Chapter 64
“Are you really going to proceed exactly as you said back then?”
Princess Cecilia, holding the report I had handed her, asked with a faint smile.
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Thank you. Then I’ll read it over once more.”
With that, Princess Cecilia gave me a light smile and focused on the report.
And a moment later.
“But is this strategy really feasible?”
“Yes. Of course, it’s still a draft, but I don’t expect any major changes from this version.”
“…….”
At my confident answer, she fell silent for a moment, her expression thoughtful.
Then.
“Wow, really…….”
She let out a voice that sounded almost admiring, her round eyes sparkling as she looked at me.
“How on earth do you come up with such lowly things? Are all commoners like this?”
“Huh?”
As I stared blankly at Princess Cecilia’s casual, breath-taking class discrimination, she quickly waved her hands in denial.
“Oh, no. It’s just so fascinating, you see. Information warfare? Fake news? False rumors? I’ve really never seen anything like this. The more I look at it, the more interesting it is.”
“…….”
Watching Princess Cecilia skim through the report again, I felt a slight sense of frustration.
“Kamon, but will this really work? No matter how much I think about it, it seems like no normal person would believe it…….”
“Your Highness.”
“Yes?”
“By any chance, among your friends or servants, were there people who told you that you’d lost weight or become prettier?”
At my question, Princess Cecilia’s eyes widened as she responded in surprise.
“Weight? Why? Do you think I’ve gained weight?”
“No, that’s not it…… Could you please just answer my question first?”
“Ahh. Yes, of course. Every time I have a party or tea time, other young ladies always tell me I’ve lost weight and gotten prettier; it’s sometimes a bit embarrassing.”
“Then have you ever heard anyone say you’d gained weight?”
“Huh? You’re right, I have gained weight. I’ve been a bit stressed lately and have been eating more snacks, so I must have put on some weight.”
Seeing Princess Cecilia’s face fall as she said this, I patiently continued.
“No, I just need to know if you’ve heard such a thing or not.”
“I haven’t, never. This is the first time I’ve heard such a thing, Kamon.”
“That’s exactly it.”
“Huh?”
“If someone were to spread a rumor that you, Your Highness, have recently gained weight and become uglier, would your close friends believe it?”
“Well… People who know me would obviously say no. Because it’s clearly slander.”
“Then what if such talk emerged at a party you weren’t invited to, or in conversations among noble ladies who are far away? And in a situation where it can’t be verified immediately? What if they even add seemingly plausible reasons?”
“…….”
At my continued questions, Princess Cecilia closed her mouth.
The person I had assessed was not stupid at all.
She was just an idealist who saw the world too beautifully, or rather, in her own self-centered way.
“Certainly…… You’re right, Kamon. If it’s a fact that can’t be easily verified, perhaps they might just believe it. After all, there would be no way to confirm it.”
Phew, got it.
Yes. You’re not a fool, Cecilia.
You’re perfectly capable of understanding people.
Seeing Princess Cecilia nod as if she finally understood, I felt the slightly frustrated feeling wash away.
But soon, she looked at me and asked again.
“Even so, if we spread this false information, wouldn’t the Princess be deeply hurt? If a rumor spread that I had gained weight, I think I’d be very sad…….”
“What does that matter?”
“Huh?”
“We are currently fighting the Princess in an election. Who in the world worries about whether the enemy gets hurt while fighting a war?”
“No, but still……. This is a lie.”
“Your Highness, didn’t you tell me you wanted to win?”
“Huh?”
“The person who told me they absolutely want to defeat Princess Francia and be elected chairman in this student council election is suddenly asking such questions; it’s rather bewildering.”
“…….”
In my current position, I had no spare capacity to protect the so-called morality and the soft values like upholding justice that people talk about, all while securing victory for Princess Cecilia.
To win from a thoroughly weak position, I had to choose and utilize any method necessary.
Even if it was cowardly, cruel, and sometimes unjust……
For a moment, Princess Cecilia made a resolute expression and nodded.
“Alright!”
Then she immediately said to me firmly.
“Then I’ll support you with everything I can, so proceed to the maximum extent.”
Huh? All of a sudden?
Maximum support?
Well, I’m grateful, but…
Isn’t that a bit emotional?
“Are you serious?”
“Huh? Serious? Wasn’t it you, Kamon, who said we could win if we follow this plan? What, were you trying to trick me?”
Seeing Princess Cecilia frown and ask back, I quickly shook my head.
“No. I’ll just do my best.”
It seemed a bit off-target, but I got the desired result anyway.
If we just proceed like this now……
“Oh, right, Kamon. Take Royce, whom you saw that time, and use him as much as you want.”
“Huh? What’s that all of a sudden?”
“No, he’s my cousin, but it seems he still doesn’t know much about how the world works. It’s just a nosy older sister’s wish for him to learn a thing or two from a friend like you, I suppose?”
“…….”
At Princess Cecilia’s words, spoken with a slight sly smile, I was momentarily speechless.
‘What? Royce doesn’t know about the world? And you’re the one saying that?’
“I have already heard all about it. The next student council president should, of course, be Princess Francia.”
“Thank you, Senior Devran.”
“Haha, it’s already been years since I graduated from the Academy. You don’t need to call me Senior.”
