Claire called out Ian in a small voice, and he walked towards them at a leisurely pace.
“If my ears hadn't frozen in the winter, I think I might have heard some interesting news.”
Ian walked past Count Iris and stood in front of Claire.
“The talent I've been waiting for will finally enter the work force.”
“You…you were listening?”
“I couldn't not hear you. You know your voice is quite loud among the student council members.”
“That's true.”
“And I do need a smart worker who has a loud voice and is a quick learner. Of course, you've always proven that quality to me.”
Ian looked around at Claire's brother.
“You have a very bright sister. You must be proud.”
“Your Highness.”
“Yes, Count. Tell me. What will you have Claire Iris do in this world?”
The count had a troubled look on his face for a moment. No, he looked like he was calculating in his head.
“Well, we can work it to the direction that pleases you…"
Claire suddenly wanted the ground to swallow her.
“It's not like that! Why don't you get it?”
Anyone could have understood why Ian was trying to say.
“I have a choice! For me—”
“Claire Iris.”
However, Count Iris cut in and looked down at her with his usual sternness.
“You are before the Crown Prince. Pay attention to your words and behavior.”
“Brother!”
“Excuse me, Your Highness, are you going to go back to the Academy later?”
“Yes. I hope Claire Iris will accompany me, if she permits.”
“Very well.”
Despite the count's reply, Ian looked at Claire, as if he would only move with her answer. Claire stared at him for a moment before saying yes. It was closer to a sigh than a word.
She trudged onto the carriage without any shoes. In the darkened s.p.a.ce, she sank weakly into her seat and wrapped her head with her hands. Soon the door closed, and the carriage started to move.
“Claire Iris.”
A soothing voice spoke opposite of her. Claire murmured something she had forgotten to say.
“Thank you…Your Highness.”
“You can discard that last t.i.tle. You can subst.i.tute it with something else, of course.”
He looked out the window with his chin resting on his hand.
“…If I were you, I would be angry.”
While Claire's engagement was off, she was given a chance to work. But that still didn't mean anything to her. There was no decision to respect Claire. Perhaps her elder brother nodded because he approved of her relations.h.i.+p with the Crown Prince. She was no longer married, but her situation was no different. It was just that Ian paid the highest price.
“It's…it's miserable.”
“I suppose so.”
“It's embarra.s.sing.”
“Yes, I know. I would feel similar.”
Claire looked up at Ian.
“How many other Claire Irises are there in this country? That are in the same situation you were in?”
Ian felt sad as he thought about it as a man of royal descent who had to make many decisions.
“I'm not stupid either. I'm not under the illusion that I saved you a little while ago.”
“But it's a little better than before.”
Claire forced a smile.
“Even though nothing has changed…”
“Yes.”
Ian agreed with her.
“Nothing has changed.”
Another person like Claire Iris may be standing where she didn't want to be. Some people don't even know they're in a mud hut. Others may, but they don't know how to get away. Many would have given up.
“It's not right. And I have a duty to fight what is wrong.”
He would work to remove even a single cup of mud—no, even a single drop—even if it was a lifetime worth of effort.
“But I have only two hands and one head. That's why I told that to the Count.”
“You want me to help you with your work?”
“I hope you'll want to work with me.”
Ian adjusted his words.
“If possible, to make you the last Claire Iris.”
“Those words are so nice that they're cruel.”
“….Sorry.”
Ian apologized immediately, but he did not take back what he said.
“Still, your work will be very helpful. You're bold and strategic.”
“Is Louise Sweeney's labor not enough?”
“Well, that great work force belongs to the Sweeney family.”
“So you won the heart but didn't get the labor.”
Claire gave a hearty chuckle..
“Yes, heart and labor are separate—wait. You know?”
She knew that Ian and Louise belonged to each other?
“How can I not know? Everyone in the student council knows. It made it easier to manage the rumors that way. Oh, but Dean Crissis still didn't notice.”
“But why does everyone pretend not to know…."
Ian soon found a profound realization.
“You all decided on it, right?”
“It's because Louise is shy.”
If Louise found out that the student council knew about her romance, she probably wouldn't go near Ian.
“You saved me.”
But Ian couldn't save Claire.
“We were all having fun with it. Louise was going around with a face like, 'Why does no one suspect?' It was quite funny.”
Claire stopped to giggle again, then composed herself and looked back at Ian.
“President.”
“Hmm?”
“Although it's cruel…yes, I want to be the last Claire Iris.”
There will be weak people be born in the future. People who don't even have a choice.
“So I hope you will let me work with you.”
“Just to confirm, this is your choice?”
Claire nodded fervently.
“There's actually only one road left for me now. It's hard to say that it's a choice, but….”
She forced a smile.
“If I follow this path, maybe I'll find a crossroad.”
She could then choose a direction she wanted. That was what was most important. She couldn't get anywhere just by standing here.
“You'll find it. Of course, I intend to offer you some perks to keep you on my way.”
“Like what?”
“That's a story I'll tell you if you pa.s.s the recruitment tests. Even if you are my n.o.ble friend, the test must be fair.”
“That's my favorite word. Fair.”
“I know. Not many people can beat you under that condition.”
It would be appreciated by anyone who saw her s.h.i.+ning presence at the Academy.
Before she knew it, the carriage stopped. They weren't at the Academy, however. Claire looked outside with a puzzled face, and Ian explained with a shrug.
“My fiancée has no gloves for the cold.”
“This is the Sweeney mansion, isn't it?”
Claire looked at it in wonder. She had heard stories about it many times, but it was her first time to actually be here.
“Yes. But put off your visit to another time.”
“But I made an appointment to see Mrs. Sweeney.”
“Don't worry. I'll cover for you. Besides, she and I need to have an important conversation. She still hasn't decided on a new hairdresser. “
“Shall I wait in the carriage then?”
“No, you can go back first.”
“…First?”
Claire looked at him questioningly, and Ian nodded in apology.
“To confess, I am running away from that.”
“Running away? From what?”
“Scary.”
Ian pointed his hand out of the window, and there was Dean Crissis approaching, panting white breaths.
Can't wait to read ahead? You can get 18 of these chapters on Crystal Crater's Patreon for only $3!
The Male Lead's Villainess Fiancee +4
Remarried Empress +6
Return Of The Female Knight +5
I Died And Turned Into A Cat +3
