Chapter 73 - 6-12
In the dead of winter at the Euryas Convent for Girls, the Representative Elections—to determine the First-Year Representative, the Second-Year Representative, and the Euryas Representative—were held on a grand scale. This was the following day. Lucy and Chloe, who had vied for the seat of First-Year Representative, were sitting in chairs in the Headmaster's office, summoned by Headmaster Dagsaw, trembling.
The Headmaster appeared to have gone out on urgent business, as she failed to show her face no matter how much time passed.
"I can't bear this."
Eventually, Lucy lost her nerve, stood up, and stacked firewood in the fireplace.
Chloe borrowed a flint from the Headmaster's desk to light a candle, then ignited the scraps of paper in the hearth. The flames clung well to the logs, and the fireplace grew bright.
Lucy and Chloe moved their chairs closer to the fireside.
The warmth of the flames seemed to soak into their very bones.
Lucy slid her hips forward and leaned back, using the backrest as a pillow to lie on her back in a lazy posture. This might be the first time since coming to Euryas that she felt so relaxed.
Looking beside her, she saw Chloe relaxing her body in the same posture.
The dancing flames reflected yellow against Chloe's lead-colored hair.
"You confined the Prima group and stole them from me," Chloe said abruptly. "That was the cause. Things went wrong from that point."
"I didn't steal them. I discussed it with Prima and we decided. Besides, if you ask me, the way you snatched up the Amalfi group was—no, let's stop. That's an old story."
"It's not old. It was just a while ago."
" 'Just a while ago' is an exaggeration. It was in autumn. Wasn't it around the Harvest Festival?"
"Yes, it was an autumn story. It's not 'old'."
Chloe insisted.
Feeling unable to keep up with her, Lucy returned her gaze to the fire.
A wind mixed with snow howled, rattling the windows.
The distant forest had dropped all its bone-dry leaves. Farmers from Fibril Village were leading pigs to feed on the forest acorns. To Lucy Alish, it seemed like a lonely sight that evoked melancholy. It was a scene that made one feel acutely that something was coming to an end.
The Euryas Convent for Girls was welcoming late autumn.
It had been a quiet autumn.
Work had increased in areas such as spinning, weaving, candle-making, and papermaking. Among the unusual tasks, Lucy had also experienced polishing lenses for making glasses.
The maidens of Euryas remained silent as if blending into the hushed scenery, immersing themselves in their manual labor. However, their demeanor changed once the work was finished and they returned to the dormitories.
The struggle over the number of group members had reached a boiling point.
Chloe's group had finally merged with the Amalfi group.
With this, Chloe's group had eighteen members, while Lucy's group had twelve.
Hearing that Chloe's group had doubled, Lucy broke into a cold sweat.
Amalfi would likely pit Lucy and Chloe against each other as if to torment them, then join the group that offered the most advantageous conditions. That was Lucy's reading. It was a complete miss. Before Lucy even had time to make contact, Amalfi had thrown herself into Chloe's group.
Though panicked inside, Lucy did not let the agitation show on her face.
If it was eighteen against twelve, it was a gap that could still be overturned. If she acted tough, she could say as much.
That said, even if she acted tough, she couldn't think of any useful means.
Eventually, Lucy visited Room 13 and pleaded with Carmilla.
Carmilla had been the group leader of the Amalfi group. The girls of the Amalfi group had once sworn loyalty to Carmilla.
"Do you think you could bring about three of them over to my side?"
When Lucy asked with hope, Carmilla laughed through her nose.
"Like hell I could. No, to tell you the truth, if it were six months ago, I could have dragged three over. But you were afraid of me expanding my influence within the group, weren't you?"
"It couldn't be helped at the time. I couldn't let you take over the group. I won't let you say 'I didn't intend to'."
"I won't deny it. What I'm saying is that it's too late. Only..."
"Only?"
