episode_0087

Well, I didn’t have a specific purpose, and the deeper I went, the more unpleasant it felt, so in order to return to the clearing where I felt the least, I went straight to the place where the healing grass was clustered and returned to the clearing with the healing grass. did.

“… … You came earlier than expected.”

“I was lucky.”

I handed the healing herb in my hand to Priscilla, and she began to carefully examine the healing herb she had been given.

The result was, of course, passing. Priscilla, who had received the healing herb, probably didn’t know that she would achieve her goal so quickly, and a faint expression of confusion appeared on her expressionless face.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

It wasn’t something I needed to pay attention to, so I placed a handkerchief on a fairly high tree root, sat on it, and spent the time in a daze. This is because I achieved my goal in just 10 minutes after class started, so I had nothing to do.

Of course, by helping other noble students, I built friendships and exchanges, laying the foundation for later activities in the political world――If you think about it that way, my job wasn’t over, it was just beginning.

To be honest. Why worry about the politics of a kingdom that is going to fall anyway? It’s a meaningless task, no different from building a building on a sand dune that won’t be surprised if it collapses at any time.

While thinking about that and absentmindedly looking at the students who came to the podium holding poisonous plants and left after being rejected, Hermel, who was sitting next to me, pouted his mouth and muttered.

“… … It’s boring.”

I was quite bored, but I had no desire to wander around, so I quietly closed my eyes and answered.

“It’s been less than 5 minutes since I sat down. Hermel.”

“But it’s boring.”

“If you’re that bored, why don’t you take a nap?”

“There’s nowhere to lie down. The tree roots are so narrow that it looks like they will fall if you lie down, and the dirt floor? Sounds like it makes sense… … .”

“I haven’t said anything yet.”

“No, I just feel like you’ve been treating me like a sleeping bear lately. Even though I can’t stand boredom and sleep often. First of all, I’m royalty? There is no way you can sleep in a mountain like this, not even in a classroom, or even outdoors.”

For some reason, it sounded like he would lie down on the dirt and sleep if he weren’t royal, but he didn’t say it out loud.

“I apologize if you felt that way. You looked very tired, so I tried to give you a pillow for your knees.”

Hermel, who was startled and trembled at those words, looked at my legs and jumped up from his seat.

“Well, I’ll take a short walk!”

“Yes. Come back.”

After looking at Hermel’s back as he ran away, I slowly got up from my seat and approached the platform where Priscilla was standing.

Priscilla had her eyes closed, wondering what she was doing. Rather than dozing off, it seemed like she was watching something with her eyes closed.

For the safety of the students, he must be sharing his senses with his familiar to look around the entire mountain. Even though it doesn’t seem like it, he’s really kind.

When such a kind person goes to the extent of killing someone, I realize once again how scary jealousy is and how fleeting love is.

“Professor.”

“Yes, what’s going on?”

Still, Priscilla’s ears were open as she answered with her eyes closed.

“It’s not a very important story. I just wanted to talk a little bit with the professor. Is it okay?”

“… … .”

Priscilla, who had kept her mouth shut, slowly opened her eyes and looked at me.

“What is the story?”

“Do you like coffee?”

“… … Yes?”

Priscilla blinked and answered as if she didn’t know I would ask this question. I chuckled and looked up at Priscilla.

“I remember the last time I saw you at a cafe. That’s why I asked.”

“It’s not a question related to class.”

“You didn’t say to only ask questions related to class, right?”

When I spoke with a small smile, Priscilla looked at me carefully and closed her eyes again.

Oh my, have I been hated? When I tilted my head, Priscilla, who had kept her mouth shut, quietly muttered.

“… … I don’t hate it.”

She said that and kept her mouth shut. Looking at Priscilla, who gave off an air of not answering any more, I smiled slightly and returned to where I was sitting earlier.

It was a very short question and answer that could hardly be called a conversation, but considering that the last time I saw her before returning, instead of talking to me, she only sent me a murderous intent and jealousy that took my breath away.

Being able to answer the seemingly useless question of whether you like coffee is truly a huge change.

“It was nice of you to say at the cafe that you looked like your father… … .”

To others, it may have sounded like he was simply provoking the other person, but to her, it must have sounded like this.

‘I am the daughter of the man you loved. Not the daughter of someone I hated.’

Of course, this is just my guess. Unless you use a curse to look into her head, this guess will always remain a guess.

