Chapter 21: Prince Ruben’s Birthday Party

Knock, knock.

Razé heard a knocking sound, so she went to open the door.

It was Carna with her trademark princess curl. She said, “Morning, Razé.”

“Good morning. What happen? Why are you here so early in the morning?” Razé asked in surprise as she stood there in her pajama.

Folia noticed that Carna had come, so she greeted her, “Good morning, Carna-sama!”

“I came here to pass these to you. I hope you two could come,” Carna said as she gave Razé an expensive looking card.

Razé took it and asked, “What is this?”

Carna: “It’s the invitation to Ruben-sama’s birthday party. It’s a small party organized by the students, so we’re unable to invite all students like the welcome party.”

“Oh! Is it okay for me to join too?” Folia looked excited as she asked Carna.

Carna replied, “Of course. I’d love if you could come. We also have sweets specially ordered from Masserone. You can look forward to it.”

Razé started to reconsider after hearing the name of the candy store at Fiza Shopping District. Carna was busy so she said, “See you later,” and left. The invitation cards that Razé and Folia had received felt like a key to a treasure chest.

Folia: “Carna-sama seems so busy.”

Razé: “The party is tonight. She must have been working hard for Prince Ruben.”

Razé looked at the invitation card on her desk as she got herself ready. As she chatted with Folia about Prince Ruben’s birthday party, she had made a decision to attend the party since Carna had personally invited her. It was definitely not because she wanted to eat Masserone’s sweets.

However, this party had created a commotion.

“…Hmm. They should have predicted that this would happen.” Razé looked at the commotion in front of her with a sour face.

After they left the dormitory, they went to eat breakfast as usual and attended classes in the morning. But when they came to the dining hall at the school building in the afternoon, the atmosphere was so tense. When Razé took a closer look, she could see some groups of students comforting crying girls here and there. When she listened carefully, she could hear a girl saying “I’ve already made promise to dance with Adis-sama, but now it’s useless.” Razé’s cheeks were twitching. How can she said that out loud, she thought.

Right now, at the academy, a battle over the invitation card for Prince Ruben’s birthday party had broken out. There was no one who would publicly questioned why they didn’t receive an invitation because this was considered a political and social event even though it was held inside the academy.

Regardless whether they received the invitation or not, by right, everyone should behaved themselves and kept good manners to celebrate Prince Ruben’s birthday. Crying while complaining about their dance promise with Adis-sama was something that they shouldn’t said out loud.

This was a birthday party for Prince Ruben. This was a chance to get close with Price Ruben as well as the other attendees. Razé looked at the tense situation and facepalmed. She felt sorry for the aristocrats.

Razé: “Folia, I’ve something to tell you privately.”

Folia: “What is it?”

Razé told Folia not to tell anyone about her invitation card. It was obvious what would happen if other students found out that a commoner like them had an invitation card. The two decided to eat lunch outside and went out to the school courtyard.

Razé ate noodle soup as she thought about the upcoming birthday party tonight. The reason why the invitation cards were handed out at the last minute was to avoid such conflict. Unfortunately, there were still some greedy people who would do whatever it takes as long as they could attend the party.

According to the Book of Prophecies, Folia’s invitation card would be snatched by Ruben’s fans. She couldn’t attend the party, so she went to the flower garden wearing her party dress. There, she met Adis and they became closer.

*sigh* Based on the game storyline, Lord Moldir must have lost his life during the bizarre beasts attack at the church back then. Otherwise, there is no way that Folia would fall in love with any of these young masters …

Looking at the situation so far, Folia would not fall in love with the love interests even if Razé didn’t do anything to disturb the events. Razé could saw Folia’s expression every time she wrote the letter to Lord Moldir. She wondered whether it would be okay if she just let the event not related to Ruben happen according to the plot.

Folia: “I’m so excited for the party.”

When Razé heard those words, she was startled. Her hand holding the spoon stopped moving and she couldn’t help staring at Folia.

Folia: “I’ve never been to a party when I was in the church, so I’m so excited. The welcome party back then was like a fairy tale. It was so nice～”

Folia was like a pure and innocent angel. It made Razé regretted her stupid plan.

Razé: “Folia. I will definitely make you a princess.”

Folia: “Huh?”

Folia was puzzled looking at Razé’s serious face.

* * *

Folia: “Razé-chan. Sorry, can you help me fasten the zipper on my back?”

Razé: “Sure.”

Razé, who was reading a book on her bed, stood up after being called by Folia, who was struggling to put on her dress.

“Should I do your hair and make-up?” Razé asked as she fastened the zipper.

Folia: “You would help me?”

Razé: “Sure.”

Folia: “Thank you!”

