Chapter 27

Chapter 26

The Survival Guide of a Possessed Person (Original Unknown) - 3

There are days when coincidences pile up. Irina, who usually went to school with Louise, had caught a spring cold and headed to the infirmary first, and Erich had come to school early due to a meeting with the fencing instructor. The other friends had scattered for various reasons, so Louise's usually bustling walk to school was unusually quiet today.

For Louise, who rarely walked alone, this was a somewhat unfamiliar situation, but she didn't mind the occasional desire to walk leisurely by herself. Even the usual route felt different and new when walked alone.

Louise strolled along, enjoying the morning breeze and admiring the flowers in the flower beds. When she arrived at the classroom, Erich, who had finished his meeting, would be there to greet her. And when Irina returned from the infirmary, she would check if she was feeling better. That's how the day would start.

If it weren't for the sudden unfamiliar voice calling out to Louise, it would have gone that way.

"Louise?"

Hearing the unfamiliar voice, Louise turned around. The girl with wavy red hair that reached her waist and green eyes that sparkled between her narrow, raised eyelids was holding a red fan to her mouth. She stood with the air of someone accustomed to being in a position of authority, slightly tilting her chin as she looked down at Louise.

"Are you Louise of the Nereid family?"

Though it was phrased as a question, it was a confident one. The clear voice of the girl, who spoke with confidence, echoed.

"Yes, that's me. I'm Louise Nereid."

Though the person who had suddenly spoken to her was unexpected, it would be rude to ignore her. Louise lightly bowed and introduced herself, and the girl also opened her mouth after receiving the greeting.

"I'm Margareta Valente, the vice president of the student council. I'm also a year ahead of you."

Hearing this, Louise's eyes widened. Valente, one of the five dukes of the empire, the Iron Blood Duke's family. And Margareta is the youngest daughter of the Iron Blood Duke, born to him in his later years. She is so much younger than the Iron Blood Duke's grandson, who is older than her, and is thus the precious daughter he dotes on.

"I greet you, Lady Margareta."

Louise bowed again, more formally this time. In the empire, the power of a duke is second only to the emperor. Of course, there are five dukes, but that doesn't diminish their influence.

Margareta, watching Louise bow, shook her head lightly and said,

"There's no need for that, Louise. In the academy, everyone learns on equal footing. I'm just one of your many seniors."

"Yes, yes. I understand, senior."

Of course, the decades after graduation are much longer than the three years spent in the academy, so no one takes such words seriously. Louise, surrounded by the imperial family, the royal family, and the candidates for the Holy One, also knew this. In fact, Margareta might be more intimidating than the club members.

Compared to the powerless third prince and the other club members who will return to their home countries after graduation, Margareta, the precious daughter of a duke, can make even a minor noble family tremble with a single gesture.

Noticing that Louise's body was trembling with tension, Margareta smiled slightly.

"I have something I want to say to you. Can you spare some time?"

"Of course, I can."

"Thank you, Louise."

In front of a lady who looked at her with a gaze that demanded time, no lady could refuse. Louise quietly followed behind Margareta.

***

My body trembled more and more as I followed Lady Margareta to a less crowded area. It's a scary thing when someone you have no connection with, especially someone who is so far above you that you wouldn't even see them outside the academy, suddenly speaks to you.

I've experienced this four times already with Ainter, Ryutis, Lather, and Tanian, but the feeling never gets old.

'No, it'll be fine.'

At first, my meetings with those four were filled with tension, but now we are friends and enjoy club activities together. So, this time, it could also go smoothly. Yes, it will. I haven't done anything to offend Lady Margareta.

When Lady Margareta stopped and turned to look at me, she said just one thing.

"Louise, you need to be more careful."

Ah, I must have done something to offend her without realizing it.

The cold gaze of a high-ranking person I had never experienced before made me bow my head involuntarily. Even with my head bowed, I could still feel Lady Margareta's cold eyes on me.

"This year, the academy has experienced an unprecedented event. You know what it is, right?"

"Yes, yes..."

Lady Margareta's next words were simple. The unprecedented event of a key figure from another country enrolling in the academy. In a situation where I should be more cautious and keep my distance from these key figures, I not only failed to do so but also joined the same club with them.

And as a member of the imperial blue blood and a lady who should show dignity, my actions were inappropriate.

My vision blurred slightly. This situation was not only scary but also a bit unfair. Was it really so wrong to enjoy club activities together? Was it so wrong to befriend those children who came from another country and had no friends in the academy?

I just wanted to laugh and have fun with those lonely children. I wanted to get closer to them, to share snacks and become friends.

"Louise, do you understand what I'm saying?"

Lady Margareta, having finished what she wanted to say, called out to me. I held back the tears that were about to fall and lifted my head. I was scared, but I couldn't just back down here. If I admitted my mistake, I would have to leave the club members.

