“Serveyia, are you lecturing our little Princess about your boring politics again?”
“I am not! This was a question from Her Highness the Princess herself, so of course I have to answer seriously, right?”
“Serveyia, who is this?”
Behind the two, a spectacled girl with huge wings stood, silently watching them while hugging a stack of books.
“This is Flora, the librarian.”
“Ah, Miss Flora, hello…”
“Hello, Your Highness the Princess. I’m a bit curious, is everything Serveyia said true?”
“Eh?”
“I’m curious about you, and about how Saint Laia operates. Is all this true?”
“Well, I’m a little curious too. Uh, is there a problem?”
Liuli found it strange.
Why was this girl so persistent about such things?
Wasn’t it normal for curious people to be interested in something?
Was there really any need to be so particular over this kind of matter?
“No problem. I just find it boring. A group of people crazy about money meeting a group crazy about power—how could that not be a perfect match?”
Uh.
Flora’s blatant malice caught Liuli off guard.
Was there a reason for Flora to dislike this system so much?
Normally, Liuli wouldn’t be curious about such things, but given that she had originally been male herself, she couldn’t be sure which aspect Flora’s malice was aimed at.
“Flora, it may be a bit rude, but can I ask why you feel such strong malice toward this system?”
“Of course. Because my father—um, I suppose I should call them mother now—was created under this system…”
I didn’t expect to meet someone affected by this institution so soon.
Although not a direct witness, somehow I felt I could gain a new perspective from her.
“Of course, I don’t actually hate my mother. She gave me life. But, Your Highness, don’t you find it strange? Clearly a man, yet transformed into a woman, and adapting so naturally.”
Hmm.
Hard to comment.
Never mind that I myself was transformed from male—Flora’s malice felt a bit groundless to Liuli.
“I think it’s normal for people to seek change for a better life, right?”
“While it sounds normal, don’t you think such actions would cause problems in the long run?”
Flora looked calmly at Liuli.
“Your Highness, do you really believe those students admitted through Special Admission can become the refined ladies Saint Laia expects after graduation? Can those who are only focused on climbing really get what they want?”
“Sorry, I didn’t quite understand…”
“Your Highness, nobles aren’t fools. Why do you think families would allow such marriages?”
“Because… love…?”
Liuli’s words lacked confidence.
After all, she realized the issue.
Serveyia had once told her that marriage, as a means for nobles to solidify their positions and bind one another, naturally valued matches between families.
Given that, students admitted through Special Admission without any family background couldn’t possibly be recognized by the Family.
“Your Highness, you really are naive. Is there much love to speak of in arranged marriages? In reality, very few nobles would allow such marriages, so this Institution was abolished not long after it was established.”
Liuli glanced at Serveyia, as if seeking confirmation of Flora’s words.
After receiving a nod, she spoke again, a bit uncertain.
“Then, what about your father, Flora?”
“Father, well, let’s call them mother. Mother is living happily now, just taking care of the household every day. Or rather, managing wife and daughters—she’s been so well domesticated that sometimes I forget she was once a man.”
“So, there are no more students admitted through Special Admission now?”
“Yes. While there are still Merchants’ Daughters who buy their way into the school, there are no longer any male students admitted.”
“Then, what about me?”
Liuli wasn’t sure whether to consider herself lucky or unfortunate.
Even when she became female, she had guessed that with Saint Laia’s technology, she couldn’t be the only one whose gender was changed.
Even to ensure her transformation went smoothly, she thought Saint Laia would make preparations in advance.
So what made her different from those others?
“Your Highness, you’re different. I don’t resent those with Transformation abilities. As you said, it’s normal to seek change for a better life. But… I still think this Institution has problems.”
As Flora spoke, she looked up at Liuli.
Liuli could clearly see the struggle and hesitation in her eyes.
“One’s body and hair are given by their parents. If someone is willing to change even their gender, what else wouldn’t they change? Rather than calling it recruiting a group of moneymakers, to me, it’s more like bringing in a batch of ticking time bombs.”
“No one knows whether they’re hiding ulterior motives, or if they’ll spend their school years peacefully. To begin with, their purpose from admission wasn’t even to study…”
“Uh…”
Liuli couldn’t quite respond to Flora’s monologue.
And honestly, did she just complain about her own father along the way?
“Your Highness, though it may be presumptuous for me to say, if, if one day Saint Laia wishes to restart this Institution, I hope you can step in to stop it…”
“Flora, whatever choice Her Highness the Princess makes is her own. Please don’t interfere too much.”
Liuli was just about to answer when Serveyia stepped in front of her.
“Her Highness still needs time. Whether to become the Princess everyone expects, or to stand independently, she needs time. Before that, it’s my duty to protect her.”
“Serveyia…”
“Little fox, don’t speak for now.”
Serveyia continued to block Liuli with determination.
“Flora, I understand your concerns, but isn’t it too soon to place such burdens on the little fox?”
“Sorry, Serveyia. I just… got a little too emotional with the opportunity…”
Flora’s gaze dimmed.
Liuli couldn’t tell what she was thinking.
“By the way, Serveyia, why did you bring our Princess here today?”
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I would volunteer, also would her old roommate?