Chapter 5: The End of Everything

Chapter 5: The End of Everything

With that, Rufus was taken away, and we were left alone in the room. But Lana, or I guess she was called Larna now, stayed behind.

“Um... Lady Larna? Thank you very much for helping me, and everything you’ve done for me all this time.”

I was amazed that the simple maid turned out to be someone from the ministry! And from what I just saw, she seemed like someone important too. I thanked her again.

Larna smiled mischievously. “Not at all. Actually, I’ve always wanted to talk to you. This was all really fun for me.”

“Eh? Always?”

Huh? Did she know about me this whole time? I thought in confusion.

Then Raphael spoke up. “Ah, she’s the superior I told you about at the school festival, remember?”

Oh, I see. So this is the one who was interested in me all this time? Then... have I met her somewhere before?

“Um, then does that mean we’ve met before?” I asked. Maybe I’d forgotten someone again?

“Why yes, we have. I didn’t look like this when you met me, though, so I wouldn’t expect you to recognize me,” Larna said with that same smile on her face.

“Look like this...?” What did she mean?

Raphael soon offered an explanation. “She is quite the professional at disguises, you see, so she has quite a few looks up her sleeve. She is also the one who had taught me how to disguise myself.”

What?! So this person before me was the master of disguises I’d heard about! Amazing! In that case, there was no way I’d remember meeting her before. In fact, I’d probably never recognize her no matter how many times we met! I wonder how she looked when we met before?

“If I may ask, how did you look when we met...?”

Larna smiled vaguely. “What you saw was... my exterior.”

“Exterior...?” My mind went blank at the word. What did it mean? But then, Larna suddenly hugged me and held me tight.

“Eh? Um..”

“Heheheh. You really are cute, aren’t you? I did say I’d hug you the next time we met,” Larna said, her blue eyes narrowing like a cat.

She said she’d would hug me the next time she met? Huh? And those eyes... have I seen them somewhere before...?

Just as I was about to remember, Jeord intervened. “That’s enough. Return Katarina to me this instant.” With that, Jeord pulled me away from Larna’s arms.

“Ah, what a short-tempered prince, hmm?” Larna said with a dry laugh.

Hmm... I almost had it, too...

“Katarina, are you all right?” Jeord asked, looking at me with a grave expression.

“Yes, I am totally fine— Ah! That’s right! What about Lady Selena? Magic was used on her and...”

I hadn’t seen Selena since last night. Rufus had claimed that she was sleeping, but I couldn’t help but feel worried.

“Others from the ministry are currently with Prince Ian, and they are headed to Lady Selena now. There’s nothing to worry about,” Larna replied.

“Prince Ian is here, too?”

“Yes. He went pale as soon as he heard about all this. This is the first time I’ve seen him like that, really. It seems like he was really worried about Lady Selena.”

“Is that so! That’s a relief...” As I thought, you couldn’t truly understand things like this without having a conversation about it. It didn’t seem like Prince Ian disliked Lady Selena at all, despite what she believed.

“But really, Katarina... it is such a relief that you are all right.” Jeord heaved a sigh of relief.

My other friends all said similar things, like, “We’re so glad you’re safe, Lady Katarina.”

“From now on, Big Sister... do be more careful...” Keith said.

“I understand,” I said meekly, not sure what else to say.

“Even so... You were kidnapped, Katarina, but for some reason, your skin looks more bright and soft than usual, does it not?” Jeord said, peering at me carefully.

I gulped. Everyone in this room had been so worried, so I couldn’t just tell them that my kidnap experience had actually been relaxing and enjoyable.

“I-Is that so...?”

“Yes. Even the sheen of your hair has improved... wait. What is this?” Jeord said, his gaze suddenly stopping on the region around my neck as he ran his fingers through my hair.

“Eh? What is it?”

“This mark on your neck. What exactly is this?”

“Mark? Neck?” What’s he talking about? A mark... Ah! That’s right! It’s from that time...

