A Princess's Homework
Stella had confidently declared that she would never fall for something like hypnosis. And even if she did, she claimed her core personality would never change. ...Well, I didn't particularly want to argue with her. She really was the type who never changed her mind.
Yes. Even if she lost the struggle for the imperial throne and her fate became unknown. Stella's end was never properly revealed in the game. It simply described the world moving on as if a person named Stella had never existed in the first place, leaving players to speculate about her final moments. Some thought she was killed by the prince after losing the succession war. Others believed she was locked away in a solitary cell somewhere. There were even rumors that she might have been sold into slavery. Because of her unyielding nature—the kind that would rather break than bend—Stella's ultimate fate remained a mystery.
"That spirit of hers is certainly admirable, but..."
Of course, I didn't dislike that personality of hers. It was that straightforward, bold attitude that made her character complete. Anyone who was a passionate fan of Stella would probably respect that side of her. ...But that wasn't what I wanted. I knew very well that this was her true self, and that she would hate me if I forcibly corrected it. If I woke her up right now, she would probably scream at me, demanding to know what I had done and telling me to never do it again. She might even find it horrifying. If she ever found out about this for some reason, she might actually try to kill me.
"Now, Stella. Repeat after me."
"Repeat..."
"You will suddenly begin to notice the good qualities of people you used to ignore."
"..."
"Repeat it."
"I... will suddenly begin to notice the good qualities of people I used to ignore..."
Even so, I didn't want to stop. What I wanted was a happy story without tragedy for the characters I loved. Even if it meant using slightly forceful methods, if there was no other way, I wouldn't hesitate. I had always loved happy endings. Throw away the depressing tragedies; I wanted a conclusion where everyone was happy. I wanted the characters I loved to find laughter and happiness, rather than spending their youth drenched in blood and tragedy. Not because they wanted it, but because I did. So, even if she didn't want it herself, I didn't care. This was my goal.
"Yes. You don't want to use your abilities for anyone other than those you have acknowledged. I have no intention of denying that."
"..."
"In that case, what if you became someone who could acknowledge others, even for the smallest things?"
Her problem stemmed from the fact that she refused to acknowledge most people. Unlike other playable characters, her personality was her only real issue. She wasn't someone consumed by past trauma or trapped in an unavoidable situation. But if I altered her personality too drastically, someone would notice. This was counseling. Nothing should change too dramatically. For the sake of the students, and for my own sake, I had to proceed slowly and surely—like a gentle drizzle soaking through clothes.
"If you can't find anything, that's fine too. It is enough for you to simply look back at others one more time."
"...Yes."
"Good. That's all for today's counseling session."
I tapped Stella lightly on the forehead and smiled softly. A small but definite change. If these changes accumulated, she would eventually become an empress loved by everyone. I hoped I would get to see that sight with my own eyes.
"...?"
"You shouldn't sleep, Lady Stella. Do you remember what I said?"
"U-Ugh...?"
Perhaps due to the slight shock of the tap on her forehead, Stella tilted her head blankly, as if unable to understand what had just happened. Everyone reacted this way when the hypnosis wore off. But there was no need to worry. Soon, her mind would alter her own memories to align with the suggestions I had planted, and she would accept it.
"No putting others down. And make sure to properly apologize to the Headmaster. Understood?"
"I-I understand..."
"Excellent. Then we're done for today. I hope you'll visit the Counseling Room whenever you have time."
"W-What?! I am perfectly normal! There is no need for me to receive any more counseling..."
"It's the Headmaster's order."
"...Ugh."
It was a lie. The Headmaster had never given such an order. She had only said one thing: Fix the princess's rotten attitude. ...Well, I didn't think her personality was completely rotten, though. In any case, perhaps because she had already heard a plausible excuse, Stella's mind seemed to have altered her memories to her own liking and accepted it.
"I-I understand... That old hag..."
"Now, now."
"...If it's the Headmaster's word, I have no choice."
