喵绅HCMOIC士网页版

Chapter 101

Chapter 101

We didn’t achieve what we wanted, but the princess is quite perceptive. If she had made a fuss without understanding the situation, I would have labeled her an enemy and kept her far away from Karl.

“It’s a shame. I wanted to hear her describe what it felt like to be held by Karl. Well, if she had, she wouldn’t have backed down so easily, but that’s just talk. Hahaha!”

“She seemed determined not to say anything about it.”

It seems both Eloise and Lav had similar thoughts to mine. They were likely testing the waters with Lasker’s Fifth Princess, or rather, the student now known as Lefia, to see how she would react.

“But she got the hint, didn’t she? Both Selena and I, and even Lavrenti here. We were warning her that Karl already has far more formidable women around him, so she shouldn’t bother trying anything.”

Eloise is right, but you never know what’s in someone’s heart.

If I could go back three years and tell myself, ‘You’ll regret it if you don’t accept Karl’s confession,’ I would have called myself crazy.

I never doubt that Karl would choose me, and the other women here, over anyone else.

If he were that kind of man, all three of us wouldn’t have fallen for him.

The problem is, even if he doesn’t waver, others might find him attractive. Having too many competitors isn’t good. It’s tiring!

“…I hope we’re just misunderstanding her.”

It’s a bit funny to hear Lav, who was just as hostile as Eloise, say that. But her words suggest she doesn’t want more competition, which I can understand.

The problem is, my gut feeling tells me that’s not going to happen. It’s a special ability of our family. Both my father and brother have benefited from this intuition.

‘Judging by that feeling… Lefia isn’t just a passing breeze.’

I don’t know if she thinks she’s hiding it perfectly or if she’s not sure herself. I can’t read her mind.

But one thing is clear. Lefia’s eyes sparkled whenever she talked about Karl, like a child hearing their favorite fairy tale.

How should I put it? It’s like… Uh, happiness? Utopia? Something similar, a person wandering in search of it?

“Selena?”

“Ah, yes. What is it, Eloise? Do you have something to say?”

“I’m going to head out. It’s time for me to check our elves’ homework.”

“I see. Go ahead… Wait a minute. Wait a minute.”

Homework? What’s this homework thing about? And even from the elf exchange students?

As far as I know, elves are so proud that professors try not to assign homework as much as possible.

They’ll accept exams, but they don’t want their academic passion to be evaluated through assignments or something like that?

Honestly, everyone knows it’s nonsense. But the professors accept it because the elf exchange students’ academic achievements aren’t bad.

Because of their pride, and their determination not to lose to the Empire’s students, they really do work hard.

‘If they channeled that effort into being more open-minded, Hyzens would have grown as much as the Empire, if not more. Anyway, I don’t understand why elves are all so strange!’

Especially Eloise, who’s the strangest… ahem. No. I can’t let this show on the outside. She might use it as an excuse to do something weird to Karl. Anyway!

“Did you say homework, just now?”

“Yes. Homework.”

“Elf exchange students are doing homework? Willingly?”

“They have to. If they don’t, I’m going to cut off their ears and pickle them in salt!”

“…”

It feels like I just heard something too absurd to be true. But what’s scarier is that I think Eloise might actually do it.

“I think it’s a good idea. That’s how it should be with elves who don’t listen to reason.”

Meanwhile, Lav is agreeing with her. …Could Karl be the same? He must have suffered a lot in the war with Luzernes. He can’t have a good opinion of elves.

Yes, that could be it. It’s highly possible. Then I agree with Eloise and Lav! If Karl says elves are bad, then they must be bad!

“Selena. I will accompany Lefia from now on.”

“Suddenly? Why, Lav?”

“Because I was the last to meet Master, but the closest to him. That is the reason.”

“…I see.”

At Lav’s answer, I momentarily glanced at Eloise. As if she understood the meaning, she whistled and winked, as if to say, ‘Let’s keep it a secret.’

“…”

This time, I decided to follow Eloise’s lead. In fact, if you count those who got close to Karl, I’m not far behind. I even wore a single robe and leaned against his back in the same hot spring.

If Lav were to find out, the aftermath would be… Ugh, it’s better to keep it a secret!

* * *

Lefia opened her eyes and slowly sat up. As if she had a nightmare, her back was drenched in cold sweat.

“Haa—”

Lefia wiped her face with her hands and let out a long sigh.

The same dream again. The Second Princess, who was so kind when they were young, her own sister, was strangling her.

