• This is a story from the teachers’ POV when Lithia enters and leaves the academy.

Three years ago, when Prince Andrew was promoted to the third grade, the teachers at the Forrent Magic Academy received top secret instructions.

‘—To have new student Lithia Album complete her princess education by the time she graduates.’

‘—Do not let a single student, including Lithia Album herself, be aware that she’s undertaking the princess education.’

‘—Keep all male students away from Lithia Album.’

If it were only the first order, they would have assumed that particular student was one of Prince Andrew’s fiancée candidates. Furthermore, instead of being assigned full-time tutors, she was being left under the guidance of academy teachers, implying she was the least favored candidate.

However, with the two additional instructions, the situation changed completely.

No such instructions had been given regarding the other preexisting candidates, Adora Drese and Orienne Hitchcock. As for their respective princess education, they naturally weren’t receiving any instruction as the two had dedicated tutors. Then, there was that third instruction, which showed the prince’s possessiveness. It was to the point of not allowing other male students to approach her.

“I never thought that the Prince of Ice could be so obsessive…”

“However, she comes from a viscount family. She’s too low-ranking to be a queen. I wouldn’t be surprised if some people tried to dispose of her.”

“Hmph! Isn’t that why the second instruction was given? We’re going to proceed with the princess education secretly so that those around her won’t notice a thing and get in the way.”

“…I see. So that’s why the prince didn’t assign her a dedicated tutor. He did that to prevent others from realizing she’s receiving the princess education.”

The teachers groaned as they thought to themselves.

Even though his preexisting fiancée candidates have solid standings, he wants to promote the daughter of a viscount to the position of crown princess. How crazy is that?

Despite how unbelievable it was, the prince was probably serious. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have crafted such well-thought-out instructions.

The teachers tasked with teaching Lithia would also be reimbursed greatly.

“Anyway, Lithia Album… Where have I heard that name before? Could she be the young lady from back then?”

Lithia Album. The young lady they were supposed to teach to become a princess in secret.

Some of the teachers recognized that name.

“I feel like I’ve heard that name before, too. I hear that His Highness, who doesn’t show much interest in other people for better or for worse, expresses hatred towards her and only her…”

“She’s a girl from a nouveau riche family with some slightly eerie features. At a certain tea party a few years ago, His Highness expressed his dislike for her, and to this day hasn’t been able to overcome it… I remember feeling sorry for her. She was just a little girl that was immensely disliked by the prince…”

“Pfft, looks like we had a huge misunderstanding. Far from hating her, is madly in love.”

The atmosphere, which had been stilted, suddenly became wholesome.

Unlike what they previously thought, the girl was neither unfortunate nor hated by the prince. In reality, she was a really fortunate girl. After all, the prince fell in love with her at first sight from such an early age.

At the same time, they also caught a glimpse of the impregnable prince’s humane side. On one hand, he never stopped loving the girl. On the other, he couldn’t express himself well and was a bit clumsy when it came to romance.

“However, it’ll still be difficult for a mere viscount’s daughter to become a queen. The path forward will be fraught with hardship. Even if she has attained His Highness’ favor, is she prepared to endure the hardship?”

“She’ll have a better constitution than your average young lady if she is. There is no girl her age who doesn’t admire the prince. All this time, she didn’t dare to approach him because she thought he despised her. Once she realizes she has the opportunity to be loved by the prince, she’ll become unstoppable.”

“You’re right. Then, we need to give her a rigorous education, strict enough to transform her into a suitable crown princess as soon as possible.”

A Cinderella story in which a girl who’d been ridiculed by everyone was chosen by the prince.

…However, reality wasn’t as sweet. Unlike in the fairy tale, love didn’t solve everything. The prince must’ve given those instructions precisely because he was aware of such.

“Moving forward, I’ll have Lithia Album receive her princess education under the guise of supplementary lessons. I’ll leave it to His Highness’ discretion as to when to reveal she’s been receiving the princess education all along. Any objection?”

“None.”

