Chapter 49

Hans was feeling uncomfortable under someone’s gaze when the bell rang.

Just in time, I thought.

I got up from Sena’s desk where I had been sitting.

“The bell rang. I’ll come back during break.”

“Ah, I’ll come to you next time. Our class must be uncomfortable for you, right?”

Our class is a bit tricky right now. If Sena comes too, it’ll probably draw even more attention.

I made an awkward expression.

“…No. It’s more comfortable if I come. I practically ran away to get here.”

“…Why? Is someone already bothering you? Ah, did Wharton also hear that the Princess has arrived?”

Sena’s eyes turned dangerously sharp.

It seemed like she was misunderstanding, so I quickly added, “It’s a waste to worry about someone who’s already dead.”

“Ariana can’t come anymore.”

“…? What do you mean by that?”

“Exactly what I said. It’s good news for you, Sena. You didn’t like her anyway.”

Sena, who had been tilting her head with a puzzled look, seemed to realize what I meant and let out a sigh.

“Can’t come… You don’t mean…”

“Probably what you’re imagining. Don’t go spreading it around, though. I’m actually quite sad about it, despite how I look.”

It’s practically no different from me having killed her, so it’d be troublesome if it got out.

Of course, news of someone dying at the Academy would probably be hushed up anyway.

Anyway, I gently curved the corners of my eyes.

Sena’s expression turned strange.

“…I won’t say anything. I don’t even know how to react to this.”

“You don’t have to. Just act like nothing happened and be friendly with me. It’ll be easier now that there’s no one to interfere, right?”

“……”

Don’t frown. A pretty face should only wear pretty expressions.

Thinking that, I gently stroked her cheek, and her expression softened as the area I touched started to turn red.

Even I thought it was a bit sudden, but it seemed to have a good effect.

Sena, who didn’t resist, let out a small sigh as she felt my touch.

I knew that meant she wouldn’t ask further, so I smiled brightly and removed my hand.

Her expression looked a bit disappointed, but that must’ve been my imagination.

“…You’re right. I guess I’m not in a position to add anything anyway.”

“You’re so perceptive. That’s one of the things I like about you, Sena.”

“So, if Wharton’s gone, what happened in class that made you run away? I think I’m in a position to comment on this.”

“…You’re sharp. That side of you is a bit scary, Sena.”

Sena’s gaze, which had softened, turned sharp again.

It seemed like she wasn’t going to back down until she got a proper answer.

Since it wasn’t something worth hiding, I told her the truth.

“Just… the stares were bothering me. It’s been a while since I’ve been here, so everyone was looking at me.”

“I see. Should I take care of it?”

“No. I don’t know what you mean by ‘take care of it,’ but don’t.”

I stopped her immediately as her eyes turned dangerous.

Can you at least disperse the magic gathering in your hand?

What are you even planning to do?

You say you hate Ariana, but your actions are eerily similar to hers.

Thoughts that would make Sena panic if she heard them popped into my head.

But, those extreme actions of hers don’t come with good memories.

Of course, the fact that she backs off easily when I stop her is definitely different.

Even now, her expression turned sullen the moment I spoke.

“But… you said it was uncomfortable. It’s the most effective method…”

“That would make it even more uncomfortable, so don’t. Did I make myself clear?”

“Yes…”

It was cute how she obediently listened even while pouting.

I placed my hand on her head and gently stroked it.

It seemed she liked the sensation, as her expression immediately brightened. It was satisfying to watch.

I think I’m starting to figure out how to handle her.

Anyway, she seemed sufficiently calmed down, so I removed my hand and turned to leave.

“See you later.”

“Ah, yes!”

I smiled at her as she cheerfully responded.

I was about to leave the classroom when the sound of hurried footsteps and a familiar voice stopped me.

“Hey, wait!”

I sighed.

I thought about ignoring it, but it seemed like it’d be more troublesome, so I turned around with an annoyed expression.

He looked out of breath.

It seemed like he had run after me when he saw me leaving.

When our eyes met, Hans’ face started to show signs of nervousness.

