(Seraphina POV)
As we get closer to the student tournament there's been something that keeps annoying me more and more.
"Lady Lucy, Lady Seraphina, how are you doing? I thought I'd drop by to check in on you."
Lately a certain prince has been showing up at every chance he can, like between classes…
"Lucy, Sera! What are you eating? Is it okay if I join you?"
Or during lunch breaks… Only keeping up his overly polite persona when there are others around, otherwise he just acts more familiar as usual.
"Today we'll help set up the venue for the tournament and check all the equipment."
Even assigning student council duties for the three of us together most of the time.
"Okay, I think that's enough for now. You're getting better so quickly, it's really impressive. And your methods are still quite… peculiar too. In a good sense of course."
"Ah, thank you. It's because of all the help I receive from both of you…"
And of course he is also part of Lucy's training for the tournament, since it would still be too much for her to duel with me due to my fire magic.
Even though she has been making really good progress on that front as well, but focusing on getting used to dueling and overcoming her fear separately is more efficient.
Although I am still a bit afraid of those sessions because I need to be very careful and pay close attention to Lucy all the time to make sure she doesn't push herself too far.
But lately that's been the only time when I can be alone with her, so I have started to look forward to them a little bit…
"Ah, are you still going into the restricted area today as well?"
"Hm, I don't want to stop halfway in my other training either."
"You're really diligent at everything you do, aren't you?"
"I… think I'm about average…"
"But I am kind of curious about what it's like. Would you mind if I tagged along? Of course only if it's okay with you."
"...!" I get an uncomfortable feeling in my chest as I listen to their conversation.
"I don't mind, but wouldn't that be boring for you? I'm pretty much just staring at a flame Hina creates as long as I can and looking away. Then I just repeat this over and over and that's it."
"It's okay, even if it's not interesting I can just think of it as taking a walk."
"If you say so… Then Hina, are you ready to go to the forest?"
Suddenly both of their eyes focus on me as if suddenly pulling me into their world as well.
"I'm… Actually there's something I want to discuss with Arthur in regards to a certain student council matter. Lucy, you can go on ahead and wait at the entrance of the main building. Don't worry, it won't take long."
"Hm? Couldn't she just-"
Arthur is about to make a suggestion, but I immediately glare at him to stop him from talking.
"Oh, okay. Then I'm going ahead, you don't need to hurry, I can wait."
"Thank you."
I watch as Lucy leaves and wait a few seconds to make sure I hear her footsteps fade in the distance.
"...So what did you want to talk-"
"Your Highness, The First Prince, Arthur Valerion." I coldly address him while turning to face him.
"...! What is it, why so formal all of a sudden?"
"Don't forget that you bullied and treated another member of the nobility badly for no reason."
"...I haven't. I won't ever forget it, that's why… Wait, why are you bringing this up again? I haven't broken my promise, have I?"
"I just hope you keep that in mind. And I also want to make sure you're aware that on the other hand, someone else has only ever been supportive and sincerely cares about her…"
"...? What are you talking about Sera?"
Tch, how doesn't he get it from this. Usually he can read between the lines, I can't believe I have to spell it out for him.
"...Nevermind. Then about how I usually rank higher than you in our studies…"
"Are you okay Sera? You keep switching topics."
"I can't-! Why do you keep approaching Lucy all the time?"
Seeing his genuinely confused expression like he didn't understand my words at all, I finally get annoyed and accidentally shout out my true thoughts.
"Huh? Was it really that excessive? That's kind of embarrassing."
"It can't be that you're-"
"Well, I guess there's no harm in telling you. You know how a lot of people expect me to act a certain way, being the crown prince and all that. So I've always been careful about presenting a persona that fits with everyone's image of someone with such a position."
"Right…"
"Yeah, yeah. You already know this, you figured it out pretty quickly when we were kids. Well I wasn't that good at pretending back then anyway, but since then hardly anyone has become aware of my constant performance. That is until meeting Lucy, or rather after you helped me come to my senses."
"You became interested in her just because of that?"
"It's more like, even the way she found out about it was such a pathetic and shameful display that I will never be able to forget. And yet she still chose to forgive me and even accepted me the way I am. I thought that without acting as the ideal prince I would just disappoint everyone, and here she is proving the opposite."
As he explains his reasons and talks about Lucy, he seems really moved and genuinely appreciative of her.
I knew Arthur used to struggle with living up to everyone's expectations in the past, but I assumed he already made amends with it from the way he seemed to handle everything perfectly since then.
I have to give it to him that he certainly improved his performance if he managed to fool even me with it in the end. Though, not like I would admit that…
"...You really couldn't realize that on your own?"
"Haha. What can I say, you asked for the reason and that was it. Of course wanting to make up for my mistakes is also part of it, so if I can help her in any way, I will always be ready to assist her. But the main reason I wanted to get to know her better is because she has such an interesting personality."
