――リリア落ち着け! 声が震えているでごじゃる!
――そう言う貴方は口調がおかしいわよ。なにこの子、やっぱり私のことを知っていたの?
――ち、違うと思うよ。うん。違うんじゃないかな。多分、単純に話題の一つだと思うよ。
そっとレイの顔を窺い見る。レイは教材を睨み付けて唸っていた。
「レイ。その......。そのリリアーヌって人がどうかしたの?」
「え? いえ、別に。王子殿下と口論できるなんてどんな人なのかな、と思っただけです。そう言えばリリア様は上級貴族ですよね。リリアーヌ様に会ったことはあるんですか?」
――さくら。これどっちなの? 気づいてるの? 気づいてないの?
――ん......。多分、気づいてない。
――分かった......。さくらを信じるわ。
内心で深呼吸をし、こちらを見つめているレイの目を見つめ返す。レイはいつもの屈託のない笑顔だ。確かに何かを企んでいるようには見えない。
「一応知ってはいるわよ。ただ直接話したことはないけど」
――うん。嘘は言ってないね。
「そうですか。王子殿下と口論するぐらいですから、きっとすごく偉そうな人なんでしょうね」
リリアの頬が引きつってしまう。なるほど、何も知らなければそのように思えてしまうのか、少しばかり動き方を考えるべきか、と思ったところで、
――あのね、リリア。よく知ってる方が偉そうという感想になると思うよ。
――それは......。気をつけるわ......。
「いずれお話してみるわ」
下手な話をして余計なことを言ってしまう前にと話題を終わらせることにする。レイはそれに気づいているのかいないのか、
「本当ですか? 楽しみに待っていますね」
そう笑顔で言った。リリアは曖昧な笑みを浮かべ、視線を本の上に戻した。
それからしばらくは、何の変哲もない毎日が続いた。あの日の翌日からリリアの取り巻きからセーラの姿は消えていたが、教室に来ていなかったわけではない。ただ、自分の席で大人しくしているだけだった。
リリアが入ってきた当初こそ話しかけてきたが、リリアが無視していると諦めたのか自分の席に戻っている。その後も知人が入ってくるたびに話しかけていたが、誰からも相手にされていなかった。
それでも教室から逃げずに残っているのは、素直に賞賛できる。それが反省からくるかは分からないが、彼女はしばらくは動けないだろう。
噂で聞いた話では、セーラは放課後に王子に呼び出されていたらしい。そこで根掘り葉掘り聞かれたことだろう。セーラにとっても、王子にとっても何かしらの薬になればいいとは思うが、さすがにそれは期待できないだろうというのがさくらの予想だ。
ちなみに、噂を聞きつけたティナにはとても苦い表情をされた。だがリリアに対して何かを言うでもなく、最後には苦笑いで、ありがとう、と言ってくれている。
週末もその様子は変わらなかった。セーラは自分の席で、うつむいて大人しくしている。
――ねえ、リリア。
頭の中に響くさくらの声に、リリアは意識を傾けた。
――セーラ以外の五人はいいの?
さくらが言っているのは、ティナに不愉快な手紙を送りつけた残りの五人だ。これは密偵たちの捜査により犯人は分かっている。だがリリアはその五人には一切手を出していなかった。
――必要ないわよ。セーラが見せしめになってくたから、これ以上嫌がらせをするような愚かな人はいないでしょう。まあ、一時的なものでしょうけど。
――ふうん......。それならいいよ。
そこまで話したところで、教室に教師と王子が入ってきた。いつものように教卓と席につき、授業が始まる。当然リリアは、
――今日は科学だー!