Firmly resolving in my heart, I was about to speak when I saw someone familiar approaching from behind Lady Margareta.

'Karl, my brother!'

Seeing Karl, my tension eased, and I couldn't help but smile. Lady Margareta frowned at my expression and then turned her gaze behind her—

"Oh, Karl. It's been a while."

At that moment, the cold expression on Lady Margareta's face seemed to melt away.

***

I was unsure, but it was indeed Lady Margareta. I had heard she enrolled in the academy last year, but I didn't expect to meet her here.

"It's been a while, Lady Margareta. How have you been?"

I slightly bowed and asked, but Margareta only closed her fan, which she had been holding to her mouth, and stared at me silently. What's wrong, why isn't she speaking?

"Lady Margareta?"

Even when I spoke again, she remained silent. She tapped her cheek with the closed fan, as if something was bothering her, and didn't speak.

...Ah.

"Margareta, how have you been?"

I sighed softly, and Margareta finally smiled and spoke. She's so hard to get to talk...

"I've been well, Karl. It's nice to see you again in the academy, as I heard from Father."

"I never imagined I'd see you here. Is the Duke well?"

"Father has been in seclusion since last year. He seems to be deeply disappointed after his proposal was rejected outright."

"That's unfortunate news."

"Hehe, isn't it? I wish Karl could comfort Father."

"I'll visit him in spirit."

I quietly shook my head at her unrealistic request. Disappointed, indeed. If I visited the Iron Blood Duke, I'd probably get a German suplex right away. He's the oldest among the dukes but is as vigorous as a young man.

I quietly turned my gaze from the chuckling Margareta to Louise. Her eyes were brimming with tears, and she was forcing a smile. Poor thing, she must have been scolded a lot.

"By the way, what were you talking about with Louise?"

"I was giving her advice as a senior."

It didn't seem like just advice, but I couldn't press the issue, so I decided to let it go. Digging deeper would only prolong the conversation.

Seeing that I wasn't going to pry, Margareta opened her fan and covered her mouth again. Come to think of it, I've seen that fan before, last year. Does she always carry it?

"Then, I'll be going. I hope to see you again, Karl."

And she left without a backward glance. She appeared suddenly and disappeared just as quickly.

As I watched Margareta's retreating back, Louise gently tugged on my sleeve from behind. Oh, I should have comforted her first.

Turning around, I saw Louise looking up at me with tearful eyes. Yes, being suddenly grilled by a lady must have been tough. Even though Louise is used to hanging out with princes and princes, they are all pushovers to her, so this kind of pressure doesn't help.

"Are you okay? What did she say to you?"

"It was just advice..."

"You need to learn how to lie better."

Louise, who had been looking around nervously, finally confessed after a few attempts to speak. Hmm.

'Not entirely wrong.'

I feel sorry for Louise, but Margareta's words aren't entirely wrong. If Louise weren't the protagonist of the original story, I would have thought the same as Margareta.

Feeling ambivalent about siding with either Louise or Margareta, I quietly patted Louise's shoulder and handed her a handkerchief. She looked very pitiful as she carefully wiped her tears.

Watching her, I thought hard.

'She doesn't seem to be an antagonist lady.'

When I saw Louise being scolded by Margareta, I wondered, 'Is Margareta the antagonist lady?' In typical light novels, there's usually an antagonist lady. I didn't read many light novels before being possessed, but I suspected this original story might be the same.

However, Margareta didn't fit the criteria of an antagonist lady. She wasn't in love with or engaged to one of the five people enchanted by Louise, and she didn't start trouble with Louise unilaterally. She seemed to be giving advice as a senior and a lady of the empire.

Yes, with five organizations trying to destroy the academy from the outside, it doesn't make sense for there to be an antagonist lady inside. The original author seems to have a sense of fairness. It's fortunate that the academy will be peaceful internally.

With my mind at ease, Louise spoke up cautiously.

"Um, brother. Do you know Lady Margareta?"

"You seem to be close," Louise added quietly. I shook my head firmly. Close? We're not that close. We just happened to meet by chance, but we're not close.

"I met her last year. We're not close."

"But you let her call you 'Margareta'..."

"I don't know why she does that."

She must be forcing it because I'm a duke's family. It would be foolish to let a relationship with a duke's family sour over a mere title.

In fact, I only agreed to her persistent request for a nickname because I thought I wouldn't have to deal with her again. After rejecting the Iron Blood Duke's proposal for Margareta's marriage last year, I thought I'd never see her again.

But here we are. Life is unpredictable.

Author's Note

Wow! Today is 3 PM! If I keep this up, I might eventually post at midnight!

Of course, life is unpredictable, so I might post in the afternoon tomorrow...

Thank you for reading this chapter!

Yulyeon! Evacanierdum! Thank you for your support!