Today was the day after Charles's little sisters birthday. In other words, Sunday.

The two of me were supposed to laze around or probably train, but shockingly after last night, I was invited by Princess Ofelia which somehow shocked Charles, Archie, and I. But the thing is, she didn't invite Rose, she invited Red specifically. Or summoned since it's a royal invitation.

However, there's a problem. The place I am invited to was the Academy's boarding house for foreign students, and the boarding houses were divided by sexes so it was a real problem for Red.

I'm kind of worried that I'm being allowed into the women's boarding house as Red, and especially as a commoner.

Just when I entered through the gates, I saw a woman in maid uniform approach me. I can tell that she's related to the princess because of her lizard-like tail showing a bit under her skirt. But unlike Ofelia, she doesn't have wings for some reason.

"Good Day, sir Red. I have been tasked to guide you to her highness."

After saying so, she turns around without really batting an eye at me. Dragons...

I was guided to a separate building than the one I know that was supposed to be the Boarding Houses. And surprisingly, no, it's not a surprise, she has her own private building.

"Does she own all of this?"

"That is a common misconception. This building is the Royal Suite, exclusive Royalty use only. Her highness uses one of the rooms of the building."

Oh...

While walking through the grounds, I could feel the stares of the girls around and some of them from the windows of the building. Well, it's weird that I was allowed to enter here in the first place.

When we finally reached a garden just outside the Royal Suite, there was Princess Ofelia drinking coffee as she sits under the shade of the garden tent.

"I have arrived, your highness."

"Thank you, Erga. Now leave us."

"But your highness!"

"Erga?"

"...Forgive my rudeness, your highness. I will now leave."

Just as fast when we arrived, the maid was immediately made to leave which made her panic. But after the princess glared at her a bit, she backed down and leave.

Now, it's just us.

"Please, have a seat, Red."

"T-thank you."

Though she didn't have any expression aside from the giggle I saw last night, the way she acts makes it seem like I was seeing things last night. Ever since I saw her in class, I think everyone could agree that she had a really peculiar aura around her aside from being a royalty.

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"Though I did call you here regarding the Ascension Fragments, I want to know your background."

"My background?"

"There are many ways that I could acquire your history, but I chose to ask you directly because I do not want to offend a friend."

Despite the fact that she said she can just take my background and probably internet history search as well, I'm way more surprised that she called me a friend. But I shouldn't assume anything, it may be her way of referring to her subjects.

"I appreciate the fact that you are humble, Red. But I am quite saddened that you do not consider me as a friend."

"N-not necessarily. Though I do act like everyone in class is a friend of mine, I know someone of my status should not get involved with Royalties such as yourself. If that had somehow offended you, I deeply apologize."

"...Then, can you refer to me of royal descent but of the status of a classmate?"

"E-even if you ask me that, I don't know where to start. I would like to avoid offending you as much as possible."

"Well, as a start, you can call me by my name."

HER NAME!? The princess sure likes to ask outrageous things from a commoner! Calling her out with her name would be like a death-wish for someone like me.

"If I am to be honest, I take that tyrannical perception of me from you as something offensive."

"M-my sincerest of apologies, your highness!"

"Have we not talked about this just now?"

"I'm sorry, Ofelia!"

This princess is scary overbearing! She's way worse than Charles ever was!

While I had my head lowering as I was sweating buckets, I peeked at her face as she was looking at me. And to my surprise, she was smiling.

"Uhm.. Yo- I mean, Ofelia. I've been wondering this whole time. Are you able to read minds?"

"It is a power given by the Sin of Mind. There are many powers the Fragments of Ascension."

I had my suspicions since last night, but for the Princess to easily admit that to me is quite unexpected.

"There is no reason to hide this secret from a friend. Also, tell your mother there's nothing to worry about me."

As she had said, mom was also sweating buckets beside Rose. I couldn't hide the fact that I was terrified and my paranoia was vented out to Rose.

"Regarding the topic, I want to ask you again, what is your background?"

Unlike before, this question felt a bit more simple now. And after drinking a cup of coffee, I was able to take a bit of a breather before answering the first question.

"Well, it's not obvious, but I'm actually one-eight Demon-folk."

"It surely is not visible. But what kind of Demon?"

"I don't know, but even though that's a fact, I'm not a demon both in appearance and abilities."

"I see..."

Me being one-eight demon is something I can't brag about, but keeping it from a Dragonoid Royalty who can read minds is basically impossible. After all, it is known that Dragons can smell Demons.

"What about your parents?"

"...well, my mother is a housewife and my father is a mercenary."

"Quite a dangerous profession. But to still be alive in a setting where the young die early, your father must be a really skilled warrior. You must be proud."

"Yeah, but he's barely home so he's basically a father in status but not really one."

The princess tilts her head while looking slightly surprised.

"Anger... do you have not have good relations with your father?"

"N-no, not at all. But can we leave that topic aside?"

"Alright, I shall be careful not to touch that topic."

After a few more questions, the princess became satisfied with our talk that I didn't notice the shadows have changed angles.

"I hope I haven't been too imposing on you, Red."

"Not at all, princess. Rather, I am quite honored that you find me a suitable person to talk with."

All of a sudden, the princess' eyebrows furrowed and her lips became crestfallen almost like a pout in her own way.

"We've been chatting for a long time now, why do you still have that formal attitude towards me?"

"E-even if you say that, I still have to respect our difference in status."

"Well, starting today, I forbid you to talk to me formally."

Why do I feel like I would get myself beheaded if I hang out with the princess!? I really hope she tells me what I did to make her annoyed so I can die not clueless to that fact!

Then all of a sudden, she lightly laughs while covering her mouth with her hand. I'm guessing she read my mind again.

"Do not worry, I have assessed that you are not a threat. Rather, I am thankful that you are not."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Because, I did not want to kill the Sin of Heart vessel."

-End of Chapter-