NOVEL NEXT Start of the 3rd month
It is now the third month of the game. There is no school event for this month due to an incident. That is the next event. Around the end of the month, a series of kidnappings would occur. Their targets would consist of women. If you chose the male protagonist, your goal is to find the missing people with the clues scattered around the game. For the female protagonist, your goal is to survive as you will be one of the people that gets kidnapped.
“Hmm, what shall I do?”
“Did you say something, miss Athena?”
“It was nothing. Do not worry about it.”
We were walking towards the school. The start of the kidnapping was random. As such, I do not know when it will occur within the month. The main concern is if I will join in being kidnapped. I will let fate decide. Lyn is very punctual so when Juliet informs me of her disappearance is when I shall act. Or I can join Lyn and be kidnapped myself. There is a theory that I want to confirm but it would depend if I was included in the event.
“Emilia, I have something I wish to discuss.”
I sent Melanie to the classroom as usual as Sylvia and I went to see Emilia.
“How can I help you, mistress?”
“Do you have the total amount of damages?”
“Yes. Those girls broke 5 door locks, vandalized 3 walls, damaged the floor with water and broke 10 windows.”
“Truly? Those girls did more than I thought.”
“Yes. How do you wish to handle this, mistress?”
“I shall cover for them this time. I have warned them of their actions. As such, I expect for you to provide me with reports if anything similar happens once more.”
“Understood, mistress.”
“Good. That will be all for now.”
I purposefully walked near Lyn’s commoner class. Lyn was surrounded by her classmates as Juliet notices me. I walk a few steps away as she follows me to a corner.
“Whatcha want, miss Athena?”
“Report.”
“Oh, so many people want to talk with her. Everyone’s trying to be friends since she knew the prince. But I am her best friend!”
“I see. Anything specific that I should take note of?”
“Oh, there were some students there who was trash talking you. They kept telling how proud they were that she ignored you and won against the prince.”
Typical.
“Other than that, nothing really. Most of them were happy for her although their view on nobles is still bad. Especially with what you said during the event.”
Understandable, that was the point I was making after all.
“Well, don’t worry about them too much. They won’t do anything anyway. All of them are scared.”
“How about those girls?”
“Oh, those? They stopped for now. But I do see them looking at us here and there. Probably thinking on what to do next.”
“She has become closer to the prince after all. They need to take care.”
“Ye. We regularly talk to the prince now. Seems like they became close friends during the whole thing. There is even a girl who’s trying to take my best friend position!”
“What?”
“Yeah! She keeps hanging around us. Saying things like “I wanna be like you” or “You’re so cool.” but I am the best friend!”
“I see. Good work, I shall leave now.”
“Okay! See you later!”
Juliet’s shouting has attracted attention to us. I proceed to leave the place and return to our classroom. It is understandable that the prince and her would become friends. This is a good outcome. I can use their friendship in the future. As I reach our classroom, Melanie notices me and follows me to a corner.
“Melanie, report.”
“Oh, there were some people who started badmouthing red hair but the prince asked them to stop politely. The prince has also publicly declared that she is his friend.”
“I see. What are the reactions of the other nobles?”
“Most of them looked confused. I’m not really sure but nobody brought it up again after the prince said his piece.”
Understandable, the prince does have a lot of power. Even if he denies it, his very existence is already like this.
“But I saw some of them who were really mad.”
“Those girls?”
“Yeah.”
They just never truly learn. They are probably going to change some of their tactics but the harassment will still happen. I believe that Lyn is still not open enough to share her problems with others. Let alone the prince. But they must be stealthy for if the prince ever finds out, it is over for them. Hmm, if the prince finds out. Ah, I have an idea. All of the preparations are complete, I must return to harassing Lyn myself.
“That’s all, I think.”
“Good work, Melanie.”
“Yeah. A lot of people didn’t talk to me today though. I guess its because I’m close to you.”
She is being avoided by association. But that is also something that Melanie wants. In the corner of my eye, I spy someone. She was one of the other potential candidates for my clique and a potential romantic partner for the protagonist but why is she staring at me? She notices my gaze and she look away from me. Mysterious, I have not done anything to attract her attention specifically. Hmm, I will let her be. She can decide if she wishes to interact with me in the future.
“Does that mean you wish to not be under me?”
“No, no, no. I was just saying, okay? I am actually enjoying myself.”
Hmph. I slap Melanie.
“Hey, what was that for?”
“I felt the need to put you in your place.”
“Hey, I’m okay with you slapping me but at least do it in private. Please?”
“Fine. Come, let us return.”
Tsk, she really is getting too comfortable with me. Although Sylvia is still the same as ever, still disappointing. Now, what should one prepare before getting kidnapped?