I Became an Outcast in the Academy

1. Nightmare (3)

“Oh, Your Highness, I apologize for being late. I had some work to attend to before coming.”

As I bowed my head to Cartesia, she pouted and playfully poked my shoulder with her finger.

“Cyan, I’ve told you dozens of times over the past few months. Within Lutra, we should treat each other as equals and not be concerned with ranks. I’ve said that only instructors or seniors should use honorifics. Remember?”

I knew that very well. I was just uncomfortable using informal language with someone as important as the empire’s princess.

“Ah… I… I’ll try to fix it. It’s just that using informal language feels strange to me…”

“Try to fix it? No, fix it now. Go back to your usual way of speaking. Speak informally, just like always. Right away.”

For some inexplicable reason, I sighed inwardly as I watched Cartesia, who had her eyes wide open and was pointing at me with her fingers, as she tried to guide me.

Over the past few months I had spent with her, I had come to learn that she genuinely disliked me using informal language with her.

The reason… honestly, I didn’t know.

According to her, she had grown tired of people using honorifics with her while she was raised in the palace, but all I could think was that someone raised in noble surroundings had a rather peculiar sensibility.

“…Fine. I’ll use informal language. Is that okay now?”

“That’s right. Good job. See? It’s not that hard.”

As I let out a light sigh and adjusted my tone towards her, Carthesia beamed a wide smile.

“But why do you look so gloomy today of all days? Did something happen?”

“It’s not a big deal. People have good and bad days, you know.”

Even though I tried to speak as calmly as possible in front of Carthesia, who could be considered a friend, I could tell she had sensed something.

“Hey, do you have another meaningless argument with some guy again? Like someone about their status or background or something?”

I hadn’t said anything yet, but Carthesia was already wrinkling her delicate brow.

“It’s not that. Please, don’t go shouting at other students over things like this. Are you my mom?”

Since becoming friends with Carthesia, she seemed to think I was a complete idiot who couldn’t speak in front of nobles and took it upon herself to confront them whenever I faced any trouble.

“…Mom won’t do. I like having you as a friend.”

Not only did she avoid answering my questions, but she was perfect at making excuses.

In other words, every time I brought up this topic, she skillfully diverted the conversation elsewhere.

“Anyway, let’s go get some food. I’m starving.”

I didn’t want to have a long conversation with her about this topic, especially not until we were sitting down to eat. Even though the class divide between us was massive, Carthesia was one of the few friends I had at the academy, and I didn’t want to have uncomfortable discussions before eating, especially if it had to do with my little sisters.

When I tried to change the subject more explicitly, Carthesia looked at me with a discontented expression.

“…Fine, if you don’t want to talk about it, there’s nothing I can do. But if you ever think it’s causing you direct harm, I will intervene as your friend, no questions asked. Got it?”

“Yeah, I got it.”

As I nodded, she finally smiled as if satisfied.

“Great, then let’s go. I’ve already reserved a table.”

Carthesia hummed a cheerful tune, as if something good had happened, and pulled me along.

As we entered the student cafeteria, all the students sitting inside focused their attention on us. To them, it must have been quite unusual to see the most noble princess and a lowly orphaned mercenary entering the cafeteria together.

Truth be told, I often didn’t understand why we were so close, but to them, it must have been a mystery.

Of course, Carthesia paid no mind to the curious gazes of the other students and took her seat.

“What are you waiting for? Hurry up and sit.”

“…Alright.”

I didn’t talk much, and Carthesia was also not the type to engage in idle chatter with others. So, our meal was rather quiet, with the conversations of the people around us ringing in our ears.

Carthesia, who had been eating silently, suddenly turned to me and quietly opened her mouth.

“Sian, there’s something I want to tell you, just in case.”

“What is it?”

“It’s about my brother, Crown Prince Ricardo.”

“Oh.”

“Did you know that you’ve been getting closer to your sister Robellia lately?”

“…Robellia and the Crown Prince?”

Upon hearing Cartesia’s words, I couldn’t help but recall the conversation I had with Robellia a while ago.

– Did you know that I’ve been maintaining a pretty good relationship with His Highness lately? But every time I’m with him, you can’t help me, and you come over to me without a clue, making me embarrassed. I’m really ashamed of you.

Robellia had said something like that in passing, but seeing that even Cartesia was telling me this, it seemed that something was indeed going on between the two of them.

“I didn’t really want to interfere in other people’s love affairs, but… I heard that the relationship between the two is a bit strange to be called lovers.”

“Strange, you say?”

“Yes. They used to be a lovely couple keeping an innocent relationship under the watchful eyes of those around them, but lately, they’ve been meeting in secret more frequently. And I’ve also heard that your name often comes up in their conversations.”

“…So, they’re talking about me? Why?”

“Well, it’s definitely not because His Highness is a cute person who wants to gather information about the person who might become his brother-in-law. That’s not like him.”

Cartesia opened her mouth with a sullen expression while spinning her fork.

“Let’s just say that it’s not surprising for our brother to be like that, but I am more worried about what’s on your sister’s mind. I’ve never seen anyone around here who is decent enough to be with our proud brother.”

She then tapped her head and glanced at Sian.

“… Oh, I definitely didn’t mean to gossip about your sister. I just… I was worried about you. If you’re offended, I apologize.”

“No, I don’t think you need to apologize to me.”

I gave Cartesia a bitter smile and reassured her.

I was sincere. Because Cartesia had merely told me the truth, and more importantly, it was a fact that Robellia was currently plotting something against me.

And maybe… the situation seemed worse than I had anticipated.

– It’s not our responsibility what happens from now on… We’ve given you enough advice and tried to persuade you.

Those weren’t Robellia’s words, but my younger sisters had said something along those lines to me at the time.

When I declared that I wouldn’t withdraw, they threatened to make me regret my decision by any means possible.

I thought it was about spreading bad rumors about me in the academy, but what if it wasn’t?

What if they were planning to expel me from the academy by joining hands with dangerous people like the Crown Prince, even if it meant resorting to childish tricks?

Then, how should I respond, and with what face should I face those girls?

“…”

Seeing my rigid expression and silence, she looked at me with a cautious expression.

“Why? Are you alright? You don’t look very well.”

“…Yeah, I’m fine. No problem.”

Don’t think about anything. And don’t judge anything hastily.

Nothing has happened yet. Sure, there are various rumors surrounding me, but it’s not confirmed that my younger sisters are behind those rumors.

So for now… Let’s trust those girls. After all, we are still family.

“Sian… if anything happens, be sure to tell me. I’ll do whatever it takes to help you.”

“Okay, I got it. Thank you, Cartesia.”

“…Just call me Sia. That name is too long.”

Looking at Cartesia who turned bright red for some reason, I couldn’t help but grin.

A week later, I received an order from the board.

To prove my innocence, I must duel with someone else.

And my dueling opponent was quickly decided.

The name of the person I had to face in the swordfight was Eli.

One of my younger sisters, who possessed the greatest talent in the empire when it came to ‘swords.’