Razé smiled as she reached out for the cosmetics and accessories which had been prepared for Folia. All of them were of high quality like those used by the aristocratic ladies.

“Oh!” Razé stopped her hand when she saw the accessories. She didn’t notice it before when they were preparing for the welcome party, but most of the accessories were designed with motif based on the crest of the Moldir family.

Wow. Razé stared at the accessories and she could imagine that Lord Moldir cared about Folia very deeply. This made her felt curious about what was written in the letter written by Lord Moldir to Folia every week.

This can be useful. Razé took out an ear cuff and broke into a grin.

Razé: “Okay, we’re done.”

Folia: “Thanks, Razé-chan!”

She had applied makeup on Folia’s face, and pulled back her hair so that the ear cuff could be seen clearly. The preparation was complete. If anyone looked at the ear cuff carefully, they would realize who was her backer. Folia went to the chapel every Sunday, and she was like an angel. No one would doubt it.

I should have done this earlier, Razé thought. This way, the plot would be affected too. There would be less people who would dare to look down on her for being a commoner or targeted her for her healing magic. And most importantly, Lord Moldir could rest assured that this would scare off any guy who wanted to approach Folia.

Razé: “This ear cuff must be an order made. There’s initial carved at the back. It looks good and match with the school uniform. Why don’t you wear it from now on?”

Folia: “Really?”

Razé: “Yeah. It’s also have been blessed with magic. It’s better if you wear it. Folia, it seems like he must care a lot about you.”

Folia: “… Zale-sama.”

Folia touched the ear cuff. She felt bad for not treasuring his gift, so she decided to wear it in the future.

Razé: “You can meet him soon right after the test.”

Folia: “Un.”

Folia’s smile shot through Razé’s heart. If I was a man, I’d chase after her, thought Razé.

Folia: “Razé-chan, it’s almost time to leave.”

Razé: “Okay. Give me a minute, I’ll get ready.”

Razé prepared quickly and wore the same dress that she wore to the welcome party. It was not like she could ask her comrades, who were busy doing expedition in Baruda, to send her a few more dresses. Even though dresses were available at the shopping district, ‘Razé Granoli’ was a commoner scholarship student. It was her character setup that she couldn’t afford to buy many dresses.

Razé: “It’s time. Let’s go.”

Folia: “Un.”

Razé had marked the party venue, so she had planned to teleport there. If they entered the hall directly, the game event could be avoided.

Knock, knock.

Right at that moment, there was a knocking sound at the door. Razé turned around immediately and opened the door before Folia could move.

Razé: “Huh? Carna-sama?”

Carna was standing outside the door with a gloomy face. When Razé called out to her, she replied, “Razé, can I talk to you for a moment?”

Razé went out the door and asked her, “What happen?”

Carna: 「I’m such a bad person!」[1]

Razé was speechless. She couldn’t understand why Carna suddenly would be like this. She listened to Carna with a puzzled look on her face.

Carna: 「I already knew that Folia-san’s invitation card would be snatched by other people. But I pretended like I know nothing of it. I’m so afraid to lose Ruben-sama! How could I do this to a friend!」

Razé remained silent as she listened to Carna talked on and on in Japanese.

Just like Folia, Carna-sama is too kind. There are people out there who do more cruel and outrageous things. These girls are too kind and pure hearted.

Razé watched Carna as she continued to talk.

Carna: 「I already decided to be a rival, not a villainess. But if I do this, I’m worse than a villainess. I’m so terrible.」

Razé: 「Don’t be like that, Carna-sama. You’re going to meet Prince Ruben after this, aren’t you?」

Razé put on a gentle smile on her face and hold Carna’s hands.

Razé: 「You must be anxious due to the stress preparing for the party. Didn’t you give the invitation card to Folia already? Besides, most of the plot have been changed. I’m sure Folia won’t be harmed.」

Seeing that Carna wanted to refute her words, Razé threw a slightly harsh word at her before she could speak up.

Razé: 「Do you really think that this world could be manipulated? You shouldn’t take it all on yourself. After all, there’s nothing you can do about other people. You should take good care of yourself.」

Carna calmed down and relaxed her shoulders.

Razé: 「I will protect Folia. As for you, you should put on your lovely smile and make sure to keep Prince Ruben by your side.」

Carna’s cheeks turned red after listening to Razé’s words.

Carna: “Thank you, Razé.”

Razé: “No problem. You can come to me anytime if there is anything. The least I could do is listen to your worries.”

Carna: “Okay.”

Carna looked relieved and her expression had become brighter than before. Before she left, she said to Razé, “I’ve talked to Luca-sama. He will wait for you at the lobby.”

Razé: “Alright, I understood.”

Razé had planned to teleport but since Carna-sama had made the arrangement, she couldn’t reject it.

