Chapter 100
The year I enrolled in the Academy. The hot summer had ended, and it was around the cool autumn season.
In the fountain square beside the tall tower standing at the center of Alk, the Royal Capital of the Kingdom of Russell, there was a young man wearing a hood pulled low over his face, his head bowed.
During this time, harvest festivals are held in various territories, attracting travelers and merchants from other countries for a temporary surge in visitors. The Royal Capital was bustling with many people, everyone seeming somewhat excited, yet this young man was different.
'Are you okay?'
A girl who had rushed to her favorite bakery on a holiday morning noticed the young man sitting on the edge of the fountain, not moving a muscle. Holding a paper bag filled with bread, she sat beside him and spoke to him.
'Are you feeling unwell by any chance? Or is there something troubling you?'
'......'
'Oh, if you're hungry, I have some bread. This bread is really delicious, you know.'
'......'
Beside the young man, who remained silent and kept his head down without responding, the girl continued to talk endlessly. This unusual scene drew the attention of passersby, and perhaps unable to bear it any longer, the young man lifted his face.
'Thank goodness. Your complexion doesn't look too bad.'
The young man, who had intended to glare and drive her away, found himself captivated by the girl smiling at him.
'You look so sad.'
'......!'
The young man instinctively swatted away the slender, white fingertips reaching toward his cheek, then pulled his hood down further to hide his face from the surprised girl.
He hadn't slept well for a long time, and naturally, the exhaustion from the long journey hadn't faded. His face under the hood must have looked terrible. Yet, the girl didn't mention his tiredness; instead, she said he looked sad.
'I... look sad?'
Muttering those words, the young man said nothing more as the girl gently placed her hand over his, which was tightly clenched on his knee.
Until the sun set, the girl sat beside him, silently staying close. Thanks to her, Dick Aalkvist, the Third Prince of the Kingdom of Srelan, felt as though he could finally breathe again after a long time.
This would become the first meeting between Dick, a capture target, and the heroine.
Though the exact date and time are unclear, it was a holiday morning during the week when uniforms were changed for the season, an event at the fountain square. That's why I go to the bakery every holiday and wait in the alley with a view of the fountain, but...
"He doesn't show up at all."
Holidays and the fountain square are definitely correct. I've been hiding in the alley and keeping watch from the time the bakery opens until the sun sets in the evening, yet there's no sign of a man who could be Dick.
"This can't be true... Could it be happening again?"
According to the game's story, Dick, having lost his younger brother, should appear in the Royal Capital and return to Sleiran before the full onset of winter. Yet, unable to meet Dick, the season is shifting from autumn to winter.
"Could that woman have done something again...?"
Celestia Rotisch, who interferes even when she's not in the Royal Capital.
She must have somehow gotten involved again and distorted the story.
How many times has this happened? I crush the paper bag filled with bread in my arms with all my strength and bite my lip.
Dick's younger brother, Silvio, the Fourth Prince of the Kingdom of Srelan, was found dead near the border between this country and Sleiran, as Dick mentioned in the game. The border means it's the frontier land where that troublesome Celestia is staying, and there, even Renato, the Second Prince of this country and another capture target, is present.
"Renato wasn't enough, and now even Dick...? Hah, don't mess with me!"
When the body of Dick's younger brother was found near the border, a dagger used in this country was stabbed into his chest. Due to political reasons, no investigation was conducted, and Dick, holding his brother's body, resolved to uncover the truth and left the country alone. But there's no way he could find out anything on his own. Exhausted, Dick meets the heroine in the Royal Capital. Meeting him on a holiday when both his heart and body are worn out, staying by his side and raising his affection would naturally lead to the devotion route.
"Wait, could it be a hidden character or something, where I have to do something specific to meet him?"
Even though the heroine is from the country that killed Dick's younger brother, he begins to be drawn to her kindness and warmth. Thinking of his brother, Dick decides to distance himself from the heroine, leaving behind the necklace he always wore at the fountain and disappearing without a farewell.
Returning to his homeland, Dick learns that his younger brother died at the hands of his half-siblings and, in a rage, eliminates them to claim the position of Crown Prince.
"He was an easy, convenient target to capture in just a few months...!"
Having solidified his status, Dick appears before the heroine after she graduates from the Academy and proposes to her.
The still of Dick smiling broadly as he watches the heroine, wearing the necklace left at the fountain, blushing furiously and stammering that they should start as lovers first, was very popular. That cutscene was even commercialized and sold explosively.
"Sigh..."
The cream bread Dick said he liked is crushed inside the paper bag. Letting out a sigh, I take it out and bite into it. Perhaps because I've been eating two portions of bread every week for three months, I feel like my cheeks have gotten chubbier, but since I'm the heroine, it's not a problem.
"Celestia is just a side character, but because the developers put so much effort into her, things get weird."
