The Protagonist's Party is Too Diligent

Food really does wonders to lift the spirits.

With a full stomach and a bit of drowsiness settling in, I finally felt a sense of calm.

After going over everything in my mind, I concluded with a simple “So what?”

Yes.

So what?

This wasn’t the first time someone unexpected had suddenly appeared in my life. I’d already been through something similar with Lena.

I was already aware that the Emperor viewed me as something extraordinary. From the beginning, he’d been giving me all sorts of orders. He’d openly commanded me to assassinate a count and had even tried to send me to the battlefield instead of the academy. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

And yet, it wasn’t my ability that got me out of those situations. It was Alice. She’d stormed to the Emperor after finding morphine in my room and resolved the matter face-to-face.

A limit to my power? It was bound to happen sooner or later. Honestly, my power was ridiculously overpowered. Other protagonists in novels, comics, or anime who had time-reversing abilities usually had to pay some kind of price—often even dying to trigger it. Truthfully, I’d been spoiled by how convenient my ability had been.

Besides... thinking about it, nothing so far had been so catastrophic that I’d needed to rewind to fix it.

So, I decided to stop worrying about it.

If that guy shows up again, I’ll deal with it then.

There was something a therapist had once told me out of curiosity: “Don’t waste energy stressing over things you can’t resolve right now. At the very least, try not to worry.” Right. Agonizing over a future I can’t prepare for is pointless.

"..."

I could feel Alice staring intently at my expression.

We were sitting across from each other. Outside the window, the trees stretched endlessly, marching along as we moved. Technically, the trees weren’t moving—we were.

“Really, your resilience is something else.”

“...Is there something on my face?”

“Yep.”

Alice nodded at my question.

“Last time, when we came back from the battlefield, you were like this too. You’d sit alone, deep in thought, but then a few hours later, you’d be back to normal. The same thing happened this time. Right after meeting your father, you looked devastated, but now you’re fine again.”

“True. When I came to your room this morning, you looked completely out of it.”

Claire, sitting beside me, added her observation.

Meanwhile, Leo was sitting next to Alice, looking incredibly uncomfortable. Though we were all members of the student council and had gradually broken down some barriers over time, meeting the Emperor yesterday seemed to have reminded him that Alice and I were, in fact, princesses.

Claire noticed my gaze shifting to Leo and gave him a slight glare, as if to say, “Are you seriously making her uncomfortable with that attitude?”

...A little guilt crept up on me.

“I had a lot to think about.”

“Did you?”

"..."

Since I didn’t elaborate, Alice didn’t press me further.

“Are you really not going to ask me anything?” I finally asked.

“Hmm.”

Alice considered my question for a moment, then responded plainly, “No, I’m not.”

I watched her silently, and she gave a slight smile.

“Curious why?”

“Yes, I am.”

Of course, I was curious.

If it were me, I would’ve rewound time several times to try to pry out every bit of information. Though if I couldn’t get anything, I’d have given up eventually.

I’d already scoured the Empire’s restricted archives. I’d confirmed there was nothing concrete about my existence in the prophecies.

Granted, I wasn’t seeking personal secrets—I was just looking for clues to move forward with the story.

“There’s no particular reason.”

Alice leaned back in her chair, turning her gaze to the window.

The forest outside seemed never-ending, lush and proudly stretching as far as the eye could see. Occasionally, we’d pass through small villages or cities buried within it. If this world had other races, this would be the perfect place for elves.

“You don’t need a logical reason to ask or not ask something. I just... don’t feel like asking right now. In fact, I probably won’t ask directly in the future either.”

Her head remained facing the window, but her blue eyes shifted toward me, a faint smile at her lips.

“Not until you decide to tell me.”

"..."

I couldn’t respond.

Alice... she had already told me what she thought before. Back when she’d infiltrated the casino in that bunny girl costume. In the game, her motives were simplified to her inferiority complex toward Claire, and it was mainly played for fanservice.

If there’s one difference between the game and this world, it’s that the game’s characters moved according to the story, while here, people moved to create the story themselves.

“I understand.”

“You look relieved somehow.”

"..."

Alice once again seemed to read my mind, so I turned my head to Claire.

“Claire.”

“Huh, yes?!”

Claire, who’d been watching my conversation with Alice in a daze, was startled. She hadn’t expected me to address her.

“Does my expression reveal my emotions that easily?”

“Um... uh...”

Claire stammered, trying to process my question’s intent.

“Well, no? I mean, sometimes it does? I guess... usually, not so much...”

Her response came out jumbled, like a broken machine.

“Hmph.”

Alice snorted lightly at Claire’s answer.

Claire’s brows furrowed at Alice’s reaction.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Her tone wasn’t exactly hostile or cold, but it did carry a hint of irritation.

“Did I say something wrong?”

“No, it’s not wrong. It’s just... sometimes you can’t help but feel a little superior when you see someone struggle with something you find easy.”

“What?!”

Um...

Claire, you do realize we’re on a 20th-century train where soundproofing isn’t great? When you yell like that, everyone around us stares.

Not to mention, standing up like that only draws even more attention.

Most of the onlookers likely wore expressions of shock. They were well aware of who Claire usually hung around, and regardless of the reason, shouting in front of someone like me—a princess—would be considered terribly improper.

Leo, sitting beside Alice, was the perfect picture of a typical noble reaction.

“C-Claire...!”

His face had gone pale as he tried to calm her down. But since he wasn’t sitting right next to her, he couldn’t easily reach her. A small table sat between us, after all.

And to top it off, Alice was holding Leo back from standing up.

Leo froze in place, sending me a pleading look...

...Sorry.

I’m just as confused as you right now.

“You’ve spent so much time with Sis! If I’d been given that much time, I’d definitely be able to read her emotions better than you!”

Um...

If you two want to argue over this, could you at least wait until we get to the academy? Or at the very least, lower your voices?

Actually, I’d really appreciate it if you could hold off until we reach the academy. Arguing right next to me is just incredibly embarrassing.

I’m barely managing to keep a straight face as it is.

And Alice, watching me, just gave a smirk.

She definitely caught my expression.

“Well, how would you know? You’ve never had that experience. So how can you be so sure?”

“Urgh...”

Claire’s expression grew briefly angry at Alice’s words, but then...

“...”

She took a deep breath.

Then she composed herself, sitting back down with poise and grace, as if she hadn’t just yelled.

But that calm demeanor was merely an act. Claire’s determination was far from subdued.

“Sis.”

As soon as she sat down, she looked at me.

“...Yes?”

“Look at my face.”

She adjusted her posture slightly, turning toward me.

Silently, I did as she asked.

Claire’s deep blue eyes met mine. While both she and Alice had blue eyes, if Alice’s were like a clear lake, Claire’s were like staring into a mysterious blue hole. Looking directly at her was a bit intimidating.

“From now until we arrive at school, I’m going to practice reading your expressions.”

"...."

I glanced at Alice, but she only looked back with a smug expression.

...

Great. Just great.