“Oh, this? I was just stung by a bug of some kind.”

“An... insect? Stung you?”

“Yes. When Rufus pushed me down onto the bed...”

“Pushed you down onto the bed!!”

Huh? For some reason, Jeord was making a terrifying face. What’s going on?

“What exactly do you mean, Katarina? So you were pinned down on this bed? Rufus is... the man who was just taken away, yes?”

“Ah, yes. Last night, he suddenly pushed me down. And it seems like a bug stung me then. I thought for sure that he was about to use his magic to put me to sleep, but...”

I had never seen Jeord’s expression be so dark and intimidating before. Someone, please help me...! With that thought in mind, I looked over to my friends who were standing around us — but for some reason, everyone had equally grave, severe, and intense expressions. Huh? What? Why? Everyone was full of smiles until just now!

“It would seem that your definition of ‘all right’ is quite lacking indeed. Then... other than you being stung by some insect after being pinned down, did anything... else, happen?”

“Ah, yes. In the midst of it, Lana— I mean... Lady Larna knocked on the door, and stopped him from casting his magic on me.”

Jeord, for some reason, heaved a large sigh. “I had thought that I could match your pace and wait, but it would seem that you could be snatched away at any moment. In that case... I will no longer wait.”

“?”

For some reason, Jeord’s face was now extremely close to mine. I didn’t understand what was going on at all, but... Ahh, good-looking people are attractive even all close up like this! That was all I could think.

Before I knew it, Jeord had come so close that I couldn’t even see his face anymore. Then I felt a soft, light sensation on my lips. Wh-What’s going on! D-Don’t tell me, this is...!

“I have decided. I shall wait no longer. I could hardly bear it... the thought of someone else taking you for themselves as I wait,” said the black-hearted prince who stole my first kiss, smiling.

These lips...! My lips...!

What was this? What’s going on? Aren’t I just a deterrent against other annoying female suitors? Isn’t Jeord actually interested in Maria? Wh-Why a k-kiss, then...?

Apparently the room had erupted into an explosion of noise, but I didn’t hear any of it. The thought of that kiss just now filled my mind.

Why? How? What? I couldn’t understand it at all...

So it came to be that I, Katarina Claes, who had never had any encounters of the romantic kind in my previous life, had her mind shorted out for the rest of the day. And with that, the curtains finally fell on the kidnapping incident.

★★★★★★★★★

“Selena, Selena.”

Someone was desperately calling my name. As I opened my eyes... someone I did not expect to see was at my bedside.

“Prince... Ian?”

“Selena. I see you have awoken. I am relieved.” With that, Prince Ian held me tight, as if I were someone he loved. It was like something out of a dream. But his warmth was definitely real.

“I heard everything. I apologize... it was my fault that you went and did that for me.” For some reason, Prince Ian was apologizing to me with a heartbroken expression.

“N-No... not at all... It was something I did of my own volition. I acted on my own without thinking... I truly apologize.”

Upon waking up, I realized that my mind was now completely clear. And now that I thought about what I did, as I relived the events in my mind, even I was surprised at my actions.

There was no way that I, being Prince Ian’s fiancée, wouldn’t cause him trouble if I were to be indicted for a crime. I was ashamed at my own foolishness.

“There was nothing that could have been done. You were being controlled. Pay it no heed. More importantly, I am truly relieved that you are safe. I was so worried about you.”

Controlled. I thought to ask what Prince Ian meant by that, but the latter half of his statement blew me away.

“Oh... you were worried...? About me?”

“Of course. You are my dear fiancée, after all.”

Ah... for Prince Ian to say that I was his dear fiancée... but. “B-But... do you not hate me, Prince Ian...?”

“If you wish to know the truth, you have to ask Prince Ian, and that’s that!” I recalled my promise to Lady Katarina, and decided to ask him the question bluntly.

“What are you saying? Of course I would never feel that way about you,” Prince Ian said, looking surprised for reasons unknown to me. It didn’t seem like he was lying, however...

