Chapter 31

The next day. As promised, I caught a cold and ended up bedridden. I thought she was a maid made of steel, but turns out she’s a sickly beauty?! What kind of plot twist is this? Since there were no thermometers in this era, Lilian roughly felt my forehead with her hand and recoiled in shock. Was I really that hot?

“Are you okay, Catherine?”

I nodded, covering my mouth with a wet handkerchief to avoid spreading it to Lilian. She looked at me with pity and took a step back. Then, she quietly slipped into her uniform and left.

I didn’t expect her to nurse me, really, I didn’t, but being abandoned like this made me feel a little lonely… Lilian left, telling me to visit the school infirmary if I needed to. Staring at the door where her lingering presence remained, I realized I couldn’t stay in my underwear, so I changed into the only comfortable clothes I brought from the mansion. They looked like something a country housewife would wear.

Actually, these were clothes the Young Lady had gifted me a long, long time ago. Back then, they didn’t fit, but now, after growing up, they fit perfectly. I remember being impressed by the Young Lady’s foresight.

“Catherine’s chest probably won’t grow much.”

I still remember the Young Lady’s sly smile as she said that. It felt like she was teasing me, but it was the first and last time she ever gave me a gift, so I was really happy. Back then, I hadn’t fully accepted my place in this world and was just living aimlessly, but the Young Lady was the one who supported me.

That’s why I still can’t forget her, and why I keep looking for traces of her in Lilian. Whenever I find something similar in Lilian, I feel both joy and disgust at myself. Am I not facing the Young Lady properly? These worries and self-loathing fill my head.

Being sick really makes you think all sorts of things. I sighed softly and lay down on my assigned bed. Pulling the blanket up to my shoulders, I stared blankly at the ceiling. Maybe because I didn’t take any medicine, I couldn’t sleep at all. Plus, as someone who’s usually busy with work, I felt even more bored. As I lay there staring at the ceiling, I heard a knock, and the door opened.

Did I forget to lock the door? I turned to look and saw familiar purple hair. It was the Princess, who looked like a villainess from a romance fantasy novel. Why is she here now? I stared at her in a daze, then suddenly startled and tried to sit up.

“Stay down. I don’t want a sick person greeting me.”

“Your Highness, the Princess…”

“Hmm. Ah, I got the key from your master. He looked a bit strange, but it’s fine, right?”

“Is that so…”

Wait, doesn’t she have classes? As I thought this and looked at her, the Princess smirked.

“The classes at Apatem Academy aren’t that hard, and I’ve already learned everything at the palace. I don’t really need to attend.”

“Did I say that out loud?”

“No, but I can tell what someone I like wants to say.”

“Cough, cough!”

“Hohoho.”

I turned my head away as the Princess smiled triumphantly at me. Come to think of it, this is the first time since the confession incident. Though it was just yesterday. I’ve never been flirted with by anyone before, let alone by such a beauty who’s boldly approaching me like this. It’s a bit flustering.

“Well, I’m not here to hear your answer right now. I just came to earn some points.”

“Is that so…”

“Here’s some medicine. It’s from my personal doctor, so it should work well.”

As I took the medicine from the Princess, I finally asked the question that had been on my mind.

“Before that, how did you know I was sick?”

“Do you think there’s anywhere in this academy that can escape my eyes?”

Why is she using her power to check on a mere maid? Well, I know why, but still. What kind of answer is that? Why is the Princess of the Empire using her power like this? Even in my sick state, I racked my brain and eventually swallowed a sigh.

“Well, rest easy. Don’t think about me being here.”

“What are you planning to do…?”

“This and that?”

I can only think of bad things. Staring blankly at the Princess’s back, I closed my eyes for a moment, feeling tired.

—

“Excuse me?”

After class, as Lilian was heading to the next lecture, she raised an eyebrow at the unexpected guest blocking her path. Did I hear that right? No, I definitely heard it, but it was so unbelievable that I had to ask again.

“I said I want to visit your maid who’s sick.”

Lilian stared blankly at the Princess in front of her. In the game, the Princess was a villainess who bullied Yulia alongside Lilian. But now, the Princess didn’t seem interested in Yulia at all. Moreover, in the original game, the Princess would have despised Catherine. So why is she visiting Catherine now? Lilian was utterly confused.

Truth be told, the Princess’s reputation wasn’t great even now. Rumors circulated that she had an iron maiden in her residence where she’d spin anyone she disliked a few times, or that the Imperial Order of Knights would silently deal with anyone who approached her. These rumors were still openly discussed among the academy students.

It’s almost surprising how some people still try to oppose her at every turn. But if you look past the rumors and her intimidating appearance, the Princess is actually a firm and fair person. The current student council members know this, which is why they trust her even though she’s not officially part of the council.

Despite being a third-year with considerable influence, the first prince’s interference is firmly rejected, while the Princess is consulted for advice. That must be why the first prince is so frustrated. Thinking about it, Apatem Academy is currently filled with the children of powerful figures. First and foremost, the two sons and daughter of the imperial family attend.

The second prince, Jeron von Selvius, the game’s male lead and the clear successor to the throne, and the Princess, Chloe von Selvius. Along with the first prince and central figure of the third years, Meyer Selvius, the three key figures in the current imperial power struggle are all gathered here.

Meyer, the son of a concubine, is constantly eyeing Jeron’s position, while Princess Chloe aims to seize the throne from her twin brother and become the Empire’s first empress. The biggest problem is Jeron, who has no desire for the throne but dislikes being the male lead, so their power struggle continues even behind the scenes.

And the main stage for this power struggle is Apatem Academy, the game’s primary setting. Moreover, in this era where magical powers have disappeared, the only girl who can use such abilities has enrolled, and the three are each trying to win her over using their own methods.

What started as a strategic move gradually turned into genuine feelings, and the prince eventually confessed his love, regretting it but clinging desperately to her. That scene was really good. Lilian smiled faintly at the thought.

“…Young Lady. Aren’t you going to give it?”

“Ah, yes. Here you go.”

“Hmm… I know I shouldn’t say this, but aren’t you being too compliant? What if I pull some trick?”

“Your Highness? Oh, stop joking.”

The embodiment of fairness and justice would never do such a thing. Lilian laughed it off as if she’d heard a funny joke, and the Princess, looking confused, took the key.

“Hmm, well, it’s nice to be trusted. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Ah, Catherine… um, ugh…”

“What’s wrong?”

Wait, is she going to take Catherine away? The thought suddenly struck her. She’s already given her away, and now she can’t take her back. Lilian, unable to do anything, sighed heavily as the Princess looked at her with growing curiosity.

“Um, just tell her to rest well. I’ll take care of lunch myself.”

“…Do you usually ask Catherine to make lunch too?”

“Ah, yes. Catherine makes it for me.”

“That’s…”

Did I just hear her mutter “I’m jealous”? Or was it just my imagination? Lilian tilted her head, and the Princess spoke with a calm expression.

“Understood. I’ll pass that along.”

“Thank you. Please take care.”

Of course, Lilian didn’t know that the Princess had already confessed to Catherine, so she waved her hand, thinking nothing would come of it. Watching the Princess walk away leisurely, Lilian quickened her steps toward the next lecture hall.