“—You went to the Slums with Claude!?”
The Student Salon Laurier was an establishment built into the Academy grounds. In this space, usually bustling with students seeking an elegant way to spend their after-school hours, Celestia’s voice rang out in something close to a shriek.
Irene sipped her tea, answering without a hint of concern for the dozens of eyes suddenly fixed on them.
“Yes. What of it?”
“...Were you not attacked?”
“A few thugs tried their luck, but it was no problem.”
“I do not mean them—I mean by Claude!!”
Celestia pressed closer, her intensity causing the surrounding students to begin whispering among themselves.
—Claude again?
—The rumors about him have been getting more dangerous by the day.
Hearing the chatter, Irene furrowed her brows. It seemed Claude’s notoriety had already permeated even this corner of the Academy. It was hardly surprising; he was already infamous to begin with, and now Celestia had taken a stance of open hostility toward him. As the daughter of a Duke, Celestia wielded significant influence within the student body.
However, Irene, whose authority was equal to or greater than her friend's, had yet to publicly condemn him.
Irene set her cup back onto the saucer and gave a light shrug.
“Why on earth would Claude attack me? He has no reason to.”
“That man doesn’t need a reason to hurt people,” Reiji cut in, tapping the table for emphasis.
Irene gave a small sigh and looked down at the pot of flavored tea.
...This isn't very good.
She had tried the trendy herbal blend on a whim, but the fragrance was far too overpowering for her taste. Her eyes drifted to the Darjeeling Celestia was drinking. A rich, mellow aroma rose with the steam. Usually, Irene would have ordered the same.
“I’m not giving you any.”
Noticing Irene’s gaze, Celestia quickly shielded her cup with her hand.
“...I didn't say a word.”
“Your eyes said enough.”
“Oh, honestly... I'm not a child anymore. I wouldn't dream of begging for your tea.”
Irene pouted. Celestia likely knew she wasn't serious; as childhood friends, there was an unspoken understanding between them. This was merely playful banter—a precious moment where they could set aside the walls of their social status.
If losing Claude meant losing this, Irene could endure it. She could suppress the feelings for him that flickered deep within her heart.
She could see one possibility. Everyone claimed Claude had "returned to being a brat." If that were true, wasn't it possible he could "return to being a good person" as well? And if that happened, what would become of Celestia’s feelings for him?
Irene was being careful. She was looking out for their future.
“Hey, Tia,” Irene asked suddenly. “Do you really think Claude is a pure villain?”
“...What?”
“Don't you think there might be some other... intention behind his actions? Something we just can't see?”
“That’s...”
Celestia’s voice trailed off. She fell into deep thought for a moment before—
“Gh...!?”
With a sharp clatter, Celestia nearly dropped her tea cup.
“Tia, what is it!?” Reiji asked, leaping to his feet.
“...I'm fine. Just a sudden headache... They’ve been happening quite often lately...”
Celestia spoke in a faint, strained voice. She pressed a hand to her temple, her face turning as pale as wax. The salon fell into an uproar at the sight of the Duke’s daughter in such obvious distress.
At that moment—
“I’ve come to fetch you, Tomboy Princess.”
A low voice resonated from the entrance. The room went silent instantly. Standing there was the notoriously arrogant noble himself—Claude.
“Claude!! You... what are you doing here!?”
Reiji bared his hostility immediately, standing between the newcomer and the table.
“Haven’t you heard? I’m currently acting as the Second Princess’s bodyguard.”
“What!?”
Reiji had heard they had gone to the Slums together, but he never imagined such a vital duty had been entrusted to this man. He turned to Irene in shock.
Irene gave a small nod and stood up.
“Spending time with my classmates is important to me, Claude. Let me relax a little longer.”
“How tedious. Is idling away your time in such a low-class establishment the duty of a Princess?”
Irene scanned the room. The ordinary students nearby were glaring at Claude with sharp, resentful eyes. If the argument continued, someone might actually try to strike him. He was the heir to a Dukedom; if a physical altercation broke out, far too many people would be dragged into the fallout.