“B-But... we hardly see each other, and all this time, you were distant whenever we did meet...” I drew courage from Lady Katarina’s words as I continued asking my questions. These were things I had never asked before.

But then, Prince Ian’s face reddened. “...Ah.”

I wonder what happened...?

“That... was because... you are simply so lovable, and I would not have been able to restrain myself.”

“!” I froze upon hearing these unexpected words.

“We are merely engaged. We are not yet formally married. As such, I do not feel that it is appropriate to place my hands upon you when I please. I logically understand that, but... As I gaze upon you... your loveliness compels me to touch you. As such, I felt that it would be for the best for me to see you less often and for me to be somewhat distant from you.”

With that, Prince Ian’s face reddened some more — it was a shade of deep red that I had never seen in my life.

“However... it would seem like my intentions were misinterpreted. I apologize. Allow me to formally make a declaration. I, Ian Stuart, love you, Selena Berg. I love you very much,” Prince Ian said, staring straight at me despite his intensely blushing face.

Ahh... it is just like Lady Katarina said. It was impossible to tell what someone else was thinking about. Only the person in question would have the answer, and that was why it was important to have a proper conversation, to talk to each other. It was really just like what Lady Katarina told me.

Overcome with happiness, large tears rolled down my face. Prince Ian quickly wiped each one away with his fingers, all the while fidgeting in concerned embarrassment.

★★★★★★★★★

With the Katarina Claes kidnapping incident resolved, and a report to the Magical Ministry turned in, I found myself holding a copy of said report, walking towards my partner’s room.

I stopped in front of his door. “I’m coming in,” I said.

“Please,” was his response. He turned to face me as I entered his room with that flippant look of his, as always. “Ah! I see that today, of all days, you have made yourself quite plain indeed!”

“Of course. I was disguised as a simple maid with no living relatives. I did have a wig on, though.” Saying so, I lifted the brown wig off my head, allowing my natural black hair to reveal itself.

“No matter how many times I look at it, I must say. Your disguises are really impressive... Susanna Randall.”

“I am most honored by your praise, Prince Jeffery,” I responded to the casually smiling prince in a dignified, ladylike manner.

The professional disguise master of the Magical Ministry, Larna Smith, was none other than Susanna Randall — fiancée of Prince Jeffery, first crown prince of the kingdom.

Other than Prince Jeffery himself, only those that stood at the top echelons of the ministry knew about my true identity. As to why I had disguised myself, and why I used a false name... well. I couldn’t simply continue casually working at the ministry as Susanna, after all.

Well... it was because I had hidden my identity that I was able to accept Jeffery’s request in the first place. It was none other than Jeffery himself who had picked up on Marquess Mason’s strange behavior early, and then made the request for me to look into this kidnapping. As a result, we were able to resolve the incident quickly.

The man known as Jeffery Stuart was, despite his appearance, very capable at his work. If anything, his flippant behavior was a front that allowed him to move quietly behind the scenes. In fact, David Mason was one of Jeffery’s supporters to begin with.

As for why a man who had so many dark rumors swirling around him was allowed into Jeffery’s political factions... well, by allowing these individuals into his political sphere, Jeffery hoped to dig up the dirt on these people — and once the evidence was on hand, they could be summarily destroyed.

Jeffery had purposely taken in people like Mason so as to prevent them from infiltrating Ian’s camp. As a result, there were many questionable individuals in Jeffery’s sphere of influence. Even so, he hardly minded, and was in fact satisfied with this arrangement. Yes, Jeffery Stuart had never really cared for the crown. He had but one wish.

As soon as I finished delivering my report on the incident at hand...

“Hmm. Even so, though. Someone like Mason scurrying around in the dark, and then going after Ian and Jeord... unforgivable. I suppose we will really have to... utterly, completely, crush him, then,” Jeffery said, a dark smile coming over his features.