However, the fact that the woman who tried to kill me in any episode responded like that means that at least my guess was not wrong.

okay. So let’s be satisfied with this for now. There’s still plenty of time to talk to her.

* * *

After that, I spent 30 minutes in a daze.

As the number of students coming to Recovery Center one by one increased, I heard a familiar voice calling my name.

“Charlotte.”

“Huh?”

When I turned my head, what I saw was none other than Seria.

Seria, whose face was somewhat worried, gestured as if asking me to come here for a moment.

As my butt was also starting to feel numb, I immediately got up from my seat and headed to Seria.

“Why did you call me? Is it because you can’t find the healing herb?”

“Ugh, it’s not like that. I called you for something else. This is an important story, so can you follow me for a moment?”

Stop worrying for a moment. I nodded, and Ceria said thank you and walked into the forest.

Seria stopped walking when we reached a fairly deserted place, and I leaned my back against the tree right behind me.

“So, what did you come to this deserted place to talk about?”

“That… … . There’s nothing else, just something I’d like to discuss… … .”

“Top?”

Seria nodded at what I said.

“You know, I said I would take the crown prince route.”

“Yes. I remember.”

“But no matter what I do, I can’t get closer to the crown prince… … . What am I doing wrong?”

Ceria made a glum face as she said that, and I thought about what answer I should give to her.

It is natural to say that there will be some opportunity in the future, but it is not possible. Because it’s like giving a useless hint.

After thinking for a moment, I looked at Seria and said.

“What do you think is the biggest problem?”

“Couldn’t it be that there is no point of contact? … ?”

I nodded at Ceria’s words.

“Of course, the biggest problem is that there is no contact with the crown prince. Cogs have to be meshed in order for things to turn. By the way, Seria. I think you’re forgetting one thing.”

I turned my back from the tree, looked straight at Ceria who was looking at me, and crossed my arms.

“I’ve said it again and again, this is not a game.”

“I know that well.”

“You say that, but it seems like you have no idea. People who know this isn’t a game, why are they so impatient?”

Ceria, who flinched and trembled, avoided my gaze.

“Seriya. This is reality. This isn’t a game where if you press the skip button, hours and days will pass until the next choice appears. Just because you’re so impatient doesn’t change anything.”

“… … .”

“It’s only been a month since I joined the academy. When was the first turning point with the crown prince? As far as I know, it’s the spring festival in April. Is that right?”

Ceria nodded.

“It’s still mid-February. It’s only been a month and a half since the academy started. There are still two months left until the first turning point, the Spring Festival in April. No matter how impatient you are now, there is nothing you can do.”

“… … I know. There’s nothing we can do about it.”

Seria shook her head and continued speaking while massaging her eyebrows.

“So much had happened in that month and a half that I guess I was too impatient without realizing it. From the duel with her senior to Sera leaving the academy… … .”

Seria had an uncertain look on her face as she told her story.

It wasn’t the memory itself that had been modified, but rather a weak perception manipulation that would be resolved as soon as a contradiction was found in one’s perception. I was afraid that the perception manipulation I had applied to Ceria might be broken, so I took the initiative to speak out.

“Of course, it was quite a lot to happen in a month and a half. I think it’s inevitable to be impatient. But I think you shouldn’t become more impatient the more you do that.”

“Ah, ah. huh. I guess so… … . ha… … . Sorry. He suddenly called me out and said something like this, making me lose energy… … .”

“It’s okay. That can happen as people live.”

Seria smiled bitterly in an unusual way.

Seria looked at me for a moment and said, Ah. He came towards me, letting out a short sigh.

“Charlotte, perhaps. I’m just asking just in case–”

“If you are asking me to establish contact with the Crown Prince, I am sorry, but I will refuse.”

I chuckled as I saw Seria blinking as if she was surprised by the firm rejection.

“The crown prince hates me. As much as I hate the Crown Prince. So, if I introduce you, instead of creating a connection, you’ll just grow further apart?”

“Ah… … . I see.”

Perhaps because she thought it was a sensitive topic, Seria did not ask any more questions.

“Then there’s nothing we can do.”

Should I go back? I nodded to Seria’s words and tried to return to the clearing.

“Oh, right. What are your recovery herbs?”

“Huh?”

ah. A short sigh replaced Ceria’s answer.

Oh my, I’m in big trouble.