No Matter How You Hear It, It Sounds Like a Threat
No Matter How You Hear It, It Sounds Like a Threat
After Yune and Duchess Schmut left, Crown Princess Isabella found herself alone.
She let out an internal sigh, her chest tight with frustration.
'...Yune dressed properly today, just like he said he would. But he didn't spare me a single glance.'
The source of her sigh was Yune—the very boy who had so vigorously shaken her chest the day before.
Yune had arbitrarily yanked out the decorative staff she wore on her chest—the so-called 'Magical Girl Wand.' When she realized he'd been avoiding her because of it, she resolved to stop wearing it. That was Isabella.
It took more resolve than she expected to remove the staff she'd worn in admiration of her mother, the Kaiserin. But Yune paid no attention whatsoever to her newly adjusted attire.
She felt rather hurt that Yune hadn't noticed the change in her.
Soon, however, she realized that this was the least of her problems. Unable to hold it in any longer, she let out a long sigh.
"Haa...."
'How did things get so tangled up...?'
Her thoughts turned to how Duchess Schmut ended up coming to the Academy with Yune.
To the situation that had spun completely out of her control.
* * * * * *
Rewinding time slightly to the previous afternoon, just after the Crown Princess's student council roster submission had been rejected.
The Crown Princess decided to honestly explain the situation to Kir, who was in the same evening lecture, and ask for her help.
"Kirschblüte. I believe I may need your help regarding the student council. Will you assist me?"
"Pardon? What do you mean, all of a sudden?"
"The truth is, the Chairwoman...."
The Crown Princess began her explanation with her characteristic serious expression.
But soon, she sensed an unknown sensation—a subtle heat slowly rising from her lower abdomen.
-A shiver.
'...? Why is my lower stomach suddenly hot? What is this?'
She didn't recognize it, but that sensation was moral transgression.
The guilt of speaking casually with Kir, Yune's fiancée, as if nothing had happened—right after Yune had groped her chest in front of Kir at lunchtime.
For a girl who had always played the 'good child' out of a desire to emulate the wise ruler she admired—the Kaiserin—this sensation was utterly foreign.
-Shiver. Shiver.
'The words aren't coming out right... Is the shock from lunch still lingering?'
The moral guilt slowly numbed her reason from the edges and made her tongue feel thick.
Maybe that was why. As she finished her explanation, she let a tiny slip of the tongue escape.
"My mother... Her Majesty's authority would resolve this easily. But I fear that using it might invite political misunderstandings."
"......."
That slip was a momentary lapse—calling the Kaiserin "mother" in front of Kir.
Kir took it as a metaphorical threat, the kind unique to nobles.
'...What is this, they don't want to get their hands dirty so they want us to do it? Wow. I didn't think she was like this. The Crown Princess is surprisingly petty.'
The Crown Princess had swept the incident under the rug on the condition that Kir and Yune join the student council.
But now, after suddenly emphasizing the word "mother" as if by mistake, she was essentially saying, 'I cannot borrow Her Majesty's power, so please help me.'
Kir could only interpret that as: 'If you fail to join the student council as things stand, this incident will no longer be treated as if it never happened. So call your mother, quickly, and settle it.'
"Therefore, Kirschblüte. I have a request."
But the Crown Princess, unaware that her meaning had been distorted, tried to continue.
Feeling like this was a threat holding Yune hostage, Kir didn't want to hear any more. She raised a hand and cut the Crown Princess off.
"I don't think you need to say anything more, Lady Crown Princess. I understood you 'very well.' This happened because of me, so it's only right that I resolve it."
"...?"
"If you wait, I will get it done as quickly as possible."
"Mm... I understand."
'I was trying to ask her to come with me to persuade the Chairwoman. But it seems Lady Kirschblüte has her own idea. Shall I trust her for now?'
* * * * * *
This misunderstanding from yesterday snowballed out of control, ultimately leading to Duchess Schmut obtaining a visitor's pass to the Academy and having a direct negotiation with the Chairwoman.
At first, the Crown Princess was dumbfounded, not understanding why the Charlottenburg Ducal House was going to such lengths.
"Even Kir pleaded with me, saying she absolutely had to join the student council and to make it happen somehow... like a person with a weakness being exploited."
'Hm? As if I threatened her... Ah! Now that I think about it, yesterday!'
It was only while talking with Yune, Schmut, and Kir in the student council room that the Crown Princess realized she had misspoken yesterday, and that it objectively sounded like a threat.
But by then, it was far too late.
With Schmut already involved, she couldn't reveal that it was all a misunderstanding. She lamented the terribly twisted situation and let out another sigh.
"Fuu...."