"I can bring one. I could leave this room right now, have her leave the group, and bring her here to join. I'm not an idiot, you know. I left one mouse behind. It's called a sleeper agent."
"Who is it?"
—A woman named Meriza.
Carmilla said.
"The one who's always yawning?"
"That's her. Meriza is useless as an intelligence agent, but she's fond of me. I can trust her. If you want, should I bring her now?"
"No, it's too early. I'll ask you eventually, Carmilla—"
"Don't thank me."
Carmilla's eyes were sharper than usual. Lucy refrained from thanking her.
Carmilla had likely not abandoned the hope of a comeback. By telling Lucy the name Meriza, she had discarded that ambition. She had probably decided right then and there to bet on Lucy.
"I'll borrow your strength, Carmilla."
"You probably won't win, right?"
"Right now, I'm only thinking about not losing."
Lucy said.
Even if Carmilla called Meriza, it would be seventeen against thirteen.
Two more were missing. With two more, she would be even with Chloe's group. If the numbers were even, she wouldn't lose, at least.
Lucy did not entirely lack a final means. Daphne. If Daphne could pull Rosary and return, the deficit of two would be filled.
However, Lucy could not take action to urge Daphne's return.
Daphne had joined Chloe's group for Lucy's sake. She seemed to be doing well in Chloe's group. Once that happened, the promise Lucy had made to her subordinates was that she would not call Daphne back.
—I must forget about Daphne.
No, was that really true?
Lucy wondered.
If she didn't get Daphne to move now, Daphne's transfer would end as a personal matter for her.
Besides, Daphne's lover was Rosary. Rosary was Chloe's confidante.
If Rosary left, a shock would run through Chloe's group.
She wanted to persuade Daphne.
—But if she did that.
For example, Yuffy would despise Lucy. Yuffy had been opposed to Daphne's transfer.
If this were a story of spring or summer, Lucy would have made various excuses to convince her subordinates and called Daphne back. But the Representative Election was in winter. It was already imminent. At this time, she could not perform a risky act that would betray the trust of her comrades.
If even one person defected, it would be irreparable.
At that time, Lucy's group would lose.
"I figured as much."
Chloe let out a short, self-deprecating laugh.
While sitting in her chair, she threw her legs toward the fireplace and stared at the ceiling.
"I thought Meriza's planting happened quite a while ago. Even so, Carmilla? I was taken down by a single strike from Carmilla."
"I think it would have been truly wonderful if that single strike could have killed you."
Lucy made the sign of the cross in front of her chest, begging God's forgiveness for her statement.
"For me, the vital point was undoubtedly Rosary. Chloe, may I ask? Why were you able to do such a thing? No matter how much I think about it, I don't understand."
"What are you talking about?"
"Don't play dumb. The night of the first snow."
The air grew colder day by day, and finally, the first snow of that winter fluttered down.
It was a night about a month before the winter solstice, when the Representative Election was held.
The nuns held candles and gazed out the windows, or went outside to look up at the dark sky. They followed the dancing snowflakes with their eyes, indulging in sentiment. However, they didn't gaze for very long. They were all girls of the north and were used to snow.
Northern winters were too beautiful. They froze even the hearts of those who watched, making them forget the severity of winter. The snow swirling in the wind was also winter's greeting, come to take the lives of those without physical strength. That severity stirred a kind of nostalgia in Northerners, awakening sentiment in the maidens' breasts.
By the time everyone had grown tired of seeing the snow, Lucy and Sheri left their room.
Recently, Lucy and Sheri had been dividing the work to visit their subordinates and facilitate communication. Lucy had thought that a group leader who came every night would surely be found annoying. However, upon trying it, Lucy was surprised that she wasn't treated too harshly. There were many nuns waiting for someone to talk to, someone to consult, or someone to comfort them after a terrible day.
Happy to be welcomed, Lucy intended to talk about various things with her comrades.
Still, she was no match for Sheri.
