Chapter 5: Things Don’t Always Go as Planned

The place, which could rival even the gardens of the Royal Palace, must surely be a haven for the students.

Flowers bloomed in circles, and in the center, several tables and chairs were set out.

During break times, surely many people must come here.

Patricia, who had been guided to such a place, expressed her thanks as she took a seat.

“This is a lovely place.”

“Flowers bloom here all year round. I’m not well-versed in such things, so I never imagined there would be blossoms even in winter. It would have been nice if my older sister had taken an interest in these things.”

“Her Highness Chloe prefers riding horses across the fields to looking at flowers.”

“She’s hopeless. With that attitude, she’ll never find a husband.”

Patricia gazed at Heine, who shrugged and shook his head in exasperation, with a touch of sadness in her eyes.

“…Straying from the path takes a great deal of courage.”

“The path?”

“The set path, the correct path. When one strays from them, their very worth is denied.”

“Well, if you pick the wrong path, then you’re just making a mistake. Isn’t that obvious?”

“I suppose so. …Even my being here right now is a mistake.”

“—Ah… so that’s what you mean.”

It seemed Heine had understood what Patricia was trying to say.

He looked away awkwardly, but then, as if something occurred to him, turned his eyes back toward her.

“Lady Frentia, why did you decide to stray from the path? From what I’ve heard from my sister, I never thought you’d be that kind of person.”

“Hey, don’t ask weird questions. Think about how Patty feels.”

“It’s all right, Clive. Thank you.”

Since she knew he was worried about her, she accepted his concern honestly.

Well, it was a topic everyone was curious about but found difficult to ask the person herself, so it couldn’t be helped.

But in truth, Patricia had no real resistance to talking about it.

“But where should I start…?”

“…If you’re okay with it, then fine. You know my brother was infatuated with a slave’s daughter, right?”

“Infatuated… Just say he fell in love. Are you an old man or something?”

It was only natural that she couldn’t help but laugh at that.

“What exactly happened at His Majesty the Emperor’s birthday celebration?”

“Well… She came to the Party Hall.”

“She… the slave girl? …Wait, what was the Crown Prince thinking?”

“Exactly. I tried to admonish him, but it was useless. And then he said he’d make her a Concubine, so I decided to end our engagement myself.”

That’s… Heine frowned at that.

He, too, understood the ins and outs of the royal family, so she didn’t need to go into every detail—which was a relief.

“Was she really such a wonderful woman? I’d like to meet her sometime.”

“She’s a charming woman.”

“Charming? That girl? A woman who flaunts her weakness, begs for protection, and clings so pathetically?”

“Clive, you’re letting your mask slip. You’d better keep quiet.”

“…………”

He fell silent as told, so he must have realized it himself.

“So, that girl is now a candidate to be the Crown Princess?”

“…………”

“…Oh?”

If only things were so simple, everyone would have far less trouble.

The truth was, Patricia didn’t really know what happened after that.

She’d only heard rumors.

One thing was certain: nothing had moved forward.

“That’s why my brother’s an idiot. He doesn’t understand himself at all. He never realized just how much those around him had supported him.”

What came to mind was a scene from childhood.

When she was summoned to the Royal Palace and met His Majesty the Emperor together with her father.

A maid entered, looking flustered, and recited her usual line.

Her father’s face grew stern. 

The Emperor seemed deep in thought.

Leaving them behind, Patricia ran. 

She headed to a certain room.

Inside was a spacious, well-kept place.

The marble floor gleamed, polished to a shine.

Portraits of the room’s owner adorned the walls, beside which stood beautiful flowers in intricately carved vases.

Patricia knew well that the large, fluffy bed was big enough for three adults to lie down on with room to spare.

Yes, she knew.

It was a memory from her childhood, but the grown Patricia knew what came after.

The curtains and bed, slashed to ribbons. 

Snow-white feathers scattered from thrown cushions, drifting down onto the now-dirty floor.

The flowers, broken and swept away with their water, and the vases shattered to pieces.

All of it, done by a single little boy.

“I did try to warn him. No matter how hard he tries, he’ll never become Empress. Bloodline is a factor, yes, but that’s not even the real issue.”

“So, you just can’t keep quiet, huh?”

“Impossible.”

“Seems every country has its troubles…”

As Heine gazed upward, looking utterly exhausted, the deep, resounding chime of a bell echoed through the air.

“Oh, looks like classes have ended.”

“If we try to show you around during break time, things will get troublesome, so let’s go meet the headmaster now.”

“Yes.”

Led by the two, Patricia headed toward the building.

Students, presumably just released from class, were streaming outside in their uniforms.

Seeing them, Patricia glanced at the two ahead.

They weren’t wearing uniforms. 

Or rather, it looked like they’d remade theirs.

“…”

Patricia’s own uniform, which she’d checked at home, was exactly the same as the female student who’d just passed by. 

Perhaps it was just another difference between the sexes.

When she tried to look at the uniforms again, she found herself making eye contact with people here and there.

She was being watched.

“…Lord Clive, what kind of person is the headmaster?”

“Hmm… Hard to pin down, but not a bad person. Not a good person either. He probably thinks he likes people, but really, I think what he likes is people who entertain him.”

“……I can sort of imagine what an eccentric he must be.”

“You’ll be fine, Patty. You handled yourself well among all the oddballs of Society.”

“You even managed to befriend my older sister. You’ll definitely be fine.”

“Thank you.”

She felt a slight unease about the headmaster, but for now, she looked sideways again.

“…”

At the very least, the stares weren’t friendly.

After talking with the two, the gazes grew even more intense, telling her all she needed to know.

She’d understood already, but it seemed these two were quite popular.

‘…How troublesome.’

The thought flickered for an instant, but Patricia shook her head to dispel it.

Even if she pretended not to notice out of inconvenience, the people around her would make a fuss and fan the flames anyway.

So there was only one correct answer here.

She glanced sideways and simply smiled back at the jealous faces looking her way.

That was enough.

If the fire was going to be fanned behind her back, it was far easier to pour on the fuel herself and keep it under control.

Sure enough, the stares from those who liked them grew heavier and more intense, but she paid it no mind.

She’d decided, ever since she chose to live as she pleased, that she wouldn’t hold herself back.