Chapter 172
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 172
Chapter Title: It's Still an Incurable Disease... (1)
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"The exam is over...! Everyone, keep your hands still...!"
The bell rang out, and Professor Amy's words brought all hands to a halt.
"Turn in your test papers this way...!"
Shrrrk─
The exam sheets floating in the air gathered before Professor Amy.
After confirming the number of papers, Professor Amy nodded and spoke.
"Good work, everyone...! Enjoy your weekend...!"
The moment Professor Amy waddled out on her short legs, sighs of relief and cheers filled the room.
'Not bad.'
I stretched in place.
For someone who barely studied, I thought I'd done pretty well.
'...Smooth sailing.'
Not talking about the exam.
Lately, things had been so relaxed it almost felt suspicious.
Sure, I'd ramped up my training to match the leisure, but the absence of unexpected incidents alone made life feel peaceful.
'...Even Lillis.'
Going rough on her first time had been the right call, rough as it seemed.
She hadn't pounced during the day since then.
—...Teacher... please... de... devour Lillis...♥
...Of course, she'd sneak in at night now and then to suck me dry.
It left me a bit drained each time, but overall, I'd handled it well enough.
"Euu~gene♪"
A sweet voice rang out from behind me.
I'd smelled the rose scent tickling my nose before hearing her, but...
It no longer sparked the terror it once did.
"...Your Highness."
Instead, a thorn-like emotion lodged in my heart reared up at her voice.
I knew it wasn't my feeling—not the current me's.
'But...'
I had no clue why it was there or how, but the emotion sealed in the holy sword was undeniably mine.
I tried my best not to get swept up, but I couldn't stop it from reacting on its own.
"..."
"...Your Highness?"
"...Yeah. No. Nothing. See you."
"...?"
Liana spat the words curtly and strode out into the hall.
The usual Liana never would have acted so strangely.
But right now, she had to escape somehow.
'...What... the hell?'
Staying a second longer to look at Eugene's face might shatter her facade.
'...Weird.'
Liana Lumenhark was hypersensitive to others' gazes.
Beyond sensitive—she could read any hidden emotions just by meeting eyes.
It wasn't something she'd trained for.
Living her life hiding her true self amid countless stares had honed it naturally.
Eugene was no exception.
She'd always known he looked at her with fear.
It stung a little, but thrilled her more.
Watching him squirm and find escapes from her subtle pressures was an irresistible joy.
She'd wanted to tease him daily, but...
She didn't want to break him, so she'd held back, and back, and back some more.
But not today.
With exams over and Eugene seeming more relaxed lately, she'd approached to mess with him a bit.
But...
—...Your Highness.
The moment she saw faint but genuine affection in his eyes, Liana's mind blanked for the first time in her life.
'...Why?'
He'd ignored countless advances before, yet now he gazed at her with pure affection—no lust, no ambition.
Being loved wasn't unfamiliar.
It was as natural as breathing, drawing people like a flower luring butterflies with her innate power and beauty, even hiding most talents.
...But the fact it was Eugene made her this flustered?
"Eugene... Calliope."
Liana bit her lip hard as she murmured his name.
What was this feeling?
Anger? Irritation? No idea.
Overwhelmed by an emotion she'd never felt, Liana hurried away.
'...What was that?'
I scowled at the spot where the princess had vanished.
Her reaction felt ominous, but chasing her down to ask what was wrong wasn't an option.
Step─
Most students had left the classroom, but another guest approached me.
Turning, I spotted an enormous mana reservoir.
Only one person in the empire had a mana tank that size.
"Eu... Eugene... sir..."
Vivian, still awkward with casual speech.
"Vivian. What's up?"
"Tha... that... Invi... invitation... festival... any... plans...?"
Her doing this in the classroom instead of the dorm...
Probably sneaking a date with Lucia and Bianca out of the loop.
Seeing timid Vivian muster courage tugged my lips into a smile unwittingly.
The Invitation Festival.
Carnea Academy's big event, opening its insular doors once every two years.
Honestly, I'd forgotten it existed.
'It was supposed to be canceled anyway.'
Right before exams, the "Revived Corruption" was meant to stir trouble, delay tests, and nix the festival.
But I'd crushed it way early, so the festival was on schedule.
'Her parents coming...'
Truth be told, I didn't want to meet them.
Vivian and Bianca had become precious enough to risk my life for, but...
That very fact made me despise House Beatrice.
They'd neglected Vivian near-abusively for lacking talent, and saw Bianca as a mere family tool.
"No... one from... Beatrice... is coming..."
Reading my expression, Vivian answered preemptively.
"Yeah? No one from House Calliope either, probably..."
I hadn't mentioned it, so they might not even know about the event.
'...Not telling them.'
Dad was off on the "food tour" I gifted after handing the heirship to my eldest brother. If anyone came, it'd be Garcia or Reika...
'Those two at Carnea?'
The thought alone was horrifying.
"The... then... just... you... and... me... at... the... festival..."
Vivian emphasized "just us."
To reward her bravery, I glanced around...
─Mwah
...then pulled her into my arms and pecked her forehead.
"See you at the festival."
"...Yeah... Eugene."
A blooming smile lit her flushed face.
'...Again.'
Late at night, a foreign pressure in her lower abdomen woke Bianca.
She'd first thought it was leftover from Eugene's seed, but it happened even on non-intimate nights.
Bianca turned to look at Eugene.
Arms wrapped around Vivian and Lucia as he slept.
The sight irked her—for him and the Ursula heiress alike.
'Insolent girl.'
Bianca glared at Lucia, biting her lip.
She wanted to smack her.
With three waiting, shouldn't they rotate sleeping beside him?
But that wench never yielded his side once.
Vivian graciously alternated days, but...
It still pissed her off.
'Love isn't first-come, first-served!'
Pinch─
Bianca pinched Eugene's nose in petty revenge.
"...Nngh..."
His groan and comical grimace eased her mood a bit.
"...Cute."
The word slipped out gazing at his face.
Then, an idea flashed in Bianca's mind.
Leaning to his ear cautiously, she whispered softly.
"...Eugene thinks Bianca is the cutest... Eugene thinks Bianca is the most lovable..."
Her face heated as she spoke, but love had no room for pride, right?
Being his number one made this nothing.
"Eugene thinks Bianca is his num... Gahk...!!"
Mid-whisper, unbearable pain stabbed her lower abdomen.
'Wha... what...'
The saintess's words echoed in her head.
—This is my first time treating such a wound, so there might be side effects or aftereffects...
'...Is this... really... a side effect...? Gahk...'
She'd noticed the foreign sensation worsening lately, but this was different.
Pain like her guts being sliced by a sword.
'...It... hurts...'
Minutes ago, she'd sulked at not sleeping beside him; now, she was glad for the edge spot.
She might've woken him or Vivian getting up.
'Nngh... haa...'
Lips clamped to stifle groans, Bianca slipped into the bathroom.
'What... is this...'
Her face paled.