[3rd Person POV]
"First of all, on behalf of the royal academy's student council, I would like to give our sincerest congratulations to everyone here for your enrollment into our kingdom's very own Royal Academy..."
Standing to the side of the stage, behind the curtains, Alterisa watched silently as Alexus gave his speech as the student council president.
She peeked out from behind the curtains, and as she expected, girls were staring at him in a daze, especially the freshmen.
"Hm... But it's less than I thought it'd be..."
She looked around, up to the balconies as well, and noticed there were much less girls being lovestruck than she expected, considering how much attention he was getting when they arrived.
"Is it because they're used to him...?"
Given he had spent a year in the academy, most of the students might've already gotten used to him, or at the very least, wouldn't fall into a daze at the mere sight of him.
"...I wish all of you the best for these upcoming years. Thank you."
Alterisa fell out of her own thoughts at the resounding applause from the audience. And when she turned her gaze back towards the stage, she saw Alexus walking towards her with his usual smile.
"Welcome back. You were amazing."
"Thank you. It's your turn next. Good luck. I will be watching."
"Mm. Thank you."
Alterisa nodded and took a deep breath.
Although she wasn't a bad student in her previous life, she had never become a student representative. But fortunately, she had given speeches before for her business, and the confidence she had built up helped her calm down significantly.
It will be fine, Risa. It's a stage. Your stage. It's time to show them the might of the Drama Club's Prince!!!
Alexus felt his lips curling into a loving smile as he watched his beloved Risa calm herself down from nervousness.
But, just as he was about to offer some more encouraging words, he felt the air around her changed along with her expression.
His heart skipped a beat. His eyes widened into saucers as his gaze kept following her as she walked past him and onto the stage.
Ah... She's incredible...
Alexus sighed inwardly as he watched her figure stride forward, each step filled with elegance, gracefulness, and pride.
He was so used to having seen her act in a spontaneous, excitable, and adorable manner that he almost forgot that it was a privilege to see that side of her.
To the public, his beloved Risa was the epitome of grace, elegance, nobility, excellence, and beauty. And he was reminded once more the moment her expression changed.
"Incredible, wasn't it? It's like there's a switch within her that completely changed her personality."
Alexus turned behind him and saw his closest confidant, Lucas, watching his sister's figure walk forward with a proud smile.
"It was. But this will attract even more insects towards her..."
He sighed, and turned to look at the audience, who was already mesmerized at the mere sight of her.
"She's already attracting them like a flame just by being here. It didn't make that much of a difference."
"Hah... You're right..."
Time seemed to stop the moment she entered the stage. The clicking of her heels could be heard echoing in the silenced hall as she made her way behind the podium with light, elegant steps, filled with endless grace and poise.
As if a Goddess had descended upon the mortal world, no one was capable of making a noise as they simply gazed upon her figure in awe and reverence.
And the moment she arrived behind the podium, turned towards the crowd, and smiled, they felt something burst from within their hearts as a massive wave of ecstasy washed over their entire being.
"On this beautiful spring morning, I feel extremely elated to be welcomed as a student of our kingdom's beloved and prestigious royal academy, who has helped promising young ladies and gentlemen to shine and spread their wings and grow as pillars of this kingdom..."
The soothing, bell-like voice sounded like a heavenly hymn that washed over their mind and spirit. Every one of her words seeped deeply into their hearts and enveloped their entire being in warmth, just like a mother's sincere wishes and embrace.
It wasn't only her appearance, but the natural charisma she emanated and the sincerity in her words made those who had admired her fell even more in love with her, while those who were apprehensive and skeptical became filled with new-found admiration.
"...I wish, from the bottom of my heart, that we could spend these irreplaceable three years of our lives together in happiness as comrades, rivals, and friends, and build a bond that will last long even after our graduation in the future. Thank you."
The silence persisted for a few moments after her bow, before the entire hall burst into a resounding, loud sound of applause that lasted even after her figure disappeared from the stage.
Every student, staff, teacher, and even the principal, applauded for her. All except for one who was clenching her teeth and digging her fingers into her skirt. Her entire body trembled in absolute fury that was reflected in her eyes as she glared at the Goddess-like figure.
Upon arriving off stage, she was welcomed by Alexus, Lucas, and three other students she had never seen before.
"You did so well, Risa. You were amazing."
"You were. They're applauding you even louder than Alexus. You're the first person to have ever done that."
The sight of Alexus and her brother blew away all the tension and nervousness she had been accumulating like a gentle breeze in spring. She could feel the weight dissipating from her heart as they smiled at her.
"Thank you. But that's only natural, isn't it?"
She giggled and winked playfully towards the two, and heard a gasp from one of the two female students standing behind them.
Alterisa shifted her attention towards them and looked at them for a moment.
Hm? Why do I feel like I've seen them before...
The girl who gasped was a beautiful, boyish-looking girl with a beautiful, short, brown hair and cheerfulness exuding from her entire being. With but a glance, Alterisa knew that she was a young lady from a noble household, but as someone trained in combat, she could notice her fairly trained physique.
