[Alterisa's POV]

Lavinia Academy. The royal academy of the kingdom I live in that served as the main stage of the otome game "Lovely Happenings" was depicted and described as a super massive and luxurious academy funded by the nobility and the royal family themselves, boasting state of the art facilities for education, magical, and physical combat training, as well as the best instructors and educators the kingdom could muster.

It is the academy where future pillars of the kingdom were made and polished since the eve of the kingdom's founding, and it has yet to fail.

That is why, being able to come to this school, especially on a scholarship, was a truly big deal for anyone. Even a commoner would be guaranteed at least a knighthood or even become a new noble if they could accomplish a great meritorious feat in the academy.

And since it is the place where rough diamonds were to be found and polished, it has a strict rule that disallow discrimination by means of household prestige. Nobles found and proven with clear evidence to be discriminating and bullying others below their station would be punished by a 1 to 7 days suspension on the first warning depending on the severity of their sin. But if the accusation were found to be fake, an ever more severe punishment would be bestowed upon the accuser.

Many had tried to push the boundaries and loosen the severity of the rule, but it still stands to this day, all for the sake of finding precious talents as well as to teach the future pillars of the kingdom to look past stations and birth, and see worth in their ability and skills.

"Wow... It's beautiful..."

The massive building became clearer and clearer the closer we get, and soon, the luxurious palace-like building came into view.

It's... truly beautiful. The royal palace, my home, and my friend's home were also very beautiful, but the Lavinia Academy exuded an older and refined look. It's architecture I heard was still based on older styled architecture, which is why it feels like it got plenty of history seeped into those walls.

"It is. But just wait until you enter. It's even more amazing inside."

"Ooooh~ I can't wait~!"

Soon, we arrived before a beautiful gate of gold with the Fleur-De-Lys-like symbol at the center that slowly opened the moment we came into view. All the guards in the area also immediately saluted in our direction.

And our carriage, adorned with the crest of the royal family, entered into a massive courtyard where there were already plenty of students and other carriages making their way to the main entrance of the academy.

The courtyard was split into two by a large, two-laned paved cobblestone road. And half way through the road was a massive fountain with a beautiful sculpture of the first King and founder of this kingdom, Alexus's ancestor.

He looked real handsome, and somehow similar to Alexus, though much older. He got a full, cleanly trimmed beard, while Alexus is still super smooth. Though I guess, in a few decades, he might look like that...

I turned and stared at Alexus for a while, imagining what he'd look like with a beard.

"...What's wrong?"

"...Nothing. Well, I'll get my answer in the future."

"Hm?"

I turned my gaze back out and look at the courtyard. And from my lap, Fubuki finally woke up and began looking out of the window from my lap into the courtyard.

"Kyuuu~!!! Kyuu!!!!"

"Hehehe~ Alright, I'll see if I can get the permission for you to play around this courtyard, okay~?"

"Kyuu~~~"

"Fufu~ You're welcome~"

I rubbed my cheeks against hers as she began snuggling into my embrace.

"...How could you understand her?"

"Hehe~ Are you jealous~? Fubuki and I have a connection. Not just between a familiar and a master, but super close friends! I can understand her even without words, and she could understand me too~! Right, Fubuki~?"

"Kyuuuuu~!"

"I... I'll chalk it up to it being your one of many unique qualities..."

The road was quite jammed since a lot of carriages were coming in. This is why a lot of nobles actually arrive earlier than the day they're supposed to come so they wouldn't have to deal with the crowd and settle into their dorms to rest before going to the Matriculation Ceremony.

I also wanted to do that but... I didn't for several reasons.

One, I can't bear to leave my sister and my mother early... I... I just can't...

Two, I wanted to work on my business in Eden as much as possible before I completely handed it over to Laura and Vincent.

Three, Alexus insisted for me to come on the day so he could escort me...

So yeah... here we are.

"It's not moving, huh?"

"It is to be expected. Most nobles arrived early, but there are still those who came from outside the capital and only arrived at dawn. And from what I can see, they're not only nobles. There are also carriages belonging to rich merchant companies."

Alex commented with a smile.

Hmm... Well, it seems like he's having fun waiting in this traffic, so it's fine I guess.

I looked out of the window carriage and saw a lot of people, new students and staff alike, looking in our direction in awe.

Well, the royal carriage Alexus brought is really eye-catching, so it's no surprise. But thankfully, we're not mobbed by people.

A few minutes later, our carriage suddenly began moving, but not forward. We moved to the side a little before we began going forward again. And when I look at the window, I saw other carriages going past us.

"Hm? How are we moving?"

"Ah... It seems like some guards and staff members had given us preferential treatment so we could go past other carriages..."

"Oh~! That's great~!"

"Ahh... That's... great."

Hm? Why does he seem upset? Does he like traffic?

A few minutes later, our carriage finally came to a stop and a surprising scenery came into sight the moment our carriage door was opened by our coachman.

There were knights already forming a perimeter around our carriages while saluting us to prevent an enormous crowd from coming near us.

Wow... I know Alexus and the royal family are famous and all, but they sure got a lot of fans, huh? It's like they're waiting to see their favorite idol coming out of a stage or a concert building or something.

Alexus alighted from the carriage nimbly and then offered his hand to me.

"Risa, be careful."

"Alighting a carriage is nothing compared to Sir Roland's obstacle training. You know that I beat Luke by 10 seconds on the test, right?"

"I know. I just wanted to offer you my hand."

I sighed helplessly as he gave me a brilliant smile. I guess we need to at super close in front of the people to let them know that our family's bonds are going strong.

I took his hand with my left while I carried Fubuki with my right arm, and alighted the from the carriage.

"Woowww... This is the first time I've ever seen Lady Alterisa in flesh....

