episode_0086

Even though the words fell somewhat abruptly, I felt exhilaration rather than surprise.

Because I was barely managing to hide the horribly twisted corner of my mouth.

I’d been wondering if they wouldn’t take the bait soon anyway.

Seeing them move exactly as intended, I couldn’t help but smile with delight.

I had to try hard to erase the ominous atmosphere.

Ahem.

A light cough.

As I put on my proper mask, Charlotte, who had suddenly been hesitating, added a few words.

It seemed she was observing me.

“I know. You must be wondering what I mean. But my words about needing help are sincere.”

It was a rather fresh reaction.

Because originally, she was a character who never revealed her emotions.

Charlotte was always a character who quietly flowed along, expressionless, never agitated, sad, or angry.

It was as if she resembled the tranquility of a calm lake.

-Huhu… it was a delightful play until now.

-There will be no more ridiculous acting. For I have already achieved my desired goal.

-From now on, I will realize His will.

The moment Yuda betrayed them in the latter half of the original work.

While the other children were aghast, only Charlotte stood with a calm expression.

Perhaps because of such a lifeless reaction.

Among players, there were even slanders treating Charlotte as a robot.

It was a meme classified as a signboard within the game.

[Category: Free Board]

[Title: I really don’t understand why people like Charlotte]

Do you feel affection for a machine?

I’m not usually a picky person,

But a robot fetishist is a bit much…

[Are they not even treating her as a person anymore haha]

-> They’re turning the kid into a machine.

-> But it’s understandable. Even a real robot would probably have more varied expressions than this girl.

-> Seriously, she’s always expressionless.

-> That’s what’s hot though.

-> Tag:emotionless

-> Oh.

[The fact is, even with all this slander, she’s a character who always ranks in the top 3 of popularity polls.]

-> Does everyone think the Princess-nim’s performance is a joke?

-> Doesn’t she fall behind in the late game? She’s ultimately a loser from a past era.

-> Take that back…!! Those words just now……!!!

[So if Charlotte holds a broom, is she a robot vacuum cleaner?]

-> Super fun, whoop-de-doo.

[A robot fetishist… you’re pitiful if you don’t know the beauty of Gundam.]

-> ?

-> ?

-> You really need to leave.

I remember it being a meme I used quite a lot.

Whenever I uploaded videos featuring Charlotte, I would always add slander in huge letters.

Since she was a popular character, she was good at attracting attention.

“Help… it’s a sensitive matter, but if you wish, I can explain.”

Anyway.

That blunt girl was now trembling, as if anxious.

Even by ordinary standards, this was calm, but by Charlotte’s standards, she was extremely agitated.

Her rarely wavering blue pupils proved it.

‘As expected.’

Perhaps it was because it was related to Rose.

Even her gaze seemed desperate.

I composed my ominous smile.

Adding a light smile, I interrupted the hesitating girl’s words.

“You don’t need to explain.”

They swallowed the bait whole.

My active performance against the thoughtform seemed to have worked perfectly.

Although I had spectacularly executed it with this situation in mind, I didn’t expect such a perfect reaction.

That must mean the situation is desperate.

“I already know without needing an explanation. The help Your Highness mentioned must surely be concerning Rose.”

“How could you…?”

“I have keen hearing.”

“……”

The girl looked up blankly, as if speechless.

I smiled with my eyes.

And then, I slowly brought my face closer.

Stopping beside her pristine white ear, I whispered in a faint voice.

“I will gladly offer my help. If that is your request.”

The chill voice wrapped around the girl’s neck.

At the tip of my cunning tongue, a mesmerizing allure, capable of swallowing the wavering opponent, melted.

A snake, tightening its grip on its prey’s breath.

“Your Highness only needs to trust me.”

My innocent little prince.

Before I knew it, I was in the stage of ensnaring her for gaslighting.

I wore a bitter smile.

“Mhm… thank you.”

Even then.

Charlotte merely nodded.

***

After the events at the cathedral concluded, we returned to our respective places.

The mission was successfully completed.

Because we had safely rescued the missing collaborator.

Medro was immediately transported to headquarters.

Once her consciousness returned and she recovered, they planned to question her in more detail about the events of this incident.

The deputy commander was set to submit a report on this process.

I made a separate appointment with the Princess.

Charlotte’s eyes sparkled at the mention of help, and she soon accepted the offer without any doubt.

I shook hands, hiding my dark intentions.

-I look forward to working with you.

A conclusion closer to a beginning than an end.

