episode_0101

Breaking free from what she thought was an eternal cage, she took clumsy steps towards a new story. The autumn wind fluttered, carrying hopes within it. Leaves shattered into pieces. As the disarrayed season colored the streets, the hooves of a running horse left their tracks on the autumn leaves.

We were crossing a long, winding road.

The carriage rolled smoothly. Was it because it was luxurious? There wasn’t even a trace of noise from the rolling wheels. It simply glided forward smoothly.

“……” I watched the scenery passing by outside the window. Colors that added a touch of peace. It was a scene where red and yellow naturally blended together. But regardless of the tranquil atmosphere outside, only an awkward silence lingered inside the carriage.

I quietly surveyed my surroundings. “Hmm.” All the children were quiet. Rose, averting her gaze. The Young Princess, seemingly watching for reactions. And even the maid, sweating profusely between the two princesses. The air was heavy.

‘Should I say it’s difficult?’ I chewed on the low murmur. An invisible wall existed between the children. Realizing this made me feel stifled. I sat there, idly tapping my knee.

‘Well.’ Perhaps it was due to the long hiatus in their relationship. A strong sense of awkwardness permeated the air. They had grown accustomed to barbs rather than conversations, so perhaps they found this quietness unfamiliar. The reflections they saw in each other after nearly five years were utterly strange. Especially in Elize’s case. Normally, she would have spouted sarcastic remarks she didn’t mean, just to push her older sister away, but seeing her quietly sitting there, her mood seemed strange. It was a sense of disconnect stemming from an unfamiliar peace. Though she tried to maintain an indifferent expression, her wavering green eyes betrayed her agitation.

I silently watched the confrontation.

“……Um.” Suddenly, the silence broke. The first to speak was none other than Charlotte. The girl still seemed to hesitate, yet her eyes didn’t miss her sickly younger sister’s appearance. She began briefly.

“Are you feeling a bit better? Are you recovering well…?” It was, as always, a question born of concern for her sister. She was timid, as if watching for reactions. The usual unpredictable, quirky girl had vanished, leaving only the Young Princess who cared deeply for Rose. It also meant her affection was exceptionally special.

“Once we arrive at the academy, attention will be on you. If you feel burdened, tell me. I can handle it.” “……” Her will to be helpful. Her voice sank. She held her breath, expecting a cold response. However, contrary to her ice-cold resolve, the answer she heard was not sharp at all.

It was a single word from Rose. “I get it… just stop it, Unnie.” Her tone was still annoyed, but it wasn’t laced with thorns like before. Normally, she would have started swearing. That alone was a noticeable change, but what truly surprised the other two was something else. It was the honorific the girl attached to the end of her sentence.

“Un…nie…?” Charlotte mumbled the word blankly. A full five years. It was an honorific she hadn’t heard since Rose had become twisted. She had always been called ‘you’, so a lingering regret remained in a corner of her heart, like a scar. Perhaps she had missed her sister. Because they had once shared kind memories with each other.

“Ah.” Plink. A single tear fell. Was it joy? I couldn’t tell. I simply watched the scene unfold, a faint smile on my lips. The girl seemed to gradually soak in the hope she had dreamed of.

“Your… Your Highness… Don’t, don’t cry.” Tanya wiped her cheek with a handkerchief. Yet, she herself couldn’t hide her tearful voice. Having witnessed their pain up close, the girl had every right to shed tears at that single honorific.

The carriage was instantly filled with moisture.

I observed each of their different reactions. From Rose, startled as if she hadn’t expected this: “W-wait… why is everyone crying so much?” To the maid, finally bursting into tears: “Wahhh…! Your Highness has changed!” And even the Young Princess, silently wiping her eyes.

As I felt the cozy atmosphere, suddenly, my gaze met a pair of blue eyes. I smiled lightly. Charlotte was looking my way with a complicated expression. Her lips seemed to hesitate for a moment, then she uttered a barely audible word. “……Thank you.”

I replied calmly. “It’s nothing.” A natural retort. The girl smiled faintly. Mixed with gratitude. It was a handful of freshness.

***

After arriving at the academy. We immediately sought out the homeroom professor of Class A for Rose’s transfer procedures. A woman, exhausted by fatigue, greeted us.

“Master-nim.” Long, flowing purple hair. Dull red eyes. Even a bottle of alcohol she seemed to have no intention of letting go of. She was, as always, full of gaps.

Upon discovering me, she let out a deep sigh and pushed aside the documents she was processing. It was as if she swallowed words she couldn’t utter along with the alcohol.

“Phew… You’ve really brought a big problem this time, Yuda Student.” Clear dark circles under her eyes. Traces of an all-nighter. With the sudden news of the Second Princess’s transfer, as the professor in charge of that class, she must have been hit with a bomb of paperwork. As the one who dropped the bombshell, I felt apologetic.

“I am deeply sorry.” “I wasn’t intending to reprimand you. It just seemed to be beyond the scope of what I could cover, so I said it out of a bit of old-lady fussiness.” Of course, Selena didn’t show it. Instead, as if it were nothing, she simply offered a few words of concern my way.

