Evelyn

  ***

  Once more sitting in css, I kept gncing down at my new neckce. Being a gift from Charlotte, I couldn’t help but admire it. It was a ruby pendant inside a golden cage. It’s said to be a good luck charm, but I can’t feel any trace of magic in it. 38 told me not to think that hard about it, so I decided not to worry about it. Also, because of my new neckce, I changed the chain on my previous timepiece and it is now being used as a pocket watch. Probably what the original maker intended. My skirt has no pockets, so it’s inside my vest, but that’s besides the point.

  One of my birthday presents aside, I’m back in school. Obviously. It’s been two weeks and since it started back up and it seems like something interesting is happening. Some sort of field trip thing into the woods. Everyone has been telling me to rest up and rex, so I went ahead and signed up. Let’s think of it as a little vacation. I’ll need it too, because after it, the communication device for the other kingdoms will be finished, so I’ll probably need to fly around a lot to defeat demons. Hopefully uncle includes some way to tell them that I’m busy. Now that I think of it, I should have mentioned that earlier. Oh well, what’s done is done.

  Huh? Wait, what’s going on? Who is that standing up there, and why is he looking at me like that?

  “Having said that, I would like to introduce our exchange student from the Alterrai Kingdom.” Mr.Hopkins said. “Please introduce yourself to your cssmates, Levi Altari.”

  Levi

  ***

  At long st I have arrived here! After absolutely beefing it on that back flip back on Earth, I was reincarnated into one of my favorite games! Saintess Shuffle 1.5 Redux Remastered: The Ultimate Collector's Edition, where you get to py as a newly introduced male lead to side with either the Heroine or Viliness! Who am I going to side with? That’s simple, the viliness, for one simple reason. I love rich, psychotic, bad bitches, and she is all kinds of fucked up!

  But it’s not like I just woke up yesterday. This was a long time coming. Four years ago, I got into an accident where I hit my head, and when I woke up, I remembered everything about my past life. Ever since then, I’ve been working to prepare myself for this moment. From studying to martial arts and weapons use, I’ve been training to protect her from the heroine and her allies! Not only that, but I’ve been saving up quite the fortune to bring her to the Alterrai Kingdom should my pns fail. I’ve got most everything pnned out. Although if I’m being honest, I was a little slow in my preparations. Originally I pnned on attending the academy at the start of the school year, but couldn’t because of a st minute dungeon raid to obtain some rare magical items.

  Now, after a four week journey, I managed to make it to the Empire without any demon ambushes. Really, that Magical Girl is good at her job, though she will be a problem if she learns of Evelyn’s true nature. Hopefully I don’t need to fight her. I don’t remember her from the game, so I don’t know her weakness. But given the fact that the worst of Evelyn’s behavior comes after the Demon Lord awakens. So I should have some time to figure something out.

  But all that aside, I stood at the front of the css, being introduced by the teacher. As he spoke, I spied the room. Aside from the normal students, we got the twin Regents, along with their retinue. Those two… Aside from the Saint herself, they will be my biggest problem. Well, not Lna, but rather Lloyd. In the game, in many of the bad ends, he is the one who kills Evelyn to protect the saint. He’s skilled with all weapons and has a high magic resistance, so he’ll be a tough enemy. As for Lna, she’ll be easy to deal with. All I need to do is push the saint and Lloyd together, and she turns all yandere for him, so that’ll keep her distracted. Now, for the retinue?

  I’m going to be honest, I don’t remember much about them. Given the fact that I always did Evelyn’s route, they didn’t show up much aside from some key scenes. They aren’t even mandatory fights in game, since if you go with the expulsion route, you don’t come across them again until te game, but at that point you can steam roll them. Anyways, since the regents are here, the saint should also be here. Where is the saint?

  …

  Okay, seriously where is she? There is quite a few of them in the base game, and it's not like I remember all of them. That being said, the default saint is who again? I’ll know her when I see her and I don’t see her. Maybe she’s in a different css? Weird, but oh well. The most important person is definitely here. Looking up at the back of css was Evelyn herself. Being taller than most, and sitting in the highest point in the css, she was cool and intimidating. Looking over the rest of the css like they didn’t matter, she was a symbol of nobility.