さくらの講義を受けるために、全ての話を聞き流し始めた。
午前の授業が終わり、昼食を済ませ、午後は図書室で過ごす。そのいつもの一日が終わった後、リリアは自室に戻らずに教室に向かった。
ちょうど授業が終わったところのようで、教師が教室から出てくる。リリアの姿を認めると、ぎょっとしたように目を剥いた。
「先生、それは少しばかり失礼ではありませんか?」
「あ、ああ......。すまない。戻ってくるとは思わなくてな......。だがな、アルディス。失礼と言うなら、授業をまともに聞いていないお前には言われたくないぞ?」
「あら。気づいていたのですか。申し訳ありません」
「直す気がないというのはよく分かった。まあ、成績がいい間は、これ以上は言わないさ」
教師はそこで会話を終わらせると、そのまま廊下の奥へと姿を消した。それを見送ったリリアは少しだけ感心したような表情をしていた。
――あの先生、気づいてたんだね。リリアが全く授業を聞いていないことに。
――気づかれるとは思わなかったわ......。意外と見られているものね。もう少し気をつけないと。
せめてもう少し有意義な授業なら、と思うが、さくらの講義と比べるのは酷というものだろう。リリアはため息をつくと、教室の扉を開けた。
雑談をしていたのか教室の中は騒がしかったが、リリアが入った途端に静かになった。何も気にしなくていいのに、と思いながら教室をぐるりと見回す。誰もがリリアから視線を逸らしていた。
不思議に思いながらも、目的の人物を、セーラを探す。そしてそれはすぐに見つかった。
セーラは自分の席に座ったままだった。うつむいているため表情は見えない。そしてそのセーラの周囲には、クリスたちが立っていた。リリアの取り巻き残り二人の姿もある。それを見ただけで、彼女たちが何をしていたのか想像できた。
――馬鹿王子は何をしているのよ。
――この部屋にはいないね。まあふらっといなくなる人だし、仕方ないんじゃないかな。
――仮にも王子というわけね。城から呼び出しでも受けているのかしら。そんなことより......。
リリアがクリスたちを見ると、誰もが気まずそうに視線を逸らした。やれやれと首を振り、そちらへと歩いて行く。
――リリア。助けてあげてね。
――分かっているわよ。
リリアは短く返事をして、クリスたちの前に立った。
--Lilia, calm down! Yer voice ish trembling!
--You're the one talking strangely. So what, did this boy actually know who I am?
--I-I don't think so. No, I don't think he does. He was probably just bringing up something to talk about, I think.
Lilia peered at Ray's expression indiscreetly. He was glaring at the textbook at front of him, and then he let out a moan.
"Ray, why...why are you bringing up this Lilianne person all of a sudden?"
"Huh? No real reason. For her to be able to get into a quarrel with the prince, I was simply wondering just what kind of person she was. Come to think of it, you're also part of the upper-cla.s.s n.o.bility, aren't you, Mistress Lilia? Have you met Mistress Lilianne before?"
--Sakura. Which one is it? Has he realised who I am? Or has he not?
--Nn...He probably...hasn't realised.
--Alright. I'll trust your judgement, Sakura.
Lilia took a deep breath, and reciprocated Ray's gaze. Ray's smile was carefree as always. Seeing that, Lilia couldn't believe that he was deceiving her.
"I do know of her. However, I haven't talked with her personally."
--Yup. That's not a lie.
"Ah, that makes sense. Just based off the fact that she was quarrelling with His Highness The Prince, she sure seems like quite the self-important person, huh?"
Lilia's expression stiffened. Knowing nothing about her, it would be easy to see her that way. As Lilia was thinking to herself, perhaps I should think more carefully about the way I conduct myself, Sakura said:
--Umm, Lilia. People who do know you well also think you're self-important.
--That's... I'll take more care from now on...
"I'm sure I'll have the chance to talk to her eventually."
Before she could say something tactless or unnecessary, Lilia tried to bring the topic to a close. Whether he realised what she was doing or not, Ray said,
"Oh, really? I'll look forward to it."
He said so with a smile. Lilia returned a vague smile of her own, and brought her gaze back to her book.
After that, Lilia's normal everyday life continued for some time. From the next day onward, Sera no longer followed Lilia around. However, it wasn't as if she'd stopped coming to cla.s.s altogether. She simply remained at her own desk quietly.
