𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐩-𝐤𝐮𝐧
The atmosphere inside the school was somewhat relaxed, knowing it was a safe place.
Even if the enemy were to find out where we are, that’s still a ways off. Being constantly on edge will eventually take its toll. I hope everyone can take it easy for today.
Miss Maid seemed to agree, gently speaking as she prepared the tea.
ㅤ
“Please take the rest of the day off. We’ll get moving again tomorrow.”
“Indeed. We’ll be taking more serious actions starting tomorrow. Everyone should rest up today.”
ㅤ
Roa-sama pressed her temples. She must have been up and about since yesterday without any sleep.
Roa-sama’s gaze met mine as she listlessly pulled her hand away.
ㅤ
“Miss Norchev, is there anything you desire? If you manage to obtain evidence against the rebels, you should expect a suitable reward. Please think it over.”
ㅤ
I hesitated to say it was premature.
. . .Roa-sama is serious.He’s determined to round up the rebels. There’s no ‘if we don’t capture them’ in his vocabulary.
ㅤ
“Miss Norchev might not come up with something immediately.”
“No, there is something.”
ㅤ
It’s strange that everyone is surprised. Even I have my wants.
ㅤ
“I know it might be a bold request, but. . .”
“Please, don’t hold back.”
“. . .Ever since I joined the knights, there’s been something supporting me. Being able to continue cooking alone in the knights’ quarters is because someone has been by my side. . . It’s something I’ve always wanted.”
ㅤ
It’s a golden opportunity, and I can’t miss expressing my wish, no matter how brazen.
ㅤ
“I want Prep-kun and Cooker-kun from the Fourth Knight Order! I’m terribly sorry, but I can’t pay it all at once, so I’ll need a loan!”
ㅤ
I might be frowned upon for desiring equipment from the Order.
But if I make some sort of contribution against the rebels, it shouldn’t be disrespectful!
ㅤ
I bowed my head energetically but received no response. When I raised my face, for some reason, everyone was looking down, crestfallen.
ㅤ
“Was it disrespectful after all. . .?”
“No, it’s not that. It’s not disrespectful.”
“Then why, Roa-sama, are you looking so down. . .?”
ㅤ
Beside Roa-sama, Rolf sank into the sofa.
ㅤ
“I understand. I was foolish to even have a little hope. But raising our hopes and then disappointing us, Alice, you’re quite the wicked woman.”
“Ah, I’m wicked? I apologize. . .?”
“No, Alice isn’t wicked. I was wrong. I apologize. It’s my fault.”
“Did I say something different from what everyone was expecting of me?”
ㅤ
As I moved to approach the increasingly downcast Rolf, Edgardo stopped me.
ㅤ
“Miss Alice is not at fault. This is our problem. We were wrong to have undue expectations.”
“Edgardo-sama, I will change my wish.”
ㅤ
Rene stood up.
ㅤ
“That’s why it’s okay to stick with your current wish! Alice hasn’t done anything wrong, so relax!”
“But Rene-sama, everyone. . .”
“It’s fine, Alice. To put it simply, it’s like Alice spun a lucky draw and everyone’s disappointed because they didn’t get what they wanted. Alice is not at fault.”
“If I’m the one spinning the lucky draw, am I not the one at fault. . .?”
“You’re not at fault, I told you!”
ㅤ
Arthur gently smiled as he placed his hand on Rene’s shoulder, who was shaking his head.
ㅤ
“Everyone is just down about the results. So, please don’t worry about it, Miss Norchev.”
“Is Arthur-sama also feeling down?”
“A little. I’m surprised at myself for feeling this way. . .but a part of me is also excited.”
ㅤ
Is it my fault after all?
Flustered, Miss Maid promptly stepped forward.
ㅤ
“I apologize for speaking out of turn. The reward Alice-sama desires for capturing the anti-royalists is too modest. It could even be taken as an insult to His Majesty if you don’t wish for something befitting.”
“To me, Prep-kun and Cooker-kun are very important. From the day before the first day, I had to suddenly prepare meals. Without Prep-kun, I couldn’t have managed. They have been a great emotional support.”
ㅤ
What Miss Maid says is true, but they are very important to me.
ㅤ
“I can’t think of anything else right now. . .oh, could I request shoes where the heels are weapons? At the Founding Festival party, when I saw Rene-sama and the anti-royalists, I had no means to attack. I was thinking of attacking with the heel of my shoes at that time.”
“You were thinking of that?!”
“Yes. Rene-sama would have tried to protect me, but running away wouldn’t have changed anything. The best scenario was for Rene-sama to run away while I held them off, so that he could inform those who needed to know.”
“What would happen to you, Alice!”
“It would have been the same if I ran away. It might have even made things worse. So, I want shoes that can be used as a weapon. Preferably ones that can gouge out an enemy’s eyes.”
“. . .What is that?”
ㅤ
Rene laughed.
ㅤ
“Back then, I was thinking about how to get out of that situation, and how to escape with Alice.”
“A lady protecting a knight is also acceptable, don’t you think?”
“. . .Alice really never does what I expect.”
ㅤ
Rene’s smile was fleeting, beautiful, and transparent. His face, as beautiful as any young lady’s, soon turned grim.
ㅤ
“The best thing to do in such situations is to run away as fast as you can! They could easily restrain Alice! The best thing is to run away without getting in the way!”
“Y, Yes.”
“Alright! But, just in case you get caught, maybe having something in the heel to cut ropes could be good. After all, knights want to protect their ladies.”
“Understood.”
ㅤ
Rene nodded in satisfaction.
ㅤ
“I’m hungry. Before we rest, I want to eat Alice’s cooking, it’s been a while.”
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