—• Karl’s departure •—
It was the afternoon at the Duke residence’s lawn 5 years after we got engaged, Karl’s voice echoed just like any other day.
“Alicia, Thank you for waiting.”
As we turned 18, it would be weird for us to keep playing chase like when we were kids, so the lawn was rearranged with all the ropes replaced with a table and seats for us to have tea together.
“You are late Karl!”
“I’m really, really sorry.”
When I got off from my seat and stood up to welcome Karl, I was suddenly buried in his firm chest. Lately, he has even become taller than me. He engulfed my whole body in his arms, I then realized that Karl had really grown.
“Wait, Karl!! It’s stuffy.”
“Ah, Sorry. I must have gotten over excited because it has been a while since we met.”
After saying that, he put me down on the chair and set the table. When I heard the sounds of sweet’s wrapping, I raised my hand forward to search for my plate. Noticing me, Karl kindly took my hand and guided it to where the sweet were placed. Everytime I think about it, I just can’t help but fall in love with his kindness.
“Thank you, Karl.”
“It’s nothing.”
We talked while enjoying our sweets. Then suddenly Karl stopped and seemed to gaze at me.
“Is everything alright Alicia?”
Maybe because we were always together, he could notice right away if something was wrong with me. Maybe deep down I really wanted to get this heaviness out of my chest, if it was him… So I decided to tell him everything.
“I got invited to a tea party by the young lady of maquis Alistair.”
After the engagement party, I have refused all the invitations to tea parties using the fact that I couldn’t see as an excuse. But as the fiance of the Prince, I couldn’t keep refusing them. So I thought it would be fine to join some gatherings, and Mommy will also come with me.
“Now that you mentioned it, the Maquis did say something about his daughter, who is around our age, wanting to be friends with us.”
“Yes! I heard about her and that’s why I decided to accept the invitation! But she secretly arranged for my mother’s seat to be separated from me, and said a lot of malicious things to me when I was completely isolated.”
“What? How dare she? What did she do to you?”-he shouted.
“It’s not that big of a deal. But she changed the table setting intentionally, then asked me, a blind person, to pass her the sugar and the plate of sweets… It was only that but it seems I was being mocked because I can’t see. So frustrating!”
“That is really mean.”
“She told me she felt sorry for you, Karl. And also saying something like she is more suitable for you. So mean!”
As I was telling him, I remembered how badly I was treated and got really sad that tears started to drop. Karl’s warm hand caressed my head, and moved from his chair to the one next to me, then gently embraced my pitiful-self.
“Never mind what she said. You are the one and only for me Alicia. I can’t not think about marrying someone else but you… However, It is too cruel, I can’t not leave things like this..”
While caressing my head, Karl said in a low voice, full of (or dripping with) resentment.
“Oh, you don’t need to do anything!”
“Why not? You have been insulted, Alicia!”
Thanks to his hug, I calmed down a little bit and fixed my hair then smiled at him.
“That is because I paid her back!”
“You.. did?”
“She was really mean. So I pretended to have slipped my hand and sprinkled juice all over her!”
People say 18 is the age when you are a half adult and a half child. In a few more months, Karl will be heading to the academy. There is only one school in the country, you can attend it whether you are a noble or a commoner. However, because of how expensive it costs, only some exceptional commoners who received patronage from nobels can register due to their strong magic power. It is also possible for a commoner to be accepted if he has been well taught from a early age.
It is considered common for a noble to enter the academy when they reached the age, but my entry was denied because I was blind.
To be honest, that happened at today’s tea party too. I was mocked for that reason, and also the fact that everyone knows I am a burden to Karl. It’s sad but it is the truth. I can’t do anything about being blind, but I tried my best to take care of everything by myself, I even listened to the recorded lessons many times to improve my knowledge.
But in the end, they still denied me because I am blind.
“You are going to enter the academy soon. 5 years…”
“Ah, I couldn’t bring myself to leave you behind. I’m worried about you, Alicia.”
“I’m not going to do something dangerous… it’s just, I wish we could go together, I hoped..”
Karl gently stroked my head when he heard me mumble. His hand was so tender that it made me want to cry.
Everything was absurd to me too in my previous life. There was no limit to human’s greed either. I finally got reincarnated, a new life to begin.
I want to run.
I want to play.
I want to learn.
I want to be with Karl.
I want to go to school too.
My greed has increased over time.
Maybe living is mean like this.
Looking at the desperate me, Karl kindly called my name with his gentle voice.
“Everything will be alright, I will always think about you in my heart Alicia. And will never forget to reply to your letters.”
Saying that, Karl then put something in my hand.
“This is your telecommunication device. Do you know about it?”
“Thank you Karl. Father used that device to talk to me when he was far away.”
“That’s right! It’s a magic device, it doesn’t run by magic so you can comfortably use it.”
“.. a magic device?”
“Yeah,..keeping magic a secret away from you. It seems the Duke house hasn’t changed at all.”
On his comment, I felt a little bit sorry for myself. Karl poked my cheek with his finger.
