Originally I had planned to ride part of the way to the capital... but because of the skirt I couldn't muster up the courage. I still pray that this is merely a cruel joke, however the reactions around me disproves my suspicions time and again. Even after arguing against this heavily, I could not get out of this shameful 'tradition'.

In the end I have decided to put this in the same category as the flowing water toilet and the late night open restaurants. Like things that seem just a little bit out of place... like... the author dreamed up some convenient things without considering if they would fit in.

As for the clothes... it appears that I am the only one that can see the gap in culture. Everyone else can't see that it doesn't match every dressing etiquette for what should be covered. To be quite frank, I find it creepy, frustrating and beyond improper. I can only condemn the author as a pervert.

—-*—-

The Camille Academy lies near the center of the capital, and focuses on magic studies. At least, you cannot enter unless you can use magic.

There are other educational places for those without magic, however, as expected they cannot get close to compare, as Camille Academy is sponsored by not only the royal family, but also multiple nobles.

Attending it is a way to gain status and connections for those without... and as such, yes, commoners are allowed. The heroine herself does not count as a commoner, but since she spent her first 8 years as a commoner she feels close to them. Though, I suppose they are mostly there because the author feels like she should half be considered a commoner, which gains the love of all the high ranking noble boys.

Either way, I don't intend on bothering with who ends up at her side, as long as I am not made a victim of their folly. However, to make sure I am not made a victim behind their back, I'll observe them from afar.

There are a few more things I have to explain about Camille Academy. Such as the two levels of classes, and the reason they are there.

The reason that there are two levels of classes, 'basic' and 'advanced', is because commoners who find themselves with the protection of a fairy, is often without education. As such, for such individuals, the Academy serves as a primary education. Once their primary education is over they may continue four years more with the advanced classes, but it'll cost money. In other words, the first four years, no matter the level, are supported by the generous nobles and the royal family. Well, it's likely just to increase the education level for those with power and status.

Originally, in the novel, Claire was taking basis classes. However, she should have been attending the queen's training program just as I have, so there should be no need for the basic classes anymore. However, this doesn't mean that we won't interact with commoners. The commoners from merchant families are often well educated, and there are many young noble ladies that have never touched commerce lessons, but try now as they want to at least help out with managing house personnel.

Of course, as a dignified noble lady, basic commerce is the only level your are allowed to attend... But that is because the advanced version of the course is based on trading OR fief management. They actually split this specific one in two, since the commoners were complaining that the fief management class was useless for those with no fief to run... either way. I'll be attending the basic commerce class. It is good repetition and a good excuse for later.

There are a few more important thing about Camille Academy, such as part of it being used for research. This makes the academy the center for both studies as well as research in the country. As you can imagine, it gets a lot of money for this as well.

Finally, since everyone with the favor of a fairy must attend, this includes knights and future soldiers as well. Yes, Al, Tony and Whiskers attended here as well. Though, apparently too bratty and playful and without the right connections to become knights.

—-*—-

"Lily, we are here."

Eric calls softly from his horse to prompt me to take in the view and get ready.

A flower covered gate appears in front of us with the name of the Academy written in gold. Despite being old fashioned by these standards, it looks incredibly well kept. Still, we appear to be in a line waiting for entry...

I lean back away from the window and tug lightly at the skirt. There is one specific person I am worried will notice my discomfort... but at this point I can hardly hide said feeling.

It doesn't take long before the carriage stops and the door opens, and Eric holds out his hand for mine. It is a tiresome gesture, but if I do not accept it, it will do harm rather than anything else. It would end up seem as though I am discourteous or hate him, neither of which is true.

Now, while I would like to take my time to settle in, there is a cute heroine I need to-

I stop frozen as I step out of the carriage. There are mini-skirts everywhere. Hints of bare thighs everywhere. Latent promises... everywhere... and... so many eyes on me...

I end up paralyzed while gently holding down in the hem of the skirt. I've even neglected to remember letting go of Eric's hand.

Right now I curse my position as the crown prince's fiancé, for no matter where I look eyes are on me.

"Don't mind them," Eric tries to calm me half-heartedly... but he doesn't understand the humiliation! Yes! Embarrassment!

"Lily-sama!" A bright and sweet voice calls out as she squishes through the crowd, and gets out of it with a little 'pop'. Magdalin Ruche.

