CH 77

What is it that you don’t like so much?

“No, really, please.”

“Why do I have to order Chris and his friend to go on dates?”

“What? Why dates?”

Where did you come up with that word? I think you’ve misunderstood something.

“Alice, aren’t you mistaken about something?”

“No, I’m not! I’m not going to lose, even if that Mist is my opponent!”

Which Mist is that Mist? What Mist are you trying to beat?

I’m pretty sure you’re mistaken but I don’t know what you’re mistaken about. For now, I’ll just tell her that I’m in danger without the Mist’s help.

“Please, Alice, really, please. If I don’t get you to sign it, I’ll die.”

“You love her so much you’ll die That’s a bit dramatic.”

“No, I don’t like her, but I think it’s possible.”

In fact, I hate Mist. I’m afraid of her.

“Huh? Don’t you like her?”

Alice let out a faint voice, and I wondered where all the fervor had gone. I wondered what she had misunderstood. I’ve never seen Alice and Mist talking, but I’d better keep my mouth shut.

“Well, yeah. Don’t say that.”

“She’s so pretty.”

Alice looked up at me quizzically.

It’s just looks. By the way, that goes for you too, Alice.

“Oh, not at all. I’m more interested in what’s inside.”

“Really? What about me?”

Alice asked, somewhat expectantly.

“I’m more interested in what’s inside.”

“I see. I see.”

Alice put her hand on her reddened cheek and sloppily opened her mouth. Alice, what’s with that reaction? What’s wrong with your self-esteem……? But it’s good that you’re in a better mood. If I ask her to sign it again, she might agree.

“Well, since you put it that way, sign for me.”

“I have a condition!”

Alice gladly accepted, which was a change from earlier, but she also made demands in return.

“Condition?”

“Yes! I know it’s a bit scary, but you have to mix me in with the timing of Mist’s visit!”

“Yeah…….”

I shouted in frustration at Alice’s suggestion, which was too much trouble for me.

“Why?”

Because Mist alone is a hassle and if Alice comes along it will be too troublesome. Also it’ll be dangerous for me if people find out that I’m on good terms with the royal family.

“I’ll never sign anything unless it’s on these terms!”

Alice crossed her arms and looked outward. I could sense that she was determined to accept only this condition, no matter what.

I don’t want Alice to come, but I also don’t want her to change her mind if I say something she doesn’t like.

“All right. But the princess coming into my territory is going to cause a commotion, so you’re going to have to be secretive and come in disguise.”

“Yeah! A trip with Chris, huh? I’m scared of Mist but I’m looking forward to it.”

How scared are you of Mist? Well, I can see that Claire and Mist still don’t get along, but I haven’t seen when she’s involved with Alice either. I think it’s okay for them to be involved to some extent, regardless of whether or not they follow the royal family…

I was curious so I asked Alice.

“Alice, why are you so afraid of Mist?”

“Um, you’re not going to hold back, are you?”

Alice looked at me with downcast eyes and spat out the words. I wondered if I had done something so bad. But it’s normal to be afraid of Mist, so I guess I can’t really blame her.

“Oh. I definitely don’t blame you.”

“Well, I used to, you know, talk to Mist and Claire…….”

“I didn’t know you were involved with those two. But you don’t have anything to do with them now, do you?”

“We used to hang out a lot, me, Claire and Mist. We’re girls of the same age from a big aristocracy, so we used to go to social events together. We were very close.”

“But,” Alice continued.

“Claire was very talented with the sword from a very young age, and went toe-to-toe with the leader of the knights, who was said to be the strongest in the country. Mist was called a child prodigy and was very clever, though we stopped hearing about her along the way but I have nothing to show.”

I see. The story is starting to make sense now. I guess Alice couldn’t stand to be compared to two talented people, so she moved away from them and opened the distance between them.

I feel like I’m getting closer to Alice. I know what you mean. In the competitive society of modern Japan, I used to compare myself with others and felt self-loathing.

“I’ve made up rules that give me an overwhelming advantage, like the princess rule, because I’m a princess, and I’ve won all my battles with swords against Claire and chess against Mist. While I was doing that, their eyes became grim…….”

“That’s your fault!”

It’s all Alice’s fault! I want my sympathy back!

“I know. So I’m feeling really sorry for myself!”

Alice groans and looks like she’s about to cry.

“How could you even think of traveling with Mist?”

“Because Chris is……”

Alice blushes and giggles.

What? What do you expect me to do? It’s impossible. You can’t have a relationship with me. I don’t know why I asked, but I don’t want to get into trouble by getting into trouble, so I’ll just pretend I didn’t ask.

“Well. Let’s leave it at that. Just give me your signature.”

“You’re too clumsy! Besides, I haven’t revised the content yet!”

Damn it. You’ve noticed.

“I get it.”

I modified the content and got Alice’s signature.