She’s so Cheeky for a Commoner!

roduced the commoner.
Normally, proper manners would dictate that she introduce herself.
This is why commoners need proper discipline…

“True, you wouldn’t be able to find someone like her among our usual crowd.
Hah, the old man’s new policy really led to some funny results.”
“Ha…”

Any normal human being would have felt honored to even have the opportunity to talk to a prince… And yet, even though Rodd-sama had expressed interest in her, her response showed no enthusiasm.

“What a novel reaction.
Rei, huh… I’ll remember you.”
“Gee, thanks.”
“Rei, that’s disrespectful.”
“Do you even understand how many people there are competing for Rodd-sama’s attention…?”

Just leaving a positive impression on royalty in and of itself was a formidable weapon within high society… How could this commoner not even know something as simple as that?

“Sein, come here and join us.”
“… I’m fine.”

The moment I heard that melancholic voice respond to Rodd-sama’s call, I felt my heartbeat accelerate.
The voice came from a young man who normally sat in the very back of the lecture hall.
The man whom I secretly held feelings for was right there.

“I don’t think Sein-nii-san likes this kind of thing.”
“I’d really like to know what he would like.”

Paying no heed to Yuu-sama’s troubled smile or Rodd-sama’s bitter expression, I found myself glancing past them.

Sein-sama was the kingdom’s second prince.
He was handsome, but he had a cold exterior, a gloomy aura, and was known for his difficult personality.
But all of these qualities appealed to my maiden heart.
He truly was the polar opposite of that vulgar commoner.

“Sein-sama…”

Even just the simple act of saying his name caused my heart to race.
I knew that my feelings were one-sided and that I was just one of many other nobles to him… But that was fine for now.
I was sure that as we spent more time together in the academy that I’d find opportunities to tie together our loose ends.

“Hey, Claire-sama, aren’t you going to talk to him?”

As such thoughts continued to spin within my head, the commoner just casually said something like that.
I felt my heart bursting out of my chest! Could this commoner have actually realized my feelings? Just from that? Th-There’s no way!

“W-why should I?”
“I mean… you like him, don’t you?”

I was shell shocked.
My innermost feelings were put directly into words in a public setting.
Having Sein-sama learn about my feelings in a public setting without even a trace of romance in the air was certainly not a case that I had considered.
Ideally, I would’ve wanted something like a romantic night out on the beach.
Just the two of us, staring endlessly into each other’s eyes―so for it to happen like this, so far removed from the night I dreamed of… was the pinnacle of disappointment!

Driven by that panic,

“Y-You’re wrong! Sein-sama is nothing to me!”

Those words echoed through the lecture hall and I regretted it immediately.
By the time that realization sank in, it was already too late.

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“…”

Standing up, Sein-sama maintained his cold and indifferent expression as he left the lecture hall.

“Ah… What should I do…? I… didn’t mean to…”

What should I do, what should I do? What if my slip causes Sein-sama to hate me? Sein-sama, you’ve got it all wrong… Sein-sama, I actually―!

“Claire-sama, I think you should go and apologize.”
“…! How dare a commoner speak to me as if they know better!

Come to think of it, this commoner was ultimately the root cause!

“Claire-sama.”

Just as I was about to vent my malice, the commoner looked at me with a serious expression unlike one that I had ever seen from her before.
In the face of such sudden earnesty, I unwittingly shrank back.

“Wh-What is it…?”
“Sein-sama is sensitive.”
“Hmph, you think I don’t know that?”

Sein-sama has a very tender heart.
That’s why I needed to be the one to support him.

“That’s why, you need to apologize.”
“… Could you give it a rest!”

Slamming the desk in front of me I forced myself up and hardened my resolve.

“I’m sick of this! I’ll be taking my leave for the day!”
“Ah, Claire-sama!”
“Could you just leave me be!”

Without giving Pipi or Loretta the opportunity to follow me, I quickly left the lecture hall.
I had but one goal, to clear up my misunderstanding with Sein-sama.

“Sein-sama! Please wait!”

Momentarily disregarding my manners, I ran through the academy’s hallways and caught up to Sein-sama by the academy’s exit.
When he turned to face me, I saw his tense expression.
While such an expression wasn’t unusual for him, seeing it close and personal put me at a loss for words.

“… What?”
“Uhm… I…”
“… If it’s nothing in particular, I’m going home.”

Sein-sama turned and was about to leave.
If I didn’t resolve our misunderstanding right here, right now, he may never give me the opportunity again.
Even though I knew that, not a single word came to my mind.

Argh! If only I could be as honest and speak my feelings as openly as that commoner!

『Claire-sama, I love you.』

At that moment, her absentminded dumb look flashed in the back of my mind.

“Sein-sama, I love you!”
“…?”

Surprised by the words that had unwittingly flown out of my mouth, Sein-sama reflexively stopped and turned back to face me.
He was clearly skeptical and was now on guard.
Oh me, oh my! Just what have I…!

“Ah, uhm… so… that misunderstanding, yes, that was all a misunderstanding!”
“…“

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Now that it’s come to this I’m left with no other choice.
Before I had the opportunity to think things through, my mouth had already opened.
Aah… this makes it seem like I’m no better than that commoner!

“When I said that you were nothing to me, I didn’t mean it that way.
I really, truly, had no intention to make it sound as though I hate you…”
“…”
“If anything… it’s the opposite, I… Sein-sama…”
“…”
“Please, I’m at my limits, I ask that you forgive me.”

Even as I strained myself for words, I felt a tear forming in the corner of my eye.
That I, Claire François, who had continued to act as a dignified noble would be reduced to such a shameful state… absolutely disgraceful.
This and that, it’s all that bloody commoner’s―!

“… I see.
Got it.”
“Hm?”
“… It appears that I misunderstood as well.
Forgive me.”

As he spoke those words, Sein-sama seemed to smile.
While it was a little thin, it was definitely visible.

“Y… Yes, of course!”
“… You’re…”
“Claire! I’m Claire François!”
“… I see, Dor’s daughter.”
“Y-yes!”
“… You have some courage.”
“Eh?”

Courage?

“… Having to go out of your way to try and explain it must be embarrassing as a lady.
Yet, in spite of that, you called out to me.”
“That’s… But I mean, I couldn’t stand it if you misunderstood…”
“… Yeah.
You showed kindness even toward someone like me.
Thanks.”
“Not at all! Truly, it’s my honor!”

As I expressed my gratitude as a proper vassal, Sein-sama again smiled.
Then, as he approached me, he said,

“… Claire, you’re a good woman, perhaps too good for someone like me.”

Eh, eh!?

“…”

He stopped right in front of me and gazed directly into my eyes.
My head emptied of all thoughts as I found myself captivated in his gaze.

“…ck”
“Ah, sorry what?”
“… Let’s head back.”

Giving me a light pat on the shoulder, Sein-sama began walking back toward the academy.

“Yes!”

As I chased after Sein-sama, I felt my heart filling up.
Though I was initially worried, it seemed as though things turned out for the better.
In my panic I had acted a bit recklessly, but all’s well that ends well!

Hmph.
I guess it couldn’t hurt to be just a little thankful toward that commoner!

Translator Comment: I had been curious what had happened between the two after she went to chase him! Glad to finally be able to find out.
I love Claire for not downplaying Rei’s part in all of this and recognizing it…!