“…Are the two of you… in that kind of relationship…?”
I didn’t particularly care what she thought of me, but it was certainly for the best not to let a strange misunderstanding like that take root.
“No, not at all.”
“Oh? Is that so?”
The woman beside me tossed more chaos into the mix with a look of pure amusement. When I glared at her, Silvia simply shrugged, wearing a flippant smirk.
“…She’s an International Student. She asked me to act as her guide.”
The air was subtly awkward.
Given that I’d previously told her I was busy, that I had no time to waste on her, and that she needed to show me some kind of merit, this situation didn't look good.
Then again, it wasn’t really a problem if Luna ended up hating me. My plan from the start had been to get people to dislike me quickly so I could enjoy a quiet life at the academy.
Luna tilted her head and spoke.
“Does one usually link arms when being shown around?”
“This? It’s what you call setting the mood. I’m quite fascinated by Albert-kun, you see.”
“It’s going to cause misunderstandings, so knock it off.”
Taking the opportunity, I shook my arm free from Silvia’s grasp.
Luna’s expression remained unchanged. She maintained a strangely heavy, serious atmosphere.
Wait, is she actually angry?
“In any case, it is not my place to interject,” Luna said in a flat voice before bowing her head. “If you will excuse me, I shall take my leave.”
With that, she vanished into the crowd.
Once her back was out of sight, Silvia spoke up.
“Hmm. And thus, an established fact is created. Hehehe.”
“Creating a ‘fact’ through a misunderstanding is a nuisance.”
It was already mid-afternoon.
“We’re done. I’m going home.”
“Huh? Already? The night is still young!”
“It’s not even dusk yet.”
Besides, I had a burning desire to dive into that new Ancient Magic Book. Playtime was over.
“I believe I’ve paid the compensation for our deal.”
“Isn't that a bit cheap?”
“My time is minted in pure gold, you see.”
“Hmph, you’re strict… Fine, at the very least! Let’s talk one last time before we go!”
We ended up sitting on a bench in a small nearby plaza to chat.
Silvia tossed out one topic of idle chatter after another. I only gave curt, cold responses, but she never seemed to tire of it, continuing the conversation without a hint of boredom.
I was impressed that she could keep a conversation going so effortlessly about so many things.
I suppose that was part of her training as royalty—no, more likely as an Intelligence Agent.
“Phew, I really talked my head off. I’m satisfied.”
“Did you have fun?”
“Yeah, it was plenty. I even got Albert-kun to remember things about me!”
“Why are you so intent on selling yourself to me?”
“Hehe, well, it’s because you’re incredible, Albert-kun. I think you’re going to go far in this world. It’s not a bad decision to make sure you know who I am, right?”
“For a princess to be doing her own PR, you certainly have it rough.”
“Small countries have a hard time, you know?”
Good grief, even this part of the conversation followed the original game's script. Of course, her partner was supposed to be Leon.
Why me? It was genuinely bothering me.
Was the original story's development starting to shift? Changes were bound to happen, but I didn't appreciate the way I was being wedged right into the center of the scenario.
Personally, I wanted to be as far from the ground zero of the plot as possible.
—In that case, I’ll play this card now.
Last time, I tried to get her to dislike me by pointing out her hidden identity as a princess, but for some reason, she only grew more attached. This time, I’d step into an even deeper secret.
“It’s not being a princess of a small country that’s hard. It’s being a Spy that’s hard, isn't it?”
“————”
The cheerful Silvia suddenly fell silent.
It felt as if the mid-afternoon sun had been blocked by a stray cloud only over where we sat.
…As I thought, she never expected me to know that much.
“Umm… being ‘sour’ is hard? I actually like sour things, you know?”
“I don’t mind calling you an Intelligence Agent instead, if you prefer.”
“I… I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Feel free to play dumb all you like.”
Regardless of her reaction, I pressed on.
Because Silvia was a major character in the original game, she had a detailed backstory woven into the main plot. I didn’t even have to struggle to recall it.
