Chapter 59

Since it was Obon, I had been slacking for a while.

Chapter 4 begins.

The second semester starts.

In Chapter 4, I want to do various things with the prince.

Today, my classes start in the afternoon, so I was about to start the day with my usual blacksmithing work when, all of a sudden, the window to my room was forcefully opened from the outside, and a man jumped in.

"Prince!?"

The way he landed with a beautiful form, softening the impact, showed his excellent athletic ability. But that's beside the point.

At that moment, I realized that my room was always destined to be invaded by outsiders.

"Where did you come in from?"

"Huh? Well, you know... various things happened."

"What do you mean by 'various things'? Just because you're the prince doesn't mean you can do anything you want."

"Sorry. By the way, are you still doing blacksmithing? You don't act like a noble at all."

"I do it because I like it, so leave me alone."

"Can you stop that for a moment and help me?"

The prince squatted down and met my gaze.

He seemed surprisingly serious. Maybe something was really up.

"What is it?"

"Actually, I'm following Iris right now."

There, that's it! I've found a stalker. It's 9:31 AM, and I'm arresting the prince.

"Hey, what are you doing!"

When I grabbed his wrist, he shook me off.

"No, it's just a joke."

"What are you talking about? Kuri, if you have time, can you help me?"

I don't have time, but...

I thought the prince had returned to his usual self, but it seems his self-centered side is showing again.

This is troublesome.

But helping him should have a positive impact on my future.

It's better to have more insurance.

"Hah, the unfaithful Kuri will take on the task of being the prince's official bodyguard."

"What, are you that serious?"

Ho ho ho, now I have the legal right to stalk.

If anything happens, I can blame it on the prince.

Following Iris, regardless of the purpose, is a bit concerning.

What does she usually do?

"Iris just passed by this room. I almost got caught, so I jumped in here."

"No, that's a bother, so please stop."

"I'll try not to do it again."

"Actually, you shouldn't do it at all from the start."

While grumbling, the stalking operation with the prince began.

We quickly found Iris and watched her walk leisurely.

We tried to act as naturally as possible to avoid suspicion.

"Are you following Iris because you're interested in her?"

"Hey! Who said anything like that! I'm not interested in Iris or anything!"

He's flustered and talking like a child.

"Then why are you following her?"

"Don't call it following. Call it guarding, guarding."

"Guarding? Isn't that my job?"

Guarding the prince is a noble duty. I should be the one doing it.

"Recently, Iris seems a bit down. Don't you think so?"

"No."

"Hmph, you're a dull man. That's why you don't get girls."

What's with this guy? He's been getting along well with Iris recently and is getting cocky.

I haven't forgotten what happened in the Helan territory during summer!

"Iris is definitely down recently. If my friend is sad, I should help her. That's why I'm following her... guarding her while trying to find the cause."

"You just said 'following' a moment ago, didn't you? So we are following her, right?"

"...If something is wrong with Iris, I will fix it."

"No, you said 'following'!"

I could feel his silent anger, but the legal stalking continued.

Iris only takes morning classes today.

I watched her take her classes seriously from outside the window.

It doesn't seem like the classes are the cause.

"Very energetic, she's listening to the classes seriously."

"Maybe that's the cause."

After class, Iris headed straight to the library.

It seems she reviews her lessons immediately.

Impressive. She's a genius, and I respect her.

We are still peeking from behind the bookshelves.

"Very energetic, she's reviewing smoothly. I feel like studying a bit myself."

"It's no good today. This isn't the cause... wait, someone is approaching."

As the prince pointed out, three mysterious beautiful women approached Iris.

They all had long, bronze hair and seemed well-bred, with graceful movements and small gestures.

They all wore bear brooches, which might be a trend.

Their skin was smooth, and they were undoubtedly beautiful. Their hips were wide, making them look plump.

They would probably have good children. But that's beside the point.

The prince looked puzzled.

I was pale.

Their faces were smirking, not friendly, but full of malice.

This is bad, very bad!

They're going to get rid of her! Those three beautiful women with small malice are going to get rid of the prince!

They definitely intend to harass Iris.

I had heard rumors before that Iris was being bullied at school.

Eliza has forgotten her original job, so it's not as severe, but there is definitely some form of bullying.

They are about to do it now.

It's during the prince's inspection! Don't throw away your life!

Getting rid of them would be their own fault, but Iris is not the type to be bothered by such small things.

I think she's stronger than me.

"Oh, I'm so sorry."

The woman leading the trio deliberately bumped into Iris's chair.

Iris's pen slipped, drawing a line across the book.

"It wasn't on purpose. Can you forgive me?"

"Sure, if it wasn't on purpose, it can't be helped."

Iris smiled. The women didn't seem satisfied and left the scene looking unhappy.

The storm has passed.

But the damage is significant.

Not to Iris, who resumed her studies as if nothing happened.

I know Iris isn't the type to be defeated by such a small thing.

In fact, she might use it as motivation to work harder.

That's why I've been letting it go until now.

Fortunately, it doesn't seem like Eliza is getting involved, and the problem is small.

I'm satisfied. Iris doesn't care at all.

The prince... Ah, he's getting angry.

The prince chased after the trio who had just left, taking large strides.

Freeze!

I quickly restrained the prince in a headlock.

"Let go! I've found the cause, and I need to remove it right away!"

"Too hasty. That's just a modern way of greeting for girls."

"There's no such thing! Let me go!"

He was so forceful that I had to let him go to avoid getting hurt.

"Fine. Do as you please. Ah, Iris will be sad."

"...What's with that half-hearted tone?"

"Nothing. Please do as you wish with them."

"Alright. Tell me why Iris will be sad if I do nothing."

I made a seal-like face.

For some reason, that face made me feel the most victorious.

"Iris doesn't care about such a small thing. In fact, it motivates her. She believes that as a commoner, she deserves to be discriminated against, so she works twice as hard to be recognized. That's her fundamental belief."

"Is that true?"

"It's true. She works twice as hard to be recognized by Prince Ark and others."

"...Alright, I understand. They will be released on probation."

He looks so happy. Being simple is nice.

"Sure, arrest them if they accumulate more offenses. Please let me know when that happens."

It's cruel to kill them. Punish them moderately.

We continued to follow Iris as she studied.

The hardest part of surveillance is the physical strain.

While Iris was having lunch in the school garden, I went to get the food.

I got a pork cutlet sandwich with plenty of sauce.

The prince got a vegetable sandwich with raw vegetables.

"Hey, I want that one too."

"Stop being picky."

I stood my ground. It would be terrible if the harassment was suppressed by power.

Iris finished her lunch happily.

So far, there doesn't seem to be any problem.

But the prince still thinks something is wrong.

Hmm, I don't understand, but maybe the prince, who thinks about Iris 24/7, does.

It's time for an important conversation.

"Prince, why do people repay others?"

"There are various reasons. Maybe they like the person, or they owe them a favor, or they are paid to do so."

"That's it! What will you give me for my work today?"

"Once the problem with Iris is resolved, we'll think about what to do."

Grr, you sly fox!

I once received a valuable item.

It was great. I entrusted it to a merchant to ensure it would remain even if my family fell. It's a long-term investment.

I want to increase my assets. I hope to get something good this time too.

But to do that, I need to resolve Iris's problem.

"Ah, Iris is moving."

"Alright, let's move too."

Thus, the suspicious stalking of the two continues.