kscans

Chapter 5 - 4. The Bookmark

The academy’s spring holiday lasts for one month. Three weeks after the new semester began, I was sitting with Mia on a bench in the courtyard after school.

By my old world’s calendar, it was nearly June. The afternoon sun was gearing up for its summer sprint. I was lingering here, in a place I had no particular reason to be, to check on a classmate I hadn’t seen once since the new term started.

"Wasn’t social status supposed to be absolute?"

I suppressed the sharp edge in my voice. At the edge of my vision, a girl with bluish silver hair sat alone in a gazebo, while another girl with a ponytail stood at the entrance, her shoulders squared defiantly.

"You must have noticed yourself, senpai, that not a single student has mentioned the prophecy since the new semester began."

It was true. The students hadn't breathed a word of it. I had even been a little surprised by how normal everything at the academy seemed. But apparently, what was happening beneath the surface was quite different.

"She was never one for factions to begin with. She only hosted tea parties about once a month. But before, there would have been at least four or five people who attended out of a sense of duty or whatnot."

"Another refusal. Still, isn’t it strange for them to turn their backs on her so completely?"

A student entered the gazebo. The princess nodded with a gentle expression, while the female knight’s anger became palpable. The student, who had clearly been forced to deliver the message, scurried away as if escaping. The scene reminded me of former business partners who had changed their attitudes overnight due to Dorefano’s interference.

"The royal family is required to provide one Oracle Princess per generation, but not only is an aptitude for making Quel's Crystal glow required, once appointed, they cannot retire for at least twenty years."

"That’s rough. She can’t even get married."

I wonder if it’s similar to the Saigu priestesses of ancient Japan. The marriageable age for women in this world was sixteen to twenty. Any older and you were considered an old maid. Being in your thirties was bad enough, but your forties was unthinkable. Even in modern Japan, childbirth over forty was said to carry risks.

"She has only gone by the name Crownheite for two years."

"So she was adopted into the royal family…"

"To be precise, she’s a formal ward, as she holds no right of succession. Her father was the late Grand Duke Bertold, the current king’s younger brother, but her mother was from the Fellbach Ducal House. Her father retired and later died of illness. Her mother passed away from illness three years ago. The current Grand Duchess Bertold is her father’s younger sister. The fact that a woman is head of the house seems to be related to how strong or weak the ties to the Fellbachs were in determining succession."

"The duke that started the rebellion was a Fellbach, wasn’t he? So that princess has the blood of a traitor. Why would she be in the royal family… ah, I see."

"Yes. Because she had the aptitude, it was likely to make her the Oracle Princess, a role nobody wants."

"So, even before this whole prophecy business, it was basically a convenient form of monastic exile."

In the history of Japan, too, it wasn’t uncommon for the family of a traitor to be forced into monastic life. Confine them to a temple, and since clergy do not marry, their bloodline is cut off.

"In fact, she doesn’t even receive the allowance for personal upkeep that is typically given to royal women. The official reason, of course, is that a member of the clergy has no need for such things."

"She’s being treated even more poorly than I thought. It’s been twenty years since the rebellion, so the princess wasn’t even born yet. And it’s not like her mother was ever officially punished, right?"

"What will you do?"

At Mia’s question, I unclenched the fist I hadn’t realized I was making. Based on her explanation, the princess’s influence wasn't just non-existent, it was a liability. My biggest problem was the milk vetch honey becoming famous sooner than expected. In that sense, this was a relief. All I had to do was stay away from her as planned, and the problem would solve itself.

I just had to avoid doing anything unnecessary. I pushed the paper-wrapped package in my pocket to the back of my mind.

"Approaching her would be dangerous, I believe."

"...I was just coming to that same conclusion."

I had already told Mia about our chance meeting in the archives. I hadn’t intended to get involved from the start, but this was a total landmine. Forget offering protection, I’d end up on the royal family’s bad side.

But one question remained. It was something I, who put self-preservation first, couldn’t comprehend.

Why would she do something so reckless from such a difficult position…

The princess and her knight, alone in their gazebo. Noble students walking around it, as if avoiding them. Commoner students who wouldn't even dare to get close. In the otherwise vibrant after-school courtyard, only the space around the central gazebo was empty.

The face of my classmate from the dim archives, smiling under a bright window as we talked about wildflowers, came back to me. At that moment, she had seemed so happy just to be able to attend the academy.

"Senpai?"

"Well, I did go to the trouble of making it…"

I stood up under Mia’s suspicious gaze. Taking the small paper package from my pocket, I slowly approached the deserted gazebo.

Even if it was more trouble than it was worth, Alfina had defended my work back then. Being indebted to a royal was the worst thing for my peace of mind. Right now, I might be able to resolve that debt with this "trivial gift." Yes, this was an opportunity.

"What do you want?"

