly encounter Headmaster Amelia.

…….

Honestly, I was freaking out. I had no choice but to maintain composure, stand straight, and face her.

“I am the Fifth Princess, Narita Floraine Nifrantz. Nice to meet you.”

“Ah, ah-! Ye- yes…! A- A-Amelia Fried- Fried! At Nifrantz Academy, I—I’m the head of the magic department…!!”

Amelia was completely tense, her usual confident demeanor nowhere to be found.

She stammered, her trembling limbs were clearly visible. She hastily adjusted her clothes, looking neat and shyly lowering her gaze.

…Huh.

I found this unfamiliar Aria strangely cute. So my hand reached out first.

“Wow, really? That’s amazing… Surely Yuri was also in the magic department of the academy, right?”

“Ye- yes!”

When I grabbed her hand and leaned in, she clearly looked flustered. I could feel the tremor in her fingertips, and she was about to sweat.

“She is someone I really like… Yuri. Please take care of her, Headmaster?”

“Ye- yes- he- he- yesss…! Your High- Highness! I will definitely take responsibility—”

“But don’t give her special treatment. It might make other students jealous, you know?”

“Aaah—”

I intentionally made two ambiguous requests. Since it was the princess holding her hand and making the request, Aria seemed unable to refuse either one.

Her head was overloaded to the point where her eyes were spinning and smoke was coming from her forehead. It was simply shown through her expression. Her pupils rolled left and right, as if she didn’t know which way to follow.

So I made my final move.

“Ah, that’s right! Since we’re destined to meet, shall we take a bath together? I was just about to go to my private spa with Yuri.”

“E- eeh—? No, I- I…”

I pulled her hand closer to my chest.

Mulkung-

“Don’t be like that~”

“A- aah- a-uh…”

Aria’s face turned completely red, and she looked dazed.

The cute side of the prickly and proud Headmaster… I can’t take it…?

『[Character Story: Amelia] progress increased.』

In the end, Aria exploded with a *pung* sound, covering her flushed cheeks and running away.

“So- sorry!”

Cu-te

I shouted that we should have tea next time and waved to her retreating back.

“…Is it fun?”

“Yeah, totally.”

“That will all come back to haunt you…”

Do I care? Enjoy today’s pleasure—Narita (Kingdom Calendar 501~).

I headed to the spa with Yuri, my body pleasantly heated.

I didn’t know then.

That it would really come back to haunt me…

. . .

“…Geck.”

“That’s what you say when you look at someone’s face, Lia…?”

“Don’t call me Lia, you damn bitch—!”

The day I returned to the academy. I visited the Headmaster’s office with a temporary leave of absence application, intending to focus on my adventurer activities for a while.

Lia’s expression wasn’t good at all.

“Haah… I was lost in thought, and you ruined it.”

“Something good must have happened, huh?”

“…It has nothing to do with you.”

She abruptly stood up from her chair and approached me. No, not me, but Yuri behind me.

“Um, um… Yuri? Last time…”

“It’s okay. Your Highness doesn’t get angry about such things. She even said she found the Headmaster cute.”

“Re- really…? Hu-hu-huh…”

Her cheeks were pinched, and she tapped her feet, just like a girl in love. The fact that a grown-up woman is doing that added a contrasting charm to her appearance; she was more – ahem – cute.

But the problem is…

“Don’t look for me for a while, Narias. I have a lot to think about…”

“No, you just have to take this picture—”

“Do I care? Go away, shoo shoo.”

She’s gotten carried away with Princess Narita. Eve is waiting outside right now, but this girl has already shut her doors and gone to another world.

“Hehe, Your Highness…♡ You were so beautiful. I want to see you again right away…”

Oh dear… what am I going to do…?