Should I Pretend to Know Their Worries?
Should I pretend to know each of their worries?
'Why are you crying? What the hell.'
As far as I remembered, Isana had no major traumatic event around this point in the story.
Sure, at this age, heartbreak or something like that could be a thing.
But Isana had zero interest in guys. If anything, there was a truckload of men who got rejected by her and bawled their eyes out.
'No way it's because of me?'
Maybe she was crying because yesterday's sparring result hurt her pride. That seemed the most likely.
Ahh. Had she felt like she hit a wall with me? I couldn't figure out why she was crying today when the actual fight was yesterday... but emotions could hit you late sometimes.
'Better to ignore it.'
If it was about me, striking up a conversation would backfire.
I left Isana behind and pulled out a chair. But Sea wasn't the type to just watch one of her students moping.
"Isana, dear?"
Isana, who had been face-planted on the table, flinched. She slowly lifted her head.
Tear stains marked her face impressively. She glanced around at our group.
"Hic!?"
When her eyes met mine, she startled.
"Is something wrong?"
Did Sea not notice Isana's vibe? She casually took the seat next to her.
"I-I'm fine."
"No, you're not. It's good to sort things out alone sometimes, but there are times when you need an adult's help. Is it a tough topic to talk about?"
"Well... it's... N-Normally, no, but in front of Cadet Ethan..."
Putting on airs in front of the professor.
'Linea could learn a thing or two from this.'
Being able to switch to your true self on the spot like Isana was key. But Linea needed the Slave Seal just to fake it somewhat.
"In front of Ethan? Hmm...?"
Sea let out a deep hum and grinned slyly.
"Alright. Time for me to step in. Ethan?"
"Yes."
"Could you step out for a bit?"
"...Pardon?"
I was the one who suggested coming here. Step out? What the hell?
"It feels like us girls need to talk."
"That's discrimination, Professor."
"I'll make it up to you. How about it?"
"The makeup's fine, but didn't I become your disciple so we could have a welcome party? How's that work if I'm not here?"
It'd be like the Hongcheol-less Hongcheol Team. And Sea was misunderstanding—Isana and I weren't a thing.
Her worry was the reality check from our sparring gap. That was way more likely.
I couldn't read minds, but there wasn't much else she'd fret over.
"Go get some fresh air. I'll order for you."
"At least let me order..."
Give up that romance? No way in hell.
But my resolve shattered the moment I spotted it.
'A... kiosk?'
What the fuck. A kiosk in a romance fantasy world?
This was harder to believe than yelling, "Hey, busboy, whip up a carbonara!"
Of course, it wasn't exactly like modern ones. Up close, it was shaped from mana.
Select a menu, mana transmits, and it confirms via reaction. Something like that.
'I was the loser of the era after all.'
No more bantering with the bartender.
Holding back tears, I said,
"I'll step out."
"Pick your menu first."
"Anything... I don't care."
I gazed wistfully into the void. Linea's glare stung—you saw something pathetic.
I ignored it and headed outside. Cool night air brushed my skin.
'Feels nice and crisp.'
Hands in pockets, I strolled the street. Commercial district, so shops everywhere.
Soon I spotted Rozril Academy uniforms. Curfew was near, so not too many.
Shaking off my melancholy, I wandered. Then a premonition hit—someone was watching me.
Imagination? Too early to say.
I casually scanned the street. But the prickling unease in my instincts didn't fade.
'Got a tail?'
Not Ray's. Someone else.
At least five. Could I win a fight?
Yes. Guaranteed.
They weren't an elite squad.
'But the environment's the issue.'
With Ray, I could've resolved it without fighting. She was just eavesdropping secretly, no intent to clash.
These guys weren't friendly. Not picking a fight outright, but sizing me up.
'Gotta lure them.'
A Rozril cadet swinging a sword in a civilian street? Even self-defense wouldn't save me from discipline.
