Chapter 63
“…Thank you very much!”
Until the very end, Princess Fransia continued her speech at her own pace without a single hitch.
With a satisfied expression, she looked around.
Clap clap clap clap!
Thunderous applause filled the surroundings, followed by enthusiastic cheers for her.
For a long while, she smiled brightly at the students and waved her hand toward them before finally stepping down from the stage.
Tap, tap, tap.
“You’ve worked hard, Your Highness.”
“With that kind of reaction, I suppose the election is already over.”
Seeing everyone slightly flushed and speaking that way, Princess Fransia shook her head.
“No, it’s just beginning. Don’t let your guard down—stay focused.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Understood.”
Returning to the waiting room where the candidates stayed, Princess Fransia removed the cumbersome accessories and outer garment she had been wearing.
“Everyone, you’ve done well. Go ahead and take some rest now. Ah, and I’d like to be alone for a bit. Is that okay?”
“Of course, Your Highness.”
“If you need anything, please call us. We’ll be right outside.”
Click!
As everyone left and the door shut, leaving her alone in the waiting room, Princess Fransia let out a deep breath and muttered softly.
“Phew… that wasn’t easy.”
Though she was used to being the center of attention as a princess of an empire, being in such an overwhelming spotlight while giving a speech felt different in a tangible way.
Flop.
“I’m tired.”
Seizing the rare moment when no one was watching, she flopped onto the sofa.
She could feel her dress crumpling beneath her, but—
‘Whatever. Not now.’
Even if a few dresses got ruined, what she needed right now was rest—mental and physical.
[…With that, I conclude my declaration of candidacy.]
Some distance away, a magical artifact projected a live feed of the ongoing declarations outside.
“This is so boring.”
Compared to the roaring response she had received earlier, the atmosphere outside was painfully dull.
There were no real cheers, no excitement—just silence.
“…”
Just as people had said, the outcome of this student council election already felt decided.
The victory was effectively sealed the moment her opponent declared candidacy, and that left her feeling oddly hollow.
“I don’t know if that’s something to be happy about.”
Even at the Imperial Academy—supposedly a gathering place for the empire’s best minds—results were being decided purely by background, not merit.
It was disappointing.
And yet—
“What was he even thinking making that bet…? Well, not that I’m complaining.”
A faint smirk crossed her lips as she recalled Kamon Bade, who had rashly provoked her into a wager.
Just then—
[Our final candidate is Miss Cecilia Romanoff.]
At the host’s call, her supposed rival, Cecilia Romanoff, stepped onto the stage.
Tap, tap, tap.
“Hm?”
But Princess Fransia’s eyes didn’t focus on Cecilia.
Instead, they locked onto someone standing just behind her.
And then—
“Hah. So he really went there?”
She couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.
In her gaze, reflected on the holographic screen, was Kamon Bade—standing behind Cecilia Romanoff, smiling faintly.
* * *
While the candidacy announcements continued, members of each election camp greeted one another and chatted warmly.
Of course, not everyone was sociable—some kept to themselves even among their allies.
“Oh, Chelsea?”
After greeting someone else, Kyle noticed a girl with familiar, water-colored hair and called out to her.
“Hello, Kyle.”
“Chelsea, you joined the election camp too?”
“Yeah. Her Highness asked me to.”
As the freshman valedictorian, Chelsea Artine was exactly the kind of person any campaign would want on their team.
Since she had no particular conflict with the princess, she accepted the request—so long as it didn’t interfere with her studies.
“Kyle, you too?”
“Ah, yeah. Her Highness asked for my help as well.”
Kyle smiled brightly as he nodded, but Chelsea simply returned the gesture silently, looking around before speaking coolly.
“It looks like things here are wrapping up. I can go, right?”
“Huh? Already? The other candidates haven’t finished yet…”
“Is there any point in watching? Her Highness will win anyway.”
“Well, that’s true, but still—”
“No, staying longer would just be a waste of time.”
Cutting him off sharply, Chelsea continued with a hint of impatience.
“It’d be better to spend that time reading another book or training—”
But midway through, she seemed to realize something.
Her eyes lit up as she turned to Kyle.
“Kyle, are you free right now?”
“Eh? Out of nowhere?”
“Yeah. Want to spar with me?”
“Huh? Spar? I’m down!”
