“…I see. You really don’t understand anything. Listen, there’re underlying circumstances as to why His Highness acted like that. I’ll explain from scratch, so follow me.”

“Nope.”

“What!?”

Lithia, who stood behind Geo, couldn’t see what kind of expression he was making. However, from his voice, she knew he was angry.

“Why do I need to know the reason he’s calling her ugly? Even without knowing, I already know it’s wrong! It’s not worth listening to!”

“…!”

…As she listened to his words, warmth welled up from the depths of her chest.

“Ah…”

All this time, she had to endure everything they said.

After all, the prince of the country himself said that she was ugly. As such, when the others began to slander her as well, she couldn’t utter a single complaint.

Over the decade, she’d been subjected to such treatment over and over again, so much that she thought she had gotten used to it—

—that she wouldn’t cry anymore.

“Lithia—!?”

Geo turned around all at once—he must’ve heard her faint sob.

“Are you alright!? I’m sorry, let’s just go and leave this guy. In the first place, I shouldn’t have listened to anything he said…”

“N-no, I’m not crying at all, I’m fine…”

For the first time, she felt like she didn’t have to put up with it—

—that it was alright to be angry.

It’s strange…

She was so happy, she cried.

“—Transfer Student! As a commoner, do you think you can defy a nobleman like me!?”

Finally, the male student raised his fist. As it was, the conversation was unlikely to proceed in a civilized manner.

At Geo, who was about to fight back, Lithia erased her tears and lifted her head.

“Excuse me, Sir Harrison Baldwin, but his words and deeds were done for the sake of my honor—a nobleman. As I’m also responsible for this, you’re free to blame me.”

Lithia actually recognized the male student. Harrison Baldwin, he was one of those people who’d grin whenever Prince Andrew taunted her in front of everyone.

“Guh….”

“Lithia…”

Usually, she was too scared to make eye contact with them. But now, she had Geo by her side. As such, she couldn’t let the situation worsen any further.

“Wi—Ms. Album, this has nothing to do with you. Hey, Commoner, let’s have a talk…”

“As if I’d listen! Let’s go, Lithia!”

“Yes. Good day, Sir Baldwin.”

“H-hey! Wait, just wait, hold on—!”

Geo quickly took her hand and started walking. Lithia followed behind him at a brisk pace. Harrison, angrier than before, shouted, but Lithia didn’t look back.

“…Dammit! He should get kicked by a horse[1]!”

Just before Harrison’s voice completely faded away, Lithia heard such a parting phrase.

As her shoulders trembled, Geo drew Lithia closer.

“It’s alright, don’t mind him. If you’re still concerned, let’s go to the church and have an exorcism performed.”

“…Huh, you’re still going with that?”

Her trembling receded in an instant.

…This person always catches me off guard.

“He mentioned a horse, right? Then he must’ve seen a Dullahan… Why the need to curse Lithia, though? If anything, he should get kicked by a horse!”

“Despite your outrageous story, you can somehow still match his logic, huh?”

Convincing Geo in such situation would be nigh impossible. After all, it took her a day to convince him that she wasn’t a moon fairy. As such, it was unlikely Lithia would be able to convince him that the male student was indeed calling her ugly.

“Could it be, Lithia didn’t know what a Dullahan is? It’s the ghost of a headless knight who rides a headless horse.”

However, that part of him was very convenient right now.

“Though, sometimes, the horse does have head. Also, there are cases where the knight holds his own head…”

Of course, Lithia knew what a Dullahan was.

But instead of denying it, Lithia quietly listened to Geo’s explanation.

---

[1] An old Japanese proverb “Those who get in the way of people’s love should be kicked by a horse and die.”

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***T/N: Huh?! News of the century, the prince is indeed in love with her!!!! Even though his action had me convinced that he has unending retribution towards her entire lineage!

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