Thinking that if I didn’t say it now, I might never say it, I grabbed Hiss’s arm.

“It’s not just guilt. I’m truly thankful. What Hiss did for me is beyond mere thanks[Dash].”

I was struggling to express my sincerity, so I inadvertently put force into the hand gripping Hiss’s arm.

“I’ll never forget it.”

(This is a time separator.)

When I returned to the dormitory building, someone greeted me warmly at the entrance.

“Princess Reina.”

“Ah……, Your Grace……!”

I quickly racked my brain to remember who this woman was, but I failed.

“Countess Belrua.”

Fortunately, Belrua answered me without any sign of offense.

“Yes. Of course. I knew it. Valroa Your Grace.”

“Belrua.”

“Yes, Belrua Your Grace. I’m sorry, I’m a little tired.”

Belrua Your Grace smiled again and nodded her head.

“I know you’re busy, Princess.”

Although she was known to have a cheerful personality, it was suspicious that Belrua suddenly acted friendly. It would be best to cut it off here.

“Thank you for worrying. Then, have a good day, Belrua Your Grace.”

I hurried to get out of the dusty lobby.

“Just a moment[Dash]!”

But Belrua Your Grace didn’t give up and followed me.

As soon as I stopped, Belrua Your Grace got straight to the point.

“Could you introduce me to Prince Kirian?”

“Kirian?”

I asked in surprise at the unexpected words. Considering when Kirian first appeared at the academy, it was probably a natural course of events.

“Yes. I really want to meet him, but he’s so hard to meet.”

“Ah, yes.”

Indeed, Kirian, who hates getting involved with people to the utmost, intentionally or instinctively avoided other academy students.

“Is there any way?”

Belrua Your Grace looked at me with twinkling eyes.

“If there’s anything you want, I can do anything…….”

I quickly waved my hand at the increasingly aggressive conversation.

“Ah, no. There’s no need. I think it would be impossible to introduce Kirian.”

Belrua Your Grace’s face, suddenly darkened by disappointment, seemed a little pitiful, but I had no intention of retracting my words.

“Kirian really hates meeting people, too.”

I hesitated for a moment whether to say this. Eventually, I decided to say it for the public good.

“And Your Grace, it would be better for you to stay away from Kirian…….”

There were still a few years left until Kirian grew into the wicked character from the original work, but looking at the current trend, it seemed too late for him to turn over a new leaf.

I couldn’t help but remember the part of a recent letter from the Duchess, where Kirian had shattered the beloved wooden sword she cared for.

The original Kirian didn’t treat anyone but the protagonist as a person, whether they were parents or friends, and I trembled at the thought that this might be the beginning of that behavior.

“Kirian is…… not a kind person who cares well for others.”
I wasn’t very pleased, as it seemed to me that Kirian was only being talked about nicely, but I thought this would be the surest way to change the young lady’s mind.

That way, no one would bother the inherently peopleshy Kirian, and no one would be hurt by Kirian.

“Yes?”

The young lady, Belrua, tilted her head as if she didn’t understand.

“How wonderful Lord Kirian is.”

Belrua spoke confidently, as if she knew Kirian better than I did.

“How carefully he looks after Princess Reina. I saw it all. He even took diligent notes on behalf of the Princess, who was busy with the State Council, and made sure to bring her food when Princess Reina skipped lunch while preparing for the State Council.”

The once composed Belrua began to rant, pouring out her words haphazardly.

Everything she blurted out was true. No, Kirian did even more for me.

“People who are good to their families are good to others. Lord Kirian must be disappointed. The only sister he took care of is talking behind his back.”

Starting to tear up, Belrua hurriedly waved her hands as if realizing something late.

“It’s not that Princess Reina is bad.”

“Yes. I understand.”

I replied slowly, chewing over the young lady’s words.

Suddenly, it wasn’t even a new realization. I realized how great the gap was between Kirian’s two aspects; rude to others but infinitely good to me.

Belrua must have misunderstood my hesitation, as she eagerly clasped her hands.

“Then introduce[Dash].”

“I absolutely cannot.”

There were things I thought Kirian would hate.

Also, for some reason, I felt like I would feel bad too.

(This is a time separator.)

But it didn’t end with Belrua.

“Your Highness……. Perhaps Lord Kirian[Dash].”

“I cannot introduce you.”

It was the third time today.

I looked at the girl running away, tears welling in her eyes, with an indifferent eye. Anyone would think I had rejected a confession.

As soon as the midterm exams were over and I had not attended class properly due to preparing for the State Council, questions about Kirian flooded in like a burst dam.

I was not in a good mood.

“I’m not Cupid, they will figure it out themselves.”

It’s scary to approach Kirian directly, but I can’t give up.

“Again, only I’m very easygoing?”

“Sister?”

Kirian, who had suddenly appeared, sat down beside me and asked. The corners of his mouth were twitching, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that he was holding back laughter.

I was glaring at Kirian when someone approached.

It was the young lady who had just asked me to introduce Kirian. Her cute features were lightly tinged pink from crying, and her eyes were still brimming with tears, looking quite pitiable.

I regretted rejecting her so coldly, even just a little bit.

The young lady took one step closer.

“Lord Kirian……!”