Leaving the intense dawn air behind, we walked back to the academy.

Perhaps because I had stayed up all night, my body felt heavy.

It was fortunate that it was the weekend, at least.

Because instead of attending lectures, I could rest in the dormitory.

And also to recover my depleted output.

I spent time holed up in my room.

As I quietly went about my day in the study, the fox standing beside me suddenly spoke.

Her voice sounded as if she had reached a decision after much hesitation.

“……Um.”

A gaze I had felt for a while now.

I put down the book I was reading and replied.

“What is it, Irene-yang?”

“I was wondering if you were okay.”

“Hm?”

“You said you used a lot of strength this time too.”

“Well… I didn’t use little. I had to save Medro-yang, who was tainted by demonic energy.”

“Aren’t you in pain… or something?”

Deeply submerged black pupils.

It seemed she was worried.

Because of the way I had appeared until now.

I had vomited blood in front of Irene before, and during the school trip, I had even fallen unconscious for three days, so in her eyes, I seemed endlessly precarious.

I lightly shrugged my shoulders to reassure her.

“On the contrary, I feel as light as if I could fly.”

“Really…?”

“Of course.”

“Then that’s a relief.”

The fox agreed quietly.

Feeling proud, I stroked her tail.

The girl seemed to quietly accept my touch, but soon parted her closed lips again.

Her gaze was fixed on my slightly pulled-back sleeve.

“There… that scar.”

“Ah.”

Disheveled sleeve.

Through it, the edge of a scar was visible.

I realized belatedly and tried to adjust my clothing, but Irene’s determined hand stopped me.

The fox gazed at me with an ambiguous expression.

“Irene-yang?”

“……”

I softly called the girl, but there was no reply.

She was only holding onto my sleeve.

What thoughts could she be lost in?

After a brief silence.

Irene broke the continuing quiet.

“You.”

“Yes?”

“……Have you ever thought about wearing something more comfortable?”

My neatly worn suit.

The girl pointed to my uncomfortable attire and asked.

The jet-black fabric covered my entire body without gaps, ensuring no bare skin was exposed.

It was to hide the scars.

“You’re always wearing uncomfortable clothes. Even if it’s unavoidable outside, I don’t think you need to do so in the dormitory.”

“……”

“After all, there’s only you and me here.”

I grasped the intention behind her words.

The reason I insisted on wearing a suit was to conceal my scars.

Because they were traces too hideous to expose.

Even enduring the discomfort every time, I had to maintain a neat appearance.

‘However.’

Irene now knew about the scars.

That’s why she was saying this.

Asking if it would be okay to be more comfortable, at least in the dormitory.

Since there were only the two of us in the room, and both knew about the scars, she was asking if it would be alright to expose them.

It seemed she had thought a lot about this and that since then, after nursing me.

“……Well.”

I opened my mouth, pausing thoughtfully.

I gave an awkward smile.

As if pondering how to respond.

After a period of silence, I then voiced my concerns.

“Comfortable clothes are good, of course, but I should first consider the person I live with.”

“What do you mean…?”

“Because Irene-yang might feel uncomfortable. As you’ve seen before, my body isn’t just ‘a little’ disfigured……”

“Absolutely not.”

As I continued speaking, almost like throwing out self-deprecating jokes, a clear single word suddenly cut me off.

Irene raised both hands and gripped my cheeks.

Then she turned my head so I would look at her.

“Irene-yang…?”

There, black eyes gazed at me.

Her gaze was transparent and blinking.

Her expression was subtly sulky.

The girl brought her face close just like that.

Their lukewarm breaths mingled, a distance where they could feel each other’s body heat.

Lips that seemed about to meet spoke.

“I absolutely don’t think that.”

A resolute voice.

She murmured as if there wasn’t a single speck of falsehood.

“Because I’ve decided to rely on you, I will accept you in any form.”

“……”

“It’s never unpleasant. Even the scars left on your body are a part of you, whom I’ve chosen to follow.”

The fox whispered calmly.

Eventually, she lowered her head and pressed her forehead against mine.

“So… it’s okay to be comfortable in front of me.”

“……”

Perhaps it was because of the unexpected reaction.

I remained still, frozen.

The warmth conveyed from our touching skin.

Amidst the subtly fragrant skin scent, I had to remain silent for a while.

Irene wouldn’t let go easily.

Eventually, I was only released after saying that I would occasionally try wearing different clothes.

The fox wagged her tail excitedly and nodded, as if delighted.