The Gloomy and Timid Princess Heads to the Academy

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Recently, the topic of gossip that has emerged in the academy is indeed about 호연.

The power struggle between the Crown Prince of the Empire and the Southern Duke, a suspicious meeting between 스테파니아 and a first-year student, and the unverified rumor that physical education will be conducted practically during the midterms.

While this was enough to pique 카밀라’s interest, it was still not as compelling as the rumors surrounding 호연. Most notably, the knight order that had been captured by her bodyguards was in fact her family’s direct knight order, adding to her concern.

On the day of that incident, 카밀라 had to sit at the negotiation table herself because her father, the head of the family, was away on other business.

If I were to summarize 카밀라’s first impression of 호연 in one word, it would be “predator.” A beast that stands above others as if it’s only natural, showing no interest whatsoever in those below.

To put it simply, there were no casualties or property losses. Only the prestige of 카밀라’s family had taken a slight hit.

Considering other regions reported horrifying rumors of being robbed of food or having their gates breached, the outcome was relatively good.

However, the wounded girl’s pride was not so fortunate. It would have been one thing if she had been openly scorned, but 호연 had treated her with perfect indifference.

Having never once been treated as if she were “nothing” throughout her life, the mental shock was simply overwhelming.

Thus, she wanted to confirm with her own eyes whether what she had heard was true.

What was the reality behind the rumor that 호연 was seen with some man?

Just how remarkable of a guy could bring out interest from someone who had been indifferent to her? 카밀라 was determined to find out.

Surely, he must be at least a prince or a duke. That was her expectation.

Having been the one to inform 아나스타시야 about the location of 호연’s room, she stood at the entrance to building 4, glaring fiercely at the crowd coming out.

With rare black hair interspersed amidst his white locks, there was no way she wouldn’t recognize him, given that he was a mixed-breed.

After an entire hour of surveillance, it would have been tiring, but she was too determined to let up.

When the thought crossed her mind to charge in if he didn’t come out soon, she finally spotted 호연.

As the rumors suggested, he was indeed next to a man. Since this was someone that could catch 호연’s interest, it was obvious she had to know him.

She did know him. They had exchanged words in person, but he wasn’t the person she had hoped for.

Though she didn’t know his name, there he stood, that audacious guy who dared to hold the hand of the beloved 엑시프리 while standing next to 호연.

It was infuriating, and she even did some background checks, but aside from being a commoner, he had no particular points of interest. He was truly the epitome of boredom.

Why was he next to her?

As questions filled her mind, 카밀라 saw the two facing each other and speaking.

At that sight, all other thoughts vanished from her mind.

While she could not restore her own prestige that had been wounded, at the very least, she could inflict the same wound upon 호연.

That was the only thought occupying her mind.

Filled with malice towards 호연, 카밀라’s heart was already crafting a tale.

A story about a girl of royal status dreaming of a forbidden love with a commoner. Whether it was true or false didn’t matter.

Whatever the case, it was bound to cause her trouble.

She felt no guilt whatsoever. If anything, she was the victim, and the commoner over there had the audacity to hold hands with 엑시프리.

Thinking about the annoying things she would put her through, an evil smile crept onto 카밀라’s face as she left.

—

For some reason, a girl I had never seen before was staring at me with a tremendous intensity. Who is she? I had no idea at all.

After a chilling smile, she disappeared right away, leaving me wondering what on earth that was all about. It seemed 도건 wasn’t even aware of it.

“Um, if you don’t mind me asking, when did you start hearing us…?”

Judging by the way they asked, it was pretty clear. Well, if they asked when I first heard it…

I had heard everything since the moment I entered the room. I heard the sounds of showering and even her humming to herself.

While I couldn’t hear sounds from other rooms, the noise from 도건’s room was extraordinarily clear.

“When did I start hearing it? Since the first day. The snoring was quite a spectacle.”

“…I see. I will be more careful.”

Saying that only made things uncomfortable for me. It was as if I were saying they had to keep things quiet in their own space just because of me.

It wasn’t unbearable noise, and I wondered if I shouldn’t have said anything.