“Anyway, from now on I need you to learn how to use the device. If not, I won’t be able to go to school.” (；⌣̀_⌣́)
“I got it! I will tell Mother and Father that you got me this. They might not tell me about the magic part, but they will certainly allow me to use it like my recorder.” (๑˃ᴗ˂)ﻭ
“If that is so, I would be happy! Are you feeling better? A quiet Alicia is on the contrary scary for me.”
I raised my head up and made an angry face.
“That is really rude!” (╬ Ò︿Ó)
As I softly punched his chest repeatedly, Karl made a big laugh and pulled me in for a hug.
“A haha! Just like that! I love the usual Alicia the most!”
Whenever I felt blue, just listening to Karl’s voice made me feel relieved and I would regain my confidence.
“I love you too, Karl.”
Karl gently stroked my hair as I hugged him back.
And then, spring came, Karl entered the academy far, faraway.
—•Karl and his self-conscious•—
In front of Alicia who said she wanted to go to school, Karl clenched his hand then slowly pulled her into his chest.
Listening to her story from the tea party, he could not believe that his shy, endearing fiance had become more and more adorable.
Karl had become taller lately, as his body became harder from all the training, he couldn’t help but notice Alicia’s delicate shoulder. If he was not careful, he would unconsciously try to hug her imminently. While he feels manlier as time passes, Alicia becomes more feminine at the same time.
All the childish parts of body got replaced by delicate but curvy lines, her face got more dolicen with a little hint of elegance. Alicia has always been pretty, but she has become more beautiful lately, it is undeniable. People can’t help but gaze at her when they notice her. However, because she can’t see how she looks like herself, Alicia always has anxiety about her own appearance. She still laughs, gets mad, snugs in his arms like she always does before. But right now everything seems like a test for his patience and self control.
Whenever they are together, Cloud and Kate or other maids will also be nearby so of course he couldn’t do anything. The situation was not easy for him who sees Alicia as a woman now. That’s why it will be difficult for him to spend 5 years in the academy. He couldn’t endure his desire to sneakily smell Alicia when giving her the magic device.
To be separated from each other until adulthood will be a challenge to him. So if it’s just a kiss… He thought.
As Karl looked up and made a sign, the standmaid closed her eyes and backed down a few steps.
After checking that no one was around anymore, he looked down at her and gently stroked her hair a few times. Karl grabbed her delicate shoulder and looked straight at her.
“Alicia, I will certainly do my best. Therefore, can you wait until I return?”
“..I understand.”
Alicia tilted her head and sweetly smiled at him. Karl seemed to lose all his reasoning in front of her. How could you be this adorable!?- He thought, while scratching his head hard.
~ლ(⁄ ⁄>⁄ 益 ⁄<⁄ ⁄ლ)!!
—•Alicia’s worries•—
Today I joined the tea party with Mother. It has been 3 years since Karl entered the academy.
We could only meet once a year due to his busy schedule, whenever we met, Karl became more of a fine young man. Only me, spending days with nothing to do, looking forward to his return made me feel like being left behind.
“Have you heard the rumor? Lady Alicia?”
The lady sitting beside me whispered to my ears.
“What do you mean?”
“Oh my! So you haven’t! Everyone has been talking about it lately.”
“?”
“The rumor is Prince Karl has been sharing a passionate love with the Count daughter. And to think that he could do that while having a fiance? That’s quite something. Don’t be deceived by him, lady Alicia~”
The ladies didn’t try to hide the fact that they were making fun of me.
I couldn’t keep putting up a face, so I used the fan to cover my trembling lips.
Karl is?
With the Count’s daughter?
How could ..!
The Karl who always worried and took care of me, is throwing me away? …
———-
“Oh well, it is just a rumor not based on facts~”
I held back my trembling voice and continued spending time with the ladies. However, the anxiety and worries from the talk before didn’t leave my head.
When Mommy came back from the restroom, I pleaded with her to leave right away while struggling to press down all the dizziness.
“Alicia dear, what’s wrong?”
Usually I would skillfully lead the conversation with them, but looking at my state in front of Mommy now made her worried.
“Mother..the gossip..”
Mommy quickly grasped the situation and held my hand.
“Let’s leave it for today, shall we?”
As we got into the carriage and settled down, Mommy started to ask me.
“So you heard about it, dear?”
“Y..yes..”
“About his highness? Prince Karl?”
“Yes”
I answered with my head down the whole time.
“What do you think about it, Alicia?”
“What do I think you asked.. Of course it is unbelievable.”
“Me too, dear. We are talking about his highness here, it is impossible for him to be with another lady.”
“Mother..”
“It’s only a rumor,Alicia! You must have faith in his highness!”
Mommy patted my hand and comforted me. Her kindness touched my heart and I could not hold back my tears any longer.
“Oh my, don’t cry dear..” ( *´ー)ノ”(ノ_<、)
I calmed down thanks to her kindly patting my back. I raised my face towards Mommy.
“You..you were right. I need to have faith in Karl. I’m sorry. I quickly lost my calm just because of some rumor..”
