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CHAPTER 12
The problems were simple arithmetic calculations that didn’t require deep thought.
Questions like “3/8 × 6” or “1¼ × 3” — all very easy problems.
I had no idea why these kinds of lessons lasted four hours, but since this was how they did things in this country, I had no choice but to endure it.
“Elufe, this must be hard for you, huh? Becoming my conversation partner and having to deal with such complex studies.”
Rekanon turned his head with a flushed face, clearly trying hard to hide how proud he was.
“Totally. I was shocked by how difficult it all was.”
I played along with him, giving him a look that said, Please just finish your homework this time.
“No, no. Judging by your expression, you’re looking down on me, aren’t you?”
“How could I possibly look down on the Empire’s Little Sun? It’s a misunderstanding. I’m just tired.”
Thud.
Out of nowhere, Rekanon shoved a thick pile of homework into my hands.
I looked at him in disbelief, but he just gave me a bright, innocent smile.
“I have to test whether you’re truly qualified to be my conversation partner. So, solve all of these!”
I let out a helpless laugh at the absurdity of it all, then picked up the homework.
“And if I do solve them, what will you do for me?”
Clearly offended, Rekanon ran a hand through his hair and brought up the past.
“Looks like you forgot. I saved your life. Isn’t it a bit much to be arguing with the person who saved you?”
“Oh, please. I’m the one who saved you that day, when you couldn’t even breathe.”
As soon as I said that, I immediately covered my mouth—Oops. But judging by Rekanon’s defeated expression, it was too late to take it back.
“T-That’s… Elufe Inferna, you unfair wench. Fine! If you get every single problem right, I’ll grant you one wish!”
His offer made my ears perk up. If I helped him just this once, maybe I’d never have to deal with these ridiculous requests again.
‘I just want to quit being a conversation partner…’
When my expression changed, Rekanon twisted his lips into a smirk and spoke confidently, puffing up his chest.
“But if you get even one wrong, I won’t grant your wish.”
He probably thought it was no big deal, but I was very serious about this.
‘Right. Let’s just act like a good noble lady in front of Rekanon for a bit. If I prove I’m kind, I can escape this villainess role…’
Besides, if I stayed as his conversation partner, I might end up engaged to him like in the original story. Then not only would I probably die, but I also wouldn’t be able to see my beloved Roelin get her happy ending.
This was my best shot at witnessing the true ending from the front row. I’d be a complete idiot to let that go.
So, maybe the best thing is for me, the villainess, to quietly disappear while everything else follows the original plot.
“Fine. But remember—even a verbal agreement is a contract!”
As ridiculous as it was, this absurd situation dragged on for several days.
I had finished the homework long ago, but Rekanon only showed up to class today.
I knew he liked sword fighting, but I didn’t expect him to skip lessons for days just to train. Sigh…
“Amazing, Your Highness!”
Rekanon Erithen’s math teacher, Sir Kroon, usually had a bland personality and rarely gave praise.
But today, he was uncharacteristically excited.
Did he find out I did the homework for him? Nah—I made it look messy enough to pass as Rekanon’s work.
The math teacher held the homework reverently in both hands.
Ugh. If he knew I was the one who solved those problems, he wouldn’t treat it like gold.
He probably tossed my homework into a dusty corner without even reading it.
“Oh my. Good news, perhaps?”
Rekanon blinked wide-eyed in curiosity, clearly caught off guard by Sir Kroon’s unusually passionate demeanor.
“Oh, absolutely! Even the Crown Prince couldn’t solve this many problems at once! And to think he did them all mentally!”
Sir Kroon was so moved he had tears in his eyes as he held up the homework I’d completed. The secondhand embarrassment made me want to curl up into a ball.
He’s crying over this? Really?
But as the “conversation partner” sitting in on the class, I didn’t get many chances to speak.
“To think I would witness a genius of this era with my own eyes… I can die with no regrets!”
Genius, huh? He’s obviously just trying to flatter the prince.
“No need to praise me that much…”
Rekanon, now glancing at me, seemed thoroughly embarrassed as he tried to wriggle free of Sir Kroon’s grip.
I just smiled sweetly at the awkward prince.