Compared to regular noble ladies, her muscles were fairly developed, especially her thighs, legs, and calves. Though, judging by how slight it was, Alterisa guess she had just started her training one or two years ago at most. If she wasn't familiar with a human's physique, then she wouldn't even recognize that she was trained in some sort of sports or combat.
On the other hand, the girl beside her appeared like the very manifestation of the "sheltered and weak noble lady" type. Her beautiful, long, and wavy golden hair flowed down gracefully to her waist as she stood there silently with an ever-present smile, her emerald eyes looking at Alterisa with a gaze full of curiosity and recognition.
And lastly, the male... Or at least Alterisa assumed so judging by the fact that "he" was wearing the male uniform, was a cute boy, barely reaching her shoulder in height, with curly brown hair and a pair of beautiful teal eyes. He seemed... nervous and shy, but not one stemming from embarrassment that Alterisa was far too familiar with, but one of anxiousness.
Ooooh... A tomboy, a sheltered ojou-sama, and a shota... What a combination of people...
Alterisa commented in her mind before she smiled and curtsied gracefully. Even though she didn't know who they were, just the fact that they're standing here off stage meant that they're not freshmen. So she should greet them with respect.
"It is a pleasure to meet everyone. My name is Alterisa von Lorya. May I have the pleasure of being your acquaintance?"
The boyish girl's grin widened and the sheltered noble lady's smile widened as well. Even the shy and nervous boy managed to look at her in the eyes and hold his gaze for a while.
"Ah... That's right... Risa, these are the current members of the student council. They... asked me to introduce them to you."
Eh?! The student council?! They are?!
In "Lovely Happenings", members of the student council were almost never talked about aside from Alexus and Lucas, who were capture targets. Their existence in the story felt like a tool the story writers used to do all the student council's responsibilities so Alexus or Lucas could go and play around with the heroine...
Alterisa doubt they're names are even mentioned, only having been referred to as the "other Student Council members". So even though she knew of their existence, Alterisa never knew about them as individuals.
"Geez! What's with the lousy introduction, your highness?!"
The boyish girl rested her hands on her hips and pouted at Alexus, who only sighed tiredly in response.
But her pout quickly returned into a wide smile as she turned towards Alterisa and greeted her with a curtsy.
"It is an honor to meet you, Lady Lorya! My name is Elyria von Lionne! Member of the student council in charge of foreign relations! Please call me Ely! I've been a fan of you and Eden since it opened!!!"
Then, the "sheltered" noble lady also curtsied and introduced herself to Alterisa.
"It is a pleasure to meet you as well, Lady Lorya. My name is Yulia von Callaway, treasurer of the student council. My family and I have always been a loyal customer to your "Eden" as well."
And lastly, scuttering quickly towards Alterisa and standing beside Yulia, the shota lowered his head into an elegant bow with his right hand over his heart and his left hand behind him.
"I-It is a pleasure to meet you, L-Lady Lorya. M-My name is Cleo von Temult, s-secretary of the student council! M-My family, especially my little sister and mother, have always been in love with all the products from "Eden"!"
Aaaaah! So they're from Lionne, Callaway, and the Temult household! They're family has been one of the most loyal noble families to Eden!!!
Alterisa's eyes widened in recognition. She had always kept a list of noble family names who shop in "Eden", and those three names have always been in her list since she opened her business!
Laura was even acquainted with Lady Callaway and Lady Temult themselves since they often came to the shop! Alterisa had also met them on occasions in a banquet or a tea party, though she never seen their children.
"It is truly a pleasure to be your acquaintance~ Eden and I have always been grateful for all of your family's loyal support since our very beginning~ Thank you very much~"
I'll definitely prepare a super special gift basket for all of them!!! Loyal customers must be rewarded for their loyalty, especially if they're friends!!!
"Hehehe~ You're even more beautiful in person~ His highness here has been boasting about you every chance he gets, but now I can see why he did~ I would also boast about you if you're my fiance~"
"Uhn~ I agree with Ely~"
"Oh my~ Thank you very much~ I feel very happy to receive such a compliment from such beautiful ladies~"
Alterisa smiled brightly, and all three members of the student council immediately froze at the sight of her brilliance.
And when they snapped out of it, Elyria walked towards Alexus and put a hand on his shoulder with a pitying smile.
"Aaahh... Well... Good luck, your highness... The road is steep, but... I wish you the best."
"Hah... We'll do our best to help you, so make sure you spend more time with her, your highness. Or else..."
"U-Uhn! W-We'll support you, your highness! Do your best!"
"...Your concerns are... No, I'll accept them. Thank you..."
Alexus's lips twitched for a moment, before she sighed helplessly and accepted their words of... encouragement and comfort.
Meanwhile, Alterisa tilted her head, looking at the four's interaction as well as her brother, who was giggling, in confusion.
What's with the sudden change in atmosphere...? Did I do something...?
She wondered, as the matriculation ceremony continued until the afternoon.
AN: I hope you guys enjoy this chapter~! Please vote and comment your thoughts~!