Irene turned back to Reiji and Celestia.
“I’m sorry, I know we’re in the middle of our tea, but... my unruly dog is being noisy, so I’ll be heading back for today.”
Irene moved to stand beside Claude. Just before they stepped out of the salon, Reiji’s voice rang out.
“Claude!!”
Claude paused.
“If anything happens to Her Highness, I will never forgive you!!”
Claude looked back over his shoulder. For a fleeting second, a powerful flame seemed to smolder in his eyes.
“Those words... don't you forget them.”
I was in a remarkably good mood as I walked back alongside Irene.
God, that was perfect! The atmosphere in that salon was a total bed of thorns. This was the ideal position for a stepping stone. Even Reiji's parting threat had been effective; by now, every student in the academy was likely firmly on the Hero's side.
I glanced at Irene out of the corner of my eye. Surely she was starting to despise me by now?
“Claude, I’m sorry for making you wait,” Irene said suddenly. “You were waiting nearby the entire time until school let out, weren't you?”
I stopped dead in my tracks out of pure surprise. Irene stopped as well, peering into my face with a look of genuine curiosity.
Wait... seriously? Still?
Are you still going to show me appreciation...?
“...Do you honestly think I’d guard you that diligently? I was slacking off somewhere else.”
“Hmm. Well, then I suppose I don't need to feel guilty. Perhaps I'll take a little detour before we head back.”
Irene flashed a smile—the kind of heartfelt, genuine smile she only reserved for those she truly trusted.
...This is bad. You shouldn't make that face in front of me. I have to be more aggressive. I have to stomp on her landmines.
“I’ve thought this for a long time,” I said, injecting as much contempt into my voice as I could muster. “Your dignity as a royal plummets when you associate with commoners.”
“Do you actually mean that?” Irene’s eyes widened at the textbook elitist scum dialogue.
“Hmph. Is it not the natural way of thinking for a noble?”
“...Sigh.”
Irene let out a heavy sigh and shook her head in exasperation. Then, she looked me straight in the eye. What I saw there wasn't the contempt I expected; it was something far more formidable—the true caliber of a King.
“Listen well, Claude,” she said. “I can't say your opinion is entirely wrong.”
“...What?”
“A nation is a vessel that must swallow both the pure and the foul. Fish cannot survive in water that is too pristine. A kingdom built solely on ideals is a fragile thing.”
Irene gave a bold, fearless smirk.
“Depending on the time and place, you would make a fine, loyal subject. I don't agree with your stance... but if you wish to remain as you are, then hold fast to that ideology.”
She looked at me with a gaze that was disturbingly gentle.
“I will simply be the one to envelop you.”
Irene turned and began walking again. I stood there, frozen, watching her back.
...What am I supposed to do now? How can I possibly push her away? I don't know... Her capacity as a human being is just too vast.
“...We must protect her.”
Zest’s voice echoed in my mind, snapping me back to reality.
Yes... you’re right. You’ve realized it too, haven't you, Zest?
I have to protect her. This noble Princess—I’ll protect her even if it costs me my life. To keep them safe, I will be the stepping stone they need. Even if I fall into hell for it, Irene is worth the sacrifice.
“Then let us fall together.”
Sorry your wielder is me and not Reiji, Zest. But since you're offering, I’m going to make sure you're dragged down with me.
...Just you watch, Fate. I’ll play the part of the world’s greatest scum until the very end.
Anything to keep Irene safe.
At the same time, in a room shrouded in darkness beneath the Royal Castle, Logen wore a twisted smile.
“Finally, the day of my long-cherished ambition has arrived.”
The crystal in Logen's hand pulsed with a sickly, dark light.
“Thirty years since I attained the rank of Feather. The long years of biding my time are finally coming to an end. Once I deliver Irene, my achievements will be undeniable. I will finally advance to the next rank...!”
His manic laughter echoed through the lightless room, heard by no one.
The collapse had begun.