Relationships in a person’s life tend to form in various places. There are so many examples that it’s hard to pick just one.
The reason I say this is that, without even realizing it, my own relationships were deepening. And that was all because of one prince.
“Isn’t it amazing? A princess from the coldest place in the world and a princess from the hottest place are gathered in one spot!”
“You brought us here.”
“I know that too. I just think it’s fascinating.”
Karas, who suggested we have breakfast since we were gathered like this, made an offer I accepted.
But I wasn’t the only one going; others were included too. I could understand that much already.
“This place isn’t easy either. Especially in summer, the humidity makes it really sticky.”
“That’s true. It’s hard to find a place with as clear-cut seasons as the Academy. Isn’t Frozen cold all year round?”
“Yep, it’s freezing.”
The problem was that Karas and Reina were included. The unfortunate luck was that Diana wasn’t here.
Diana headed straight to the dormitory, needing a break. I could understand why she would want to rest.
As a result, breakfast ended up being just me, Karas, Kara, and Reina.
Today was Friday, so normally we should have classes. But this morning, it was fine.
Since it was a workshop where we stayed up all day, it was a mutually agreed situation. Hence, we allowed the assistant to sleep in.
No matter how strong a person is, their energy drops sharply if they can’t sleep.
‘These people are confident about pulling an all-nighter.’
Karas isn’t the type to whine about missing a day of sleep. The others don’t need separate explanations either.
Even if we went for a nap, it would be similar to day-sleeping. Just close your eyes and you’ll feel refreshed in no time.
Still, this combination is refreshing and almost exhilarating. Especially the fact that Reina joined us.
I don’t know about the others, but it felt odd to me that she naturally fit in.
“Princess Reina. This might be rude, but can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“Is there something wrong with your tongue or another part? Your command of the common language is a bit, well, really awkward.”
“··· ···”
I almost sputtered my drink. I mean, how can you be so blunt about it?
But Reina didn’t seem to care much. In fact, she gave a somewhat sheepish smile and said,
“Should I split your head with an axe?”
“··· ···”
“Oh.”
Reina’s not someone to mess with either. Even though it’s her native language, hearing that right to my face is something else.
However, it seemed I realized late that I could understand what she said.
“Sivar, can you tell me what Princess Reina just said?”
“She said she felt sad about not being able to speak the common language.”
“Hmm. I see.”
In moments like this, I needed to somehow cover up. Karas nodded at my statement.
Reina let out a sigh of relief and shot me a grateful look. Next time, please don’t do that.
“The common language isn’t that difficult, is it?”
“I just can’t study…”
“So she can’t study.”
Somehow, I started to act as a translator for Reina. In fact, this was easier.
Kara wore a puzzled expression at what I translated. It seemed she thought the common language was easy.
I could understand Kara’s feelings. Learning the common language didn’t take me that long either.
Of course, considering my ability in languages, it’s relatively easy.
‘The Eastern side probably has a bit of hardship.’
Besides, since the grammar is based on Western languages, the Eastern language is trickier to learn. Still, the difficulty level can’t be denied as easy.
Reina truly seems to be unable to study in the purest sense, which is why she can’t grasp the common language.
“Unable to study, huh… But studying is touted as the easiest thing in the world, right?”
“Everyone keeps saying that, yet strangely, I find it hard to read the words.”
“She says everyone else says it, yet she strangely can’t read.”
“Is that a metaphor, or is it real?”
“It’s real. Even my native language is tough at times.”
Reina replied with an undertone of resentment. How bad must it be for her to struggle even with her native language?
I raised an eyebrow at that. Others seemed to feel the same way, displaying a similar reaction.
Not having a mental issue yet unable to read one’s native language? It’s impossible unless you’re illiterate.
Moreover, she’s the princess of Frozen. Her family must have even hired private tutors, so her being illiterate makes no sense.
“You say your native language is tough? How is that possible?”
“Well… it’s like the words don’t really register in my eyes? I could get better if I practiced, but if the script changes, it all falls apart.”
“You said words don’t register. You could get better with practice, but if the script changes, it’s useless. Is that true?”
I directly questioned her at that final part. Reina nodded shyly at my query.
My suspicion intensified. The Reina from the Soul World is known for her exceptional fighting skills, but she seems to have a problem with intelligence.
I should say knowledge instead. Given her excellent combat sense, it seems there’s nothing wrong with her intelligence.
It’s just that she appears ignorant due to a lack of knowledge. Seems like she hasn’t read many books on her own.
“Hmm. Just wait a second.”
Karas, sensing something was off, pulled a notebook and a fountain pen from his pocket. He began to write in it.
After writing everything down, he showed it to us. I scrutinized what he had written.
‘A greeting.’
Karas wrote “Hello” in the common language. A simple, straightforward greeting.
Whether intentional or not, his handwriting was far below average. It wasn’t illegible, but still not great.
“Can everyone read this? I wrote it in the common language.”
“Yes. I can read it.”
“I can read that.”
“What about you, Reina?”
