Apparently, Her Highness Princess wants to keep her relationship with me a secret (what does she even mean by 'her relationship with me'?) - 2-16

2-16

A Week-Long Lover <End>

To put it simply, I had no understanding of what was happening.

I had come to the meeting place because Princess Emma promised to pay the reward for my request herself. And what greeted me in the meeting place was… this mess.

I stared intently at Princess Emma.

Whenever Her Highness’ eyes met mine, she blushed and averted immediately.

W-Wha–just what’s with her expression just now?

However, the face she made right now, is the face I had seen plenty of times before.

Even if it was arrogant of me to say so — but that was definitely the face of someone who had fallen in love.

This must be some mistake, there’s no way. After all, she’s a princess.

Well of course, as I had agreed to Her Excellency Westminster request and added some dramatic flair to my performance…

“I… I’m a princess after all. S–so… of course, I understand –how you could fall in love w–with me, Itose-san…! Th–the fact that I am so beautiful… I know better than anyone else…! Besides, the information regarding my engagement, was a top secret only known to a select few, even among the authorities. For you to infiltrate Mimosa as an employee and gather that kind of information… That’s no ordinary feat!”

“…”

“I don’t have a magical quirk as a princess, but still for a mere baron’s son like you to aim for me… you’re surprisingly bold, unlike your appearances, aren’t you….”

Inside the familiar shop, in a private room overlooking a refreshing garden, Princess Emma started spouting things, hard for me to understand.

“Even if you look at me with those eyes, it’s no use! The reason I stopped attending Westminster was largely because —well it’s true that, the fact that I don’t have magical quirk was a big reason… but that wasn’t the only one! I told you, didn’t I? I received nearly ten confessions in just a few days after enrolling…”

Her words showed no sign of stopping.

Does she even realize how embarrassing the things she’s saying are?

Princess, I think you’re completely misunderstanding the whole situation here.

“Maybe ordinary girls would fall for those eyes… but I… I’m different!”

Hey — what kind of eyes do you think I’m looking at you with?

I’m just flustered, that’s all.

“…… Itose san. About you, I looked you up,…… That even though you’re just a baron,…… you’re the hidden darling within the hearts of all the students in the school,…… and even girls of much higher status than your family are eyeing after you,……. Yet, although you have the attitude that you are not interested in romance and all,…… but in the shadows, you are like the white grim reaper stealing them away…….”

“…”

“Just entering Westminster as a baron’s son is impressive enough, but for a baron student to advance to the second year… that’s something that happens once or twice every ten years.”

At first, I thought this request was insignificant.

In the end, the fact that the princess found out about my second magical aptitude was a setback, but I suppose I was lucky that, that was all she got figured out.

“B-But… I’ve been in your care… and even I… don’t think you’re a bad person per se… and even from my perspective, you’re quite handsome and cool…”

The high and mighty Princess Emma, treated like an untouchable flower at the academy, had her cheeks dyed red.

Her eyes moistened, glistened as she looked at me.

“But… but! Even so, our social standings are just too different…! Ah, I don’t mean your status is too low or anything like that…!”

With her face bright red, she kept taking soft glances at me.

Yeah, as I thought, she’s definitely got the wrong idea.

On the top of the table, a piece of paper lay spread out.

It was filled with cramped handwriting detailing why I would be in love with Princess Emma.

In the bottom right corner, there was a signature in elegant script—The Masked Lady.

Could it be the work of that imaginative girl who loves fantasy stories?

“…… but …… if Itose san really can’t give up on me …… no matter what… …even I can, umm… After all there are many ways to… or so I think there are…… I think there are ways in which I can help you, or so I think as well! Itose san, to be honest, your magical compatibility is really amazing ……! If you wish for it, I can make you my–!”

“Her Highness Princess Emma.”

“W-What ish ith!?”

Her eyes sparkled with anticipation.

I felt a small pang of guilt, but it’s best that I set the record straight once and for all.

It’s true that I disguised myself as a Mimosa employee and played a performance like a hero when saving her, all so that she, Princess Emma would fall in love with me.

But Princess Emma isn’t just any noble.

She’s a shining star beyond anyone’s reach.

“I believe you’re misunderstanding something, so I’ll be clear.”

This time, the fact that our lives crossing paths was nothing more than a fleeting coincidence — just like a shooting star.

“I don’t see you in that way at all.”

Saying that, for a moment, Princess Emma looked blank, then blushed deeply.

Yeap, she definitely didn’t get it at all. I’d better say it even more bluntly, again.

“I would never see you in that way ever.”

“…Eh? ….Nn, Nn hmm… Ahem. C-Coul–d you say that, once again?”

Just like she was, her usual calm, composed demeanor returned.

Wearing the same sharp expression that earned her the nickname Little Thorn-bearing Princess, she ordered me to repeat myself.

As such, I obeyed.

“As I said, I don’t see you in that way.”

And after that, Princess Emma’s shoulders started trembling.

“…I see… of course right… I understand… Yes, I understand completely. Given your position, you have no choice but to say that… Yes… I understand perfectly…”

And even after saying that, no matter how many times I denied it, she refused to change her mind.

In her head, my image was already set in stone.

Itose Orgott, the baron’s son, is madly in love with Princess Emma.

“If you’re working hard at Westminster Academy, then I’ll work hard too! Even without a magical quirk, there are many students who have graduated from Westminster after all…”

Just that, despite Itose Orgot, feeling the huge difference in status between Princess Emma and himself, tries to withdraw himself from her line of sight. But, the merciless, benevolent Princess Emma, who had become unbearable to separate herself from my brave appearance, got all hot for me.

Moreover, what struck Princess Emma’s heart was the fact that Itose Orgot continued to be bullied by other students at the Westminster Academy.

“Itose-san. The fact that you are in a difficult position in the Academy, is all known to me! S–since I–I’ve looked it up!”

Apparently, this kind Princess Emma made a big decision, in order to protect her hero, that is me.

In other words,

Emma Satie Roman decided to return back to Westminster Academy. This is nothing but a big news that sparks excitement among the people of all over the Roman country.

“Ah, but! Let’s keep our relationship, a secret at Westminster! Yo–you know… after all, I’m a princess…, if it is found that you’re getting along with me very well, in terms of standings, it would be quite hard on you too right, Itose san…?”

And in that way, Emma Satie Roman, the second princess of Roman, who has no magical quirk. The cute princess, loved by all of the Roman people, had proudly declared that she would return to the Westminster Academy.

I could only stare at the rampaging princess in silence, without saying anything in return.

But only one single thought echoed in my mind.

“Fufu, I will be in your care starting tomorrow~. I’ll adjust and arrange my schedule to attend the same classes as yours, as much as possible!”

“…”

It seems, this time, I’ve really overdone it.