Extra in a Romance Fantasy

20 – Festival (2)

Ayla’s proposal, having made plans with Rachel.

If you think about it simply, it might be right to refuse, saying I have plans, but I couldn’t easily do that.

Feeling sorry for Ayla and thinking it might worsen the already awkward relationship between the two of us.

‘Should I suggest the three of us go together?’

Such a thought crossed my mind for a moment, but I dismissed it soon after.

Their relationship isn’t good, so even if the three of us went together, it didn’t seem like a good picture would be painted. It’s better if it doesn’t get worse.

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After contemplating, I reached a conclusion.

‘Let’s divide.’

The academy’s festival lasts for three days.

One day with Rachel, and another day with Ayla should do it.

Yes, that seems like a reasonable solution.

With that in mind, when there happened to be three of us in the club, I brought up the topic.

And their reactions were…

The atmosphere was rather subtle.

Though not overtly expressed, there was a sense of reluctance towards my proposal, if I may call it that.

“I understand. If that’s your wish, Wade, then so be it.”

“Well, if that’s… what you want…”

Fortunately, while neither of them seemed particularly keen, they eventually acquiesced to my proposal.

I felt a sense of relief at that fact.

That should solve the issue. There would be nothing more to worry about.

That’s what I thought.

It didn’t take long for that thought to change.

“Wade Heblon, what are your plans for the festival?”

“…”

Estelle’s sudden question was quite peculiar.

“Why do you ask?”

“Why do you think I’m asking?”

Attempting Estelle’s habitual style of answering a question with another question, only to receive it back, left me at a loss. She enjoys using it but doesn’t appreciate it when turned back on her. It felt irrational, yet I couldn’t show it outwardly.

She’s the strong one; I’m the weaker.

Reflecting on the fragility of human nature, I spoke up again.

“I’ve decided to stroll through the festival with someone I know.”

I might not understand her intentions, but I have a clear plan.

An appointment with Rachel and Ailra.

Surely, if she has any human sensibilities, she wouldn’t meddle with someone who has an appointment.

…Honestly, I’m not entirely sure.

“Hmm. Is that so? Well, that’s a shame.”

“Huh…?”

Surprisingly, Estelle gracefully withdrew.

Deep down, I might have hoped for this, but now that it’s actually happened, it’s a bit bewildering.

After all, the other party involved is none other than Estelle.

If someone wants to cancel my promises or anything by force, they are the type to do such things without hesitation.

But to withdraw so neatly like this.

Could it be that she still has a human heart?

I looked at her with newfound eyes.

“Why are you looking at me with such surprise?”

“…It’s nothing like that.”

“No, it is. It’s all written on your face.”

I tried to keep my composure, but it was transparent to Estelle.

Although I felt a slight chill down my spine, Estelle didn’t seem as upset as I expected.

Instead, she even seemed to be sporting a mischievous smile, making it appear surprisingly good-natured.

‘…It must be a misunderstanding.’

“So, who’s the other party?”

“…What?”

“The other party, I mean. The one you agreed to tour the festival with.”

A sly smile appeared on Estelle’s face.

“Probably either Eldrid’s concubine or the daughter of a guardian knight, right?”

“…How did you know?”

How did she know that?

I wondered if Rachel or Ira had mentioned to someone that I had made a promise with someone, and somehow it had reached Estelle’s ears.

It wasn’t that strange.

She’s probably one of the few with significant intelligence within the academy.

“Well, it’s a simple guess. Considering the candidates, there are only those two.”

“Guess? Didn’t you gather information?”

However, she lightly denied my speculation.

“Do you really think I need information for such things? It’s too obvious. Both of them are so bad at hiding it.”

“Hiding it? What are you talking about?”

“…”

Estelle looked at me as if I were clueless.

“…Don’t tell me you don’t know?”

“…Judging by the reaction, it seems to be genuine.”

Estelle rested her hand on her forehead.

“He doesn’t seem like a bad guy… but it looks like my intuition isn’t as sharp as it used to be.”

What is she talking about?

I stared at Estelle silently, unable to comprehend the feelings I couldn’t express in English.

“Well, never mind. So, which one is it?”

After a small sigh, Estelle asked again.

“Both of them.”

“What?”

“We both promised to tour the festival together.”

Estelle had an unusually blank expression.

“…Are you saying the three of us will be touring together?”

“No. We decided to take turns each day.”

“Hmm….”

Estelle, who had been looking at me as if bewildered for a moment, shook her head with a disgusted expression.

“Seems like someone clueless is acting all high and mighty. Whether it’s worth the face value…”

“…?”

Estelle, with many incomprehensible words today, seemed difficult to understand.

As she shook her head, Estelle suddenly stopped.

Then, as if an interesting thought had occurred to her, she smiled.

“Well, then, one day is left.”

“What?”