“It’s alright. He is your first love anyway. It is normal to feel anxious while being separated.”
“F..First love?”
“Isn’t it? You made a face like that when you heard about him cheating on you. The truth is you like his highness very much, don’t you!?”
“I..I like him..”
“Don’t you agree that it is love~”
Swayed by Mommy’s words, I felt my face somewhat heat up.
On the way back in the carriage, I thought a lot about what happened, I know I have to face my feelings from now on. Now that I properly gave it a thought, the feeling I had for Karl when we were ‘ childhood friends’ evolved into something stronger. If I still ‘like’ Karl like when we were kids, I surely wouldn’t get angry if Karl decided to hang out with another lady.
Is..Is it love? (⁄ ⁄•⁄﹏⁄•⁄ ⁄)
“…That’s right, this is my…first love..”
I felt my face would get really red right now so I quickly put my head down and nervously replied back to her. But Mommy suddenly hugged me tightly.
“My!! How can you be this lovely, my cute Alicia!?!?” (*/▽＼*)
Embraced by her, my heart couldn’t stop pounding to the realization of my first love.
So this is it, I really love Karl. As a person of the opposite sex, as his fiance, I like him. Our social status has nothing to do with my feelings, I just simply fell in love with the real Karl.
As I realized my own feelings, I couldn’t help but get more curious about what they were gossiping about.
“I hope to see him soon. I want, when we meet, to talk, hang around, and laugh at the stupid rumor together!”
Seeing me become so firesty about the idea, Mommy straightened her back.
“If that is your wish maybe this time it can be fulfilled.”
“Why is that?”
“They will hold open campus for a couple of days which only happens once a year. Parents are allowed to come with their children to see the school around. The festival where shops, restaurants run by students are held there too!”
“Really? I want to go! If I go I can meet Karl too!”
“I understand! I will talk to your Father about this!”
When we arrived at home, Mommy quickly went to meet with daddy and talked about it.
He opposed the idea at first, but knowing that I really wanted to go, he gave me his permission. Maybe it will be the first time for the 3 of us to go on a vacation. It sounded so fanstanatic, I was thrilled and thinking about the preparations.
That night, while talking about others, I told Karl that we will come over on the open campus day on the magic telecommunication device.
“What? You’re coming on that day?”
“Yes! Mother and Father will also join me on the trip!”
“…I see. But don’t you think the distance is too far away?”
“It is impossible to go there and come back in one day, so we will be staying at the guest villa. I am really looking forward to it!” ＼(≧▽≦)／
Once a week, we talk to each other with the device I received from Karl before he left. The device is like this world’s mobile phone. I don’t know how to press the numer, but it has a smooth texture as my recorder. It will automatically connect with the person if I say their name out loud. According to Karl, the device is filled with magic, even a non-magic user like me can use it with ease. As always on the promised time, I called Karl and chatted with him.
“I see.. So you are coming.”
Karl seemed to dislike the idea of me coming over to school. As I remembered the rumor from this morning.
“Hmm.. Is it better for me not to go?”
“No! There is nothing like that.. It’s just.. I’m worried..”
“Worried?”
“..No. I’m happy to be able to see you after a long time. But..”
Karl went silent a bit after saying that and quickly changed the topic.
From his attitude, for the first time in my life, a new feeling was born. It’s a sense of distrust.
After that, our conversation didn’t go anywhere, the call ended quickly without making any promises for the next call like usual.
To think that he was hesitant to see me was quite unpleasant. Now you mentioned, the open campus is held once a year, but Karl did not invite me to come last year or the year before too. If Mommy didn’t tell me about it I wouldn’t have known.
…Maybe the rumor turned out to be true after all? He might be afraid to let me meet his cheating partner? What is this attitude?? I didn’t have a chance to experience love in my previous life, even in this life I just realized my first love. A newcomer like me, how could I handle the fact of being cheated on right now??
As I squeezed my head, I only had negative thoughts, I went to bed just like that.
—・Kalt’s friends ・—
“Open campus?”
Hearing about Alicia coming over, Karl didn’t mind about it at all. At this time, he didn’t know about the rumor that has been running around. For a person busy like him, Karl had no time to be interested in another thing.
“ Alicia is coming over here.. To school!”
The reason why Karl hesitated is because he was embarrassed about what he had been doing here. As a member of the Royal family, Karl was an excellent individual and so talented that only in third year, he managed to finish almost all the studies in the whole 5 years. However, he also used the fact that he was the Prince to take control over people and manipulate them for his own purposes. In order to become the person to support his brother who will be the King and the successor of Duke Holsten, it was necessary for him to have comrades of the same age.
Karl wondered if it was okay to show Alicia who he was in school. For 3 whole years, he never talked about the things that happened in the academy to her. Afraid that it would scare her and lead her to hate him. Nevertheless everything he did was for the sake of Alicia’s future. Most of the students were on his side, however there were still some individuals who rebelled. And those people, if they were to lay hands on her or hurt her, he didn’t have any confidence that he would be able to stop them. Just like what happened before with the wolf (magical beast), there was the possibility of him using the prohibited spell again.
