Chapter 13 Grand Duke’s Son
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”—So, how about this coming holiday?”
I was halfway down the dorm corridor, heading for my room, when that voice reached me.
Even here—at the academy that trains the last bastion of humanity, the Holy Knights—there were people who treated things lightly. Maybe that’s natural; boys and girls of a certain age in the same hallway. Still, I told myself it didn’t matter to me. Love, casual or noble, was a thing I had no right to.
”Um—ah, Reina-chan!”
”Hm?”
”…”
Perfect. Of all people, it had to be Lucia being flirted with. I couldn’t just step past unnoticed; the corridor was narrow, a hidden spot with fewer passersby—but that made it impossible to squeeze by without drawing attention.
Maybe the Grand Duke’s Son had chosen the quiet place. Maybe he was following Lucia so she wouldn’t run into anyone else. Either way, I couldn’t walk away without making things awkward.
If it were a stranger, I could have forced my way through. But Lucia would follow me without fail.
’Oh no—Eww!’
The voice actually said that out loud. Not helpful.
”…Who’d have thought, troublemaking students.” The voice floated down from above.
I looked up. A pretty-boy leaned over us, his eyes dropping on me as if I were refuse. The kind of glare that makes your skin crawl.
”Is it true a nobleman is using his rank to corner a common girl like me? What is the student council doing about that?”
”…What did you say?”
’W-wait, Homo-chan! He’s the Grand Duke’s Son—more important than any teacher here! He chases Lucia because he thinks she’s “different from other noble girls” from some brain-melt. Lusty bastard, but the power’s real!’
…I. Why did I ruin Riza again?
’I thought stalling would buy more time, but Riza-neki’s death didn’t help much… Ugh! Worthless woman.’
I had no right to scold that voice—I’m the one who attacked Riza.
’Well, since we’re skipping the roommate event, Riza had to be written off… couldn’t you have done it cleaner? (sigh)’
”—Ughh—”
”Whoa, what the hell is wrong with her?!”
”R-Reina-chan! Are you okay?!”
What is this? Why won’t the nausea stop? Why am I suddenly doubled over, vomiting? Am I being human enough to feel guilt? Ridiculous.
Monsters don’t go soft and show guilt.
’What the hell, Homo-chan—interrupting the Grand Duke’s Son and then suddenly puking? What were you thinking?’
”Hyu—ha! Hah! Hah!”
It’s too much. I can’t take it. Throwing away Riza’s life—someone’s whole future—into the gutter is heavier than I expected.
Please, let it have meaning… I don’t want to have broken someone for nothing.
”Are you… really all right?!”
Lucia ran forward without caring that she’d get dirty, ignoring the sour stench of my vomit. Her kindness felt poisonous to me now.
What is wrong with this woman?
’Ah—this is a mess.’
I was pathetic. I had been smug and cutting, and now I wound up an ugly spectacle. The Grand Duke’s Son’s annoyance at his ruined plan only made him leave, grumbling about going to fetch a doctor.
”—Ugh. Can’t charm anyone in this situation… I’m going to get a physician,” he announced, and strode off.
’Oh? No event? No punishment?’
Right—avoid the event. All I had to do was shake Lucia off and run. If I escaped, it’d be for Lucia’s sake. Her kindness mustn’t be wasted—surely that made it right.
”U-um! Don’t force yourself to move!”
”Mind your own business. You’re annoying.”
My head swam. My stomach was empty, yet the nausea clung like a shadow.
’Miracle incoming—yay!!’
Shut up. Don’t gloat. It reverberated in my skull.
’Did we just dodge a forced event? Punishment event? I thought so, but—this.’
Why are you always so gleeful? For once, please die.
’Homo-chan, this is too much of a power move—puking to escape the situation is savage.’
Shame and sickness nearly killed me. Lucia’s sorrow cut deep, harder than anything else.
I—I’m so sorry, Lucia.
’Note this: public vomiting may be the trend. Reina-in-vomit, yes.’
What now? You want me to puke onstage? How much humiliation do you want from me?
”Are you—really—”
”—Shut up! You’re a nuisance! I can’t be with a bitch who plays nice to every man!”
I shoved Lucia away as she tried to help. She fell on her butt, wounded by the shove, and I turned my face away to swallow down the nausea.
’Homo-chan, heard of boomerangs? You throwing insults when you’ve been airing your own mess isn’t a good look.’
”…Shut up.”
”I’m—I’m sorry…”
I hadn’t spoken to Lucia, but if she wanted to misunderstand for the better, fine. Let her.
’Is it guilt, Homo-chan?’
You are repulsive.
To make someone else feel sick this much—what a talent. Die. Please.
”…Voe.”
I swallowed the retch, pressed my palm to the wall as my head hammered, and began to walk. I had to get to my room before that pretty-boy returned with a doctor. If he came back and an event started—if anyone saw me vomiting again—everything would escalate.
This luck—this grotesque, undeserved luck—should be kept. Better to avoid the fuss.
’So weird—why does Homo-chan look so sick? The event’s dodged, so stop acting and go home. Come on, come on.’
Yes—go home. Quickly—go home and—what then?
’My Homo-chan has practice now! Used to self-harm; starting today is face-punching! No time for plebians!’
Right. Of course. My hell never ends.
’Homo-chan—go home and get your face-ruining punch.’
The corridor smelled faintly of metal and old stone, and that sour tang clung to the air as I moved away—an echo of shame that would follow me into the room.”
Notes:
• –
• Lucia – A female classmate of Reina with the (Regeneration) blessing, a power of immense value, unaware of the world government’s interest in her abilities.
• Riza – A female student and Reina’s assigned roommate, initially confident and outgoing, but brutally assaulted and mentally broken by Reina under the voice’s control.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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