Apparently, Her Highness Princess wants to keep her relationship with me a secret (what does she even mean by 'her relationship with me'?) - 2-4

2-4

The True Identity of Itose Olgott

Princess Emma’s popularity is not only at the level of overwhelming.

It’s like honey when it starts attracting a swarm of insects. Even though her school attendance lasts only one week, everyone’s desperately trying to get close to her during that time. Watching students, who usually maintain a composed facade, scrambling to gather information about the princess’s preferences is honestly a little amusing.

“Itose, you skipping class? Now that’s rare.”

Even though I came to the rooftop alone, there’s always one meddlesome guy who follows me — Harald. Unlike me, he’s been extending his winning streak in combat classes.

“I didn’t ask you to tag along.”

“Ahh, what’s this? Thought you’d be sulking after losing in combat class, but you don’t even care! Man, what a waste worrying about you! Anyway, what are you up to? Oh, is that Princess Emma down there? Itose, … even though you always act like you’re not interested in girls, but still, stalking is kinda creepy, y’know?”

I sneak into the rooftop of the academy, and grab the gold railing through the wire mesh.

Beyond the mesh, I stared down at a classmate at one of the classrooms. Without a doubt, it’s an observation of Princess Emma, staring at the lecture with a bored expression. Meanwhile, Harald mutters something about ‘As pretty as always.’ He starts flipping through a monster encyclopedia he pulled out from who knows where and starts reading.

As expected of a typical monster-obsessed scholar wannabe — not even remotely interested in Princess Emma.

“Alright… let’s do this.”

Yesterday, Emma and I agreed on a signal — which is twirling her hair continuously. When she does that, will mean she’s in trouble with something.

“-Her Highness Princess Emma, ​​could you please allow me to invite you to dinner?”

Sure enough, when the break time comes, she’s immediately surrounded by a crowd. With only ten minutes of break, and this? Poor girl. I push through the throng to place a few documents on her desk.

“Princess Emma, I have a message from the teacher asking you to come to the staff room.”

Looking at me, a few irritated glares shoot my way to not interrupt in the middle. But the documents I carry bear the teacher’s signature, a genuine reason — At a glance, no one would suspect they’re fake. Emma remains expressionless.

“Thank you very. Uh… what’s your name?”

“…I’m not someone worthy of giving my name.”

Without introducing myself, I leave the scene. No doubt the others are cursing me as a rude commoner, without even the least proper etiquette, but that’s fine. After all, I promised not to meddle in between the princess’ affair more than necessary.

Westminster Academy is a boarding school.

Once dinner ends and night falls, most students lock themselves in their rooms to study or relax. Even I am invested upon the multitudes of old exam papers and documents delivered by Sphyn’s servant, — gotta hit the books.

Right then, a tap-tap on the window.

When I open it, I find a small brown creature darting inside.

“Chichi! Chichichi!”

The intruder breaks into this room as always around this time. I close off the windows, and put down the blinds (curtains) so that nothing is visible from the outside.

The introduction of the intruder happens to be a cute brown squirrel.

That guy opens the tiny wooden box which rests on top of my desk, and then fishes out a walnut from it. Then, as if growling in protesting, holds it with both hands looking at me.

“Alright, alright. I’ll close my eyes.”

“Chichi!”

There’s a reason why I let this squirrel waltz into my room everyday.

……

“…Itose, you can open your eyes now.”

When I look, a person sits on my bed.

Though it’s not cold, she’s wrapped herself in a thick brown cloak, and with darting eyes, stare down at me sharply. But the real issue is her size — she’s prominently small.

With her indigo colored hair coming down waist-length, and her piercing blue eyes as prominent as twin suns.

Well, in short, This person here is the most powerful person in Westminster Academy.

“Congratulations on your promotion. Number Nine, Itose Olgott.”

“…Thank you, Your Excellency.”

Rank Nine — that’s my current standing.

“If you want to become my successor, that’s the least you have to do. Now, how’s Princess Emma’s request going on? Will you likely be on good terms with her? I’m kinda not comfortable around her.”

This woman is Dan Westminster — while being the nation’s most hated figure, yet a person whose name is known by every person all over the country. A rare magic wielder who lost a fierce inheritance dispute and disgraced her noble house. After causing multiple national scandals, she now serves as the headmistress of Westminster Academy.

“Her Highness Princess Emma’s request is proceeding without issue, Your Excellency Westminister.”

To be honest, she’s not someone a student such as me should be able to talk to. In terms of power she holds alone, she can easily overwhelm Princess Emma even with her Royal standing. In short, Dan’s influence overshadows her entirely — even if the whole country despises her.

“Now that I hear, the news about you deliberately losing in combat class came up to me. Too soft. That’s your weakness.”

“If I won, I would’ve been despised by Sphyn throughout. Wasn’t it you, who told me not to make enemies in this Westminister Academy, Your Excellency.”

“Truly, I did say that, but.”

Despite her reputation, I genuinely respect this cute woman from the bottom of my heart.

No one knows it, but she once saved my life. She gathers misfits like me, turning us into useful assets. Even the tuition fees for studying in the Westminister Academy comes from the earnings that I make working at her hidden shop.

“So, what’s the matter, Your Excellency Westminister?”

“Itose, I have a crucial request for you.”

“Your Excellency, I’m already working on a customer’s, the princess’s request. Double assignments are forbidden.”

“I know — I made that rule in the first place. But still, I need you to do this.”

“…I’ll do it. If it’s something Your Excellence wills.”

“Good answer. That’s my Number Nine, Itose Orgot.”

It’s hard to imagine from her cute doll-like appearance, but what hides underneath, her true nature — is a brilliant strategist with countless loyal agents. Putting her head into the improper happenings going around the world, offer a peaceful resolution, or even suppressing them by force or assassination if needed.

Talented and capable commoners pledge fealty/loyalty to Her Excellency, competing against each other, vying for her trust. Even I’m one of them, As someone who pledges his allegiance to Her Excellency, although being the only noble among them.

I respect Her Excellency from the bottom of my heart. I understand more than anyone else that this country needs Her Excellency’s strength and vision, and I want to be of her help and use more and more.

Right now, I am Rank 9. If I rise higher still, I’ll earn more. And if I can handle even tougher missions, I could be of a greater help to her.

“What I want to ask from you Itose, is that, I want you to seduce Princess Emma, till she becomes yours only.”

But, that request makes my brain freezes.

“…….eh?”

“Not just pretend. Use every skill you possess to make her fall in love with you — for real, obsessively. Listen up Itose, if you truly want to be my successor, you have this one week to complete this task.”

Someone who is hated dearly by His Highness Roman, Her Excellence Westminster, someone to whom I pledge my loyalty upon.

Because of which, her orders are law.

“If you, succeed perfectly, I’ll grant you the right to challenge the present Number Eight.”

Her Excellence Westminster’s agents are ranked by hierarchy.

The right to challenge the present Number Eight. That’s the ultimate bait which makes me grab upon her request.

“—Can you do it, Number Nine?”

“…Yes, with everything I have at my disposal.”

From that day on, I got serious.

I would seduce Emma Satie Ronan to fall for me — To achieve that, I’ll do whatever it takes….