Of course, when Lilia entered the room, at first Sera tried to start a conversation with her. However, when Lilia ignored her, she gave up and returned to her own seat. After that, every time someone she knew came in, Sera tried to talk to them, too--but n.o.body wanted to speak with her.
Even so, the fact that Sera didn't attempt to flee from the cla.s.sroom was something Lilia could honestly praise her for. Lilia didn't know whether that was because Sera had reflected on her actions or not, but for the moment, it seemed she wasn't going to make a move.
By way of a rumour, Lilia had heard that Sera was summoned by the prince after school had ended. The prince likely pushed her relentlessly for answers. Lilia hoped Sera and the prince would both take something away from the incident, but Sakura thought that would be expecting too much.
Incidentally, Tina was quite troubled when she heard about this. However, in front of Lilia, she simply gave her a strained smile and thanked her.
By the weekend, nothing had changed. Sera sat at her own seat, and cast her gaze down in silence.
--Hey, Lllia.
Sakura's voice echoed in her head, and Lilia turned her thoughts to that.
--Is it okay to leave those five people aside from Sera alone?
Sakura was referring to the remaining five people who had sent those notes to Tina. From her agents' investigation, Lilia knew who the culprits were. Yet, Lilia had not laid a hand on any of those five people.
--There's no need. By making an example of Sera, I don't think there's anyone left stupid enough to pester Tina any further. Well, it'll likely only serve as a temporary measure, though.
--Hmmm...that's fine, then.
At that moment in their conversation, the teacher, followed by the prince, entered the cla.s.sroom. Just as usual, the teacher sat at his desk, the prince at his, and cla.s.s began. And of course, Lilia...
--Today's lesson is-science!
In order to listen to Sakura's lecture, Lilia tuned everything else out.
The morning cla.s.ses were over, as was lunch, and so Lilia spent the afternoon at the library. After this completely ordinary day came to an end, Lilia didn't head back to her room, but rather, headed towards the cla.s.sroom.
Just as cla.s.s ended, the teacher came out of the cla.s.sroom. When he saw Lilia, his eyes opened wide.
"Sir, aren't you being a bit disrespectful?"
"ahh...Sorry about that. I didn't think you'd be coming back... But, Aldis-and I realise I'm being a bit rude-but I don't want to be told that by someone who doesn't even pay attention in cla.s.s."
"Oh my, so you did realise. My deepest apologies."
"It's obvious you have no intention of changing your att.i.tude. Well, while your grades are still good, I won't say anything more."
The teacher ended the conversation there, and without saying anything else, disappeared down the hallway. Lilia watched him until he was out of sight, and a slight sense of admiration showed on her face.
--That teacher, he realised, huh. That you weren't paying any attention to his cla.s.s.
--I didn't think that he'd realised...surprisingly, he saw straight through me. I need to be more careful.
If that cla.s.s was at least a little more meaningful, Lilia started thinking, but comparing it to Sakura's lectures was perhaps too harsh. Lilia sighed slightly, and then opened the door to the cla.s.sroom.
The cla.s.sroom was full of students making idle chatter, but as soon as Lilia stepped in, the room fell quiet. They really didn't need to be so mindful of me, thought Lilia as she looked from one end of the cla.s.sroom to the other. n.o.body would meet her eyes.
Though she felt that something was off, Lilia started looking for the person she'd come here to see; Sera. And she found her instantly.
Sera was still sat in her own seat. Because she was looking down, Lilia couldn't see the expression on her face. And surrounding Sera were Kris and her entourage. Lilia could also see her other two followers hanging around the same place. Just by seeing that, Lilia could imagine what these girls were up to.
--Just what is that Idiot Prince doing?
--He's nowhere around, huh. Well, he's an unpredictable guy that can disappear at any moment, so I guess it can't be helped.
--Well, he is still a prince, even if he doesn't act like it. It's possible he has been summoned to the castle. More importantly...
When Lilia looked at Kris and everyone standing around her, they all averted their eyes. My, my, Lilia thought as she started walking over to them.
--Lilia. Help her out, okay?
--I know.
Lilia kept her reply short, and moved to stand in front of Kris and her entourage.
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