Chapter 30

"Completely... different?"

Since witnessing Angelina at the entrance ceremony.

At first, I thought the 'events' were unfolding as Meruk's knowledge predicted.

I met Leonhardt safely. So, it must be that the 'villainess' is the irregularity, after all.

"Fried and Dennis aren't with Lord Leonhardt either."

Fried, who was supposed to become a royal guard, is not by Leonhardt's side but is devoted to his own training.

If I listen to the rumors more carefully, his background is subtly different.

Fried was supposed to defeat his brother just before entering the academy.

But it seems he accomplished that much earlier.

"Eh, isn't that too strong? What age are we talking about..."

Unlike other fields, this is about a knight's skills.

If he's too young, his physique wouldn't be fully developed, regardless of his strength.

Still, even if the timing is different, it could be within the margin of error according to Meruk's knowledge.

However, Fried has declined Leonhardt's invitation and is not serving as his guard.

Similarly, Dennis is not with him either.

"...So, is Angelina doing something after all?"

Someone who reincarnated as the villainess is moving ahead of the game's story to avoid destruction.

And she's already solving the heroes' problems.

"..."

Meruk swallowed hard.

(This pattern... is the one where I get my 'revenge'!)

In such situations, it's not wise to get too close to the targets.

Their initial goodwill towards the 'heroine' might be at rock bottom.

"But, if that's the case, what about Lord Leonhardt?"

He approached Meruk. Was that also an 'act'?

Thinking back, his words and attitude did seem somewhat staged...

Did he deliberately get close to me?

If so, does that mean I'm already disliked by the Leonhardt I admired?

The thought made Meruk's heart ache.

At this early stage of entering the academy,

A major 'event' is still far off.

So, what should I do now?

"...Observe, right?"

While being on high alert against the 'villainess' Angelina.

The targets who have changed their actions might be wary of the 'heroine,' so I need to be cautious.

Still, I don't know how the heroes' problems are progressing, so I'll aim for the minimum event progression.

"If they seem wary of the 'heroine,' I won't get too close. Yes, that's the plan for now."

I don't want to be disliked by the other heroes either.

If they look at me with a coldness I've never seen before...

The thought made Meruk sad.

"I haven't done anything yet..."

Thinking this, Meruk began to feel a grudge against the 'villainess' Angelina.

◇◆◇

Meruk tried to interact with her classmates to understand the current situation.

Before entering the academy, her mind was preoccupied with the targets, especially Leonhardt.

To avoid being 'punished' by the villainess, she was always thinking about such things.

So, here, she realized that she needed to "interact with classmates."

It was only now that she noticed the order was "reversed."

(School... before entering, my biggest worry was 'Can I make friends?'... Of course, I dreamed of a wonderful romance too. But, friends were the most important.)

Meruk has memories from her previous life, but they are vague except for the otome game "Flowers Bloom at Dawn."

She remembers modern knowledge and life, but not her personal identity.

Still, she felt she was probably a student.

There are no memories of being an adult.

Perhaps she died young.

Or maybe she just doesn't remember after graduating. It's unclear.

(But, I must have gone to high school. I wasn't that worried when moving from elementary to middle school.

But when entering high school, everyone takes different exams and goes to different schools. I was anxious about making friends...)

Though vague, Meruk had experience as a student.

With the otome game events on hold,

She returned to the basics of student life: making friends.

Fortunately, the topics of conversation were surprisingly similar to modern ones, despite the different regions and objects.

(It's an otome game setting. Maybe these parts are close to modern times? Ah, but there's magic and monsters.)

Meruk has never seen a monster. The Schreigen territory is peaceful.

She doesn't want to get involved.

Using magic is nice, but Meruk dislikes bloody battles.

(Ah, but like Fried, the knight hero needs his moment to shine.)

Being given a chance to excel in combat might be good, but if there's a war, it won't be just an otome game.

Being in such a situation is terrifying.

The developers probably don't want to make the hero characters killers by having them fight monsters.

While thinking aimlessly, Meruk chatted with her "friends."

They were female classmates.

Meruk didn't notice that they were not prejudiced against her.

They were of equal status and approachable, but she didn't think deeply about it.

And, as expected, the names Meruk knew came up in their conversations.

"Prince Leonhardt hasn't decided on a fiancée yet!"

"Really? What about Lady Angelina?"

"Lady Angelina? The Duchess of Steizen. I wonder... She is a princess, after all."