As I stopped before the entrance, Claudia emerged with a tense look on her face. The moment she recognized me, she spoke with unconcealed irritation. Still, perhaps because her mistress’s plight was weighing on her, she didn’t try to dismiss me out of hand.

"I have something for Alfina-sama to thank her for the other day. Would you be so kind as to announce me?"

"The other day… something you brought…"

"Is that you, Ricardo-kun?"

"Alfina-sama. Especially at a time like this, you must not allow a commoner to approach you so casually."

As if remembering her duty, Claudia spread her arms to block the entrance. That made sense. Inviting a commoner student now, when her fortunes were falling, would only reinforce the image of her decline. There’s a saying that a friend in need is a friend indeed, but the world isn’t so simple.

"Let him come in. We have more than enough tea and sweets."

"No, I couldn’t possibly intrude on a ladies’ tea party. I only wish for you to accept this."

I had no intention of getting deeply involved. I just didn’t want the gift I’d bothered to prepare to go to waste.

I offered the paper package to Alfina, who had come to the entrance. Claudia snatched it and inspected the contents. She scowled but reluctantly passed it to her mistress.

The princess’s face brightened, as if she had guessed what it was.

"The way the color flows from white to red is so lovely. Is this a milk vetch flower?"

"Yes."

"And flowers like this bloom across entire fields?"

Alfina clutched the bookmark to her chest, a genuine smile on her face. Her smile made me break into a grin myself. Claudia’s expression, however, grew even more severe.

"A scrap of paper with a weed stuck to it. Are you trying to make a fool of Her Highness?"

"Clau. I was the one who said I wanted to see a milk vetch flower."

"But for royalty, the rose is the flower befitting her station…"

"I am a woman of the holy church. Besides, don’t you think it’s very lovely?"

"However, for him to approach you at a time like this is far too… In the first place, when did you even have such a conversation…"

Claudia’s suspicion was rising. And not just hers. I glanced around and saw that the number of people watching us from a distance had increased.

"I am pleased that you like it. Now, if you’ll excuse me."

"Yes, thank you very much, Ricardo-kun."

When I announced my departure, Alfina seemed ready to let me go without issue. But as she looked down at the bookmark again, her expression filled with surprise.

"Is something wrong? Was there a flaw with it…"

"Ricardo-kun. You said that a scene of these red flowers blooming across a field can be seen in the west, is that right?"

"Yes. Near the Rubel Wald in the southern part of the west. Is that…"

The worry had returned to the face that had been smiling just moments before. Had I done something wrong?

"...No. Ricardo-kun, I offer you my heartfelt thanks. I will start using this today."

Alfina managed to bring back her smile.

"I am honored."

Claudia looked like she was nearing her limit. I bowed once more and turned my back. Mia, who had been standing a short distance away, stood up, probably while sighing.

"Clau. There’s no point in staying here today. Since we have the time, let’s go see Professor Fulsy."

"Understood."

Just as I was about to rejoin Mia, I heard the exchange between the mistress and her servant behind me. My feet nearly stopped in their tracks. Seeing Mia’s worried face, I managed to feign composure and left the courtyard.

◇◇

"The library? But, according to today’s schedule…"

"Ah… yeah. It’s probably just a misunderstanding, but there’s something I want to check."

When we entered the library, there were two students in the reading room. One of them noticed Mia and gave a small wave. I nodded, and Mia, though she looked like she wanted to say something, headed over to her friend.

My gaze was fixed on the back of the bookshelves, toward the entrance to the archives.

Being called out by a girl to a deserted place after school. It was a situation that had never once happened to me in my previous life. No, I’m being way too conceited. I should assume it’s just a misunderstanding. She’s a princess. Surely she wouldn’t be so easily swayed by such a cheap present.

But the look in her eyes as she stared at that bookmark. Her words, saying she would start using it today. It bothered me.

There’s always a chance. And earning the wrong person’s resentment is the most dangerous thing of all…

Muttering to myself, I slowly opened the door to the archives. Inside the dim room, I walked toward the light. Just like before, a chair had been placed there. And standing in front of it was a single female student.

"I knew you would come."

It wasn’t a misunderstanding, nor was I being conceited. But what on earth could she want? In her current situation, having me as an ally would be a rounding error. No, it would be counterproductive.

"There is something I wish to ask you about this flower."

In Alfina’s hand was the very bookmark I had just presented to her. I tilted my head. It was true that Alfina had been interested in the milk vetch. But I had thought it was more of a vague longing for the outside world.

I shook my head, dismissing the possibility that the flower had some strange meaning, like a pledge of love. Alfina’s serious expression held no hint of such romance. The worry I had glimpsed earlier now clearly clouded her beautiful features. It was the expression of someone grieving a grave crisis.

"I saw a vision."

Alfina spoke to me as I stood frozen. I was more confused than ever. Fleeing people? What was she talking about?

"Of people trampling these flowers as they fled in terror."