Chapter 38 - Return to the Academy
"Ojou-sama! It suits you perfectly!"
In the mirror stood my reflection, dressed in the uniform of the Torsova Academy of Magic. Sarah's eyes welled with tears as she whispered, "A sight I've only seen in my dreams..."
A white shirt, a navy knee-length dress with a matching short jacket, and long lace-up boots. On my chest was a red ribbon, the mark of a second-year student.
Yes, I was being treated as a transfer student starting from the second year. Since I hadn't attended the first year at all, I could have started over from the beginning. However, I had studied the first-year curriculum with tutors, and—though I couldn't tell anyone—I had already attended those classes once before. Passing the transfer exam with ease had granted me this special exception.
Even so, this uniform felt incredibly nostalgic. When I last wore it, I never imagined I would be attending this school again like this.
Even now, I could recall everything vividly.
The school buildings, the cafeteria, the rooftop garden, the Library...
Back then, I went everywhere accompanied by friends. The words they spoke were sweet to my ears, and I believed everything they said without a hint of doubt. As a result, my engagement was broken by His Highness, and I was murdered on my way to the monastery.
Of course, there is no doubt that I was part of the problem. But now I understand. Can a friendship that prays for one's ruin truly be called friendship? No, such a thing is not a friend at all.
'Rachel-sama, His Highness and that girl were together again.'
'Even though the spot beside His Highness belongs to Rachel-sama... she is so unrefined. I wonder if those rumors are true.'
'Rachel-sama, don't you think you should show that girl her place, since she has no power despite being the Saint?'
'Yes, that's right! Rachel-sama, you should go tell her off right now.'
Thinking back on it now, I don't know what the relationship between His Highness and the Saint actually was. Did they truly have romantic feelings for each other? Or... perhaps they were really just discussing the affairs of this kingdom. Looking at His Highness lately, I wonder. Back then, I did see His Highness, the Saint, and Cyril together several times.
But did His Highness ever look at the Saint with that sweet, gentle smile that makes his cheeks flush in an instant? Wasn't his gaze more businesslike?
I can't remember. Perhaps it's just my hope that makes me think so.
His Highness's recent behavior is full of expressions I've never seen before. That's why, even when he smiles, it feels different than before. But I have no way of knowing the truth of their past relationship now.
One thing is certain, however. Those girls I thought were my friends... they definitely despised me. They wanted to oust me from my position as His Highness's fiancée. They must have been waiting for me to fail. They probably laughed at me for falling so easily into their traps.
That is why I have no intention of being particularly close to them this time. I know the true intentions of the girls I believed were my friends, and the hidden faces I saw back then are still burned into my mind.
And, if possible...
I want a friend in the true sense of the word. Like His Highness and Theodore-sama. A relationship where they can trade quips while trusting each other implicitly. If I could have a friend like that...
When I looked up from my lap, my reflection in the mirror looked troubled, with brows lowered in anxiety.
No, no. I am changing. I can't let myself be crushed by this anxiety.
I forced my lips into a smile. My reflection smiled back.
Good, this will do. Now, let's go. To the Academy.
The scenery from the swaying carriage was very familiar. After all, I had attended this school for three years before. Still, I was wrapped in a tension as if it were my first time. As we drew closer to the Academy, my previous memories began to resurface. I clenched my trembling hands and took deep breath after deep breath.
It's okay, it'll be fine. It won't turn out like last time.
I told myself over and over. But my shoulders were stiff, and my face was tense. I probably looked terrifying right now.
The carriage slowed down and eventually stopped. At the same time, my tension reached its peak. Finally, I had arrived.
I took one more deep breath.
The carriage door opened slowly. Just as I was about to step out with assistance, I glanced to the side and my eyes widened in disbelief at the figure I saw.
"Your Highness!"
"Hello, Rachel. Good morning."
The one offering me a hand was none other than His Highness. He gave a sweet smile and said gently, "Come, step down."
In response to his voice, I let out a sigh of relief and naturally regained my smile. The tension in my body melted away, and my steps regained their lightness.
"Um, thank you for coming all this way."
"No, it's the first day of school for my precious fiancée, after all."
"But I must have kept you waiting..."
"Don't worry about it. I was just waiting because I wanted to."
I looked down, feeling guilty for making him wait. But His Highness's eyes softened even more.
"Besides, it's the first time I've ever felt my heart race like this while waiting."
"Eh?"
"From today on, I can attend the Academy with you. We can see each other every day. Nothing could make me happier."
I see. Since we'll be attending the Academy every day, even if we're in different years, the chances of us meeting will increase significantly. In the past, even though we attended the same school, we hardly ever met. I hadn't even considered it. But from the way he spoke, it seemed His Highness intended to see me frequently.
His Highness is here. Yes, he's at the same school. My heart, which had been full of anxiety just moments ago, felt a little lighter. Just feeling his presence nearby seemed to give me strength.
"Um, I... I'm happy too."
It was a tiny murmur, barely audible to him. But he heard it. His eyes widened, and then he gave me a bashful smile.
The other students around us had stopped to watch. But I was so preoccupied with my own feelings that I didn't notice the attention, and I walked straight toward the school building with His Highness.
In the crowd was a female student who had been called the Saint in my previous life. She, too, was staring intently at us.
"Ah, I knew it! The villainess isn't bugged. I thought it was strange."
Her voice, however, did not reach my ears.
Thank you for the bookmarks, ratings, comments, and typo reports.