"I heard they had a conversation, but it didn't work out."

"Prince Leonhardt and Lady Angelina... aren't engaged?"

"I haven't heard that they're engaged."

"Me neither. But there were rumors."

"No, no, the Duchess of Steizen is supposed to marry the Margrave."

"Really!?"

"The Margrave of the northern Bartzline. He inherited his title at a young age."

"I didn't know..."

"Huh? Oh, right. You might not know."

(Bartzline? I've never heard of that name. Is it a hidden character I don't know about...?)

"Lady Angelina... On the day of the entrance ceremony, she seemed close to that person."

"Oh! I heard about that!"

It seems Angelina was indeed engaged to the Margrave.

And Leonhardt had no fiancée.

Why it turned out this way is unclear.

Meruk wasn't sure whether to be wary of Angelina.

(To avoid destruction, she didn't want to be engaged to Leonhardt...?)

Meruk tried to approach Fried, Dennis, Carlos, and Neil.

According to the 'events.' But it didn't go well.

They weren't even there.

Or if they were, they had very awkward expressions.

(Are they wary of the 'heroine'...?)

Sensing this, Meruk minimized her contact with them.

Forcing herself on them in this situation wouldn't be wise.

But, she was more shocked by their attitudes than she expected.

She had hoped the heroes would be more friendly towards her.

(That's terrible...)

Was this the result of Angelina's scheming?

Lowering the 'heroine's' favorability in advance?

If it was the work of another reincarnated person, Meruk wanted to complain.

So, she tried to approach Angelina.

But...

"Lady Angelina, about this assignment..."

"Oh, that. Let's continue in the library."

"Yes."

"...!"

The 'villainess' Angelina didn't even look at her.

Even if she stood in a conspicuous place.

Even if she went to a clearly visible spot, Angelina didn't see Meruk.

(Ignoring? No, this is... not even in her sights?)

If they were the same reincarnated person, they should react to the heroine's appearance.

Even if they ignored her, they should at least glance.

But, there was nothing.

If she had taken the initiative to warn the heroes to be wary of the 'heroine,'

She should have looked triumphant or appraising.

Or at least wary.

...But, there was nothing.

Nothing at all.

"Doesn't she... even notice me?"

Then, who is that Angelina?

Meruk's confusion deepened.

What confused her the most was none other than

Prince Leonhardt von Bartzuri.

"Ah, we meet again, Miss Schreigen."

"Y-Yes! Lord Leonhardt..."

The other targets kept their distance.

If this was the 'villainess's' doing, it would make sense.

But, Leonhardt, the key figure, was actively seeking out Meruk.

"????"

Is Leonhardt testing her?

Following the otome game's knowledge, he might be thinking, "So, you are the reincarnated person who wants to belittle Angelina!"

(Is this an action for 'revenge'...?)

The excessive contact from Leonhardt.

Of course, it's pleasant.

The real, genuine Leonhardt is right in front of her, and they are talking.

But, Meruk can't shake off her distrust.

What's concerning is during 'events.'

His lines seem somewhat awkward.

And he looks at Meruk with a testing, hopeful gaze.

(Lord Leonhardt... But, this gaze...?)

He does seem to have good feelings for the 'heroine.'

But, considering the timing, it's hard to say it's following the otome game.

After all, they are supposed to be together next summer.

There's no reason for him to be this proactive now.

(There's no way my favorability could be this high. Even if it's with the 'heroine'...)

If, hypothetically,

She had some kind of 'charm' magic.

That would be strange too.

Because the other targets' attitudes are pushing her away.

"????"

"Meruk, what's wrong?"

"Huh?"

"Hmm?"

"No, um. My name..."

"Oh! I think it's about time to call you by your name."

"Eh, eh?"

(Why? Because...)

It's strange. This shouldn't be happening.

No, the dream Leonhardt showing affection is something to be happy about.

Should she be happy about this?

But, she needs to be cautious.

Because Leonhardt's attitude might be to test if she is the reincarnated 'heroine.'

(Why is everyone else's attitude different from Lord Leonhardt's?)

"Um!"

"What is it, Meruk?"

"S-Sorry! Lord Leonhardt!"

"Huh?"

Meruk ran away from Leonhardt for now, deciding to be cautious.

◇◆◇

"Haah..."

She sighed.

Leonhardt approached her and showed affection.

She should be happy.

But, she can't accept it honestly.

Because the other targets' attitudes are so different.

This makes her suspicious of Leonhardt's unusually friendly attitude.