Especially off-campus—could mean restrictions. Unacceptable for my freedom-loving self.
"I'll take this."
Pretending to snack, I bought a skewer and slipped into an alley. Bit into it, infused mana.
Thud...
The skewer rolled into the alley.
"Damn it."
Acted like I dropped it and followed. Did they bite?
'They're here.'
Whether tricked or knowingly, good—they followed.
I picked up the skewer, hand on scabbard.
Shing!
In that instant, presences vanished.
'They noticed!'
I bolted toward where I'd sensed eyes. But nothing there.
Gone like a mirage.
"Tch."
Clicked my tongue, turning back—then faint mana reaction from their wait spot. I knelt, probed it.
'Not mana?'
Thought it was, but no. What then?
Closer look: dazzling platinum light flashed. I snatched it.
A warm buzz pierced my chest, slamming my heart. 'This is holy power.'
Opened my hand. Absorbed already—no light left, just my palm lines. 'The Holy Kingdom's taking interest in me.'
Because of Linea? I bit my lip hard.
Looks like peaceful days were off the table. Stepping into the novel's main stage meant entanglements galore.
'Gotta get stronger.'
I'd already surpassed my age's limits by miles. Still not enough.
Needed power no one could touch.
'Gonna owe Sea big time.'
Imagined her bouncing with joy at my growth. Pretty cute.
Smiling faintly, I returned to the cocktail bar.
'I can't say it.'
Sea was hinting slyly. We're all girls now, spill it.
But Isana couldn't voice why she'd cried.
'Stupid commoner.'
Isana felt pathetic. The day she lost the spar.
She'd headed to the training grounds, unable to swallow the frustration.
But that day, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't focus. Something blocked her, sabotaging.
At first, she thought anger. But no. Even wanting to train, that damn commoner's face kept popping up.
The face that overwhelmed her in one go, humiliating her. It wouldn't fade.
To free Linea, she couldn't stop. She should only think of Linea.
But the commoner's face lingered, tormenting her. She thought a day's rest would fix it, but today was the same.
So she'd cried from the sorrow.
"Isana, really can't say?"
"...Yes. Sorry, Professor."
"Spilling it helps, but it can be hard. I get it."
Sea stroked Isana's hair.
"But listen, Isana. Just my personal take—you don't always have to hide your feelings. Not saying tell me now... how to put it. Hmm."
Sea hummed low.
"Ah! Like regretting not confessing to the one who confuses you."
From experience.
"Erde... why...?"
"Sorry."
Sea had been through it too.
"Professor..."
"Hm? It's fine."
Sea smiled, puzzled. Isana had caught her darkening mood but played dumb.
"Anyway! Confessing matters, Isana! Right?"
"Why are you looking at me...?"
Linea replied blankly.
"Same for you. Don't hide your feelings."
"I haven't hidden anything."
"Hehe. So cute."
Sea pinched Linea's turned cheek. Soft.
Sea smiled unwittingly at her cute students.
'Ethan's popular.'
These cadets' feelings weren't pure favor. They hid it, but subtle hostility lingered.
To Sea, that hostility seemed self-rejection. A bit more honesty, and it'd change.
Regretfully, she squished Linea's cheek.
"Stop pinching... please."
"Okay."
Released, then stroked Linea's hair. Brief resistance, then she yielded.
One hand on Isana, one on Linea.
Creeeak—
Ethan returned from outside. Not his earlier carefree self—deep in thought.
'Cute.'
Linea and Isana were cute too.
But to Sea, Ethan was the cutest.
Several days passed after the welcome party full of worries. Ray started proper etiquette lessons from day two.
Banquet day arrived.
"Her Imperial Highness, Princess Katrina Aurel Romanheim, the Rose of the Empire, enters!"
And I—
"Stick closer."
"We're partners. Not engaged."
"Quiet. Closer. Closer... Hmm. That's good."
One more worry piled on.