“I-I’m Hans. Hans DiCardi. Do you remember?”

As if I could forget.

I’d rather go crazy trying to forget.

I answered expressionlessly.

“I remember. So what?”

He seemed to realize my tone was curt and visibly flustered.

What, did you not expect this kind of reaction?

I’m being incredibly gentle right now.

If it were me from a while ago, I would’ve started foaming at the mouth and fainted the moment our eyes met.

Either he’s become stupid enough to not expect this, or… no, Hans isn’t that much of an idiot, so he probably expected it but…

Facing him made my mind go blank.

Either way, it was utterly unpleasant.

I could feel his half-baked guilt towards me.

It’s a personal wish, but…

I just want you to stay a traitor till the end, okay?

No need for late apologies or atonement.

And please, don’t try to appeal with tears.

I really don’t want to see a guy cry.

You’re different from Ariana.

If you’re not going to say, “I was part of the organization too, I only did what I was ordered to do!” then just disappear.

Seeing him pale and start rambling with that thought in his eyes…

“I thought it’d be better not to meet you, so I ignored you on purpose.

But, uh, hearing from Sena this time, I realized you’ve been having a hard time.

No, I mean. Now that I want to find you, you’re gone again… Ugh, damn it…”

It was a pointless, hard-to-follow, and unnecessarily long explanation.

I didn’t stay late to listen to such lengthy excuses.

“Get to the point. I don’t have time.”

Urging him, Hans’s eyes wavered.

It was utterly disgusting how he tried to play the victim.

After taking a couple of deep breaths, he spoke in a calmer voice.

“…I’m sorry, Remia.

What happened back then wasn’t intentional.

I also apologize for consciously avoiding you.”

I see.

Thanks for that.

“Yeah, I forgive you.”

Hans’s expression brightened.

I smirked.

“But don’t talk to me.”

Leaving him speechless and flustered, I quickly left the room.

Seems like all I did today was run away.

***

The class after a month was as boring as ever.

I gave up on concentrating after about ten minutes and started daydreaming.

Today’s topic, of course, was Hans DiCardi, who was enthusiastically turning my thoughts upside down.

I really don’t want to think about him.

Why does he keep pushing me when I just want to stay still?

“Annoying, really.”

“Miss Adelian, please be quiet and focus.”

“…Yes.”

A small chuckle came from behind.

I glared at the literature professor and propped my chin on my left hand.

Hans hadn’t shown his face for about half a year after transferring.

It’s not like he wasn’t at the Academy.

He was just next door, living a normal school life.

The reason we hadn’t met was simply because he never came looking for me.

No matter how much I consciously avoided him, how could I stop him from coming?

Hans just never cared about me until now.

Recently, for some reason—apparently, after hearing about my foolishness and suffering from Sena—he’s become emotionally invested.

I wish he had stayed uninterested.

I never intended to blame him for what he did.

After all, back then, his family was his top priority.

In fact, it’s something to praise a child for having such decisiveness.

As a result, the DiCardi Count was promoted to Marquis, and Hans, a second son with no inheritance rights, caught the Emperor’s eye.

From the public’s perspective, the villain was Adelian.

I, too, thought the root of all evil was my parents who first planned the rebellion and intended to let it go at that!

But now that he’s appearing before me, it’s a different story.

Does it feel good to mock someone whose life you ruined?

Good intentions? So what? I feel mocked.

What good is an apology if the deeds remain?

Unless you can turn back time, the best atonement is to stay out of my life and disappear from my thoughts.

It’s better, no need to deal with extra stress.

But looking at it now, it seems that’s not going to happen.

…What do I have to do to get rid of him?

In the end, it seems I’ll have to endure by ignoring him as much as possible until I die.

It’s frustrating that the peace I was finally about to enjoy with Sena is being ruined by Hans.

“Good work.

See you next time.”

“Sigh…”

As soon as the class ended, I felt a gaze from the window as if by magic.

I didn’t need to look to know who it was, and a sigh escaped me.

Why is he doing this to me?

I’m already struggling enough as it is.