Sheri possessed something almost like a supernatural ability as a listener. Whenever a nun with worries wanted to talk about them, Sheri was almost always by her side. It wasn't that she had such luck or such a talent.
—It was faith.
Along with a feeling of shame for herself, Lucy was fascinated by Sheri.
Just as the Tenshu stays close to the people, Sheri likely wanted to stay close to her comrades.
She was different in position from Lucy, who patrolled the subordinates' rooms with a blatant royal political consciousness, with the primary goal of securing the loyalty of her comrades.
Perhaps the group system of Euryas existed...
—To choose a nun like Sheri as a leader.
Returning to her room a bit earlier, Lucy had been thinking about that on that day while listening to the faint sound of the falling snow. Suddenly, she heard the sound of the door opening.
Turning around, she saw Sheri standing there with a pale face.
"Lucy, something terrible has happened."
"What happened? Are you okay?"
Lucy got off her bed and stood up.
Sheri stepped aside. The person behind her became visible.
It was Daphne and Rosary.
"I've come back," Daphne said. "Will you let us join your group?"
"Of course—did you leave? Chloe's group? Why?"
"Well—I was kissing her just a little, and we got caught."
Daphne, a beauty with flaxen hair, stuck out her tongue.
Lucy didn't dislike Daphne's charm, but she didn't have the luxury to laugh.
"I'll say one thing." Rosary, who had been behind Daphne, entered the room. "I will not cooperate with you. However, I promise to give you my vote during the election. That is all I can do. Oh, and I'd like to request a room change. Chloe has consented."
"Eh... a room change. Uh..."
While Lucy was bewildered, Sheri nodded to Lucy. "Leave it to me."
Sheri left the room and walked down the hallway with Rosary.
Daphne watched them go and slowly closed the door.
"I'm sorry, Lucy."
"There's no need to apologize."
"I've fallen in love with Rosary." Daphne approached with a short run and hugged Lucy. "Because Rosary is so pitiful."
Originally, Rosary had been treated like a servant by Chloe. It seemed she had been ordered to do boring chores. Even so, Rosary was the deputy representative and the most learned person in the convent. Within the group, she received a certain amount of respect.
That Rosary had been removed from the position of deputy representative.
"The one who became deputy representative instead was Amalfi, you know? I couldn't stand to watch. I... I wanted to comfort Rosary. It's impossible for someone like Rosary to be under Amalfi."
"—So, that's why you bolted from the group?"
"Ah, the reason I left the group was because we were seen kissing. You see, this is how it happened."
"Before that, let me thank you. Daphne, thank you, truly." Lucy hugged Daphne back tightly. "During the singing performance at the Harvest Festival, you were magnificent. Let's sit. Tell me the circumstances."
According to Daphne—.
Until before the Harvest Festival, Daphne and Rosary were happy.
Under the pretext of instructing the poor singer Daphne, Rosary accompanied her in practice, and they were able to enjoy secret meetings relatively easily.
After the Harvest Festival, it became difficult to be alone together.
"But you know, I found a good place."
"Where?"
"Behind the altar in the chapel."
Daphne said with a smile.
Lucy wanted to hold her head in her hands. If they were caught by the clergy, it was a blasphemous act that would result in immediate expulsion.
"It was so wonderful. While you all were cleaning the chapel, we were behind the altar, holding our breath in clothes that were almost naked, you know? Sharing each other's body heat—"
"I see... and then."
"And then, this afternoon, while I was kissing Rosary behind the altar, Chloe was suddenly beside us—"
"Chloe, alone?"
"No, Chloe, and Irma, Delfina, and Svenna."
They were the nuns involved in the establishment of Chloe's group.
"Someone informed on you, didn't they?"
"Maybe. Anyway, we weren't scolded on the spot. It was decided that we would have individual interviews with Chloe. In my case, I was lectured about various things by Chloe, told many mean things, and it was decided I was expelled. I thought Rosary would stay. Then—"
It seemed Chloe had expelled both of them.
