Chapter 29
One month had passed since Saint Reina Laurel arrived in the royal capital, and the day had finally come for her to enroll at the academy.
Wearing the designated uniform, Reina boarded the carriage prepared by the Grand Shrine and headed toward the academy.
Passing through a street lined with cherry blossom-like flowers in full bloom, she arrived at the academy—the setting of the otome game "Beyond the Rainbow Gleam."
Around her were other carriages for pick-up and drop-off, and noble children were stepping down from them and walking toward the school building.
"So this is the place..."
The carriage stopped in front of the school gate, and Reina descended with the help of the footman.
Instantly, the atmosphere in front of the gate changed. The students on their way to school gasped, captivated by the girl who emerged from the shrine's carriage.
"............She's lovely."
One male student murmured.
The words slipped out as if by instinct, but they expressed the feelings of everyone present.
That girl... Reina Laurel was beautiful.
Simply getting off the carriage, her appearance was so refined it was as if a divine messenger had descended from the heavens.
A beauty that shames the flowers and dims the moon.
The phrase that even flowers blush and the moon hides must have been created for her.
"............"
Bathed in a downpour of attention from all around, Reina walked toward the school building without showing the slightest concern.
Her beautiful silver hair fluttered in the wind like fine silk thread.
Without a sound, she walked as if gliding just above the ground.
"I've found her... my destined one...!"
While most of the students at the gate stood frozen, awestruck by Reina's presence and too intimidated to speak—
One young man stepped forward and appeared before Reina.
He knelt on one knee and respectfully bowed his head to the girl.
"............Do you need something?"
Reina tilted her head curiously at the man who had suddenly appeared in her path.
The man was a noble-looking youth with blond hair and blue eyes.
His features were so well-defined that, standing next to Reina, they looked like a scene from a myth—fantastical and mysterious.
"Fair maiden, may I have the honor of knowing your name?"
"............And you are?"
"Forgive my lateness... My name is Eric Seincle. I am the first prince of this country."
""""............!""""
At his declaration, many people gasped.
The first prince... the future king was kneeling before this girl.
"I knew it the moment I saw you. You must be the newly discovered Saint..."
The young man—Eric—extended his right hand to Reina with an enraptured expression.
"Please, let me hear your name from your own lips. And... would you grant me the honor of escorting the beautiful Saint?"
His theatrical gesture resembled something from a play... but when performed by a handsome prince, it didn't come off as insincere.
Everyone watching thought the same thing.
That Reina would take Eric's hand and walk with him.
That this was the beginning of a story—the prologue of a love story between a prince and a Saint.
"............"
Just as they expected, Reina smiled.
A translucent smile. A breathtakingly exquisite smile directed at Eric.
"I decline."
And she stated it firmly.
Still smiling, she cut him down with a clean, decisive refusal.
"Huh...?"
Eric froze, as if he couldn't comprehend what had just happened.
Avoiding the pitiful prince, Reina briskly walked away.
Just like Eric, the surrounding onlookers were also stunned into silence.
Even as all this happened, Reina continued toward the school building without looking back.
"W-Wait! Please wait!"
Eric, having regained his senses after a while, chased after Reina.
"D-Did I do something wrong!? You don't have to treat me so coldly..."
"If I may, you are Prince Eric, are you not?"
"Y-Yes, I believe I introduced myself as such..."
"You're supposed to be engaged, aren't you? Don't you think it's rude to approach another woman and ask to escort her?"
"W-Well... I suppose that's true, but..."
"It's disrespectful to your fiancée, and also to me. You're essentially asking me to be your mistress."
"T-That's a bit of an exaggeration..."
Reina stated calmly, still smiling, causing Eric's face to twitch.
"It's something I was taught by the one who raised me. 'Never get close to a man with a fiancée. Especially not a prince—absolutely not.'... So, I will take my leave now."
Despite the man being royalty, Reina declared it without the slightest sign of intimidation.
Then, after offering a single bow, she left the scene.
"............"
Eric could do nothing but stand there in a daze, watching Reina's back as she walked away.