Chapter 16 – And So the Stage Draws to a Close ①
Finally, the day of the graduation party has arrived.
In the game, Lunaria would criticize Manna for clinging to the Crown Prince and would give her advice on interacting with male students, but now she doesn’t do any of that.
There’s no reason to do something that doesn’t need to be done.
Therefore, having no idea what Manna was talking about, all I could say was ‘I don’t know’. We were in different classes, so physical contact was impossible anyway.
Recently, I have been receiving a lot of sympathy from my classmates, teachers, and even regular students, and the reputation of Manna and the Crown Prince had long since hit rock bottom.
Yet, undeterred, Manna persistently sought me out, pinning absurdly flimsy false accusations on me, but after refuting her, she ran off crying, only for Dale to stop by after class with lectures on “what it means to be a lady”.
So irritated, I told him, “Having you explain what a lady is to me is just ridiculous. More importantly, do something about that idiot next to you.”, wrapped in a thin veneer of politeness, and both of them grimaced spectacularly.
They caused a scene in the cafeteria, drawing the ire of the students present. When I encountered Manna in the hallway, she put on an exaggerated victim act. However, regular class students could not enter the corridor leading to the advanced classes without the principal’s permission. When it was revealed that the timetables for the advanced classes and regular classes were different, she caused another commotion, and for some reason, she complained endlessly about how it was unfair and that “it’s not like the game”, which made no sense. How can someone like that be called a lady?
It’s embarrassing to say this, but the fact that he’s (still) my fiancé has really put me at my limit.
Some of his entourage were relatives of Falitus, so I decided to do the final cleaning more thoroughly than before.
The window that serves as a guidepost, showing me exactly what actions ‘Lunaria’ has taken, continues to be an invaluable tool.
My actions, always different from her past behavior, constantly catch them off guard. They’re always flustered and panicked, making me feel like I’m watching an amusing skit at a school festival.
Let them call me a Villainess, or whatever else they please.
Just where, and in what way, could anyone possibly see the so-called ‘Villainess’ they speak of?
If asked what I’m doing, I’m simply preaching common sense in this world.
Do not unnecessarily approach someone who has a fiancé or lover; do not mistake the appropriate distance. Do not judge people solely by their family lineage; status alone tells you nothing.
Often, you only get to know someone’s character after talking with them at length.
So, between them—constantly engaging in absurd behavior—and Lunaria, who calmly explains common sense, which side truly deserves to be called ‘sane’?
If they were commoners, it probably wouldn’t be a big deal, but they are nobles.
There are cases where a person has been engaged since birth, or where an engagement is part of a contract between their families, the circumstances vary from person to person.
Common sense dictates that it’s utterly unacceptable for someone with a betrothed to be overly affectionate with another person, especially if the woman initiates it and they enjoy excessive physical contact. It’s not like it’s okay just because he’s a man, though.
Moderation must be maintained.
If it had merely been playful banter among classmates, kept extremely light in front of others, it might have been forgivable.
No young nobleman would want to get close to a young lady who schemes in order to be treated like a princess in a reverse harem situation.
The only ones who don’t know are the people themselves.
“It’s time.”
After getting dressed and quietly closing my eyes and waiting for the time to pass, I opened my eyes at Kyle’s voice.
“His Highness the Crown Prince…”
“He didn’t come, did he? Fine. Doesn’t matter. I wasn’t expecting anything anyway.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Well, I’m off. Please have everything ready by the time I return. Probably… I think Alicia will be coming.”
“Certainly. Please enjoy your evening.”
After being seen off, I boarded the carriage waiting before the entrance.
Since I will no longer attend the academy, I gaze intently at the passing scenery.
“…… I know you intend to play out the game’s ending event… But I cannot allow you to underestimate me, Lady Saintess.”
Condemnation followed by exile, and then the Saintess becomes the great Queen beloved by all.
As if such a thing could ever happen.
That Saintess surely still believes this is a story where she is the main character. But a Saintess who is no longer loved is nothing more than a mere Viscount’s daughter.
The numerous acts of disrespect towards the Crown Prince’s fiancée, the discourtesies and verbal blunders against the Duke’s daughter, and her fellow noble classmates.