Lucy was stunned. Chloe had adhered to her principles. She had followed the group's rules.
It was a situation of eighteen against twelve. To let go of two nuns here—what sheer guts.
Chloe had likely seen through Daphne's true identity as a spy. Rather than being betrayed by a surprise attack, there was the option of expelling her first. Even if she expelled her along with Rosary, it was sixteen against fourteen; she was still winning by one. That was her boldness in making such a razor-thin judgment.
Lucy was devastated. As a leader, she couldn't imitate what Chloe did, even if she wanted to.
Thinking normally, Chloe's decision had a tendency to run too far toward the ideal.
If Carmilla called back Meriza, the number of people in Lucy's group would be fifteen. Chloe's group would also become fifteen, and they would be even in numbers. It would naturally be possible to evaluate that Chloe's group, despite having been winning, was caught up to because she clung too much to principles.
—But...
Lucy felt a sense of frustration.
Chloe had chosen a value beyond winning or losing.
In fact, with this, if it were said that Chloe's group was a group that did not tolerate the taboo of homosexuality, and Lucy's group was a sexually sloppy group, she couldn't argue.
Chloe's group showed a fair and square path, while Lucy's group remained in chaos without showing principles. Lucy only had eyes for the number of group members, while Chloe was looking at the future of the group. It went without saying which was more suitable as a Representative.
At this moment, Lucy even felt a sense of respect for Chloe.
Unable to dwell in a feeling of defeat forever, Lucy said to Daphne.
"You have achieved a tremendous feat."
"If you don't like Chloe's group, you don't have to go back," Daphne said. "Lucy, you said that, right? You might not believe me, but I truly intended to return."
"Thank you, I believe you. Also, Rosary must be hurt. Please support her."
Daphne peered into Lucy's eyes. "Lucy, do you really understand? Chloe is by no means a good group leader. Lucy, you're popular. In Chloe's group."
"Is that so?"
"Of course, Lucy. Cheer up. There's a chance to win."
Lucy nodded blankly.
Daphne's smile always reminded Lucy of an angel.
The fire in the fireplace was popping.
Sparks escaped the fireplace on a hot current of air and burned out instantly.
Lucy took one log from the pile next to the fireplace and put it into the fire.
During that time, Chloe had been laughing the whole time.
"Good grief, huh," Chloe said, rubbing the tears from the corners of her eyes with her finger. "Daphne is quite the naughty girl."
"What do you mean?"
"It wasn't Rosary, Lucy."
"Not Rosary?"
"Yes, it wasn't her. The one who gave me a vote."
"Daphne—! That girl..." Lucy sat back in her chair, aghast.
"You mustn't scold her, Lucy. Despite everything, Daphne was always loyal to you. I overlooked many things, but I understood Daphne's true nature without mistake. Daphne is a serious girl. That's why she didn't break her promise to me."
"Sorry Chloe, but I can't believe that story. Rosary—"
"She was dumped by Rosary." The flames writhed in Chloe's blue eyes. "I don't intend to speak in detail about that."
Chloe did not necessarily value principles as much as Lucy thought. She had simply dealt with the situation with total absorption.
A few hours before the first snow began to fall in Euryas, Chloe had been heading to the spinning workshop with her subordinates. There, she was stopped by Instructor Pias.
"Chloe and the rest of you, go clean behind the altar in the chapel immediately." Instructor Pias had a gloomy face. "There is something there that has greatly bewildered me. Clean it up thoroughly. Do not make a sound in the chapel, and do not make a sound with your footsteps. Hurry."
There was an unsettling atmosphere.
Since she was told to hurry, Chloe and the others went to the chapel immediately.
They were surprised when they peeked behind the altar. They gasped.
There was the thing that had bewildered Sister Pias. Two nuns, with their hands under their clothes, groping each other while exchanging kisses. Occasionally, they let out lewd sighs.
