Kays Translations

Chapter 9: Check

The day after I got into trouble with the Crown Princess candidate: ──── As Bianca-sensei had said, today was the start of test week and classes ended in the morning.

Just like yesterday, I was going to accompany His Highness Grayson to the training grounds to practice.

Today, I had learned my lesson from yesterday and had changed into the school's designated knight's uniform.

This way, I could move around easily and not have to worry about my underwear showing. I can go along with the training without any hesitation.

It seems that yesterday's incident didn't spread, thanks to the fact that the people involved kept their mouths shut, so I guess we can rest easy for now. I was afraid that Clarissa-sama, the mastermind behind the incident might start talking about it, but I didn’t have to worry about that. Well, if you give out information that is not confirmed, and I, the victim, deny it, there is nothing you can do. I guess she took that into consideration.

In a different sense from my straight forward sister, I sighed while thinking of Clarissa-sama who was too careful.

In a depressed mood, I ducked through the upstairs corridor and turned the corner of the building to see a familiar red hair.

The person smiled with her arms crossed, as if she was waiting for me.

When I sensed a hint of trouble, I couldn't help but feel the urge to run for my life... I couldn't turn back on my heels here, so I managed to endure..

"Good day to you──── Clarissa-sama......."

As I ran into Clarissa-sama, I wondered what she wants to say after trying to cause problems.

I managed to raise my twitching cheeks and smile.

The training ground was just around the corner, but I couldn't move forward because of the obstacle named Clarissa.

I didn't expect her to come into contact with me so quickly. ......

"Fufufu. How do you do, Charlotte-san? I haven't seen you since yesterday."

“You’re right...... By the way, why are you here, Clarissa-sama?”

I asked Clarissa, who greeted me with a smile, an obvious question.

There were only a few reasons why a duchess who didn't seem to have anything to do with the training grounds would waste her important test week to come here.

“I came here because I wanted to ask you something. I'm sorry to have ambushed you. I hope I didn't bother you.”

"No...... It’s fine."

The answer came back as expected and I couldn't honestly say It's so annoying! I shook my head left and right.

To be honest, I would like to ask to let me leave now, but ...... I held back.

“So, what is it you want to ask me?"

So, let's just get this over with! I'm going to get to the point.

As I waited for an answer, Clarissa-sama gave me a melancholy look.

“In fact, I couldn't help but wonder about yesterday's incident and when I peeked into the first grade classroom this morning, I saw that the kids from yesterday were attending school normally, so I wondered if something had happened.....”

Did you get threatened and cover up the incident? Her gaze seems to ask and I let out a sigh.

I can't help but worry! I wasn’t sure how much I should tell her.

I could tell her that it's a matter of confidentiality, but I don't think that would satisfy her.

In the worst case scenario, she might go directly to Emilia-sama's cronies and ask them about the situation.

I've made my peace with them, but I don't know when they'll go off the rails again and I don't want them near me if I can help it.

“Yes. Clarissa-sama has done a lot for me and I'll tell you about it specially. However, please do not tell anyone about this."

I press my index finger to my lips, wink and raise the corners of my mouth.

Clarissa-sama nodded with a smile and I began to explain briefly.

“I'm not going to go into the reasons, but it turns out that the letter was not from my sister Scarlett. It was probably planted by a third party who was trying to entrap her. I think the three of them were also instigated by that third party. So, yesterday's incident is at my ......"

I purposely cut off my words there and grabbed my hand meaningfully.

I gestured to her and smiled while making a squeezing gesture.

Lady Clarissa frowned for a moment as I told her that I had buried everything in the dark. However, she quickly mended her smile.

"Oh, I see. I'm sorry to hear that. I'm glad you noticed something before it became a big problem.”

"Fufufu. That's right. I'm really glad. If it had become a problem, I would have thoroughly hunted down the mastermind in order to protect my family's honor.”

Clarissa-sama wiggled her eyebrows at the remark that was meant to be a check.

I'm certain she's annoyed at being told in a roundabout way ...... that I've given her a special pass this time and that too from the top down.

Her expression was a smile, but the aura she wore was tense.

I guess I was a little too aggressive. I didn't mean to offend her.... I should have chosen my words a little better.

I coughed once while thinking “Oh no” inwardly…

“I'll leave you to it. I have an appointment with His Highness Grayson. Have a good day, Clarissa-sama."

I bowed with my hand on my left breast, smiled affectionately and hurriedly left the place.

“Let's have tea sometime.”

I pretended not to hear her when she called out to me from behind.

Tea with Clarissa-sama is absolutely impossible! I have a feeling it will be very disturbing! Well, it's my fault for making her angry! But I knew if I didn't keep her in check there, she would try something else! I definitely don't want to get caught up in the problems of a potential Crown Princess!

I shuddered at the thought of being involved in a battle between women.

It was summer, but the temperature around me seemed to have dropped drastically. Well, it's not really a mistake, because the temperature is actually regulated by magic....

Rubbing my arms with both hands, I thought to myself that I didn't want to get involved in the issue of the prospective Crown Princess again and continued on my way.

──── And when I reached the training ground, I found His Highness Grayson already there.

Perhaps he had the same idea as I did, because he was dressed in his knight's uniform and wielding his sword as he warmed up for practice.

Apparently, my late arrival had left him with too much time on his hands.

"I'm sorry, Your Highness! Thank you for waiting!"

As I ran quickly to approach His Highness Grayson, he stopped practicing for a moment.

He sheathed his beloved sword firmly and turned to face me.

“No, I'm fine. You've changed into your knight's uniform, Charlotte-san.”

“Yes, the normal uniform was a bit difficult to move in.”

I can't say that I didn't want to wear it because my underwear might show, so I slurred my words.

We got to know each other well enough to call ourselves friends, and as we conversed, we distanced ourselves a bit.

We stood at each other's starting position and pointed our palms at the other.

“So, let's start practicing magic like yesterday, shall we?”

“Yes, let’s do so.”

“I'm looking forward to working with you. Like yesterday, I'll leave the initiative to Your Highness."

When I urged him to do so at his leisure, He exhaled.

In front of him as he concentrates, I formulate my magic power so that I can respond at any time.

His Highness Grayson's growth rate is astounding and if I don't keep my guard up...... I’ll inadvertently lose my footing.

I told myself that, and as I became more cautious, His Highness Grayson deployed his water magic with word and spirit techniques.

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