Chapter 102
Chapter 102
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Rumors and Preparations
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"By the way, Ella. It seems like the inn is getting more and more crowded."
"You're right! It was super quiet on the first day, but now it's getting so noisy it's annoying!"
We were having tea in Ella's room.
We had thought about going out like yesterday, but today we were just staying put obediently.
And for good reason— just as Ella said, lots of other noble ladies and young lords had come to the inn... After going out for several days straight, wandering around outside felt like too much.
For that reason, we were taking it easy today.
"Oh, come to think of it... I think I saw some of those ladies from that tea party way back when."
The thought just popped into my head, so I brought it up to Ella.
It was from when we were really young, that first tea party where I met Ella—I felt like I'd run into some of those little noble ladies.
Of course, they'd grown up since then, so I almost didn't recognize them at first, but I could tell to some extent.
"Most of the southern noble kids came, so yeah, they might be mixed in there."
"Probably."
"It took longer than expected to gather everyone, but they'll probably set off soon."
"...They said departure in three days, but the problem is that today is the third day."
Things weren't flowing smoothly in various ways, which left me a bit unsatisfied.
Of course, it wasn't like they said we'd definitely leave exactly three days later—it was more like around three days—but still.
"...At least I've gotten somewhat used to this inn, so that's a relief."
"You call this used to it!?"
"...Well, a little?"
"I'm still not used to it!"
Ella jumped up from her seat, pleading her case.
I couldn't exactly say I didn't get where she was coming from. The Niesista mansion was way better than this, after all.
Even for a baron's family, the Niesistas were one of the more successful baron houses, so it was a natural reaction.
I'd adapted too, but it wasn't like I woke up feeling refreshed every morning or anything.
Just... at least it didn't take more than thirty minutes to fall asleep?
"Camellia."
"Yes?"
"Have you gotten your Academy uniform fitted?"
"I've already had it done, and there are several in that luggage trunk over there."
Was spending time like this at the inn all part of the journey to the Academy?
Ella brought up something Academy-related.
"But why do you ask?"
"Just curious. What if you were trying to enroll at the Academy and hadn't prepared your clothes? That'd be a disaster."
"Hmm... Aren't you the one I should be worrying about more than you worrying about me, Ella?"
"I don't make mistakes like that!?"
"That's hard to believe when I've seen you mess up plenty of times before."
"Huh!?"
Ella was subtly clumsy.
Over the years we'd spent together, I'd seen her make mistakes a lot, and forget things often.
We'd known each other since we were eight, so of course I remembered.
"Remember when we were out together and you lost your wallet?"
"Th-that was because I was young!"
"Wasn't that two years ago...?"
"Quiet!"
Ella gave her usual consistent reaction.
When I teased Lize, her reactions weren't this big one by one, but Ella always jumped and got super flustered every time, which was fun.
Teasing Lize was plenty fun in its own way, of course.
*
We ended up leaving Ella's room after relaxing and chatting.
That wasn't the original plan, but we got bored somehow and decided to head out together.
"Do you see that over there?"
"There are a ton of carriages parked."
Ella pointed to where an enormous number of carriages were gathered.
They weren't ordinary ones—they were the ornate carriages with each family's crest, like the ones we'd arrived in.
Seeing them all gathered like that, they were probably preparing to actually depart now.
"Think they're heading to the Academy around tomorrow?"
"I agree with you, Ella. They wouldn't just up and leave suddenly... They'll probably announce it by tonight."
"Sounds right."
Lize seemed to have the same thought as me while looking at the carriages.
Well, lots of other noble kids had gathered at the inn, and it really was about time to set off. Honestly, the inn felt stuffy... I wanted to leave soon.
I said I'd gotten used to it, but it still sucked.
"But Ella, how do they divide the classes at the Academy?"
"No idea."
"Oh, okay."
Ella said she didn't know so casually.
I wasn't super interested myself, but since we were talking about the Academy and Ella, I just brought it up.
"Hmm... It'd be nice if we ended up in the same class."
"Living in the same dorm room as you would probably be exhausting."
