Chapter 74: Return Part 1

The atmosphere was getting tense.

Caught between Lobelia whose expression looked as though she were staring at some incomprehensible monster, and Kult who was smiling brightly as if he had nothing to be ashamed of, I was once again having a miserable day.

Seriously, I told you two to talk among yourselves…why can’t you just do that?

You must’ve known it would end up like this…

Why did you even start the conversation and stir up trouble?

But just then, someone appeared to break this uncomfortable tension.

“Big brother, what are you and the Princess talking about?”

Helena came over with a bright smile and plopped down beside Kult.

“Ah, I was just expressing my gratitude for giving us this opportunity today.”

A shamelessly smooth change of demeanor.

“Oh! That’s right! I should say thanks too! Thank you, Third Princess!”

“…That gratitude should probably go to the Headmistress, not me.”

“But you did look out for us too, didn’t you?”

“In that case, I’ll gladly accept it. Thank you, Helena.”

“Hehe.”

The sharp tension softened once again. Well, I guess it’s a relief that, at the very least, they have enough maturity not to start a scene in front of a child.

And so, thanks to a single person, peace returned to the night.

At last, I managed to escape the clutches of those two monsters.

***

The next day passed without incident as well, all thanks to Helena.

As expected, Kult showed no signs of causing trouble as long as Helena was involved, and Lobelia seemed to have understood that, and so she refrained from provoking him unnecessarily.

So was born the picture of a pair of friendly siblings and the kind-hearted princess who looked out for them.

Apparently, the scene looked quite charming to others too, as people here and there began showing kindness to Helena.

“Don’t you think she’s a bright child?”

“Were you speaking to me, Your Highness?”

“Do you see anyone else here besides you? Try to focus on the conversation.”

“No, I just thought maybe Your Highness was talking to yourself.”

“Haha, what a witty joke.”

Whack!

“Guh!”

My back, where Lobelia had smacked me, began to burn like it had split open.

What the hell was that strength control?

“With this much attention on him, Kult probably won’t make any reckless moves. Don’t you think?”

“…He doesn’t really seem to have had any plans from the beginning.”

From the way things looked, it was clear he had just come to take Helena on an outing.

He hadn’t paid any attention to me or Lobelia from the start.

“But Johan, aren’t you starting to wonder why the Headmistress hasn’t shown herself yet?”

“Not curious at all, actually.”

“No, you are curious right now.”

Lobelia grabbed the back of my neck and yanked me up as if my answer didn’t matter in the slightest.

“And don’t you think it’s time you saw Ariel too? I’m thinking of giving you the chance this time.”

“I’ll see her when we get back to the Cradle…”

“Isn’t this a rare opportunity to be outside? Go see her now. Think of it as community service. Community service.”

“No, seriously…”

If you’re going to do whatever you want anyway, why do you keep asking for my opinion?

And so, dragged by the scruff of my neck, I was hauled off into the forest by Lobelia.

“Wait, am I going alone? Wouldn’t it be better if Yuna came too?”

“Are you crazy? How could you suggest bringing the mistress along when going to meet Ariel?!”

“She’s not a mistress.”

“Are you saying Ariel’s the one having an affair, then?”

“That’s not it either. Weren’t we going to see the Headmistress? I just thought it would be good to bring Yuna too, since she has a connection to the Headmistress.”

“Her?”

“Yes.”

“…Well, maybe next time.”

“Is that really necessary? Yuna, want to come along too?”

“Mhmm!”

Yuna popped out from behind me as soon as I called.

Of course—she’d been stalking me.

Had she been guarding me while keeping her presence hidden?

I guess she didn’t want that monster Kult to get suspicious about her identity. So she had completely erased her presence.

“…What the… hmm… fine, let’s go with that, then.”

Lobelia blinked in surprise at Yuna suddenly appearing, then sighed and gave her approval.

She really hadn’t noticed Yuna was hiding nearby.