Despite the sudden request, Kyle’s eyes sparkled with excitement.
“But maybe not right now. I’m assigned to guard Her Highness until this is over…”
“I can wait.”
“Oh, seriously? All right! Then give me a bit. The declarations are almost over anyway. Ah, there—Cecilia’s up. That’s the last one!”
Following his words, Chelsea turned her gaze toward the screen—and tilted her head slightly.
“Kamon…?”
As soon as she muttered that familiar name—
“Huh? Oh, you’re right—it’s Kamon! So he joined Lady Cecilia’s campaign?”
Kyle’s cheerful voice reached her ears.
* * *
“How was I, Kamon? Did I do well?”
Descending from the stage, Lady Cecilia’s cheeks were flushed with excitement and nervousness.
“Not bad, milady.”
“‘Not bad’ isn’t good enough! I should’ve made them regret ever leaving my side!”
“…”
Kamon couldn’t help but chuckle softly at her spirited complaint.
She was clearly referring to those who had abandoned her to join Princess Fransia.
Still, he glanced across the hall—none of those people even looked her way.
They were chatting and laughing among themselves, completely ignoring her.
‘So this is what it feels like to be the underdog… pathetic, maybe.’
The situation was like shadowboxing with no opponent—fighting a battle the other side didn’t even acknowledge.
And somehow, that amused him.
“Huh? What’s funny?”
“Nothing, just… a thought.”
“What thought? Tell me!”
Cecilia chased after him like a curious child, but Kamon only shook his head, answering with a smile.
“Come on, tell meee!”
“It’s nothing.”
When he imagined the day those same people—who now ignored them—would have to look their way with twisted faces of defeat…
‘How could I not laugh at that?’
He couldn’t wait to see Princess Fransia’s and her team’s expressions crumble.
Wait.
That sounded a bit too villainous, didn’t it…?
Ah, whatever.
Kamon Bade had always been a villain anyway—might as well play the part properly this time.
“Kamon!”
“Come on, let’s go inside.”
“Ah, no fair! You still haven’t told me!”
* * *
Knock, knock, knock.
“Yes, come in.”
Princess Fransia, who had been resting on the sofa, rose to straighten her clothes.
Click.
“Your Highness, the organizers request that all candidates come back to the stage.”
“All right. Tell them I’ll be right there.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Thud.
Once the messenger left and the door shut again—
“So he really teamed up with that childish fool just to bring me down? Unbelievable…”
People often called Cecilia Romanoff her rival, but Fransia had never once seen her that way.
Cecilia wasn’t even close to being her equal.
‘A naive, stubborn fool with her head full of flowers.’
“Phew… I’m actually getting excited for once.”
Until now, everything had been too one-sided to be interesting.
But the news that a fool and a piece of trash had joined hands? That was amusing.
Knock knock—creak.
Her escort, Kyle, stepped into the room.
“Your Highness, I’m here to escort you.”
“Ah, Kyle. Just a moment—I’m almost ready.”
As she adjusted the crooked holographic display, Kyle glanced around the room and spoke.
“Did you see it earlier?”
“See what?”
“The announcement—Kamon showed up. He’s part of Lady Cecilia’s campaign now. You didn’t notice?”
“I saw it.”
“It’s a bit disappointing. Would’ve been nice if he’d sided with us.”
“Really? I actually find this way more interesting.”
“…Pardon?”
Still smiling faintly, Princess Fransia shook her head.
“Never mind, Kyle. Could you open the door? Let’s go.”
“Ah, yes, Your Highness.”
Creak.
Stepping out to where her campaign members awaited, she asked,
“Have you contacted the former student council president and the professors?”
“Pardon? Ah, yes—we’ve sent letters already, though no replies yet…”
“Send them again, under my name this time. I want this settled properly.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
After finishing her discussion with her team, Princess Fransia quietly began to walk forward.
Tap, tap, tap.
‘Kamon Bade.’
Murmuring his name inwardly with a smirk, she thought,
‘Fine. Let’s see who wins this little game.’
A lion—the king of beasts—always gives its all in every hunt.
And the hunt’s end belongs only to the predator.
“It’s Her Highness!”
“Princess Fransia!”
Hearing the cries of the students, Princess Fransia smiled radiantly and waved gracefully in return.
