At first, I thought she was just a parasite. Someone who only wanted to hide behind His Majesty Kaelvarion to save her own skin. She had clung to him since the very start of the term, and that alone was already irritating enough for me.
But the worst part… was that His Majesty seemed to actually enjoy her strange company. As if he had some twisted taste for keeping her around.
Obviously, I'm talking about that weird commoner: Kathryn von Adelheid.
It's like His Majesty doesn't understand the terrible position he puts the crown in, his name… and mine as well. All because of her childish behavior.
While the honorable Master Isac was giving his lecture on Sourcery activation, I couldn't pay full attention. My mind was drowning in every tantrum Kaelvarion threw on a daily basis.
It all started with that terrible spoiled attitude of his, ever since he learned that we were to be engaged.
I'm not an idiot. I know very well that His Majesty doesn't feel the slightest affection toward me. And that's fine; I've never demanded it. Even I would despise myself if I didn't have my bloodline.
Still, he can't just act so carelessly regarding our engagement. That's something I could never allow. I can't let others believe that our union isn't perfect. Never.
He knows this very well. After all, we've known each other since we were children. And yet…
"He tries so hard to get on my nerves," I muttered under my breath.
Always flirting with other girls. If he at least did it in secret, it wouldn't be such a big public problem. But no—he always makes sure there are witnesses. So much that now he's become known as some kind of male idol: the Bandit Prince.
What the hell even is that!?
And now, he seemed obsessed with that Nen. She also looked interested—like any other fool who actually thought she could have Kaelvarion's heart.
Normally, I would've let it slide. Maybe just scared that stray cat of a plebeian a little. But… this time it really felt like that idiot fiancé of mine wanted to protect her and win her attention.
That's why I wanted to give that stray cat a lesson. But… from that very day when I tried to put her in her place, it was as if I had flipped some weird switch inside her.
Ever since then, she's been intent on getting back at me. Always finding strange ways to humiliate me. Forcing my face into her chest, or worse, shamelessly touching my body!
Tch.
Without noticing, I snapped the tip of my pencil from pressing it too hard against the notebook page.
"Ah… this happens too often," I muttered. "Every time I think about that cat, my nerves explode."
I grabbed my little fox-shaped eraser and began erasing the smudge I had left. That trivial act calmed me down a bit. If only I could do the same with her… erase her from this Academy, get my peaceful life back. Marry His Majesty and settle everything, just as my beloved parents wanted.
"Hey, Maxi, wanna go grab something to eat together?"
"Mmm. No. I want to stay and study… alone."
"Fine, but one day I'll make you eat with me and admit that we're besties, you hear me?!"
"My dear Kathryn, if you want company, why not mine? Wouldn't it be lovely for us to get to know each other better? Because I think it would be absolutely delightful."
Suddenly, His Majesty barged into the conversation. Even I have to admit it: he lacks any sense of tact. But as the prince of the kingdom, no one dares reject him, much less deny him anything. Of course, except me. Or… at least, that used to be the case.
"… Nah. I'm going alone. Your fiancée scares me. I'm not looking to get stabbed, thanks," the cat said, staring right into my eyes. Are you provoking me so I'll give you another beating?
I would, if not for the fact that she's annoyingly good at running away. Or maybe I'm just terrible at chasing. Either way, I didn't want to cause another scene.
"Oh, please, just ignore her."
"Seriously? She's your fiancée. Don't go hitting on other women while you're engaged… Anyway, I'm out. See ya, Maxi. And as for you, you stay right here. If you follow me, I'll scream you're harassing me. And I'll suplex you."
The cat gave him a little hand sign, warning him that she was watching. Her gaze was sharp, and the way her tail stiffened and her expression tightened made it obvious she hated Kaelvarion just as much as she hated me.
She was weird. Really weird. Rejecting His Majesty like that was abnormal. And yet, I admit… I liked that she did. It shut down the rumors about our engagement being on thin ice.
But the real problem was something else.
