I Choose The Heroine's Route

37 Behind The Mischievousness

Today, we have Mana control at 8 AM and currently, I'm... at the Royal Academy's garden again, walking around aimlessly while looking at the flowers. I woke up around 5:40 AM, and now it's still just 6:56 AM.

If you've been wondering how I was able to wake up that early despite saying how I'm not that fond of waking up early, it's because I got used to it.

Back in the Euridice Mansion, Amy and the other maids would always wake me up around the same time, helping me prepare myself despite not really having anywhere to go other than doing or keeping up with my... usual noble lady routine. Having to wake up like that for years now, my body just always kind of automatically activates around the same time.

Although it can be an irritating hobbit especially when there's really no need to wake up early, it is also useful.

As for why did I decide to go into RA's garden while waiting for the time... I guess this is just. the first place that comes to mind.  But perhaps I should have told my mind in advance that I shouldn't go wandering around when there's no need to – maybe then, I would have been able to avoid bumping into Anakin.

I froze on the spot where I stood, looking blankly at Anakin who's leaning under a tree, his eyes closed, seemingly asleep. If he's really sleeping right now, I should take this chance to escape – "Aksia." he suddenly opened his eyes, and I immediately made a move to turn around.

However, before I could make a move, he spoke again, making me stop, "Do you really dislike me that much?" he chuckled. I felt like I heard that line a few times already.

"... I don't dislike you, Your Highness. I simply dislike trouble." It's basically the same though, I'm just making it sound more polite. This situation... reminds me of some fictional works I've read. As if Anakin is the male protagonist with the usual 'you're interesting' tagline, and I'm the 'interesting' female lead. Unfortunately, this is not that type of story.

Base on our interaction so far, I guess the possibility of Anakin liking me is not that far-fetched. It might seem narcissistic of me to say or think of this, but It's better than ignoring the possibility of it happening. After all, that is what often happens in those fictional stories.

And I don't need or want anyone to fall in love with me here, especially Anakin or the other capture targets.

"I'll be leaving now then." I said as I turned around.

"Wait!" I stopped. I almost had the urge to click my tongue. I turned my head to look back at him, giving him a cold, questioning look. I'm... blatantly showing Anakin that I do not want to be here with him anymore.

Although I did say before that it should also be good to at least be an acquaintance or neutral terms with the capture targets, the fact that I shouldn't get too close to them – for the reason I mentioned just earlier, still stands. I have to draw a clear line and distance so that they wouldn't assume something unnecessary. Besides, this is not a conversation where I would gain something.

"You... You rejected the engagement with Deor, didn't you?" Anakin asked and I blinked. This time, I turned my whole body to completely face him again, looking at him with cold eyes.

"That is correct." I answered, frowning. Since he has the ability to feel other people's emotions, then shouldn't he be able to know already what I'm feeling right now? I couldn't help but stare at him with a blank expression, thinking. If he can't tell what my emotions are right now, then...

"Why?" He asked again.

"Should there be another reason for turning down an engagement with a person you don't want to get engaged with?" – I simply do not wish to have such connection with the Crown Prince, and of course, I absolutely have no wish or intention to marry him.