Chapter 12: I'll start studying right away!
“Why did your face suddenly turn so pale, Maru?”
Thadeus asked me while casually holding the beautiful heraldry of the Grand Duchy of Aragon. I didn't answer; I was too stunned for that.
I was a hidden princess…of all the things that could be brought into this originally fictional world, it was a princess….
I have a bad feeling about this. It was like a creepy feeling when something bad was about to happen, except you had no idea if it would happen soon or not.
The descendant of heroes and a future hero among the commoners meet as if by fate and become childhood friends...that sounds too convenient!
Was that God trying to recreate a fantasy romance scenario with me as the female lead? As ridiculous as it may sound, that…
“Maru, react!”
“Ah,” Thadeus shook my shoulders, still holding the heraldry in his dominant hand. I could feel the power of magic in the object more clearly, and I felt even more depressed at the reality of it.
“What’s wrong with you?! Are you okay? Something bad is happening to you, isn’t it?”
“Yes…it is the destiny ordained by God that seems to tell me to give myself over to a dramatic romance…”
“What?” Thadeus replied in total confusion. His face was literally screaming, “What does that mean?”
Well…of course I wouldn’t understand.
“It’s nothing, it’s just me saying random nonsense.”
“Oh, is that so?”
"Yeah, what else could it be?" I brushed the matter aside casually, but the other party didn't seem to want to let it go so easily. Come on, don't overthink it...
“But Maru, there’s clearly something going on with you. Do you think I’m stupid?”
He insisted, arms crossed. I rolled my eyes at his words, determined to ignore him. If I treat him like air, he'll go away on his own, right?
That worked for most people in my previous world…with that thought, I was about to go to bed and pretend to read, but the future hero stopped me.
“Maru”
Suddenly, Thadeus took both of my hands, enveloping them in his two palms—which were larger and stronger than mine despite being of a similar age—and stared into my eyes with a resolute expression; his eyes, blue as Arctic ice, completely focused on mine.
I was stunned and immediately nervous at the gesture, which reminded me of something I'd seen on a soap opera, like the one used to make a promise to a loved one.
What was this guy doing doing something like that? And hey, why are you holding your face so close to mine?
“Maru, I'm your friend. I don't know what's happening to you today or what could have caused whatever's causing you distress, nor will I force you to talk about it if you don't want to. I just hope you know I'd be there to help you with anything you need, because that's what a friend is.”
“Ah….”
"So if you need someone, rest assured that you can count on me for anything, okay? I don't want to see you sad."
What's with you and all that sweet, sweet talk about friendship, huh? Trying to sound cool around a pretty girl?
And...and...what is this?
Does this feel...nice? The warmth of his palms enveloping my hands is embarrassing, but strangely not repulsive. Instead, it's somehow thrilling and comforting, especially how unusually strong they are for their age and the slight calluses they bear ; proof of how hard he's training with the sword.
And being looked into that eye like that, so close and with those beautiful blue eyes, is really making my heart race… No! What the hell?
Maru's lingering feelings are really getting to me that much!? What's with those gay thoughts right now!?
“T-Thadeus, I….think…uh”
Shit, why am I stuttering!? Why am I blushing and my cheeks feel like they're on fire!?
Oh, and you, get your annoying pretty-boy face away from me, okay?! I'm probably making a pretty silly face—no, that's not the problem!
Just as I was about to push Thadeus away from me for the peace of my heart, the door to my room opened, and Thadeus and I, surprised, quickly turned our gaze in that direction.
There was Mom, looking at us with a stern expression and an imposing posture.
“Oh….Canelia-san…this is….”
Thadeus looked between me and Mom, looking visibly uncomfortable, but Mom ignored him and just opened her lips, letting out an authoritative voice that echoed throughout the room and couldn't be ignored.
“Thadeus-Kun, Maru-chan…. Can you explain what’s going on here?” She questioned, her tone as cold as ice as she stared at us expressionlessly, making my heart race with a very different emotion than before. “As far as I know, I don’t remember ordering Maru-chan to have a romantic meeting in her room with her little friend….”
“?” Thadeus looked quite confused by that choice of words. I, for my part, couldn’t remain silent upon hearing such slander.
“Eh… Mom, it’s not like that! Thadeus-Kun just barged into my room on a whim! I didn’t invite him or anything!” Letting go of the future hero’s hands, she shook them frantically in a clearly exaggerated gesture of denial.
Realizing that, I blushed...I sounded like a damn Tsundere saying that, damn it!
As I writhed inwardly at the thought, Mom put her hands on her hips and looked at me sternly. “But am I sure you could have kicked him out at any time?”
Immediately, his words hit me hard. It was true!
No matter how many excuses and reasons he gave, it was true that he could have just thrown him out and that was it!
Ugh…
“No, I was the one who insisted on being here. Maru was obediently learning Magic, so it’s not enough to blame her,” Thadeus said with a serious expression, making me feel touched.
That was a good friend, covering for me! Thanks for not telling him I was just looking in the mirror like a narcissistic little girl!
That would be a different kind of shame, and I don't want to explain why I did it in the first place!
“Is that so?” Mama looked at Thadeus with a blank expression, and suddenly smiled, making us jump. “Then, Thadeus-kun, can you go home immediately? I’m sure your dad must have arrived by now, right? You can look forward to playing with Maru later, after all.”
Her words seemed kind and calm, but the intensity of her tone left no room for discussion. Thadeus nodded, hesitantly saying, "Yes, ma'am..." before turning away.
As Thadeus-Kun climbed through the windows at the speed of the wind, clearly intimidated, Mom again fixed her eyes on me, making me instinctively tense.
“Maru, do I need to keep an eye on you to make sure you study obediently? Hmm?” She asked, looking even bigger than she actually was, which scared me.
“N…of course not! I can’t bother Mom with that! I can definitely study on my own!” I said hurriedly and then added, “If Thadeus-Kun bothers me again, this time I’ll kick him out!”
We stared at each other for a few genuinely awkward seconds before she nodded and stroked my shoulders with light pressure. “I hope so, darling, otherwise I’ll have to punish you…”
My body trembled in fear at those words, clearly knowing what those punishments entailed.
“I’ll start studying right away!”
I stated firmly, and only then did she seem satisfied before leaving.
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