"Ha. Kathryn really is interesting. Tell me, my dear friend Maxine, have you gotten closer to our adorable little kitty? Would you share your secrets with me?"
That was it. The more she rejected him, the more interested he became. And that, for me, was a pain in the neck.
I let out a sigh and stood up, pretending to play the role of rescuer for Miss Maxine von Ryu. A newly ascended noble… though we all knew that title was nothing but a lie. I couldn't risk her revealing anything about how she got close to the cat.
"Please, Your Majesty. It's obvious that your questions are making Miss Ryu uncomfortable. I ask that you refrain."
I gave the kindest smile I could manage, both to him and her.
"Come now, my dear. You can't control who I talk to. I dislike being leashed. I'm not a pet. Just reminding you, in case you've forgotten."
"I'm not telling you who you can or can't talk to. I'm only asking that you avoid bothering others."
"It doesn't bother me," Ryu cut in quietly.
That answer made Kaelvarion smirk.
"See? Please, dear friend, share your methods with me."
"Well… I didn't do anything. Honestly, I just told her to screw off, but she insisted on talking to me. She did it all herself, not me. Actually, I wouldn't even call us friends yet."
I couldn't believe it. What logic did this girl even follow? She blatantly ignored the crown prince, yet actively sought out this woman's attention.
"I see… Mmm… Maybe if I mimic your attitude, she'll come to me too. Like some kind of inverted water spell."
"…What?" Ryu asked, clearly lost.
I, however, understood exactly what he was trying. But it would only bring problems.
"My dear, I understand your idea, but you shouldn't. Imagine how it would look if the prince acted cold to everyone. The impact on your reputation would be far too much."
Ryu gave me a very clear look: Do I really look like someone who ignores everyone?
Kaelvarion scoffed.
"As I've said before, Carlotta, I'm not some pet who'll do whatever you say. Not everything dances to the tune of your notes. Goodbye."
"Kaelvarion, wait!"
He ignored me. I rubbed my temples and followed after him, resigned to keep him from doing something stupid again.
"Wow… your fiancé's a real jerk, huh?"
"No comment."
"Though you're not much better yourself…"
She tried to mutter it under her breath, but I heard it loud and clear. I froze.
"Excuse me?"
"Nothing!"
"You're lucky I have to chase after His Majesty."
What the hell was happening? Was everyone who got close to that Stray cat just… losing their minds?
***
I got to the main dining hall, and my nightmares took shape.
Everyone was staring at Kaelvarion in disbelief. They couldn't believe the crown prince was acting like that.
I had no idea what the hell he'd done, but I prayed it wasn't something that would stain his reputation beyond repair.
I looked at him—he had bits of rice stuck to his face and clothes.
"What happened to His Highness?" I asked Mika and Nya, two girls who often joined me on my walks.
"Well… it was… I don't know," Nya replied, uncomfortable. "The prince tried to get the commoner's attention. He didn't manage. Then he tried using his charms, the kind that melt everyone… but it didn't work. The girl threw her plate of rice at him and ran off."
"Charms." Yeah, that ridiculous habit of his where he'd grab girls by the waist and tilt their chin with a flirty look.
I decided to save what little dignity he had left.
"Your Highness, come with me. We need to change your clothes."
As I feared, all eyes were locked on him, stunned that the heir to the throne had lowered himself like that in front of a commoner.
And for the first time, Kaelvarion didn't crack a joke or act arrogant. He just stayed silent, his eyes empty, like he couldn't comprehend his charms had failed.
"Well duh, of course they did, idiot…" I muttered under my breath.
I dragged him out of the dining hall, but the whispers followed us down the corridor. It was humiliating having to clean up after Kaelvarion's mess… and that damn cat's.
I clenched my fists.
"Ughhh… useless nen. I'll kick you out of this Academy even if I have to send you to the hospital. And you, Kaelvarion… ya better start actin' right, got it?"
I accidentally let my tongue slip back into its old habit of speaking like a commoner. I immediately corrected myself.
"Your Majesty, I beg you not to do such nonsense again."