  Huh. Isn’t she supposed to have bck hair? Wait, is that supposed to happen now or ter? Well, I suppose it doesn’t matter. Regardless of her hair color, I still know what she’s like. Also, isn’t she a bit distracted considering that a prince joined her css? Now that I think of it, what did I expect her to do? Why would she care that some fifth in line prince from a lesser kingdom transferred into her css? She’s above it all and she knows it! Ah! I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us! Oh? Looks like it’s my time to speak.

  “Please introduce yourself to your cssmates, Levi Altari.” The teacher said.

  Stepping forwards, I put on a diplomatic smile just like my brothers.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Levi Altari, fifth prince of the Alterrai Kingdom.” I introduced myself.

  Evelyn

  ***

  Well, it was good while it sted… Having sat by myself for a long time, I was used to greater privacy and space than most of my cssmates. But now with this exchange student sitting next to me, I can no longer take my shoes off in secret. Looks like I’ll need to keep my stuff on my side of the desk as well. Dang, I liked the extra space, but I suppose it was getting lonely by myself. A seatmate is a nice change of pace. After exchanging brief pleasantries, we needed to focus on css, so maybe we’ll talk more ter. Although as a foreign prince, I don’t think we’ll talk much. I may be a Duchess, but the Twin Regents are in this css, so he’ll probably talk to them in his free time. Regardless, I have pns after this, and I don’t think Charlotte will like it if I were to bring a foreign prince to her out of the blue. She has a hard enough time with the Twin Regents as it is already.

  Speaking of the twins, it looks like they’re going to be heading out on the trip as well. Well, to be honest, everyone in my css is, and they’ve all already got their groups together as well. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to join any of them. Worst case, I might have to stay by the teacher’s side. Charlotte’s not even going, so I can’t even look forward to that…

  Maybe I should stay home after all? No! That’s quitter talk! This is my vacation. I need to enjoy it to the fullest regardless of who I’m teamed up with! Firstly I need to actually hand in my permission slip. Truthfully Uncle needed to sign it, but since he’s away, I went ahead and forged his signature and seal, so there's no need to bother him about this. 38 didn’t stop me, only rolling her eyes, so I’m sure it’s fine. I’ll be sure to write to him tonight about it. If he says no, then… You know what, let’s wait to tell him. I’m sure it’ll be fine if 38 comes along!

  “Lady Evelyn.” Levi said.

  “Yes?” I asked, a bit surprised.

  No time to worry about the trip. Lets focus on the here and now.

  “How are things at this academy? Is there anything I should know about?” He asked.

  “Nothing in particur.” I said. “Although I have heard rumors about some ghost sightings.”

  “It seems like ghosts are seen everywhere.” He joked. “Any interesting events aside from that?”

  “Um, no. Nothing that I can think of.” I said.

  “Honestly, like anything.” He said. “No drama?”

  “None that I’m aware of.” I said.

  “Really?” He asked surprised. “Okay, what about news of The Saint?”

  “I haven’t heard any at least.” I lied. It’s not like I can tell him about all of the saints we’re keeping track of.

  “Really…” He said.

  “…” I nodded. I’m not sure why, but this guy seems suspicious… Could he be trying to take a saint back to his kingdom? I’ll warn Uncle about him ter.

  “No demons emerging from the sewer?” He asked.

  “No.” I said. Truthfully there was a while ago, but as Melody I already took care of them st month.

  “Man…” He seemed to be deep in thought. “No strange events on a css trip?”

  “?” Does he know something I don’t? “What kind of strange event?”

  “You know, like demons or something appearing where they shouldn’t.” He said. “Like a really strong one.”

  Okay, let’s take this as a sign that something bad is going to happen on the field trip. I seriously need to be there to keep an eye on everyone. For now, let’s keep calm.

