Volume 2 - Ch 8
Note: Please dont read it in the little pop-up for the reader. For some reason it doesnt reflect my later edits (which I often make a lot of after publishing), so please click view original.
Today there were no classes, so it was decided that wed have a girls only gathering. Camille properly remembered the promise we made on that day, and immediately put it into action. Incidentally, Baka-sama is taking supplementary lessons, so hes absent.
She brought the Q of Spades, Mei Zakro along, and came to the Diamonds factions dorm. The Garnet Nations King Faction and Royal Prince Faction werent on as bad terms as in the game, but if we gathered at either the Hearts factions dorm or the Spades factions dorm, it seems like one of them would find it uncomfortable to stay in. Because of that we took the middle ground, and hosted the gathering in a garden near the Diamonds dorms entrance.
I-, Its nice to meet you My name is Mei Zakro.
A girl with dark blue hair that hugged her face was trembling as she curtsied. S-, So cute I can acknowledge the cuteness of the one Raiga chose as his fiance. Its vexing though When I look at this girl, the desire to protect her wells up in me.
Im Beatrix Tapas. Lets get along, Ojousan.
At my words, Meis face turned red, and she faced downwards.
Y- Yes. Lets get along.
Because she was too nervous, towards the end her voice shrank.
Mmn, this really isnt Mei, is it? The original Mei Zakro was more of a cool and bold type of character. Ive easily reached a conclusion in my mind.
Well then, now that the three of us are here, lets start the gathering!
Miss Camille was making a loud announcement.
By the way, what are we supposed to do at a girls only gathering?
Eh-, thats what you want to announce? I could see a little bit of Baka-sama in Miss Camille who had taken action with all energy and no forethought.
Hmm. Oneesama Amongst the girls in the Spades class, there are a lot of talks about love.
Well then, lets go with that.
What an incredibly thoughtless response. Is that really all right? I had to swallow back the tsukkomi that reached as far up as my throat.
Well then, lets talk begin by talking about the type of men that we like. Huhu, Im so happy. Ive wanted to try talking about love with fellow girls at least once in my life!
Said Mei, who had taken charge at some point. Whilst continually referring to Camille as Oneesama, shes sticking quite closely to her.
Oneesama, what type of men do you like? By the way, my type is one thats slightly arrogant and overbearing, but is a gentleman whos very sweet to me.
Are you suddenly going to jump into praising your man? Thats definitely Raiga shes talking about, right?
M- My type?
Miss Camille has for some reason suddenly grown agitated. Just whats the matter? Her eyes are swimming, and her face is red.
I-I-I-Id suure like to hear about Beatrix type first
My type, huh? Its like Meis.
And little wonder, since the person I like is one and the same as hers.
What an interesting conversation youre havingg.
While we were still in the middle of our girls gathering, it seems that Baka-sama returned from his supplementary lessons. This garden is close by the entrance to the Diamonds dorm, thus, students who are returning from the school building will unfailing pass by it. Today, Baka-sama had brought along an unfamiliar blonde student who was standing behind him.
Waka-sama and,
Royce-sama!
Miss Camilles face is shining. Its almost as though shes the in-game Camille.
The person that was with Baka-sama was the prince of the neighbouring nation, K of Hearts Royce Garnet.
Heyys, Bea-chin. This is my friend, Royce~ Royce, this is Beatrix Tapas. Shes my knight.
Pleased to meet you, Your Highness.
Huh? Whats wrong? Prince Royce is staring right at me.
Umm
A-, Ahh. Sorry for spacing out. Its nice to meet you, Beatrix. Youve been looking after our Camille, huh?
No, it is I who is being looked after. I am glad to be getting along with Camille-sama.
Prince Royce gave me a sweet smile. As expected of the number one popular romantic interest character. Its a smile thats well suited for use on women.
Because of the mens intrusion, our girls gathering is temporarily over. Miss Camille left her seat with Mei who had become nervous because of Prince Royces appearance. Id heard rumours about it softening, but it seems that the factional disputes of the Garnet Nation havent completely disappeared.
