Formerly, The Fallen Daughter of the Duke

48. Dion’s Transfer

A week later, the day of my first attendance at the Royal School.

It’s a uniform I’m totally used to wearing in the world ahead, but this is the first time I’ve slept through this clothing since I got back to 15. Hair, which was long enough to wear lightly on the shoulders, is now long. Claire looked fresh in the mirror.

“Ma’am, your uniform looks good on you”

Says Sophie as she offers her bag.

“Thanks…. I’m a little nervous today”

“It’s okay, if you’re a lady. I’m sure you’ll be friends soon.”

“Thank you, Sophie. I’ll try my best. I’m going.”

Sent out by Nico and Sophie with a warm smile, Claire left the room.

(The morning sun feels good. I hear you can put a carriage on the front of the detached palace, but I think I’ll ask the royal palace to pick you up so I can walk through the backyard tomorrow)

Claire thinks about it, while the blue trees peek into the dazzling backyard. The morning air was clear, but for as long as the sun had not yet risen high, there remained also a place where it looked dark.

(… oh?

Behind the outer palace, close to the royal palace, there is someone who looks familiar. Looks like they’re having a meeting with someone.

(Yeah. It’s kind of closer to a secret conversation than a meeting…)

“… His Highness Oswald.”

At the same time Claire shrugged her name, Oswald also just turned his gaze toward Claire.

“Miss Claire. Good morning.”

It was a little far away, but Oswald seemed to acknowledge Claire’s appearance. When he spoke to Claire, Oswald’s spokesperson disappeared softly after a meeting. It was a tall man with noticeable black hair.

“Good morning, Your Highness Oswald”

Claire narrows her eyes and smiles so that she doesn’t understand that she has followed the person in the meeting with her eyes.

“Are you a royal school today?”

“Yes, I’m nervous because I’m new to school”

“I was there until a few years ago, too. I miss you…. be careful”

“Thank you, Your Highness”

His smile looks a lot like Veek’s. For that reason, Claire seemed relieved to forgive her.

(Your brother has advised you, and you need to keep your mind shut)

After exchanging greetings with Oswald and dropping him off back at the Royal Palace, Claire took a carriage to the Royal School.

The new semester at the Royal School begins with an indicative class division test. When Claire entered the lecture room where the test would take place, she found that the gaze of the other students had gathered to herself at once.

(Feels like this… I didn’t last time)

I knew why. That’s Veek waiting for Claire in front of the lecture room door.

“Why don’t you get in the same carriage”

Before the morning greeting, says Vique.

“Good morning, Your Highness.”

“No salutations allowed.”

“… yes, I’m not going to ride in the same carriage as the prince again and again”

When Claire answers with a clear face, Vik has a sayin ‘look on his face.

“May I introduce you all?”

Smiling at Vik with a stubborn face, three people waiting behind him greeted Claire one after another, before Vik answered.

“This is Alan from the Marquis Smith family, nice to meet you.”

“My name is Damian from Count Harris’s house.”

“This is Hervé, Count Sanchez’s house.”

Claire was relieved that the three men serving as Vike’s sidekick and escort within the Royal School were no different from the world ahead. Claire, who had no backing whatsoever in her first royal school life, barely got involved with Vik. But this time, I can’t just rent a room in the royal palace and stay out of it.

This Royal School has a darker color as an educational institution compared to the Royal College of Aristocracy in the Noston Country. It is easy to get involved with less hassle. But again, Claire thinks it’s definitely that side this time.

When Claire tried to introduce herself, there was a voice from further behind the three.

“My name is Lydia from the Marquis of Carroll. I’ve been listening to your lovely friend. Stay close to me, too.”

(… Lydia!

That was my best friend Lydia, who also spoke to me the day Claire really went to Royal School for the first time.

“Miss Lydia is my childhood friend. When we talked about Claire, it was very interesting…. will you get along?”

Claire knows that Lydia avoids actively engaging with Vique at the Royal School.

(I’m sure Veek asked Lydia to do something about me…. maybe that’s what happened the first time)

When Claire glances at Veek’s face, she feels an atmosphere that is twisting her ears at the interaction between the two. The expression looked heartless or satisfied.

“Yes, of course. My name is Claire and I am from the Duke of Martino, Noston Country. Best wishes, everyone.”

When Claire finishes her greeting, she looks around the lecture room.

(Mr. Dion hasn’t arrived yet. I wonder if he’s in another classroom)

“Maybe you care about the son of the Count Meade family. Lewis said Claire’s protection would be fine.”

Vik cares about Claire.

“No, not like that…”

I was sure Claire cared about Dion, but the reason wasn’t.

It’s still difficult now, but Claire wanted to share her worries as much as she could with the Vikes once they got a little closer. At times of need, that’s all I’m comfortable with when I think I can talk to them.

“The son of Count Meade’s family was allowed to transfer without any problems.”

“Oh, I’m not doing anything right now.”

The door behind Claire opened as I listened to Vik and Alan speak.

As Claire slowly turned around, there was a familiar face there. With an exotic atmosphere, he is solidified when he sees Claire’s face, which appeared the moment he opened the door. The expression had a color that could also be taken as fear.

“K, Claire…… lady! Why, here…”

(na (…), ko (…) to ko (…)?)

Claire guessed.

He said this was definitely Dion living his second life.