The Extra Saved the Terminally Ill Princess and Ran Away - Chapter 63

Chapter 63: Secret Garden (3)

***

"But are you sure it's okay for you, a noble, to treat me this way? I mean, there's no guarantee I'll actually become Her Highness's partner."

I asked, slightly taken aback by Anna's sudden change in attitude. While the rumors about Lili and me were spreading, Anna seemed to be treating our relationship as a foregone conclusion.

"Huh? Is that so…? Considering what happened during the finals, I don't think anyone doubts it… That's why the rumors are spreading so quickly."

She was referring to the kiss, Lili pulling my face towards hers.

I had tilted my head, thinking, What's the big deal? But Anna's explanation made me realize that Lili's actions were being interpreted differently by those native to this world.

Even for a commoner, being a top scorer at the academy was a significant achievement, enough to overshadow one's humble origins.

…Of course, I had relinquished that title to Ian.

But those who knew of me also knew that I was stronger than Ian, the current top scorer.

After all, I had defeated him in a single strike during the finals.

Of course, now that Ian had Durandal, such a feat would be impossible.

But that was information only I possessed. And the rumors of my victory over Irene Yustia were also spreading.

In short, I was no longer just a "commoner." I was someone of renown.

I was a worthy partner for the Princess. In fact, that was the reason for the rumors, Anna explained.

Like placing a down payment on a highly sought-after item, Lili had publicly declared her intentions, her kiss a message to everyone: "He's mine. Back off."

Even at the cost of abandoning her fiancé.

So, how could anyone believe they would break up now?

He had risked his life for her, twice. Their love was undeniable, and the Princess wouldn't abandon another partner so quickly.

Changing partners too frequently would damage her reputation, especially as a princess in the public eye.

So, to Anna, I was practically the future Emperor's consort.

'That's why she's so nervous.'

She was trying to curry favor with me, hoping to build a strong relationship with her future superior.

And for Anna, who was naturally shy and introverted, it must have been incredibly stressful.

"Well, that aside… how's the prosthetic eye coming along?"

Telling her to relax wouldn't change anything. No one would suddenly feel comfortable just because their boss told them to.

And it would be strange if she suddenly changed her attitude. I decided to focus on the task at hand.

"Ah, the prosthetic eye… here…"

She handed me a small, elegant, navy blue box, tied with a gold ribbon. She had clearly put some effort into the presentation.

Inside, nestled in a luxurious velvet cloth, was a red prosthetic eye, the same color as my own.

I picked it up, its texture surprisingly soft and pliable, almost like a real eye.

"Does it look normal to others?"

Anna shook her head, a look of disappointment on her face. It seemed it didn't have the same effect as the original.

Well, that eye was created by the world's greatest alchemist. It would be strange if a mere first-year academy student could replicate it.

"W-Well, the effect on your original prosthetic eye was just a cosmetic illusion, but it also included a spatial distortion technique! I… I can't replicate that…"

She seemed horrified by the complexity of the technique, wondering who would use such an advanced technique for a mere cosmetic effect. But she couldn't pry into my personal affairs, so she simply sighed, her curiosity unsatisfied.

"…If only… there were some fragments left… it would have been a different story…"

"Well, I have to visit her eventually. Want to come with me?"

Anna, who had clearly put effort into the presentation to impress me, looked dejected.

Perhaps because she was so passionate about alchemy?

I had simply offered to take her along since I had to retrieve my original eye anyway, but to her, it seemed like a golden opportunity.

"Really?! Can I really go with you?!"

Her eyes widened, and she leaned in close, her face practically touching mine.

"Uh… yeah, sure. We're in the same party."

Even if she was childlike, being this close was still a bit much, so I gently pushed her away and nodded.

She seemed to snap out of her daze and reminded me of my earlier request.

To avoid causing unnecessary trouble by revealing too much information.

"Ah, and I'm sorry to bring this up again, but about my prosthetic eye…"

"You asked me not to tell anyone, right? About your prosthetic eye, and about the one I made."

"Good. So, what's the special effect? A prosthetic eye made by Anna Freesia must have something unique, right?"

I didn't expect it to have the same soul-binding properties as the original. Just something more than a regular prosthetic eye.

"Hee hee… I added a special effect, just for you, based on your fighting style!"

But as expected of Anna, she had exceeded my expectations, adding an ability I couldn't have imagined.

"All living beings, you see, emit a small amount of magic, too weak for humans to detect."

Her explanation was this:

The prosthetic eye would absorb and store the excess magic I unconsciously emitted.

And when I activated it,

"It'll double your strength and speed for about ten minutes!"

Since it was simply storing and releasing my own wasted magic, there were no side effects. The only drawback was that it could only be used once every three days.

She had essentially given me a powerful, rechargeable ultimate ability.

This little miracle worker. She must have worked tirelessly on this, judging by the dark circles under her eyes.

I couldn't be cold and indifferent towards someone who had put so much effort into helping me, even if it was for her own benefit.

And she hadn't even tried to hide her intentions.

Those who spoke their minds, even if their motives were transparent, were far more genuine and pure than those who hid behind a facade of politeness.

So, I patted her head, a gesture of appreciation for her hard work.

"Good job, Anna. You exceeded my expectations."

"Hee hee… Thank you!"

***

"So, Mr. Attendant, why were you getting all cozy with Anna without telling me?"

"…."

Inside the elven airship, on our way to the Secret Garden, I was subjected to the disapproving glares of three women.

Needless to say, I was the target of their displeasure.

"Hmm? Why that look? Didn't you tell me I could be jealous if I wanted to?"

"…I… I did. But Anna is…!"

"Anna is…?"

"W-Well, she's a child."

"Oh my, so you were getting cozy with a child?"

Lili's lips curved into a smile, but her eyes were as cold as the northern ice mountains.

And Lifre and Bianca, sitting on a nearby bench, on their way back to their own countries, were looking at me as if I were some kind of… shudders… lolicon.

No, no, I'm not into kids…!

I had simply let my guard down around Anna, her childlike appearance making me forget that she was actually a fellow student.

But she was a student, my age, and in this world, where people married young, her small stature wasn't a barrier to romantic relationships.

"Ah~ so that's why you liked me? Because I was young? That explains why you're so cold towards Grace."

Our dear Princess, bless her heart, was now accusing me of being a lolicon.

"So, now that I've grown up, I'm no longer useful to you? Is that why you're switching to Anna?"

…Sorry, Anna, it seems you grabbed the wrong rope!

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