Just looking at his expression was enough to tell me that Mason was done. If he had just stuck to the small-time crimes that were his specialty, then perhaps he would have been penalized accordingly. But to lay his hands on Jeffery’s brothers, of all things... surely, an unimaginable punishment awaited this man.

“Ah, but I’m glad that it all ended without event! So tell me... are my wonderful brothers doing well?” Prince Jeffery asked, the previously dark smile on his face now replaced with a pleasant one.

“Yes. Well indeed.”

“Good to know!” With that, Jeffery jumped out of his chair, ran towards the wall, and drew back the curtains that hung there. “Ahh, my brothers are truly, truly wonderful.”

Jeffery approached the now-exposed wall — and hung on it were the portraits of the other three princes. This part of his room, which was usually concealed by curtains, displayed these portraits proudly.

Indeed, with this it was easy to see that the true nature of this man was that of an abnormal pervert — one that loved his brothers dearly... and intensely. (Only a few people knew of this side of him, and Susanna was one of them.)

To cover this up, he participated in the struggle for the crown against Ian — all an act, of course. In this charade of a struggle, he would absorb criminals and ne’er-do-wells into his own faction, secretly ensuring that no ill elements wandered into Ian’s faction. He was also constantly on the alert, ensuring that no strange individuals approached his younger twin brothers.

Jeffery Stuart only had one wish — for his beloved brothers to happily live in peace. To that end, this perverted prince would pull out all the stops. Yes, he would really do anything.

When I had first met him as his fiancée, I said the following to him: “I am not interested in anything but the research of magic. I have no interest in being your queen.” And that was my greeting.

Jeffery, however, had something of his own to say. “I am not interested in anything but my brothers. I have no intent to actually claim the throne, either.”

Ah. It was a good memory, now that I thought about it. It had been ten or so years since that first meeting... and for some reason, I got along with this pervert here swimmingly. I lived my life in service to the ministry, and him in service to his brothers. We both continued our passion of arresting criminals in the kingdom — and those were our days. I had this pervert to thank, somewhat, for allowing me to quickly dodge the annoyances of marriage and the like, and do whatever I wanted at the ministry.

Jeffery continued staring at the portraits. “Ahh... those eyes. Just like mine.” Again and again he mouthed off these incomprehensible statements, lost in his own world. A true pervert indeed.

I supposed he would not be coming back to reality anytime soon... and so I helped myself to some tea in the room that had been prepared beforehand. Hmm, as expected of tea meant for the lips of royals. Delicious.

Anyway, this Katarina Claes was a really interesting girl, even though I was never one to develop this kind of interest in people. It all started back when the two younger twin princes had their birthday party. I had become weary of all the forced interactions, and had been resting in a corner when... she started eating. At an alarming speed.

Next, she started gulping down a cup of wine, quickly got drunk, and then turned the cup upside-down in her confusion. I hadn’t expected to see something like this at a party held within the castle walls. I was surprised... and that was when I developed an interest in this girl.

As I continued looking into her, I heard more and more interesting things. Although I had only met her once, I was already intrigued by her.

We did meet at the school festival once more, but she hardly said anything to me — imagine how lonely that was! But by a sheer stroke of luck, Katarina appeared in my infiltration mission, and I was able to speak with her to my heart’s content.

Now that I had gotten the chance to actually speak to Katarina for an extended period of time, I quickly realized that she was infinitely more interesting and wonderful than I thought.

Ahh... I simply must have Katarina Claes join the ministry, and be within reach.

As I continued indulging in my thoughts, I couldn’t help but notice that my expression began to resemble Jeffery’s as he continued staring at the portraits on the wall.

★★★★★★★★★

Now that everything was safely resolved, I returned to the academy’s dormitory.

But after all that happened, I felt like I’d had some kind of strange dream. My memories of what had happened towards the end of everything were muddled, and I only heard about it from Keith later.

