“Were you really that bad?” Alex asked.

“I was terrible,” I sighed.

Out in the courtyard, Alex and I were enjoying the luxurious lunch that the dining hall staff had provided us.

“I stepped on Clovis's foot a few times too, if that makes you feel better?”

“I thought you had Dance class during the fifth period?” There’s no way she could have danced with Prince Clovis outside of Dance class. Unless she’s hiding something from me.

“Ah! Well, Alexandra in the game stepped on his foot a few times and I’m not really a good dancer myself, so I’ll definitely step on his feet when I have Dance class later.”

It was true that Alexandra wasn’t a good dancer in the beginning, but after a few classes she became a natural, so was told in the novel. “Thanks for the encouragement, I guess.”

“Don’t worry, you’ll get better,” Alex said.

“By the way, how’s your progress with Prince Leonhardt?” I asked, reminding myself of the terrible heart attack I had earlier.

“Eh? Nothing really happened yet.”

I felt like a vein just popped in my head. “What do you mean, ‘nothing really happened?’ Weren’t you trying to get his attention!?”

“Well, it’s only the second day since the story started. Also, I don’t have any classes with him and most of his encounters with me are during the weekend,” Alex explained.

“Doesn’t he save you from bullying!?”

“Well, the bullying has been split between you and me now since there are two commoners in this academy. I believe you have it worse because of your appearance.”

“Curse my side character disguised as the main character appearance!” I cried.

Alex hesitantly laughed, “Ahaha… ha… ha…”

“You need to start working, Alex. Prince Leonhardt has taken an interest in me!”

“Eh! Already? Really? Shouldn't you be happy?”

“Of course not! Because of him, Lady Claudia misunderstood!”

Alex sighed, “Of course.”

“Oh, would you look here? Two rodents in the courtyard. How disgusting.”

I looked up from my lunch to see the brunette that first tripped me in the academy. I haven’t seen her in a while. I was hoping that it would be Lady Claudia, but I got my hopes up.

“Lady Laura. I haven't seen you since the acceptance assembly.”

“You know her, Reiré?” Alex asked.

“She’s the first person to bully me at this academy.”

“My, bully?” Lady Laura scoffed and denied, “Like I would do such a thing!”

“Then what are you doing here with your friends?” I asked as I looked to the two other girls she had with her.

“I’m just here to enjoy the sunlight. Of course that was ruined when I saw your figure. My, someone as ugly as you should just stay indoors.”

Lady Laura laughed with the rest of her friends.

“Sooooo… I was right. You’re here to bully me.”

Lady Laura’s laugh died as she glared at me. “Isn’t that obvious? I heard rumors that you’ve gotten close with Prince Leonhardt.”

I groaned, “Ugh. This again. Words travel so fast. It hasn't even been two hours yet.”

“Why would Prince Leonhardt be seen with the likes of you? What have you done to seduce him!?”

“What have I done? I’ve done nothing. If anything, Alexandra is the one that wants to seduce him.”

Alex, who was drinking water at the time, choked when I mentioned her. “E-Eh!? You're throwing me under the bus, Reiré!?”

“What do you mean? You’re the one who said you wanted to go for Prince Leonhardt.”

“T-That’s true, but-!”

“Enough!”

“Ah…”

Looks like we both have angered the tiger. I wonder if I have to drag Alex into a run.

“You are both just dirty commoners… And you dare to lust for His Highness…”

“Ah, but Lady Laura, aren’t you the same?” I asked.

Alex panicked, “Reiré!?”

Lady Laura exploded. Probably shouldn’t have said that. “You dare say I’m the same as you! As an Earl’s daughter, I am beyond you lowlives!” She raised her hand and slapped me across my face.

Alex gasped, “Reiré!”

I touched my left cheek and hissed. Ouch. Didn't think she’s actually a lay hand on me. I wonder if I should tell Lady Rium.

I grinned, “To think you slapped me. I wonder if you’re alright if I told this to Lady Rium or Lord Raphael?”

Lady Laura flinched, but she was clearly still angry. In fact, my threat seemed to have fueled her anger even more. She looked like she was gonna slap me again.

“A filthy commoner like you dare threaten me!? You seem to have not learned your lesson!”

Lady Laura raised her hand to slap me once more, but Alex stood in between us.

