Academy's Second Seat [part 2 Complete]

Chapter 212: Astria (4)

"Senior, I've arrived."

Behind Yuni were maids, looking flustered and trying to stop her.

She seemed to have barged in without proper guidance from a maid.

I was taken aback at Yuni's appearance.

I had heard no news of her coming.

More than that, it was puzzling that she was in the capital.

Rie had tasks remaining at the Academy and was scheduled to leave a week after me.

I had thought Yuni would come with her, but here she was, right before my eyes.

However, knowing the guest was Yuni brought some relief.

It would have been troublesome if it were a noble unfamiliar with me.

With Yuni, I could later explain the situation, which was fortunate in this regard.

But the issue was how Yuni would act.

If Yuni caught on to my behavior and questioned it...

Still, I trusted Yuni.

She had changed lately, becoming more perceptive and socially adept.

If I gave her a signal, she would surely catch on.

I looked at Yuni and quickly made a gesture.

I glanced at Karen beside me, then widened my eyes to signal Yuni.

Yuni caught my gesture and furrowed her brows.

"What are you doing?"

Yuni looked utterly clueless, gazing at me.

The trust I had quickly turned to despair.

"Hmm?"

At Yuni's words, Karen looked at me.

I quickly changed my expression to a nonchalant one, pretending nothing was wrong.

Karen glanced at me, puzzled, then turned her attention back to Yuni, examining her closely.

"Could it be... Princess Yuni?"

"Hmm? And who are you?"

Karen immediately stood up and greeted Yuni with respect.

"Apologies. I am Karen Mayer, the eldest daughter of the Mayer family. An honor to meet you, Princess Yuni Von Ristonia, the flower of the empire."

Despite her peculiar personality, the greeting was impeccably polite.

Yuni, hearing Karen's introduction, pondered for a moment, then clapped her hands.

"Ah! The lady preparing to become a knight!"

"Yes, that's me."

Yuni, notorious for not remembering faces and names, surprisingly recalled Karen.

Whether it was because Karen was preparing to be a knight, or because the Mayer family was part of the noble faction, Yuni remembered her.

"Nice to meet you."

Yuni smiled with her eyes and waved at Karen.

It was a normal greeting, but a sense of unease grew within me.

"But why are you with senior?"

"...What?"

"Huh?"

Their eyes and mouths were smiling.

Yet, the atmosphere felt chilly.

It was the first time I had seen Yuni emit such an aura.

"Why are you here?"