“I don’t have any.”

“I’ll give it my best.”

The other teachers nodded vigorously to the teacher that led the meeting.

Lithia Album’s path to becoming a future queen had only just begun.

◆◆◆

In the vice principal’s office of the Forrent Magic Academy, on the night of the annual winter dance party…

“’Withdrawal from the academy’…? ‘Due to personal circumstances’… ‘Lithia Wales…’ ‘Maiden name: Album’—Hold on!! What is all this about!?”

On behalf of the principal, who was attending the party, the vice principal was going through a pile of documents that were waiting for a signature of approval, almost as if it were an assembly line.

The man let out a cry of surprise as he picked up a sheet of paper that had fallen off.

A notification of withdrawal. Although it was a rare sight among the documents that needed to be signed every day, it wasn’t unheard of. Every year, several students withdrew from the academy before graduation due to family circumstances, marriage, or other reasons.

Not too long ago, due to family’s circumstances—or rather the royal family’s circumstances, he had received a notice of expulsion for a certain male student.

“Hey! Someone! Inform His Highness about this, quickly!”

It truly came out of nowhere.

Some of the teachers, including the vice principal, had been forced to make arrangements for Lithia to complete the princess education. Moreover, by using the other fiancée candidates as cover, the prince’s plan to make Lithia Album his official wife was steadily progressing.

Along the way, a meddlesome, dense commoner with a troublesome power appeared. Yet, the prince made a display of his outstanding brilliance by sending that commoner someplace where he could be of use.

The only thing left for the prince was to make an official announcement and propose to Lithia Album. The teachers, who were anticipating it would finally happen at the dance party, were waiting with bated breath.

Who could’ve seen this coming?

Lithia Album was no longer Lithia Album.

The prince intended to hide the fact that he was in love with her, along with the princess education, until the last minute, but it had backfired on him.

Unaware of the prince’s affection, along with her qualifications to be his queen, the pitiful viscount’s daughter went astray.

“V-Vice Principal!”

“Who is it? …Come in. Oh! You are—”

When he got up, the vice principle accidentally bumped against his desk. A flustered knock carried in from the other side of the door.

Looking at the visitor who had entered the room with permission, the vice principal fixed his collar.

“Ahem. I know you have some business with me, but can I talk to you about something? I don’t have time to explain in detail. Something terrible happened. We should be in the middle of a party right now. How is His Highness doing?”

“Uhm, that is—”

“—Hmm? Come to think of it, weren’t you in attendance? What are you doing here?”

The visitor was the teacher of wind magic.

Wind magic was the prince’s favorite subject, and also Lithia’s weakest subject. Sometimes, that teacher took the role of arranging for Lithia to ask the prince for tutoring.

“Well, something unbelievable happened at the party… And I decided to check a certain document… Has Lithia Album truly submit a notice of withdrawal?”

“Oh, so you already know!”

Did something happen regarding this at the party? That makes it quick.

The vice president pointed at the letter of withdrawal that layed on the desk.

“…Lithia Wales, so it’s true…”

“Indeed. Even His Highness will have a hard time voiding this. …I knew it, His Highness was going to propose to Ms. Album at today’s party. How was it? I assume that His Highness and Ms. Album are filling a lawsuit against that commoner so they can annul their marriage?”

“N-no—! That can’t be farther from the truth—!”

In contrast to the ecstatic vice principal, the wind magic teacher hesitated for some reason. In fact, the teacher even avoided making eye contact. Then, as if he’d come to terms with it, the teacher slumped his shoulders.

“We… were mistaken from the beginning… About His Highness…”

“No, as long as she and that commoner haven’t been married for long, they can still make it in time.”

“But that’s exactly where we were mistaken—!”

“Huh?”

Then, a breeze blew from the slightly open window behind the vice principal’s desk.

Was it because of the abrupt silence?

Both of them unconsciously followed the direction of the wind and ended up looking out the window.

“That’s…”

---

***T/N: Get rekt, Useless Teachers

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