"She's so beautiful..."

"A Goddess... Is she a Goddess...?"

"It feels like I'm dreaming..."

"I'm so glad to be born in the same year as her..."

"The crown prince and Lady Alterisa... They look so perfect together..."

"They're like a painting..."

Whispers and gasps filled the crowd as my attention was taken by a tall, slightly lanky, bespectacled, old man with a long white beard and hair in a dark blue refined mage's robe walking towards us. And behind him was a younger woman, bespectacled, with beautiful shiny brown hair tied into a large braid that rested over her left shoulder.

She looked super excited for some reason and her eyes were sparkling when she's looking at, most likely, Alexus. Fufu~ I guess it's no surprise that he got fans here too~

They approached us and then bowed their heads after reaching only a few distance away.

"Welcome to the royal academy Lavinia, your highness the Crown Prince and the venerable Lady Altersia von Lorya. My name is Edward von Lars of the Viscount Household Lars and one of the magic instructors in the royal academy. This is my teaching assistant and nephew, Lady Ninya von Lars. Would you like for us to guide you inside your highness, my lady?"

"Thank you for welcoming us, Sir Lars. But we should be fine. I know my way and I would like to guide my fiancee personally to the school she will be attending these coming years."

Edward smiled amicably and lowered his head in a reverent bow.

"Very well. Please do not hesitate to call any of our staff members. I am sure they will be more than elated to help your highness and the highly revered Lady Lorya. Well then, please excuse me."

The two bowed once again and left. But as they're leaving, I noticed Lady Ninya stealing glances at me. Her eyes are still sparkling.

Hm? Is she... Jealous? No, that's not jealousy... Is it... Interest? In Alex? Or me?

I stood silently, watching their receding figure as I fell into my own thoughts. But then, Alex's voice snapped me out of my daze.

"Well then, shall we go to the inner courtyard? The ceremony will start after lunch so the academy has prepared meals and refreshments there. I've also already reserved a special place for us."

"Oh, really?! Ah, did you abuse your power as the student council president?"

"...I'd prefer if you call it a benefit for being the student council president."

"Hehe~ I'm just kidding. Ah, but what about Anne, Maria-chan, and Iris..."

I said and turned the three, who had also alighted from their carriage and approached us.

Anne stepped forward and began.

"My lady, please feel free to enjoy the reception. Maria and I will head to your dorm room and prepare it for your stay. But, if possible, please bring Iris for your safety."

Iris stepped forward and bowed towards us.

Kuuuh~! She looks so cool with that female knight's outfit and a sword on her waist! I can already hear shrieks from girls the moment she appeared in public!!!

"Sure~! It's okay right, Alex?"

"Of course. We shall be in your care, Iris."

"Uhn~ I'm counting on you, Iris~"

"Yes, my lady."

She bowed once more and then took the position by my side.

"Then, we'll be going first, Anne, Maria-chan."

""Yes, my lady.""

The two bowed as Alex and I made our way inside to the inner courtyard with Iris in tow.

And for some reason, he still hasn't let go of my hand since I alighted the carriage...

H-He's not letting go... I-Is this necessary?! I-I mean, we should put on a show, but this is too much, right?!

I tried my best to keep my elegance and a calm smile with each step I took as gracefully as possible, but I can't help but notice how many eyes are directed towards us.

They're all staring in awe, shock, and reverence, something which I've become used to whenever I walk with Alexus. But normally, he wouldn't be holding my hand this tightly!!!

Doing this would let everyone know that we get along with each other, but shouldn't the fact that you're escorting me on the day of the matriculation ceremony be enough?!

T-This is too embarrassing!!! It's like we're trying to show off our relationship!!!

I tried to steal a glance silently and saw his usual smiling face. But for some reason... he seemed excited...

I-Is he... basking in elation over my embarrassment?!

T-This guy... I'll show him who's boss!!!

I squeezed his hand a bit tighter, and the moment I did it, his eyes widened and quickly turned to me in shock.

"Risa...!"

K-Kuh... W-Wait, no! I-I-I didn't think this through!

He's more shocked than embarrassed! I wanted him to be embarrassed, but now I'm the one who's embarrassed!

I averted my gaze away from him, my cheeks getting hotter and hotter by the moment. I know my face would appear red, but I'm still trying my best to maintain a mask of calmness especially when we're in front of other people.

But then, I felt him squeezing my hand back.

I glanced at him in shock, and saw him smiling ever so brightly as he stared at me with a loving gaze. And then with one swift movement, he intertwined his fingers with mine before looking forward once again.

And for the first time in a while, I could see his cheeks slightly reddening.

C-Cute... I-I guess this is my silver lining...

Soon, we arrived at the inner courtyard of the academy.

It was a massive garden, slightly smaller than the courtyard in my mansion, but still extremely spacious, enough to host a large banquet of hundreds of people.

It is located right at the center of the royal academy, so we could see the academy building all around us.

In the game, this was the courtyard they frequently used when the school or the student council hosted parties and banquets for the students, and there were quite a number of "events" held here when the heroine reached a certain favorability point on one of the capture targets.

And then it hit me... This was also where the "first event" held place... The meeting between the heroine and Alexus.

I instinctively stopped as I stared at the scenery of the inner courtyard silently.

"Risa...? What's wrong?"

And as if prepared beforehand, I saw the familiar golden haired figure of the heroine dropping her handkerchief right in front of us.

I looked at her instinctively and coincidentally met her gaze.

And in that moment, I could feel cold sweat flowing down my back when I saw a little smirk appear on her face. An expression the innocent heroine would never wear.

Oh no... She really is... reincarnated...



AN: I hope you guys enjoy this chapter~! Please vote and comment your thoughts~!