She grasps my free hand with both of hers and peers up at me with sparkly eyes.

"Lily-sama! It has been too long!" She says happily, though it has only been a couple of months.

Magdalin hasn't grown up a lot physically. Just like me she is flat chested, but for her, every part of her body is boyish. I at least have a bit of hip... I think... she's pulled her long wavy brown hair into a sweet maiden's foxtail bound with a braided strand of hair consisting of her and her grey-blue stripe of hair. She has a small white flower clip just like the one I have as well.

After the tea party where I was nearly poisoned, I used my healing magic on Magdalin's hands, so she has known ever since then. As such, of course I have not kept the thing about Augustus hidden, neither my 'premonition' for the future or my past life. Not that I told her on my own, but since she looks at me carefully she knows what questions to ask, and I do not hide my answers from her either.

Still... I am worried what they feed her. She just doesn't seem to grow very well... She's a good bit smaller than me as well. As far as was possible for me, I have made sure to invite her out of her home as often as I could, however, it appears that her parents' mistreatment had left some lasting effects. While I have considered ways to get rid of them, Magdalin herself stopped me. She is the oldest, with a younger brother six years younger than her. He wouldn't have been able to get by without them, even if Magdalin could. In other words, she stopped me for that pampered younger brother of hers.

As if sensing my discomfort, Magdalin leans in a bit.

"Don't worry, Lily-sama. We can head to your new room right away." She is like an oasis in the desert.

"Thank you, Magdalin," I thankfully manage to respond without showing my current distress. She gives a bold smile and curtsies to me, happily leading the way while her maiden's Fox tail bounces gently with every step.

—-*—-

It doesn't take long to leave my things at the dorm, and though there may be a line outside, we are... quite frankly far ahead of time. There is, however a reason for this. Two actually. I needed a private space secured to rest my mind for a minute, and discuss what happens next with Magdalin.

"So, that girl is going to show up today, right?"

Magdalin sits gently on my bed while I stare at myself in the mirror and keep trying to hide the stripe of bare flesh.

"Yes. She will arrive on foot, and get distracted by a butterfly. She gets lost and 'stumbles upon' Alstair that is enjoying the calm forest before having to deal with all the squealing girls," I summarize their first meeting.

"An airhead? At least that is how it was supposed to go, right? Your relationship with his Highness is not as horrible as it has been," she warns me softly.

"While you are right, he still dislikes the average squealing girl." I start trying to pull the socks up further instead, but as expected I must admit defeat to the clothes once again...

"Lily-sama. You do not have to worry about the men looking. While Lily-sama is indeed beautiful and cool, the men are looking for something... different. I am sad to say our shapes hardly enter the view of men nowadays." She does a dramatic sigh at the end on purpose but then smiles at me sweetly.

I stare down at myself and then to her.

"I do suppose they appreciate the more busty young ladies..." I sadly have to agree with her assessment. Perhaps I needn't be so flustered...

"For now, let's go or we will be late for the lost little Heroine." I get ready to go for the door and pull up in one of the socks one last time. Magdalin just smiles at my nervous fidgeting without a shred of ill intent.

—-*—-

Their first meeting was... surprisingly close to the story. In the story, the butterfly had reminded her of her dead mother, and she had been quite gloomy in the book. There was however no such air to her now.

She had grown up beautifully. She had already been beautiful when she was small... but now she had grown in all the right places as well. Her lips were a slightly deeper shade than before, yet still like rose petals... but instead of innocence, it was passion. Her white hair shimmered like snow flakes in the sun and a cute golden ribbon decorated her uniform where I had a tie... only, her ribbon was resting a bit on her chest, which made her blazer bulge a little out of shape... good birthing hips too... all while looking adorable enough to be called innocent and an angel... how would I compete with that as the villainess?!

"As expected of someone Lily-sama gave up against."

Oi... Magdalin... wrong choice of words... and you are fine as you are you know. No need to look down at your chest with such a worried expression.

Ah, as for his Highness. He was very polite and very, very kind. I believe she even managed to get him to laugh once just on their way to the school. All in all, it appeared as if there was good progress.

A slightly unexpected thing was that the Heroine's friend appeared a little earlier than expected, but other than that everything was...

There is an awful lot more young men here than I expected... especially so from our territory. No, I mean... what's with the unexpectedly high amount of dark blue mantled knight students?