I Was Rejected by the Main Character in a Romantic Fantasy. - Chapter 25

“…”

Felix was stunned by Sylvia’s sharp and pointed voice, then came to his senses at Ashillya’s chilly voice.

‘Why is she acting like this?’

While puzzled by Sylvia’s appearance, which he had never seen, even in the novel, she blushed red as if startled by her own voice.

“Ah… that, that’s…”

Sylvia wasn’t originally the kind of person to snap out aggressively.

With a shocked expression, she stuttered out her words.

“Since I’m the one who received help, shouldn’t you receive the reward from me…?”

“This one didn’t help you because this one liked you. At the same time, Felix von Astria tried to help you, and this one handled that matter, so in conclusion, he received help from me.”

Ashillya, who smiled as if Sylvia’s voice trailing off in a deflated manner, calmly spoke.

“B-But…”

“As you wish, Your Highness.”

Since I felt there was no need to continue the sluggish argument any longer, I interrupted Sylvia’s words and accepted Ashillya’s proposal.

Even if they continued to argue, Ashillya would win anyway. There was no way Sylvia could win against her, who held the position of princess, even if she was the protagonist.

Moreover, I also had no valid reason to refuse Ashillya’s proposal. As she said, I received help from her.

“Felix…!”

Sylvia called out in disbelief, but I only shook my head quietly.

It wasn’t a good choice to needlessly go against Ashillya’s mood. Although her proposal was a bit burdensome.

“You don’t have to think of it as too burdensome. It won’t be that bad for you either.”

“Is that so…?”

When I asked out of genuine curiosity, Ashillya smiled leisurely as always.

“The Astria family is meritorious, right? They should be treated accordingly.”

“Wouldn’t my older brother be more suitable for that reason?”

The position of next head of the Astria family is not me, but my older brother. If we were to be treated due to our support, wouldn’t it be right for my brother to go?

“It can be seen as favoritism.”

Ashillya added with a smile as if she had already anticipated my words.

So, suppose the next head takes on the role of Ashillya’s escort. In that case, other families might feel that Astria is being favored.

To ‘reward’ the Astria family while not offending the feelings of other nobles, it would be appropriate for ‘me,’ who will not become the head, to take on that role.

Finally understanding her intention, I exhaled softly and bowed my head. There was no longer any justification to refuse.

At the same time, Sylvia also had no choice but to understand Ashillya’s invitation. Because there was no flaw in Ashillya’s words.

“It is an honor to be able to serve you.”

As if my answer finally pleased her, Ashillya smiled contentedly and gave a small nod.

“I will send someone later for the detailed schedule, so you just need to prepare yourself.”

“I understand, Your Highness.”

“Then, see you later.”

I politely bid farewell to Ashillya’s back as she waved her hand slightly and left with a satisfied expression. As soon as her figure grew distant, I let out a small sigh.

I came to solve one matter, but another matter arose.
That fact made my head dizzy.

***

Step, step.

Ashillya crossed the academy with straight and upright steps. Some time had passed since classes started, and very few people were walking around the campus.

Finally, when her steps moved to a secluded place where people didn’t pass by, a voice was heard beside her.

“…What should we do?”

“What did His Majesty answer?”

Even though it was startling to hear a voice suddenly, Ashillya’s expression didn’t twitch.

The pleasant smile that had been on her face just before, when she was with Felix, had long since disappeared. At Ashillya’s coldly settled words, her shadow silently continued the report.

“His Majesty ordered to do as you wish.”

“…It seems right to get rid of him. We can no longer ignore him damaging the Imperial family’s dignity.”

“I will follow your order. Shall we handle it the usual way?”

“Even so, he is still my younger brother, which seems a bit too much.”

Felix and the others there didn’t notice, but there was no way Ashillya would be in danger.

In name and reality, Ashillya was a person confirmed to ascend to the position of Crown Princess, so there was no way they would put her in danger.