What’s even scarier is that the bodies of her other siblings were already piled up behind her.

‘Why does this keep happening…?’

She had to forget. It was her homeland, but now she had to live like a citizen of the Empire more than anyone else.

That’s what the Second Princess wanted. It was the only way out that the Second Princess had given her.

At first, she resented her. But soon she understood. Why she was sent to the Empire.

It was called studying abroad, but it was closer to exile, a forced study abroad.

‘If I had stayed in my home country, I don’t know what would have happened to me in this chaotic situation.’

Despite being neutral, she is still a direct descendant of the royal family. The opposing faction of the Second Princess, cornered and desperate, could very well choose her as their figurehead and rally for resistance.

In such a scenario, even if she has no contact or shared intentions with them, there could be calls for her elimination as an enemy simply due to her lineage.

So the Second Princess sent her to the Empire. To go there and live as an Imperial citizen.

Then, no one in the kingdom would view her as a princess in the line of succession any longer. They would see her as someone who has taken to Imperial ways by living there, making her unsuitable for the throne.

‘I understand, Sister. I truly do. But…I can’t help but feel a little hurt.’

With about a month left before the new semester at the academy started, Lefia resolved to make the most of her time.

She would interact with as many Imperial students as possible, ensuring a smooth transition into her life as an exchange student.

This was both a response to the Second Princess’s final act of mercy, showing her a path to survival, and Lefia’s own determination to live.

“I was supposed to have tea with them this afternoon…”

Lefia muttered to herself, then let out a hollow laugh.

Yesterday’s events came flooding back. Three women, their attention solely focused on a single man’s embrace.

They were from different backgrounds, with distinct speech patterns and personalities.

One, a high-ranking noble of the Empire. Another, a commoner of the Empire. And the last, neither Imperial nor even human, an elf from Hyzens.

Yet, they shared one thing in common—their affection for a man named Karl. And it wasn’t just a fleeting interest, it was a deep-seated love.

‘It was palpable.’

Lefia had a sinking feeling she’d made a bad impression. It was as if she’d unwittingly flirted with a man who was already taken.

But it wasn’t intentional! She was just caught in the moment.

Karl was the one who embraced me, not the other way around! It was so unfair!

…But saying that out loud would only reopen the wounds she’d just barely managed to close.

Despite the awkward start, Lefia realized that Selena, Eloise, and Lavrenti were good people. Well, two people and an elf, to be precise.

She reminded herself that it was wise to get along with them. Even if it was a bit embarrassing and unfair, she resolved to explain herself and smooth things over.

Since we were supposed to meet for tea today anyway, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to try and get a little closer to them.

“Alright.”

But first, she needed to familiarize herself with the academy’s layout. She’d heard it was so vast that one could easily get lost without knowing where they were going.

Leaving her room, Lefia began by exploring the dormitory’s surroundings. Using it as a starting point, she gradually learned the geography of the area.

Once she had a rough grasp of the local layout, she moved on to the central area, where the academy’s main building and several other large structures were located.

It was impressive when she first arrived, but seeing it up close like this made it even more so.

It was almost larger than the royal capital of Lasker, with a bit of exaggeration.

Perhaps the saying, ‘The Imperial Academy is similar in size to the capital,’ wasn’t an exaggeration after all.

“Princess Lefia?”

A voice calling her name from behind made her turn around.

“…Ah!”

Lefia realized that the person who called her was Karl Adelheit, the man the women had been searching for yesterday.

“We meet again.”

“Yes, yes. We do. I apologize for the late introduction. My name is Lefia Arkebel.”

“Karl Adelheit.”

Karl introduced himself, but with a slightly uneasy expression as he glanced at Lefia.

Sensing something amiss, Lefia asked, ‘Is something wrong?’

“You’re not surprised.”

“Surprised? Why?”

“Um… Do you not know of the Adelheit family?”

Lefia shook her head.

“…Or the Friedrich County?”

Once again, Lefia shook her head, causing Karl to be taken aback.

‘But, Father. You said you destroyed Lefia’s maternal family. Why doesn’t she seem to know anything about it?’

“…Ah, wait a minute. Just a moment?”

Suddenly, as though remembering something, Lefia lets out a gasp.

“The Friedrich County. Count Friedrich. Friedrich… Oh! W-wait, could it be?!”

Lefia was horrified. A single word escaped her lips.

“B-Baba Yaga?!”

“…”

Father. You didn’t kill anyone… right? Right? But that nickname… It’s so terrifying…