Book 9: Chapter 3: Thats Why You Are My Eternal Rival. (1/2)

Cyril, who was very busy, seemed to have other work to do and quickly left the area after that. In normal situations, Cyril often accompanied Felix, and this should have been the original plan, perhaps something unexpected had happened?

Feeling bad that she couldn't help Cyril, Monica turned her focus back to Felix and saw him left the exhibition classroom accompanied by several nobles. He was apparently leading the nobles to another exhibit class.

”Miss [Silent Witch]. Please be careful not to get too close to the second prince.”

She was hearing Lynn's voice directly in her ears. Probably she's vibrating the sound directly into Monica's eardrums like she did in the entertainment district.

”I discovered this during our time in the entertainment district. The second prince has a very keen instinct towards his pursuer. Fortunately, the place he's heading to seems to be a room with a window, so I can monitor him from the top of the tree. If I see anyone suspicious approaching, I will report it to you, and please keep it at a reasonable distance.”

Monica was never good at tailing people, and it would be better to follow Lynn's lead here. Otherwise, it would be just another example of what happened in the entertainment district.

Ever since the incident at the chess tournament that had happened, the security in the academy had been strengthened, and there were guards posted all over the place. The security was so thorough that it was doubtful that Monica needed to be vigilant.

I don't want to get too close to His Highness and cause him to think I'm suspicious… yeah, I guess I should watch my distance.

After confirming that Felix had entered the classroom, Monica moved a short distance away from it. Just then, she caught sight of Lana walking around the corner of the corridor and coming towards her.

When Lana noticed Monica, she ran up to her, waving her hand. Upon arriving, she noticed the white rose ornament on Monica's chest, before giving her a meaningful smile.

”Oh… I see I see…”

”Hmm? Is there something wrong?”

”Yup, I'll make you look even prettier at the ball, so look forward to it.”

Lana seemed to be enjoying herself. Monica nodded vaguely, not understanding why Lana seemed to be in a good mood, before asking her how she fared herself.

”Lana, are you done with your final costume check?”

”Yes, everything is perfect. Anyway, my father's carriage should be arriving any minute, so I'm heading out to pick him up. Do you want to come with me? I wish to introduce you to my father.”

Lana's father, Baron Colette, is said to be an astute merchant who has amassed an enormous fortune. However, since he was not a person who frequented the palace, he must not have known Monica's face.

As Monica wondered if it was safe to meet him, Lana's face suddenly tightened. Her eyes narrowed sharply, and her brow wrinkled. Monica followed Lana's gaze, wondering what was going on, and let out an ‘ah' in a small voice.

Standing in front of Lana's line of sight was a student of Minerva's who was once Monica's friend. Barney Jones.

Barney looked at Lana and Monica in turn then opened his mouth, lifting his glasses with his fingertips.

”Oh, you're not wearing makeup today? I guess that's more like you.”

Even though Barney's tone was stinging, she feel it was somewhat awkward.

Lana tightened her grip on Monica's hand as she glared at Barney.

”Monica, let's go.”

”L-Lana, wait…”

Monica was thankful that Lana was concerned about her, but she had something she really wanted to talk to Barney about.

After all, she hadn't spoken to Barney since after being attacked by an assassin at the chess tournament a few days ago.

”There's, something, I wanted to talk about, with Barney…”

When Monica spoke in a choppy manner, Lana looked into Monica's face with concern.

Not wanting to make Lana worried, Monica lifted the edge of her lips awkwardly.

”I will be fine.”

”…If he did something to you, scream as loud as you can and say ‘this dorky glasses just shoved his face up into my skirt!.' That way, you can socially crush him without using violence.”

Barney's cheeks twitched when he heard Lana uttering such a disturbing thing in a serious manner. But Monica only gave Lana a wry smile, trying to placate her.

”Don't worry… I'm fine now.”

She was still nervous, but even so, right now Monica didn't feel terrified at the idea of facing Barney. It was probably because Lana had shared with her some courage to face Barney.

”Lana, you should go meet your father.”

”… well, if you say so.”

Lana nodded reluctantly, stuck her tongue out at Barney, and left.

Looking off at the back of her heroic figure, Barney creased the bridge of his nose and muttered.

”…You sure got yourself a pretty dependable friend, don't you?”

In response to the sarcastic Barney, Monica nodded with a bit of a shy smile.

”Yeah, she's my proud friend.”

After having his sarcasm passed off that way, Barney let out a bland sigh and shrugged his shoulders.

”Let's change the place first. I don't want to stand around talking in this place.”

”Y-Yeah. I'll take you to a less crowded place.”

Monica started to walk away, and Barney followed silently behind her. Without any conversation between them.

Back in their school days, they used to walk side by side in the corridors of Minerva, talking about trivial things and subjects… but now, the distance between them, the way they don't look at each other, is their current relationship.

Such a relationship did make her feel a little sad, but it didn't hurt her heart anymore.

＊ ＊ ＊

Monica led Barney to the backyard where she had previously used to eat lunch alone.

”People rarely come to this place…”

”I suppose this place does look like something you'd like. I bet you've been eating alone here anyway, haven't you?”

”N-Not for a while…”

But it's different now. She has been eating in the cafeteria together with Lana, Claudia, and sometimes with Neil and Glenn.

Monica fidgeted around, kneading her fingers, as she glanced at Barney before starting to breach the conversation.

”Did you come here following your teacher as his associate, Barney?”

Maybe like what Roberto did, she thought he was accompanying his teacher, but Barney shook his head.

”No, after what just happened, there is no teacher from Minerva who wanted to come to this year's festival.”

An incident a few days ago claimed the life of one of Minerva's teachers. And the death of Eugene Pittman has created an uproar in Minerva now.

Surely, under such circumstances, it was only natural that Minerva's teachers would not want to participate. Although it was wrong to feel this way, Monica was a little relieved. Because the biggest concern for Monica was bumping into Minerva's teacher she was familiar with.

”…wait. Then how did you manage to be able to attend here…?”

”Who do you think I am? I'm a member of the House of Count Ambard. So long I asked the invitation to the school, they should have no reason to refuse my request.”