I didn't sleep well that night.
I was frustrated about what happened with Lionel. I hadn't thought further about why Lionel had distanced himself... but for it to be something big enough to change him that much...
I know that he has had his first kill and that he has been to war... but that on its own should not have been enough to make him act like that. Lionel had an incredibly sturdy mind that bounces back fast. I have used killing intent on him many times just to make him quiver... but he has always bounced back as if he doesn't care at all.
Could that man full of willpower really have broken? His family has always dealt with war... his father should have properly prepared him for the horrors of war... even the ordeal with the stepmother should have prepared him... and even if he had taken the first meeting with war badly... they should have methods of dealing with it... Furthermore, though he's been avoiding me, it never seemed like he was doing bad in any other contexts.
I'm confused.
I was certain he would have turned out differently since all his brothers were alive. Even Bertram, who is working hard to become a knight worthy of entering the knight classes here along with Reynold.
I've no choice left but to blame the author of the book for now.
This morning Magdalin placed a plate of breaded fried fish on my plate along with the rest of my breakfast. But... when I asked her why she just gave me a little smile and went 'you looked as though you were in the mood for it'... she was right. I enjoy fish a lot... not too warm though...
Do I look a certain way when I want fish?
Either way, with that I have yet another day of possible lovey lovey events to deal with.
That is, if our Heroine is not too broken hearted from last night.
---*---
She was not...
Not at all.
It was like last night hadn't happened at all. She entered the room with a sparkly atmosphere that appeared to brighten the room. All except with the corner where Jesmaine was curling up, looking exhausted with worry.
I've done nothing to Jesmaine, just in case you were wondering.
Our foreigner students appear to have made little groups and seem to be comparing notes for the lessons today... though, it is a rather light day today.
The knight students have started their standard schedule, but the rest of us will have another short day, followed my so called 'free time' to socialize.
"William-sama!"
Our beloved Heroine draws the attention of the class as William enters the room. He jolts with surprise at the fluffy small being approaching him. Remember, he is used to someone like me being around.
"Yes, Miss Talwen?" He speaks out politely after gathering himself.
Claire looks a bit nervous for a moment before she finally speaks.
"I really wanted to tell you this... but... I was really touched by your speech at the introduction!"
She has gathered her hand in front of her and rubs her hands against each other. When she looks up at William, it is with admiration. I tinge of annoyance spreads through me at her cheerful behavior. She'd just have her heart crushed last night, was she not upon the other men too fast?
I shouldn't think about it. This wasn't a part of the novel either, so I have no reference as to what she may be thinking right now. Maybe she is really just declaring her admiration.
"I was really nervous about joining the Camellia Academy since I've never interacted with other nobles before... but your speech really cheered me up and gave me the courage to keep my head high. So... thank you." She gives him a bright and sweet smile. That smile that can only be given by the sweet and innocent heroine of these stories.
I'll admit, it is not my taste of novel... but the characters I admire would all be considered heroes. For I lived in a world of Heroes sacrificing themselves for the sake of peace. In comparison, one little cute girl that needs to be protected cannot compare.
William, on the other hand, appears charmed in but an instant.
"Thank you... if there are any troubles with your time here at the Academy I will help you the best I can... as the class representative..." Class representative... huh? What a pretty excuse. You just fell head first like an idiot. He brushes his black hair back nervously and tries a small nervous smile.
Of course, William's fan-girls aren't satisfied with this. He is quite competent at paper work, studying and negotiation after all. Not a bad catch either, if one likes that kind of man. A single phrase of flattery from a sweet looking girl and his integrity is gone. The enemies in my former life would've devoured that innocence and gotten him killed.
"You seem unhappy, Lily-chan."
Gilbert speaks from behind me.
"I merely haven't slept well," I respond calmly and took my eyes away from our beloved Heroine.
"Mmm is that so~?" He chimed happily.
I grumble quietly as a blonde haired figure moves past me down to the Heroine.
"C-Claire...... -c-chan..." It's Jesmaine. The girl that insisted we would never get along.
