🔊 TTS Settings
Looking for the Runaway Princess – Chapter : 5
“…….”
Elizia’s expression darkened noticeably.
Even an idiot could tell whether spilling ice cream on her shoulder was an accident or intentional.
But instead of throwing sharp words back, Elizia chose to sit quietly in her seat.
She didn’t want to respond to such childish bullying, and since they were apologizing and claiming it was a mistake, arguing back would only make her look foolish.
Unless she was going to slap her, it was better to just ignore it.
‘Be graceful. Be calm. Be patient. I am elegant.’
She repeated it in her mind.
Then Bess’s light voice fell over her head.
“Anyway, I almost thought the one sitting here was a cleaning maid.”
Bess’s eyes slowly scanned Elizia’s plain dress as she continued.
“I’m not sure if the Kingdom of Ortygia is lacking funds… or if your sense of fashion is lacking.”
“……Pardon?”
It was completely out of nowhere.
Elizia stared at her in confusion. But Bess had already turned away after finishing what she wanted to say.
Bess’s group’s clear laughter slowly faded as they walked away.
Only then did Elizia stand up abruptly.
‘Is that princess insane?!’
Not only had she spilled ice cream on her, but now she was insulting her appearance too.
At first Elizia had been too stunned to react, but the more she thought about it, the more ridiculous and infuriating it became.
“If I meet her again, I might grab her hair, senior or not!”
She sat back down with an irritated sigh. Bess was already gone. The conflict had passed—much to her frustration.
She had been trying to follow her nanny’s advice to “live gracefully,” but at this rate she might end up dragging that princess by the hair.
If she ever lost her temper like that, she hoped it would at least happen where fewer students could see.
Sophie, sitting across from her, handed her a handkerchief with a worried expression.
“It’s cold… wipe yourself, Elizia.”
Elizia wiped her damp shoulder and bit her lip.
Why was that senior Bess so hostile toward her?
She often did things like blocking her path, or childish bullying like this.
It made no sense.
Wasn’t she the same kind girl who once complimented her outfit when they first met?
So why?
‘Well, it’s also funny to think that such blind hostility even needs a reason.’
Elizia let out a small laugh and folded the handkerchief neatly. Thinking too much about it only made her more annoyed.
She glanced at her dress. It was good quality, but simple and plain.
Compared to Bess’s outfit, decorated with shiny blue lace, it looked extremely modest.
It didn’t even feel like they were from the same royal status.
“Sophie senior… do I look plain?”
“……No, Elizia. You’re just… a bit simple.”
Sophie hesitated before answering gently.
Elizia immediately understood that “simple” basically meant “plain.”
She herself was a princess.
Back in the Ortygia Royal Palace, she had always dressed in luxurious outfits and jewels to display royal authority.
But here, she lived alone without servants.
It was tiring to wear heavy dresses alone, and jewelry was a hassle.
She also had to remove everything every time she trained in swordsmanship.
Her nanny had prepared many beautiful outfits and accessories for her, but she lacked both the skill and desire to style herself properly. So they all stayed unused in her wardrobe.
That was why Elizia always wore simple dresses.
And because of that, Bess had called her a “cleaning maid” and even mocked her kingdom’s finances.
Thinking about it again, anger rose inside her.
She took a sip of cold tea. The chilled liquid stung her throat.
Chapter : 5 – Beginning of Act 2
Keet—
Elizia frowned slightly at the off note.
She had lost focus for a moment, and her concentration slipped.
She pressed down on the violin string. Her ring and middle fingers were covered in blisters.
She had practiced all night, repeatedly pressing and releasing the strings.
Even though she was trained in swordsmanship, holding metal weapons and pressing violin strings were completely different.
Still, struggling through painful practice was better than failing the class.
That was just her nature.
The harp sound ended, and the music stopped.
“Take a short break.”
The professor tapped the baton and announced it.
Elizia placed her violin down and rolled her neck. Her shoulders and neck ached from tension.
As she turned her head, her eyes landed on someone—Rakan.
Since she played violin and he played cello, they sat fairly close.
He was slightly frowning while adjusting his cello strings. His lowered eyelashes looked elegant.
His fingers holding the cello neck were long and refined.
Even though his hands were strong and rough like a swordsman’s, they were still graceful and well-shaped, drawing attention.
‘Even his fingertips are handsome. No wonder he has such extreme self-confidence.’
Elizia nodded to herself and pressed a handkerchief against her fingers.
The cloth was already damp—her blisters had likely burst.
As she sighed quietly, a voice came from beside her.
“You really live in a way that’s hard to understand. Even in sword class you struggle, but you never rest. And now this too.”
It was Rakan.
He had finished tuning his cello and was now looking at her calmly.
His emerald eyes shimmered faintly under the sunlight.
Elizia looked at her fingers briefly before answering casually.
“I want to be good at everything.”