Lately, Yuna’s been getting pushed around a lot, but she really is impressive.

“But how did you know? I didn’t even notice she was nearby.”

“Well, after spending so much time together, I’ve gotten a feel for her behavior patterns.”

“I see. So, it’s been a long time…”

Lobelia fell into serious thought again.

It was clear she still believed there was an affair going on between Yuna and me.

Even if I told her otherwise, she wouldn’t believe it. She was the type who would still have people executed out of suspicion even after becoming Empress.

And so we wandered through the forest. Lobelia with her wary expression, and Yuna cheerfully smiling.

At some point, I started to notice a strange wavering in my vision.

“…Is this illusion magic?”

Still, I’d recently started dabbling in advanced illusion magic myself.

Subtle though it was, I could sense something was off.

“Not bad. I didn’t think someone at your level would be able to pick up on it.”

“Well, I am human. I can at least have one area I’m good at.”

“That’s good news.”

“…Huh?”

She sounded like a master who’d just discovered a new function in their slave. I couldn’t help but feel unsettled.

“Headmistress, we’re here to help.”

Just then, Lobelia called out into the empty air, and the shimmering space around us slowly began to rearrange itself.

“Oooh…”

And then we all realized we’d been facing different directions. A sign of advanced illusion magic that distorts one’s senses.

After quietly scanning our surroundings, we realized we’d reached the edge of the forest.

“…Well, this is…”

A metallic stench pierced our noses. It was a thick, sickening smell of blood.

And in the middle of the pile of corpses was Olga Hermod who was standing with a relaxed expression.

“You’re not enjoying the training?”

“We’ve enjoyed it enough. That’s why we’re here to help.”

“Is that so… I’m not sure whether I should praise you for your kind heart or feel sad that you seem so used to violence. Still, thank you, Lobelia. And… Johan?”

“Why the question mark for me?”

Well, I knew the reason, but hearing it so bluntly felt a bit strange.

“What brings you here, Johan?”

“I was dragged along.”

“Ah, I see. That makes sense. And… Yuna, you’re here as well.”

“Puhihi! Hello!”

“How have you been lately? Are you adjusting well as a student?”

“Yes! It’s been great!”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

Despite looking tired, Olga Hermod smiled gently.

It seemed like Yuna had been uncomfortable around Olga at first, but seeing them now, they looked to be getting along just fine.

“So others have come too. Are they accompanying you, Lobelia?”

“Ah, we were supposed to gather here. Could you open the way for us?”

“Of course.”

Soon, Ariel and the rest of Lobelia’s group arrived.

Among them, Ariel was openly giving me a look that could melt honey.

“Joh…Sir Johan… have you been well?”

“I suppose so.”

Ariel who had called my name in an excited voice noticed Yuna standing nearby and added a title.

At least she knew to restrain herself in front of others. It was oddly admirable.

And maybe that cute restraint triggered something in Yuna’s sadistic side?

Suddenly, Yuna clung to my back.

“Uh…?”

“Hi! Lady Ariel, Johan told me a lot about you! We’ve passed by each other a few times. Do you happen to know my name?”

“……”

“Huuuhp…”

Ariel tilted her head in silence with an expressionless face. While Lobelia looked like she’d just realized the ticking time bomb had less time left than she thought.

And once again, I started having trouble breathing.

What’s with her this time?

Is she doing this just to mess with Ariel? If so, I really wish she’d understand that this kind of behavior also ends up messing with me.

“Hey, don’t be so shocked. I’m just kidding around. Lady Ariel, I heard you’re engaged to Johan?”

“How do you know about that…?”

Ariel looked at me as if I betrayed her.

I really had nothing to say to that.

I mean, she’s not wrong. I was the one who told her.

If she felt betrayed, I guess there’s nothing I can do about it.

I was also the one who said that if news of our engagement got out, both I and the Damus Territory could be in danger, and even when we got engaged, I was the one who suggested we keep some distance.