Around her, bodyguards always on standby watched over her while hiding their presence. Even if Felix hadn’t appeared, not a single scratch would have been on Ashillya’s noble body.

Because her shadows would have protected her even if they had to throw their own bodies. Of course, there was no need for them to throw their bodies at Leonhardt’s magic or anything like that.

“There is nothing more frightening than a foolish person having conviction and nothing more dangerous than an ignorant person having power.”

“…”

“Break that child’s mana circle. So that he can never do anything again.”

“I will obey your command.”

“Furthermore, make it so that he can’t even think of appearing before this one’s eyes. Even if he is a child with all his limbs broken, there are always pigs who want to make use of him.”

“I will handle it thoroughly.”

The leader of the shadows deeply bowed his head and accepted Ashillya’s order. Without even giving him a glance, she continued walking.

When she ascends to the position of Crown Princess, she will be able to use the Imperial Knights officially, but not yet.

At the same time, rather than the Imperial Knights, who were not her own people, Ashillya felt more at ease using these ‘shadows’ who were.

Because they blindly followed and obeyed her. Since she had been using them for a long time, she knew how perfectly they carried out their tasks, so she put her mind at ease.

She had also received permission from His Majesty the Emperor, so there was nothing more to hesitate about. Leonhardt would never be able to appear before her again.

“Ah, right.”

While thinking like that and moving with satisfaction, Ashillya stopped as if she remembered something and spoke to the leader of the shadows, who was still prostrating.

“I am thinking of inviting that child to this one’s enthronement ceremony.”

“…Are you thinking of keeping him by your side?”

“That’s right.”

Felix.

Ashillya, thinking of the red-haired boy, unknowingly smiled softly and affirmed the shadow leader’s words.

“…”

Ashillya erased her smile when she noticed his silence.

“If you have something to ask, ask now.”

“…No, it’s nothing.”

“Feel free. This one is in a good mood right now.”

The shadows are a group that blindly follows Ashillya’s orders.

Even if it is a dirty job that tramples on human morals, they blindly follow her orders. Because they are already people whose lives have been saved by her.

Therefore, the leader of the shadows hesitated momentarily but soon brought out the question he had been holding back.

“I am curious why you want to keep that child by your side.”

“…Well.”

The first time Ashillya saw Felix was not at the academy.

She first saw him at the Astria family manor. Felix may not remember, but Ashillya remembered his appearance.

The appearance of a boy who was so straightforward that he was crazy about the sword and practiced it. Of course, that wasn’t the reason she wanted to keep him by her side. Rather, she might not have kept him by her side if she had only seen such an appearance.

The next time she saw him was when Felix was arguing with Leonhardt.

At first, she was intrigued by his appearance, which seemed somehow different from before at a glance. She wondered how he had changed so much in such a short time.

A smile naturally flowed out when she saw him threatening Leonhardt. She thought he was a strangely peculiar child.

At the same time, she could feel a very small joy in his appearance.

From starting as a princess to ascending to Crown Princess, Ashillya had been burdened with countless responsibilities and challenges. That wasn’t a particularly strange thing.

She adapted to her environment and became who she is today.

However, in the process, she had forgotten the joy of life. Because her life was not smooth enough for her to enjoy anything.

Felix was a small joy she encountered during such times.

Separately, the reason she decided to deal with Leonhardt was simply because she knew Leonhardt would not be of help to Sylvia.

And there, she faced the boy who made her happy again. Recalling the appearance of the boy who protected her, Ashillya unknowingly smiled and answered the shadow.

“Being the one protected isn’t bad either.”

“…I will also report Felix von Astria’s attendance.”

“Handle it as quickly as possible.”

At Ashillya’s words, the shadow bowed his head even deeper. Ashillya calmly moved her steps and touched her own face.

When she thought of Felix, her lips always took the same shape.

Translator’s Corner

Been enjoying the calmer pace for this. But that’ll be changing for a bit because of a kofi donation, so daily chapters til that’s settled. Yippie~

-Ruminas