276 – About Her Love -8-

Standing in front of the mirror, Shuen wore a somber expression.

“…Sigh.”

Forcing a bright smile proved futile, as a natural laugh wouldn’t come, and her pounding heart wouldn’t settle.

“This isn’t like me at all.”

In front of the wall called tension, Shuen stood, sighing deeply as she gazed at herself beyond the mirror.

The image of a lady in a dress full of frills and a large pearl necklace.

“Ha…”

Shuen felt unlike herself.

“Too perfect.”

That’s what she would say to Mikhail.

To shake off the nerves, Shuen lightly slapped her cheeks. After all, she stood there, the (self-proclaimed) empire’s greatest beauty.

“Ohoho…! It’s just too perfect!”

With a voice full of confidence, Shuen exclaimed at her reflection.

“Ohoho!!!”

Which man in the world would dislike purple drill hair? Having been told she was beautiful since childhood, Shuen’s confidence seemed to pierce the heavens.

But the commoners said not to dress up.

“Commoners know nothing of fashion.”

She had never listened to the commoner who only wore black butler clothes; his words held no trust for her. She could understand other advice, but when it came to fashion, Shuen was proud.

“Ohoho…!”

“Ohoho..ho…”

“Huah… It’s too scary.”

Of course, she meant her confidence.

Shuen’s complexion was dark.

I was scared, and the worry of what if it goes wrong sapped my energy. And I feared repeating the mistakes of my past.

“Sigh…”

For Shuen, the academy was a series of trials.

The space shared by commoners and nobles felt awkward, and I didn’t know how to interact. I made many mistakes.

Raised in the Tetra household, which strictly adhered to the class system, the academy felt like fresh paint forced into mixing.

I was ignorant of so many things.

How to deal with people.

How to treat commoners.

Shuen, who didn’t know that not everyone could be friends, felt the academy was like a huge dam. Before coming here, everyone liked her.

“Commoners… Can I do well?”

While fixing her makeup in the mirror, Shuen recalled a painful memory she had momentarily forgotten.

The memory of a big mistake made at the entrance ceremony.

-Ohoho…! I am Tetra Shuen! Unlike the commoners here, I am the proud eldest daughter of the noble Tetra family!

-…What?

-I am a noble of integrity, so I will treat commoners without discrimination! I want to be friends with everyone! So bring your friendship!

-So annoying.

It was only after some time that Shuen realized the mistake in her words. The word ‘commoner’ was the mistake.

From a young age, the education that clearly divided commoners and nobles was ingrained in her, but she couldn’t figure out what was wrong until she saw the frowns on the faces of those who grimaced at the mention of ‘commoner.’ Commoners don’t look favorably upon nobles.

‘…’

Shuen was oblivious to the fact that in the eyes of the commoners, a good noble or a bad noble looked the same. She continued to speak arrogantly, and she had always done so.

It was a mistake.

“What can I do about it!”

Her foolish mistake.

She tried to correct it.

Tried to fix the button that was wrongly fastened.

-Ohoho… This is the dining hall where commoners eat! Today, I, Shuen, will specially join you for lunch.

-Hey, let’s go somewhere else.

-…Huh? Where is everyone going?

-Let’s dump this and leave, I’ll buy you lunch.

‘…’

But opportunities did not come easily. There were already many who disliked me.

Approaching was frightening.

And they did not give me a chance to get close.

Pride wouldn’t allow me to apologize.

So, I was lonely.

Lonely enough to find studying alone more enjoyable, to find life at the academy dull.

Then, I met senior Mikhail.

“Wow…”

I found myself falling for him.

There was no particular reason.

I just thought, perhaps someone as radiant as senior Mikhail could correct the misaligned buttons of my life, and maybe then, people’s gazes towards me would change a bit.

Of course, his face was the main reason.

But still.

“Love is so difficult.”

Shuen struggled to smile as she looked down at the notebook on her vanity.

[☆The Proud Tetra Shuen’s Grand Confession Strategy☆]

– Author: Ricardo.

– Written by: Tetra Shuen

1. ☆Never wear flashy clothes.☆

└☆☆☆Fine of 1 gold for each frill, pearl, or ring.

2. Refrain from using the word ‘commoner’.

3. Don’t get overly excited on your own.

4. Avoid unnecessary TMI.

“I’m not a child…!”

