Chapter 15: An Event Approaches the Eldritch Goddess

School life had finally settled into a comfortable rhythm.

I still wasn’t great at applying what I learned, but I’d started brute-forcing my way through by memorizing entire application methods. Thanks to that, I was getting scolded a lot less in class.

As for the student council… well, I was managing just fine there, too.

"Alright, everyone! The cultural festival is upon us!"

Klaus announced this with great enthusiasm from the student council room.

"The cultural festival, you say? I haven’t heard the specifics yet."

"Each class and club will present the results of their work. The student council is in charge of running the whole thing, so this is our time to shine. I’ll take command as student council president—so Iris, you’ll assist Felix with the support work."

"Understood."

Klaus clearly enjoyed the festival because it gave him a chance to show off his skills.

"First, there’s a meeting about the cultural club events. Iris, you’ll be taking the minutes. Felix, as vice president and treasurer, I want you to handle the budget allocations for each club."

"Yeah, yeah. And what will you be doing?"

"Naturally, as president, I’ll be making the most of my talented underlings! Ha ha ha!"

"You’re impossible."

Felix sighed at Klaus’s usual behavior.

"But I’m really looking forward to it. I wonder what our class is planning to do?"

I’d always loved cultural festivals in my previous life, so I wanted to enjoy it here too.

"Nothing’s been decided yet. If it follows the usual pattern, it’ll probably be a play, a concert, or maybe a food stall. Though I wouldn’t expect much enthusiasm from our class."

"Oh? Why’s that?"

"Our class is packed with nobles and wealthy heirs. People like that usually have responsibilities outside school, so they rarely get involved in school events."

That was true—just look at Leonhardt, the second prince. Like many others, he had important duties outside the academy.

…I had none.

"All proceeds from the cultural festival are donated to charity. I’d like them to be more mindful of that—especially since they’re nobles and the wealthy elite."

Felix sighed as he said this.

What he was getting at was that noblesse oblige thing. The duty of the privileged to give back.

"You take that stuff a little too seriously, don’t you? I mean, the donations from the festival aren’t that significant. Most of the students here already donate far more on a regular basis. Some probably wouldn’t even notice if this festival didn’t happen."

"It’s not about the amount—it’s about the attitude."

"You’re such a stickler."

Felix, clearly annoyed, shot back while Klaus responded with a sigh of his own.

"I understand how you feel, Lord Felix. It’s different when someone chooses to donate money they earned through their own effort, rather than just letting their parents handle it."

"Thank you for understanding, Lady Iris. Yes, exactly."

Felix replied in his usual serious tone, but couldn’t he at least look a little pleased?

"In that case, we’ll just have to make this festival a success. I’m counting on all of you!"

"You’ve got work to do too, remember?"

Klaus may be a bit much sometimes, but he always keeps things organized. And Felix is excellent at backing him up by handling the finer details. Honestly, they make a great team.

Thanks to their competence, I rarely get a chance to stand out.

"I’ve finished transcribing these documents. Is there anything else for today?"

"That’s it. The meeting about the cultural club events is the day after tomorrow, so don’t forget. If you keep up this pace, you should have no trouble taking the minutes."

"Understood. Then I’ll excuse myself."

I was about to leave the student council room, when I suddenly remembered something.

"Um, Lord Felix… I really think I should return this."

What I pulled out was a magic item engraved with the crest of a ducal house.

After what Frieda had told me, I’d kept thinking I needed to return it, but one thing led to another, and it stayed in my possession until now.

Losing it would be a disaster. And apparently, these items are only given to close family members, so it’s definitely not something I should be holding onto.

"I told you—you can keep it."

"B-But it belongs to a ducal family…"

"I don’t mind. And since I am the duke’s heir, if I say it’s fine, then it’s fine. Don’t worry about it."

"A-Alright…"

And so, I was pushed into keeping it again. I’ve thought this for a while now, but… Felix really is the forceful type.

I had a feeling that Leonhart’s public confession to Emilia would eventually cause trouble—and sure enough, it did.

It all started when our class was informed during homeroom about the upcoming cultural festival, and we decided to put on a play.

"Iris, you should’ve run for the lead role."

"I’m not really cut out for such a big part..."

I scratched my cheek as Frieda pouted in dissatisfaction.

The play was a simple tragic romance, much like Romeo and Juliet. The script was solid, so even amateurs could pull it off decently.

I had a minor role as Juliet’s mother, meaning I didn’t have much to do, so I helped with set preparations instead.

Emilia was playing Juliet—and Leonhart, of course, was Romeo.

Most of the class agreed with this casting… but not everyone, and that was the problem.

Yes, there was one person who strongly opposed it—

THUD.

A sudden loud noise interrupted my thoughts. Startled, we turned to see Emilia on the floor, with a girl standing over her, looking down with a smirk.

"Oh my, did you trip again, Emilia? A little clumsy, aren’t you?"

The girl made no move to help, instead giggling mockingly.

"Ugh. She’s at it again… Marie…"

Frieda glared in annoyance at Marie von Steinweck—a girl with curled golden locks who looked every bit the noble lady.

She was the daughter of Marquis Steinweck and, more importantly, one of Leonhart’s former girlfriends before I… adjusted his mindset.

After being dumped by the now-reformed Leonhart, she had the misfortune of witnessing him publicly declare his love for Emilia during a class gathering. As a result, she’d taken her grudge out not on Leonhart—but on Emilia.

If you’re gonna blame anyone, blame Leonhart~! Don’t take it out on her~!

"Emilia, are you okay?"

"Y-Yes, I’m fine, Iris."

I offered my hand, helping her up.

"Marie, mocking a classmate for tripping is hardly ladylike. Someone so unbecoming has no place in this class—or this academy."

"Oh my, how rude of me. Giggle..."

My scolding had no effect, and she just laughed it off. So frustrating~!

"Lady Iris is right."

A voice suddenly spoke up from behind me—Felix. He appeared out of nowhere, making me jump.

"Apologize to Emilia, Marie. That should settle this."

"W-Why should I?! Absolutely not!"

"Then you’re off the play. That’s all."

"Tch…! How dare a commoner-born like you…!"

Marie muttered under her breath, seething.

"Did you say something?"

"Nothing at all. My apologies, Emilia."

She gave a half-hearted apology before quickly retreating to her clique.

"Thank you, Lord Felix. I appreciate your intervention."

"Don’t mention it. …Though I must say, you really do act for your friends’ sake, don’t you?"

What’s that supposed to mean? I’m not that cold-hearted~.

"Emilia, if anything’s troubling you, please tell us."

"Thank you, Iris, Lord Felix. But really, I’m fine. Because—"

Just as I spoke, a voice called out for Emilia.

"EMILIA! Are you all right, Emilia?! Did you fall?! Are you hurt?! We must go to the infirmary at once!"

"I-I’m fine, Your Highness!"

Leonhart—who should’ve been in another classroom—came rushing in like a storm, scooping Emilia up as if ready to carry her straight to the hospital.

I told you to love her, but this is too much~! Emilia looks more troubled than ever~!

"It’s dangerous if Emilia gets hurt, so I’ll stand guard here from now on!"

"As you can see, I’m perfectly fine."

Emilia smiled wryly as Leonhart puffed out his chest proudly.

Are you really fine? I can’t shake the feeling of leaving a Siberian Husky as a guard dog…