The Protagonist’s Party is Too Diligent – 112
EP.112 Invitation (2)
I didn’t have many memorable moments from my school days.
It wasn’t that I had particularly bad memories, either. I just attended school like anyone else, had a normal graduation, and my grades weren’t spectacular but weren’t terrible either. I did manage to make some friends.
I never had a girlfriend, though.
I was an otaku, and so were my friends. We didn’t go on trips together, but we’d gather for events related to our hobbies, pool our money to buy manga, or head to an internet café after exams.
Yes, these were trivial memories compared to my experiences at the academy now. They weren’t vivid enough to remember the exact dates, and to be honest, most of the friends I hung out with back then had become faces and names I barely recalled.
Even so, for some reason, whenever I was at the academy, those days would come to mind, perhaps because it was a school for teenagers, just like mine was back then.
“We’ll be parting ways for a while.”
The first to speak was Charlotte.
It was the same at this academy; school ended early during the exam period. With time to spare, we decided to walk around and explore.
We wandered the streets, with nothing in particular to do, then sat in a café to have a cup of tea and enjoy some parfaits. We talked about trivial things, so much so that I couldn’t even remember the details, laughing and chatting away.
It didn’t feel like much time had passed, yet before long, the sun had set, and the sky was painted with hues of red.
“Are you going back to Lutetia?”
“Of course. I’m the princess of Velbur, after all.”
Alice asked with a slightly regretful tone, and Charlotte gave her a faint smile.
“But we’ll see each other again soon. The vacation isn’t that long.”
The break was a little over a month, so unless something special happened, we’d reunite when the second semester started.
But thinking about it more, that also meant that after graduation, we might not see each other as easily.
If Charlotte were just a noble from Velbur instead of a princess, she might visit Runedarium for a few days during the year. We could have tea, chat about what’s been happening, and say our goodbyes when it was time for her to leave.
The same could be said if Alice were in Charlotte’s position.
But both Alice and Charlotte were crucial figures in their respective royal families. Although it hadn’t been officially announced yet, Alice was the most likely candidate for the next Empress, and Charlotte didn’t have any siblings.
“……”
Perhaps because of these thoughts, Alice’s expression darkened.
…If the story follows its original course, the two would end up as enemies. Of course, Alice would eventually reconcile with the Emperor after opposing him to end the war, but their joy wouldn’t last long.
Charlotte silently stared at Alice before suddenly extending her hand.
“Well then, let’s meet again after the break. If you happen to visit Lutetia again… I’ll be sure to show you that Velbur’s food is far tastier and more diverse than the Empire’s.”
At Charlotte’s provocative remark, Alice smiled.
She took Charlotte’s hand and replied.
“The Empire’s food is improving, you know. Come back in about ten years, and I’ll serve you a meal so exquisite, even a Velburian would find it hard to criticize.”
Charlotte shrugged her shoulders lightly.
“I heard you’re returning to your autonomous region, too, Lena.”
“That’s right. I’ve already packed.”
Lena answered in a firm tone to my question. Despite the warm weather, Lena wasn’t in short sleeves. She seemed to think that wearing lighter clothing would make her lose her soldier’s spirit.
Of course, it wasn’t that Lena didn’t feel the heat.
Lena had lived in a cooler region even during the summer, so this weather wasn’t easy for her to endure. In fact, her neck was slightly damp with sweat.
“I’ll make sure to improve my skills and, by the second semester, I’ll be strong enough not to hold you back, Your Highness.”
Lena seemed to still be affected by the fact that we had gone to another dungeon without her last June. She didn’t openly show that she was upset, but she seemed to think it was because of her perceived lack of skill.
Despite that, Lena certainly wasn’t someone with poor skills.
“Um…”
Lena, who had been speaking, suddenly hesitated, and I was a bit surprised. It wasn’t common for her to act this way, especially not in front of others.
She seemed to fumble for a moment, then cautiously looked at me and spoke.
