Kapitel 40: [Chapter 40] The Perpetrator Forgets
"What happened?"
When the interrogation-like interrogation ended, the first-year students were attending a social studies class. Just before the class ended, Diane asked Neris, who had joined late, with a worried expression.
Neris whispered back to Diane, glancing at Alekto sitting next to Idalia, so that no one else could hear.
"Three days of writing reflection essays as punishment after school."
It seemed that everyone knew that Anagara's father had come and accused Alekto and Neris of being the perpetrators of the bullying, since Nellusion had also come to help.
Neris was not grateful for Nellusion's help, but she knew that if it weren't for him, the situation wouldn't have ended like this.
"What about Anagara?"
"I don't know. She seems to have gone somewhere with her father."
The class ended just like that. The students got up and chattered with each other, heading to the dining hall for dinner.
It was a usual scene, and there was no reason to feel empty just because Anagara was missing. Especially since Alekto's voice echoed in the hallway, and the students pretended not to listen.
"It's ridiculous, really. I'm scared, what can I say? You did something wrong and now you're acting like you don't know what's going on! You even denied it when I brought up the ribbon incident!"
"That's too much."
A boy in the same group as Alekto agreed with his scolding, and Idalia, who was also in the group, kept her mouth shut, but her face showed a hint of disgust, making it clear whose side she was on.
Neris took the opportunity to explain to Diane what had happened. Diane nodded naturally when Neris mentioned Nellusion's appearance.
"Of course, he's a relative, so it's natural that he came. And he's a good older brother too."
That was true, but in her previous life, Neris had gone to the counseling room several times for misbehavior, and Nellusion had shown no interest. However, there was no need to point that out now, so Neris decided to let it go.
"Anyway, that's how it turned out. I have to go to the reflection room after dinner."
"Do I have to go with Alekto?"
"Separately."
Experienced teachers had created multiple reflection rooms. It was a small, uninteresting room where students could 'focus' on writing reflection essays.
Neris was glad that she didn't have to spend time with Alekto, and it was a good thing. Writing a reflection essay saying sorry for bullying Anagara would be a waste of time, and Diane also nodded solemnly.
"That's good. If we were together, it would be really noisy."
Neris smiled slightly at Diane's ruthless words.
Even after arriving at the dining hall, Alekto continued to grumble about the same thing. Neris and Diane, who had received their meals and sat down at a table next to Alekto's group, didn't seem to be much different from them.
The student cafeteria was one of several, but the one that was most convenient for lower-grade students was the Potsheimer Hall, where they were currently eating. It was a space that used to be a chapel, so the ceiling was quite high, and it was a place where they usually boasted about its beautiful vaulted ceiling to outsiders.
Due to its structure, the students' conversations echoed loudly unless they deliberately lowered their voices. Neris ate her soup and potatoes, which she had purchased with her meal ticket, and quietly discussed the next class with Diane.
"So, are you scared to say anything? You're the one who's wrong, not me! Is it my fault that she doesn't have any friends? Honestly, people who get bullied usually have a reason for it!"
Alekto continued to talk, getting more and more worked up over her own words. Diane glanced at Alekto's table, clearly unhappy about sitting near them. Neris didn't even look at them, but quietly listened to Alekto's voice.
A faint, bitter smile appeared on her lips.
"It's the same."
Consistency is usually a commendable trait. But can it be said that the cunning humans in this class are worthy of praise?
"People who get bullied usually have a reason for it. Don't you know what your fault is?"
Unlike Rianon, who was careful about her surroundings, Alekto had wanted to stand out since her first year.
There were certainly reasons for her to want to do so. Alekto had good grades and was proud of herself.
As the middle child of the Islani Count's family, with a pretty and affectionate younger sister and a clever older sister, she knew that she had to make an effort to stand out in order to survive.
And perhaps for the same reason, she always reacted aggressively to children who were better than her.
Perhaps before entering school, Alekto herself had dreamed of standing out purely by using her own excellent qualities.
However, in a school where there was already a pretty, smart, and high-ranking classmate, a count's daughter without a strong backing would be left behind if she didn't make an effort.
Alekto couldn't be said to be unintelligent. She quickly read the thoughts of the children and volunteered to express them in the most witty way. Her eloquence allowed her to perform this role quite well.
And as always, wit in a society dominated by savagery was accompanied by violence.
But the biggest shock came after Neris became the crown princess.
"Wow, really? Neris! Do you remember me?"
It was a small gathering, which was one of the many parties after Neris became the crown princess. She didn't remember it well.
When Neris, tired of the whispers of the people, went to a dark place for a moment, Alekto, who had grown up almost unchanged from her childhood but had a very different impression due to her adult-like makeup, approached her. She spoke in the same tone as she did during their academy days, as if they had been close friends all along.
How could Neris forget her? Neris endured the fear of her childhood and, considering the dignity of the Elantria Duke's family and the royal family, greeted her politely.
Alekto's eyes sparkled, and she spoke in a friendly tone.
"It's been a long time. How have you been? I was worried about you."
Worried? Worried? Neris was taken aback by the word she never expected to hear from Alekto.
Perhaps she had foolishly hoped for something. But thinking about it, Alekto was the only one who would even talk to her, so maybe she had thought of her as a friend...
That foolish thought was shattered by Alekto's next words, spoken with a smile.
"You know, the kids really didn't like you back then. But it's good to see you've grown up well. It's amazing that you became the crown princess among my friends, right?"
Since then, Neris had thought about it from time to time. Had Alekto changed her attitude because she wanted to get along with the crown princess?
Or had she actually been friends with Neris and worried because the other kids didn't like her?
Maybe it was both. Bullies easily forget, and the victims are more likely to remember due to that forgetfulness.
Then.
"I'll make you remember."
Neris remembered the news that would be delivered tonight. It was news that didn't bring about a big change for Neris in her previous life, but it was often discussed among her classmates. Some people said she was lucky.
Creak. The sound of a chair scraping against the floor came from a nearby table.
Neris remained still, her eyes cast down. The light footsteps of a child approached.
"If the kids don't like her, she should think about what she did wrong and try to fix it! Kids don't dislike someone for no reason! She has no friends, so she goes to her dad and tells him. What can we do, her dad is scary, so be friends with her?"
Haha. Alekto's words, fueled by wounded pride, grew louder, and the surrounding children laughed and chimed in. Diane started to glare at Alekto, annoyed by the noise.
And then, she saw a small back blocking her view and widened her eyes.
The next moment...
Clang. A dish fell to the floor. The chunks of cream-based mushroom soup, the pieces of butter-roasted chicken, and the egg pudding mixed together and spilled all over the floor.
No, it wasn't just the floor. Alekto's bright red hair, her round glasses, her freckled cheeks, and her yellow rabbit fur scarf were all stained with food.
The children gasped. Even the kids who hadn't been paying attention to Alekto's story couldn't help but tense up at the sudden silence.
Alekto, who had closed her eyes due to the food, took off her glasses and rubbed her eyelids. Then, she looked up at Rianon, who had dumped the leftovers on her.
"...Hey, Nona. Are you crazy?"
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
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Rangliste 
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Stein