The schoolgirl began talking proudly before Camille.
“That woman over there isn’t Camille Rhodolite, you know. She’s a fake. She’s a villain who’s continued to deceive you until now.”
The girl spoke to me while pointing at Camille.
“Hey, Current Camille Rhodolite-san. You’re not a person from this world, right? Just like me, you’re a fake who took over and switched bodies with someone else, right?”
Despite ridiculous words being spoken to her, Camille didn’t talk back to the girl.
…Strange. Camille isn’t the type to stay quiet when people falsely accuse her of things. Even though she would normally talk back and make fun of them…
Her face is bright red. She’s chewing on her lip, her two hands are clenched, and she’s trembling.
“Would you please not say strange things to Camille?”
“Oh? …But, she isn’t denying it, is she?”
Certainly, just as the girl says, Camille just stood there taking it all and didn’t deny it.
“…Camille?”
She looked up at me with a terrified expression.
While I was preoccupied with Camille, the girl raised her hands into the air a second time, and by the time I noticed it was too late.
“I’ll… show you how she really should be.”
The schoolgirl drew some unknown magic circle, and fired it this way. It’s similar to communication magic, but I don’t know what kind of magic it is.
I immediately covered Camille and used defence magic but… the girl’s magic power was of a volume impossible for one person.
Unable to defend completely, some of it hit.
I was on my knees, and the girl smiled fearlessly.
“My, my, even though you’re supposed to be bad at magic… You’re strong, aren’t you? You’re a talent(card) that I’m wanting more and more. I’ll come invite you again, so I’d be happy if you accept it next time.”
Like that, the girl gleefully left the area.
My body is unsteady. It seems that Camille who’s in my arms was hit with some of that woman’s magic, so she’s unconscious.
For her to be shaken enough that she didn’t immediately use defence magic, is not normal.
However, I could only keep conscious up until there.
※
Is this a dream?
I’m looking at myself.
I was walking happily together with Royce-sama down a hallway in the magic academy.
His Highness seems a little different somehow. He has this hard to describe ephemeral feeling… and is upfront in his behaviour.
He doesn’t seem like the person who would even by accident, have a hobby of peeking on and stalking the girl he likes, or whipping a middle aged man.
The me in the dream was talking to His Highness about the future.
The contents of the conversation were close to what I have planned in mind now, but I feel that it’s a little too idealistic. You have too many dreams, and it’s kinda embarassing you know, Me.
And then, a pink figure appeared.
“Ah-…”
It’s Camille. Her atmosphere seems kind of different.
For one thing her hair is tied into two, and wearing a frilly dress the likes of which I’ve never seen before, she’s clinging to His Highness and flirting with him.
“Wai-… Camille, what are you doing cheating so openly!?”
I accidentally let out a voice, but Camille paid no heed and wrapped herself around His Highness’ arm. Was it intentional that she nonchalantly pressed her chest against him?
His Highness is smiling troubledly.
As for me… What? Aren’t I frowning incredibly unhappily!?
Moreover, it doesn’t look like the reason is jealousy.
I’m gazing at Camille as though I’m looking at garbage.
No matter what, I can’t imagine myself looking at Camille like that.
..*
The scene changed.
This time what I see is myself relaxing in the courtyard.
His Highness is lying on the lawn the same way, and sitting by his side is… Eh-?
“Why is it that woman!?”
The schoolgirl who tried to invite me to her cause behind the auditorium was chatting to His Highness with a smile. Chatting to the woman, His Highness’ cheeks were red.
“Your Highness… What happened to Miss Beatrix?”
However, it seems that they couldn’t hear my voice. Not one of the three turned my way.
..*
Once again, the scene changed.
This time, with an impatient expression, I was running towards the rooftop of a tower near the school. His Highness who is running by my side with a sword in hand was there too. I don’t really get it, but for now I followed the two. I intended to follow the two up the stairs, but rather than running, it felt more like my body was floating.
Having reached the rooftop, I follow the gazes of His Highness and I.
The door to the room at the end of the stairs was open.
There, were Camille and that schoolgirl.
Camille was standing with a number of men in wait. It looks like thugs she hired with money.
It seems that the two of them haven’t noticed His Highness and I.
“Goshhhhh. Royce-sama you knowww~? Loves Camille, you seeee~ So there’s no room for a dirty looking Ugly like you, is thereee~?”
“Uuu…”
The schoolgirl was collapsed on the stone floor, and Camille was overlooking her with arms crossed…
It’s obvious that Camille is harassing the girl