Chapter 48: Academy Heroine's Right Diagonal Back Seat
Chapter 48
[Astra Never Forgets a Favor or a Grudge]
The phrase hung throughout Sylvia's residence was well known to the world as Astra's family motto.
Those who repay both kindness and grudges with more than what they received.
It wasn't just a saying; Astra acted upon it, making people naturally show kindness to the high elves bearing that name and be cautious not to incur their wrath.
Sylvia had always hated those words hanging on the walls with a passion.
‘Disgusting people. Do they think it won't be obvious if they're full of expectations of getting something back for what they give?’
People who approached not out of pure goodwill but because they wanted something.
She believed it was all because of that family motto that she had been hurt by such behavior.
However, lately, Sylvia had begun to feel differently whenever she saw the framed words.
A red-haired girl who approached her first and showed goodwill.
A girl who always made macarons by hand for her, simply because they were friends, without expecting anything in return.
The macarons she made couldn’t compare to the ones sold at the school store.
But to Sylvia, they were more than just snacks; they were precious, and she didn’t care about their taste or appearance.
The imperfect taste and look were proof that she had worked hard to make a difficult pastry with only Sylvia in mind, and soon Sylvia's taste began to favor them.
She liked the imperfection and was delighted by the sincerity.
And Sylvia wanted to return that kindness.
‘Miss Scarlet said it was okay not to give anything in return…’
Astra never forgets a favor.
*
On the weekend, after her elemental training, Sylvia went out for a walk to get some fresh air.
“Miss, there’s a dinner meeting scheduled in two hours, so you need to finish your walk within 30 minutes.”
“Got it. I won’t be late for the dinner meeting, so can you please be quiet during my walk?”
It would have been nice if the nagging attendant following her everywhere wasn’t there.
Sylvia grumbled internally as she slowly walked the streets.
She repeated the process of smiling and waving at passersby who recognized her, when she noticed a jewelry store.
Although her home was overflowing with gifts of ornaments, Sylvia's steps stopped abruptly in front of the jewelry store’s sign that read ‘Friendship Rings.’
‘Friendship rings, what a wonderful sound.’
At that moment, Sylvia imagined herself and Scarlet laughing together while wearing matching rings.
Just the thought made her mouth twitch with a smile.
Not expecting her to enter such a store, the attendant hesitated, and Sylvia entered as if drawn in.
“Can I see the friendship rings?”
“…Oh, yes! Friendship rings! Please, come this way.”
The store clerk, who never expected a famous high elf lady to visit, was startled and quickly showed her the display case.
Sylvia’s eyes caught a ring with a red gemstone set in the center.
The color reminded her of her dear friend, and that alone was enough to please Sylvia.
Noticing where Sylvia’s gaze was, the clerk explained the ring.
“The red gemstone in this ring is garnet, the birthstone of January. It symbolizes true friendship. Isn’t it perfect for a friendship ring?”
Sylvia’s desire to purchase the ring surged with the clerk’s explanation.
‘A red gemstone symbolizing true friendship. Finding this ring while being friends with Scarlet is fate.’
With such thoughts, Sylvia looked at the ring with her blue eyes sparkling like starlight.
The attendant, who had followed her in, tried to dissuade her.
“Miss, if you’re going to wear it with a friend, it would be better to custom order the finest quality. This ring seems too lowly for you.”
“Didn’t I ask you to be quiet earlier?”
Sylvia coldly snapped at the attendant who was spoiling the moment.
Having grown up oppressed in her family, Sylvia still harbored the heart of a romantic girl.
To her, the attendant seemed like a bad person trying to come between her and Scarlet, like a fake prince on a white horse.
“If you choose this ring, we can engrave a message on the inside. Normally, there’s an extra charge, but for you, it’s free! What would you like it to say?”
The clerk, moved by Sylvia silencing the attendant, spoke in a voice full of admiration.
Recalling a conversation she had with Scarlet during a meal, Sylvia opened her mouth.
When she left the store, a ring with a red gemstone adorned Sylvia’s left index finger.
She held another identical ring with the same message engraved inside.
Sylvia smiled as she imagined placing the ring with the red garnet, symbolizing friendship, on her friend's left index finger and reading the engraved message.
She eagerly wished for the weekend to pass quickly so she could see her friend's joyful smile.
The engraving on the back of the ring made the girl happy.
[First, And Best Friend]
The message engraved on the ring meant for her first and most precious friend.
*
On Monday morning, Sylvia met Scarlet at school but couldn’t give her the ring.
The alarm sounded, and she was called to guard the border area.
The hero who came to lead her said it was unusual.
Hearing that it's rare for monsters to be observed in large numbers like today after the witches were exterminated, it's even rarer for those monsters to launch an all-out attack as if they had made up their minds.
