Chapter 44

Ekaterina was startled when another group of students shouted from behind Olga. Marina’s cronies (or is it her fangirls?) which were the biggest force in the class, including the boys, approached us with a very enthusiastic look on their faces.

“I wanted to apologize, too.” (Crony 1)

“I’ve been meaning to talk to you.” (Crony 2)

“I’m sorry I ran away. It’s amazing what you can do in the face of that.” (Crony 3)

Well, this situation…what to say?

Moments later, the teacher came in, and we all rushed back to our seats.

[3rd POV]

Ekaterina couldn’t help but think about it.

I had thought that if I made a public statement about my brother’s oath and Flora-chan’s Saint attribute, people would stop being so blatantly mean. What happened was far beyond my expectations. I wonder, is the prestige of the Duke of Yurinova a factor? In the game, the nastiness towards the heroine still should have continued for a while after the event. I wonder if it’s deviating from the original game as well. Will they finally stop being so mean to Flora? Or will the laws of the game soon kick in and things will be back to normal again…

Of course, I’d be happy if the nastiness went away, but I can’t say that there’s no possibility that deviating from the game would cause some strain and unexpected issues or anything like that. Anyway, I have to keep my guard up.

But by lunchtime that day, Ekaterina had already forgotten all about it.

As usual, there was a new face in the office where we brought our meals.

Efrem Rozen, the leader of the Yurinova Knights.

He was in his mid-forties, with iron-gray hair and sported a mustache of the same color.

[Ekaterina’s POV]

His outfit resembled something that I saw from my previous life from a fantasy setting. Is he probably a Knight Templar or something? Ekaterina was very excited to be around such a person at the table, but then Alexei remarked towards her.

(E/N: Knight Templar – knight from religious military order, basically the “Holy Knights”)

“The rose season will soon be upon us. So, I’ve been informed that the date has been set for the royal family’s visit to the Duke’s residence this year.”

Alexei continued on.

“This will be your first audience with Their Majesties, so if you need to make any preparations, just let me know.”

“…Huh?”

The Royal Family visits the Duke’s Residence…?

A Gyoko, in Japanese, that is what they called a gyoko, right? It is also referred to as Miyuki. (E/N: Japanese term to refer to the Emperor’s visit)

There was one time I remembered about a Miyuki being told, it was in a literature called one hundred poems, from what line was it…

If the autumn leaves on the peak have a mind of their own.

I can’t remember the first one. Uwaah, I need to stop trying to escape reality!

Are you telling me that the entire royal family is coming to our place?!

As expected of my brother. The sheer magnitude of problems he encounters is very different from mine!

I understand what he’s trying to say, but I can’t understand the meaning behind it.

It’s as shocking as being struck by an ICBM (Intercontinental Ballistic Missile).

[3rd POV]

Seeing the look on her sister’s face, Alexei hurriedly explained to her that each of the three dukes has a vast garden of flowers that symbolize their house in their respective imperial residence.

It is an annual event for the imperial family to visit when the flowers are in full bloom.

Indeed, there is a vast rose garden in the Duke of Yurinova’s residence in the Imperial Capital…But I didn’t expect the royal family to come every year to admire it.

“…I’m sorry. It was my fault.” With one hand on his forehead, Alexei was unusually flustered.

“I should have informed you sooner. Women should take into account the time it takes for outfits and such to be prepared, I’m sorry for being so inattentive to such matters.”

“No, no, brother. It’s my fault for not knowing such an important subject.”

[Ekaterina’s POV]

It’s very normal for brother, yet I’m sure it’s something he doesn’t realize he needs not bother explaining.

It’s been eight months since I was released from my imprisonment, but the reason I don’t know about this important event is because I’ve been locked up in my cage for the past six months.

That’s why, it’s not his fault, so don’t worry too much about it.