The Gloomy and Timid Princess Heads to the Academy

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Iris’s thoughts came to a sudden halt. Right before her eyes, a blood-soaked Stephanie appeared out of nowhere.

That was all she could comprehend. Who did this was secondary; how someone could injure her to this extent was beyond her understanding.

For someone like her, skilled in magic to the point of being able to stitch up minor injuries and mend broken bones in an instant, it was impossible for her to accept that she was now devastated beyond recognition.

But as if her confusion didn’t matter at all, Stephanie managed to speak to Iris with great effort.

“…I’m sorry… I’m a little late… Iris. Dealing with that damn brat… ugh, I’m late…”

With her right arm severed, leg bones protruding out of her skin, and her insides showing where they shouldn’t be, Stephanie still had the strength to speak.

But that was all. She was already out of mana and had resigned herself to waiting for death.

If there were no external interference, that would be her fate for sure.

“…Iris. I know this is sudden, but could you grab the scroll on the desk… for me?”

Even as her life slipped away, she calculated how to get Iris to act according to her wishes.

On one side was her own life, and the other was the debt that Iris’s family owed her. It didn’t take a genius to figure out which one weighed more.

“If you do as I say… I’ll consider our special lessons… and the debt your family owes… all gone. And I’ll even give you funds and land to revive your family. What do you think?”

It was a shocking proposal from Stephanie, who promised to stop the persecution, erase the debts, and even hand over land and money, but Iris’s reaction was cold.

“…You want me to save you? Ha… what nonsense.”

Iris instinctively knew. Right now, she was in the superior position. For the first time, she could decide whether the life of a woman who had trampled her for a lifetime lived or died.

Naturally, she had no intention of letting her live. After all, Stephanie was the type who would extract something from anyone by any means.

Iris was convinced that a woman so wicked she’d create debts that didn’t exist wouldn’t easily let them go.

“Stephanie… I don’t know what you’ve been through, but… it seems today is your last day.”

Iris didn’t have the courage or the desire to kill her herself. Did she really need to stain her hands with blood? Leave her be, and she’d die on her own.

“…Should I assume that whatever proposal I make… you wouldn’t consider it?”

“Since I met you… I’ve wished for your death. Without pause. You really think I’d save you? Are you serious?”

It was a short time to vent the pent-up resentment that had built up until now, but Iris felt a sense of liberation in her contempt.

This is it. The long times of humiliation and oppression, the debts, everything.

Stephanie’s family was practically being run by her alone. The so-called elders were too old to manage and the rest were just young children with no experience.

So, thinking it wise to let her die, Iris turned and left the room.

“…See you later.”

“If there is such a thing.”

Not forgetting to mock one last time, she closed the door behind her, leaving Stephanie completely in darkness as she walked away with a refreshing step.

“…Ugh. As expected… they’re all just the same… those lowly beings…”

Yet all she showed was disappointment; she felt too detached to be facing the end of her life.

“…Ugh. I didn’t want to resort to this method…”

She briefly thought that perhaps it would be better to die, but quickly changed her mind, thinking that living was indeed preferable.

“…Oh God… I offer this body to you… please accept me as your follower…”

Barely squeezing out a sentence, she lamented how she ended up in this situation.

There was no chance of a security breach.

So she was sure it was the same person who had come before, but this time she was greeted by Gloria.

And she was in a state of divination.

With no way to stop her as she rushed forward, swinging her sword, as if shoving blades of wind into her insides or bludgeoning her with pure mana, Gloria didn’t pursue a fleeing Stephanie.

Having already exhausted herself to a state where she needed to lie down for months, retreating in anger was the last thing she remembered about Gloria.

-…Who calls me? Oh, it’s you, the arrogant contractor. Quite a miserable sight you are.

At that moment, anger bubbled up within her, but she wasn’t foolish enough to lose control over a fleeting emotion.

“…I wish to apologize for the wrongs I’ve committed… during this time.”

-Let’s hear it then.

– – – –

-That’s right, Yoonho… Oh, no! Socks are not toys!!!

Just from the sounds coming from the next room, I could roughly guess what was happening.

The creature that was calm while I was present went wild the moment I left, practically ruling that room within an hour.

Indeed, dogs are better than cats. The one I used to have was perfect, except for the occasional lounging near the power switch while I was playing games or working.

…By the way, I wonder how that little guy is doing now. I didn’t even give it food, and it fell towards this side. It probably ended up dead anyway.

Putting that dark story aside, it seemed Dokan was struggling to manage the cat. That’s not how you handle them.

Unless you clearly assert who’s the superior, they absolutely won’t listen.

I figured it was about time to go back and establish some authority over that cat.

Yeah. I’m going to educate the cat, not visit Dokan. I can’t have those annoying meows echoing every night from the next room.

As I made my way to Dokan’s room, which had become as natural to me as my own, I was greeted by Dokan, who was being clawed by the cat he was holding.

“This little brat…! Ah, Hoyeon.”

“I only heard the noise and thought something wasn’t going well, so I came to help. Mind if I take it for a moment?”

Dokan had noticeable claw marks on his face, but whatever magic he had was restoring them in an instant.

Maybe he knew that, as he didn’t actively stop me.

But the thing is…

-You have no right to scratch him.

No matter how much I’d given him the cat, I wouldn’t tolerate it injuring Dokan.

-Neither will you dare defy him. If you do, it won’t simply end with death.

Sure, the cat might experience some stress but at least it’s better than living outside, not knowing when it might starve to death, right?

It seemed the cat got my intent as it trembled and submitted to me.

It seemed animals are just respectful to the higher authority. In some ways, they were better than humans. They instinctively understand things better.

“Dokan… just staring at the cat won’t solve your problems…”

“It’s fine.”

“What? No, I was just looking at it!”

It seemed Dokan didn’t feel anything at all. Since he was human, I wasn’t expecting much. My mother always said that relying on humans would lead to disappointment.

Though her expression was the total opposite of expecting anything from humans. But I decided to take her words literally.

“Now, it won’t scratch or misbehave towards you.”

Cats are not to be ruled with fists and authority.

I can do that because I’m capable, but a human like Dokan can’t do it. I’ll have to teach him how to handle it properly.

So I briefly explained to Dokan the proper way to interact with cats. Avoid invading their space, rule them with treats rather than fists, and don’t take their indifferent attitude to heart since that’s just how they are.

Dokan seemed to understand enough as he reflected on his actions.

“…Ah, so that’s why it scratched me.”

“It’s probably like that. I wouldn’t do that, but these little ones tend to tremble even with just a little yelling.”

“Uh… what? What did you say?”

“And cats won’t understand you like I do, nor will they follow you around. Yeah, a friend is much better than a cat… huh?”

…Wait a moment, what am I saying right now?

“No, that’s not what I meant… anyway! You shouldn’t have high expectations of cats…”

While I was lost in another thought, I blurted out something stupid and tried to cover it up, but I failed spectacularly.

No matter how I looked at it, it sounded like I was jealous of a cat…! I mean, I’m grateful for being sincere to the cat, but still…

“Ah, I see… thanks for the advice.”

Dokan was clearly trying his best to overlook my slip-up, but the effort looked pitiful, like a rusty machine forced to work.

“Can we pretend that didn’t happen…?”

I should just accept that I made a mistake like a man and move on. It’s embarrassing, but that’s probably the most certain way to go.

“…Um, okay. But about what I said earlier…”

“I said to treat it like you didn’t hear anything…!”

Unable to contain my embarrassment, I punched Dokan lightly. I might not be able to do that to the cat, but I can certainly do it to him.