Mistress Of The Evil Forest

Case 121: The birth of a new star.

''What kind of bullshit...''

''Don't swear with that face. It's unsettling.''

''What? Are you saying my original face is more suitable since it is not as pretty? Is that it?''

''Figure it out yourself.''

''Y-You! You don't love me anymore!''

With teary(fake) eyes, Chloe runs out of the room... and soon comes back with an ice cream in her hand and a bag of potato chips for me. Now that I think about it, the original Chloe is quite pretty herself.

Either way, the exams just ended today, and we have a problem to tackle.

The transfer student.

In the game, there is no transfer student. That white-haired guy in class 1-A? He doesn't have a mid-semester entrance, so we can't really count him as one.

Now, according to Chloe's information network, the one coming to this school next semester isn't an unnamed NPC either. 

''The Miko, huh...''

Miko. Shrine Maiden.

She is an important character in the later arc of the story, where the main character goes on a field trip to the eastern country of Yugen, which deeply resembles Japan of Earth.

However, the real head-scratcher here is the reason for her admission. 

A likely theory is that she can somehow observe the current state of Kyomu, and she wants to come here and collect him. But even then, can't she send people here and be done with it?

Why sign up for the school?

In the end, it's not like we can do much about it at the moment. Waiting for her to come is the most sensible option. Unless...

''Is there a possibility of her being a demon in disguise?''

''You mean the Death Note kinda guy?''

''Mhm.''

''I don't remember her being in the pool of possible targets, but... hm... let's not let our guard down. I sent someone to investigate already, so we just need to hear from them.''

''Okay.''

With the problem of the unexpected transfer student out of the way, we have another one on the table.

''This isn't really a problem, is it?'' Chloe remarks, chomping a big one out of her ice cream.

''...''

''Nydia told you she'd come under Sierra, right? Then, there should be no problem. Nydia will be Nydia, and she won't affect things much.''

''Aren't you scared?''

''Of?''

''Of her using her power as a princess to get close to me.''

''Heh.''

Following her sneer, she, who has been leaning on me, puts the rest of her ice cream in my mouth. A perfect length of the crispy cone, with an adequate amount of cream and a surprise layer of chocolate at the end of it.

Simply exquisite.

''She? She isn't even my opponent.'' Chloe says, her voice calm and collected. ''Her love cannot rival mine, and so is her time spent with you. I am your number one, and that won't change.''

''...Right.''

Grinning, Chloe then quickly overlaps my lips with hers.

February 9th, 1835.

Upon coming back from groceries with Nydia, as usual, we spot an unfamiliar person standing in front of the dorm. Since the security here is exceptionally tight, it leaves an impression that whoever this might be, they are not ordinary.

''Ah...''

And, of course, being so restless about her identity for the last week, Nydia immediately turns surprised.

''Ah, here you are.''

The woman dressed in a white uniform, which has a badge with the imperial family's emblem on its chest pocket, quickly walks up to us.

''Good day to you, Miss Nydia.'' She bows deeply. ''I am Violet of the Intelligence Department. Would you mind sparing some time for me?''

''Um... alright.''

''Wonderful!''

Just like so, Nydia hands the groceries to me and goes somewhere with Violet. The more I look at her back, the more I feel a stir inside my consciousness.

My state of emotions is disturbed, and I don't know how to react to it. I don't know how to feel about it.

''...''

Somehow, my steps as I walk back to Chloe's room feel heavier. 

Since it is Sunday, Chloe is still treating herself to a nice and comfortable sleep.

It isn't until a whole thirty minutes later that I hear Nydia come back. When I step outside of Chloe's room and knock on her room's door—

''Come in.''

So, I come in.

''What do you want for lunch, Aurora? Oh, is the lady up yet?''

Hearing these usual questions makes my heart feel suffocated for some reason. The reason... it's probably because Nydia had her back against me while gathering her stuff into a suitcase.

Her movements are rushed and clumsy.

As if she doesn't want me to see her right now.

''...How long do you plan to stay?'' I ask.

Her hands pause slightly.

''Since I can't let the emperor wait for long... this afternoon, at the latest.''

''I see. I'll call the lady up. You can prepare lunch in the meanwhile.''

''...Alright.''

Exiting her room, I slowly lean on the door. A sigh escapes my mouth.

Why am I feeling like this?

Even after pondering for a while, I can't figure it out. 

''Ooh...! Spicy curry!''

When she sees Chloe smile like a child, Nydia also smiles, but hers contains a hint of regret—a mix of it and sadness, I suppose.

As she turns to me, I nod at her.

''Um... Lady Luminous—''

So, Nydia starts to tell her story in a neat manner.

The person earlier came to deliver a summoning order from the emperor himself, and she also informed her of the reason behind it.

The third star.

Nydia will soon undergo a verification process to determine if she is a real princess or not, so she needs to leave later.

''I see.''

''...''

Chloe replies with a rather stoic face.

''Go ahead. I will handle the stuff on this side for you.''

''Thank you, Lady Luminous.''

''Don't mention it. And... don't be so sad either.''

''Huh?''

Chloe, basking in the sunlight outside the window, smirks at Nydia, her slight movement causing her glossy hair to emit a gleam.

''You will return, won't you?'' She asks.

''...Of course.''

Both of them smile at each other.

After spending the final moments together, we are ready for Nydia's departure.

With Violet holding her suitcase and herself abandoning the maid outfit, Nydia truly looks like a noble lady.

A slight breeze brushes through us, but her golden eyes are always fixed on me.

''Aurora.''

''Mhm?''

''This is my goodbye for now... but remember, I won't be away for long. As soon as I sort out everything... I will find my way back to you.''

''I'll wait.''

''Thanks. Truly.''

Before finally getting into her car, Nydia swiftly approaches me and gently holds my waist. Knowing this pattern, I also hold hers, and we quickly get closer...

...until it becomes a kiss.

''Hah?! H-Hey! You little fu—little rat!''

Chloe seems flabbergasted, but we can ignore her for now.

''Come back safely.''

''I will.''

With that, Nydia officially departs for the imperial palace, where her fate will significantly be altered from the moment she sets her feet in it.

A few days later.

''Hot news! Hot news!''

''Hey.''

Stopping the newspaper girl, I take out a coin.

''Give me one.''

''Okay, pretty sister!''

As soon as the girl hands me the newspaper, I unroll it and dart to the top of the front page.

There, undoubtedly, is a photo of a certain raven girl who has now donned an exquisite dress and beautiful jewelry—who, by the emperor's recognition, has become an imperial princess.

Her static eyes, even through the paper, give the feeling as though she can surpass anything obstructing her ways.

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