Unexpected encounter
It was Sunday. My maid is once again outside as it is her day off. Melanie left since she said she has plans. I do not ask other people on what they do when they are not with me. I have no friends after all. Sylvia is my maid and tool while Melanie is using me for protection. They are not my friends.
“Why am I suddenly thinking about this?”
I was just lounging in the dorm by myself. When I am home, the head maid usually has a lot of things to discuss or father has a task that he wants me to do. Normally, I just waste the day away doing anything but for some reason I feel a little lost today. Is it because I am not doing anything to Lyn? But I did just assert my dominance on a few random people a few days ago.
“I have nothing to do.”
I am so bored that I am even talking to myself. What do I do? Should I bother Emilia? How about Juliet? No, we are not close. I do not feel like harassing anyone today either. But what if I had friends? Nothing would happen. I would not initiate inviting anyone out after all. They would also not invite me outside as I am the duke’s daughter.
“How about I go for a walk?”
It was not something I normally do but I have heard people say that taking a walk when you have nothing to do helps. I did not really plan on walking but I will just go outside for a little bit. I opened the door and there was someone there. A girl with blonde hair was crouched just inside the courtyard. There was a small courtyard in front of our dorm. It had no gate.
“Did I get away?”
The girl was looking around outside while hiding.
“Excuse me.”
“Ah!”
The girl shouted as I called out to her. She bounced up and then went to the other side of the pillar she was hiding.
“Oh, sorry. I did not mean to shout.”
“No need to worry. I have noticed that you were outside my residence. Do you need assistance?”
This girl looks familiar for some reason but I could not remember. Seeing her reaction, she must not know me so I will act nicely for now.
“Uh, um, well.”
The girl was thinking. She kept looking around. She is very beautiful. She wore a ornate dress. She must either be a noble or a affluent commoner.
“Don’t tell anyone but I am actually running away.”
“Are you a criminal?”
“No, no, no. Uh, I was visiting my brother but I was not allowed to go around the place. So, I ran away.”
“I see. It seems that there is nothing I can assist you with then. I bid you farewell.”
I step inside and try to close the door.
“Ah, wait, wait, wait.”
The girl suddenly rushed towards me and held on the door.
“Since we met and all, can I come inside?”
“Pardon?”
“Like, can I come in?”
“You do understand that I do not know who you are and you expect me to let you inside my residence?”
“Oh, right. Sorry about that. My name is Claire. I promise I will not do anything bad. I just want to talk with you.”
This blonde girl with azure eyes seems familiar. Why is my brain not working properly today?
“Fine. You may call me Athena. Come in.”
“Athena? Oh, I can go in? Okay!”
The girl reacted to my name. Does she know who I am? Most nobles do not know my first name as I am normally referred to as the duke’s daughter.
“This place looks nice.”
“It was decorated before I arrived.”
“Huh, okay.”
“Ah, I will not offer any refreshments. I am the only one currently here. The maid is currently not available.”
“Oh, it is okay. It is my fault for arriving here out of nowhere. I am grateful that you let me inside.”
“Right. So, mind telling me what you were doing?”
“Well, I am here visiting my brother. Then, I decided that I wanted to look around so I ran away. That is how I got here.”
“So, these people will be looking for you?”
“Yep! But do not worry. I will go back after a little bit.”
“I understand. I will keep you company then.”
“Thank you! So, what do you do?”
Hmm, I shall hide my status for now.
“I am a student and this is where I am staying.”
“Wow. I heard that the school has its own dorms. You must be rich if you are staying here. Does that mean you are a noble?”
“Yes, I am. Judging from your clothes, you are a noble too, yes?”
“I was caught that easily huh?”
“Of course, just look at your clothes. Do you really believe that a commoner would just walk outside wearing that?”
“That is a good point.”
“So, if you are a noble, why did you not introduce yourself with your family name?”
“My brother always told me to be careful of strangers so I did not say my family name.”
“Your brother is correct. Which is why it baffles me as to why would you go inside the residence of someone you do not know.”
“Oh, well. I was just curious, you know? You are the first person I met here so I wanted to get to know you.”
She must have been charmed because of my beauty.
“I see. Then how about we keep things as they are?”
“What do you mean?”
“Between us, we are just Claire and Athena. We are not nobles. We are just two people who know each other.”
Her eyes widen and twinkle as I say that.
“Okay! From now on, we are friends!”
She presents her hand towards me.
“I accept Claire. However, for my own personal reasons. I cannot shake your hand.”
I am evil so I cannot participate in such intimate acts. My hands and body are only for committing sins.
“Oh, okay. They are probably getting worried sick so I must go now. Can I come again?”
“Yes, you may. However, please keep my residence a secret.”
“Huh? Okay, it will be our secret.”
“Yes. I am usually the only one here during Sundays so we shall meet if our paths align.”
“Okay! Goodbye!”
Claire ran away. It seems that I have made a new friend. If she does not know who I truly am, it will stay that way. Then, it suddenly clicked.
“Ah, I remember now.”
She does not appear much in the beginning so it took me a while to remember. She becomes available after I disappear. The sibling of the prince.
“The princess of this kingdom.”
That is who she is.