“May I… send you a letter?”
I almost burst out laughing.
Honestly, I hadn’t done much to earn Lena’s respect. If I were to think of something, it was only the time I ran around the training ground in front of her, which apparently left a strong impression on her.
Even though I hadn’t done anything else to earn her respect, she must have been moved by that one instance. Of course, she had also heard the stories of what happened on the battlefield, which probably contributed to her admiration. Seeing me fight firsthand must have sealed the deal.
“Of course.”
When I answered, Lena’s lips curled slightly into a small smile.
*
We didn’t see them off all the way to the train station. The station was bound to be packed due to the academy’s vacation, and with two princesses leaving, it would be almost paralyzing.
Charlotte boarded a first-class seat, while Lena took the less crowded northern train, but they would eventually end up at the same station. In a place where something major wasn’t likely to happen, like near the academy, it would have been fine, but if the princesses went into a place packed with unknown civilians, they would need a large escort.
Airships weren’t in use for civilian purposes yet, and although passenger planes were being developed, they hadn’t been commercialized. So, regrettably, we said our goodbyes at the academy.
“Well, I’ll be going now.”
Mia Crowfield spoke in her usual somewhat timid voice.
“Thanks for everything. I’ve received a lot of help from you.”
“A, ah… no…”
Mia flushed and lowered her head at Alice’s words.
Then—
“……”
She glanced at me, her face showing a somewhat complicated expression.
“Thank you for everything.”
She said, bowing her head.
She wasn’t holding a staff in her hand. It wasn’t allowed for students to carry weapons around the academy grounds, especially on the last day.
However, the blue gem at the end of the staff, which would be shining, was still the one I had given her.
Now that I thought about it, it was still a gem she hadn’t obtained at this point.
Considering that, it wasn’t that strange for her to show that kind of expression.
“Thank you for your hard work.”
I also bowed to Mia Crowfield. She looked momentarily flustered but quickly turned around and hurried off.
“Oh, you don’t have to say goodbye to me.”
As I watched her retreating figure with a mix of bittersweet emotions, I heard a light male voice.
I turned around to find Jake, with his ever-loyal maid beside him.
“We’ll be staying for about another day before leaving.”
Even though two princesses were present, Jake’s casual demeanor was met with a disdainful glance from Lottie. However, Jake’s attitude didn’t change at all.
“Even so, you should at least say goodbye.”
Alice spoke up.
“We’re planning to leave today as well.”
“Oh, really?”
Jake gave a look, as if to say there was no need to hurry since they were in the same capital anyway. Alice shrugged and replied.
“It’s more convenient to finish things quickly since we’re in the same capital anyway. And even if we leave first, it doesn’t matter if the luggage stays for a while, right?”
After all, we wouldn’t be the ones moving it ourselves.
“Is that so?”
Jake was probably staying behind because he wanted to spend even just one more day here with Lottie.
“Then I guess we should say our goodbyes. Thanks for everything. See you next semester.”
“Come back in the second semester when you’ve become a more serious man.”
Jake just laughed cheerfully at Alice’s words.
*
“Well, then…”
Leo said with an expression full of tension.
“As the future head of the Grace family, I’d like to invite both of the princesses to our estate.”
“……”
Alice stared at Leo with a somewhat baffled expression and replied,
“There’s no need to be so formal. Even among nobles, if there’s a relationship, we usually just speak casually.”
“R-really…?”
“No, I mean, the formalities aren’t necessary…”
Alice sighed deeply, and Claire rubbed her face.
“Well, still, you did invite us so formally.”
Alice’s expression turned playful as she stood facing Leo, lightly placing her hands on the hem of her skirt, and spoke.
“I’ll gladly accept your invitation.”
She then slightly pulled one leg back, bowed her knees without lowering her head, and gave a graceful gesture of acknowledgment.
It wasn’t surprising that Leo’s face turned even redder.