'No wonder Lady Kirschblüte's eyes were so cold. What on earth must she think of me...?'
Just as the Crown Princess was inwardly blaming herself for her blunder, the door to the student council room opened again.
"We're back~."
-...Nod.
The ones walking through the door were Schmut and Yune, who had just left to speak privately.
"My apologies, Lady Crown Princess. I intended to have a brief word with Yune, but it went a little long."
"You have nothing to apologize for. Not after the great service you've rendered today. How could I complain over something so trivial?"
"Thank you for your understanding."
After exchanging brief greetings with the Crown Princess, Schmut clapped her hands to gather attention.
"In any case, the student council composed of Yune, Kir, and Lady Crown Princess has been born. Congratulations."
"...?"
"I'd love to stay and continue celebrating, but... look at the time."
Hearing that, the three student council members checked the clock. It was already pointing at 12:50. Soon, the 1 o'clock lectures would begin.
Unlike Yune, who had no more classes today, the Crown Princess and Kir had to go upstairs for their upcoming lectures, so their expressions hardened slightly.
"...Then, we shall adjourn for today. Yune. Kirschblüte. We will discuss student council matters again tomorrow."
Left with no other choice, the Crown Princess decided to end the meeting for today.
Hearing that, Schmut smiled slyly and spoke.
"You said you have no more lectures today, Yune?"
"Yes? Yes. On Tuesdays, I'm done after Equestrian."
"I see. Then, would you escort Kir to her lecture room?"
-Wink.
"...!! Yes! Kir, let's go! Lady Crown Princess, I'll see you tomorrow!"
"Uh, huh? Huh...."
Schmut winked at Yune, asking him to take Kir and leave.
Having been briefed beforehand, Yune grabbed Kir's hand and bolted outside.
In an instant, only Schmut and the Crown Princess were left in the student council room.
"Ahem. Duchess Schmut. I am truly grateful that you granted my request today. I will be sure to repay you later."
"Oh~ don't mention it."
Though it might not come across, the Crown Princess meant her thanks sincerely, and then moved to leave for her own lecture.
But as the Crown Princess passed by her, Schmut quietly lifted the corner of her mouth and spoke.
"...Ah. Lady Crown Princess."
"Hm? What is it?"
"I just heard from Yune... but it appears a rather unfortunate incident occurred around lunchtime yesterday."
"...!!?"
The Crown Princess's face changed color, and she spun around immediately at the pointed remark.
Schmut was smiling meaningfully at her.
"I'm sure you know what I'm referring to without me spelling it out."
"...We agreed that incident never happened."
"Oh please, can you blot out the sky just by covering your eyes with your hands?"
Her heart sank, but the Crown Princess quickly tried to brush it off, stating the parties involved had agreed never to speak of it.
But as if she wouldn't hear of it, Schmut took another step toward her.
"Did you enjoy it?"
"...Wha, what!?"
Schmut asked if she had enjoyed it, the corners of her mouth curling even higher.
Her words hit the mark; the Crown Princess's eyes flew wide open in shock.
Unlike Yune and Kir, who were prematurely terrified about insulting the imperial family, she hadn't felt the slightest bit insulted by what Yune did yesterday. Would any woman even dislike such a thing?
But she had never dreamed that Schmut would say it to her face.
Schmut grinned at her shocked expression.
"You needn't be so alarmed. It was an accident, after all. I think these things can happen."
"...Hr, hm. I think so as well."
"But I wonder what my close friend would think. Yune's mother, Grand Duchess Erengard, that is."
"......."
And Schmut reminded her that if Erengard found out, she wouldn't simply let it slide as Isabella had. She was essentially saying she might reveal what she learned today to Erengard.
Having watched Yune and Erengard dance together every year at the Founding Festival, the Crown Princess knew full well how much Erengard cherished Yune. She was at a loss for words, her mouth clamped shut.
From Erengard's perspective, it was a situation where her one and only son had accidentally groped the chest of a woman who wasn't even his fiancée.
The parties who knew the context, or the famously open-minded Duchess Schmut, might understand, but would Erengard—who had a much-whispered-about reputation for loving her son—take that at face value?
'...This is serious.'
Even if she believed it, Erengard's opinion of Isabella would drop considerably. If she didn't believe it, it would be a catastrophe.
Right around the time her thoughts reached the conclusion: 'I must never let Erengard find out about this.'
As if reading her inner thoughts from her grave expression, Schmut waved her hand and spoke.
"Oh dear, it seems I've troubled you, Lady Crown Princess. Don't worry. This Schmut has no intention of causing strife by making this known. Such things happen, do they not?"
"...."
'That's a threat no matter how I hear it. You're saying you'll tell if you have to.'