When Chloe cleared her throat, the two sprang apart.
The real shock was there. Daphne aside, it was Rosary. Chloe checked several times. No matter how many times she looked, it was Rosary.
Chloe felt the blood drain from her face.
When she looked at Daphne with anger, the latter's cheeks were flushed with sexual excitement. An intoxication that seemed as if it might produce steam had not yet worn off.
—Harlot.
My Rosary. She's mine.
"You all," Chloe said to the nuns like Delfina who had come with her. "Clean this place. The thing that bewildered Instructor Pias was not here. Right?"
The nuns each nodded.
"You two over there, come to my room."
Suddenly, Rosary's face entered her sight. It was a sulky expression. A light of contempt, which she had never once directed at Chloe before, dwelt in her eyes.
Chloe still had a feeling of wanting to believe in Rosary's innocence.
—You want to tell me to cool my head, don't you?
Interpreting Rosary's gaze favorably, Chloe headed to Room 7 of the dormitory.
First, she interviewed Daphne.
"Did you do that intending to show us?" Chloe first wanted to confirm that. When the secret was discovered, there seemed to be no surprise in Daphne's expression.
"I thought it would be okay if we were found," Daphne answered timidly. "Because I intended to leave this group and return to Lucy. If possible, I wanted Rosary to come with me. I thought if our relationship became public, you might let go of Rosary."
"I see. Quite bold."
She didn't seem to have noticed that she had been found by Instructor Pias before Chloe.
"Rather than your plan, it's Lucy's plan."
"No, Lucy—"
"I don't care. I have no intention of permitting your departure. Especially you, I'll make you the lowest in the group. The bottom of the bottom of the bottom. I won't let anyone treat you as a decent human being. Stay as a slave and do nothing but work touching filth. For your whole life. Don't think this is only within Euryas. I won't let you bask in the sunlight for the rest of your life."
"That's..."
"No, Daphne. Otherwise, I couldn't make an example of you to the other subordinates, could I? You shall crawl and polish the floors every day. I want you to teach everyone that this is what happens when you commit hideous acts like indulging in pleasure between women."
"I want to return to Lucy."
"Were you told to return to Lucy?"
"No... I..."
"Oh, how pitiful. You were abandoned. You can't go back, Daphne. It seems Lucy doesn't want someone like you either."
Daphne began to cry. Crying, she begged to be allowed to leave the group.
In truth, Chloe intended to expel Daphne. It was dangerous while competing in numbers with Lucy's group, but she could demonstrate the group rule that 'homosexuality is forbidden,' and above all, if she kept Daphne in the group, she might stretch those filthy hands toward Rosary again. That was unforgivable.
"Fine. Then I'll give you one condition."
To Daphne, who had now collapsed on the floor, Chloe declared.
"Daphne, stop crying. I'll ask one thing, but do you know what happens to the Representative Election when two groups hold an equal number of subordinates and are tied?"
Daphne raised her face while sniffing. "...A tie?"
"There are no ties in the Representative Election. If two groups are tied in number, an anonymous vote is held. You vote without writing your own name. It becomes impossible to know who voted for whom. Then, for some reason, a winner and loser are always decided."
Daphne's tears seemed to have stopped. She looked at Chloe with red eyes.
"If Lucy's group and my group become equal in number and an anonymous vote is conducted, vote for me. If you can keep that, I'll set you free."
"But..."
"There's no room for negotiation, Daphne. I'll tell you now, whether you kept your promise will be known instantly by counting the votes. If you break your promise, I will thoroughly crush you. I'm good at it. You can believe me. You've done enough to warrant that."
Daphne looked down with a child-like face, thinking about something. "Please make Rosary happy."
She suddenly raised her face and said such a thing.
"What was that?"
"Because you're the only one who can make Rosary happy."
"You can still say such sleep-talking..."
