Haunted Duke’s Daughter

Take back? Who will? Take whose heart?

Lilias smiling mask came falling off. Eyes glazing over, she became unable to hide her displeasure. The other two girls noticed and their expressions immediately paled, but the one talking didnt notice at all.

Let us go immediately switch back the seats with Miss Krystel. It is alright, although we are weak, please let us also assist you. Please rest assured Miss Lilianne

Silence.

It was in a small, and low voice. It was at a level just for the one person in front of her to be able to hear. The talking girl let out a short shriek, and halted her words. Incidentally, silence fell through the classroom as well. However, Lilia paid that absolutely zero mind, and released her words.

I will say this once again but From now on, I have no intention of involving myself with His Highness. I would bid you to not do anything unnecessary due to your own misguided interpretations. Or is it that, you actually wish to anger me?

The three all vigorously shook their heads. They were shaking almost pitifully, but Lilia did not notice. Even if she did, she did not intend to stop.

Well then please do close that noisy mouth. Is that alright?

The three shook their heads up and down again and again. Seeing that, Lilia, with a very good, nodded satisfied.

Scary. Youre scary, Lilia.

What is. I spoke with politeness right?

Certainly your wordsthemselveswere! Those eyes are scary! Like I was feeling bloodthirst there!

Isnt that just your imagination.

With a small sigh, she looked up. The three were still standing before Lilia. They had their heads hanging down apologetically, but it seems they didnt intend to leave. When Lilia frowned dubiously, the one who was talking until just earlier deeply lowered her head.

Miss Lilianne. I am truly sorry.

Its fine. Please be careful next time.

Yes

After that she raised her head, finally leaving to head to her own seat. As Lilia was looking at her departing figure, Sakuras voice sounded in her head.

Lilia. About those three. Well actually not just those three.

What about it.

Well, right. About those lot of followers. You should be careful.

Lilia frowns, as Sakura continues.

Those people are ones who are after the ducals power. Its no good becoming friends with them. No well, there are good people too. Make friends with the ones who will properly look at Lilia rather than your status.

She was wondering what Sakura was trying to say all of a sudden, but it seems it was her trying to look out for Lilia. Lilia made a wry smile inside, and nodded that she understood.

Just that honestly I dont have much confidence in seeing through people Do you know of anything Sakura?

Nn My knowledge regarding the followers is also somewhat vague. Itd be better to rely on someone else.

Rely on who then.

The person above your room.

Lilias face twitched slightly. She hadnt heard anything about that. Who, and for what reason theyd be there. As Lilia gulped down her saliva, as if it was no big deal at all, Sakura said,

It seemed to be someone who was at your estate so, isnt it someone who your father or brother stuck there as a guard? They were really good at hiding their presence, so its probably someone who can also do intelligence work.

Ahh, that so

So it was her familys doing. Those two dont really have a need to keep it from Lilia, so why didnt they say anything about it? Pressing her temples and fighting back a headache, Lilia made another sigh.

Got it. Lets make a request when we get back.

Yep. There should be three people so its probably fine if one of them shows themselves.

So there were three whole people. This time Lilia ended up truly holding her head in exasperation.

Just before the time for the morning assembly, the prince entered the classroom. And immediately after that the teacher came in. Youd think that they were arriving together, but the prince would always insist that it was just a coincidence. Though it was questionable whether such a coincidence would happen every day.

The princes reason for arriving right before the morning assembly was simple, it was an anti-Lilia counter. If he comes earlier, then dealing with Lilia trying to talk to him would be troublesome, so it seems hes trying to avoid that. Lilia had felt a bit down about this when she heard it from Sakura. Since he kept to it today as well, it seems he hadnt really believed what Lilia said the other day.

The teacher stood before the podium, and started relaying some announcements. However, Lilia didnt listen to a single bit of it. Inside her head, Sakuras lectures that she deemed as time-killers continued.

Todays Sakuras lecture was on something called science. It was quite interesting to hear the explanations of reasons for various things that were just thought of as natural before. She realised with a start that the teachers speech had ended, and at some point, the lesson had begun.

Ah, sorry. Its class time huh. Well Im gonna be quiet now, good luck with the lesson.

Even though it was really getting into the good parts Oh well.

Maybe shed hear the continuation tonight? While feeling a bit reluctant, she turned her gaze to the teacher. The first lesson was arithmetic. Listening to the teachers explanation for a while, Lilia knit her eyebrows.

Whats with this, she thought. Even though thereve been two weeks of lessons, they were still doing these problems? At the exceedingly boring explanations, Lilia sighed deep inside.

Sakura. Im not really confident that Ill be able to stay awake.

Nn Shall we, continue?

Sakura probably had a similar feeling, as she didnt disparage Lilias uttering. So you get it, Lilia said as she formed a smile and gave a small nod.

For a while after, the teachers one-sided ramblings, the explanations continued. Occasionally someone would be called upon, but fortunately it never came to Lilia.

And so the next thing she knew, it was noon. Between lessons there would be a change in teachers, but Lilia didnt notice a single thing. When the surroundings got noisy and she looked around with a start, everyone was heading to leave the classroom. From that and her depleted stomach, she guessed that it was now lunchtime. Just listening to Sakura, the whole morning ended up going by.

Miss Lilianne! Perhaps we may go together!

The three followers from this morning gathered around Lilia, inviting her. Lilia looked at them with suspicion, and shook her head. She said to the surprised trio,

Im sorry. I feel like being alone today. Its a unfortunate, but Im good so you three go on ahead.

Saying that, the three came to an understanding with that is so isnt it and left the classroom. How and what they were understanding were unknown, but it was convenient to be able to be alone so this was fine.

Sakura. Im curious about one thing.

Yup. What might that be?

I That is I wonder if it would be a problem if I, went tothatcafeteria?

Sakura

Lilia