“I need to do something about them fast..I had hidden myself and put on a face In front of them. But it is now useless to make them think that the Fifth Prince is useless and powerless.” – He quickly wrote down the name of his targets –
“The open campus will be held in 2 weeks, I don’t have much time.”
Karl smirked and decided that he will never show Alicia his dark side.
“I need to hurry to make this place a safe environment for my Alicia to enjoy fully, am I.”
Karl had a new goal that needed to be done before the due day.
“She has to enjoy the event. She must..”
Karl only wanted Alicia to know about his untainted self, so a lot of things needed to be done for that sake. Instantly, he called over 5 individuals who have been working with him. They have been carefully selected, trusted as his comrades and maintained a good relationship after he enrolled in the academy. Looking at their profile, Karl made a difficult face.
First, Karlise Alaclair( ͡°’ ͜ʖ ͡°)
The eldest son of Duke Alaclair, he may come off a little bit flirty, but he was a serious guy in reality that could be trusted. Karlise was also Alicia’s cousin and his future family member when he got married to Alicia.
Second, Erick Nakahayasu( °−° )
The Knight Captain/Count’s third son. A muscle maniac, always thinking about his sword and magic skills training. He wanted to enter the Knight order before, but after a while he said to enter Duke Holsten’s order of Knight after graduating.
Next is Mikhail Tennyson (-◯ _ ◯-)
The Tennyson family used to be famous for their business but recently received the title of Baron for what they achieved. As the second son, he was really good with numbers and calculations. I needed his support in the future because I knew that surely the Duke house would benefit greatly from working with him.
Moving on to Aramic Berkeley (^▽^)ノ
An exchange student from faraway land. I needed him for his new ideas and his knowledge of the outside world.
Lastly, Emilia Fredcécht (っ˘ω˘c )
She was only the daughter of Baron, but helda lot of information. From the gossip among the ladies to the complaints from young mens. There was no information that she didn’t know at school.
Karl seemed to be satisfied with the chosen members sitting in front of him.
“So, what are we going to do?”
The wishful Knight, Erick, raised his head and asked.
“Of course. For the sake of my blind fiancé, we need to do anything for her to laugh at ease.”
“Karl’s fiancé? And she is blind?”
His arranged marriage has been the famous talk among people, however it seemed the third son of the Count was not familiar with it. It couldn’t be helped so Karl decided to explain to him.
“Yes, my fiancé is the princess Alicia Holsten, the daughter of the Duke. Even though she is blind, she is known for her exquisite beauty.”
“I heard about her! When his highness Karl engaged with the princess, it became really big news. A lot of gossip going around that time too.”
With Emilia energetically raising her hand, Karl smiled.
“As expected from Emilia. But the gossip is all wrong so please don’t put your heart on it.”
“The rumor about the princess is carefully raised but isolated from the outside. She is rumored to be calm and beautiful but will fall sick if no one helps her. That is why your highness took sympathy and engaged with her. Is that true?”
“So the rumors were that bad, I see.. aside from the fact she was raised isolated from the outside, everything is false. Please do something about those lies will you?”
“Ro~ger!”
“But, Karl. Why did the princess decide to come this year? Didn’t they totally ignore the event last year? My Mother and Father, the Baron, told me that the Duke firmly stated that they will not let the princess join any public event. Aren’t they?”
As Emilia kept asking further about Alicia, Alicia’s cousin, Karlise made a mystery expression.
“They did that because of the rumor saying she is so weak that she cannot even protect herself. But this time both the Duke and Duchess will be with her. I have not heard anything further about the reason, but the 3 of them will come over here on open campus day.”
“I see. Mother and Father must have looked down on them before. I understand.”
Karlise seemed to come to terms with the situation in Holsten house. Realizing that, Karl bitterly smiled.
“Now, 2 weeks until the open campus day. However the group that opposes his highness is not slowing down anytime soon. We need to ‘play hide and seek’(＊)with them, don’t we!”
“You got it right, Mikhail.”
“That’s troubling. Our finances are not enough to seize their movement completely.. the only thing we can do is shut their mouths… however it will be considered us blackmailing them.”
Mikhail said those words with a hint of horror in a straight face. Pleased with what he was hearing, Karl smiled but his eyes deepened that it was terrifying.
“We don’t have enough time. I think it is perfectly fine to be a little bit hard on them. Don’t you agree?” ( ◠‿◠ )
“I can’t say no, can’t i?” (-◯ ‿ ◯-)✧︎
While Mikhail smiled with his eyes thinly closed, he slowly took out his papers and distributed them to everyone. Reading what was written, Aramic couldn’t control his excitement and raised his voice.
“I don’t mind the way that you always smile but silently control the whole school before. However, this time the dark Karl is thrilling, not less. I’m in! This is going to be fun!!”
—–
(＊) what he meant is to lure those people and eliminate them at once without nobody knows.
