TN: Thank Peanut for the chapter.

Looking at the clouds flowing across the clear blue sky, I rested my chin on my hand.

The academy rooftop was officially off-limits, but there was no way to stop students who were more capable than ordinary people. I too was in this situation, using such a loophole to be on the academy rooftop.

Of course, I was skipping class.

Yesterday, I couldn’t because of Sylvia, but these days, I spend most of my time thinking about Helena.

Not about how to restore my relationship with Helena but how I could sincerely apologize to her.

If there’s one thing I shouldn’t misunderstand, it’s that I’m the one who did wrong. Helena has no obligation to unconditionally accept my apology. I was honestly apologizing for my mistake, and it was her decision whether to accept it and reestablish our relationship.

“…What are you thinking so hard about? Just force yourself on her.”

“…?”

Lost in thought, I couldn’t help but rub my ear with my finger at the voice coming from beside me. Did I hear something wrong? I keep hearing things.

“I mean, she likes your face, right? If you just force yourself on her, she won’t be able to say anything.”

Is this really a thought coming from the mouth, no, the head of a noble young lady?

Taking a deep breath and turning my gaze, I saw Pamela looking at me blankly.

I couldn’t tell if it was strange that she had such thoughts with that innocent face or if I was the strange one.

“What are you talking about, Pam Pam?”

But it wasn’t the first time Pamela had said strange things, so I spoke to her nonchalantly and turned my gaze away again.

“I was asking why you are so frustrating.”

“The situation isn’t as simple as you think, you know?”

“There it is again, your personality. You’re acting in front of others, aren’t you?”

Pamela glared at me. I couldn’t help but chuckle and shake my head at her.

I really couldn’t tell who was saying what to whom.

“Pam Pam, do you think it’s right for you to say that?”

You’re the one who’s different in front and back more than anyone else. It’s not right for you to say that to me.

“Ha, don’t say such unfunny things.”

We were throwing words at each other, but we weren’t really fighting.

Pamela only showed me her true personality, and I just accepted it.

“Anyway, I can’t walk around with you because it’s chilling, so do something about her first.”

“…What can I do if she won’t meet me?”

“You idiot! Whether you kneel and beg while waiting or barge into her room, you must do something!!”

“…I guess that’s right?”

SMACK!

“Ugh…!”

No matter how much you train your body, there’s one place that can’t be trained: the head.

When I cried out after being hit hard on the head by Pamela, she shouted angrily.

“If you understand, get out of here, you stupid eunuch!!”

“Oww…”

I don’t know why Pamela is so irritable about Helena and me, but I glared at her while holding my aching head.

It’s embarrassing, but her hand was so sharp that tears almost came out.

When I looked at her with a slightly tearful face, Pamela flinched. She seemed to feel a bit guilty that I was in pain because of her.

Seeing this, I curled up the corners of my mouth into a grin, and Pamela, realizing she had been tricked, gritted her teeth and raised her fist again. I dodged her hand with ease and started to run away from her.

“Stop right there, you bastard!!”

“No, I won’t…!”

Escaping from Pamela, who was chasing me as if to kill me, I stepped outside the building and took a deep breath.

“Let’s do this.”

Yes, if I wanted to apologize.

I had to do it somehow.

***

“Sigh, what’s so good about such a loser.”

Staring at Felix leaving with his playfulness masking his tension, Pamela let out a small sigh.

“…Well, I guess I’m not in a position to say that either.”

Marquis Degrosis was still urging Pamela.

To establish a relationship with Felix as soon as possible and to be recognized by him as a ‘possession.’

The reason why he changed his mind from initially urging her to create a fait accompli with Felix was simple enough for even Pamela to understand.

‘Crown Princess Ashillya.’

He must have backed off after realizing how much she cherished Felix and what kind of existence she thought he was.

Nevertheless, he must have judged that he couldn’t let go of the relationship with Felix, and that’s why he’s telling her to become a ‘possession.’

Knowing Marquis Degrosis, he might have thought that he should solidify the relationship with Felix even more the moment he learned this fact. He must’ve judged that Felix would be the future partner of Crown Princess Ashillya, beyond just being from a loyal family.

“Life is really funny, so funny…”

Standing in the spot where Felix had been, with her chin resting on her hand just like him, Pamela muttered quietly.

If someone were to ask why she was interfering in others’ love affairs when she couldn’t even take care of herself, Pamela wouldn’t know the answer either. But if she had to explain that feeling, perhaps it was envy.

Envy.

Yes, envy for those who had the freedom to express their feelings purely and love. It was a wish for those with that freedom, which Pamela had never had and would never have, to be a little happier.

Some might be jealous and envious of what they can’t have… But Pamela couldn’t do that.

Because she always thought of her mother, who had always cherished her.

She often wondered what it would have been like if that mother had met a different father and lived happily.

That’s why she interfered with her wide-ranging concern. She had done so before, and maybe she would continue.

In any case, she had to stick close to Felix following Marquis Degrosis’ order and was forced to watch their situation.

Looking at the passing clouds, Pamela muttered.

“Life is really…”

Bitter.

***

Step, step, step.

I walked down the corridor endlessly. Female students looked at me with confused eyes as I walked down the corridor solemnly.

I wanted to remain so until the end, but as this could cause misunderstandings, I stopped in the middle of the corridor and bowed deeply.

“I’m sorry. I have something important to say to Helena, but she won’t meet me. I had no choice but to come to the girls’ dormitory. Please understand.”

“…Oh my.”

“I will gladly accept the punishment for breaking the rules later. Once again, I’m sorry for the inconvenience.”

After politely apologizing, I took a deep breath again and strode forward.

Yes, this was the girls’ dormitory.

Actually, there was a way to sneak into the dormitory secretly, avoiding others’ eyes, just like Helena had done. But I didn’t want to do that.

I didn’t want to put Helena in a difficult position, but if I secretly sneaked into her room, she might feel uncomfortable.

Erasing the gazes of the female students falling on me, I strode forward. Finally, I stood in front of Helena’s room.

Helena would be beyond that door.

According to her friend I met on the way, Helena would be in her room today.

Taking another deep breath in front of Helena’s room, I immediately put my plan into action.

“…Oh!”

“Wow…”

Thud.

Kneeling right in front of the door, like a general steeling himself on the battlefield or a prospective son-in-law coming to ask for permission to marry his future father-in-law.

With a solemn heart, I opened my mouth.

“Helena!”

“…”

This wasn’t a show to display to others. It was just a confession, letting go of pride and everything else, just to speak to her.

“I want to talk with you!”

“…”

There was still no voice coming from beyond the door. But I could instinctively feel it. Helena was in the room. She must be hearing my voice too. So, I had to keep pushing forward here.

“I know you don’t want to talk to me. I know you’re still angry.”

“…”

“But!”

I take a deep breath. From now on, I need to convey my true feelings.

“I have something I really want to say! So, until you come out.”

“…”

“I’ll wait here like this!!”

If things went on like this, Helena might never meet me for the rest of her life. Even if I apologized, she might never want to see me again.

Nevertheless, I had to do it. No, I should have said it earlier. I had to explain my situation and what had happened, and I had to apologize for deceiving her all this time.