I suppose it was simply because I didn’t sleep well due to the kidnapping, and that was why I had a dream like that. Hmm... yes. That had to be it. Though actually, it would be more likely that the problem was me sleeping too much. Maybe.

In any case, everything was wrapped up in the end. From what I had heard, the mastermind was a marquess by the name of David Mason. He had done it so that Prince Jeffery could take over the throne, but the prince himself seemed oblivious to this.

I suppose that Great Detective Katarina’s deductions were somewhat off, but personally I was glad that the brothers didn’t fight amongst themselves.

Also... Rufus, who had obtained the powers of Dark Magic at Mason’s orders, was now being confined at the Magical Ministry. From what I heard, Rufus spilled the beans on Mason’s operations, plans, and misdeeds, and was claiming that he was forced into it — all the while shedding plenty of tears.

Rufus’ case was helped by the fact that he came from unfortunate circumstances. In the end, he would not be charged for any of these crimes, and would instead remain in the protective custody of the ministry, much like Raphael.

Honestly, I didn’t feel that Rufus was all that unfortunate, and he wasn’t crying intensely when I was speaking to him. I guess he did well hiding his true feelings.

Keith, however, strongly disagreed. “He should be charged with much heavier crimes!”

Although the two hadn’t met for very long at all, Keith seemed to perceive Rufus as an enemy of some kind. I wonder why?

But the most surprising thing that greeted me when I returned to the academy was the fact that I had been awarded a Merit Award of Excellence.

The Merit Award was a recognition that was handed out to several students at the end of the school festival for outstanding creations, productions, displays of ability and the like. One of these awards was given to me for my role in the student council’s play. Apparently my performance had been intense and intimidating, and everyone had loved it.

On another note, Maria’s handmade snacks were very popular too, and she was also chosen to receive some sort of award. As expected of Maria!

These were honorary awards, so they didn’t have any kind of prize or anything. But even so, being chosen for an award like that was a truly honorable thing in the academy. Maria was one thing, but for me to be chosen too? It was a really satisfying achievement. Though in the end, I guess that meant I’d always be the childhood-friend archetype villainess no matter what I did.

I planned to present the award to my parents when I went home to the manor during my next school break. Although my father was busy with his work and my parents hadn’t been able to come to the school festival, I was sure they’d be happy to see it.

After all this, my life at the Academy of Magic went back to normal — although still with some surprises here and there.

Keith had recently become a lot more protective of me. He would follow me everywhere I went. Well, actually Keith wasn’t the only one. All my other friends were like that too, to the point where I started wondering if the council work was being done at all.

Of course, I understood that my friends would be worried since I’d been kidnapped and all that. But even so, they were going above and beyond. Even I needed some time to myself.

So that evening, I silently sneaked out of the dorms and headed in the direction of the fields. When I got there, I saw someone who, unlike my other friends, had hardly shown himself since the kidnapping.

“Prince Jeord.”

“Ah. Katarina. Together again at last.” Jeord approached me with a pleasant smile, but I found myself nervous at the sight of him alone.

This was because of the strange dream I’d had after the kidnapping. In that dream, for some reason I was kissing Jeord, of all people. Why would I have a dream like that? Was it because I hadn’t had any romance in my life, and was feeling pent up? That’s so embarrassing...

I had hardly seen Jeord since then and had almost forgotten about it, but now that he was standing in front of me, I couldn’t help but remember it and feel nervous.

Jeord had no idea what I was thinking of course, and he soon enveloped me in his arms. That was fine, I guess. Though now that I thought about it, his displays of friendliness were pretty intense. Is it because he’s a prince?

Ah, this is why I keep feeling so pent up, and why I had a dream like that! Ugh... I see. It’s all Jeord’s fault.

“So much has gotten between us. It has been most lonely being without you, my beloved princess.”

Those last words were what Jeord, playing the role of the prince, said to Maria’s heroine in the council’s play. They were sweet words, yes, but there wasn’t much of a difference between that and what Jeord said normally. He was always talking like that; in fact, he often whispered things in my ear, like he was doing now.