“You said it when we reached the market—that small countries have it hard. To survive, the small Duchy of Osterreich sends its royalty to various nations as International Students. While it looks like a friendly diplomatic policy, it’s actually a cover to gather sensitive information from neighboring countries. Every one of you has received intelligence training.”
I turned my gaze toward Silvia.
“And you are no exception.”
“…………”
Silvia said nothing, staring at me with an unblinking intensity.
“Originally, investigating the Hero Candidate Leon was your primary mission. But then a mystery factor like me showed up, and I suppose you decided to sample the side dish.”
Since Silvia remained silent, I continued. In the original game, there was a scene like this in a later chapter.
—That’s right, it’s hard, Leon-kun. The future of the kingdom and the happiness of my people rest on my shoulders. To protect them, I will kill my own heart as many times as it takes. But, for just this moment… I want to be selfish. I want to feel your warmth for just a little longer.
In the game, she said those words while hugging the protagonist, Leon, from behind.
“…I’m sure you have an attachment to your homeland and your duties as a royal, but you should stop forcing yourself to get close to a man you don't even like. Doing ‘whatever it takes’ wears down the soul. You should value yourself more.”
If she kept up this blatant skinship, it would be a problem for me, so I decided to lay down the law in a spectacular fashion.
If I went this far, she surely wouldn't involve herself with me anymore.
Good, this is finally over. You understand now, right?
“Time’s up, Silvia. I’m going back.”
“…Yeah. I guess it can't be helped.”
Silvia directed a soft, weary smile toward me.
“I’ll rest here for a bit before I head back. See you later.”
“Yeah. See ya.”
And with that, the mission to escort the troublesome princess was over. After being called out like that, she probably wouldn't approach me again.
Luna likely hated me now too, and Leon hadn't been coming near me lately either.
Hahaha! The future looks bright! I’m finally getting closer to the ideal student life I desired.
From now on, I’ll devote myself to the research of Ancient Magic!
While watching Albert’s back as he walked away, Silvia whispered to herself.
“Ah… geez. I’m no match for him, Albert-kun.”
To be honest, her heart was still racing from the shock.
The information that she was a princess was something an insider might know, so it wasn't impossible for that to leak. However, the fact that she was an active Intelligence Agent was a secret among secrets. Even within the Duchy of Osterreich, only a handful of people knew.
It was a secret that even Princess Eliana of this kingdom was unaware of.
(How does he know even something like that…?)
She was constantly being blindsided by Albert von Kronstadt. In addition to his ability to wield logic-defying magic, he possessed this level of information-gathering capability.
He was a terrifyingly capable human being.
However, the thing that had moved Silvia’s heart the most today wasn't his knowledge.
Even now, just remembering his words made her chest feel tight.
—Doing ‘whatever it takes’ wears down the soul. You should value yourself more.
Those words had cut deep into her heart.
In all her life, she had never been told something so kind.
In the small Kingdom of Osterreich, royalty was not merely a privileged class. They were the expendable human shields meant to ensure the survival of a nation that could be snuffed out by a mere breeze.
She had been strictly disciplined since childhood.
—Know that your body exists only to protect the country.
—Think not of your own happiness, but of serving the state.
Silvia believed it was only right for the royalty, who received the most from the country, to sacrifice the most for it. That teaching was natural to her; she had no complaints.
But sometimes, she grew tired.
If she had been born into an ordinary world, what kind of life would she have led? If she could have lived simply as Silvia…
But reality wouldn't allow it. No one would ever give her the words to permit it.
That was why this was the first time in her life.
The first time someone had told her to value herself.
Those words made her so happy she could cry.
Silvia involuntarily sniffled. Realizing her vision was blurring, she covered her face with both hands to keep the tears from spilling over.
“Wow… I’m a pushover. Am I really this easy?”
To think she would let her guard down so completely just from a few kind words.
Silvia looked toward the direction Albert had disappeared.
“I’ve decided I want to know a little more about you, Albert-kun.”
Then, she added with a soft smile:
“And I want you to know more about me, too.”
What should they talk about next? What kind of expression would he show her next time?
At the pleasant thought, the corners of Silvia’s mouth naturally curled upward.