「私はね、あの愚かな王子殿下にはもう何も興味がないのよ」
隠そうともしないその罵声にセーラが大きく目を見開き、王子も絶句して、しかしすぐに顔を赤くし始めた。
「だからあの馬鹿の隣に私がいる姿など、はっきり言って想像もしたくないわね」
王子の目が据わり、こちらへと歩いてくる。リリアはそれを確認して、セーラに笑顔を見せた。
「......っ」
セーラがその場に座り込み、王子が足を止める。リリアはセーラを見下ろすと、静かに告げた。
「貴方は、私の側にいらないわ」
リリアは視線を外し、王子を見据える。王子もリリアを睨み返してきた。
「貴様、黙って聞いていれば好き放題......」
「あら、何か間違っていましたか?」
王子の言葉を遮り、リリアは楽しそうにそう問いかける。王子がさらに何かを言おうとする前に、リリアは机に置いたままの紙を持って王子に差し出した。
「なんだこれは」
戸惑いながらも受け取り、紙に書かれた文章を読む。そしてすぐに、その表情が怒りに染まった。
「なんだこれは!」
王子が叫び、周囲を見回す。誰もが視線を逸らす中、リリアは楽しげに告げた。
「殿下。これはそこにいるセーラ・ヴァルディアが書いたものです。ティナが持っていたものを借りてきました」
静まり返った教室にリリアの声が響く。王子ははっとしたように我に返ると、またリリアを睨み付けてきた。
「そうだ、貴様、先の言葉はあまりにも......」
「撤回するつもりはありませんよ」
王子が言葉に詰まり唖然とする中、リリアは、だって、と続ける。
「本来なら貴方がティナを守らなければいけないのです。貴方が誰を好きになろうが知ったことではありませんが、貴方から好意を向けられると同時に周囲から敵意も向けられるのです。それをしっかりと理解なさってください」
「そんなはずは......」
王子の言葉は続かなかった。視線は手元の紙へ落ち、言葉を継げずにいる。リリアはあからさまなため息をつき、
「私から見ていると、やはり貴方は愚かな馬鹿王子ですよ」
そう冷たく言い捨てて、ゆっくりと歩いて教室を出て行った。
教室を出た後、リリアは校舎内を当てもなく歩いていた。歩きながら、教室での一幕を思い出し、またやってしまったと何度も後悔している。さくらは問題ないと笑っているが、どう考えても人から好かれる行動ではないだろう。今ならリリアにでも分かる。
――あの子はどうなるかな。
――セーラのことなら、まずこの学園にはいられないでしょう。追い出されるようなことはないでしょうけど、殿下を敵に回してしまった以上、誰も助けてはくれないでしょうから。
この話はすぐに広まるだろう。間違いなくセーラはいないものとして扱われるようになる。誰からも話しかけられず、相手にされず、孤独な学園生活を送ることになる。その後どうするかは本人次第だが、セーラの性格から学園から逃げることだろう。
――ねえ、リリア。これはあくまで提案なんだけどね。
――何よ。
――あの子、セーラだっけ。もらおうよ。
リリアが足を止め、怪訝そうに眉をひそめた。どうして、と問いかけると、
――何となく、かな。もともとリリアのためにと思ってのことだったんだし、その辺りをちゃんと教えてあげればきっといい子になるよ。
――追い詰めたのは私なのに?
――それは、まあ......。こうなるとやっぱりあれはやり過ぎだったね......。でも、大丈夫じゃないかな。週末ぐらいに声をかければ、きっと縋ってくると思うよ。
どうにもリリアにとっては気にくわないやり方ではあるが、さくらを信じて従うことにした。リリア自身、あの三人とは学園に入学してからの付き合いなのだ。本人の自業自得とはいえ、ここで潰してしまうことに思うところがないわけでもない。本当に少し、欠片ほどにだが助けてあげたいと思ったりしないでもない。
――正直に言うとどうでもいいというのが本音ね。
――それでこそリリアだよちくしょう。
先は長いなあ、と呟くさくらに首を傾げながら、リリアは行くところもないので図書室に向かった。
図書室のいつもの部屋で、レイに断りを入れて同じ部屋でさくらの講義を聞いていると、
"I...have lost all interest in that foolish prince . "
Not even trying to hide it, Sera's eyes opened wide in surprise . The Prince was also at a loss for words, but his face quickly started turning red .
"To be honest, I don't even want to imagine being by that idiot's side . "
The Prince's eyes were still as he started moving over to where Lilia was . Taking note of that, Lilia brandished a smile at Sera .