—• Karl’s departure •—
It was the afternoon at the Duke residence’s lawn 5 years after we got engaged, Karl’s voice echoed just like any other day.
“Alicia, Thank you for waiting.”
As we turned 18, it would be weird for us to keep playing chase like when we were kids, so the lawn was rearranged with all the ropes replaced with a table and seats for us to have tea together.
“You are late Karl!”
“I’m really, really sorry.”
When I got off from my seat and stood up to welcome Karl, I was suddenly buried in his firm chest. Lately, he has even become taller than me. He engulfed my whole body in his arms, I then realized that Karl had really grown.
“Wait, Karl!! It’s stuffy.”
“Ah, Sorry. I must have gotten over excited because it has been a while since we met.”
After saying that, he put me down on the chair and set the table. When I heard the sounds of sweet’s wrapping, I raised my hand forward to search for my plate. Noticing me, Karl kindly took my hand and guided it to where the sweet were placed. Everytime I think about it, I just can’t help but fall in love with his kindness.
“Thank you, Karl.”
“It’s nothing.”
We talked while enjoying our sweets. Then suddenly Karl stopped and seemed to gaze at me.
“Is everything alright Alicia?”
Maybe because we were always together, he could notice right away if something was wrong with me. Maybe deep down I really wanted to get this heaviness out of my chest, if it was him… So I decided to tell him everything.
“I got invited to a tea party by the young lady of maquis Alistair.”
After the engagement party, I have refused all the invitations to tea parties using the fact that I couldn’t see as an excuse. But as the fiance of the Prince, I couldn’t keep refusing them. So I thought it would be fine to join some gatherings, and Mommy will also come with me.
“Now that you mentioned it, the Maquis did say something about his daughter, who is around our age, wanting to be friends with us.”
“Yes! I heard about her and that’s why I decided to accept the invitation! But she secretly arranged for my mother’s seat to be separated from me, and said a lot of malicious things to me when I was completely isolated.”
“What? How dare she? What did she do to you?”-he shouted.
“It’s not that big of a deal. But she changed the table setting intentionally, then asked me, a blind person, to pass her the sugar and the plate of sweets… It was only that but it seems I was being mocked because I can’t see. So frustrating!”
“That is really mean.”
“She told me she felt sorry for you, Karl. And also saying something like she is more suitable for you. So mean!”
As I was telling him, I remembered how badly I was treated and got really sad that tears started to drop. Karl’s warm hand caressed my head, and moved from his chair to the one next to me, then gently embraced my pitiful-self.
“Never mind what she said. You are the one and only for me Alicia. I can’t not think about marrying someone else but you… However, It is too cruel, I can’t not leave things like this..”
While caressing my head, Karl said in a low voice, full of (or dripping with) resentment.
“Oh, you don’t need to do anything!”
“Why not? You have been insulted, Alicia!”
Thanks to his hug, I calmed down a little bit and fixed my hair then smiled at him.
“That is because I paid her back!”
“You.. did?”
“She was really mean. So I pretended to have slipped my hand and sprinkled juice all over her!”
People say 18 is the age when you are a half adult and a half child. In a few more months, Karl will be heading to the academy. There is only one school in the country, you can attend it whether you are a noble or a commoner. However, because of how expensive it costs, only some exceptional commoners who received patronage from nobels can register due to their strong magic power. It is also possible for a commoner to be accepted if he has been well taught from a early age.
It is considered common for a noble to enter the academy when they reached the age, but my entry was denied because I was blind.
To be honest, that happened at today’s tea party too. I was mocked for that reason, and also the fact that everyone knows I am a burden to Karl. It’s sad but it is the truth. I can’t do anything about being blind, but I tried my best to take care of everything by myself, I even listened to the recorded lessons many times to improve my knowledge.
But in the end, they still denied me because I am blind.
“You are going to enter the academy soon. 5 years…”
“Ah, I couldn’t bring myself to leave you behind. I’m worried about you, Alicia.”
“I’m not going to do something dangerous… it’s just, I wish we could go together, I hoped..”
Karl gently stroked my head when he heard me mumble. His hand was so tender that it made me want to cry.
Everything was absurd to me too in my previous life. There was no limit to human’s greed either. I finally got reincarnated, a new life to begin.
I want to run.
I want to play.
I want to learn.
I want to be with Karl.
I want to go to school too.
My greed has increased over time.
Maybe living is mean like this.
Looking at the desperate me, Karl kindly called my name with his gentle voice.
“Everything will be alright, I will always think about you in my heart Alicia. And will never forget to reply to your letters.”
Saying that, Karl then put something in my hand.
“This is your telecommunication device. Do you know about it?”
“Thank you Karl. Father used that device to talk to me when he was far away.”
“That’s right! It’s a magic device, it doesn’t run by magic so you can comfortably use it.”
“.. a magic device?”
“Yeah,..keeping magic a secret away from you. It seems the Duke house hasn’t changed at all.”
On his comment, I felt a little bit sorry for myself. Karl poked my cheek with his finger.
