“Here is a place that I find particularly delightful! I hope we can have many conversations here in the future, Amy.”
“Indeed… the scenery is beautiful. I like it.”
The dormitory toured alongside the princess seemed no different from others, aside from being a bit more luxurious and well-equipped.
It was clear they tried to distinguish it as S-rank, but not to the point of creating a huge gap.
However, there were a few unique spots, one of which was the aerial garden the princess was now introducing.
It was a building floating in the air, with a small table and chairs that could seat about four people—a peak example of extravagance.
The use of magic stones to suspend each step of the staircase in midair went beyond art into the realm of madness.
How much wealth must the designer have had to use such expensive stones in abundance?
While beautiful, it was almost unsettling.
“Well, I think that concludes the main points of the tour. The rest is… the food is good, and the food is really good! Still, sometimes I miss the omelets you make, Amy.”
“…Fine. I’ll make one, so stop looking at me like a child.”
“Ahaha! That’s my Amy!”
Thud.
“Step aside.”
“Huh?”
“Amy, since that fool princess’s dull tour is over, allow me to guide you around the academy. I’m confident the information about the various facilities, especially those exclusive to S-rank, will be helpful to you.”
“Marybell , thank you, but let’s save that for tomorrow. My sister and I aren’t even confirmed as S-rank yet, and we’re tired from today’s events. We’d like to rest.”
“…Understood. Then let me take you to your room.”
Though Marybell ’s kindness wasn’t unwelcome, it felt overwhelming.
I couldn’t understand why she was so attached to me after the incident in the bathroom, where I had subdued her…
Tap, tap, tap.
“For now, you two will share a room. Once your official admission is confirmed, we’ll assign more suitable rooms.”
“…Alright.”
So, I’ll be sharing a room with Alyssa for now. It’s a bit unsettling, but it should be fine.
“If you encounter any inconveniences during your stay, please let me know. As the dormitory head, I’ll do my best to assist you.”
“Thank you for your kindness, Marybell .”
“Alright then, see you at dinner, Amy!”
Creak.
The princess and Marybell left, closing the door behind them, perhaps to give us some privacy.
I could faintly hear the princess yelling at Marybell in the distance, but that wasn’t my concern.
“Alyssa , you can take that bed over there.”
The dorm room, briefly surveyed, was so lavish it bordered on excessive—worthy of S-rank, indeed.
The bed and furniture, made from bubinga wood more expensive than gold, and a magnificent chandelier that seemed fit for a grand hall…
I should be thrilled, but a part of me felt uneasy, perhaps because of my own nature.
What if my sister gets chosen as S-rank tomorrow, leaving me behind?
I don’t care about the rank itself, but the fall from grace and the stares from others would be hard to bear.
“Amy.”
“Yes?”
Grip.
“When and where did you meet the Grand Flora Ducal?”
“…Alyssa ?”
Alyssa gripped my wrist tightly, as if to prevent me from escaping, staring at me intently with serious eyes.
Her blue eyes, though persistent on the surface, betrayed a hidden anxiety that I could perceive, perhaps because our bond had grown stronger recently.
“Please tell me. I deliberately took you to unrelated places… How did you meet her?”
Unrelated places?
…Was she referring to yesterday’s capital tour, where she fed me useless information?
Sigh…
“Alyssa , since when did you start prying into my personal life? Let go of my hand.”
“I’m serious, Amy.”
“…You won’t let go until I answer, will you?”
“No.”
Alyssa, are you following your sister or resenting her?
It’s hard to tell. Logically, you must resent me, but your recent actions are confusing.
“She suddenly appeared while I was bathing yesterday. I was startled, but after a certain incident, we became somewhat close. Satisfied? Now let go of me, Alyssa .”
“Th-That’s impossible…”
Alyssa released my wrist but seemed so shaken that she might collapse any moment.
Although the floor was carpeted, the marble beneath looked hard enough to cause injury if she fell.
I didn’t want Alyssa to hurt herself and end up a fool at this point.
She’s such a handful.
Hug.
“Alyssa , how far are you planning to trouble your sister?”
“Amy…”
I hugged her slender waist and gently sat her down on the bed.
Alyssa , momentarily startled, avoided my gaze, but soon looked straight at me.
“I’m sorry… I’ve calmed down now, sister.”
“Alyssa , was it that shocking for you to see me getting close to Lady Flora?”
“…Yes. To be honest, you’re someone I hoped wouldn’t grow closer to my sister, but you two seemed to have hit it off at a moment I didn’t anticipate…”
“How foolish. Didn’t I tell you before? You can’t control people, and unexpected situations can arise at any time and place. Surely, your tiny brain isn’t so dull that it can’t remember something from a few days ago?”
“My sister is absolutely right…”
“Good. It’s enough that you’ve realized now. Always follow what I say because I’m always right. Understood?”
“Yes, sister.”
Perhaps I’ll stop scolding her now.
Alyssa’s expression is on the verge of tears, and I need to contact Ameri, who’s probably waiting at the inn.
…Surely, there isn’t a rule against bringing maids into the S-rank dorms, right?
If there is, I might just quit the rank altogether.
“You stay here. I’ll go speak with Lady Marybell about Ameri.”
“Ah…”
“Don’t even think of interfering. I’m in a sharp mood, and I trust smart Alyssa understands what I mean.”
“…Yes.”
Sigh.
