The Gloomy and Timid Princess Heads to the Academy

---

“What are you two doing?”

There wasn’t any anger or betrayal in the voice. In fact, Ho-yeon radiated such an intimidating aura that it didn’t matter either way.

Just moments ago, Iris was talking about the constellation she knew all by herself, but upon hearing Ho-yeon’s voice, she froze instantly like a frog in front of a snake.

“Oh, Ho-yeon. I thought you were taking the day off today. Um, did you suddenly feel like coming out? Maybe some cream bread…”

“What were you two doing?”

I tried to resolve it smoothly with words, but Ho-yeon was already in no state to negotiate verbally.

No matter what you think, just give me the answer I want. Otherwise…

Her nails or teeth might turn towards me or Iris. I was certain of that. If it was directed at me, that would be fine, but if she harmed Iris, we’d definitely have a problem.

It wouldn’t just be suspension; there was a chance of expulsion too. That was something neither she nor I would gain anything from, so it had to be prevented.

Throwing aside normal hesitations or formalities felt like my stomach was churning with every movement under the pressure of standing above her.

“…Oh, it’s nothing much, just chatting for a bit. Right, Lady Iris?”

“……Cough, wheeze. Yes… huh… ugh…”

Oh no. It seemed Iris was struggling to breathe. I wouldn’t blame her; when I first felt her fury, I couldn’t keep my composure either.

And even without Ho-yeon unleashing her intimidation, Iris was scared of her, so maybe it was commendable that she managed to respond at all?

“What was the conversation about?”

Every time she spoke, the world felt like it trembled. Though that might just be me. Perhaps it was both of us.

Above all, I could worry about that later. Right now, soothing her was the priority.

“It’s about our relationship moving forward… You know, until recently, I was wandering around… Um. I was just tidying things up.”

“Speak so I can understand.”

It really isn’t that difficult of a conversation.

No, maybe she didn’t know. Since she hadn’t really had friends, the very idea of tidying up relationships must feel unfamiliar. There had to be at least one thing to tidy up.

But right beside her was the thing she needed to sort out… I wondered if I could say this. For now, she was barely breathing, but she might also be listening.

“So… we share an inseparable connection, right? Am I wrong?”

“Yes. Dokan is mine. I won’t give him to anyone. To anyone.”

I wasn’t sure if that was her true feeling or not… but it sounded like a possession. That didn’t seem entirely wrong, either. Though I felt we were somewhat equals.

That was a troubling choice of words in many ways.

“Right… So if you treasure him that much, you should treat him well, right? That’s why you’re keeping some distance from others, so you can devote all your attention to the most important person.”

Ho-yeon stared back and forth between me and Iris without a word. When she looked at me, I didn’t sense any hostility, but unfortunately, when she looked at Iris, hostility overflowed.

Poor Iris stiffened and swallowed every time she felt that gaze. If it were Anya, she would at least be able to regain some composure.

“…Important… person. Important… person. So, you’re not out playing around behind my back…? Thank goodness…”

After mulling over the meaning of those words for a moment, the unusual light in Ho-yeon’s eyes faded away.

While it still held a bit of sharpness, it reverted back to her usual gaze; it seemed we had passed the biggest hurdle for now.

The mountainous pressure dissipated, and Iris coughed and struggled to catch her breath.

“I thought… you were getting distracted by other girls…”

Ho-yeon let out a huge sigh, relieved. It looked like she had come in full force just to feel completely deflated.

So that’s why she acted this way. I couldn’t tell if she was truly angry. If she was, a slap would have likely come flying my way by now.

She wasn’t angry. Still, let’s not dig too deep into that. Regardless, it was me who caused the misunderstanding, so I just needed to keep my mouth shut.

“…Heh, heh… I’m glad. Really… glad. Ahem. That’s… beside the point. Just don’t do anything to get misunderstood in the first place…!”

Now she was mad. At least she still had enough awareness to consider how she spoke, indicating that she was mindful of her language.

Still, there were only the three of us around, and one of them was nearly fainting, so it didn’t feel particularly significant.

“Ahaha… Yes. I thought you had the day off, so I thought it’d be a good opportunity to tidy things up. I never expected you’d come out.”

In that case, I’d have to postpone the relationship closure for later. Ho-yeon didn’t seem to particularly dislike the atmosphere, so I thought she would allow it.

“Oh… so it’s my fault for coming out… um… how about we clear everything up today? I’ll allow it. Since I’m feeling a bit bored, let’s go together!”

