Thud, thud.
Aisha, who had retreated to a secluded spot, sank to the ground.
'I was nothing more than a goblin in a cave.'
Though she had never shown it outwardly, she had believed herself to be smarter and more level-headed than others.
And she had proven it.
Even in the Hero Departnt, where only the continent's top students gathered, she ranked among the best.
She excelled in theory as well.
But she had been mistaken.
She was a fool, a foolishly smart person.
She had failed to understand Theo's goals until now.
She couldn't understand the larger picture he was drawing.
‘Did he even see as a threat?’
Today, Theo had shone once more, not with physical power but with his intellect.
He had effortlessly won over Ralph, who had been hostile towards him.
And...
[I discovered it from old docunts at ho.]
A clear warning.
Don't overstep the line.
But it was strange.
Normally, hearing such words would have infuriated her, but she felt no anger.
Had she unknowingly acknowledged him?
'Even when I knelt before...'
Theo had only spoken about the ti she foolishly accused him; he never ntioned the countless behind-the-scenes manipulations she had orchestrated to take control of the Waldeurk family.
He must have known... but why?
She couldn't find an answer.
Her mind spun.
Taking deep breaths, she tried to soothe her feverish mind.
'I'll gauge his reaction and decide from there.'
Aisha hung her head.
She still didn't understand.
But one thing seed certain.
Theo didn't hate her.
She rembered a ti from their childhood when Theo had raged at his tutors and maids, refusing to study, and had even torn at their hair.
Considering those mories, while he might not like her, he certainly didn't seem to hate her.
After all, he had forgiven her, at least on the surface.
Even when she had pretended to be scared in the underground magic dungeon and had clung to him, he hadn't pushed her away.
That would have been impossible if he truly disliked her.
[Instead, try to be helpful to . I believe that with hard work, even negative emotions can be transford into positive ones. I prefer action over a hundred words.]
Those were the words he had said not long ago.
'Right.'
He couldn't have said such things without aning.
She couldn't change the past, but as for the future... she would try her best.
To be of help to him.
"···I will imdiately form an investigation team. That should wrap up our discussion."
"You've worked hard, Professor."
With that, I was about to exit the cabin when,
"Before you leave... would you tell , just between us, what trait you received? I won't tell a soul."
Rok looked at and gave a faint smile.
"As I said earlier, it's a secret."
I gave a faint smile back.
Just like before, whenever Rok cracks a joke, he smiles like that.
That bald old man really likes his jokes. At least they're not dad jokes.
"Alright then, I understand. It seems I've kept you here too long. Go rest."
"Thank you. Please take care as well, Professor."
I gave a slight bow.
There's no reason for to disclose my abilities.
Rok won't try any more than this.
He's the type who carefully weighs gains and losses.
As long as I am not against him.
Creak~
I stepped out of the cabin.
The sun was already setting.
The other teams had already finished and exited the dungeon.
·····Just as I was thinking,
"Theo~!"
Sienna, who was nearby, dashed towards and wrapped in a tight hug as soon as she saw .
"·····So, nothing happened during the dungeon."
"Of course, hehe. What do you take for?"
Siena looked up at , staring intently.
"Were you waiting for ?"
"Hehe, I can find you no matter where you are, you know?"
"·····."
Bragging about stalking, huh.
As soon as I get back to the room, I have to spray the Spirit Repellent.
I'll spray it even if it's the last thing I do.
Just then,
"···Theo."
Aisha suddenly appeared.
‘Hmm, but······.’
She seed sowhat different than usual.
Did sothing happen?
"What is it?"
"Do you know that there's a regular eting for the Tactical Strategy Club today?"
"Ah, right. Thanks."
I had forgotten because the break was so long.
Aisha gave Siena a calm look.
“And Siena, there are so many people around, so could you please restrain your behavior a little?"
"Huh? What's wrong with this? Is it wrong to show affection to the person I like?"
"···Everyone is looking at us. And."
"And?"
"If you're the princess of the Great Forest's elves, please act with so dignity."
"Why does that matter? I'm not a princess right now."
With that, Siena hugged even tighter.
Aisha's red eyes glowed fiercely.
"Acting like a child. Your 150 years of age seems aningless."
"······What?"
Detaching from , Sienna shot Aisha a glare.
'Damn it.'
I'm caught in the middle and it's hell.
What did I do to deserve this?
But Aisha, why touch on her age of all things?
That is Siena's sensitive spot.
"...Really, there's no dignity to be found in you. Theo dislikes people without dignity."
Aisha did not back down.
"...Dislike?"
Siena, who had fallen silent for a mont, looked at with an anxious face.
"Is that true, Theo?"
"······What are you talking about?"
For now, I extended my hand in a placating gesture.
"Do you dislike people without dignity?"
"I...I do dislike them."
Theo would naturally despise them, and his influence on ... dislike, yes that's the right word.
"···I see. Understood."
Siena bowed her head.
Her shoulders trembled slightly.
···Could she really be crying?
I've never seen Siena cry in the original ga.
‘Did I give the wrong answer?’
I suddenly feel apprehensive.
When it cos to getting on soone's bad side, there's no one as scary as Siena.
···I have to make ands.
As I was bending my head to look at Siena's face.
"Hehe, you're cute."
Suddenly, Siena wrapped her arms around my neck.
I felt a soft and overwhelming pressure against my face.
I'm suffocating.
"Let... Let go."
I managed to keep my composure and spoke up.
"What! What are you doing!"
Aisha rushed over and forcefully separated Siena and .
Then she glared at Siena.
"You, you shaless person! How can you do this so brazenly······."
Aisha couldn't continue her words.
Blushing as red as a beet, she turned her gaze towards this ti.
"And, and Theo, you too! Why were you just standing there? You, as the future head of the esteed Waldeurk family, should have pushed her away imdiately!"
"······."
If I had done that, I might have really been in trouble.
She doesn't understand the fear that cos from experience.
One cannot easily shake off such deep-rooted fear.
"Anyway, let's quickly have dinner and go to the club eting together. We're running late, so hurry up."
Aisha grabbed my wrist.
She's fearless, not even slightly scared of Sienna.
Is she living life on the edge?
"······."
Anyway, it hurts.
"Ease up on your strength, seriously."
Being pulled along by Aisha, I turned to look at Siena.
"See you tomorrow, Theo~"
Siena waved at with a satisfied smile.
After so ti passed.
"Release now."
"Oh, oh······! I'm sorry."
Aisha hastily apologized.
Is this the sa person who was so confident in front of Siena?
Well, her deanor does change rather quickly.
"Why, why. Why are you looking at like that."
"What nonsense are you talking about, Aisha? I was simply admiring you."
"Ad... admire? I'm sorry······ Could you repeat that? I think I misheard. You couldn't possibly have said that.”
"I was admiring you. Your composure in front of the Elven princess of the Great Forest. It was impressive."
"······."
Aisha turned her head away in silence.
After a mont, she spoke up.
"······Next ti, when the Elven Princess acts like that, don't just stand there. What's with that lack of dignity? You're going to be the next head of the Waldeurk family······. Anyway, let's hurry. Why are you walking so slowly? Isn't it exciting to have a club eting after such a long ti?”
"Not really."
"······Even if you say no, can't you at least pretend to be a little happy?"
Aisha's energetic voice echoed.
······Hmm, I can try.
In any case, I managed to acquire a [Magic Cartridge] and eight gold coins from the shop in just one day.
Aisha put in her fair share of effort as well.
"Wow. I'm thrilled."
“······That's enough.”
***
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