“Good girl. I’ll be back soon. If I bring Ameri back right away, the three of us can have dinner here tonight. How does that sound, Alyssa?”
“…That sounds fine, sister.”
Yes, that’s the way.
As a younger sibling, Alyssa should obediently listen to her older sister.
…Not that she’s ever disobeyed me, but still.
‘Come to think of it, I didn’t ask where Lady Marybell is…’
Although I left the room, the dormitory is overwhelmingly large, and I had no idea where to even start searching.
While the princess gave me a brief tour, she didn’t specify where Lady Marybell might be staying.
“You called for me, Lady Amy.”
“Eek!!!”
I was planning to start by searching the lounge where people were likely gathered, but Lady Marybell ‘s sudden voice behind me made me scream at the top of my lungs.
Wait.
Why does this person enjoy scaring me so much…?
My health is already fragile—
I might pass out one of these days…
“Do you require something? Please feel free to ask.”
“Ah… I wanted to bring the maid from my estate into the dormitory…”
“If you mean Ameri, your maid, she is already staying in the dormitory’s designated maid quarters.”
“…How did you know Ameri is my maid?”
“It’s no exaggeration to say I’ve studied nearly everything about you, Lady Amy. Now, is there anything else you require?”
Terrifying.
She’s saying this proudly, but it sounds like something a stalker would say…
I’ve felt it from the beginning, but Lady Marybell truly seems… off.
“…Not something I need, but I do have a question for you, Lady Marybell .”
“Ask me anything.”
“Why do you treat someone as insignificant as me, the daughter of a lowly countryside noble, so well?”
It might be like poking a sleeping bear, but it’s a question I must eventually ask.
If she’s toying with me, I’d rather know now to be more cautious.
Although I’m holding back out of fear of the Flora Ducal, one wrong move could spell disaster.
I can’t let my actions harm the Rosewell family or my mother.
“Lady Amy.”
“L-Lady Marybell …”
Lady Marybell , who had been kneeling and looking up at me, stood and gazed directly into my eyes.
Unlike Alyssa’s clear, beautiful blue eyes, hers carried a deep darkness—a shade that seemed to awaken fear.
“I have fallen utterly for you.”
“…Excuse me?”
That profound darkness.
It was deeper than the ocean’s coldest depths, more powerful than a waterfall carving through stone.
Marybell ’s pale skin flushed red as she held my shoulders, keeping me from moving.
Then she crouched slightly to meet my gaze.
“The moment I witnessed that power, I realized… I have been waiting for you all along. The one I must serve is none other than you, Lady Amy.”
“If you wish for something, I will deliver it—be it unimaginable wealth or power to claim the Flora Ducal as your own. I am willing to devote my entire being to you. So, please, cherish me.”
Haah, haah.
Lady Marybell ‘s heavy breathing and intense gaze were suffocating, slowly wearing down my nerves.
Is she serious about this?
It doesn’t sound like a lie, but if she’s sincere, it’s all the more overwhelming.
I feel like I might lose my mind.
Money, power… both are things I want to have, but not like this.
If not for Alyssa ‘s help, I wouldn’t have gained this dark power—power obtained not through my will but by surrendering to impulse.
In that case, it’s not my own power but merely borrowed from someone else.
Especially… Alyssa ‘s power.
“Lady Maribel.”
Swoosh.
“Look me straight in the eyes.”
“Ah, Lady Amy… Will you spoil Maribel?”
“You… are overwhelming.”
“…What?”
Have you ever seen someone’s world crumble?
It’s a sight that an ordinary person might never witness in a lifetime, but I was seeing it happen in real-time before my eyes.
“When did I ever ask you to go this far? I despise relying on what others have given me.”
“L-Lady Amy…”
“Victory or bitter defeat, everything must be achieved by my own hands. If something sweet and unattainable through endless effort was never mine to begin with, then I wouldn’t have much regret about losing it.”
Like the magic I’ve acquired now.
I had already given up on it, but after gaining it through my younger sibling’s power, it hasn’t impressed me as much as I’d expected.
I thought I’d be overjoyed, thought I’d want to boast to the world immediately.
Would it have been different if I had achieved it through my own efforts?
…No, knowing my personality, I might have become overly arrogant.
In a way, it might be better that I acquired this dangerous power through my sibling.
“So, you too, treat me normally.”
“Huh?”
“I will treat you as a newly made friend, Lady Maribel. You, in turn, treat me as Lady Amy. If you truly wish to win my heart, to follow me—then show me that sincerity and make me deeply impressed in the future.”
“Ah… Ahh…!”
“Do you understand, Lady Maribel?”
“As you wish…”
“Fufu, as a reward, I’ll spoil you just this once.”
Swoosh, stroke.
As I gently stroked Maribel’s chin, she closed her eyes and purred like a cat.
A rather large cat, but adorable nonetheless.
Indeed, Lady Maribel’s beauty doesn’t lose out to the princess or Alyssa.
If only she’d watch her words and actions, her looks would be exactly my type.
“I’ve made a fool of myself, haven’t I? Lady Amy, please return to your room. I’ll call you as soon as dinner is ready~.”
“…I did say it, but having your attitude change in less than a minute is a bit unsettling.”
“However, I always speak this way to others~. If you dislike it, I can go back to my original tone~.”
“No, no, it’s fine…”
Is it just my imagination, or am I surrounded by eccentrics?
Princess Sharon, Princess Marybell…
Should I feel happy or sad that Alyssa seems to be the most normal among them?