I dont need that.

I glared arrogantly at Yuni.

You can't beat me.

Hearing that, Yuni smirked.

Is that so? From what I see, I think otherwise.

Yuni responded before heading towards the entrance.

"Well, if you change your mind, come see me anytime. I can give someone like you a couple of chances."

I watched as Yuni's figure receded towards the entrance.

Then, turning to Rie standing beside me, I smiled playfully.

"Looks like things are about to get busy, huh?"

Rie stared intently at me, posing a question.

"Why... did you refuse her offer?"

"Am I crazy? Why would I accept such a proposal?"

It was an obvious choice.

I wasnt entirely sure of the exact reason Yuni wanted to date me, but it was clear she had some political motives.

It made no sense to accept an offer with such blatant intentions.

I might have considered it if she had been honest about what she wanted.

But accepting an offer without knowing her real intent was foolish.

And there was another reason I declined: Rie.

Rie had given up the position of student council president for me, choosing to be the Vice President instead.

We never explicitly stated a hierarchy between us, but it's obvious what it would look like to the public.

It was a risky move for Rie, someone who aspires to be the next Emperor.

If rumors spread about Yuni dating me in such a situation, it could jeopardize Rie's standing.

With her younger sister being my lover an equal partnership and Rie working under me, it would surely damage her reputation.

Rie trusted me.

She trusted me enough to take on the role of Vice President.

Accepting Yuni's offer just to get an easy path to the presidency would be betraying Rie's trust and expectations.

I have to earn that position with my own efforts.

It's the least I can do to repay Rie's trust.

Although the Emperor had asked me to stop any fights between the two, this couldn't be helped.

It wasn't a petty feud.

If someone challenges me, they need to be put in their place.

Seeing my smile, Rie nudged me slightly.

"So, why did you refuse again?"

Not wanting to explain everything in detail, I joked in a light-hearted tone.

"She's not my type."

"...What?"

"She's too childish. I don't want to date someone like that."

Rie looked at me, seemingly bewildered.

Then, she hesitantly asked,

"So... what is your type?"

"Huh?"

I was only joking earlier, but her serious reaction caught me off guard.

"Uh... I haven't given it much thought?"

"You must have a rough idea, right?"

"Is that important?"

As I tilted my head inquisitively, Rie answered with a stern face.

"It is."

"Uh..."

After a moment's hesitation, I spoke.

"Like a 'virtuous wife*'?"

"What?"

"Kind, wise, beautiful... something like that?"

Upon hearing that, Rie chuckled.

Like me?

...

I wanted to tease her, but it wasn't entirely wrong.

I did think Rie would make a good wife.

Hehe, I am quite perfect, arent I?

Seeing Rie puffing up with pride, I instantly regretted my words.

As time passed, the student council president election applications were closed.

There were two candidates: my name and Yunis.

I quickly scanned the list of members in Yuni's proposed student council.

Two names stood out: Diark Verdes and Evan, the top students from the first and second years, respectively.

I wasnt surprised by Diark, knowing his ambitious nature.

But seeing Evan's name puzzled me.

Why did Evan join Yuni's student council?

Why did Yuni invite Evan to the council?

These questions quickly vanished from my mind.

I soon realized Yuni's motive for including Evan, as well as her strategy.

Yuni aimed to divide and conquer.

As I walked around the academy, I overheard whispers about me.

"Just how power-hungry are those nobles?"

"Arent those guys set for life even after graduating from the academy?"

"It's always the ones who have everything who want even more."

Yuni and Evan shared something in common.

Evan, despite being the top student, was a commoner.

And Yuni, while the second princess, was further down the line of succession.

On the other hand, our council had Rie and me.

Although I had been overshadowed in the line of succession, I was gaining public support.

Plus, Rie was already being heralded as a potential future emperor, showcasing great promise.

We already held significant power and influence, which in turn, made it hard for us to gain the empathy of the people.

Logically, capable and influential people should lead the student council, but votes often aren't driven by logic.

Yuni's council exploited this.

This was the narrative they were pushing: our student council was already powerful.

Us taking over the student council would be a monopolization of power.

We already have everything, why hold onto the student council as well?

"Why should Rudy have all the power?"

Voices echoing such sentiments started spreading across the academy.

"Why is everyone being so unfair to Rudy?!"

Luna had heard various rumors while working as a teaching assistant, and she seemed deeply upset by them.

"Both Rudy and Rie earned their positions through hard work! They've worked even harder than the rest!"

Indeed, Rie and I had put in immense effort to be where we are today.

Asking us to step down from the student council election just because of our current positions, felt rather extreme.

I let out a sigh,

That's how the public sees us; theres not much we can do about it right now

But still

As Lunas voice began to rise, someone suddenly covered her mouth.