“Anyway, from now on I need you to learn how to use the device. If not, I won’t be able to go to school.” (；⌣̀_⌣́)
“I got it! I will tell Mother and Father that you got me this. They might not tell me about the magic part, but they will certainly allow me to use it like my recorder.” (๑˃ᴗ˂)ﻭ
“If that is so, I would be happy! Are you feeling better? A quiet Alicia is on the contrary scary for me.”
I raised my head up and made an angry face.
“That is really rude!” (╬ Ò︿Ó)
As I softly punched his chest repeatedly, Karl made a big laugh and pulled me in for a hug.
“A haha! Just like that! I love the usual Alicia the most!”
Whenever I felt blue, just listening to Karl’s voice made me feel relieved and I would regain my confidence.
“I love you too, Karl.”
Karl gently stroked my hair as I hugged him back.
And then, spring came, Karl entered the academy far, faraway.
—•Karl and his self-conscious•—
In front of Alicia who said she wanted to go to school, Karl clenched his hand then slowly pulled her into his chest.
Listening to her story from the tea party, he could not believe that his shy, endearing fiance had become more and more adorable.
Karl had become taller lately, as his body became harder from all the training, he couldn’t help but notice Alicia’s delicate shoulder. If he was not careful, he would unconsciously try to hug her imminently. While he feels manlier as time passes, Alicia becomes more feminine at the same time.
All the childish parts of body got replaced by delicate but curvy lines, her face got more dolicen with a little hint of elegance. Alicia has always been pretty, but she has become more beautiful lately, it is undeniable. People can’t help but gaze at her when they notice her. However, because she can’t see how she looks like herself, Alicia always has anxiety about her own appearance. She still laughs, gets mad, snugs in his arms like she always does before. But right now everything seems like a test for his patience and self control.
Whenever they are together, Cloud and Kate or other maids will also be nearby so of course he couldn’t do anything. The situation was not easy for him who sees Alicia as a woman now. That’s why it will be difficult for him to spend 5 years in the academy. He couldn’t endure his desire to sneakily smell Alicia when giving her the magic device.
To be separated from each other until adulthood will be a challenge to him. So if it’s just a kiss… He thought.
As Karl looked up and made a sign, the standmaid closed her eyes and backed down a few steps.
After checking that no one was around anymore, he looked down at her and gently stroked her hair a few times. Karl grabbed her delicate shoulder and looked straight at her.
“Alicia, I will certainly do my best. Therefore, can you wait until I return?”
“..I understand.”
Alicia tilted her head and sweetly smiled at him. Karl seemed to lose all his reasoning in front of her. How could you be this adorable!?- He thought, while scratching his head hard.
~ლ(⁄ ⁄>⁄ 益 ⁄<⁄ ⁄ლ)!!
—•Alicia’s worries•—
Today I joined the tea party with Mother. It has been 3 years since Karl entered the academy.
We could only meet once a year due to his busy schedule, whenever we met, Karl became more of a fine young man. Only me, spending days with nothing to do, looking forward to his return made me feel like being left behind.
“Have you heard the rumor? Lady Alicia?”
The lady sitting beside me whispered to my ears.
“What do you mean?”
“Oh my! So you haven’t! Everyone has been talking about it lately.”
“?”
“The rumor is Prince Karl has been sharing a passionate love with the Count daughter. And to think that he could do that while having a fiance? That’s quite something. Don’t be deceived by him, lady Alicia~”
The ladies didn’t try to hide the fact that they were making fun of me.
I couldn’t keep putting up a face, so I used the fan to cover my trembling lips.
Karl is?
With the Count’s daughter?
How could ..!
The Karl who always worried and took care of me, is throwing me away? …
———-
“Oh well, it is just a rumor not based on facts~”
I held back my trembling voice and continued spending time with the ladies. However, the anxiety and worries from the talk before didn’t leave my head.
When Mommy came back from the restroom, I pleaded with her to leave right away while struggling to press down all the dizziness.
“Alicia dear, what’s wrong?”
Usually I would skillfully lead the conversation with them, but looking at my state in front of Mommy now made her worried.
“Mother..the gossip..”
Mommy quickly grasped the situation and held my hand.
“Let’s leave it for today, shall we?”
As we got into the carriage and settled down, Mommy started to ask me.
“So you heard about it, dear?”
“Y..yes..”
“About his highness? Prince Karl?”
“Yes”
I answered with my head down the whole time.
“What do you think about it, Alicia?”
“What do I think you asked.. Of course it is unbelievable.”
“Me too, dear. We are talking about his highness here, it is impossible for him to be with another lady.”
“Mother..”
“It’s only a rumor,Alicia! You must have faith in his highness!”
Mommy patted my hand and comforted me. Her kindness touched my heart and I could not hold back my tears any longer.
“Oh my, don’t cry dear..” ( *´ー)ノ”(ノ_<、)
I calmed down thanks to her kindly patting my back. I raised my face towards Mommy.
“You..you were right. I need to have faith in Karl. I’m sorry. I quickly lost my calm just because of some rumor..”
