I Possessed a Character in an Academy Without a Protagonist – Chapter 176

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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Erica had never given much thought to the majesty of royalty. She knew she had to be respectful, but she’d never understood the awe-inspiring aura people described.

Her first impression of the Crown Princess, glimpsed from afar at the investiture ceremony, had been that she was simply a pretty child.

Erica doubted she’d even recognize her if they passed each other on the street in casual clothes.

That was, until she stood before her, separated only by a prison cell’s bars length.

“Y-Your Highness…!”

“Try not to kneel. You just said you didn’t want to attract attention.”

“Oh… Right…”

Beautiful golden hair. Spirited eyes. And a surprisingly deep, raspy voice.

Aside from being slightly taller, she looked much the same as Erica remembered. But the emotion that gripped Erica now was entirely different.

Pure, unadulterated terror.

She’d started to kneel, then stopped, her body trembling. In her panic, she felt a palpable aura emanating from the Crown Princess.

“Are you going to keep me waiting out here?”

“Please, come in.”

“I came this early specifically so you wouldn’t make me wait while you attended your classes.”

“Wise decision.”

“You…”

The brief exchange between Schlus and the Crown Princess felt like an eternity.

What gave him the audacity to speak to her so casually? To joke with the future Empress, the second most powerful person in the Empire?

The sheer audacity of it sent shivers down Erica’s spine.

“Well, that was a fun spar, Schlus! I’ll be going now. It was an honor to meet you, Your Highness.”

“M-Me too! Please excuse us, Your Highness…”

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“Huh?”

“You’re Schlus’s precious companions, are you not? Unless you’re pressed for time, stay and keep me company.”

“Um… Yes… Of course…”

Erica and Trie had tried to excuse themselves, but they’d been caught.

The Crown Princess wasn’t making a suggestion, it was a command. Few in the Empire could refuse such a command.

So, trembling, they sat beside Schlus, forced to listen to their conversation. Then, a glass vial filled with a shimmering liquid appeared on the table.

“This is the finest Elixir in the Imperial treasury. Consider it compensation for my debt.”

An Elixir?

Trie couldn’t believe her ears. Were Schlus and the Crown Princess playing a prank? Elixirs were legendary panaceas, extracted from rare herbs. Their value was beyond measure.

Even the Imperial family couldn’t acquire them on demand. Yet, there it was, casually placed on Schlus’s living room table.

‘I’m not dreaming, am I…?’

Trie pinched herself hard. It was real.

This was the reality of Schlus’s newfound influence. But the Crown Princess wouldn’t have come personally just to deliver an Elixir.

There had to be another reason. Perhaps a discussion about the Emperor’s security, or a debate on national policy.

Should they even be listening to this? Erica and Trie held their breath, their gazes fixed on the Crown Princess’s lips.

“You are the daughters of Lichtenburg and Schultzenberg, correct?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“That is correct.”

“Then which of you intends to become Schlus Hainkel’s principal wife?”

“Huh?”

Startled, Trie blurted out a question, a breach of etiquette.

She and Erica flushed crimson under the Crown Princess’s unwavering gaze.

“Your Highness.”

“My apologies. You don’t intend to take concubines? Then the term ‘principal wife’ is incorrect. So, who will be his first wife?”

“Your Highness.”

“Ah. Is it someone not present? Or perhaps his attendant—”

“Your Highness. This joke has gone on long enough.”

Clink.

Schlus placed a teacup in front of the Crown Princess, his expression serious. He’d finally lost it.

Erica stared at him in disbelief, but—

“Ha ha ha! My apologies. Hee hee… You actually get angry.”

“I’m not angry.”

“You are clearly angry. What do you two think? Does Schlus look angry?”

“A-Angry… Yes…”

“I think so, too.”

“See?”

“…”

Schlus rubbed his temples.

Trie and Erica, still reeling from their earlier panic, had become the Crown Princess’s puppets. He decided it was pointless to argue.

“You’ll be getting married soon, won’t you? Do you have anyone in mind?”

“It’s too early for that. I’ll think about it after graduation.”