Is it an act to test her? Is there some hidden intention?

(Everything is wrong. This is no longer just an 'event'...)

"Are you okay?"

"Huh?"

Meruk was approached by an unknown female student.

Squatting in the hallway, Meruk looked up and confirmed it was a beautiful girl with long silver hair.

"Um..."

"...You were just approached by Prince Leonhardt, weren't you?"

"Um, well, he talked to me..."

"Yes. You're Meruk Schreigen, the baron's daughter, right?"

"Um, yes. And you are...?"

The silver-haired girl had a few other female students, who seemed to be her followers, standing nearby.

She clearly had a high status.

"I'm Sandika. Sandika Rodick. Do you know me?"

"Um, no... I don't know."

"...Hmm."

The girl named Sandika intensified her gaze on Meruk.

But, she didn't say anything more.

"Stand up."

Then, she extended her hand to the crouching Meruk.

"Um, thank you."

Meruk took her hand and stood up.

"Meruk Schreigen. Stay by my side. I'll protect you from the prince."

"Protect... me?"

"Yes. You must be troubled. I can protect you from the prince."

"Ah..."

(He must have seen that I was troubled by Lord Leonhardt. She seems nice, even if a bit intimidating...)

"No, that's not it!"

"Not?"

"Yes! Um! Being talked to by Lord Leonhardt... is actually... pleasant! But, I don't know what to do...!"

It is pleasant, and that's true.

But, she needs to be cautious.

If she gets 'revenge,' she doesn't know what will happen.

She doesn't want to give up either.

(Then, should I accept Lord Leonhardt's affection honestly? But, I still don't know...)

"..."

Sandika, the silver-haired girl, understood Meruk's uncertain attitude.

"Then, stay by my side even more. I'll advise the prince."

"Advise...?"

Meruk tilted her head in confusion.

"Be my friend, Meruk Schreigen."

"Friend..."

Meruk, not fully understanding, began to interact with Sandika.

Time passed like this.

The events didn't unfold as expected.

Instead, Leonhardt's events always happened on purpose.

Meruk didn't know whether to be happy or to run away.

(The situation is completely different from what I expected. And there's nothing from Angelina...)

Angelina didn't notice Meruk.

This was clear from multiple attempts to approach her.

So, she might not be a 'reincarnated person.'

If so, what does this situation mean?

She doesn't know. Meruk doesn't understand anything.

She continues to interact with Leonhardt, unable to fully grasp the situation.

When in trouble, she gets help from Sandika's group.

Though not entirely willing, Sandika still helps Meruk.

When the time comes, Meruk tries to contact Shulk, who is in the magic tower.

But, Shulk also doesn't want to interact with Meruk.

"...Completely different."

If Leonhardt has no ulterior motives,

Should she just accept it?

Is that allowed?

Confused and uncertain, Meruk became a second-year student.

The situation didn't change much.

Angelina ignored the 'heroine.'

Leonhardt was unusually affectionate towards the 'heroine,' which was suspicious.

The other targets kept their distance from the 'heroine.'

One day, Meruk passed by Angelina in the school hallway.

Thinking she might be spoken to,

But, she might not be noticed at all.

Her heart raced as she passed by.

"Are you heading to the Miranchetta territory?"

"Yes. It's a bit early for the festival, but we'll plan more and do it later."

"Will Lord Bartzline be with you?"

"Hehe. I think I'll meet Lord Ash there. I'm looking forward to seeing Lord Ash!"

(......!)

"Thank you for the treat."

"What's that, Misha?"

"No, no. I'm happy to see you two getting along so well."

"Yes. Hehe, we... Yes, we're good, aren't we? Hehe."

"Lady Angelina, you're blushing."

"I can't help it."

And Angelina left.

Without noticing Meruk. Without caring.

"...So, Angelina..."

Is not a reincarnated person. And.

"Not a villainess..."

What was there.

The Angelina Meruk saw was just a girl in love.

Just like any other girl. In her previous school, there were many.

Laughing and chatting with friends about the boy they liked.

Just.

– A normal Angelina.

"Ah..."

There is no villainess.

There are no other reincarnated people like Meruk.

The targets might be around but don't like the 'heroine.'

Leonhardt is the odd one out.

The rest is just reality.

So, in other words.

"This isn't... an otome game world..."

She leaned against the hallway wall, feeling drained.

The invitation to participate in the princess education program came to Meruk Schreigen shortly after.