“If you give one day to those two ladies, there will be only one day left. The festival lasts for a total of three days.”

“….”

Surely not. No, it can’t be.

With a desperate feeling, I looked at Estelle’s face.

“Well, then, give that one day to me.”

However, my ominous premonition did not fade away.

Late at night, I uncommonly slipped out of the dormitory and walked aimlessly.

It was because a persistent worry had settled in my mind.

I wasn’t just fretting about the change in the festival schedule.

Sure, it might be uncomfortable being alone, but it wasn’t unbearable.

The root of my main concern was Estelle, she herself.

Estelle von Reinberg.

The antagonist in the original.

I’ve intentionally avoided her as much as possible until now, trying not to get involved.

I thought it would be better without any interaction at all.

And because of that, there’s one fact I had overlooked.

The difference between the Estelle in the original work and the current Estelle.

Firstly, her personality.

In the original, she was a figure beyond a tyrant… No, even the term tyrant falls short.

Beyond an antagonist—a villain devoid of mercy or tears.

A mad princess without a shred of empathy, rumored to execute cruel acts that could only be imagined in nightmares. Someone feared even to glance at.

That was the Estelle von Reinberg of the original.

But the present her has a considerable distance from such descriptions.

She’s headstrong and authoritarian, but by no means cruel.

If anything, I dare say she might not be as bad a person as believed… that thought even crosses my mind.

Another difference lies in appearance.

The previous version wore a mask and concealed her skin entirely, wrapped in cloth from head to toe.

However, the current Estelle neither wears a mask nor conceals her skin.

To consider her attire in the original as a mere change of taste feels too dismissive; her attire then seemed overly compulsive and bizarre.

In this manner, the Estelle from the original work and the present Estelle are different.

They seem almost like the same name but entirely different individuals.

Why are they so different?

Even I can’t seem to figure out the reason behind this disparity.

However, there was a sense of anticipation.

Originally, Estelle appears in the original work after Mary becomes a sophomore.

From then on, Estelle actively torments Mary and begins to act as a villain.

On the other hand, it is now the second half of the first semester of the first year.

Considering the difference in time and the distinct contrast between the original and the current Estelle, one hypothesis can be formed.

Before the start of Estelle’s second year, something may have happened to her that didn’t completely change her, something like, “And maybe that person too….”

Always by Estelle’s side is her bodyguard, René.

She also does not appear in the original work.

Judging by Estelle’s reaction, it seems she trusts René quite a bit.

One of the few commonalities between the original Estelle and the current one is that they do not keep people close.

Apart from those she unavoidably encounters, Estelle has never kept anyone close except René.

In the first place, the fact that this demanding woman entrusts her bodyguard is proof enough of her considerable trust.

From that point of view, René might be quite an important presence for Estelle.

Yet, this person does not show her face in the original work.

If, at that point, René does not exist.

If the disaster that befell Estelle not only harmed her but also took away the life of a precious person.

If it led to a sense of despair and ultimately destroyed her.

If that’s the case, it’s understandable.

The difference between the current Estelle and the Estelle from the original.

Honestly, if my heart weren’t involved, it would be a lie.

The original Estelle is a completely broken human being.

Someone who has lost all humanity, truly something broken.

It was not easy to completely turn away, knowing that someone’s life would be so shattered.

Especially when another person’s life might be at stake.

Honestly, I admit, my heart is already leaning towards wanting to help Estelle.

Towards ensuring she doesn’t become a villain.

Towards preventing her life from falling apart.

Towards keeping her from despair.

The thought of preventing the impending disaster that would befall her had already taken root within me.

However, I couldn’t surrender to such feelings and impulsively rush into action.

Estelle was the pivotal “villain” of the story, and her disappearance meant a complete shift in the storyline.

It was different from cases like Rachel or Ira.

They were initially minor characters, almost extras, whose issues were resolved in a way that didn’t significantly impact the story.

Originally, my intention was not to interfere with the story, believing it was better if I didn’t get involved.

The protagonist, Mary, might face various trials, but ultimately, she overcomes them, painting a radiant and bright future.

Knowing this fact, I refrained from interference.

If the original story had been a dark tale devoid of dreams and hope from the start, I might have overturned the whole plot long ago.

However, if I were to save Estelle, the story would completely change.

It would flow in directions I neither know nor can predict.

Could I handle the consequences of that?

…And even if I intervened, it was a problem.

There was no information about when or what events Estelle would experience.

It wasn’t depicted at all in the original work.

If events were to unfold beyond my sight, during times when I couldn’t intervene?

Then there was no way. Realistically, I couldn’t always stay by her side.

Moreover, there might be events I couldn’t resolve with my own power.

No, considering her position as the next emperor, that possibility was highly probable.

“…Difficult.”

It was difficult.

How on earth should I proceed?

I couldn’t easily come up with an answer.