Chapter 83

The usually bustling academy grounds were unusually quiet due to the Spirit Summoning Festival, which had the academy on holiday. Those interested in the festival had gone out, and those who weren't had returned home to make up for the short summer break.

Cecilia walked toward the dormitory through the empty campus, her steps not particularly light.

(Tswe wasn't very energetic today...)

Perhaps it was to be expected, but his expression when talking about the past was somewhat gloomy. If it had been just a sad expression, Cecilia might not have thought much of it. However, she felt there was something else mixed in with his expression.

(Well, I'm not sure, though. It might just be my imagination...)

"What are you doing here?"

Suddenly, a voice called out from behind her, and she turned around. There stood Oscar.

"Ah, Oscar! What's up? Did you go to the festival?"

"No, I didn't go to the festival. I was summoned by Father."

Being summoned by the king meant he had been to the palace. Even though it was in the same city, it took over an hour by carriage. Truly, a busy prince.

"By the way, why are you here? Weren't you supposed to be patrolling with Leen today?"

"Hehe... Actually, I got hit with an egg..."

"Egg?"

"Yeah. I think it was probably someone who's been bullying me recently..."

When Cecil lifted his jacket, Oscar's brow furrowed. As Cecil recounted what had just happened, Oscar's frown deepened even more.

"There was a problem with the security."

"Well, they were soldiers assigned by the church, so there wasn't much we could do. They probably haven't had much training..."

"No, we should formally protest about this. However, whether they will listen to us is another matter."

The Kingdom of Prosperity does not designate the Caritade religion, to which the godchild belongs, as the state religion. This is to ensure the freedom of faith of the citizens and to separate religion from politics. However, since about 90% of the citizens believe in the Caritade religion, it cannot be said to be completely separated. The king cannot ignore the words of the highest-ranking clergy, the godchild, and the fact that the kingdom hosts the largest event of the Caritade religion, the Spirit Summoning Festival, and grants permission for the 'Selection Ceremony' to select the godchild to be held at the Vruhel Academy, all stem from this situation.

"They might say, 'Don't interfere in religious matters!'"

"Indeed, they might. Even though without our cooperation, the Spirit Summoning Festival wouldn't be possible..."

Cecilia's words made Oscar rub his forehead.

The delicate relationship between the Caritade religion and the royal family seemed to weigh heavily on the shoulders of the next king.

"So, are you going back to the dorm to change?"

"Yeah. I'll stand out if I stay like this."

With a decisive tone, Cecilia nodded.

"In that case, I'll go with you."

"Eh?"

"The one who threw the egg at you is most likely a student here. You might get attacked again while changing. I'll keep watch outside your room."

"That's reassuring, but... is it okay?"

"Yeah, I don't have anything else to do after this."

Even though he had plenty to do, he said this casually and stood beside Cecilia.

"Thank you. Then, I'll take you up on your offer."

Oscar smiled and said, "Yeah."

With Oscar standing guard outside her room, Cecilia changed her clothes. Fortunately, the wig could be cleaned and still looked presentable, but the military uniform and the jacket she had worn over it were quite dirty.

(I should wash the wig thoroughly and maybe just stay in the dorm today... I don't think I'll go to the festival anymore...)

Although it was a big festival that only happened once a year, and she had been looking forward to it, there was nothing she could do now. While putting on a shirt, Cecilia called out to Oscar, who was waiting outside the door.

"Sorry about this?"

"Hm?"

"Making you act like a bodyguard for me..."

Oscar's presence seemed to smile.

"Don't worry about it. Besides, it's natural to want to protect someone you like, whether they're a prince or not."

Cecilia froze at his casual words. Her cheeks flushed, and her voice trembled.

"Oscar, you're pretty straightforward about these things, huh..."

"Is it bad to be straightforward?"

"Well, most people would be embarrassed, I think..."

Grateful for the door separating them, Cecilia fastened the buttons on her shirt. Then, she mustered the courage to ask something she had wanted to ask for a while.

"Um, hey! I'm a guy, you know!"

"What about it?"

"Well, I mean... I'm a guy! Do you still like me? Or are you just influenced by Leen's novels and interested in guys, or something like that?"

"Huh?"

A voice filled with exasperation and anger reached her, making her shrink back. As she searched for words to say to the silent Oscar, a loud sigh came from outside the door.

"Are you checking my preferences?"

"Um, yeah."

"Do you think I confessed to you because I like guys and you're a guy?"

It was a difficult question to answer honestly. She didn't think he liked her just because she was a guy, but she did wonder, "Is it okay that I'm a guy? Do you like guys?"

Oscar sighed heavily outside the door.

"For example..."

"Hm?"

"Just a hypothetical scenario."

He started speaking with an unusually serious preamble.

"If you were a girl, I think I would still like you."

"..."

"Actually, things would have been smoother. We wouldn't have had this misunderstanding, for one."

"..."

Cecilia clutched her chest, feeling a painful truth. Perhaps sensing this, he let out a soft breath from the other side of the door and spoke in a calmer voice than usual.

"Gender might be a reason to start liking someone, but it's not a reason to stop liking them. At least, not for me."

"Oscar..."

"Your overly righteous sense of justice, your always bright and honest nature, your forgiving heart, your innocent gestures..."

He paused for a moment.

"I like your carefree smile."

"..."

"That doesn't change whether you're a girl or a guy, right?"

"Yeah..."

She could only nod, her ears, cheeks, and body burning. She hadn't checked in the mirror, but she was sure her face was quite red.

"Cecil, are you done changing?"

"Ah, yeah."

"Then I'm coming in."

"Wait, wait!"

She was dressed and had her wig on, but she was embarrassed to show her red face. She tried to hold the door to stop Oscar from coming in, but he opened it first, and she ended up falling into his chest.

"Ah, sorry!"

She tried to pull away, but he held her. His hands, which had wrapped around her back and the back of her head, tightened as if to keep her from escaping.

(My heart is so loud...)

She couldn't tell if it was her heart, his, or both. Oscar's serious voice reached her confused ears.

"Think about it properly. Forget about our positions and gender. How do you really feel about me?"

"..."

Her voice trembled more than she expected.

"It's a promise. If you start with 'Because you're a guy...' next time, I won't accept it."

"O-Okay! I'll think about it!"

Hearing this, Oscar's grip loosened. His hand, which had been on the back of her head, gently stroked her hair.

"Then, I'll go. Be careful, the culprit is still out there."

"Ah, yeah. Got it."

Satisfied with her answer, Oscar turned and left. Cecilia watched until he was out of sight, then pressed her still warm forehead against the wall.

"Think properly... What should I do..."

Thinking properly is so difficult...

The next chapter is Gil and Cecil. (Probably)

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