“Why? You’re the future queen with no rivals, aren’t you?”
“Exactly why I need to be perfect. I want to be a proud and capable queen for my people. I will make Ortygia and its citizens happy.”
She smiled sincerely as she said it.
Though she had been born royalty and was destined to be queen, she never treated that responsibility lightly.
Coming to Swena Neutral Kingdom’s academy and giving her best in everything was part of that goal.
Rakan tightened his grip on the cello.
He looked at her quietly.
His usual indifferent eyes now felt like they were trying to see through her completely.
“You’re a strange royal.”
“Strange? I don’t know what normal royals are like.”
She wanted to add that he seemed more strange and arrogant, but held it back.
“You remind me of my younger brother.”
“Must be handsome.”
“He’s a boy.”
“…a boy.”
“Yes. Only half related, but he resembles me and is quite handsome.”
“I’m sure he is.”
Elizia replied flatly.
She didn’t know if that was supposed to be a compliment or not.
“My brother is just like you. Stubbornly hardworking and oddly devoted to his country.”
“I see.”
Her tone remained indifferent.
Rakan smiled faintly, though his expression didn’t soften much.
Elizia studied his face.
Sunlight from the window lit his golden hair.
For some reason, this situation felt strange.
Their relationship was awkward and uncomfortable.
And yet, talking to him didn’t feel as unpleasant as expected.
That was strange.
The day’s schedule ended.
Elizia lay on a carpet, drying her damp hair. A faint orange-blossom scent filled the room.
Sophie collapsed beside her.
“Elizia, the academy founding festival party is soon. You know that, right?”
Elizia turned her head.
“Yes, I received the notice.”
“Who are you going with? Do you have a male partner?”
A male partner.
Rakan’s face briefly flashed in her mind. She frowned immediately and shook her head.
No way. Going with him? Absolutely not.
Even being seen entering together would cause trouble.
People would misunderstand, create rumors, or assume she was trying to get close to him.
She didn’t want any of that.
She sat up.
“I don’t need to go with a boy, right?”
“Of course not. I’m not either.”
“But senior, aren’t you dating someone named Frederic? Why not go with him?”
“Well… I’m a commoner. It would be inappropriate for me to enter such an official event with a duke’s son.”
Sophie smiled faintly, but there was sadness behind it.
Elizia felt uncomfortable hearing it.
Sophie then asked,
“Elizia, if you don’t have a partner yet, would you go with me?”
“Sure. I will.”
Elizia smiled brightly and nodded.
The academy founding festival would be held in a few days.
It was a grand event, just like the previous masquerade ball.
Since it was a royal academy filled with nobles and royals from many countries, such events were common.
Students usually entered in pairs, male and female or same gender.
Luckily, no one cared too much if you didn’t have a partner.
That was fortunate for Elizia, who only knew Rakan among the boys.
“By the way, Sophie senior, there’s a tradition at the party, right?”
“Yes. They choose the Rose and the Lily.”
“By voting?”
“Yes.”
The Rose represented females, and the Lily represented males. They were symbolic figures chosen during the festival.
“So it’s like a popularity vote?”
“In a way, yes. But most candidates are already somewhat decided.”
“Decided?”
“Yes.”
“Then how is it a vote?”
“It’s a vote, but connections matter a lot.”
That made sense. Most students were nobles or royals, so connections naturally influenced results.
Elizia nodded.
“Do you know who’s already decided?”
Sophie hesitated slightly.
“For the Rose… it’s Bess. Elizabeth Marché.”
“Bess?! That Bess?!”
“Yes. She’s royal, has imperial connections, and strong influence.”
Elizia’s expression twisted.
That Bess?!
The same girl who always bullied her and laughed as she walked away?
And she was going to be the Rose?
Imagining her standing on stage saying, “Thank you for choosing me as the Rose!” made Elizia furious.
She hoped she would trip on stage.
Then she quickly turned to Sophie again.
“Then who’s the Lily? Don’t tell me it’s Rakan?”
“No. He hates attention like that.”
“Really?”
A person who hated attention? That arrogant man?
Still, it made a little sense. Sometimes he was calm and distant despite his confidence.
“So who is it?”
“Frederic Watts.”
“Frederic Watts… your boyfriend?”
Sophie nodded awkwardly.
Elizia imagined him.
She had never even seen his face.
But as a duke’s son with good connections, it made sense.
She nodded slowly, absorbing everything.
At the same time, in the girls’ dormitory lobby, Bess stopped walking.
A glowing sign stood in front of her.
[We are looking for the Rose of the Royal Academy.]
Inside the box were already slips of paper, including her own name.
Bess tilted her head slightly, staring at it.
Then she stepped closer.
A golden pen appeared in her hand. The sound of writing echoed softly in the quiet lobby.
A faint smile formed on her lips.
“Let’s see you embarrass yourself.”
She wrote a name on the paper:
Elizia Weder Ortygia.