"C-could I please be your friend?!" Jesmaine stutters out while clenching her fists in her skirt and press her eyes shut firmly.
...I feel a bit betrayed right now. First thing you do when you see me is to denounce a relationship between us, and now you're begging for the Heroine's friendship?
"Eh? With me?" Yes, with you Claire. "B-but I am merely the daughter of a Baron..." Claire says nervously. At least understanding that the order of this was off.
"You don't want to?" Jesmaine asks her back and opens her eyes that are filled with tears and have immediately turned into puppy eyes... oi... Jesmaine... you are the fiancé to the prince of an enemy country! Show some dignity!
"T-that's not it! Of course I want to be your friend," Claire responds with a flowery smile.
Still... Jesmaine's friendship wasn't a part of the book... was it? I feel like a vaguely remember her description and her name... but I can't clearly remember where. Was she a minor character?
I shake off the thoughts about Jesmaine and bring the book for the class to the table... a creeping feeling of malice hits my back. It's not quite killing intent, but sometimes pure malice is worse. Did I make an enemy? I snap my head in the direction it came from and gaze intensely at my classmates and the people by the door... but the person is already gone... I don't recall making any direct enemies. Even yesterday non showed malice at my insults towards Helena. Helena herself was just annoyed as well...
I shake my head. If it comes down to tracking down bullies, it'll be a fun little party...
Still, it looks like William's first event with the Heroine went off flawlessly.
---*---
Lessons finished. With this I should be off for the rest of the day. The Heroine should be spending the rest of the day with Jesmaine and Helena without having anymore events. She technically did have an event with G-
"Lily-chaaaaan~"
Gilbert...
I take a deep breath and turn towards the annoying creature running up to me with the brightest smile he can muster. I made a promise to myself that I would not get anywhere near Gilbert's events, but apparently I must still deal with his 'presents'...
"I made you cookies, Lily-chan." He innocently holds out a little paper bag of cookies for me.
"As always, I do not intend on accepting gifts from any man but my fiance, Gilbert," I respond promptly and plainly. This is an everyday occurrence whenever Gilbert is around.
I don't actually know if he makes the cookies himself or not, but at this point nothing would surprise me. Gilbert in the book had no interest in cooking and merely expressed his worry about taking over his household though he didn't want to... but the current Gilbert appears to have too much fun torturing me with food and drink offerings to have such worries. In fact, the reputation he had in the book for being a womanizer and a lazy rascal is no where to be seen.
I do not believe I have done anything to trigger such dedicated behavior from him though?
"Eh~ but I made them specifically for you," he says with a disappointed look as if I've abandoned a puppy. At least he doesn't purse his lips anymore. At least he is aware that he is getting too old for this cute act.
"As I believe I just told you: No." I cut him short again without a bit of hesitance and fold my hands behind my back patiently. With Gil you just have to wait it out for a bit until he pushes too much and then you cut him short.
Gil though just smiles and is about to continue without any further thoughts or plans when... why... Claire... please... go away...
"But Lily-sama, he made them especially for you, so they're probably really good!" She gives the pouty look that Gil cannot and makes it a two against one...
I glance back to Gilbert who actually looks surprised at the sudden back up...
...
..
.
So they look delicious?
"If you so insist," I reply and give in while smiling to Gilbert.
Claire smiles brightly and rather boldly moves to my side as I snatch the cookies from Gilbert's grasp. Honestly... I do not like sweet things... but our beloved Heroine does.
"Then, Claire-chan, say Aaaaaaahn~"
I am not one for doing this at any other time... but I wanted to see Gilbert's expression while I pretend to feed the sweet and innocent heroine a cookie... as expected his expression has gone blank. Round eyed and slack jawed... and then slowly going pallid. I slowly grin at him. As usual, your reactions are ob- crack...
I pull my hand back and look down at the cookie that is now missing half...
Then to the Heroine happily munching...
It's my turn to go pallid. She... ate it out of my hand... on her own...
H-heroine-chan!