Chapter 21: The Princess with the High-Powered Gaze Returns

The morning after announcing her candidacy, Mia made her way to the dormitory cafeteria for breakfast. As soon as she walked in, she sensed a distinct change in the atmosphere.

“Good morning, everyone.”

She greeted the students at her table. They were a familiar bunch — a group of girls from her class whom she saw frequently. Their replies, however, were muted and reluctant, delivered with nervous glances in her direction before quickly looking away. A period of silent, furious chewing followed, after which the girls promptly gathered their empty trays and left the table.

Ahh... This reminds me of my past life. When the revolution was about to start, it felt just like this.

There was tension in the air, as though everyone in the cafeteria was trying their hardest to distance themselves from her. It was subtle, but it was there. No one was openly hostile. The attempts to trip her as she walked past... The pouring of water over her head... There was none of that. The empire still commanded enough respect to ward off any overt harassment. Furthermore, she was pretty sure that at the end of the day, her fellow Tearmoon nobles would probably put their votes in for her.

With that said, they probably won’t show any public support for me.

Nobody in their right mind would want to openly oppose someone with such overwhelming influence across the continent. Mia sure wouldn’t.

Mia! Sure! Wouldn’t!

Why in the moons is this happening to me?!

Mia was not one to go gentle into that good night. Hope of escaping her predicament was waning, but she still raged against the dying of the light. In her own head, at least; she didn’t have the guts to make a public scene of it.

As it turned out, however, when it rains, it pours, and her meeting with Sion and Abel at the beach fueled speculation of her intent. Rumors began to spread, whispered from student to student about how she was making shady bargains behind the scenes to secure a majority vote. Unbeknownst to her, she was quickly becoming a political untouchable.

In an attempt to minimize the chances of running into Rafina, she hastily finished her breakfast and returned to her room to get ready for class. Anne was absent, having accompanied Bel to her classroom. The emptiness of the room left Mia with a sudden yearning for her loyal maid’s company, but there was nothing to be done about it.

What I actually wanted to do was find someone I could trust to go with Bel and keep Anne with me... but I don’t know anyone like that...

She let out a sigh so deep she visibly withered a little in her chair. Then she got up to go to class. As she walked down the hall, she couldn’t help but notice the glances people shot her as they passed by. Normally, a whole entourage of girls would already have flocked to her by now, but today, no one approached. Things remained the same when she stepped into the classroom. Hoping to find some reprieve in Chloe, whom she trusted to greet her normally despite the sudden shift in zeitgeist, she looked in the direction of her desk and was dismayed to find it empty.

Right, now I remember... Chloe always takes her time coming here in the morning.

Having finished breakfast early in an attempt to avoid stumbling into Rafina, she’d arrived early to class as well and was now left in the awkward situation of having nothing to do. She made her way to her desk, sat down, and quietly got ready for class. The sight of her alone, twiddling her thumbs in silence was an unusual one to behold.

Well, I guess this is how things will be. I don’t blame anyone. I mean, if I were them, I’d stay the hell away from me too. Maybe I should go wait in Abel’s room until classes start...

She entertained that thought for a moment but quickly stopped herself.

No, I shouldn’t do that. In fact, this is fine. I should just stay like this. What’s important right now is to avoid attracting attention.

When it came to opposing Rafina, the more she made a show of it, the worse off she’d end up. Even if she won, it’d be best to do so quietly and with minimal fanfare. Ideally, her victory would be met with only mild interest. The goal wasn’t “Whoa, she won? No way!” but “Huh, she won? Okay.”

I bet most of you don’t give a hoot about the election anyway, she thought as she studied her classmates. I’ll start by roping in nobles from Tearmoon and friendly kingdoms. Then... Sion’s probably next. If I can get him to have a few private conversations with the Sunkland students, maybe I’ll actually have a chance at getting over half the votes.

In that case, it was imperative that she first secure the Tearmoon votes to solidify her base.

I’m pretty sure the families of the Four Dukes have some of their people enrolled here right now. I need them to promise me their support first... Hm? You know what? Now that I think about it, maybe this isn’t as hopeless as I thought it would be.

As Mia contemplated how she was going to wheel and deal her way to victory, her ethically dubious thoughts were interrupted by a bright voice.

“Your Highness!”

A figure approached, her golden hair pulled smartly into a ponytail that glowed in the morning sun. She looked straight at Mia with sharp eyes full of conviction.

“My, Tiona. What’s the matter?” asked Mia, her eyes wide and incredulous. She was slightly taken aback by Tiona’s conspicuous entrance, but what surprised her more was the fact that she was being spoken to at all. Under the circumstances, she’d thought for sure Chloe was the first person who’d venture a greeting.

Tiona’s voice bore the steady strength of resolve.

“I heard about what’s going on from Prince Sion and Prince Abel.”

“U-Um... You mean—”

“You have my full support in the student council election, Your Highness.”

“...Eh?” uttered Mia, her mouth agape.

Tiona paid her shock no mind.

“And I’m ready to help. Let me know what I can do for you.”

“Wha— Hold on a minute!”

Mia almost jumped to her feet in panic. She’d just decided she was going to ride out this election in the most inconspicuous way possible, and now... A glance around the classroom proved her fears right. Every pair of eyes was glued on the two of them.

Th-This is not good! We’re standing out like a pair of very sore thumbs right now!

“D-Do you have any idea what you just said?” she asked as she gave Tiona a look that was meant to convey something along the lines of: It’s very scary to openly defy Rafina, you know? So just give me your vote and stay on the down low. I don’t need you to make a scene. She kept staring for a few more seconds, just to drive the point home. Mia was, after all, the princess with the high-powered gaze; she could speak through her eyes, no problem.

Tiona held her gaze throughout the extended period of ocular communication, then gave a firm nod.

Oh, thank the moons. She understands.

She let out a breath of relief, only for it to catch in her throat.

“Of course I do. And it doesn’t matter. I’m going to help you, and that’s that.”

Gah! She didn’t understand a damn thing!

As it turns out, the communicative abilities of her high-powered gaze still needed some fine-tuning.