Chapter 15 The Melancholy of Lady Carna
Sorry if this came out of nowhere to you, but Carna Foote Mortens had memories of her previous life.
She recalled those memories when she was at the age of 12, right after her engagement with the Emperor’s son, Prince Ruben, was decided. She was in a happy mood because she got engaged with a guy she like, when suddenly she found out about her hopeless future making her face turned pale.
“I- I’m not a villainess!!” She fell into her bed in her large, luxurious room as she worried about what to do.
First of all, in her memory, this world was an otome game called “Blue Orchid”. Set in the Centrior Imperial Magic Academy, the world revolved around the heroine of this game, Folia Cresias. As you might have guessed, Prince Ruben would be the main hero. The fact that the heroine was destined to be with him meant that Carna’s engagement was not going to have a happy ending.
The villainess Carna, who was head over heels in love with Prince Ruben, would bully Folia and were hated by the prince and other characters.
And the worst thing was, after the prince fall out of love with her, her evil magic backfired and she turned into a kaiju[1]. In the end, she perished at the hands of the heroines and her love interests. Her ending was so horrible and terrifying.
And after Carna died, the heroine would deepen her bond with her love interests and it was needless to say the rest.
“If it was going to be like this, I’d rather if my engagement got cancel instead of this!” Carna cried thinking of her character setup. If it was just getting her engagement broken off, there was still hope for her life after that. But this was too much. When thinking that she was going to turn into a scary kaiju, she quivered uncontrollably.
“Why the hell would there be a fantasy battle genre in an otome game?!” Unfortunately, the game creator could not hear her scream. Anyway, she had no choice but to work on avoiding her impending doom. She would enter the academy in another 3 years. And the winter of her second year at Centrior was when she would meet her tragic ending.
“In the ending scene, the lead couples were flirting with each other as they started their 3rd year at the academy.”
She also wanted to enjoy her youth and graduated from school without regrets. Her tears that had stopped earlier started to drop again.
“Even though I’m engaged to Prince Ruben, I couldn’t even be with him …”
In her previous life, when she played the otome game for the first time, she fell in love with his character. Carna liked him even before she was born.
Ruben was a sincere person with a strong possessive nature and a devoted lover. She really liked his face. And the best thing was, he was a prince. It would be weird if she didn’t fall for him.
“No. I can’t give up. Of course, I don’t want to have a bad ending, but more importantly, I don’t want Prince Ruben to come into harm’s way.”
And so, Carna’s struggle began. Although she was enthusiastic, but her path towards doom was steadily progressing.
“Lady Carna, next will be a magic lesson.”
“Alright. I’m coming.”
Just as she finished a lecture, she would have to do practice. And after taking a short break, she had to study dance and etiquette. Once her engagement was decided, Carna didn’t even have time to plan for a counter measure, as she was too busy spending her days trying to become a woman that was suitable for Ruben.
Sometimes, she felt like giving up when she recalled that she was not destined to be with him anyway. However, whenever she met with him, she would forget about everything. Ruben existed right by her side. Just a simple thing like that would made her happy. When she taught it was for him, she would even made time to bake some cookies for him regardless how busy she was.
Ruben: “It tastes good. The cookies you made has a gentle taste. I love it.”
Carna: (〃∇〃)
She wanted to see his smile, which to her was something equivalent to a national treasure. Whenever she got shy and turned red, Ruben would always watch over her with a gentle look. But she never noticed it. Because of the otome game, she was not confident in herself and never thought that Ruben would have feelings for her.
Prince Ruben is just being polite because we’re engaged. That was what she always thought.
* * *
Ruben: “Lady Carna.”
Carna: “Yes?”
Ruben: “Is something bothering you?”
It was shortly before she entered Centrior. Blue Orchid’s story line was about to begin. Carna couldn’t hide her worried face from Ruben.
Carna: “No, it’s nothing. I’m just a little worried about the entrance exam that is coming soon.”
Of course, she had also considered not going to the academy in order to avoid triggering the plot. But what if there was something like a plot enforcement, then someone else might be sacrificed to replace her. She couldn’t do that.