Anger bubbled up in the depths of Chloe's chest. As if to blow out that fire, Daphne stood up.
"If that time truly comes, I will vote for you."
"Swear it."
"I swear."
Thus, Daphne's expulsion was decided.
Before they knew it, sunset had passed, and it had become dark outside. Chloe noticed that her breath was white.
Rosary entered the room with a candle without Chloe even having to order her. Silently, she lit all the candlesticks in the room.
"It's gotten cold," Chloe called out.
"........."
"If you have an explanation, I'll listen."
"I have no explanation, Chloe. You are no longer my group leader. I am leaving the group."
Beneath the trimmed dark brown bangs were Rosary's sad eyes.
"Also, I'll be changing rooms, so I look forward to your cooperation."
"Rosary... you—"
"Goodbye, Chloe."
Chloe should have chased after her. She should have spoken. Even though she knew she had to, in reality, she couldn't move. The fear of being rejected by Rosary had paralyzed Chloe.
Chloe was killing time by poking the fireplace with a fire poker.
The Headmaster had not yet returned. According to Old Lady Archie, the Headmaster had gone out by carriage. Her return might be late.
"I'm impressed you planted poison in Daphne," Lucy said brazenly. "I didn't read that far."
Chloe was about to burst out laughing.
"We both used dirty tricks, Lucy. In the first place, you were the one who sent Daphne in first."
"That's exactly right. But your plan is sophisticated. The part where it only activates during the anonymous vote is nice."
"It's meaningless if you can't win. I also couldn't read that single strike from Carmilla I mentioned earlier. I wonder how she could do such a cowardly thing."
"I didn't break the rules of the group system."
"It was three days ago, Lucy." Chloe leaned the fire poker against the side of the fireplace and returned to her chair. "Three days before the voting day. Three days before the election. You made Meriza leave the group three days ago. You brought the numbers to a tie. We couldn't make sufficient preparations."
Lucy was staring into space. "Yes, I intended to leave you with no room to take any measures. And yet, we didn't win... I wonder how you allowed Meriza's departure."
"I was threatened that if I didn't allow her to leave the group, she'd appeal to the Headmaster. Come to think of it, I smell Carmilla's advice in that. Before ordering Meriza's departure, you had already started working on turning our subordinates, hadn't you?"
"Well, yes."
"Tell me. Who is my traitor?"
"I approached Amalfi."
"—You're lying, right?" Chloe glared at Lucy. "That woman is truly untrustworthy—"
"No. I approached her, but Amalfi, you see, was grateful to you. She felt an obligation for you making her deputy representative. She said she'll never get involved in the struggle for group numbers again."
Chloe sighed and leaned her body back against the backrest. "Then, who is it?"
"Moi."
"That's a lie. It's not her."
"—You know, then."
"I've heard everything from Moi."
"I heard from Meriza that Moi was investigating me. Also about the name Amalfi Mariave."
"I wonder if that girl Meriza was eavesdropping. Quite an excellent display of intelligence work."
"Carmilla was surprised too. —Chloe. Isn't it also cowardly to blackmail people by birth?"
Ignoring Lucy's angry voice, Chloe stood up and took the fire poker in her hand.
At the very least, she had grasped one of Lucy's weaknesses.
Crouching by the fireplace, Chloe began to fiddle with the logs. She had loved fire since she was a child.
Three days before the voting day when Meriza left the group, Chloe finally came to her senses.
Until then, due to the shock of Rosary's departure, she had spent every day like an empty shell.
Chloe blamed Amalfi, who had become her new roommate.
"It's not that your supervision was lacking!"
—If it were Rosary.
Chloe somehow swallowed the words that such a thing could not have happened.
"Meriza was a girl with no talent other than drifting between large groups," Amalfi said with her arms crossed. "Conversely, she's not the kind of girl who would fall for Lucy's smooth talk. I wonder what bait was used to lure her, and at this critical moment of all times."
