Apparently, Her Highness Princess wants to keep her relationship with me a secret (what does she even mean by 'her relationship with me'?) - 2-15

2-15

The country where I was born and raised—Roman—is one of the largest and most powerful nations in the world.

With immense military strength, it is known as the ruler of the South. It holds such influence that picking a fight with Roman is considered an act of suicide by other countries, and one of the reasons Roman maintains its strength is due to the education given to its young nobles.

I attend Westminster School.

Founded on the pretext to enhance strength, it is one of the few institutions in the entire continent where the custom of killing as a form of competition is still preserved.

“Anyone, does anyone know the details behind all this? They say Marquis Greyjoy collapsed from illness!”

“Don’t talk about that. The third-year Greyjoy-senpai never missed a single day in the Academy, but now he’s absent.”

Several male students gathered in the middle of the classroom, whispering among themselves.

But I had no intention of even eavesdropping.

All during the jam-packed lessons, going from morning to evening, I usually stayed quietly in the corner of the room.

I would watch the well-maintained Westminster grounds through the window, read books, or review my lessons.

Most of the noble students attending Westminster had been taught by private tutors since childhood, making it hard just to keep up with them.

Even though I was supposed to be harmless at Westminster, yet not a single day passed peacefully for me for starters.

“Orgott, deliver everyone’s materials to the staff room for me today too!”

Here we go again.

“……”

“Hey, are you listening, Baron boy?”

Since, just like this, there were far too many guys like this who picked on me.

Most of the boys at Westminster were unpleasant like this.

Everyone strutted around like they were running the world. In reality, many of them would end up in powerful positions in Roman, but their personalities are way too bad.

If these guys were going to run the country, this place is doomed.

“Pepper, if you mess with Orgott, the girls will hate you. That guy’s popular within the girls’ circle, after all.”

“Hmph! Like I care what the snooty girls think about me! Here, Orgott, go and deliver it!”

Westminster’s Academy motto was might makes right.

The nobles who chose to study here were mostly full of self-confidence. They wanted to be number one in everything, so the lowest-ranked Baron like me was always a target. The fact that I had the top grades in combat skills only made another reason for them to hate me more.

“What… What’s with that look?”

“Nothing.”

“You wanna fight? If it’s a duel, I’ll accept one anytime!”

Aside from me, there was another Baron boy, Harold, who also does well in combat classes.

But the biggest reason for so many guys to pick on me, was probably because of the fact that, for some reason, I was popular within the girls’ circle at Westminster.

“O-Orgott! You gloomy expressionless bastard! Don’t get cocky just because you are popular among the girls!”

Shut up, fatty. Go on a diet first.

Although I didn’t say that out loud. I just took the materials from the fat guy and left the classroom.

“Ah, Itose-kun, want me to help you carry those with you?”

“I’m fine.”

“Oh, come on! You’re always so reserved!”

“I’m fine.”

“If those idiots bully you again, just let us know, okay?”

“That’s… fine as well.”

While on my way to the staff room, I brushed off the girls who would start talking to me.

They probably had noticed too.

Every time they spoke to me, the boys passing by would glare at me with murder in their eyes.

For real, Westminster was full of nasty people all throughout.

“Second year, Itose Orgott, coming in.”

Well, about that major scandal, on the Emma Princess kidnapping incident never became public.

Everything was buried in the dark.

Another thing—since that day, Princess Emma had stopped attending school. At the same time, third-year Greyjoy-senpai, the son of Marquis Greyjoy and also Princess Emma’s secret fiancé, also stopped attending the Academy it seems.

I didn’t know what was happening behind the scenes, but Her Excellency was probably pulling the strings here and there.

“Professor Levan, I’ve brought you the homework of the second-year Class C. May I leave it here?”

Inside the staff room, a long-haired, middle-aged man was smoking a cigarette.

I placed the materials on the desk of Professor Levan, the dandy and handsome teacher looked up at me from his chair.

“Really thanks, Orgott. Nn? Was it your turn to do class rep duties today?”

“Well, it’s always me.”

“The sufferer of Baron’s name, huh? But well, in the Westminster, Barons survive by keeping their heads down. Because they couldn’t, that’s why no Baron or Viscount family has ever graduated from here.”

“I know that better than anyone, Professor Levan. Well then, I’ll be going now.”

“Alright… Oh right, Orgott—how about accompanying me to a drink tonight? Listening to troubled students is also a part of my job.”

“Sorry, I have plans today.”

It wasn’t a lie—I really did have plans.

Today was the day I’d meet Princess Emma again, a little over a week since the kidnapping incident.

Although the reward to be paid for the original request was small, but given the change in request, Princess Emma was going to give me additional payment because of my contribution in the kidnapping incident that took place recently.

I don’t know why. But apparently Princess Emma made a request where she wants to meet and give me my reward in person.

Given what she went through, seeing my face would only remind her of that horrible incident.

“As expected of a popular guy like you, Orgott.”

“Not at all, The only ones who think I’m popular are those idiots only. Professor is smarter and different from those guys, aren’t you?”

When I said that, Professor Levan, one of the roughest teachers in the staff room, clutched his belly and laughed.

“Kukuku, you’re right! Even those girls are cozying up to you knowingly on purpose! Really this whole Westminster is full of rotten eggs!”

[TL notes: For those who didn’t understand, Professor Levan subtly calls those girls ‘Opportunists’. Can’t do any further explaining.]

After school.

I snuck through the alleys to the shop operated by Her Excellency Wesatminster and stood in front of the room where Princess Emma was waiting.

On the other side of the door, Princess Emma was waiting.

Thinking about it made me a little nervous.

Given she almost got kidnapped, her emotional scars from that must definitely be deep.

“…I’m coming in.”

Princess Emma of Roman—and also the most popular.

When she stopped attending Westminster, just think how many students in the whole school mourned, even cried.

Because of that incident, Princess Emma stopped coming to the Westminster Academy thereon.

She sat on a chair with her head lowered down.

Her long silver hair hid her face, making it impossible to see her expression.

A few gold coins lay on the table—an upgrade of two than the original payment. Other than that, there was also a white piece of paper nearby.

“…”

There It read:
Ten Reasons Why Itose Orgott Likes Me

Written in large red letters.

Since I had no idea what it meant, So I pretended to ignore it’s entire existence.

“…”

I wonder what should I say to Princess Emma, who still remains silent?

Have you been doing well?
Nope, that’s not right. After all, she’s still a princess. A lowly Baron like me can’t speak up to her on equal terms.

As I thought, here I should rather wait for her to start speaking first.

“…”

A heavy silence stretched on for several minutes.

I stood there, unable to sit down, just waiting for Her Highness’ words.

It’s too long. Just what is with this silence.

Hurry up, Please.

Maybe my silent plea reached her—at last that time came.

She finally raised her face and looked at me.

“I’m sorry, Itose-san…”

Her vulnerable and hurtful expression made me wonder if she had been crying the whole time after that.

Her eyes were full red and puffy.

But what did she even have to apologize for? She was the victim here.

Pointing towards the paper on top of the table, Princess Emma Satie Roman continued.

“I can’t respond positively to your feelings…!”

“…”

I see, hmm. Rightttt.

Just what the hell is this princess talking about?