“That’s what losers who can’t find a spouse say. Someone like you should be married as soon as possible…”

The Crown Princess leaned forward, her tone exasperated.

Schlus Hainkel might be powerful individually, but his political influence was minimal. Aside from his connection to the Duke of the Southern Colonies, he had none.

Marriage was the quickest and most effective way for him to solidify his position. No one would dare call him a commoner now.

He could easily secure an alliance with Lichtenburg, Flechette, or Schultzenberg if he simply proposed.

His hesitation was baffling.

“I intend to marry for love. I have no plans as of yet.”

“You… you fool…”

Marry for love? What was he, a character in a romance novel? The Crown Princess was speechless.

She picked up her teacup.

‘Marry for love…?’

But the more she thought about it, the more peculiar his words seemed. Had his “companions” simply stood idly by while he achieved so much? No. That was impossible.

They must have been vying for his hand in marriage, using every trick in the book, from financial incentives to seduction.

Of course, she dismissed the possibility that the women around him were too shy to make a move. That was highly unlikely.

‘Then could it be…?’

There had to be a reason he was resisting the advances of such eligible women. Perhaps he was waiting for a certain young lady to come of age.

The Crown Princess blushed as she remembered her own coming-of-age ceremony was scheduled for next month.

“Ha! How dare you! Did you think you could trick me like that?!”

“Huh?”

“You’re unbelievable…”

She couldn’t meet his gaze. He’d said he’d accept her proposal after she became an adult. He’d been serious.

The Crown Princess was flustered by his sincerity.

“This tea is delicious.”

“You barely drank any.”

“W-Well, that concludes my business here. I’ll be going now.”

“Safe travels, Your Highness.”

“Don’t bother seeing me out…”

The Crown Princess jumped up and practically fled.

Only after slamming the door shut did she realize she’d forgotten to ask Lichtenburg and Schultzenberg’s daughters about their roles as Schlus’s companions. But she couldn’t bring herself to knock again.

“Let’s go…”

Still flustered, the Crown Princess made her way out the front door.

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I poured the remaining tea into my cup and savored it slowly. It was weak, but not unpleasant. I sat on the sofa in the empty living room, sipping my tea.

“Do you enjoy drinking other people’s leftovers, oppa…?”

“You brewed it. It would be a waste to leave it.”

“Honestly…”

Emilia, collecting the cups, gave me a look of disdain.

My stinginess was a lingering habit from before I’d possessed Schlus’s body. I wouldn’t have done this in front of others before.

It was a sign of how comfortable I’d become with Emilia, treating her like a true younger sister.

“I completely inconvenienced them.”

I’d thought Aria had summoned them for an important discussion… But she’d simply said her piece and left.

Erica and Trie had been so stunned they’d been speechless for a while. This incident had likely shattered their illusions about royalty.

They’d probably see her as a spoiled brat instead of a majestic figure.

“Oh, oppa. There’s a letter for you.”

“What is it? Let me see.”

I decided to read it to clear my head. I glanced at the sender.

– The 3rd Legion of the Imperial Army

“What…?”

A letter from the Imperial Army? Now?

“Emilia. Close your eyes.”

“Okay…”

I tore open the envelope. It was from Roman, commander of the 3rd Legion.

The message was short:

That was all. I immediately folded the letter and tossed it into the fireplace. There was no reason to keep it.

‘Why would he send this…?’

Roman had warned me. But his intentions were unclear. He owed me a favor. If I died, his debt would be cleared.

There was no reason for him to warn me.

Was it a false alarm? No. Roman wouldn’t gain anything from deceiving me. He must have decided it was in his best interest to side with me.

‘Roman wouldn’t make a fuss over nothing.’

News of me stopping the suicide bombing and slaying Untier had spread across the continent.

He wouldn’t warn me about a trivial threat. There was no mention of the Imperial Army mobilizing around this time in the original story.

This was a new, unpredictable threat. I needed to be prepared.

“Emilia. Bring me a pen and paper.”

It was time to cash in that favor. I would call in Roman’s debt.

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