This was how it always was... but hearing such suggestive words right in my ear made my face heat up. Maybe it was because of my dream. I couldn’t look at Jeord normally anymore, and instead felt flustered and embarrassed.

For some reason, Jeord’s eyes seemed to sparkle as he saw my hesitation. “Oh, quite the rare response, Katarina. I suppose even you would become aware of it, given what has recently transpired...?”

Hmm? Recently? What does he mean? “Eh? Ah... no. I just had a strange dream the other day...”

“A dream?”

“Yes... a dream where you and I, uh...”

It’s no good! I was overwhelmed with embarrassment and couldn’t find the words. I could only feel my voice rumbling, stuck in my throat, and my cheeks were burning up. My eyes were practically spinning! I was looking around nervously, and almost felt like I was going to tear up.

After all, I had zero experience with romance in my previous life! I hadn’t even had the chance to talk about love and all that stuff with my friends! Ugh... If only this were happening in a two-dimensional space! I could handle it then.

But to have an impossibly handsome prince who looked like he’d just stepped out of a fairy tale staring at me at such a close range, all while I was thinking about the word “kiss”... I could hardly even speak! And anyway, if I told him something like that, I’m sure he’d see me as a disgusting, desperate person, which would be even more embarrassing!

But for some reason, Jeord looked delighted at the sight of my currently shaken self. I wondered if he realized it, but his cheeks were red now too. Huh? But why? Did my embarrassment spread to him?

“Hmm. So, Katarina... pray tell, what kind of dream was it?” Jeord asked with a blissful expression. And then, just like in that dream, he moved his face close to mine... and I suddenly felt a soft sensation on my lips. This was...!

“!” An exclamation from me finally made the strange object move from my lips, but Jeord simply continued laughing, as if he was pleased.

“So you had thought it was a dream? But I assure you... what happened just now, and what happened then — neither of those were dreams.”

“B-But why?” I’m only Jeord’s fiancée so he can ward off other ladies, right? Why would he kiss me then? Is he just messing with me? Actually, wait! Isn’t Jeord a character who has that kind of personality?!

“I presume you are asking about the kiss, yes? But of course, Katarina, it is because I love you so.”

“!” L-Love?! What does he mean by love? That...

Jeord placed a hand on my face and grinned, and I felt like I was going to melt into a puddle. “Haha... So you have noticed it at last? Ah, Katarina. I am very happy indeed.”

Lost in my confusion, I could see Jeord’s face approaching mine once more...

“Hold it right there! Don’t you dare get any nearer to Big Sister!”

“Please, move out of the way, Master Keith. I fully intend to start with a round of attack spells...”

“W-Wait, Mary! What do you think you’re doing!”

“Oh... no, Lady Mary... do allow me...”

“Lady S-Sophia... please calm down. It would be very dangerous to send anything of the sort flying in their direction... At the very least, please make sure the injuries are of a degree that I could heal...”

Before I knew it, everyone had showed up. I was snatched away from Jeord and pushed behind them all, and after that, it seemed like the chaos wasn’t going to end anytime soon. Everyone was speaking at once! It was a cacophony of voices, but not a single word entered my ears.

He said that he loved me, though... d-does this mean that it was a confession?! And this wasn’t even my first kiss... but my second?

I had been proposed to despite having no brushes with romance in my previous and current life? Kissed, too? And on top of all that, my partner was none other than a handsome prince from an otome game!

To begin with, Jeord was an impossibly difficult character to romance! Even Maria, who was a wonderful character herself, had difficulty doing so in the game. There was no way this could be really happening.

Perhaps this is a dream after all! With that thought in mind, I gave myself a good pinch... and it hurt a lot. It would seem that this was reality after all.

As I stood there, stunned, I felt like I heard a familiar voice — the elated voice of my best friend from my previous life: “Congratulations on successfully romancing the black-hearted prince!”