2. moving story
"The holy maiden makes stars fall in the night sky", commonly known as "Otoshi".
A story about a young girl who receives the blessing of the stars and becomes the daughter of a baron, who in the end becomes the Crown Princess because of her beauty and innocence.
The plot itself is familiar. There have been countless similar novels, though they have changed with the times.
The novelty of this novel is that the heroine is finally married to the crown prince, who is the highest-ranking unmarried man, and the crown prince in the story is the actual crown prince, in other words, he looks a lot like me. A girl who looks just like Elizabeth appears as the fiancée of the crown prince.
With just this gimmick, both nobles and non-nobles seemed to feel that it was equipped with a reality not found in other novels. That was the reason for the stupid selling.
……head hurts.
By the way, the author himself seems to have understood that this constitutes a crime of blasphemy and insult. As a result of having Harold investigate secretly, the author's name written in the book was a pseudonym, and even when I inquired with the publisher, he was completely unaware of it.
Well, just ignore this. Rather, I could have used the silly novel as an excuse to show off that I and Elizabeth were not estranged.
What didn't happen was――
"Miss Ulysse Merryfield!"
A voice from outside called out the name of the person I was thinking of right now, and I raised my head.
When I peered into the garden downstairs from the window, there was probably the most famous person in the school right now-Miss Ulysse, standing surrounded by several female students.
While Miss Ulysses' dress is modest, the other ladies are extravagant with embroidery and lace. They are probably daughters of a rank higher than Earl.
"Aren't you getting too carried away?"
"How heartless rumors hurt Elizabeth-sama's heart..."
“But did you ask Elizabeth-sama to sit cross-legged and introduce you to His Highness Vincent?”
When my name comes up, my heart throbs.
When I looked at Harold, he quietly hid himself from the window. They didn't realize that Harold and I were in this classroom.
Don't approach danger. It's best to pretend you didn't hear anything about this.
However, Miss Ulysse stopped me when I was about to leave the classroom.
"No, I just want to enjoy the coincidence of novels together..."
Hoho, do you think this woman, Elizabeth or I, would enjoy that novel?
Harold scolded me for my twitching eyebrows. She had a look in her eyes that told her not to speak. That means that I have a face that seems to forget me and start screaming. Just like Harold doesn't say useless things, he doesn't do meaningless actions.
Well, I guess so.
Because the reason why I'm having nightmares and worrying so much is because of Miss Ulysses.
Miss Ulysse had a wealthy merchant mother and a father who was the head of the Baron Merryfield family, and grew up as a commoner when she was young. Her straightforward personality creates her charming look. And she has deep indigo hair that reminds me of the night sky, and her eyes.
Her characteristics were exactly the same as the main character of "Otsusei".
Unlike my or Elizabeth's intentional resemblance, this match of Miss Ulysses must have been purely accidental. Aristocrats who have mistresses are commonplace, and their hair and eye colors are not outrageously rare.
But most people didn't think so.
With three major characters from blockbuster novels appearing in our generation (they were the author's intentions, so it's only natural), I'm sure there will be some kind of exciting romance unfolding. , It was the expectation of nobles who love rumors of others.
...and what happened?
As expected, Elizabeth began to avoid contact. Regardless of me or Miss Ulysse, her policy seems to be to end her school life peacefully.
My heart, which had waited for an opportunity to close the distance with her in the same school building, was shattered in an instant.
At lunchtime, when I met Elizabeth and Miss Ulysses in the hall, Elizabeth gave a light nod and hurriedly disappeared into her friends' daughters. Of course, a man alone can't break in like that, so I go get some food.
And when I pass by Miss Ulysse, I want to punch her whenever the people around me look at me with fidgety, expectant eyes.
Idiot! ! ! There's no reason for me to talk to you! ! !
For the time being, Miss Ulysse seems to know that it is rude to suddenly talk to the crown prince as a baron's daughter, and if she continues to ignore his gaze, she will disappear somewhere.
But that's enough to irritate me.
Because if it was true, me and Elizabeth were supposed to have a meal while talking about the state of the morning class. This is a fact, not an illusion, Harold.
With that in mind, judging from the lines of the daughters, Miss Ulysse seems to have requested Elizabeth to introduce me.
…… Shall I punch you?
"Did you hear what I just said!? Lady Elizabeth is hurting you!"
“His Highness the Crown Prince is Elizabeth-sama’s fiancé! Why would I want to introduce him to someone like you!!”
Hmm, right.
But you too, please understand Elizabeth's desire to leave her alone. She should have just shut up and ignored it, but by doing so, Elizabeth would be at a disadvantage. Perhaps they are also in a delicate position to want a connection with the Duke's daughter.
"I-I don't think so... I don't mean to."
Miss Ulysses' voice began to tremble. I can hear her sniffling. She could hear the ladies gasping, which she did not expect to cry.
Ahh, I held my head.
Aristocrats are generally expected not to show their emotions in public. Of course, he smiles, but he never reveals his heartfelt joy unprotected. So does anger and sadness. Even if I convey such changes in emotions with pompous words that seem to be unpleasant, I do not show it on my face. Like the ladies from earlier.
In particular, the act of shedding tears indicates that you have lost to your opponent.
Aristocrats would never cry in public—unless they were from commoners and hadn't received such an education on a regular basis.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry... I'm like that..."
Seeing Miss Ulysse repeatedly apologizing with tears in her eyes, the young ladies seemed to feel awkward when they realized that she had become a complete villain.
However, it is too late to encourage her with kind words. The only way left for them is to leave quietly.
As I sighed, I heard the sound of rushed footsteps.
"What are you guys doing!?"
"Ahh--……"
When I groaned at the dashing voice that rushed in, Harold's sharp gaze pierced me.
I wave my hand saying that it's fine. Why can't anyone hear me?
The man who suddenly appeared was questioning the situation in a loud voice unsuitable for nobles, and my voice was drowned out.
This voice is Edward Norden. I'm sure this will make things even more complicated.
Apparently, even if I and Elizabeth stayed still, things seemed to move.