Hmm, good. The Headmaster would probably be satisfied if the girl who used to rebel against her started calling her "Headmaster" so obediently. Even if Stella went to complain about why she gave such an order, she would likely just brush it off. That was just the kind of person she was. ...Alright, let's try one more thing.
"Then, shall I give you a homework assignment before your next visit to the Counseling Room?"
"What? Wait, I never heard anything about..."
"Once a day, give someone a compliment. Simple, right?"
"H-How dare you ask such a thing of me, the princess...!"
"Well then, I shall take my leave. See you next time, Princess."
Slide. I bowed my head to indicate I had nothing more to say and stepped out of the Headmaster's office. Now, what would happen? I was starting to look forward to the future. How would the people around her react? Imagining the expressions of those who would witness the princess suddenly going around complimenting people, I couldn't help but chuckle.
"...What's with you, Teach? Why are you standing there laughing so suspiciously?"
"Ah, Orca. ...Suspicious? That's rude."
"You were totally laughing like a creep. ...Anyway, let's get back to the Counseling Room already. Light the incense."
"..."
"What are you doing? I'm sleepy. I'm gonna sleep. ...Look, I washed up. Happy?"
When had she even left the Counseling Room? Orca showed me her damp hair, which she hadn't even dried properly, and began urging me to go back. Where had her gloomy look from earlier gone? Pestering me because she was sleepy, she looked no different from a child.
...Orca still didn't seem to realize. She didn't know that she had fallen asleep during the practice match. Was it because she was insensitive that she hadn't noticed it wasn't the incense that relieved her fatigue? Well, I wasn't sure about that. But one thing was certain: Orca seemed much more at ease. For someone who had suffered from lifelong insomnia to sleep peacefully even with someone else in the room—especially when a member of the Church, who had always looked at her with suspicious eyes, was right next to her. Normally, it would have been impossible. But it happened. Thanks to hypnosis. Indeed, Orca was clearly starting to find peace of mind. ...It couldn't be a bad thing that she was able to sleep comfortably. I smiled at Orca, who was staring at me with a pout.
"You're always complaining about being sleepy. Sometimes I really think you're just a kid."
"...Whatever."
"Want me to hold you? Do you want your bottle?"
"Shut up! What are you talking about?!"
I chuckled.
"...Princess, what are you doing there?"
"..."
"If you have something to say, just say it. Why are you acting so unlike yourself?"
Charlotte was bewildered as she looked at her childhood friend. For her to hesitate like this, when she was always so confident and outspoken, was unthinkable. Just the other day, hadn't she been absolutely thrilled about winning the match, even though there was no reward? ...Charlotte had expected that high to last at least a week. What was going on? She began to worry. It was rare for her childhood friend to act like this. What could possibly make the ever-confident princess hesitate to speak? What was wrong? ...Could she have discovered a secret society plotting to overthrow the Empire? She wanted to believe that wasn't the case, but seeing her childhood friend, who had lived her entire life with absolute confidence, looking so troubled made Charlotte's expression turn serious as well.
"What on earth is going on? If you don't mind, you can tell me."
"...Really?"
"Of course. What are friends for? My father might not be as powerful as yours, but he still has plenty of influence. I can help you with most things."
"..."
Since the Ducal House and the Imperial Family were outwardly in opposition, direct assistance was out of the question, but there were ways to help her indirectly through Charlotte. What could possibly be troubling her so much? As Stella swallowed hard, seemingly making up her mind, and looked at her, Charlotte also grew tense. What on earth was she about to say?
"Y-You are very kind today as well!"
"...What?"
"As expected of my childhood friend! That good nature of yours... Yes, I can confidently say you are someone I have acknowledged!"
"?"
"W-Well then!"
Charlotte stared blankly at the retreating back of her childhood friend, who had vanished like a shot. What had just happened? She couldn't understand the situation at all. It took a very long time for her to piece together the words that had just come out of her childhood friend's mouth and realize what she had actually said. ...Did she eat something bad?