Episode 83
“In other words, when hostile forces attack us—”
Wednesday morning.
“Fundamentals of Political Science,” the first period class dreaded by students from all years.
Elonia, usually one of the few survivors of first-period classes, couldn’t focus.
Despite Professor Theodore’s sharp glares, her gaze was fixed on the back of Olivia’s head.
‘Olivia seems down…’
It had started after her visit to Simon.
Elonia had waited for Olivia to return so she could clear up the misunderstanding.
But Olivia had returned to Elonia’s room looking dejected, a stark contrast to her usual spirited self.
“Olivia? What happened? Your face…”
“It’s nothing.”
“It’s clearly something. You look terrible.”
“It’s really nothing. …Sorry, I have to go.”
Olivia had returned to her own room and hadn’t spoken to Elonia since.
Elonia, worried, had been losing sleep.
‘Is it because of Simon? But Simon would never say anything to hurt Olivia. …Ah.’
Lucius.
It had to be him. He must have said something to Olivia.
‘He probably told her to stay away from me.’
He had warned Elonia on her first day not to associate with the Heilan hostages.
Of course, he hadn’t been unreasonable.
In fact, his way of thinking was the norm.
Elonia had only been able to befriend Olivia because the people around her were kind and lenient towards her.
‘Right, it’s strange for the princess of Ravanta and the Heilan royalty to be friends. They’re just not saying anything, but they’re probably uncomfortable with our friendship.’
But she didn’t want to end her newly formed bond with Olivia.
Was it selfish of her, the former War Demon, to think like this? Elonia, troubled, was lost in her thoughts when Professor Theodore, his face etched with displeasure, ended the class.
“…That concludes today’s lecture. Class dismissed.”
“Thank you, Professor.”
The students, startled awake, quickly gathered their belongings and left the classroom.
Elonia, also gathering her things, looked up, habitually searching for Olivia, but,
“Sorry, Olivia. Did you wait long—”
Olivia was already gone.
Normally, Olivia would linger, pretending to wait for Elonia to finish packing.
And then, as if she hadn’t been waiting, she would greet Elonia and leave.
But not today.
‘…Well, it’s to be expected.’
Elonia’s shoulders slumped, but she tried to act nonchalant as she walked through the crowd.
She usually disliked the way the hallway fell silent whenever she walked past, but today, she didn’t care.
Elonia, her mind elsewhere, headed towards Garden Fleur.
The Asta brothers, as expected, were already waiting for her at their usual gazebo.
“El! You’re late!”
“Good work, Your Highness.”
Seeing their cheerful faces made Elonia’s eyes sting.
And of course, they noticed her change in mood.
They rushed towards her.
Alberich knelt down, meeting her gaze.
“Your Highness, what’s wrong?”
“El, did someone bully you again?”
‘Do they really think I’m that helpless…?’
Elonia was taken aback, then reminded herself that she was their much younger sister.
And considering the Dianne incident, their concern was understandable.
She forced a smile and shook her head.
“No, I’m just tired from Professor Theodore’s class.”
“That’s not it. You enjoy his classes.”
“I’m hungry. What’s on the menu today?”
“…Roast chicken and creamy bacon sandwiches.”
Alberich, his eyes still filled with suspicion, replied.
Elonia was a terrible actress, but she was surprisingly good at acting natural when she wanted to hide something.
“Really? Sounds delicious.”
“I already ordered.”
“Thanks.”
Their food arrived as soon as she sat down.
Elonia, however, couldn’t bring herself to eat. Llewellyn, frustrated, ran a hand through his hair.
“El, you’re hiding something again, aren’t you? Someone’s bullying you, right? Who is it this time? Another Magic Department student?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Everyone’s scared of me. Who would dare bully me?”
“Then why aren’t you eating? Something’s definitely wrong.”
Elonia wondered if they genuinely thought she was being bullied, but considering her history of causing them worry, it was a valid concern.
She tried to change the subject, poking at the food on her plate.
“It’s really nothing. More importantly—”
“Your Highness.”
Alberich, unlike the agitated Llewellyn, calmly addressed her.
His warm golden eyes were fixed on her.
Alberich rarely showed his emotions, but anyone could tell he was worried about her.
He reminded her of Lady Asta, who had always been so kind and caring.
‘He really does resemble Lady Asta.’
He was like a younger version of Lady Asta, whom Elonia had never met.
That was why she always felt a pang of guilt whenever Alberich looked at her with such concern.
Elonia, unable to bear his worried gaze, set down her fork and asked,
“…Do you really disapprove of my friendship with Olivia?”
“Olivia Heilan?”
