NOVEL NEXT Chapter 88 - Felix Alliance.
TN: Thank Nepper for the chapter.
In an old classroom in the academy’s old building.
Even in the academy, attended by nobles and talented commoners, there were so-called troublemakers.
In this old classroom in the rarely visited old building, typically used by such troublemakers, there were four girls who didn’t fit the place at all.
“Everyone has gathered.”
Ashillya Phillipe Hamen Urlas, the First Imperial Princess and Crown Princess, said to wield immense power second only to the Emperor.
“…Why did you call us?”
Sylvia Bersche, rumored to be the most beautiful first-year student in the academy, asked Ashillya in a displeased voice.
“I’m curious too. Why did you call ‘us’ all the way here?”
Pamela Jean Degrosis, the daughter of Marquis Degrosis, agreed with Sylvia’s words while crossing her arms.
“I kind of understand why we were called… but why am I…”
Helena Fell Degreff, Felix’s childhood friend, looked around with an expression that showed she had no idea why she was there.
The four women, each showcasing their unique charms, looked at each other and expressed their various emotions.
Among them, Ashillya, who had calmly sat in a chair and called the other three, slowly opened her mouth.
“The reason I called thee is simple.”
“…”
“‘Tis to hold a strategy meeting.”
“…A strategy meeting?”
At Ashillya’s sudden words, Helena blinked her eyes.
It was already strange that she had suddenly summoned them, but what Ashillya was saying was also odd. A strategy meeting out of nowhere?
It was strange to have a strategy meeting, but what on earth could these three have to discuss in a strategy meeting? As they looked at her with puzzlement, she smiled as if she had expected this reaction.
“Thou still lack a sense of crisis.”
“…It might be rude to say this, but I think everyone here considers Your Highness the most dangerous.”
Those excluding Ashillya nodded at Helena’s words.
No matter who said what, when it came to issues related to Felix, no one could be more dangerous than Ashillya.
“Well, ’tis fortunate that thou seem to understand what the problem is, to some extent.”
In fact, the only common point among those gathered here was Felix, excluding themselves.
As everyone appeared to understand why Ashillya had called them, she nodded silently and continued speaking.
“As I do, all gathered here consider each other rivals, do they not?”
“…”
“What’s the problem with that?”
Sylvia couldn’t say anything. She felt as if her inner thoughts of considering Helena her rival had been exposed.
Pamela, on the other hand, was rather bold. She looked at Ashillya haughtily with her arms crossed. Since this was the academy, Ashillya didn’t particularly point this out.
“‘Tis not the problem. The problem is that no matter how much we keep each other in check, nothing changes.”
“…Pardon?”
“Does anyone among thee have confidence in capturing Felix’s… his heart?”
“…”
What was Ashillya trying to say?
Everyone could only remain silent at her question. As if understanding the women’s hearts, she nodded.
“I know not how to speak indirectly, at least when it comes to love. However, even with my directness, I thought I could not completely capture his heart. Am I wrong?”
Indeed, it was so.
It was the same for Sylvia and Helena. They had tried going on dates and made great efforts to turn Felix’s heart, but he hadn’t even noticed their feelings.
“To be precise, he does not try to reveal his own heart. Or he might not even know it himself.”
“…So what are you trying to say…?”
At Sylvia’s cautious question, Ashillya curled up the corners of her mouth in a grin.
“I have no intention of avoiding fair competition with thee. However, there is something that should take precedence over competition.”
“Don’t tell me…”
“He has to recognize us as potential romantic partners. Only then can any of us capture his heart, can we not?”
If Felix were to hear this conversation, he would respond with a flustered expression.
He would say that all four of them were women far too charming for him. But separate from that, he doesn’t hold them in his heart.
Even if he sometimes wavers and his heart occasionally flutters, he doesn’t create a place for someone by his side.
Of course, stealing and occupying Felix’s heart is important, but what’s more important is ultimately making him recognize them as potential romantic partners.
To put it clearly, making someone fall in love.
“For that purpose, we need to form an alliance.”
There were already four of them.
And each one was no ordinary woman. These four were setting out with determination to shake the heart of one man.
At Ashillya’s words, Sylvia bit her lower lip and nodded. Pamela nodded with a displeased expression.
Only Helena remained silent, just looking at Ashillya.
“In other words, an alliance.”
While receiving Helena’s gaze, Ashillya smiled leisurely and extended her hand to them.
***
The so-called Felix Alliance decided to meet again later and began to disperse.
They would need to set rules and decide how to shake him, but Ashillya judged there was something more important right now.
As Pamela left first, and Sylvia, who had been looking worriedly at Helena who remained with Ashillya, also left, only Helena and Ashillya remained in the empty classroom of the old building.
“… I’ll pass.”
Helena bit her lower lip and looked at Ashillya as she spoke.
She no longer had romantic feelings for Felix. Even though she had realized Felix wasn’t Felix and had reconciled with him, that didn’t mean she liked him romantically.
Obviously, she had no reason to be part of this ridiculous alliance.
“Yes, I heard that something happened between thee and Felix.”
It wasn’t surprising that Ashillya had eyes and ears within the academy.
Moreover, it wasn’t surprising that they were attached to Felix’s side. Helena calmly nodded at Ashillya’s words.
“So, hast thou completely given up on him?”
“…Yes.”
Helena’s feelings remained unchanged. What she had loved was Felix, not Felix’s body.
Even after seeing Helena’s unwavering eyes, Ashillya just smiled.
“Truly?”
“Truly.”
“Well, from what I see, that’s not the case.”
“…Your Highness, just what…”
At Ashillya’s playful words, Helena unconsciously gritted her teeth and muttered.
“What do you know to say such things?”
What did she know about her relationship with Felix to speak like that?
Without knowing what thoughts she had, what kind of thoughts led to her decision, and what the situation was, that expression was smiling as if she knew everything.
Helena found it extremely displeasing.
“I know not what happened between thee and Felix.”
“Then why…!!”
“However.”
Ashillya’s voice still sounded amused. It was more than enough to provoke Helena.
Unable to control her emotions, Helena raised her voice, but Ashillya cut her off and slowly continued speaking.
“I do know that the look in thine eyes when thou gazest at him has not changed from before or after that incident.”
…What nonsense.
She wanted to say that it was nonsense.
But Helena couldn’t say anything, as if something was stuck in her throat.
“Just now, when thou were talking with the others, thou were no different from usual.”
“Of course. I have no feelings for Felix…”
“I mean that thou still had a look of jealousy in thine eyes.”
“…I.”
Helena couldn’t say anything.
Not because she was at a loss for words, but because she thought Ashillya’s words were simply absurd.
Seeing Helena like this, Ashillya smiled leisurely again and slowly stood up.
“If thou claim to have no feelings for Felix after that incident, I shall believe it.”
“…”
“Of course, if thou wish to opt out of this alliance, I won’t force thee to join.”
“…”
“So think carefully. Ask thyself. Whether thy heart has truly changed.”
Helena didn’t give any answer to Ashillya’s question.
She just kept her head down, quietly pondering Ashillya’s words.
Until now, she had been certain. That she no longer liked Felix.
But the more she listened to Ashillya’s words, the less she could easily be sure of her own feelings. She should clearly say no.
But she couldn’t say no.
Even after Ashillya left, Helena continued to think quietly.