Count them up, and you’ll find a rather staggering number of blunders.
“Hehe…… How amusing…….”
Ah, it’s interesting.
Who would have thought that the sole Saint and absolute heroine of the game would end up being such a pitiable woman in reality?
If only she hadn’t meddled in others’ affairs, she could have ended up as just a slightly pathetic, peculiar little prude.
“In real life, she’d be the kind of girl you’d want nothing to do with.”
As I sighed and looked outside, the familiar academy buildings came into view.
The road leading to the academy is decorated with magic tools, illuminating the dusky evening path with colorful lights.
Carriages passed through, students walked by. A female student sat on a bench placed for enjoying the scenery.
As we drew nearer the academy, the surroundings became filled with students walking in pairs and those arriving at the academy, disembarking from their carriages.
“Right then. Let’s face it head-on with confidence.”
The carriage arrived at the academy, and I stepped down with the coachman’s help.
The students started to murmur, and familiar faces of young ladies came running over to me, pale as a feather.
“Lady Lunaria, umm… could it be…”
“You guessed it. But don’t worry.”
“But…!”
“It’s fine, really… Now, everyone, shall we head to the venue?”
In order to appear as brave as possible, I put on a forced smile and strode forward alone with dignity.
Many of the students looked at me with pained expressions, but my composure was so overwhelming that the stares gradually shifted.
Let them recognize me as ‘the Duchess who carries herself with dignity even without a partner’.
That would make things easier for me.
After checking in at the reception, I entered the venue where the advanced class students hurriedly rushed to Lunaria’s side.
“You don’t mean…”
“Yes, bingo. I came alone.”
When I chuckled softly, Falma’s face turned pale, but upon seeing Lunaria’s smile, it gradually returned to its normal color.
“You have something in mind, don’t you?”
“Of course… Rather, I’m just waiting for the other side to make a move and destroy themselves… Though I did think that, as a Duchess, it might be easier to act and ‘negotiate’ with the Royal Family.”
“Oh my… What a wicked look.”
“Well, according to Miss Manna, I’m a ‘Villainess’. So I suppose I must act like a proper villain.”
Lunaria, who is the center of the circle, looks like she’s having a lot of fun.
The students from the advanced class, who had been watching my actions since my return, finally relaxed as if relieved.
Seeing me so confident made them feel certain that everything would be fine.
Rather, what will the Crown Prince and the Saintess do?
Most of the students had arrived, some enjoying chatting with their partners, and a growing number of people, like me and my group, were gathering with their classmates.
Just then, the entrance swung open dramatically. Escorting Manna, who wore a triumphant smile, the Crown Prince, Dale, made his entrance.
The venue suddenly fell silent.
When Dale spotted me, he headed straight here, pointed his finger at me, and shouted:
“As of this moment, I hereby annul our engagement! If you wish to beg for forgiveness, now is your chance—but I shan’t forgive you! You have disillusioned me, Lunaria Il von Solfege!”
Manna smirked, but froze up when she saw Lunaria’s expression.
“As you wish, Your Royal Highness. This engagement was arranged by the Royal Family. I assume you have obtained His Majesty the King’s permission for this action. So the Solfege Family, one of his subjects, shall comply.”
“Huh?”
I spoke in a clear, unwavering voice, loud and clear, so that everyone there could hear easily.
“If there is any fault on my part, please gather the documents and evidence stating as much and submit them. After that, once we both sign the papers to annul the engagement, Your Highness the Crown Prince’s wish will be granted.”
When I declared this with a smile so bright it seemed to have its own sound effect, Dale and Manna turned blue.
The door creaked open once more.
Tap, tap. Footsteps echoed, multiple pairs approaching.
“Once again, Your Highness the Crown Prince, please declare it again. Make sure you are heard.”
“Wh, what?”
“His Majesty the King would also like to hear it again, wouldn’t he?”
They spun around as if struck, and an absolute zero gaze pierced through Dale and Manna.
“Let me hear it, my foolish son……… What are you going to do?”
Overwhelming intimidation and power.
Even the Queen standing beside him showed no expression whatsoever, only a cold stare fixed upon the two.
───────Now, the stage is set.
Sads Translates 