"I still don't like it. I met her first…"
"Huh? What do you… Actually, wait. Oh~ Is that what this is about?"
"Wh-what? I didn't say anything."
"Don't tell me that the always serious and diligent Seraphina is jealous that I'm taking away her alone time with her little friend."
"...! N-no! That's not it at all, please don't go around slandering others."
I quickly try to hide my flustered reaction and turn my head to the side.
How did this blockhead figure it out so quickly, was I really that obvious? No, that can't be it, can it?
"I get it now. Well to be fair, at first it was a bit of a shock when I heard that you suddenly befriended someone. In the past I often saw you surrounded by your usual entourage but it was evident you drew a clear line in your relationship with them. I was always a little worried about you since you never seemed to develop any real friendships."
"Hmph. Mind your own business."
"However, since you seemed to handle all your responsibilities so well I thought my worries were unfounded. But seeing how much happier you look next to Lucy, I can now truly rest assured. Heh, now that I think about it, we're kind of similar, no? Maybe that's why we always got along so well, don't you think?"
"Who gets along with you? You're the one who's in the way."
"Still, I'm happy you managed to find a friend, and fine, I'll leave you guys alone."
"Really?!"
I can't help but exclaim upon hearing his sudden proposal, but seeing his smug reaction, I immediately regret my outburst.
"Oh? Didn't you say this wasn't about that? Why do you look so excited to hear that, hm~?"
"You… What do you want?"
Ugh, this is the worst. I should have prepared more in advance, I can't believe I keep messing this up.
"Haha, why are you making it sound like I'm blackmailing you? Then how about you do my homework for me from now on?"
"..."
"Pfft. Okay, okay, I was just messing around. Don't worry I won't intrude on you two from now on. Well, maybe just sometimes… Anyway, good luck with your training, bye!"
"What do you-... You're really annoying."
Before I could say anything, Arthur quickly leaves the student council room in a hurry, leaving me behind.
Tch, he really just does what he wants huh, what image is there even to uphold…
"Haah. Whatever, at least I achieved what I wanted…mostly."
I spend a few more minutes gathering myself and then leave as well. As expected, Lucy is still waiting next to the entrance.
"Ah, Hina. Hm? Is Arthur not with you?"
"...He had some other responsibilities come up and can't make it after all."
"Oh, is that so? Then should we get going?"
"Hm."
At least she doesn't seem disappointed by this outcome, but… am I not just selfishly limiting her options? Being openly friendly with the crown prince would grant her an even better position in the future.
Ugh, I'm the worst…
***
(Seraphina POV)
Time flew by with every day spent being busy and preparing for everything, so the day of the student tournament arrived in a flash. The event is held in a large open arena next to the gymnasium.
It is built as a large circle with layered seating at the edge of it. The ground is left as regular dirt for all the earth magic users and although there is no visible protection for the audience, powerful magical arrays are carved into the walls of the arena that release a protective barrier for all the onlookers when activated.
Of course a lot of teachers are also positioned in specific locations along the seating area to provide further security.
With the opening ceremony over and the duel matchup list released, the first fights are already taking place.
Right now we are in the backstage area, with the pressure from the upcoming fight making things feel rather tense.
"I can't believe your duel is happening so soon. Are you really okay? Luckily you drew a wind mage from our grade so there shouldn't be any problems. Just think of it as facing Arthur again, just a much weaker version of him."
"Hm. I'm okay."
"And don't forget, if things get hard for you, you can always just surrender and end the match early. There's no need to wait for the referee to stop the duel."
"Okay, I got it."
"Are you really ready? Remember to stay calm and don't panic. It's just a friendly duel at the end of the day. And also-"
"Sera, you sound like a nagging mom."
Suddenly a third party interrupts my moment with Lucy.
"Tch, and why are you here again?"
"Well, technically Lucy was my student so of course I have to be here to cheer her on. And because I was her teacher, I'm sure that she will do perfectly fine. So you don't have to worry too much, it will just stress her out more."
"What do you know about how she feels? And you only became her teacher by chance. If it was me-"
"Pfft."
Just as I'm about to start arguing with Arthur, a sudden chuckle from Lucy catches both our attention.
"Ah, sorry. Haha. It was just kind of funny watching you two. Hina, Arthur, don't worry. I'm ready, so you can just sit back and watch as I do my best."
"Oh, okay. Good luck."
Lucy gives us a radiant smile and goes to the exit, ready to leave the moment they call her name.
"See? What did I tell you?"
"...Just shut up."
"Yeah, yeah. Come on, let's go take our seats so we can watch her."
"Hm."
Lucy… Be careful.
I silently wish as I take one last look at her back before heading to the audience stalls.