“Ugh… I can’t…”
Reina squinted hard as she tried to read. It seemed she struggled a lot.
If she couldn’t even read that, it was serious. Reina furrowed her brows and soon wore a troubled expression.
“······I can’t read it. What does it say?”
“It’s a simple greeting. It says ‘Hello.'”
“I still can’t read it. I’m sure I learned it, but…”
Reina let out a long sigh. It seems she’s trying hard but is still having a tough time.
Yet there’s no need for self-blame here. If it’s this serious, there’s really just one reason.
“Are you possibly dyslexic?”
“Huh?”
“Dyslexia. I’ve heard that it’s common for dyslexic individuals to have issues like this.”
It was Kara’s explanation, followed by Karas’s addition.
“I think it looks like dyslexia to me. But shouldn’t that be diagnosed even in Frozen?”
“Well… I often skipped studying when I was little for play. My parents and siblings sort of gave up on me… Heh.”
“··· ···”
Reina scratched her head, appearing embarrassed. I couldn’t help but chuckle at that.
I could roughly guess the situation. She’s the pampered youngest daughter and sister, Reina.
Doesn’t want to study? Well, then she doesn’t have to! That’s how she was raised, I bet. Just enough to learn the basics and that was it.
Especially since dyslexia is a surprisingly tricky condition to diagnose. Given the times, many people are illiterate.
Didn’t even knights in Earth’s medieval age take pride in their illiteracy?
And Reina has outstanding talent in combat, so she must have focused there.
‘Honestly didn’t expect it to be dyslexia.’
As I chewed on my meat, I looked at her with curious eyes. In the Soul World, she was just seen as a character with a low intelligence.
But the reality is very different. She suffers from dyslexia, which hindered her from learning the common language.
Indeed, reality and games are different. Or rather, now it’s hard to even call it a game.
“Is there a way to treat dyslexia?”
“You asked if there’s a way to treat dyslexia.”
“Isn’t going to the hospital the best option? Just to make sure about the diagnosis.”
“That sounds good.”
First things first, getting a solid diagnosis at the hospital is the start. The treatment can be done gradually.
But the question remains whether she can properly grasp the common language in that process. I wish I could personally help her.
“I want to properly learn the common language before dealing with dyslexia…”
“She said she wants to properly learn the common language first.”
“In that case, you’ll need help, Sivar.”
“Our assistant.”
I figured as much. I instantly replied with a refusal.
It wasn’t so much a rejection as it was the reality of the situation. It’d be tough as an assistant to conduct common language classes.
However, Karas came up with a spectacular suggestion that exceeded my expectations.
“I know that too. But wouldn’t it be fine to be together on the weekends?”
“On the weekends?”
“I heard you live with Princess Berche. If she’s studying with you, adding Princess Reina should work.”
“That might be tough…”
It’s a reasonable plan, but it’s difficult too. The chances of Grace allowing it are slim.
“Moreover, if you work on the Frozen language alongside it, it’ll make things much easier. You’re the only one here who can understand Frozen, right?”
“Oh… is that so?”
“That’s right. When learning a foreign language, it’s much easier to study with your own language.”
Even Kara jumped in to support. With her joining, my dilemma only deepened.
When I glanced at Reina, she wore an expectant expression, for reasons I didn’t know.
Her hands were clasped neatly, looking like she was trying to plead for help.
‘······Karas, this little brat.’
How can he be so good at winning people over? It was as if he effortlessly passed the ball to me.
Moreover, the justification was clear. I was the only one capable of understanding the Frozen language.
Thus, I reluctantly nodded my head. But I didn’t forget to add a stipulation.
“First, you have to get Grace’s permission. Approval is a must.”
“Yes! I’ll get it!”
“Alright. Make sure to go to the hospital.”
“Yes!”
Getting a diagnosis for dyslexia is just the beginning. We can handle treatment at the same time.
Additionally, I thought it’d be good to inform Sara as well. The Frozen princess turns out to have dyslexia.
‘This will surely provoke some response from Frozen.’
I strangely felt like those high-ranking individuals were getting involved. Partly because of my own actions.
“So, can you pronounce ‘I am an idiot’ correctly?”
“I am a fool.”
“Huh?”
“I am a fool. That’s it.”
“Um…”
When Reina momentarily made a suspicious expression.
“I am a fool! Sivar!”
She said it with such vibrant energy and a bright smile. The goofy image truly suited her.
“Ha.”
“Ugh.”
“··· ···”
Naturally, the reactions were similar. Everyone chuckled and shook their heads. I tried to maintain as serious a face as I could.
Then Reina tilted her head, showing her confusion.
“That means ‘I am a fool.'”
“Huh?”
“It means ‘I am a fool.'”
“Oh.”
It’s easy to trick her.
While Reina wore a blank expression, Kara asked,
“Couldn’t you hear it?”
“I thought I was misunderstanding…”
“You thought she was misunderstanding.”
“Then it’s your fault, Sivar.”
I know it’s my fault.
Still, how can something be this entertaining?