I knew she didn’t actually dislike it, but that response seemed a bit too enthusiastic. Yet, sensing her intention, I couldn’t help but smile wryly.

With those eyes telling me to cut ties with everyone and only look at her, how could I react any other way?

“Sure, sure. By the way, I’d like to move Iris first…”

“She’s not a child; she can move on her own. Don’t worry too much. Now, let’s go! Hurry!”

With that, Ho-yeon kept urging me to move forward. Still, it tugged at my heart to leave someone I considered a friend behind like that…

But if I took care of her, it was obvious I’d incur Ho-yeon’s wrath, so I had no choice but to silently seek forgiveness in my heart as I was pushed along.

Sorry, Iris. I’ll buy you coffee later.

– – – –

“…Hmph. Bye, Eric.”

“Take care, Anya.”

Swaying on her feet as she sent off her lover, Anastasia made her way straight to the shower as soon as Eric was out of sight.

Her mind felt foggy, and her body ached all over, especially her lower abdomen and groin, leading her to want to jump straight into bed. But it wouldn’t be right to lie in bed like this all sweaty.

And besides, since Eric insisted she wash up, there was no reason for her not to.

She thought about how urgently he asked her to do it and wondered if it really needed to be that way, but she couldn’t come up with a bright answer.

Shaking off the lingering feelings, she didn’t take any other turns and quickly stepped out of the bathroom.

Slowly falling into the water, she imagined a warm family scene. Lost in happy dreams, she didn’t notice the commotion outside the door.

“Are you sleeping? Or are you going out? Is anyone home?”

“Hm… Step aside. I have something to try. This time, I feel like… it’s going to work!”

“…You’re not actually trying to unlock the door, are you, Ho-yeon? That doesn’t seem like a good idea—”

With a click, the doorknob turned. Ho-yeon flatly said, “Oh, it worked,” and without hesitation walked into Anastasia’s room.

“Don’t look! No, don’t look and don’t come in!”

Then she almost immediately slammed the door shut. Dokan, who was hesitating outside whether to enter or not, found himself left alone in the hallway.

Even if he thought to enter and ask why, it was obvious the security spell would let out a deafening noise, so he couldn’t do that. Just like an abandoned animal, he stood forlornly outside the door.

“She’ll be out soon, right…?”

Since she outright told him not to go in, he figured he could wait. He thought he caught a glimpse of skin, but dismissed it as his imagination and neatly waited outside.

“…Anya, wake up. I just have something to do for a moment.”

On the other hand, Ho-yeon was busy.

She shook the half-dressed Anastasia awake and handed her some clothes.

A dream that had been splendid until then was abruptly cut short as she woke up frowning, quickly realizing that someone who shouldn’t be in her room was there.

“…Ho-yeon?! How did you… I never gave you the key or the password—”

“I know; I’ll explain later. First, put on some clothes. Dokan has something to say.”

“Y-Yes…? Dokan…?”

Her efforts to sort out the confusing situation were thwarted by Ho-yeon, who added more confusion.

They had been a bit distant lately, but there was nothing so serious between them that justified a separate conversation.

Could it be he was coming to say that it’s okay if you have someone else, so I will accept you too?

But seeing Ho-yeon’s face, she decided to abandon such absurd speculation. If that was the case, there was no way Ho-yeon would have stayed quiet.

Like her and Eric’s relationship, perhaps it was something deeper.

“Y-Yeah. I’ll step out for now, but please explain properly later.”

As she hurriedly put on the clothes Ho-yeon handed her, Anastasia awkwardly stepped out behind Ho-yeon.

“Anya. Um, can I just ask you one thing…?”

“Sure. What is it?”

“…When you’re alone, do you walk around in just your underwear?”

Receiving the sudden question, Anya could infer two things. One, Ho-yeon wandered around in her underwear when alone, and two, she was so tired she didn’t even think to put on pajamas.

“…No. At least I don’t do that. It’s probably harder to find someone who does…”

Anya honestly expressed her feelings as a friend. Boys often acted like that when they were younger in the mansion, but she’d never seen a girl do the same.

Could it be that in the Eastern Continent, both genders walked around like that? With strange imaginations and a bit of tension, Anya stepped out the door.

As she was greeted by Dokan, he exchanged glances with Ho-yeon behind her.

What was he trying to say by acting like this? Just as curiosity began to blossom, Dokan opened his mouth.

“…Lady Anastasia. How about we continue to be good friends as we have been until now?”

And what he said was exactly what Anya wanted to say to Dokan.