“My, but isn’t a senior always a senior?”
“If Her Highness says so, I am truly grateful.”
At the words of the man with a curled mustache, Princess Francia simply smiled slightly and bowed her head.
‘Whatever it takes, I must do my best.’
Although she had the background of being the Princess and the implicit support of the Imperial Family,
She didn’t want to hear that she won solely because of that.
Wanting to prove her own ability and power as well, she was moving to secure an even more certain victory.
“Then I shall see you next time, Senior Devran.”
“I look forward to seeing you again at the Imperial Palace sometime.”
As she saw the guest off, someone spoke quietly to Princess Francia.
“A letter has arrived containing the signed support of the professors. And some professors said they would personally attend your next speech.”
Upon hearing the report from Obern, the former vice-president who held strong support among the current third-year students, Princess Francia nodded lightly.
“You’ve worked hard, Senior Obern. Thanks to you, the election has become much more comfortable.”
“Not at all. All of this is solely the result of Your Highness’s outstanding character and charm influencing everyone at the Academy…….”
Just then, Rosen Ravenia, another member of the election team, spoke up.
“But it seems the former Council President hasn’t said anything yet, has he, Vice-President Obern?”
“President Alex declared long ago that he would remain neutral to ensure his influence does not interfere with the election, Rosen.”
“Haa, is that so? But the rumors I hear are a bit different.”
“What do you mean?”
“Actually, I heard he’s planning to support his relative, Princess Cecilia.”
“Rosen. Can you take responsibility for those words?”
“No, everyone is saying it. What is there to take responsibility for? Rather, I’m curious about your intention in saying that, Vice-President.”
“Rosen Ravenia!”
As the two argued, the other members also began to exchange wary glances.
“Everyone, please stop. There’s no need for us to fight right now, is there?”
Princess Francia cut off the argument with her soft voice and a smile, then continued.
“President Alex must have his own reasons and circumstances, and I respect his free will. So there seems to be no reason to pressure him unnecessarily.”
Succeeding in mediating the internal dispute within the election team with her unique, gentle charisma, Princess Francia then sat in the office chair and moved to change the agenda.
“Still, we have some time until the next schedule…….”
Thud!
“Y-Your Highness!”
Suddenly, the door to her office opened and someone rushed in with a very flustered expression.
“We are in the middle of a executives’ meeting. What is the meaning of this rudeness……?”
“Here, this! Look at this, Your Highness!”
Ignoring Vice-President Obern’s words, the student urgently held out a large poster towards the Princess.
“What is this?”
“Hey, what kind of…”
“Ha, really now. Are there really people who would do such a shameless thing now?”
The poster in their hands featured a picture of Princess Francia with a cigarette in her mouth, striking a slouched pose.
And below it, it said:
[We expose the shocking true nature of Princess Francia.]
“…….”
A cheap-looking phrase, worse than a tacky third-rate magazine, was written there.
[The Princess thought to be an ordinary smoker, but is she actually a heavy chain-smoker?]
[They say Princess Francia, who enjoyed brawling with servants in her youth, has scars on her back from that time – is it true?]
[A hothouse flower who grew up sheltered, is the Princess actually a classist who despises commoners?]
All sorts of provocative and cringe-worthy content, accompanied by crudely fabricated photos, were spreading throughout the Academy.
When the posters containing fake news and slander against Princess Francia were first put up all over the Academy, people’s reactions were mostly similar.
“Who would post such nonsense?”
“Princess Francia couldn’t possibly be that kind of person!”
“It’s just some group jealous of the Princess doing weird things again, that’s all.”
“Well, there are all sorts of strange people out there.”
“Just wait until we catch who’s doing this!”
“But is the Princess really a smoker?”
“Hey, what are you talking about? Do you believe that?”
“Ah, no. Of course I don’t! But I’m a bit curious, you know?”
Of course, the posters put up overnight were quickly removed, but soon enough, they were put up again, each time with different content.
“Could that be true?”
“There’s no way such talk would keep coming up without any basis, right?”
“Besides, the content changes a little each time, and some parts are surprisingly specific? Maybe it’s really…….”
Finally, some began to harbor doubts about the false rumors surrounding Princess Francia and started to look at her with “what if” glances.
“Hey, what are you talking about? Why would you believe such baseless rumors!”
“If we find out who it is, we should smash them!”
But, of course, the general opinion was negative towards those who were doing this.
“Ha, hey, Kamon, can I maybe back out of this?”
“Bren, what are you talking about? Are you trying to bail out so shamelessly now?”
“No, Senior Elliot. If we get caught, we’re really done for. The person we’re slandering is none other than the Princess… Mmph!”
“Quiet, Bren.”
As Elliot quickly covered Bren’s mouth and swiftly checked their surroundings, I chuckled and spoke.
“Everyone, don’t worry. We haven’t been caught yet, so it should be fine.”
“Ah, no. Kamon, what I mean is……”
“Saying we haven’t been caught yet implies we might get caught someday, doesn’t it?”
“No, it’s fine. We won’t get caught. I’ve already gotten the patrol roster and schedule, so as long as we don’t make a mistake, we won’t be discovered.”
I just smiled at the two of them as I said this.