“Yuda Student is truly difficult to understand.” “You say that… yet you haven’t asked a single question this time either.” “Because that was the contract in the first place.” “I’m just sorry to always be receiving help.” “You don’t need to worry about it. As for the transfer procedures, I’ve finished them. I’ll get you the relevant documents, so you may return now.” “Thank you.”

I received a lot of help this time too. Even with the title of Head Teaching Assistant, it was rare for a professor to offer this much convenience. Even though she seemed bothered by everything, she was still someone who took good care of others.

I offered a brief thanks to Master-nim, then walked out towards where the children were waiting. Until then.

“……” A strange gaze followed me from behind.

***

Even though it had been decided only four days prior, news of the transfer had spread throughout the academy. The Second Princess had engaged in no external activities until now. Perhaps it was because she was a veiled figure. It was only natural that attention would be drawn to the news of her appearance.

Thanks to this, we had to walk around with subtle gazes following us.

“……I don’t like it.” On the way to the assigned dormitory. Suddenly, Rose, who was in the wheelchair, voiced her displeasure. It was because of the eyes that followed them every time they passed. It was already her first time experiencing the outside world in ten years, and with so much attention from all directions, she seemed to be getting dizzy.

Sensing the suddenly sharp atmosphere, I tried to soothe her.

“Please try to overlook it.” “I feel suffocated… I want to rest in a quiet place quickly.” “As you wish.”

Elize would also know. The attention pouring in now wasn’t necessarily born of bad intentions. The students were merely curious about the unprecedented news, and simply interested in a fellow student with whom they would share academy life. There wasn’t any rude behavior either. The children didn’t even dare to approach, let alone make eye contact. It was due to the chilling atmosphere she exuded.

‘Is it because of her gloomy impression?’ Adding to that. She was glaring with eyes wide open as if annoyed, so it was only natural for the children who saw her for the first time to be intimidated. After all, if they made a bad impression, there was no telling what might happen.

“We’ll be at the dormitory soon.” I gently pushed the wheelchair. As we were crossing the distance, suddenly voices reached my ears.

“Young… Young Master-nim…?” “You!” Familiar calls. Where I turned, a girl with pink hair and a girl with blue hair stood side by side. It was the protagonist and the villainess, who had now become best friends.

I greeted them, realizing it had been a while.

“It’s been a long time for both of you.” “You’re back…!” “Where have you been, and why are you only here now?” Regia, showing a bright smile. Emilia, slightly furrowing her brow. Both were expressing their welcome in their own ways. It seemed they had heard the news of my return, as they were waiting at the path leading to the dormitory.

I spoke softly. “I didn’t expect you to come all the way out to greet me. For me, I’m just happy for your consideration.” “We were waiting!” “Can you not drag me into this? I merely indulged the commoner’s fussing.” “But, Y-young Lady-nim, you were the one who first brought up the greeting…” “Don’t add unnecessary words!” “Hmph… I’m, I’m sorry.”

After a brief moment of sharing the joy of reunion. The girls soon turned their attention elsewhere. To the wheelchair I was pushing. More precisely, to Rose, who was sitting in it.

“Then, this person must be…” The end of the sentence trailed off vaguely. It seemed both of them had roughly caught wind of the news, knowing that the person before them was a princess. The girls bowed politely and greeted her.

“We greet the Second Star of the Empire.” “We, we greet… the S-second Star of the Empire.” An awkward current flowed. Elize replied. “Alright, stand up. This kind of thing is burdensome, so please don’t do it.”

The Princess reluctantly accepted the greeting. As I watched from a step behind, amused, Emilia, who had risen to her feet, then asked me a question. It was a whisper, barely audible.

“What exactly happened all this time…?” “Hmm?” “Don’t pretend you don’t know.” The girl was asking about Rose. In a way, it was a natural question. The Second Princess had never appeared until now. They must have heard the sudden news that she had declared her intention to transfer, and that I was unexpectedly with her. It was only natural for them to be curious.

What had happened. Why I was pushing the Princess’s wheelchair. What kind of connection existed between the two of us.

I wore a sly smile, and slowly parted my lips. “Hehe… You’re asking about the relationship between Your Highness and me, aren’t you?” I had a little prank in mind. If I implied a close relationship with the Princess here, wouldn’t I get a rather interesting reaction? Just as I was gleefully preparing to stir up some trouble.

“As for Your Highness and me…!” “I’ll tell them.” “Eh.” Elize, who had been listening quietly, cut in.

“Your Highness…?” “Be quiet.” The unexpected intervention of the party involved. The girl stepped forward, taking over my words.

“He said it.” Rose took my hand, which was resting on the wheelchair. Then she pulled it towards herself. The guided hand settled on the girl’s stomach. The contact, which felt somewhat explicit, allowed me to feel her warm body temperature through the thin fabric.

The eyes of the two watching girls widened.

“That he would make me happy.” A single phrase, laden with ample room for misunderstanding. At the sudden bombshell, I couldn’t help but react blankly. “Ex…cuse me?” No. How could you say that like that?