Besides, she wanted to be with Prince Ruben as his fiancée, even if it was only for two years …
Ruben: “You’ve studied so hard. There’s nothing to worry about.”
“Thank you.” Carna held her fist on her lap.
Ruben saw her reaction but he couldn’t understand the reason. The fiancée sitting in front of him was humble and modest. She was a lovely girl who would bake cookies for him. She sometimes would come up with new things to entertain him. And he was happy because she did it all for him.
I don’t want to see her sad. I want her to be happy.
The villainess Carna Foote Mortens was no longer exist. But she herself did not know about it.
“Your highness, whatever happen in the future, please know that my feelings for you is sincere [2].”
Carna was unaware that Ruben felt his heart tighten seeing her sad smile.
* * *
On the day of the entrance ceremony.
This day had finally come.
Carna was listening to Ruben’s speech with a docile look. Time didn’t stop for her. Immediately after this, an event was waiting to be triggered.
When they were walking towards the classroom, the protagonist of the game, Folia Cresias would stumble and Ruben would help to catch her from falling down.
Hugan: “Class A will move first. Follow me.”
Carna had no choice but to watch Ruben, as she felt unbearable sorrow.
He will be happy if he is with Folia.
She believed it was true because she had played the game as the protagonist before. A girl with milk tea color fluffy hair came into her sight. Ruben was right next to Folia.
Folia: “Kyaa-”
It was just like the game. Carna heard the small cute voice very clearly. She couldn’t bear to watch it so she turned away.
“Are you alright?”
… Wait- What ?!
What she heard was a calm female voice, and not Ruben’s. Carna immediately turned around to look.
Folia: “Y- Yes! Sorry. Thank you-”
The person who caught Folia was an unfamiliar girl.
“What is going on?” Carna said to herself.
Ruben was standing in front of the girl with brown hair. He gave them a glance and then left the hall. The romance flag was not triggered.
Carna was confused. She was certain, the event just now was the fateful encounter between the protagonist and Ruben. How is the story going to start if they didn’t meet?
At first, she felt relieved, but then she shook her head. No, it shouldn’t be. If I really turn into a kaiju, only she can save the situation. It was because the heroine could use healing magic which was a rare skill.
Should she become a kaiju according to the plot, Folia must save Prince Ruben with her magic. Carna gathered her nerves, and headed for her classroom. When she checked the seating arrangement, Folia’s seat was indeed next to Ruben’s.
Carna’s seat was on the right side near the back and she could see Folia and Ruben well from her position. She was confused by the fact that the event did not happen. Carna searched for the student who helped Folia earlier.
There she is.
A brown-haired girl sat by the window opposite herself. Her bangs were braided and pinned together with a silver hair clip. This person never appeared in the game.
The self-introduction session had begun, and Carna waited for the girl’s turn.
“My name is Razé Granoli. My skill specialty is movement magic. I will do my best to keep up with everyone.”
After she heard Hugan-sensei’s words, Carna found out that the girl was a scholarship student. Other than that, she didn’t have any particular title and looked like an ordinary commoner.
Could it be … Maybe she is also a reincarnator [3]. Carna decided that she must get close to Razé.
But if she hindered the event just now on purpose, then it could mean that she is trying to get close to Prince Ruben. Carna decided to make a careful observation.
Carna continued to watch the mysterious girl. When Hugan-sensei brought them out to show around the campus, Folia straight away went to Razé. By right, Folia should go to Ruben to thank him for helping her. The plot had changed.
Folia: “You’re a scholarship student? Sugoi! I was really surprised.”
Razé: “Your specialty healing magic surprised me too. My movement magic was very ordinary. I’m so jealous of you.”
Folia: “Not at all! You are the first person I’ve ever met whose specialty is movement magic. There are many types of magic, and I think each and every one of them are all great.”
Razé: “You’re right. Thanks.”