“Yes.”
Elonia nodded.
The Asta brothers had been happy when she first told them she had made a friend.
But they had been less enthusiastic when she told them she had befriended Olivia, who had risked her own reputation to help Elonia.
And their disapproval was still evident.
Llewellyn grumbled,
“I’ve told you countless times, I don’t want you associating with Heilan people.”
“…Is that so?”
Elonia simply nodded, his response not unexpected.
He wasn’t just being loud and unreasonable. He was genuinely concerned for her. Arguing with him would only make things worse.
Elonia picked up her fork, trying to eat, but she had lost her appetite.
Alberich, seeing her pushing the food around on her plate, asked,
“Do you want to be friends with Princess Olivia?”
Elonia blinked, surprised by his question, then replied slowly,
“I already consider her my friend. And I think she feels the same. But…”
She trailed off.
Olivia didn’t dislike her. That much was certain.
She had once been Olivia’s most beloved and most hated person, so she could tell.
If Olivia was avoiding her, it was probably out of concern for Elonia’s safety and reputation.
Olivia was stubborn, but she was also considerate. She would readily back down if she thought her actions might harm someone she cared about.
‘…But she wouldn’t want me to approach her again.’
So maybe it was best to avoid any further contact with Heilan, as everyone wanted.
Just as she was about to give up on their friendship, Alberich asked,
“Your Highness, you know that this academy is also known as a miniature society, right?”
“Of course I do. I’ve learned my lesson.”
“But there are also advantages to this miniature society.”
“…?”
Elonia, intrigued, looked up at him and froze.
Alberich was smiling, a rare sight.
“This isn’t the real social world yet. Which means you have more opportunities to make true friends here than in the real world.”
“…”
“I have nothing against the hostages, but I would object if you, the princess, became close to a Heilan citizen. Heilan committed unforgivable crimes, and even if Princess Olivia wasn’t involved in the war, there’s no telling how your friendship might be exploited.”
“…What are you trying to say?”
“Don’t you think it would be a shame to lose a true friend because of societal pressure?”
“Brother.”
Llewellyn, instead of supporting his brother, tried to stop him, but Alberich continued,
“The academy is a place for learning and growth. So it doesn’t matter if you make the right or wrong choices. It’s the only place where you can make mistakes without serious consequences. That’s what Mother told me once.”
“…Wrong choices? Lady Asta said that?”
“Yes. And personally, I don’t believe there are any truly wrong choices. The more choices you make, the richer your life becomes. I hope you experience a variety of choices and their consequences, Your Highness. If you only make the right choices, you’ll become a boring adult.”
“Alberich…”
Elonia’s eyes stung.
He always seemed to know exactly what she needed to hear.
It might be childish, but she was happy that he believed in her.
“You’re truly my loyal subject.”
“It’s an honor.”
Elonia’s usual nonchalance couldn’t hide her emotions, and Alberich, a rare smile on his face, beamed at her.
Llewellyn, of course, was jealous.
“Ugh, Brother, what am I supposed to be, then? You’re always hogging the spotlight.”
“Then learn to be more eloquent.”
“Damn it!”
Llewellyn and Alberich started bickering again.
Elonia didn’t bother stopping them.
It was only natural for a loyal subject and a sly fox to argue.
Instead, she expressed her gratitude to both of them.
“Llewellyn, thank you for your concern as well.”
Llewellyn, easily swayed by her words, puffed out his chest.
“See? I’m the only one who cares about El, right?”
“No, there are many people who care about me at the palace.”
“B-but I’m the only one at the academy, right?”
“Well, Olivia distanced herself because she was worried about me… So not really. And there’s Garnethia.”
“Ugh! I hate Heilan people!”
“Garnethia is from Ravanta.”
She wondered what Llewellyn’s reaction would be if he knew that Ricardo, whom he admired so much, was actually from Heilan.
Elonia, her mood considerably lighter, finally started eating.
She would express her gratitude to her brothers later. It was too embarrassing to admit how much she appreciated their presence in her life.
Food always tasted better when you were in a good mood.
Late afternoon, the sky painted in hues of orange and red,
Elonia, having finished her classes, decided to talk to Olivia. She wandered around the Academic Department building, looking for her.
But even after the building was empty, Olivia was nowhere to be found.
‘Maybe she’s not in this building?’
There were several Academic Department buildings.
Perhaps she was looking in the wrong place.
And it was almost dinner time.
Just as she was about to give up,
“…Please.”
She heard voices coming from behind one of the buildings.
Hoping it was Olivia, Elonia cautiously approached the source of the sound, and then she heard a desperate plea.
“I said stop it!”