Folia: “Did something happen to Carna-sama?”

Razé: “She must be stressed out with the preparation for the party. But she’s okay now. Besides, she’s going to meet with Prince Ruben later.”

“I see,” Folia said as she smiled cheerfully.

Carna seemed anxious about whether Ruben and Folia would have a change of heart. But Razé’s honestly thought that there was nothing to be worried about.

Well, the event for the tragic ending is next year. I couldn’t put my guard down.

When they went down to the lobby, they saw Luca waiting for them.

“Ah, Folia–” Luca called out to Folia and then he was stunned silence.

I know you’re fascinated by the cute angel, but don’t act like there are only the two of you in this world, thought Razé as she watched Luca’s stupefied look.

As Folia’s good friend, Razé decided to help Luca and said, “She’s pretty, isn’t she?”

Luca: “… You look good in that dress.”

Folia: “Thank you, Luca-kun.”

After spending time practicing magic together, the two have deepened their friendship. But seeing that there was no chance for Folia to have a change of heart, Razé felt sorry for Luca.

Luca: “Let’s hurry up. The party is going to start soon.”

The two girls followed after him, and soon they could saw the hall nearby. Thanks to Luca, no one dared to approach them to snatch the invitation. Razé sighed with relief. When she was about to enter the hall, something caught her eye.

That is …

She had keen powers of observation and had noticed several male students were acting suspicious. Razé used lip-reading technique to catch their conversation.

“Hand over your invitation.”

“Just because your result was good last year, don’t get carried away. You’re just a commoner!”

“I can easily crush your family, you know.”

The boy who was being threatened endured it and glared at them.

Ah, human never change.

Razé continued to watch them. Why can’t these kids understand the reason why this academy is a full boarding school?

If the aristocratic children grew up without leaving their small world, it was not hard to guess what kind of adult they would turn into. In order to avoid this, Centrior was built specially for the aristocratic children. Unfortunately, some of the students were not able to understand this reason.

Razé: “Sorry, Folia. I forgot that I have a biology assignment that I need to submit tomorrow. I have to go back.”

Folia: “What?!”

Razé: “Can you inform Carna-sama later? I’m so sorry!”

Razé spontaneously made up a reason and acted naturally. Then, she returned back the way they had came from. After a while, she teleported back to where the group of male seniors were gathered. There, she saw a young man crouching on the ground. Razé called out to him, “Excuse me.”

“If you’re looking for an invitation, I don’t have any,” said the young man with his head hang down.

Razé was concerned about this event that was caused by the otome game. But more importantly, as a fellow commoner, Razé couldn’t ignored him. She crouched down next to him and said, “This is for you.”

“Huh?” The young man raised his head and was stunned when he saw the invitation card.

Razé: “I’m in the same class with Prince Ruben. I have many chances to talk to him. Please take this.”

The young man asked her, “You are …?”

Razé: “1st Year Class A, Razé Granoli.”

She handed the invitation card to him and gave him a smile. The young man asked her, “Are you a commoner too? Is it really okay for me to take this?”

Razé: “Yes. I was hesitant to go to the party because I’m wearing the same dress that I wore to the welcome party. I hope you would accept this invitation card.”

The young man took it and said, “Thank you. I can’t thank you enough.”

When she heard that, Razé came up with an idea. She said, “In that case, can you bring me some sweets from Masserone?”

The young man was taken by surprised at her words. He replied, “No problem. I’m Hugh München from Class A, 2nd Year. I will bring you the sweets later.”

Razé: “Okay.”

As time was running out, Hugh rushed to the venue.

“Hmm? München?” Razé noticed that the name sounded familiar. “Oops, could it be the München Merchant Associations?” München family was the most powerful merchant associations currently.

Surprised by the sudden event, Razé walked down a quiet corridor and rushed back to the dormitory. After confirming that nobody was around, she climbed up the roof of the school building to take a break. Then she let out a sigh.

“This is not good …” She had noticed the situation and vented to herself. “We can avoid triggering a flag but the event itself cannot be avoided. That’s a problem.”

Razé put her hand on her forehead. Until now, various events have occurred according to the Book of Prophecies. Razé could tampered with the content, but strangely the event itself was unavoidable. This time, Hugh became the victim of the event instead.

Razé felt relieved that Carna was not aware of this yet. If Carna knew about this, then she would realize that another person would become the victim as her substitute and met with the tragic ending.

“This must be avoided at all cost.”

Carna was too kind. If she knew, she would definitely choose to sacrifice herself. But Carna’s tragic ending was equal to Razé’s tragic ending. Razé was well aware about that.

Razé looked at the two moons in the sky and racked her brain about what to do.

[1] Dialogue inside of 「this」 bracket indicates that they were conversing in Japanese. ↩