Chapter 6

It was a pleasant afternoon.

As I walked down the hallway with my friends to the salon within the school grounds for an elegant tea time, I once again witnessed the scene of Lord Rihito and Lady Sonia sitting on the edge of the fountain, chatting amicably.

"Rose-sama! Look at that scene!"

Yes, yes. I'm seeing it.

I'm seeing it clearly, firmly.

Their distance has closed by about four centimeters since the last time!

"What is Rose-sama's Prince Rihito doing with that person... What is her name again?"

"I think it's Manya or Miya."

What a shame, Lady Sonia!

"Lady Ninya... or Lady Noya...? Anyway, that Baron Verdin family..."

"Yes, the Baron Verdin family. That makes sense."

This "makes sense" has a nasty connotation! I learned this in acting class with Lord Richard the other day. It's really used in daily conversation. Lord Richard is so knowledgeable!

"I heard that she was recently taken in by the Baron Verdin family. Apparently, she was originally from the common folk."

"Oh! The rumor is that her mother was originally a maid in the household... That makes sense."

Ah, there it is again!

Their hushed whispers, if you don't know the content, look very cheerful. Their "gossip" has started again, but I think gossip itself is important. I don't think all gossip is true, but important information can be hidden within it. By speculating on where the information came from, from whose perspective, and who spread it, you can see things you couldn't see before. Selecting and choosing from the uncertain information and reading the social situation is also part of our "social life."

However,

this trend is very bad. I can see a future where the young ladies, sensing (interpreting) my feelings, move to exclude Lady Sonia...

"–Ladies, please calm down. Lady Sonia doesn't know our rules. It's only natural that there are things she doesn't know. She can learn them from now on, can't she?"

If I lower my eyes and act as if this topic is hurting my heart, the trend might change!

"That's wonderful...! Just as the compassionate Rose-sama says! We must teach her!"

Oh?

"Rose-sama's kindness, which extends to everyone, has moved me to tears! Let's invite her to this afternoon's after-school session!"

Oh, oh?

"Does everyone have no plans?"

Ah! Ah! I know this trend. It's when the group gangs up to intimidate Lady Sonia. No, no, if you do that, Lady Sonia will be hesitant and the distance between her and Lord Rihito will widen! They've already closed the distance by four centimeters! That distance is fueled by my tears...

"–No."

My voice made the commotion among them come to an abrupt stop.

"I will talk to Lady Sonia myself. Don't take such a pleasant task from me, will you?"

I hid my mouth with the fan I was holding and displayed the "beautifully intimidating smile" that Lord Richard taught me. He said it's effective when you want to make the other person accept your assertion and shut up.

"…Rose-sama…!"

"…I apologize for overstepping!"

"It's fine. I understand your kindness. Thank you."

"Rose-sama...!"

The effect is excellent!

Just as I was trying to encourage them to go to the salon, which they were excited about, several footsteps and a beautiful voice, which I had heard just the other day, echoed from the hallway ahead.

"–Rose. What are you doing here?"

"...Your Highness. Good afternoon."

We are in the presence of everyone.

I greeted Lord Richard, my brother, and the other attendants. The young ladies, who had been excited, followed my lead and bowed. He stopped them with a practiced gesture and approached me. Then, the attendants, in perfect harmony, guided the young ladies to the salon.

They are quite well-organized...

Before I knew it, only Lord Richard, my brother, and I were left.

"Rose. Meeting you here is quite a coincidence, isn't it?"

"We attend the same school, so it's not a coincidence."

I retorted sharply, but Lord Richard was smiling.

I know this face. It's the one a cat makes before toying with its prey!

"Ah. Those two are talking in such a conspicuous place again today."

Lord Richard's gaze shifted to the two chatting in the courtyard, but he looked uninterested. Even at such times, his handsome face exuded a melancholic beauty. Yes, he has a good face.

"–How much do you know about those two, Rose?"

"Excuse me?"

"First, when attacking an enemy, you must know more about them than anyone else. It's the basic rule of war."

"I am not engaging in any war."

What is Lord Richard talking about?

Leaving us, the confused siblings, behind, he shook his head with a sigh and continued.

That sigh is mine.

"Rose... the villain comes alive in battle."

"The villain comes alive..."

Ah! Could it be?

I turned my face back to Lord Richard.

Lord Richard's face was that of someone who has fought and won many battles.

"Also, relationships deepen in battle."

"…Relationships... deepen..."

Before I knew it, I was overwhelmed by the strong aura Lord Richard was emitting, and my fists tightened.

"Yes. It's because there is an enemy named Rose that the distance between those two has closed."

"An enemy named... me..."

I looked at my hands. My hands... do they have such power!

"Yes. The more you try to interfere with their relationship, the deeper and stronger their feelings become."

"Oh...!!"

That's right. That's it. No matter how many times they try to separate, they can't stay apart if they are destined to be together!

"The enemy of the enemy... in other words, Rose's 'enemy' is those two. First, let's investigate the enemy."

"Yes...! Leave it to me!"

I'll even count the number of their followers!

I looked firmly into Lord Richard's sky-blue eyes, and we both nodded vigorously.

"That's a good answer. Come to me when you've investigated. We'll plan a strategy."

"Yes!"

"Rose... Richard..."

I didn't notice that my brother seemed to want to say something.