  “I would certainly hope not.” I said. “The css trip is coming up and I’m sure that everyone involved is making sure that the area is safe.”

  “So it hasn’t happened yet…” He muttered to himself in deep thought.

  “If you’re worried about it, you should ask the teachers after css.” I said. “They know more of it than I do.”

  Good, with this, he should stop asking questions.

  “Yes, well that aside, have you ever thought about marrying into royalty?” He asked suddenly.

  “…” I couldn’t help but be stunned by him. “I’m sorry?”

  This guy… He’s not even whispering anymore. I can see others gncing at us! Dude! Time and pce! This is neither the time nor pce for this conversation! And on his first day here! Also, even if I agreed, Uncle and the Regents absolutely wouldn’t let it happen! A bit of a humble brag, but I’m very important to the kingdom and letting me go isn’t an option!

  “Well you know.” He continued unaware of my thoughts. “Someone of your status deserves someone, at the very least, the same rank as you, but we both know that you deserve better.”

  “…” What’s this guy talking about?

  “You deserve someone who truly knows you.” He smiled, slowly reaching his hand across the desk towards me.

  38! 38! If you're here, please punch this guy! Wait no, that’ll cause a diplomatic incident! What do I do!? Let’s reject him. If that doesn't work I’ll just leave and tell everyone that I wasn’t feeling good. They’re all watching, so I’m sure that they’ll understand.

  “If I find someone like that, I’ll consider it.” I gave a troubled smile and scooted away from him.

  “That someone may be closer than you think.” He gave that same smile.

  Where are my brass knuckles?

  “I think-” I started.

  “Yes, I think we should get to know each other better.” He said scooting closer to me.

  “Forgive me, but I’m not feeling very well.” I said, suddenly standing from my chair.

  Bail out! Grabbing my bag, I put it over my shoulder. Quickly moved towards the window, opened it up, and started to climb out.

  “WAITWAITWAIT!” The students and teacher started to shout.

  Ignoring them, I grabbed the gutter, and slid down to the ground. It was a bit shorter than a two story building, so it wasn’t dangerous. Once on the ground, I headed towards the school exit, ignoring my cssmates who still seemed to be in shock. What I couldn’t ignore was the sigh that came from my side.

  “When you get home, we are going to have some words.” 38 said, invisibly by my side.

  Knowing that it won’t just be her scolding me, I couldn’t help but tremble. Orion’s spankings still give me trauma… Regardless, let’s ugh it off while I still can.

  “Like, ‘good job’?” I asked.

  “You should have used the door.” She scolded.

  “I would have needed to walk past him.” I argued. “And if he reached out for me I was going to punch him.”

  “I was going to punch him too…” She sighed.

  ““…”” The two of us were silent.

  “Am I in trouble?” I asked.

  “No.” She sighed. “You’re only thirteen. You get to act out every once and a while, though I wish you did it in a normal way and not jump out of a window.”

  “I didn’t jump, I very clearly slid down the gutter.” I defended myself.

  “Whatever.” She sighed once more. “Let’s get you home. I’ll ask the chefs to make some cupcakes for you.”

  “Thanks.” I smiled slightly as I felt a gentle hand pat my head.

  Lna

  ***

  Holy fuck she jumped! She actually jumped! Much like the rest of my cssmates, I was pressed against the window to see if Evelyn was okay. How could she not be? She jumped out of a window after all! But contrary to all of our concerns, she walked away like nothing even happened. Who does that!? No that’s not true. I can see her shaking… I hope she’s okay… Gncing at the back of the css, I saw the cause of all of this. He too was watching in astonishment.

  Levi Altari, fifth prince and top troublemaker of the Alterrai Kingdom. Day one and he already drove someone to jump out of a window. Considering that Mom and Dad told us to keep an eye on him, I can’t help but feel discouraged. We can’t let him walk around by himself. Not after this… In all honesty, we probably should have made room for him to sit next to us, but we didn’t want to be bothered… We are SO in trouble…

  Grayburne