"Is there time to investigate that? Can you count the numbers? It's three days before the match! And yet, it's become fifteen against fifteen!"
"Young lady."
In Room 7, besides Chloe and Amalfi, there was Moi.
"Actually, there's something I haven't told the young lady. It's a serious matter, so—Sister Amalfi, I'm sorry, but I want to speak with the group leader alone."
"No problem. I'll listen too." Amalfi was composed.
Chloe grew irritated. "Just go. Go find out some information about Meriza from your friend Yuffy."
"Yuffy and I don't talk about group matters. That's the promise that's kept our friendship lasting so long."
"Just go."
When Amalfi left the room, Moi began to tell her astonishing information.
"A princess?"
"Yes. Lucy's true identity is Princess Luchentin Alish-sama."
"—That's a hard story to believe, isn't it?"
"Exactly as you say. I overheard a conversation between Lyudmila and Lucy, and I couldn't believe it either. But... Old Lady Archie. For one bottle of medicinal liquor, she'll handle one round of letters. I have many relatives and big brothers, so I have connections in quite a few directions. So, when I had it investigated, it seems—"
"Are you sure?"
"It seems so. ...Young lady, if we leak this, we can expel Lucy."
Chloe remembered. When she first came to the Euryas Convent for Girls, she had been told by Headmaster Dagsaw.
'Chloe Eichner. You must never disclose your status in the secular world, your status as a daughter of a noble. There is a risk that unfairness will arise in the group system. If it becomes known among the first-years that you are a member of the Eichner family, this convent will subject you to expulsion.'
—Lucy must have been told the same thing.
Chloe's eyes widened in surprise, and she looked at Moi. Moi was nodding repeatedly.
"Young lady, now that it's come to this, let's make up our minds. I'll stop being timid too. The royal family cannot lay a hand on the church."
"No," Chloe said instinctively. "I won't do that."
As a Siddim person, Chloe also had feelings of respect and affection for the Alish royal family, and feelings of awe like Moi.
And the other nuns were the same. Everyone here held a deep sense of awe for the royal family. If she did something like kick out a daughter of that royal family, Chloe would fall from grace with terrifying speed.
Besides, Lucy had not even tried to hint that she was royalty. That was what Chloe liked. Chloe herself, to be honest, had hinted at being a noble's daughter whenever there was an opening. It could be shown through wording and attitude. Come to think of it, Lucy's wording had been elegant at times.
That elegance had faded relatively quickly.
—She was trying to blend in with us.
Her true identity was a princess of the Alish family.
If she had used that fact skillfully, Lucy undoubtedly would have grown her group with overwhelming strength. For Siddim people, the charm of the Alish royal family was irresistible. But Lucy didn't do that.
Chloe was happy about that. Lucy had competed with Chloe seriously.
—Though, even if she had hinted at being royalty, probably no one would have believed her.
Chloe laughed to herself.
In any case, the Representative Election and patriotism were unrelated. Chloe regained her composure.
If that was the case.
She desperately wanted to try winning against a princess. One more person. She absolutely needed one more nun to vote for her side anonymously. Relying on Daphne alone was unreliable. Lucy had probably persuaded someone from this side.
"Moi, do me a favor. Today, after dinner, I want you to lead Daphne out of her room. Half an hour is enough. I'll persuade Rosary."
"How will you persuade her?"
"That—I don't know. But we've been together all this time, haven't we? Rosary will surely listen to me."
After dinner, what did Chloe do when she went to Rosary's room?
She smoothly took off her clothes in front of Rosary and became completely naked.
Compared to Daphne's body, it might have been meager. Even so, Chloe had no other means she could think of.
"You mustn't, Chloe."
"Then, what should I do? What should I do for you to come back? I... I don't know anymore."
Chloe wept sorrowfully.
"Chloe, please, don't cry. You'll be fine. You'll be fine even without me."