Waka-sama, what happened to the supplementary lessons?
Its fine to take a bit of a break, right? If its my studies, Im about to have Royce teach me so its all good~
Waka-sama!
Ahaha, Ill go get a tool for studying, okayy? Ill leave entertaining Royce up to you, Bea-chin~
Baka-sama disappeared into the dorm, laughing frivolously all the while. Does he plan on studying in the garden? Certainly, there are tables and chairs as well, but
Wont you stop being so mad? I really did make a promise with Tria to study together today, after all.
Prince Royce who was still here was following up for Baka-sama. If Im told that by him, then theres no way I can condemn Baka-sama any further.
Ah-, yes.
Having a friend help him with his studies can already be considered admirable for Baka-sama. This is if he doesnt cause trouble for His Highness today, but things seem fine for now. But still, Ive been acutely feeling Prince Royces gaze for a while now. Why is he staring at me so hard, I wonder.
Umm, Your Highness Is something the matter?
Youre Trias knight, arent you, Beatrix?
High Highness softly smiled. Mn, its the smile of a model prince, isnt it? I wonder how many women hes unconsciously taken captive with this smile of his. However, Prince Royce is a gentle man, both in appearance and in personality. I like prim and stiff men, so Im not lured by that smile, and continue the conversation normally.
I am, but?
Even though youre a girl. How amazing You sure are cool.
Eh-
This is the first time that Ive been praised by a man for being a knight.
In Topageria, female knights are normally looked on with hostility or contempt or as something bothersome, by men. The only exception around me is Baka-sama. I dont know why, but despite being afraid of me, hes become attached to me. Its exactly because of this that I felt like serving Baka-sama. I wonder if praising a female knight is because of a difference in views between Garnet and Topageria.
While I was racking my brains over this, Prince Royce spoke to me again.
What are your hobbies, Beatrix?
Eh-, my hobbies?
Being shocked by the sudden question, I obediently answered him.
My hobbies are training, perhaps.
Anything else?
Umm, reading books on war strategy for example Also I enjoy strolls in the forest, you see.
Hmmm, strolls? Theres a forest near the academy, isnt there?
Indeed, I occasionally head there. It doubles as training.
Whats with this? His Highness is continually asking me questions with a smile, but?
I seee, how interesting If its fine with you, would you mind guiding me around the forest? Ive never been.
G-, Guiding, you say? Me?
Just go, Bea-chin.
My lord who had gone to fetch a tool for studying from his dorm room had suddenly appeared behind me. Damn you, Baka-sama Even though the other party is the prince of a nation, what are you going to do if something happens? This isnt something you say irresponsibly.
Its fine. Ill make sure to bring guards Is it okay?
I was going to point out the problems from a security point of view, but my thoughts were anticipated by His Highness and he said that first. Whilst asking Is it okay? or whatever, Prince Royce is giving off an aura that seems to say that he wont accept anything other than an affirmative. Even though in the game he was supposed to be a sparkling prince, this feeling of pressure is no joke. Was he always such a forceful character?
With His Highness having said that much, theres no way I can decline.
Y-, Yes If you are fine with me then gladly
Losing to his pressure, I ended up agreeing to his proposal.
Thanks!
His Highness flushed happily, and took my hand.
What is this? Why does His Highness, want to go to the forest with me upon our first meeting? It cant be.
Im not an idiot either, and Im not so dull that Ill fail to notice his forceful attitude today. In my old world, I was a university student, so Ive had a reasonable amount of experience. In other words, Prince Royce is interested in me in that meaning of the word. I dont understand why, though.
But, I wonder why Even though I had come to this academy to babysit Baka-sama whilst also hoping that if chance permitted, Id be able to romance Raiga who appeared in the game
For a rival character like me to be romanced instead Its an impossible development. And moreover, the other party is that Prince Royce.
Why did the situation turn into this!?
Authors Note: RoyceHeroine was the original plan, but following the flow of the story, it ended up as Beatrix. Sorry.