However, perhaps because the students were placed in a safe area, the number of monsters that attacked their location was not large and could be dealt with easily.
However, upon returning home after the battle, the packed schedule given to her could not be handled so lightly.
Astra, who lost their home 500 years ago and established a new place in the city of humans.
They themselves thought they had fallen, but even in their downfall, those who once ruled the world remained prestigious. Their influence was seen throughout the city, and Sylvia, known as the heir of the family, had to make appearances here and there due to recent events.
Although it was clear she would have to run around non-stop after school for a few days, Sylvia didn't mind.
Even though delivering the ring was delayed by a day due to an unforeseen event, thinking of the friend who would be delighted to receive it tomorrow gave her strength.
However, the next day at school, her friend's seat was empty.
Upon hearing that Scarlet was seriously injured, Sylvia's anticipation quickly turned into despair.
‘How could this happen…’
The tightly packed schedule after classes.
The smile she always wore naturally wavered, and she was scolded after the schedule ended.
For someone having the hardest day of her life, that scolding was terribly harsh.
*
The next day, a classmate who visited Scarlet in the hospital reported that her condition wasn't that bad.
Thanks to that, Sylvia could at least feel a bit relieved.
When her classmates were selecting who would visit Scarlet, Sylvia had to desperately suppress the urge to drop everything and run to her friend.
As the heir, she did not have the right to act as she pleased.
Ever since she entered Aegis Academy of her own accord, Sylvia lamented her situation with the increasingly packed schedule.
She was nothing more than a symbol to show that Astra still existed.
Although she bore the title of heir, most decisions for the family were made by the elders, leaving her as nothing but a puppet to act according to the family's wishes.
She hated the position of heir that didn't allow her to visit her friend in the hospital as she wished.
‘Will I be able to find time around the weekend...?’
Caressing the ring in her bosom, Sylvia endured each day.
*
On Friday, there was a commotion.
Scarlet, who was supposed to be in the hospital, came to school late.
Though Sylvia had heard she was seriously injured, now she seemed completely recovered, her expression fine, and no major issues visible on her body.
Sylvia was relieved by that fact and then blamed herself.
How could someone who didn't visit her friend even once before discharge call themselves a friend?
“I'm sorry I couldn't visit you...”
Apologizing like that, Sylvia took out the ring she had kept close.
She wanted to repay the kindness she had received so far,
She hoped to be forgiven for not visiting,
She wished to bring joy to her friend who had suffered from her injury.
With those feelings, she reached out to put the ring on Scarlet’s finger, as she had imagined while buying it.
And the moment Sylvia had been looking forward to, slipped away like a mirage.
“...Huh?”
In her confused and frozen gaze, she saw Scarlet removing something from her left arm.
Then, what should have been visible was no longer there.
The arm with the finger representing friendship was no longer there.
Her feelings, too, could no longer reach Scarlet.
“I’m sorry, Sylvia...”
To the petrified Sylvia, overwhelmed by guilt, Scarlet spoke with a sad smile.
Sylvia couldn’t understand why Scarlet was apologizing to her.
Don’t apologize.
I’m the one at fault.
For preparing this as a gift.
Thinking it would make you happy.
I didn't mean to make you look like that.
Sorry.
I’m sorry.
I’m sorry for hurting you again.
She wanted to apologize like that, she had to, but
Overwhelmed by immense sorrow, unable to speak,
Sylvia cried.
thanks for the chapter!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the chapter
ReplyDeleteNice to see Sylvia’s perspective, truly shows that jealousy could ruin a good person. I hope Scarlet would still wear that ring on her right hand though
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chapter !
ðŸ˜
ReplyDeleteGosh, this chapters makes me terribly sad. Sylvia is such a good girl.
ReplyDeleteGracias por el capÃtulo. Thank you for the chapter. (´;ω;`)
ReplyDeleteFirst and best friend... hmm
ReplyDeleteI tried DMing you on discord, but it needs me to add you
ReplyDeleteGot some questions for this novel @ashborntl
accepted your fr, dm me whenever you are free
DeleteThx for the chapter
ReplyDeleteThx for the chapter
ReplyDeleteThis chapter really hits on the feels ðŸ˜
ReplyDeleteShe didn't intend to hurt MC, it was a good gift in itself if one considers the meaning.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that she should feel bad for that or for not being able to visit.
MC knows how busy she was. Besides, to be fair, MC got discharged fast too.
I can understand that part of the idea Sylvia had is not there, just like the arm, but...
Isn't it more important that MC is still alive and she still considers her a friend?
There's 5 fingers remaining, plus it could be hanged with a string on the neck too.
I believe it's just a matter of talking what can be talked out.
Honestly, at least i'm glad Sylvia isn't shit like the stalker. She let go of that jealousy and improved as a person, winning a friend in the process.
Man, I'm crying as well
ReplyDelete