"...What?"
"...Just a feeling."
Ella suddenly started badmouthing me.
What had I ever done to make her paint me as some disaster magnet?
I vaguely remembered Lize treating me that way once. But I didn't recall any incidents or accidents happening while hanging out with Ella.
Of course, when Lize and I went around on business... well... there might have been some.
"Hmm... You think so?"
"Yeah. You're popular, Camellia, so being in the same class would probably be tiring."
"How much popularity can a viscount's daughter even get?"
"Even commoner girls get attention from young lords sometimes, so a viscount's family shouldn't be that big a deal, right?"
"Ah..."
Did they have that kind of thing here too?
Like in those romance fantasy webtoons or generic medieval fantasy novels... where the commoner protagonist catches everyone's eye.
Clichés where the protagonist—male or female—is so irresistibly charming that they end up with princesses, saintesses, or other big shots.
I never really got that stuff, so it was kinda funny that it actually happened here.
"Pfft..."
"Why are you laughing?"
"Oh, nothing... Just found it funny?"
It was honestly a little amusing.
The idea that a mere commoner, baron, or viscount protagonist hooks up with people way above their station just because of '魅力'... wasn't that ridiculous?
In those genres, usually the higher-status people fall first before the protagonist even likes them.
Did that happen in real life too?
"Ella, just to check—do nobles at the Academy actually date commoners they take an interest in? Is that common?"
"Hmm..."
"...No way, really?"
No. Wait. Seriously...?
Did that kind of degenerate otaku fantasy actually exist? Sure, this world had a bit of that vibe.
Hair colors were super diverse, eye colors too, so it wasn't full-on 'traditional' fantasy.
But really?
"...Three years ago? Some duke's son got enchanted by a commoner girl..."
"...For real?"
"Do I look like I'd lie about something like this?"
"...No, just surprised..."
I wasn't yelling or anything, but it was still surprising.
I'd never really thought such things happened...?
I asked Ella half-jokingly, but I never expected her to say it was true.
"It's not common. But it caused a huge commotion when it did."
"I didn't look into that kind of stuff, so I had no idea."
"Well... You were busy with business, so you probably weren't interested in that."
"I wasn't that into info on alumni who'd already graduated anyway."
"That's so you, Camellia."
I really wasn't that interested in grads, and I hadn't sought out info on Academy seniors in general.
Better to spend that time researching the incoming freshmen who'd enroll with me.
"Anyway... Personally, I'd love to be in the same class as you, Ella."
"Me too, kinda. It might be a hassle... but you're my closest friend."
"Hehe, really?"
Hearing that made me feel pretty good.
It wasn't a big deal, but it was her officially declaring me her best friend.
Being in the same class at the Academy would definitely be great—way better than hanging with strangers.
"What, do you have someone closer than me?"
"Hmm... Among people my age, you're definitely the closest, Ella."
Lize was older than me, after all.
"Hehe! I knew it!"
"Yeah, among the new students, you're the only one I know anyway. You'd have to be my closest friend at the Academy."
"Hehehehehe!!!"
Ella laughed delightedly at my words.
She covered her mouth, but her lips were curved up so much, and she was laughing so hard anyway, I wondered why bother.
Of course, it was just plain cute, so I didn't point it out.
*
The next day, Lize and I were bustling around from the morning.
We'd prepped somewhat last night, but I'd been lazy and kept begging Lize to sleep... so here we were, rushing in the morning.
"Lize, should I just stuff these clothes into the bag?"
"...Yes, put them in there."
"Got it."
Because of me, Lize hadn't finished packing. So I was helping her from the morning.
Thank goodness we hadn't fully unpacked everything.
Actually, it was my fault for clinging to Lize in bed and stopping her from packing?
"Young Lady, that's where your jewelry goes, so please be extra careful..."
"Psh, think I don't know that?"
"...Didn't you just try to toss stuff in there?"
"Haha, did I? Anyway, I'll be careful~"
Finally, truly heading to the Academy, I felt strangely excited without realizing it.
...First thing when we arrive, I have to write a letter to Rozalin.