Not only does she have an unnecessarily beautiful character design, but there's even a dedicated ending still for Celestia in every route. That dedicated downfall ending for Celestia varies completely depending on which character the heroine captures, and all of them are tragic conclusions.
However, even if they're tragic, they aren't cruel. She's simply expelled from her family and sent to a convent. Since her life is spared and she doesn't lack food or shelter, I think she should fulfill her role as the villainess.
"I'll keep an eye on things for about another month..."
If I just sit back and let myself be hindered like this, I won't reach the happy ending I desire.
Licking the cream off my fingers, I leave the alley and head back to the Academy while mentally adjusting my plans for the future.
For now, the ones I can likely capture without interference are Ludweek, the First Prince of this country, and Floyd, who is set to become my stepbrother.
There's also the male etiquette instructor working at the Academy. He's set as a relative of the queen and, while not a capture target, is treated as a sub-hero with a special still prepared for him.
Additionally, Ludweek's aides are in the sub-category. As a result of continuously raising affection through Floyd, I've become close enough with them to have tea together and chat about trivial things.
"Floyd is still at odds with his family, so I can manipulate that however I want..."
Maintaining Floyd's affection and guiding him to develop an excessive obsession with Celestia instead of me is incredibly difficult, but since it's harassment toward that woman, it doesn't feel like a burden.
So, the one I should focus on capturing is Ludweek alone.
Even though I've won over his aides and naturally increased the chances to meet him, he doesn't look at me or even speak to me.
Dylan and Jake, who are aides to the Crown Prince and also his childhood friends, provide good support, so I think he's aware of me, but that's all.
He doesn't smile, doesn't blush even when seeing me, his first love, and I've never even seen a polite smile from him. His cold attitude is interesting because it'll be fun when it turns into affection, so I'll forgive him for now, but I've decided in my heart to make him apologize later.
"For now, if I can capture Ludweek by graduation, that's my win, right?"
After all, he's the next king.
Even if Renato or Dick are taken from me, as long as I have Ludweek, that's enough.
"I didn't want the hassle, but being the Crown Princess isn't bad either."
Passing through the Academy gates and walking slowly toward the dormitory, I spot three familiar figures coming out of the school building. Quickly tidying my appearance, I call out, "Everyone...!" and run toward them.
"Jake, Dylan...! Floyd, you're with them too!"
"Oh, it's Mirabel?"
"Were you out somewhere?"
Seeing Dylan and Jake, who look tired as if they've been busy even on a holiday, I ask, "Are you okay?" They lightly pat my head, smiling and nodding.
"Being outside at this hour? And alone? That's dangerous, isn't it?"
"I was resting at the fountain square after buying bread. Geez, Floyd, you're so overprotective."
Frowning at my nagging stepbrother, I grab Dylan and Jake's arms and start walking.
"Oh, right! How about we have a picnic in the Academy's garden this week? I'll prepare lunch."
"A picnic, huh? Sounds fun!"
"Dylan, do you think we have time for that?"
"I know you're busy. But everyone looks so pale, so you need to rest even just a little."
"Come on, Jake. Isn't it okay once in a while?"
"We'll need to adjust our schedules."
See, there's no one who can resist me, the heroine.
"What about you, Floyd? It's definitely more fun if everyone's together."
"Of course, I'll join. Jake, two days from now, His Highness might have some time."
"Then, two days from now? Wow, I'm so excited!"
"Let's do that."
"So, I guess our break is over..."
Yes, this is how a heroine should be.
Since I started spending time with them, the noble daughters who used to treat me like I was invisible have started showing hostility toward me.
The Academy in the Royal Capital claims that everyone is equal as students and comrades regardless of status, but nobles don't care about commoners and don't even try to interact with them. Despite this disparity, there's no typical bullying or violence through power abuse; instead, commoners are treated like invisible people. For commoners, that might seem convenient, yet for some reason, many complaints arise.
Some commoners even badmouth nobles, saying it's not the noble daughters or sons who are impressive, but their parents. It's quite amusing.
I've used that to my advantage, gaining the support of lower nobles and commoners.
A kind-hearted girl who treats everyone equally regardless of status, despite being a daughter backed by the Rotish family.
A girl who is close to the Crown Prince and his aides, the top of the Academy's hierarchy, treats lower nobles and commoners as if they were friends. This boosts their self-esteem and heals the small pride that was wounded.
In the six months since enrollment, I've gained the favor of half the Academy.
"I hope I can stay with everyone like this next year and beyond."
Next year, a daughter from a Marquis family will enroll in the Academy.
The daughter of the Marquis family, whom I've seen a few times at the Music Festival, is beautiful but has a harsh-looking face and a fierce personality, truly fitting the image of a villainess.
She's perfect to use as a substitute for the real villainess, and next year, I'll use that daughter to help me capture Ludweek.
"Finally, I can get started."
If Celestia distorts the story, I'll just set it back on track.
Let her struggle as much as she wants in the frontier. I'll definitely bring about her downfall.