“It’s alright. He is your first love anyway. It is normal to feel anxious while being separated.”
“F..First love?”
“Isn’t it? You made a face like that when you heard about him cheating on you. The truth is you like his highness very much, don’t you!?”
“I..I like him..”
“Don’t you agree that it is love~”
Swayed by Mommy’s words, I felt my face somewhat heat up.
On the way back in the carriage, I thought a lot about what happened, I know I have to face my feelings from now on. Now that I properly gave it a thought, the feeling I had for Karl when we were ‘ childhood friends’ evolved into something stronger. If I still ‘like’ Karl like when we were kids, I surely wouldn’t get angry if Karl decided to hang out with another lady.
Is..Is it love? (⁄ ⁄•⁄﹏⁄•⁄ ⁄)
“…That’s right, this is my…first love..”
I felt my face would get really red right now so I quickly put my head down and nervously replied back to her. But Mommy suddenly hugged me tightly.
“My!! How can you be this lovely, my cute Alicia!?!?” (*/▽＼*)
Embraced by her, my heart couldn’t stop pounding to the realization of my first love.
So this is it, I really love Karl. As a person of the opposite sex, as his fiance, I like him. Our social status has nothing to do with my feelings, I just simply fell in love with the real Karl.
As I realized my own feelings, I couldn’t help but get more curious about what they were gossiping about.
“I hope to see him soon. I want, when we meet, to talk, hang around, and laugh at the stupid rumor together!”
Seeing me become so firesty about the idea, Mommy straightened her back.
“If that is your wish maybe this time it can be fulfilled.”
“Why is that?”
“They will hold open campus for a couple of days which only happens once a year. Parents are allowed to come with their children to see the school around. The festival where shops, restaurants run by students are held there too!”
“Really? I want to go! If I go I can meet Karl too!”
“I understand! I will talk to your Father about this!”
When we arrived at home, Mommy quickly went to meet with daddy and talked about it.
He opposed the idea at first, but knowing that I really wanted to go, he gave me his permission. Maybe it will be the first time for the 3 of us to go on a vacation. It sounded so fanstanatic, I was thrilled and thinking about the preparations.
That night, while talking about others, I told Karl that we will come over on the open campus day on the magic telecommunication device.
“What? You’re coming on that day?”
“Yes! Mother and Father will also join me on the trip!”
“…I see. But don’t you think the distance is too far away?”
“It is impossible to go there and come back in one day, so we will be staying at the guest villa. I am really looking forward to it!” ＼(≧▽≦)／
Once a week, we talk to each other with the device I received from Karl before he left. The device is like this world’s mobile phone. I don’t know how to press the numer, but it has a smooth texture as my recorder. It will automatically connect with the person if I say their name out loud. According to Karl, the device is filled with magic, even a non-magic user like me can use it with ease. As always on the promised time, I called Karl and chatted with him.
“I see.. So you are coming.”
Karl seemed to dislike the idea of me coming over to school. As I remembered the rumor from this morning.
“Hmm.. Is it better for me not to go?”
“No! There is nothing like that.. It’s just.. I’m worried..”
“Worried?”
“..No. I’m happy to be able to see you after a long time. But..”
Karl went silent a bit after saying that and quickly changed the topic.
From his attitude, for the first time in my life, a new feeling was born. It’s a sense of distrust.
After that, our conversation didn’t go anywhere, the call ended quickly without making any promises for the next call like usual.
To think that he was hesitant to see me was quite unpleasant. Now you mentioned, the open campus is held once a year, but Karl did not invite me to come last year or the year before too. If Mommy didn’t tell me about it I wouldn’t have known.
…Maybe the rumor turned out to be true after all? He might be afraid to let me meet his cheating partner? What is this attitude?? I didn’t have a chance to experience love in my previous life, even in this life I just realized my first love. A newcomer like me, how could I handle the fact of being cheated on right now??
As I squeezed my head, I only had negative thoughts, I went to bed just like that.
—・Kalt’s friends ・—
“Open campus?”
Hearing about Alicia coming over, Karl didn’t mind about it at all. At this time, he didn’t know about the rumor that has been running around. For a person busy like him, Karl had no time to be interested in another thing.
“ Alicia is coming over here.. To school!”
The reason why Karl hesitated is because he was embarrassed about what he had been doing here. As a member of the Royal family, Karl was an excellent individual and so talented that only in third year, he managed to finish almost all the studies in the whole 5 years. However, he also used the fact that he was the Prince to take control over people and manipulate them for his own purposes. In order to become the person to support his brother who will be the King and the successor of Duke Holsten, it was necessary for him to have comrades of the same age.
Karl wondered if it was okay to show Alicia who he was in school. For 3 whole years, he never talked about the things that happened in the academy to her. Afraid that it would scare her and lead her to hate him. Nevertheless everything he did was for the sake of Alicia’s future. Most of the students were on his side, however there were still some individuals who rebelled. And those people, if they were to lay hands on her or hurt her, he didn’t have any confidence that he would be able to stop them. Just like what happened before with the wolf (magical beast), there was the possibility of him using the prohibited spell again.
