chapter 21

—Hey, what’s wrong with you . You okay?

—Ahh, Lilia… I’m already done for…

—Eh, hey wait… What’s wrong?

Hearing that truly strained voice made Lilia’s expression pale . She had never before heard such a meek voice from Sakura . She waited anxiously for Sakura’s response .

—Green peppers, bitter…

She lowered her gaze . Looked at the fried vegetables . There were green peppers in it .

—Just, with this…? I didn’t really taste much of the green peppers though…

—You did taste it… Lilia you meanie…

Hearing that usually energetic voice continue to sink, it made Lilia worry as well . While feeling sorry, she apologised in her head .

“Lilia, what’s wrong?”

It was Tina’s voice . Not knowing how she should answer Lilia ended up shutting her mouth . Even so the worry in Tina’s eyes didn’t go away, and Lilia gave a small sigh .

“I’m sorry, Tina . I just remembered some urgent business so I must excuse myself here . ”

She hadn’t even managed to eat half of her dinner yet . In fact her appetite was still left unsatisfied, but she couldn’t just keep going with Sakura in this state . Lilia rose from her seat, and showed a smile to the dumbfounded Tina .

“I’ll say this now, but please rest assured that this isn’t because of anything you did . Well then, see you later . ”

Lightly waving her hand, she departed . After exiting the dining hall, Lilia hurried to her room .

Lilia rushed into her bedroom upon returning to her room, and pulled out a drawer from the table . In there was a small cloth bag . It was of simple make, but the material itself was high class . Lilia opened it and checked the contents . There was a sizeable amount of copper and silver coins inside . With a small nod, she called out to Sakura .

—Sakura . Can you hear me?

—Nn… What is it?

There was a response, but it was still just as weak . She didn’t think a single piece of green pepper could have caused her to become like this .

—We’re going to head out now .

—That so…

—Is there anything you want to eat? Though we can’t go too far .

—Fruit!

The energetic voice rang in her head for momentarily . How mercenary thought Lilia as she smiled wryly, leaving the room . She soon ran into Alisa .

“Mistress Lilia? It’s already late so, I think it best to hold off on going outside…”

“R-right… I understand . ”

Her cheek stiffening Lilia dejectedly returned to the room . That Sakura’s energy that she finally managed to restore all faded out again was also apparent .

—Uuu… There is no God or Buddha huh…

She didn’t understand the meaning, but the lamentation was clearly conveyed .

“By the way Mistress Lilia . ”

Keeping the door open until now Alisa opened her mouth . Dubiously turning around,

“It’s a visitor . ”

Behind Alisa, there stood Tina .

“Tina? What’s wrong? What about dinner?”

It hasn’t been too long since she left from the dining hall . So why was Tina already here? Lilia wondered while waiting for the her words, when Tina timidly presented the thing in her hands .

It was a small paper bag . Though thinking it strange, she approached Tina, and received the bag . Looking inside, a mandarin like fruit was inside .

“Umm… Dinner, didn’t seem to be to your tastes so… Please have some of this . ”

And then she vigorously, lowered her head in apology . Lilia was flabbergasted as she opened her mouth lamely hung open .

“Well, I’ll be heading back to the dining hall then . See you later, Lilia . ”

Saying so she made to leave the room . Lilia hurriedly called her for her back .

“Wait . ”

“Eh…? What’s wrong? Ah, is it that you dislike fruits as well?”

“Of course not . Just… Today, there really was something unexpected that came up . If it’s alright with you, please do invite me again sometime?”

In fact, she felt that the dinner itself was quite tasty . If not for Sakura she probably would have finished it all . As expected the place would be somewhat difficult for Lilia to go enter alone, so she wouldn’t think of going again without being invited by Tina .

Tina seemed to be blankly befuddled, but before long an instant smile came to her face .

“Yup! I’ll invite you again sometime!”

And so she waved her hand and left . Seeing her off, Lilia let out a sigh of relief as she closed the door .

—Lilia! Mandarins! I don’t know if they’re actually mandarins but! Mandarins! Let’s eat!

Instantly Sakura’s voice rang out in her head . Lilia smiled wryly, and held out the paper bag to Alisa .

“Sorry but, could you prepare a few of these?”

“Yes . Certainly . ”

And so as she stuffed her cheeks with the fruit Alisa peeled,

—Ahh, it’s delicious, I’m in heaven…

—Oh you…

Slowly savouring the flavour, she smiled wryly . Somehow interpreting that smile, Alisa also gave a beamed affectionately .

The next day . Going to the first floor entrance, Tina was there just like yesterday waiting for Lilia . However perhaps minding the matter with The Prince from yesterday, she only exchanged her greetings .

—What’s with that girl . She waited for me just to say hi?

—What a good girl .

—What a waste of time .

—Lilia’s thinking never changes eh!

Sakura was lamenting over something again, but she probably didn’t need to pay it any mind . She briskly headed for the school building .

The school building was beside the dormitory . A three story stone building, it was made to be quite a large structure . Lilia’s classroom was on the second floor . She still kept her brisk pace walking through the hallways . There wasn’t actually any need to hurry that much, but it couldn’t be helped that she felt she was drawing the gazes of the students around her . This wasn’t just an overly self-conscious imagination either, as when she actually looked at the people she felt gazes from, they would hurriedly avert their gazes when she met their eyes .

The following act from The Prince’s engagement annulment, was all the uproar from yesterday after all . It was obvious that she would gather a lot of attention . If only it had happened somewhere where there were less people, but it’s a bit too late for that now .