Shuen burst into laughter as she read Ricardo’s message in the notebook. The poorly written handwriting, the stars he drew for emphasis—it was all so funny…

Every time she read the notebook, it was as if she could hear his voice clearly.

“It’s really funny.”

Shuen sighed deeply as she put on her earrings. Looking at her overly bright earrings in the mirror, she awkwardly revealed her teeth and smiled.

“I can do this!”

The time is 10:45.

Shuen hurried, eager to arrive before the appointed time.

***

In front of the Academy’s fountain, many students were passing by. From couples to familiar faces, the weekend crowd was larger than on weekdays.

Standing in front of the fountain, Shuen clutched her black leather bag and exhaled.

“Don’t be nervous.”

“I am Shuen, the most perfect girl in the world! I won’t tremble over something like this!”

“So…”

“Hey, look at that outfit.”

A pause.

“Where is she going dressed like that? Isn’t she embarrassed?”

“Babe, should I dress like that too?”

“Oh please, babe…”

“Oops…”

Shuen flinched at the sound of the passersby’s conversation and began to look around nervously.

“Are they talking about me?”

She didn’t think the comments were directed at her, especially since she was wearing her cherished dress from the wardrobe. Yet, strangely, she felt their gazes on her, complicating her thoughts even more.

“No… it can’t be.”

But the students passing by Shuen began to criticize her appearance even more.

“Look at her makeup.”

“She looks like a crazy goblin.”

“…Pfft. You’re too loud.”

“Look at her makeup, it’s not even like a panda, more like she’s got bruises around her eyes.”

“Ugh.”

Her heart started pounding wildly.

The words they spat out were directed at no one else but her. Even as she tried to ignore them, the voices of those passing by scraped against Shuen’s heart, making it race.

Clutching the strap of her bag, Shuen looked at her reflection beneath the fountain and murmured softly,

“What should I do? I must look strange…”

She hadn’t looked odd in the dormitory mirror, but now, everything about her seemed bizarre.

She had wanted to look good.

I rose early, having prepared with great diligence. Yet from the start, my heart was troubled. Shuen stood with a forlorn expression, her face crumpling into tears.

“I’m so embarrassed.”

How I wish there were commoners here at this moment. Shuen, with trembling eyes, surveyed the area around the fountain.

And then.

-Woah!

“What’s this?”

Far off, the sight of a ludicrous man made Shuen burst into laughter.

“Ah… It’s been a while since I’ve exerted myself like this, the stares are quite overwhelming.”

Ricardo stood a short distance away, holding a magical device from which music flowed. Dressed in sparkling blue and gyrating his hips in a bizarre dance, Ricardo was collecting a variety of curses as he exclaimed ‘Woah!’

From the clown-like makeup.

To the ridiculous clothes.

“Pfft…”

Ricardo winked at her and smacked his lips.

“I told you not to dress in such a manner.”

“Uh…”

“Prepare a fine of 30 gold.”

“Peasant!!!!”

Shuen, before she knew it, felt a smile blooming as she watched Ricardo.

“What’s with that ridiculous outfit?!”

Just as she was slowly approaching Ricardo.

“Uh… Shuen?”

The familiar voice from behind halted her steps.

Shuen awkwardly turned to look at the man who had called her. And there she met the awkward-faced hero of the day.

“Mikhail Sunbat?”

“Uh… Yes.”

The awkward smile on Mikhail’s face made Shuen’s expression gradually harden.

“You’ve dressed up quite prettily.”

The lie was too obvious.

She couldn’t help but not laugh.

*

After Shuen vanished.

Near the fountain’s restroom.

“Sigh…”

I exhaled deeply, erasing the makeup I had applied to my face.

“How many times have I told you not to dress like that. Oh dear…”

‘I was prepared for this, but it seems I did well.’

As Shuen’s actions deviated from my expectations, I chuckled hollowly, wiping my face with a towel.

“Still, I’m relieved.”

Because Shuen wasn’t hurt.

The embarrassment is the possessor’s to bear, so I thought I received my reward in Shuen’s relaxed smile.

And then.

“Sniffle.”

“Hm?”

“Sob…!”

Before long, the sound of sorrowful crying began to emanate from the women’s restroom.

“Keuheuheuheuheuheuh!!!”

“…”

“Heeit! Hwit! Ohohot…”

“…”