This conversation sounded very ordinary. It didn’t seem like she helped Folia with an ulterior motive. If this was just an act, then she was a very cunning person. Carna continued to observe Razé, but she really looked like a person from this world.
Was it a coincidence? But the plot really did change. Perhaps, because of her, Carna’s impending doom was no longer exist? Carna saw a ray of hope through Razé. Even if Folia did eventually fell in love with Prince Ruben, Carna couldn’t give up just because of her destiny. Carna decided to take the chance and become the heroine’s rival and fight fair and square. If she could win the fight, that would be great. Carna desperately wished, as she stood behind the girl who was smaller than her.
Razé: “….. wow”
Carna: “What a joke.”
Razé Granoli turned to her. She had a big, round eyes.
Carna: “I’m glad to see a comrade.”
Razé: “Mortens-sama …”
Carna: “Those crowd of people are such a joke. I’m glad there is someone who can carry on an intelligent conversation.”
Razé: “No, not at all.”
Actually, Carna knew that Adis Lag Zars was acting that way on purpose for Prince Ruben’s sake. Judging from Razé’s reaction when she saw Adis, she didn’t seem like an reincarnator.
Carna: “Fufufu, don’t be so humble. This is a place where people who passed the same exam gathered. And you are the scholarship student. I think you should be more confident with yourself. Razé-san and Folia-san, you can call me Carna.”
Razé looked a bit surprised, then she smiled.
Razé: “Understood, Carna-sama. I’m delighted to make your acquaintance.”
Carna thought about her cronies that she supposed to befriend based on the plot. She decided to cut ties with them and become friend with Razé instead.
Folia: “Ca- Carna-sama. Can I be your acquaintance too?”
Carna: “Of course. I have long decided that I must befriend you, Folia-san.”
Carna felt that she might be able to find a route that could make Ruben happy without facing any danger. She was relieved and she smiled happily when Razé invited her to go out.
* * *
Another thing happened that made Carna surprised again.
Folia: “Ah, Carna-sama!”
Carna: “Folia-san, a lady should not wave her hand like that. It is improper.”
Folia: “So- Sorry. I got excited seeing you.”
Carna was worried looking at the girl who might be the future Empress doing something unladylike. Carna let out a sigh after seeing the downhearted look on Folia’s face.
Carna: “Anyway, you look good in that dress. And your hair too. I’m surprised.”
Folia raised her head cheerfully after hearing those words.
Folia: “Razé-chan helped me dressed up. Isn’t she great?”
“You did it?” Carna looked at Razé with widened eyes. “… Hmm, you did it again-”
In the game, Folia wore a dress that matched Ruben’s eyes to the party. But now, she was wearing a green dress. And this dress even looked better than the one in the game. What if Prince Ruben saw her and fall in love with her at first sight …
As someone who could use healing magic, Folia would be surrounded by the male students and then Ruben would come and rescue her. Then, they would dance together.
Carna was anxious thinking about it. But before she knew it, Ian was dancing with Folia.
How did that happen?!
When she was distracted by the situation, she felt the arm on her waist pulling her closer.
Ruben: “You look good in that dress.”
Carna: “Tha- Thank you.”
Too close! You’re too close!!
A very handsome face was very close to her.
Why am I the one who is dancing with Prince Ruben?!
Prince Ruben, who were supposed to dance with Folia, somehow was dancing with herself. It was a pleasant surprise and she was flustered.
Even if she thought about it, there was no way she could clarify this mysterious phenomenon. … Rather, the person that she like was standing so close to her, her brain was about to shut down.
[1] Kaiju (怪獣, lit. strange beast) means monster but it is different from Baruda’s monster (魔獣). There is a wiki page for kaiju; here.
[2] She used a very vague and polite form of saying I love you お慕い申し上げております.
[3] In Japanese, the word 転生者 refers to someone who died and reborn in a different world, while 転移者 refers to a living person transferred to a different world. Both Razé and Carna are 転生者. I couldn’t find the official definition for ‘transmigrator’ and ‘reincarnator’, so I’ll just use ‘reincarnator’ here.
