365 Relentless Christine
During the time for extracurricular activities, Christine Grise was in the student council's room in the structure separated from the academy's main building. The building was a small villa solely intended as the base of the student council. She was at the student council's president's table doing some paperwork. The work was supposed to be done by Prince Edward, the president, but he was not currently available, so the vice president was doing his job as a female member who just finished her daily reports. "Lady Christine, His Imperial Highness, and the other high lord heirs are with that Edith girl again!" The girl then stated her last report. "They have been disrespecting you and the academy! They have gone too far!" "Let them be." Christine stopped writing and looked up at the girl. "If she understood what being with the prince meant, I hope she understood the consequences." "But, milady, how about the accusations of those fake followers laid on you?" The harassment towards Edith accumulated a certain amount of accomplices. When the prince tried to interrogate them, they immediately put the blame on Christine, accusing her of ordering them to bully Edith. Christine had never ordered them to do such things. But there were still actual followers involved in the bullying, so Christine had no choice but to take responsibility for their nasty actions. But she understood them since, even without her word, they would act on their own if they felt Christine had someone she did not like. Prince Edward blindly believed them when he confronted Christine. She insisted that she would never do such things, but the prince did not have an ounce of faith in her. She might be tough and strong on the surface, but deep down, Christine was hurt, realizing that Edward had completely lost his trust in her. "Don't worry about it; I can handle it." Christine stared at the window before turning her face to the girl, and then she dismissed her. "How vexing."
When the girl was gone, Christine went back to her work. Even though she was hurt by how things had gone so far, she would not let it affect her. She was raised as the perfect queen to accompany the future emperor, and she could not show anyone her weaknesses. "Your Imperial Highness...what happened to you? I have done anything...for your sake." Her grip on the fountain pen tightened as she was thinking about how a lower-ranking noblewoman destroyed the path she had paved with her fiance. The path that they had carefully built since childhood for the future of the empire. But it would all crumble into countless pieces when a new wind blew. It might be hard for her to convey it verbally, but Christine loved Edward. However, he did not seem to feel the same way, and he could not reciprocate her feelings anymore. She was frustrated and feeling distressed, but she had to steel her resolve, and she was determined to get Edith away from the picture no matter what.
"Knowing Edward and his friends, they would do anything to make me the villain of this story."
It was more likely that the majority of the student body would side with Edward and Edith. If Edward were to reveal that he would choose Edith over Christine, many students would try to curry favor with Edith. "I would lose supporters when this explodes. I need trusted people on my side. Perhaps I could ask her to help me." While thinking about the ones she could rely on, a certain young woman popped up in her head. It was uncertain whether she could convince her to join her side, but Christine had high hopes for her. "I will do everything…everything for His Imperial Highness. Just you wait, Edith..."
Fueled with mixed emotions, Christine snapped the pen in half. ◆◇◆◇◆◇
At noon, a young woman was guided by a group of young men to one of the rooms inside the guests' apartments within the academy. The group was surrounding the girl as if to protect her from any harm.
"You don't have anything to embarrass about, Edith. From now on, you are going to join us in every meal." "Um, thank you so much for everything you have done for me, Your Imperial Highness..." Edith timidly appreciated Edward for inviting her to join them for lunch as they were walking along the building's empty hallway. This building was meant for guests and visitors. But most of the time, this place could be rented for a high price. Edward and his friends regularly used this place to have lunch in private. Today, they decided to bring Edith with them so that they could protect her from the threats of Christine.
Edward gave her a soft smile before he spoke. "Calling me that way is so formal. You can address me by my name, Edward." "But..." "His Highness Edward is a persistent person, Edith, so you are free to address him casually. You can also do the same thing to us. Please call me Francis from now on."
"Francis is right, Edith," Warren seconded. "If His Imperial Highness says so, then you can call him Edward." "Even though he actually gave us permission to do so," Celeste said. "We still address him formally since we will be his subjects in the future." "But aren't I the same?" "You are absolutely an exception, Edith." Edward turned his head around to see Edith. "Because you are special to me." "Thank you very much...Your—no, Edward."
"You're welcome." Soon after, they finally reached the door of the room, and the five of them went inside. In the room, the table at the center was already filled with delicious foods. Born into a poor noble family, Edith could say that those were expensive.
"Um, aren't those full-course meals from the cafeteria that cost one gold coin per set?" "Ah, yes." Edward affirmed. "Have you ever had this kind of meal before." "I haven't...Edward," Edith seemed to have difficulty addressing the prince casually. "Since attending the academy, I have always been sticking with the cheapest meal as my family isn't that wealthy."
"Oh, poor you, Edith," consoled Francis. "But I couldn't blame your family either." "From now on, Edith, you are welcome to come here anytime you want, and we will provide you with anything you need as long as it is within our capabilities." "Thank you so much, Edward, Francis, Warren, Celeste..."
(Heh, I never thought you all were this easy.) Behind her innocent smile, Edith had an ominous thought in her head.
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