“Hey, Evelyn, what was that at the dinner table just now? My father is going to be Prime Minister? And my younger brother, Charlotte, you said he’s going to be your Successor? How did so many things I don’t know about suddenly come up?”
After dinner, Emil chased after Evelyn, who was strolling in the garden, and questioned her with an imposing air.
No, your brother is more likely to become a Princess first.
Probably only Emil could confront Evelyn so directly, but Evelyn remained calm. “Now that you know, let’s just leave it at that.”
“That’s not what I mean! Why is it that strange things are always decided behind my back, without me knowing, that’s what I’m saying.”
At that moment, Emil’s gaze turned to the girl standing beside Evelyn. Though her bright blue eyes were as deep as the sea, they gave off an inexplicable sense of burning intensity. “Hey, Erica, you knew all along, didn’t you?”
“Well—”
It was my idea, so of course I knew.
But Erica had felt there was no need to specifically tell Emil in advance, so she hadn’t explained it beforehand. Rather, if the big oaf found out ahead of time, things would probably spiral in an unexpected direction.
Most likely, a bad direction.
Emil didn’t stop pressing, in fact, she got even more furious. “If this keeps up, my brother will really become a Princess soon! What’s with these random extra little sisters…!”
Hmm, Erica swore she truly hadn’t known Charlotte harbored such lofty ambitions. She could at least admit Emil had every right to be angry about that.
“So, Evelyn, are you really going to the academy?”
“……” This time, Evelyn didn’t answer either.
Evelyn going to the academy hadn’t been officially decided yet.
“Evelyn, if it’s the academy, it has to be the one in the Regatayah Holy Theocracy, right? Their school rules are strict and harsh. You won’t be able to live as you please there, not like now.”
“Emil, I have never lived as I pleased.”
“Don’t be so hasty to say that. Just think about it: even if it’s only for a year, can you really live the dry, ascetic life of a devotee like a follower of the Flame Order?”
“……” Evelyn’s brows twitched slightly, while the big oaf seized the chance to carry on, full of gusto. “Hey, I heard they have to get up at 6 every morning, starting the day with Morning Prayer in utter misery. Then you have to arrange your own schedule, strictly follow the plan, attend classes every day…”
“……”
“You have to go for morning runs every day, and before bed there’s lights-out roll call… Someone like me, who has lived in a Military Camp, could maybe get used to it, but how will Her Majesty the Queen survive that kind of day? And what about Dormitory life?”
“……” A cloud gradually darkened Evelyn’s face.
The big oaf kept mumbling all sorts of negativity, obviously trying to make Evelyn feel resistant toward the academy.
“And another thing, if you go, the princes, Princesses, nobles, and grand dukes from neighboring countries will all act arrogant and overbearing. No matter which kingdom you’re queen of, can you put up with that?”
“By the way… Kasim, that guy won’t be there too, right?”
“Oh, right, Kasim! Evelyn, if you enroll, that guy will definitely follow along wagging his tail. Imagine sitting in the same classroom with Kasim for a whole year~”
“Mm…” Evelyn’s expression became so gloomy it could drip water, and a chill ran down Erica’s back as well.
You wicked, scheming, wretched woman, you musclehead!
The muscle-bound woman was trying to ruin her own long-laid plans!
In a Dark Hero story fated for Execution Ending, the best way to change fate and survive was to shift the story to a different genre. And the academy setting was the best choice Erica could think of.
Why the academy setting? That was entirely for subjective reasons. At least in the light novels about academies Erica remembered, most of them ended with happy HE Endings.
On this continent, there existed academies established by the Order specifically to train Heroes and Paladins.
The name of the academy was Majuco Academy! Ah, wait, that’s wrong—it’s the Ark!
When the Bastion collapsed and the Dark Legion invaded, the Ark was the only stronghold not destroyed, instead being used as a defensive fortress.
For Evelyn’s and her own safety and bright future, there was no better place to study than there. And maybe, precisely because it was a defensive Bastion and brought hope and optimism, it was named the Ark.
So no matter what happened, the most important thing was for both Erica and Evelyn to go there; it was also their Noah’s Ark to escape the bad ending!
“Evelyn, just imagine—attending class with Kasim every day, in the same group, working together on assignments… That greasy guy would be courting you day in, day out…”
“Kasim… kill…”
Stop it right now!
Erica resolved that no matter what, she would have to get rid of this clingy Emil, and as usual, she’d act after Evelyn fell asleep early!
“So sleepy… Where’s the bedroom?”
“Your Majesty, allow me, Erica Angelina, to show you the way.”
Erica eagerly led Queen Evelyn to the most splendid and safest soundproof room, tending to her with care until she lay down, and making sure she was fast asleep.
“See you tomorrow, Erica.”
“Good night.”
Maybe it was the dinner conversation and the extra visit after morning court that had left her exhausted, because as soon as Evelyn touched the pillow, she instantly fell into a deep sleep.
“Hoo—hoo—” Steady breaths came from her, black hair spilling by her ear. Her delicate sleeping face, stripped of its usual chill and indifference, was now so sweet and charming.
Even though it seemed dangerous to be so defenseless in someone else’s house, mages as advanced as Evelyn always protected themselves with automatic defensive spells, so there was nothing to worry about.
Even fast asleep and unguarded like this, a high-level mage was far more dangerous than a Godzilla.
“Hey, Erica, about what happened today, I have a lot more to say to you. You’d better forget about going home and sleeping soundly tonight.” As soon as she stepped out the door, Emil charged at Erica, her voice tight and her knuckles cracking.
Erica squinted her eyes… Tonight, I’ll have to deal with you properly, you golden-haired musclehead.
“Fine, I want to have a good talk with you, too.”
For she was Erica—she must crush all foes, and she couldn’t allow the big oaf to do as she pleased any longer.