"Mmph!"

Turning around, I saw Ena holding her hand over Luna's mouth, while Riku stood beside them.

Ena spoke softly,

"There are many people around."

Many people were in the cafeteria right now.

Speaking so openly like this is risky.

"It's unfair, but what can we do?"

Ena said as she placed a tray next to Luna.

"That's just how it is these days."

she added.

"What do you mean?"

Luna tilted her head, looking at Ena.

"Recently, the opinion on The Rebels has been favorable. Both inside and outside the academy..."

I nodded, recalling the stories I had heard from Rie.

The reasons why such an atmosphere could form were largely due to The Rebels.

According to Rie, Yuni's recruitment of Evan was also for this reason.

"The Rebels claim that they want to break the system where only the powerful monopolize everything... It seems many have embraced that idea."

The academy wasnt just for the nobility.

Surprisingly, many commoners were present.

Of course, these commoners were children of wealthy merchants and the like.

However, it's difficult for them to achieve a noble's status.

Merely having wealth doesn't grant you a spot among the nobles.

It requires ability in magic, swordsmanship, or politics to rise above ones station.

The class limitations.

The Rebels targeted this frustration.

Nobles monopolize power, and the higher-ranking nobles hoard it even more.

Therefore, this system should be overturned.

That was the logic of The Rebels.

I was bewildered.

A position earned through hard work, maintained through continuous effort, and yet they talk about monopolization of power?

While I don't particularly understand, not everyone actually agrees with their logic.

Some might feign agreement for their own gain, while others might genuinely agree with that perspective.

It's an unavoidable situation.

The real issue is that this sentiment cannot be ignored in the current elections.

Evan, a commoner, managed to outshine the Royal princess and a dukes offspring, securing the top rank.

To the commoners, Evan was nothing short of a hero.

On the other hand, Yuni represented the face of the noble faction.

If the Astria family was at the heart of the nobility, then Yuni was its face.

Even if Yuni didnt hold much sway among the noble faction, she was indispensable to them.

Her presence validated their cause.

She was the only figure within the noble faction who could potentially occupy the emperor's seat.

This fact earned Yuni the support of many in the noble faction for the student council elections.

To some within the noble faction, I seemed like a traitor, and there seemed to be a lingering resentment toward that.

Yuni's student council received support from both the noble faction and the commoners.

However, our faction didnt have such a solid base of supporters.

We seemed to have taken a somewhat naive approach to politics.

Even if Rie tried to assure me with a smile that everything would be okay, I couldn't help but worry.

So, what are you all planning to do?

Ena asked, looking at me.

Both Ena and Riku, having known me for some time, wore expressions of concern.

I responded quietly to the concerned Ena.

Ive been considering a few things, but I havent come to a plan of action yet.

Luna then looked at me and smiled.

Rudy can do it! Especially with Rie by his side. If theres any way I can help, Ill give it my all.

Thank you, Luna.

For now, the responsibility Rie entrusted to me was to carry on with the election campaign as usual and not to be fazed by this situation.

I did my best to fulfill the tasks Rie had asked of me.

In terms of politics, she had always been a step ahead of me.

She had managed to overcome the challenges of various factions in the Royal Palace and confidently forge her own path.

Given the trust Rie had in me, I decided to trust and wait for her in return.

While doing the best I could...

Rie was on her way to the library with a book in hand, as Rudy and Luna had proposed they study together today.

Although the student council elections were important, she couldn't neglect her studies.

With midterms approaching right after the elections, it was important to prepare in advance.

While walking down the corridor, she spotted Yuni standing in the middle of the hallway, looking directly at her.

Instead of acknowledging her, Rie chose to walk past.

"Big sister."

Yuni's voice stopped Rie.

Without turning to face her, Rie replied,

I have nothing to discuss with you.

Yuni gazed at Rie with an arrogant look.

"Do you think just because you and senior are working hard, you can win this election?"

Ignoring her, Rie continued to walk.

However, Yuni continued,

"It's no big deal. Just hand over senior to me. If you give him to me, then..."

Hearing that, Rie stopped in her tracks and turned to face Yuni.

"The election? Let me ask you. Do you think we'd lose to someone like you, someone who isn't even taking this seriously?"

Rie took a step, then another, moving closer to Yuni, and added,

"And...,"

She said, her eyes burning with anger,

"Rudy isn't an object."

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*virtuous wife here is more an informal/cultural term that is later explained that it doesn't exist in this world. She just thinks his type is 'Kind, wise, beautiful....' but doesn't know it's all that + 'wife'.

And I will say uh, I personally found Yuni annoying at the start, but it does get better!