Chapter 43

Marina's face turned beet red.

"When Yurinova-sama came to class for the first time...The way you took your brother's hand and walked with him was so beautiful! It was hard to believe that both of them were students, they looked so mature, like they were from another world. I thought I shouldn't be allowed to talk to them!"

Ah...

I'm sorry. I'm sorry that the villainous siblings seemed unnecessarily powerful.

I wonder what the background will be if brother is part of the set... An ice castle from a Disn*y movie? I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it'll be great!

Yet this is not the time for that, you idiot!

However, Marina-sama seems to be quite enraptured. I wonder if she's a fan of my brother's.

"But I've come to think that Yurinova is actually a friendly person, the way she talks to Czerny, and the manner in which she said...those things."

Marina cut off her words in a rush, trying to hold back her laughter.

You, were you about to mention..."excretion"?

The Countess definitely caught me when I said "excretion."

It's funny. I don't know if it's alright for me to say it, but if you think that's a friendly way of speaking, aren't you like an elementary school boy?

"I'm sorry, Czerny. I was told that you were born of common descent, but you are much more elegant and beautiful than I am. I had a hunch that you might not be who you say you are, or that there was something more to you than what you say."

Flora's eyes widened, and she giggled as she spoke in a brisk tone.

Ekaterina looked at Flora again and smiled.

"Krymov-sama, I have understood your intentions. I don't need you to apologize, but I will accept your apology if that is what you wish.

I am glad to hear your frank remarks. If you don't mind, I'd like to converse with you more intimately in the future."

"I'm so happy! Please, call me Marina."

"You may call me Ekaterina."

"And Miss Czerny, may I call you Miss Flora?" (Marina)

"Of course" (Flora)

The three girls smiled at each other, and the atmosphere became heartwarming.

"Um..."

A shaky voice called out.

"Well, I, I also want to apologize, too. I'm sorry for that time...sorry."

Standing a little behind Marina, looking frail, is a petite girl with glossy chestnut hair tied up with a ribbon and youthful green eyes. She is probably a baroness who doesn't stand out much in the class.

But what did she mean, by her apology?

Ekaterina was about to tilt her head, but then remembered.

"Is it about the incident at the training grounds?"

It was the one who fell down during that incident.

"Y-Yes, that's right. My name is Olga Fleurus. At that time, I fell down, and just when I thought it was over, I was protected by a mud wall. Thank you for your help.

If not for me, then Lady Yurinova would not have stayed there and been involved in the danger...I kept wondering if it was my fault that you couldn't escape..."

No, no, it's not like that. Don't worry about it!

But I can't say, "I knew that a Magic Beast would appear, and I was ready to fight them, so I'm fine!" so I'll just say this:

"Were you alright after that incident?"

The chestnut-haired girl looked at her and nodded her head in response.

"I see. I'm glad that you were alright." (Olga)

[Ekaterina's POV]

Right, really, I'm just glad that everyone's okay.

"I was just being reckless. That's all. I could have run away if I wanted to, and I should have run away, but I chose not to. My brother scolded me later after that."

I smiled at her, and Olga smiled back, with tears welling up in her eyes.

"Um, us too!"

Ekaterina was startled when another group of students shouted from behind Olga. Marina's cronies (or is it her fangirls?) which were the biggest force in the class, including the boys, approached us with a very enthusiastic look on their faces.