When Rosary covered her with a blanket, Chloe foolishly forgot about the vote.
She simply found Rosary's kindness comfortable and cried her heart out.
"So, who did you persuade?"
Chloe glared at Lucy while staring at the tip of the sufficiently heated fire poker.
Lucy was smirking. "A certain pair of homosexuals. Your group was solid. A pair of lovers that Prima and Colette finally persuaded. One of them promised to vote for me. I can't tell you the name. Because I promised to keep it a secret."
"You've let it slip, Lucy," Chloe said haughtily. "I'll find out immediately."
"There are many homosexuals here. It's impossible."
"You tolerate homosexuality."
"To tell the truth, it should be forbidden, just as you think. The church forbids it. But what the church forbids and what the Tenshu forbids are different. Surely—no, the Tenshu might not be forbidding anything at all."
"That's a problematic statement."
"Look at this wretched state of ours, Chloe," Lucy said. "Miserable and foolish women, exhausted by suspicion and trickery. I can't believe the Tenshu would desire such existences. It's doubtful whether we are even suitable as Representatives."
Chloe put back the fire poker and sat in her chair.
She understood well what Lucy wanted to say. Neither group leader nor Representative was a job for someone with a sane mind.
"And your face when the votes were being counted during the opening."
Lucy laughed as she said this, and Chloe laughed too.
Despite the anonymous vote being conducted according to the rules, Chloe and Lucy's votes were tied at fifteen. This was apparently a first in the history of Euryas.
"Headmaster Dagsaw will blame our lack of ability. Lucy, are you thinking of something?"
"Since a revote probably won't be permitted, I intend to propose a debate."
"No objection. If we ask the clergy to judge, a conclusion will certainly be reached."
For a while after that, both were silent.
Chloe felt restless, as if she had something she wanted to say to Lucy.
It seemed to be the same for Lucy. Her eyes wandered actively as she thought.
"You also struggled quite a bit—" eventually, Lucy said.
"Yes. You too."
Perhaps due to the atmosphere created by the warmth of the fireplace, Chloe and Lucy looked at each other and smiled.
Shortly after, the door opened. Headmaster Dagsaw had returned.
"Put the chairs back and stand. I've kept you waiting."
Chloe did as she was told and stood in front of the Headmaster's desk alongside Lucy.
At a glance, the Headmaster's exhaustion was evident. Her complexion was darkened.
"Headmaster, regarding yesterday's vote—"
Since Lucy began to speak, Chloe hurriedly interrupted.
"I feel very disappointed about yesterday's result. Therefore, I propose a debate to select the First-Year Representative."
"—It was my idea."
"I was merely thinking the same thing."
"I have already refined the topic of debate."
"Me too."
Chloe felt Lucy's gaze around her cheek.
"Oh, is that so? Then why don't you announce it first?"
"Deciding that right here and now is the wrong order, Lucy." Chloe looked back at Lucy coldly. "We are in front of the Headmaster. Show some modesty."
"Both of you."
Headmaster Dagsaw spoke heavily.
Chloe and Lucy turned forward.
"Stop it, this incessant chattering." The Headmaster pressed her eyelids with her fingers. The dark circles under her eyes looked even darker due to the shadows created by the fireplace light.
"The following is a very exceptional measure. I will merge your groups of fifteen for the time being. This is to freeze the group system indefinitely, and it is also intended to encourage a cooperative system between you."
"Headmaster, with all due respect—"
"Please wait, Headmaster—"
Lucy and Chloe spoke at the same time.
Headmaster Dagsaw turned her palm toward them.
"The group system is suspended indefinitely. The Euryas Convent for Girls will enter a provisional system. I appoint both of you as First-Year Representatives. Consult with each other to proceed with matters. Cooperate to overcome the crisis."
"Headmaster, what on earth—" Lucy asked.
"We must prepare. A war will begin in the Kingdom of Siddim."
Chloe and Lucy looked at each other's faces.