The next day’s study session proceeded as scheduled. This time, Liyakade was determined not to return to her dormitory at night.
However, aside from tutoring Alice, Liyakade had another purpose in mind.
“By the way, Princess Field,” Liyakade casually mentioned as if it were nothing, “Since you’re so outstanding, surely you’ve had many admirers since you were young, right?”
“Pft… Wh-why bring this up all of a sudden?”
Princess Field was caught off guard by Liyakade’s sudden topic change, almost jumping out of her chair like a startled cat.
Why would Liyakade ask that all of a sudden?
Field recalled her past behavior and their experience defeating the Withered Treant together.
Although she had invited Liyakade to stay overnight at the Royal Palace and was turned down, Liyakade had explained afterward that she truly had urgent matters and promised she would visit if there was another chance.
Could it be… that Liyakade actually has feelings for me too?
So that’s why she wanted to ask about my romantic history?
“There must be many, right, Princess Field?”
Alice, hearing the gossip topic, came over curiously.
“Alice, why are you like this too!” Seeing the two of them drawing closer with subtle smiles on their faces, Field couldn’t help but lean back a bit.
“So, do you have any? Tell me,” Liyakade pressed on.
“N-no, I don’t!”
“Huh? How could that be? Princess Field is so exceptional,” Liyakade half-joked. “Surely, you just haven’t noticed. There must be quite a few people secretly fond of you.”
“No way!”
Field stammered. “Actually… it’s true that there aren’t any, because Her Highness Sistem is just too outstanding, so everyone’s attention is on her. Besides, I haven’t found anyone I like myself. By the way, Liyakade, why are you so interested in my love life? I’ve already told you, now it’s your turn!”
“Me?”
Liyakade showed no emotional fluctuation. She pointed to her cheek and then answered boldly, “I’m known as the Curse Child, you know. I’ve basically been alone since I was little. My parents barely saw me, and no one ever liked me, let alone pursued me.”
Liyakade shrugged and spoke casually, as if those hardships didn’t bother her at all.
But there really wasn’t much to care about, since Liyakade hadn’t personally experienced any of it—only the original owner’s memories lived in her mind.
“Ah, I see…” Field felt a pang of guilt. She hadn’t expected to inadvertently bring up something so painful for Liyakade. At least she herself was just somewhat overlooked; her parents still loved her, and she was still royalty.
Plenty of people tried to win her favor, and at least they treated her respectfully on the surface. Among her peers, her only shortcoming was being outshined by Sistem, but it wasn’t as bad as what Liyakade had endured.
Though Liyakade appeared relaxed, Field felt she was just putting on a brave front.
Still, the fact that Liyakade could speak so lightly about her past as if chatting about everyday matters impressed Field. She had never been willing to tell others about how she was defeated by Sistem and had since come to dislike her—only Liyakade knew about that.
“There’s no such thing! I really like Miss Liakade!”
Alice looked at Liyakade seriously.
“I just think Miss Liakade’s hair is beautiful—so different from everyone else. It’s special!”
“Alice! What are you saying!”
Field immediately became restless upon hearing this. She was still hesitating and pondering her relationship with Liyakade, and here Alice had already started a direct assault.
“Well, I like Liyakade too!”
Not willing to fall behind after Alice’s lead, Field suddenly stood up, her face flushed red as she shouted to Liyakade with all her might.
“That’s right. It’s normal for friends to like each other. No one liked Miss Liakade before, but now we’re both Miss Liakade’s friends—we really like you!”
Alice nodded emphatically, echoing Field’s words.
“Huh? So… it’s just friends liking each other?”
Field was a little dazed.
“Yes.”
Then why do you insist on tutoring Liyakade?
And carefully preserving the things she writes?
Is it really only friendly affection!?
Field realized she had misunderstood. She collapsed back into her chair helplessly. But if Alice really didn’t have any other kind of affection for Liyakade, Field simply refused to believe it.
“Yes… I think so too.”
“Hahaha, thank you both.” Hearing their words, Liyakade felt warmth in her heart and smiled happily.
Since crossing over, Liyakade had felt this world was unfriendly to her.
Although she hadn’t personally experienced the original owner’s past, she could still sense the strange, evasive, fearful, and resentful gazes from other students at the Academy.
Only Alice and Field didn’t mind her hair color at all. This was something neither Liyakade nor the original owner had ever experienced. Their words were not lies; they truly liked Liyakade and wanted to be good friends.
Liyakade strengthened her resolve not to hurt Alice anymore. More than that, she wanted to protect both Alice and Field. Since Irina Zi had taken an interest in them, they would undoubtedly continue to be harassed in various ways.
Liyakade could not allow Irina Zi to harm her two only friends in this other world.
She was determined to find a way to break the Contract as soon as possible and absolutely refused to keep being controlled by Irina Zi to do evil deeds.
But for now, she needed to clarify things about Irina Zi first.
“Princess Field, I’ve actually heard that someone in the Academy might be interested in you. Have you heard any rumors?”
“In the Academy?”
Field shook her head, confused.
“I’ve never heard such rumors. First-years?”
“Yes.” Liyakade nodded and continued, “You said you hadn’t heard, but how did you immediately guess it was a first-year?”
“I-I was just guessing casually. There are only three grades, so I can at least make one guess, right? And it’s more normal to guess someone in your own grade, isn’t it?”
Seeing that Liyakade seemed to know who it was, Field was curious. “Is it a boy or a girl?”
“It’s a girl.”
“A-a forbidden love!” Alice excitedly covered her mouth.
“Why are you so excited, Alice!”