Chapter 43: Outing with the Eldritch Godness

Frieda and I headed to visit Emilia, who’d been rushed to the hospital.

The hospital was located a fair distance from the academy, but since I was technically a runaway, I couldn’t use my family’s carriage—and Frieda, living in the dorms, didn’t have one either.

So, we took a public carriage instead.

After about thirty minutes of rattling along, we arrived.

“I’ll buy flowers from the shop,” Frieda said.

“I’ll check if visiting is allowed,” I replied.

She went to the hospital’s gift shop while I approached the front desk to ask about Emilia’s condition.

Fortunately, thanks in part to my emergency treatment, Emilia was stable. Leonhardt was with her, and visits were permitted.

Once Frieda returned with flowers, we headed to Emilia’s room.

“Emilia!”

“Ah! Frieda! And Lady Iris!”

She greeted us with a smile as we entered.

The private room was clean, with white walls and curtains. Emilia lay on the bed, looking far better than expected.

“Are you okay? Does it still hurt?” Frieda asked.

“I’m fine. The wound’s been stitched up properly.”

“That’s good. Everyone was worried.”

Emilia seemed genuinely alright—partly thanks to my familiar’s first aid, though I was the reason she’d gotten hurt in the first place…

“What happened to Marie after that?” Leonhardt interjected. Having accompanied Emilia, he’d missed the aftermath.

“The Imperial Guards took her away,” I said.

“I see… This may be my fault. To prove my devotion to Emilia, I had to make the others give up on me—”

Leonhardt clenched his fists.

“But if she had to stab someone, why not me? Why Emilia…?”

“Your Highness, this isn’t your fault,” Emilia reassured.

(Nope, not Emilia’s fault either. Mostly mine. I was the one who messed with Leonhardt’s brain, and I am Claudia’s acquaintance… Though I’d say 70% of the blame is on Clauddia. Right? …Right?*)

“Any idea when you can leave the hospital?” Frieda asked.

“They want me under observation for nearly a week. The stab wound was deep.”

“Then I’ll visit every day.”

“Thank you, Frieda. And Lady Iris, too.”

Hospital stays get lonely. I’d know—I’d been hospitalized alone in my past life more than a few times.

“See you later, Emilia.”

“Get well soon.”

With that, Frieda and I left the room.

“She looked better than I expected, Iris.”

“Yes. I’m relieved.”

As we exited the hospital, Frieda suddenly grinned.

“Since we’re out, wanna go have some fun?”

“Of course. Where did you have in mind?”

“How about browsing bookshops, then stopping by a café before heading back?”

"That sounds wonderful!"

Last time we went into the city, it was a double date—Frieda was with Albrecht, and I was with Felix. But this time, it’s just the two of us.

"Let’s go! This way."

"Okay."

I followed Frieda as we browsed shops in the imperial capital.

Our first stop was, naturally, a bookstore—a different one from last time. Though not particularly large, it had a well-stocked selection.

"This book’s really popular right now. Have you read it yet, Iris?"

"No, not this one. But I have read this one over here."

Frieda held up a romance novel, while I pointed to an adventure story.

"Then I’ll give this one to you as a gift!"

"In that case, I’ll give this one to you, Frieda."

Ahhh! Exchanging gifts with a friend—this is what youth is all about! I’ve always wanted to do something like this! So satisfying~!

We had our books wrapped and exchanged them outside the store.

"Thank you, Iris."

"Thank you, Frieda."

After that heartwarming moment of youthful friendship, our next destination was a stationery shop.

"This fountain pen has great reviews."

"Ohhh, it looks stylish too!"

As expected of a literature club member, Frieda was full of stationery knowledge. Following her advice, I stocked up on new pens, pencils, erasers, and more.

Frieda herself bought a fountain pen for her next writing project.

After indulging in some accessories and other purchases, we stepped into a chic café Frieda recommended.

"The coffee here is amazing. Do you drink coffee often, Iris?"

"Not really. There’s this unspoken rule that ladies should drink tea, don’t you think?"

"True. But coffee’s nice once in a while. Oh, and you have to try their rare cheesecake. I’ll order it for us."

"Okay."

Soft classical music played from the café’s radio. The atmosphere was perfect.

"...You are attending the Golden Festival in December, right?"

"Yes. As a final memory, if nothing else."

"I see. I hope you enjoy it. I’m looking forward to it too—there’s a dance party, and I’ve already decided to dance with Lord Albrecht."

"Oh? That’s a thing?"

"It’s practically the main event!"

Yikes. Even if you say that, I can’t dance to save my life...

"Hey... After the Golden Festival in December, where will you go?"

"Hmm. I’ll probably leave the capital. Nothing’s set in stone yet, though."

"Then... can’t you stay? Is there really no way?"

"I’m afraid not... I have my own complications."

I don’t want to leave the academy or my friends either, but it’s not an option. The Rosenkreuz Society already knows I’m the Eldritch Godness, and the April incident left too many victims. Then there’s the cult problem...

Staying in the densely populated imperial capital would only bring risk.

"...We just became friends, and now we have to say goodbye..."

Frieda’s expression darkened, tears glistening in her eyes.

"I’m sorry. I wish things were different. But this is the only way. If I could, I’d keep attending the academy, but... circumstances won’t allow it."

"I know. I know you have your reasons. It’s because of your strange powers, isn’t it? That’s why you have to leave."

"...Yes. That’s right."

Frieda understood—but understanding didn’t mean acceptance.

"But it’ll still be lonely without you... We had so many things left to do together..."

"Frieda..."

Gently, I took her hand as she wiped her tears.

I really... wanted to keep living this school life.

……………………