Special Activity
“Good morning, Your Highness. Did you have a restful weekend?”
“This weekend was… well, pleasant enough. But why are you suddenly talking to me?”
“Fufu, I simply wish to build a good relationship with Your Highness. From what I hear, you met with Lady Oro over the weekend. Did you enjoy yourself?”
“Hmph… It was fine. She showed me quite a few nice places.”
On Monday morning, marking the start of another week at the Academy, noble students were fluttering around Cecilia yet again. When she had first stepped into this classroom, she had made it abundantly clear that no one was to bother her. But some time had passed since then, and regardless of her warning, there were always those persistent enough to approach her.
“Fufu, I would love the chance to show Your Highness some lovely places of my own.”
“No need.”
“My, then I suppose I shall have to save it for next time.”
Jessica was among that very group. Unlike that former countess—Me-something, whatever her name was—Elizabeth and Jessica, both daughters of ducal houses, relentlessly continued to seek Cecilia out. Since class had yet to begin and Jessica happened to sit right in front of Cecilia, she naturally spoke to her far more often than anyone else.
“Ah, and good morning to you too, Miss Maid. Did you have a pleasant weekend?”
“…Yes, I did.”
“Fufu.”
…And for some reason, Jessica didn't just strike up conversations with Cecilia; she frequently talked to me as well. Whether when I slipped off to the commissary alone or right now, she addressed me almost as often as she did Cecilia.
“Don't talk to my maid.”
“Fufu, it seems Your Highness cherishes your maid far more than I thought. Then again, she certainly deserves it. Fufu…”
“Eek…”
The moment Jessica turned her bright brown eyes toward me while continuing her banter with Cecilia, I instinctively bowed my head. It felt… well, how should I put it… eerily similar to the gaze Cecilia gave me right before doing something indecent. I couldn't be entirely sure, but the impression was so unmistakable that my reflexes kicked in on their own—even though Jessica was undeniably far sweeter in personality than Cecilia.
“…Tsk.”
Perhaps Cecilia was displeased by Jessica's persistent chattering, for she spent the rest of the morning ignoring her outright, not offering another word in response. Faced with such cold treatment, Jessica eventually stopped trying to talk to her.
Even so, watching the two of them—both possessing extraordinarily high status—left me unable to shake my apprehension. Granted, we had already engaged in some rather questionable antics involving Elizabeth over the weekend, but I couldn't help worrying that Cecilia's prickly words and actions toward high-ranking nobles might brew trouble down the line.
Before long, the quiet was broken as a professor stepped into the classroom. Turning straight to the wide blackboard, he wrote a single word in bold, sweeping strokes: HUNTING.
“Over the past month at the Academy, you have learned many things,” the professor began. “You have acquired general culture and theory, as well as various combat-related doctrines. While learning and retaining such knowledge is commendable, nothing surpasses putting it into practice. Our Academy places immense value on application.”
With those words, the professor began passing stacks of papers down each row. As the sheets traveled from the front desks to the back, murmurs rose from the students.
“Hmm…?”
“Oh…”
Drawn across the paper was a detailed map of the sprawling forest sprawling behind the Academy grounds, alongside a list of strict guidelines.
• Crossing beyond the perimeter barrier is strictly prohibited.
• Dangerous combat between students is forbidden.
• In the event of an emergency, use the provided bracelet to be summoned back to the main Academy building.
“…?”
It was filled with all sorts of peculiar rules. What was all this about? Why were they suddenly talking about forests, protective barriers, and combat?
“Prior to your midterm examinations, you will participate in a practical exercise for preliminary evaluation,” the professor continued. “A special activity where you must survive for one week in the forest behind the Academy. We call this exercise: ‘Hunting.’”
“…Oh.”
It sounded straight out of a fantasy novel. A special exercise mandatory for all first-year Academy students: survive an entire week in the wilderness, hunting low-tier monsters released into the woods or wild game to subsist, all while competing against fellow classmates.
Of course, after everything bizarre and otherworldly I had experienced up to now, it felt a little late to be wide-eyed over such things. Even so, I couldn't help finding it fascinating.
Following a few more instructions from the professor, regular lectures resumed as usual. There was still some time left before the exercise began, and since it would take place within the Academy's barrier-enclosed woods anyway, there was no need to rush preparations.
When all the classes for the day finally wrapped up and we returned to our dorm room…
“Hmm… What an utter nuisance this turned out to be.”
Cecilia sank entirely into the sofa, wearing an expression of pure, unadulterated apathy. She hadn't even washed her hands or changed out of her Academy uniform before plopping down.
“…Do you think so?”
“A whole week in the wilderness… How tiresome. It's bound to be exhausting, not to mention filthy.”
“…Ah.”
Her complaint was actually quite understandable. Life out in the rugged mountains was bound to be exhausting in every possible way. I had been so caught up in the novelty of the exercise that it hadn't even crossed my mind, but she was right—it was sure to be horribly bothersome and uncomfortable. Comparing our cozy dorm life to roughing it in the woods, inconvenience was guaranteed. And for Cecilia, who had lived an existence of effortless luxury back in Hwanggeum-ok, it would be all the more intolerable.
“Can I get excused early?”
“…Your Highness, wouldn't that cause a bit of a problem? Skipping out without any legitimate reason, simply because you find it bothersome…”
I empathized with her reluctance, but ducking out like that was certain to spark backlash, so I had to talk her down. Even if she was an Imperial Princess standing near the pinnacle of power, throwing her weight around and doing whatever she pleased would only alienate the other students.
“In my opinion, it would be far better for Your Highness to participate normally.”
“Hmm…”
“Besides, I’ll be accompanying you on the exercise anyway, right? I doubt Your Highness will have to lift a single finger for any tedious chores.”
“True enough. When you put it like that… I suppose I won't have to do anything at all, will I?”
“…Right.”
In truth, regardless of Cecilia's grumbling, she really wouldn't have to do a single thing. If anything, it wasn't Cecilia—the student actually being evaluated—who would be run ragged, but me, her maid.
The moment I started picturing everything I would have to do for Cecilia out in the wild, a wave of exhaustion washed over me. Virtually all the labor would fall on my shoulders.
A makeshift shelter for the two of us…? I'd have to build that. I'd also have to forage for ingredients and cook every single meal myself. I was bound to have far more work than usual. …Oh, and I'd also have to locate a secluded spot where Cecilia could bathe, ensuring not a single student caught a glimpse of her bare skin…
“…Your Highness. On second thought, taking an early excuse might not be so bad after all.”
“So suddenly?”
“…Now that I think about it, my workload is going to be astronomical. Wouldn't it be fine just to take a break? Just for a week… Yes, I truly believe that would be best.”
The moment I realized the sheer mountain of chores awaiting me, I decided to advocate for skipping it. I mean, she was the Third Imperial Princess; were practical grades really that critical to her? Even if she didn't participate in this exercise, it wouldn't cause any catastrophe. There were separate midterm exams anyway, so wouldn't it genuinely be fine?
“…Pfft.”
“……”
“I refuse.”
“…Of course.”
I knew she would say that. Just moments ago, Cecilia had been whining about how much of a drag it was. But the second I suggested skipping it—the second she realized how much grueling labor awaited me…
“As an Imperial royal who entered the Academy, I must set an example,” she declared with utter poise. “It would hardly do for me to skip the exercise merely because it is inconvenient.”
“……”
Our rotten-tempered princess reversed her stance without missing a single beat.
…She really is the worst.
“Sigh…”
Still, spending an entire week out in the forest… An inevitable knot of worry formed in my chest. I mean, seriously… doesn't this seem a bit too dangerous…?