“You’re even paying my tuition,” I said. “You’re doing so much. Thank you.”
“Oh, don’t mention it,” she waved me off. “It’s a lot cheaper to pay for your tuition than it is to hire a private instructor.”
Private instructors in Vizer were future professors at the school. They would teach students in dorms to gain experience and would later emerge as proper professors. However, that alone wasn’t enough experience, and they certainly weren’t making enough either; these instructors thus helped professors while they taught a class to gain more hands-on experience and a small salary.
“It really is a fair bit of hassle to hire and pay private instructors,” Professor Whipp said. “And plants are fragile, so some can’t even take proper care of them.”
It seemed the professor went out of her way to teach greenhorns well, but rumors spread that she worked people to the bone or was terrifyingly severe. As these bad rumors circulated, no one wanted to become her assistant.
“I wonder if I’m that strict,” she murmured.
“Um, I don’t think so, personally,” I replied.
But perhaps I wasn’t a fair judge since I was used to taking care of plants. Professor Whipp was usually laid-back and cheery, but when it came to herbs and plants, she wouldn’t even crack a faint smile. Even the tone of her voice lowered. Some people might mistakenly assume that she was angry.
“In any case, you’re doing well,” the professor said. “You need not worry about money, okay?”
“Thank you,” I replied.
I didn’t expect to receive high praise, and I practically skipped out of the building, overjoyed by the compliment. Suddenly, something emerged from the shadows, grabbed my arm, and dragged me away—I was pulled into a small space between the buildings with my back against the wall as this mysterious figure slammed their hand near my face. They covered my mouth, much to my panic.
“Please. Just stay quiet,” the voice whispered in my ear.
I jolted with shock. I recognized the voice all too well—it belonged to Rena von Wiegert, the crown prince of our nation. Why’s she pinning me against the wall? I broke out in a cold sweat and jumped to horrific assumptions. Did I unwittingly do something disrespectful? No, I don’t recall doing anything like that. And even if I did, a knight would cart me away, not the crown prince herself. But with my mouth covered, I couldn’t even ask.
“Misha von Ritual, I’d like to speak with you,” she said. “Can I have some of your time?”
Her voice was calm and gentle, and she even knew my full name. The whole thing was a bit forceful on her end, but I nodded my consent. Prince Rena flashed a relieved smile, her beauty having no parallel, but now wasn’t the time to be enamored by her. She wanted to speak with me, after all.
“There’s a restaurant called Ruhig located on the highest floor of the school building,” she said. “Only special students are allowed to frequent that place. Could we head there?”
I nodded, and the prince took out a magic scroll from her pocket. She ripped it without hesitation, and the scenery in front of my eyes spun before I landed atop a red carpet. I was teleported.
“Over here,” she said.
She walked away, seemingly having no intention of restraining me. I jogged after her until we reached a private room. A waiter arrived, pouring me a glass of water that I suspected was around 800 yen by Japanese standards—they bowed and left.
“Have you had dinner yet?” Prince Rena asked.
“No,” I replied.
“Then let’s talk while we have a bite.”
I wanted to leave as soon as I could, but I also couldn’t fight against the urge to eat extravagant dishes that a royal might enjoy. And I was very hungry.
“Is this an inconvenient time for you?” the prince asked.
“N-Not at all!” I stammered.
My stomach growled, and I gave in to my hunger. I glanced around but couldn’t find a menu, and I noticed that the royal was already making an order to the waiter.
“Would you like wine?” she asked.
“No, thank you,” I replied.
“Then I’ll have some delicious grape juice prepared instead.”
The legal drinking age for this kingdom started at fifteen, but my face tended to turn red very quickly after I took a sip of alcohol, and I’d become drowsy as well. I refrained from drinking if possible. Prince Rena’s quick to make choices and is polite—anyone can see that. I wonder why she acted aggressively to get me here. I looked at her quizzically, and the prince, as though she read my mind, apologized.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “I was panicking earlier, so I was rough with you.”
“Oh, um, I understand,” I replied.
I didn’t tell her that it was all right, especially since I didn’t want her to do it again. Prince Rena flashed another look of apology.
“I wanted to speak with you before, but you ran off,” she said. “I was afraid that I’d lose my chance again.”