“It’s fine. It’s not to the point where I can’t bear it. Anyway, can you hear anything from your room?”

If I could hear the sounds of them showering, then I should definitely hear the sounds from their room. When that thought struck me, I felt a wave of guilt wash over me.

Because 도건 hadn’t said anything about the noise coming from my room, it felt as if I was being inconsiderate.

“No, I couldn’t hear anything at all.”

The look on their face clearly said they could hear everything but were being nice by saying they couldn’t. No matter how I thought about it, there was clearly a thin wall separating the two rooms in this large space.

I had thought they were well off, but here they were cutting corners. As expected from an educational institution, it seemed someone was skimming money from somewhere.

There was always one such person in high school and university. People’s thoughts are so unimaginably similar.

But that’s that. Now that I knew I had been being overly sensitive, I really needed to do something for them.

I had the feeling these occurrences would keep happening, so I considered creating a wish ticket.

Wait, do friends even need wish tickets?

Regardless of whether 도건 needed one or not, I was incredibly free, so it didn’t sound bad to just go along with whatever he wanted.

It aligned with my purpose for being here too. Originally, I planned to watch what he did, but it would probably be more enjoyable to just participate alongside him.

Besides, I knew he would definitely be busy later meeting with the girls and wouldn’t have time for me, so I wanted to spend as much time as I could with him while I had the chance.

But how should I frame this?

Given that he had already declared I wouldn’t disturb him, I couldn’t really say I was sorry for being noisy.

He had said he couldn’t hear me. If I were to say sorry for making noise, it would be disregarding his comment.

Was there any good excuse…?

…

If there’s no excuse, can’t I just make one?

I could annoy him on purpose during class time and then say sorry while asking if I could ask him for favors from now on.

That felt a bit forced, but I didn’t think 도건 would reject me.

After all, it wouldn’t be a loss for him, and given how lonely he seemed, he would definitely be hoping for someone to be by his side.

I just thought that later he would end up with too many people wanting to be by his side.

“Well, if that’s the case, then it’s settled. Let’s go.”

“Yes!”

On the first day, I had felt sad seeing people avoid me like the plague, but now I was actually starting to feel comfortable.

It was much better than having someone bump into me without realizing I was there and passing by without a word of apology.

Even though it was just one friend, I felt my mindset changing positively.

So that’s why people talk about friends. The thought of how I had lived my life losing out on more than half of it made me chuckle.

The morning assembly passed like clouds drifting without necessitating any particular focus on announcements, finally allowing me to start being active during math class, right before lunch.

도건 was focused on class.

He was scribbling something that resembled equations all over his notes, so he was likely deeply engaged. I couldn’t really read his handwriting, but he seemed into it.

In contrast, I couldn’t focus at all. I had already learned and understood this math subject.

The liberal arts and history from the previous classes were totally worthless.

It was laughable how subjects that could be memorized in a week before a test were considered more important than math.

Where did they get off saying they could surpass math in memorization?

Anyway. I hesitated for a moment about whether it was okay for me to interrupt someone who was so focused.

However, since he was so concentrated, it was a perfect excuse to bother him in this way. Just poking him with my tail would feel a bit too mild for the matter at hand.

Ugh.

I intentionally brushed the back of my legs against his. The response was stronger than I expected, but in the end, it was for 도건’s own good, so I wasn’t about to hesitate.

Anything he missed from being bullied, I could catch him up on later. I had done my fair share of tutoring after all.

Although my students were usually unmotivated and my results weren’t great, seeing 도건’s enthusiasm made me think he’d absorb everything I taught him.

This guy, now that I think about it, is truly the embodiment of hypocrisy. He’s popular, excessively eager to learn, and charming with the ladies—everything fits perfectly.

…Life isn’t fair.

With a hint of indignation, I kept poking him with my tail. After dozens of pokes, he finally called my name in a hurry, asking me to stop, but I had no intention of stopping.

Ultimately, it was only when class was over that he was freed from my tail’s grasp.

I wondered if I had gone a bit overboard due to my emotions, but it seemed just about right.

He was looking at me as if questioning what sort of grudge I had against him.