“…She’s the only one who knows. Seriously.”

I just hope she understands this is all part of me trying to survive in different ways.

“And who exactly is she?”

“I’m Johan’s bodyguard. Since a lot’s been happening around him lately, I ended up being assigned to protect him. Oh! And this is all officially approved by the Headmistress.”

Yuna winked at Olga Hermod as she spoke, and since Olga also needed to keep Yuna’s identity under wraps, she nodded in agreement.

I wondered if she even fully understood what was going on right now.

“This too is youth, I suppose…”

She understood perfectly well.

That damned old woman was watching with anticipation, like she was enjoying some kind of drama.

Last time, she scolded me for being unfaithful, but now she was the one enjoying it the most.

How can someone be this twisted?

And the moment that wretched Olga Hermod decided to sit back and let this play out—

“And I’ve also heard about your relationship. Honestly, what made you think of walking such a thorny path?”

“It’s really not like that.”

“Is that so? Still, judging by your expression earlier, you might want to work on your acting skills.”

Then the other menace called Yuna began pouring fuel on the fire.

She started deliberately getting on Ariel’s nerves.

And the fact that she kept clinging to me the entire time without letting go… that was just plain malicious.

“So Johan and I were talking, and we figured…wouldn’t using a stand-in be less suspicious and more convenient?”

“A stand-in…?”

“Me, of course.”

Yuna pointed at herself with both hands and gave a sly grin.

“I’ll pretend to be dating Johan, so Lady Ariel, feel free to see him whenever you like.”

“……”

“I mean, who would seriously consider marriage with someone who obviously already has a girlfriend? Isn’t it brilliant?”

Ariel looked visibly uncomfortable.

Olga Hermod closed her eyes slowly, as if pretending she hadn’t seen anything.

And Lobelia turned pale, like someone about to drop dead.

Why was she more shaken than the people actually involved?

“Fine.”

But what was even more shocking was that Ariel nodded.

Wait, does she not realize she’s being mocked right now?

This is a provocation.

She’s not seriously thinking this is a well-meaning suggestion, is she?

“I’m the real one, after all. I don’t care about some fake relationship.”

“…Aha?”

Nope, she knew exactly what she was doing.

Ariel met Yuna’s challenge head-on before smiling sweetly.

“Everyone here already knows the truth anyway…”

Swoosh.

Ariel’s telekinesis peeled Yuna off me, where she had been half-clinging.

Even I had to admit her confidence was impressive.

And it seemed Yuna hadn’t expected that kind of reaction. Her smile stiffened.

Backing off slightly, she forced a cheerful grin.

“Alright, then! Johan, you’re okay with this too, right?”

“Not okay at all…”

“He says he’s fine!”

Yeah, sure.

Do whatever you want.

And don’t ask for my opinion ever again.

“Then I guess we’ll take our leave now?”

“……”

Yuna spoke as if she were doing a great favor. How can someone be this good at getting under people’s skin?

“Well, for me… I’m always with him anyway, so nothing really changes. But for Princess Ariel, moments like these must be rare and precious.”

A sentence packed with implications.

The tension in the air started to rise.

No seriously, where the hell are those terrorist bastards when you need them? This is exactly when they should be attacking, those damn punks!

“Johan, come here.”

Ariel stood still, calling out to me.

The way she said it felt like she was telling me to choose, and instinctively, I glanced at Yuna standing beside me.

“What are you doing?”

“Huh?”

“I said, come here.”

“Yeah, Johan. Go on. She’s calling you.”

It felt like no matter what I did—go to Ariel or stay here—something was going to blow up.

So I squeezed my eyes shut and answered.

“Your Highness, now that I think about it, there’s something important I’ve been meaning to discuss with you. I haven’t had the chance until now, but this seems like the right moment. Would it be alright?”

“…Huh? With me?”

And just like that, I decided to redirect all that attention straight onto Lobelia.