Fair… I did run from her before when she tried to speak with me, and she must’ve assumed that I’d flee again. I apologized for my insolence—that was no way to treat a royal.
“I’m sorry about what I did before,” I said. I couldn’t tell her that I didn’t want to be interrogated because it might affect my chances of getting into school.
“Don’t be,” Prince Rena replied. “You saved my life. You’ve no reason to apologize.”
“No, I did nothing that grand,” I replied.
An awkward silence settled between us, and unable to stand the quiet, I tried to keep my mind occupied by counting the stains on the wall. But of course, in a restaurant as fine as this, there wasn’t a stain in sight.
“Um, I had no idea that there was a place this grand here,” I said. “I assumed that everyone frequented the cafeteria.”
“I don’t blame you,” Prince Rena replied. “Would you like me to make arrangements so that you can come here?”
“Oh, no, no, no! I’m certainly not worthy to be here!”
“That’s not true.”
Her kindness touched my heart, overwhelming me with guilt. I wanted to head back home as soon as I could.
“You don’t ask about me,” she said. “You haven’t pried into my affairs.”
“E-Er, well…” I stammered.
Just then, dishes were brought to our table. For hors d’oeuvres, I was served duck in aspic along with a ham-and-cheese soufflé. They were followed by pumpkin pottage soup and veal-wrapped vegetables paired with some glazed carrots. I had sorbet as a palate cleanser before I was given stuffed clams for my fish course. The bread was warm and freshly baked, and the grape juice had a fantastic flavor as well. For dessert, I had a crepe drizzled in an orange sauce, and my entire meal was nothing short of delectable.
“How was your meal?” Prince Rena asked.
“It was very, very good,” I replied.
“I’m glad to hear it.”
Once our plates were carried away, we received an assortment of chopped fruits and tea to finish our meal. I was already full, but the tea here was apparently delicious, and the grapes were in season. The prince recommended I try them, but secretly, I yearned to go back to the Garden Plant. I was worried about Gem, too. Just as I tried to take my leave, the prince smiled at me.
“So. Why don’t you ask me anything despite knowing that I’m a woman?” she asked.
I drew in a sharp breath, not expecting that question. Talk about getting right to the point! Surely, she could’ve tacitly implied it, but she must’ve known that I was the type to be evasive and avoid conflict if I had the choice. Still, I wanted to keep myself safe and decided to feign ignorance.
“A-Ah ha ha…” I laughed dryly. “What? You? I haven’t a clue what you’re on about.”
“When you saved me, you undid my clothes to give me some breathing space, and you tried to unravel my bandages as well,” Prince Rena said. “You must’ve noticed it then.”
“N-No idea what you’re saying.”
She stared right at me. Normally, I would have an excuse or two at the ready, but unfortunately, my mind went blank.
“A strand of your hair actually fell inside my shirt,” the prince revealed. “When I looked into it, it matched with your mana.”
She apparently used the data that I turned in to the school when I received my acceptance letter. This is like getting DNA tested, but with magic… In any case, since the royal family established Vizer, it was probably easy for the prince to get her hands on all this information.
“You’d go that far?” I asked.
“But of course,” the prince replied. “This matter pertains to my future.”
“Fair enough…”
Another awkward silence fell upon the private room, and I steeled myself. No longer could I play dumb.
“Indeed. I know that you’re a lady, Your Highness,” I replied. “But I deemed this to be a national secret, and I decided to turn a blind eye to it. I’ve no intention to reveal your secret to others, so I hope that gives you some peace of mind.”
Prince Rena seemed absolutely stunned by my words. “You’ve grasped a weakness of mine. How can you look the other way?”
“I’m not an ambitious person. I’m not interested in using that intel.”
My desire was to live a normal school life filled with fun and ultimately become a royal witch. I had no other dreams. I didn’t want to form connections with high society, nor was I interested in being fancied by a lovely, handsome man. None of that intrigued me.
“You may cast a spell on me so that I won’t blab,” I offered.
“Oh, I won’t go that far,” Prince Rena replied.
“You won’t?”
If I were kidnapped or put into harm, I might easily expose her secret to the world. If she wanted to protect it, it would be best if she cast a spell on me to seal my lips for good.