Chapter 44

[Excuse-me, Rafina-sama. May I have a word with you?]

During lunch break, Mia, stiff and tense, visited Rafina’s classroom.

[Oh, Mia-san, what can I do for you?]

Rafina looked up with the same smile she always has on her face. But that didn’t put Mia at ease.

For her, who is described as a saint, smiling is a default state. She could casually cut Mia off while wearing a smile.

You can never be too careful.

[I need to talk to you about something...]

Mia fearfully looked up at Rafina.

[Is that so? I was just about to have lunch. Would you like to join me?]

Rafina guided Mia to her room with the same gentle voice she usually uses.

[Oh, yes. Thank you for the gifts. The staff was very surprised and pleased.]

Rafina clapped her hands and spoke happily.

Mia wasn’t sure of what she meant, since she hadn’t received a report from Anne about it, but at any rate, she smiled, relieved that Rafina seemed to be in a good mood.

(That is good. It might work...!)

After they were seated and the food was lined up on the table, Mia bowed her head.

[I’m very sorry for what happened.]

With the looming threat of the guillotine, she had no hesitation.

[Please raise your head, Princess Mia. It wasn’t your fault, was it?]

[No, I’m the Empire’s princess. The actions of the imperial nobles are also my responsibility.]

Mia said while trying to look as admirable as possible.

In fact, yes, it was done without my knowledge! That is what she wanted to say, but patience was necessary here.

Different from earlier, Rafina’s smile is soft and gentle.

There are two aspects to punishment.

One is to ensure justice in order to comfort the victim’s mind. The other is to encourage the perpetrator to reflect on their actions.

This time, thanks to Anne’s efforts, the damage was kept to a minimum.

[In this case, we should encourage the perpetrators to reflect on what happened and grow from it... Certainly, for a school, that looks like a more suitable way of punishment.]

[It surely does!]

Mia... got onboard.She wasn’t sure what that was all about, but anything was fine, as long as she could escape.

[Mia-san.]

Rafina took Mia’s hand once again.

[I must admit that I don’t have the compassion to try to rehabilitate evil people. As expected from the wisdom of the Empire. I truly admire you.]

[I’m flattered.]

Mia gives a tense smile. She is not comfortable with that kind of admiration.

[So..., you see, Mia-san....]

Suddenly, Rafina started having a hard time articulating her words.

(...Isn’t it over yet?)

Mia just wanted to run away, but Rafina said something unexpected.

[Would you... Would you like to be my friend?]

[Eh...?]

And on that day, Mia became friends with the school’s president Rafina.

After parting with Rafina and returning to her room, Mia once again thanked Anne for her kindness.

She forced the reluctant Anne to go out into the city with her, and as a reward, she happily went on a tour of sweets...

But that is a story for another day.DiiScôver new stories on no/v/e()/lbin(.)com