‘Looks like I won the bet, rookie.’
“How about pursuing a career as a mathematician, Your Highness?”
Rekanon’s face went dark, and he shook his head furiously.
“That’s overkill for just one homework assignment…”
“No, no! It’s not just one assignment. I was so moved, I reported this to His Majesty the Emperor immediately!”
“What?! You told Father?!”
Rekanon was so shocked he dropped formal speech. Meanwhile, Sir Kroon looked delighted.
“With such an outstanding achievement, how could I remain silent? Haha!”
Sir Kroon clearly expected some sort of reward. Rekanon, on the other hand, bit his lip nervously, probably scared he’d be exposed for pawning off the work.
“It’s just homework… Don’t you think you’re being a bit careless, sir?”
Trying to regain his composure, Rekanon gave Kroon a strained smile that didn’t match the sharp glare in his eyes.
“Careless? This is something worthy of being spread to the Empire’s borders!”
“Please, let’s stop here. I don’t want to trouble Father over something so trivial.”
Sir Kroon clearly had something to gain from blowing this up.
I could see right through his intentions. Rekanon, however, was still too young to realize it.
One thing became clear: This game world really wasn’t all that different from my past life. Flattery and quick thinking were the only way to survive.
“This is no minor matter! This should be recorded and shared across the Empire. His Highness is not just gifted—he’s a genius!”
Apparently, being able to multiply fractions at age thirteen made you a genius here.
If word spread that I, the “villainous noblewoman,” was also a genius, people would just become more wary of me. It’d be foolish to attract that kind of attention.
“Genius? I’m worried my brother might hear this and be offended.”
Rekanon, busy trying to calm down Sir Kroon, suddenly shot me a glare—as if to say, How dare you smile in front of me.
I clamped my mouth shut and quickly looked away.
“The Crown Prince couldn’t solve these at thirteen either! His Majesty must be told!”
“Huh?! Are you saying my brother couldn’t solve something I just did? No way! He’s better than me in everything…”
As Rekanon growled at me, the oblivious Sir Kroon cheered even louder.
“Which is why this deserves to be broadcast across the Empire! His Highness solved what was thought unsolvable! Hahaha!”
Rekanon tried desperately to put a lid on the situation before class ended—but wouldn’t you know it, the Emperor actually showed up that day.
“Behold, the great sun of the Empire.”
The Emperor walked in, disbelief written on his face, and asked Rekanon directly:
“Is what Sir Kroon said true?”
Sir Kroon proudly flipped to the last page of the homework packet. The final problem was none other than: mixed number × mixed number.
Just convert to improper fractions or split it into whole numbers and proper fractions—it was a basic calculation.
“Yes, Your Majesty. Behold, he solved a once-in-a-century challenge!”
That was a “challenge”? Really?
Apparently, I wasn’t the only one stunned. Rekanon also stared at me wide-eyed.
“Since His Highness kept grabbing his sword instead of studying, I gave him a difficult problem on purpose. And he solved it perfectly! Hahaha!”
“Ho? I thought he only had talent for swordsmanship… To think he also had talent for math.”
Was this the legendary story? The one where a kid solves the “unsolvable problem” just because they copied it off the board?
Did I… just become the subject of that cliché?
Should I be happy about this?
My dazed expression met Rekanon’s terrified eyes in midair.
“At last, the Empire has produced a genius mathematician! Congratulations, Your Majesty!”
“Seeing your joy fills me with pride. It must’ve been a terribly difficult problem?”
“Yes, sire! No other country has solved such a fraction problem! Hahaha!”
Even Rekanon, who had been glaring at me moments before, stood there with his jaw dropped.
Of course, I was equally shocked. This wasn’t a dream—this was real life, which made it all the more embarrassing.
If I had known that problem would cause this much commotion, I never would’ve solved it.
“Tell me, Rekanon. Did you truly solve all these problems yourself?”
The Emperor asked in his usual calm, stoic tone.
Rekanon immediately jumped up, bowed deeply, and confessed like a criminal
“F-F-Forgive me, Father. It was actually… Elufe Inferna, the Count’s daughter—she did all the problems.”