“I need to do something about them fast..I had hidden myself and put on a face In front of them. But it is now useless to make them think that the Fifth Prince is useless and powerless.” – He quickly wrote down the name of his targets –
“The open campus will be held in 2 weeks, I don’t have much time.”
Karl smirked and decided that he will never show Alicia his dark side.
“I need to hurry to make this place a safe environment for my Alicia to enjoy fully, am I.”
Karl had a new goal that needed to be done before the due day.
“She has to enjoy the event. She must..”
Karl only wanted Alicia to know about his untainted self, so a lot of things needed to be done for that sake. Instantly, he called over 5 individuals who have been working with him. They have been carefully selected, trusted as his comrades and maintained a good relationship after he enrolled in the academy. Looking at their profile, Karl made a difficult face.
First, Karlise Alaclair( ͡°’ ͜ʖ ͡°)
The eldest son of Duke Alaclair, he may come off a little bit flirty, but he was a serious guy in reality that could be trusted. Karlise was also Alicia’s cousin and his future family member when he got married to Alicia.
Second, Erick Nakahayasu( °−° )
The Knight Captain/Count’s third son. A muscle maniac, always thinking about his sword and magic skills training. He wanted to enter the Knight order before, but after a while he said to enter Duke Holsten’s order of Knight after graduating.
Next is Mikhail Tennyson (-◯ _ ◯-)
The Tennyson family used to be famous for their business but recently received the title of Baron for what they achieved. As the second son, he was really good with numbers and calculations. I needed his support in the future because I knew that surely the Duke house would benefit greatly from working with him.
Moving on to Aramic Berkeley (^▽^)ノ
An exchange student from faraway land. I needed him for his new ideas and his knowledge of the outside world.
Lastly, Emilia Fredcécht (っ˘ω˘c )
She was only the daughter of Baron, but helda lot of information. From the gossip among the ladies to the complaints from young mens. There was no information that she didn’t know at school.
Karl seemed to be satisfied with the chosen members sitting in front of him.
“So, what are we going to do?”
The wishful Knight, Erick, raised his head and asked.
“Of course. For the sake of my blind fiancé, we need to do anything for her to laugh at ease.”
“Karl’s fiancé? And she is blind?”
His arranged marriage has been the famous talk among people, however it seemed the third son of the Count was not familiar with it. It couldn’t be helped so Karl decided to explain to him.
“Yes, my fiancé is the princess Alicia Holsten, the daughter of the Duke. Even though she is blind, she is known for her exquisite beauty.”
“I heard about her! When his highness Karl engaged with the princess, it became really big news. A lot of gossip going around that time too.”
With Emilia energetically raising her hand, Karl smiled.
“As expected from Emilia. But the gossip is all wrong so please don’t put your heart on it.”
“The rumor about the princess is carefully raised but isolated from the outside. She is rumored to be calm and beautiful but will fall sick if no one helps her. That is why your highness took sympathy and engaged with her. Is that true?”
“So the rumors were that bad, I see.. aside from the fact she was raised isolated from the outside, everything is false. Please do something about those lies will you?”
“Ro~ger!”
“But, Karl. Why did the princess decide to come this year? Didn’t they totally ignore the event last year? My Mother and Father, the Baron, told me that the Duke firmly stated that they will not let the princess join any public event. Aren’t they?”
As Emilia kept asking further about Alicia, Alicia’s cousin, Karlise made a mystery expression.
“They did that because of the rumor saying she is so weak that she cannot even protect herself. But this time both the Duke and Duchess will be with her. I have not heard anything further about the reason, but the 3 of them will come over here on open campus day.”
“I see. Mother and Father must have looked down on them before. I understand.”
Karlise seemed to come to terms with the situation in Holsten house. Realizing that, Karl bitterly smiled.
“Now, 2 weeks until the open campus day. However the group that opposes his highness is not slowing down anytime soon. We need to ‘play hide and seek’(＊)with them, don’t we!”
“You got it right, Mikhail.”
“That’s troubling. Our finances are not enough to seize their movement completely.. the only thing we can do is shut their mouths… however it will be considered us blackmailing them.”
Mikhail said those words with a hint of horror in a straight face. Pleased with what he was hearing, Karl smiled but his eyes deepened that it was terrifying.
“We don’t have enough time. I think it is perfectly fine to be a little bit hard on them. Don’t you agree?” ( ◠‿◠ )
“I can’t say no, can’t i?” (-◯ ‿ ◯-)✧︎
While Mikhail smiled with his eyes thinly closed, he slowly took out his papers and distributed them to everyone. Reading what was written, Aramic couldn’t control his excitement and raised his voice.
“I don’t mind the way that you always smile but silently control the whole school before. However, this time the dark Karl is thrilling, not less. I’m in! This is going to be fun!!”
—–
(＊) what he meant is to lure those people and eliminate them at once without nobody knows.
