Mistress Of The Evil Forest

N-A 5: Amidst all the hardships.

''Hah...''

What is this...?

'The area is rich in minerals, namely quartz.'... what is quartz used for, though? How can we take advantage of that? I didn't learn this anywhere...

''Argh...!''

That woman was right. Studying to become the crown princess is way harder than I could ever have imagined. From memorizing every noble's name, title, and every landmark in the vast empire to familiarizing myself with how complex and nonsensical political feuds can be...

It's so much work that I'm having a hard time maintaining three meals a day, which is the basic of basics.

If possible, I want to postpone my coronation until I at least graduate from the academy, but of course, things aren't going so smoothly. The last time I spoke with the emperor, his eyes somehow told me that he would forcibly put the crown on my head the moment I was qualified enough.

Sure, he has had a tough time dealing with everything thus far, and his hair is as white as it can get, but... can't you hold on for a bit more...?

...Alright. Let's not get into this again. I need to focus.

''Your Highness.''

''Hm?''

Right as I am about to put myself through torture and read the report again, a soldier gingerly approaches me with a nervous expression on his face.

''Um... a guest wants to see you, Your Highness.''

''Who is it?''

''Ah, you might remember—''

''It's me.''

'''' ...! ''''

Without even letting the man finish his words, a synthesized, enigmatic female voice rings right before me. At some point, someone has already taken the seat opposite mine, and that person is none other than...

''...Silaerob?''

There's no mistaking it—this overwhelming aura, that fearless attitude, and that mask.

They say making quick and accurate decisions is also a great leader's quality, and in this situation, I immediately stop the soldier from doing anything stupid.

''Go back.''

''But, Your Highness...''

''I said go back.''

''...Understood.''

As he hesitantly unsheathes his weapon and excuses himself, I let out a relieved sigh. Silaerob is known for her cruelty, and she does not seem to mind the hostility, but being prudent is still a good thing.

So now... it's my turn to face this monstrosity of a being.

''Did you perhaps want to see me, miss?'' I cautiously ask.

''...Yes,'' Silaeron replies after a brief silence, her voice carrying a slight sense of hesitance. ''I want to hear from you directly. Is everything progressing smoothly?''

Hearing that, I can't help but furrow my brows.

Of course, it is fairly normal for her to utter that kind of question. She works with Sierra, and I am now Sierra's successor, so she would naturally want to check with me to see if everything is still in her control.

The only strange thing is her tone.

Although I have not seen her up close frequently, she doesn't speak this... softly at all. It is as if she is comforting me all of a sudden.

...No way. I must be imagining things.

''I can't say I am exceeding any expectations, but my studies are indeed going smoothly. I'll make sure not to disappoint you.''

That is the proper answer I will give her for now. I'm not sure if she knows it, but the imperial family's ties with Silaerob are even more important than they seem. After all, she is the only person who can face and ask the impending calamities some meaningful questions, while we are only capable of seeing them blindly beyond a fog.

Without this person, the calamities must have gotten us a long time ago.

''Is that so?''

But... am I really not imagining it? Silaerob... feels strange today. Somewhere, her scattered emotions greatly remind me of Aurora, but most importantly, I can see some bits and pieces of worry inside her.

Whether she worries about my success or myself... I wouldn't know.

I don't think it is overstated, but she is an enigma. Many, like Sierra, take pleasure in pursuing someone like her, and many, like the old and paranoid higher-ups of the empire, are obsessed with controlling her, but I merely treat her as a natural disaster.

Unpredictable, unstoppable—exactly what she is supposed to be.

''If...''

''Yes?''

Silaerob's distinct voice snaps me out of it. She looks to the side, making me somehow think that I can vaguely see her profile... yet her cover remains impenetrable.

''If it's too hard to maintain, tell me.''

''...Yes?''

With those few words, the trickling thoughts inside my head promptly vanish. Does she even hear herself? No, was I ever this close to her? Did something bizarre happen again...?

Nonetheless, unbothered by my perplexed countenance, she continues,

''Your success is vital for reaching our collective goal. If something were to happen to your well-being, a disruption might occur.''

''Ah, yes...''

''I have the power to sway the administration. If you feel too exhausted, I can tell them to slow things down.''

''...''

At the logical-sounding yet cleverly emotionally bound words, I remain speechless for a good while. It is perhaps quite strange. I have never felt cared for this intensely by someone I don't really know.

Really, all of this is just... absurd.

''Then.. can you do that for me?''

Ah. I said it out loud.

Perhaps confused by the situation... or perhaps I am just too tired from all the studying, I accidentally blurt that out in a daze. Yet, Silarob does nothing to question my intent. She merely nods... and that's the end of it.

Our meeting unremarkably ends after a while.

Although I don't know what to make out of it, I decide not to distract myself further and continue my usual routine.

''Today's class is canceled.''

''...Yes?''

With a troubled expression, the person who is nominally in charge of my education announces something unexpected—they're thinning out the schedule.

''Ahem... as there are concerns for your productivity and, more importantly, your health, we have reconsidered our curriculum.''

''I... see.''

''Please get some rest, Your Highness. I'll excuse myself here.''

''...''

Left alone in the spacious room, I, once again, don't have a clue as to what I'm supposed to feel.

If this was Silaerob's tactic to get on my good side, I guess she has succeeded. Inadvertently, I sometimes think of the stars swirling in her mask now.

''Hahah...''

Is this the way she seems to have captured everybody's heart?

As much as I would love to comprehend her as a being and her unpredictable actions, the fatigue accumulating over the last few days has caught up with me.

For now, the bed is all I know of, and amidst all the hardships, it is perhaps my most reliable partner.

...Though, I'd like to be embraced by Aurora's feathers more.