Louises hands trembled. She wondered if it was like this for the original Louise. No one believed her even when she had said, I didnt do it!

The events of the last exam came to Louises mind. No one believed her then, either, and she was sure it would be the case again. In this world, Louise was the villainess predetermined by the author, a tight cord between trust and bondage.

Are you alright, Louise? Did you get hurt?

A girl came up to Louise, who was standing there dazed.

Huh?

Louise stared at the girl with a vacant expression, recognizing her as one of the classmates from her art class. To be honest, Louise didnt know her name.

You look like youre in shock

Another boy approached her and carefully inspected Louises face. He was the one that had taken Professor Hewitts history because of family matters.

B-but S-Stella

Dont worry. Im much more worried about you.

Some other students quickly helped Stella up and cleaned the broken glass and lemon preserves.

Is that you again?

It was Dean Crissis this time around, probably from a class nearby. Louise inadvertently grabbed Deans arm.

I-I didnt do it!

Deans annoyed expression was a contrast to Louises desperate cry. Come to think of it, he always looked that way.

Yeah. Who doesnt know.

He shrugged off Louises hand. Louise stared dazedly into his face.

Do you know?

She quickly grabbed his arm again.

Do I know?

He twisted his head away, but he didnt remove Louises hand this time.

Im sure everyone knows that you dont cause trouble.

Louise was encouraged by the word everyone, and it was only then that she raised her head properly. She blinked her eyes slowly and saw the faces of everyone milling around her. Everyone looked worried, at both Louise and Stella. No one was suspicious of Louise. Not one person.

*

*

*

The student council questioned other witnesses, but unfortunately, the culprit was not found, and so the perpetrators punishment would be decided later after Stella woke up.

Louise sent flowers to Stellas infirmary room. She visited every professor to explain the circumstances, and gave her notes to the healer so Stella could keep up with classes while she was recovering. She also remembered to help carefully clean the corridor where the jar broke. It would be terrible if someone were to step on the glass shards. The sugar was wiped away with a warm towel. It was evening by the time she finished, and Louise remembered another task she had to do.

Please submit your statement by tomorrow morning.

She didnt want to write down everything she had done that afternoon. But she had to. Without any witnesses, Louise was the only one who knew the truth, and the other students might continue to harass Stella if there was no proper punishment. Louise hated the idea, not because she considered Stella special to her, but because Louise didnt want to go through the same thing again. She was afraid of being swept away by the original.

First, Ill go to the student council room and write a statement.

The thought of being alone in the room made her feel depressed.

I dont know if I can get the lemon preserves back for Simon.

Ian had given her a task, but she had completely broken the jar at the stairs.

Im sorry, both of you.

With the apology in her heart, Louise opened the door to the student council room. It was empty. It seemed like everyone had gone out for dinner. A small wave of loneliness hit her, but the feeling soon subsided. There was a bag on the table, informing her that everyone would eventually come back with their usual chattering and noise.

Louise positioned herself in her favorite seat and took out a pen and a sheet of paper. She stared at the white page and thought over her first sentence.

What do I say

What should she write first? That shed seen the other students harass Stella for a long time? And that Louise ignored it because she was afraid of being dragged into the original story?

Tuk.

Louise pressed the pen roughly on the paper, bending the delicate tip and causing the black ink to bleed onto the white. The moment she saw the stain, she turned angry. Louise lost the right to blame Stella Lapis. Just like the time Stella looked away from the truth for her own benefit, Louise was doing the same. She bit her lip at her cowardice.

My fiance has become quite aggressive.

A voice floated in from the window.

President?

She turned and caught Ian staring at her, his chin resting on the window frame.

How long have you been there?

From the beginning.

Dont lie. When I first came in, there was nobody by the window.

Does that matter?

He frowned.

Of course it didnt matter.

Come here.

He stretched out his arms, but Louise shook her head.

I have to write down a statement.

Is it important?

He frowned again.

Its important.

She answered with more certainty this time.

Then you should fill out the proper paperwork.

He pointed at the mess on the paper with his chin.

Not take out your feelings on it.

Thats uhthis is

Let me show you the way to do it. No one knows as well as I do.

You, President?

Louise looked at him dubiously.

Of course. I turned out fine every time I sneaked out of the palace.

She was sure he wrote a letter of apology, not a statement. At any rate, he was an expert on filling out paperwork, so he may be able to help her. Besides, she didnt know where to start.

Okay, Ill go outside now.

Im a little surprised.

What?

The fact that Louise Sweeney is trying to use the door. Dont you usually rush out the window when I call you like this?

Thats when I was a kid. Its only a year and a half until Im an adult.

I heard Simon Hillard caught you when you jumped out the window.

Ugh. She couldnt believe she trusted them. There was nothing that those two people didnt share about Louise.

So come here. Its crazy if you can it with your friends but not your significant other.

Does it matter?

Louise asked, imitating his speech, and he answered with a confident grin.

More than the honor on my shoulders.

Ugh.

I mean it.

You shouldnt

Louise managed to climb carefully through the window frame and complain while doing so.

You shouldnt recklessly put it at stake. Its of national value after all.

Theres no use in smiling while saying that at the same time. I like to see you laugh after all. I would put anything at stake for it.

He looked at her face-to-face, securing her waist.

Did he hold you like this? Simon, I mean?

His grip tightened on her.

Ahnot like that. Its too close.

Thats a relief. Id be mad even if it was Simon.

Simon waited until I jumped.

I dont have that kind of patience.

He pulled Louise towards him as if to prove it, and she hugged him and easily exited the window.

Well then. Lets go.

He found his balance and waited for Louise to straighten up before he led the way.

Where was he going? Louise followed him and tried to guess where they were going.

Are we going to the library? Or the Academy office?

Likely something to do with writing to help her with her statement.

Neither.

Huh?

Come with me.

Louise nodded her head and continued to follow him in silence. Wherever he was thinking of, she knew he would take her to a place that would help her. He was Ian Audmonialthe crown prince of this country, her oldest friend, and now the only one to share her heart. If Louise didnt trust him, she wouldnt trust anyone in the world.