"...!"
Sera froze in her seat, and the Prince's footsteps came to a stop . Lilia looked down on Sera and uttered a quiet declaration .
"As for you, I no longer need you by my side . "
Lilia withdrew her gaze from Sera, and fixed her eyes on the Prince . The Prince glared back in response .
"Why you, running your mouth like that all you want..."
"Oh my, aren't you suffering under some misunderstanding here?"
Cutting through the Prince's words, Lilia posed that question cheerfully . Before the Prince could say anything further, Lilia took the sc.r.a.p of paper on her desk, holding it out to him .
"What's this?"
He took it in confusion, reading the words written on the note . In that instant, the Prince's expression was dyed in one of rage .
"What the h.e.l.l is this?!"
The prince shouted and scrutinised his surroundings . Everybody averted their eyes from his gaze . In the same moment, Lilia cheerfully filled him in .
"Your Highness . This note was written by Sera Valdia, who is sitting right here . I borrowed the note from Tina . "
Lilia's voice echoed throughout the now utterly silent cla.s.sroom . The Prince quickly came back to his senses and levelled another glare at Lilia .
"That's right, you...what you said just before was too..."
"I have no intention of retracting my words . "
Dumbfounded, the Prince couldn't speak, so Lilia continued where she left off, saying after all,.
"It's your responsibility to protect Tina . It's none of my business who you fall in love with, but your show of favour toward her will also attract hostility from your surroundings . Do try to understand that . ".
"That shouldn't...".
The Prince's words stopped there . Without saying anything more, his gaze fell to the sc.r.a.p of paper in his hand . Lilia didn't hide her sigh
"Looking at you up close, you really are nothing but a foolish prince . "
Leaving the Prince with those icy words, Lilia left the cla.s.sroom at a slow, deliberate pace .
After she left the cla.s.sroom, Lilia wandered around the school building aimlessly . As she walked, she replayed the scene in the cla.s.sroom in her mind over and over again .  I've sure gone and done it again, lamented Lilia as she wallowed in regret . Sakura laughed and told her it would be fine, but no matter how you look at it, her actions would do nothing to improve her public image . Even Lilia could understand that now
--I wonder what's going to happen to that girl
--If you're talking about Sera, she likely won't be able to remain at this academy . She probably won't be driven out, but after making His Highness an enemy, I doubt there's anyone willing to lend her a hand
Talk of what happened today will spread quickly . And then, everyone will refuse to acknowledge her presence . They'll treat her as if she wasn't even there . Without anyone to talk to, Sera's life at the academy will become a lonely one . What she does after that is up to her . However, given Sera's personality, it's likely she'll flee from the academy .
--Hey, Lilia . So this is just an idea, but...
--What?
--That girl; Sera, was it? Take her under your wing .
Lilia's feet came to a halt, and she dubiously raised her eyebrow . When she asked Sakura why, she said:.
--It's just a feeling, I guess . I mean, in the first place, she did all of those things for your sake . If you teach her how to behave properly around her surroundings, I'm sure she'll become a good person
--Even though I'm the one that backed her into a corner?
---Well, that's...yeah . After all that's happened, I think you really did go too far... But I think it might actually be alright . If you try talking to her this weekend, I'm sure she'll cling to you desperately .
Lilia had misgivings about the way Sakura wanted to go about it, but decided to believe in her and follow her plan . Lilia had known all three of those girls since she enrolled in the academy . Though Sera is reaping what she sowed, it would be a lie to say that Lilia had no thoughts of finis.h.i.+ng her off . By the same token, she couldn't say she didn't feel some small desire - truly, only the smallest inclination - to help Sera .
--To be perfectly honest, I don't care one way or the other .
--And that's exactly what makes you Lilia, d.a.m.n it .
Confusingly, Sakura muttered, We've got a long road ahead of us, huh...With no destination in mind, Lilia started heading toward the library .
Lilia entered the usual library room with Ray's permission, and listened to Sakura's lecture as usual . And then, Ray said:
Haunted Duke’s Daughter
取り憑かれた公爵令嬢
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/haunted-dukes-daughter/
Comedy Fantasy Romance School Life Shoujo Slice of Life Supernatural
Broken Engagement Character Growth Determined Protagonist Different Social Status Female Protagonist Friendship Hard-Working Protagonist Heartwarming Loyal Subordinates Maids Nobles Otome Game Possession Royalty Second Chance Servants Sharing A Body Sword And Magic Unrequited Love Villainess Noble Girls
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n5708cr/
龍翠