“Violence is bad! Don’t hurt Reiré, Laura!”

“Tch! Out of my way! You are far worse than that ugly rodent. You have no respect whatsoever for us nobles!”

Oh no! “Alex!” I was gonna pull her back, so she doesn't get hit, but it looks like I didn’t need to as Lady Laura’s assault was stopped.

“What is going on here?”

Lady Laura quivered in fear as her arm was caught by Prince Leonhardt. I don’t even know where he came from, but I’m not gonna complain. His presence is quite helpful at this time.

“Y-Your Highness….”

“I ask again…” He glared at Lady Laura with hard cold eyes. “What is going on here?”

“Laura slapped Reiré!” Alex informed him. “I was trying to protect her and she was gonna slap me!”

“Is this true?”

“N-No…” Lady Laura whimpered.

“You dare lie to a member of the royal family?” Prince Leonhardt asked as he tightened his grip on Lady Laura’s arm.

Wow… scary…

“S-Subject doesn't dare! Subject doesn’t dare!” Lady Laura voiced. “This subject has made a mistake, please forgive me!”

“Tch!” Prince Leonhardt released Lady Laura and pushed her back. “You ought to be ashamed of yourselves. Causing such ruckus on this campus. Are you trying to ruin this academy’s reputation.”

“N-No… subject is wrong.” Lady Laura and the rest of the girls quickly bowed before Prince Leonhardt, looking for forgiveness.

Prince Leonhardt sure was scary. I wonder if Alex was having second thoughts of going after him. Woah! Looking at Alex, her face was completely flushed as her eyes showed only a maiden in love. She actually likes this side of Prince Leonhardt.

“Leave my sight and don’t ever show yourself in front of me again!”

“Yes, Your Highness!” Lady Laura and her friends quickly left the scene with their tails between their legs.

“Are you alright?” Prince Leonhardt asked.

“Yes, thank you, Prince Leonhardt,” I said as I bowed my head. Glancing beside me, I could see Alex still in a daze, admiring His Highness. My god, this girl. I quickly forced Alex into a bow and said once again, “We are both thankful to you.”

“S-Sorry! And thank you for your help, Prince Leo, I mean, Prince Leonhardt!” Alex shouted.

Maybe I should have Lady Rium teach her some manners as well? Because this is actually bothersome.

Prince Leonhardt chuckled, “It’s the first time anyone has called me Leo. It’s usually Leon. Even my family doesn’t call me Leo.”

Alex blushed, “I am so sorry. I have been told that I have no manners.”

He only laughed, “Don’t worry about it. You can call me whatever you want. I’m not that strict when it comes to names.”

“And this is why the heroine gets bullied,” I mumbled.

“Did you say something, Lady Reiré?” asked the prince.

I quickly denied, “Nothing.”

“Um… Prince Leo-Leonhardt, what are you doing here?” Alex asked timidly.

“I was on my way to the student council room when I noticed you. You both looked to be in some problem, so I came over to see what was going on.”

“That’s so sweet of you, Prince Leo-Leonhardt…”

I sighed, “You might as well just call him Prince Leo from the way you’re stumbling over his name.”

Alex whined, “I can't help it!”

Prince Leonhardt laughed, “You two are quite interesting. Others don’t usually act so informal in front of me.”

Yes! He’s taking interest in Alex! This is perfect!

“I am so deeply sorry!” Alex apologized.

“Don’t worry about it. But you should try to learn to be respectful. Others might take it the wrong way if you act too informally,” he advised.

“I shall take that advice to heart, P-Prince Leo…”

Prince Leonhardt smiled, “Good. I have to get going, but please do stay out of trouble.”

Alex beamed and saluted, “Will do, Prince Leo!”

He chuckled as he walked away. Once the prince was out of sight, Alex looked at me with her big sparkly eyes.

“Did you see that?! Did you see that?!”

“Yes, I saw. I was even part of it.” It was like calming down a hyper puppy.

“He let me call him Prince Leo! He’s so charming.”

I only sighed, “Stop falling for him and make him fall for you instead. At least you got his attention through your unmannerly behavior.”

“Let’s keep riding this momentum!” Alex cheered.

“Please try to do your part as the main protagonist,” I begged.