The Goddess Is Obsessed With Me

It's chilly.

A feeling so cold that it sends shivers down my spine.

It's clearly summer, and the heat should be scorching, but a coldness stimulates my nerves through the skin.

The coldness is so intense that I feel like I'm in a glacier region.

Yet, the actual place I'm in is the bustling royal road, bathed in the blazing sunlight.

The reason I feel this intense cold is precisely...

At this very moment, two girls are giving me icy stares, making me feel paralyzed.

"Haha..."

I tried to break the tense atmosphere with an awkward smile, but...

"How dare you deceive the princess? I must admit, you have guts."

Why are they exuding such coldness?

I tentatively speculate that perhaps my wrong choice has incurred their resentment... Thinking back to the events at the academy yesterday.

In retrospect, was it some sort of cosmic joke? If Marika and Aris had been in the same place back then, would the situation have been different?

"Harold!"

While Marika momentarily left her seat, Aris approached me.

"Do you remember our promise for tomorrow?"

The storm of events from the first day of enrollment had passed, but the following four days leading up to the weekend went smoothly without any incidents.

The memories of what might happen to me in the future began to fade, and by the time this morning arrived, they had vanished from my mind.

It was as if the information that was provided to me, hinting at future events, had disappeared as soon as the immediate crisis was over.

What phenomenon was that? Those fragmented memories that seem to hint at future events...

I don't have an answer, but I should make a note next time if it happens again.

Other than the kidnappings of Marika and Aris, there were many memories engraved, but they disappeared as if they were lies.

"As I mentioned before, I'll dress up nicely, so look forward to it!"

I personally thought it would be a casual meal with a friend, but did she have a different idea?

She seemed to be daydreaming, which made me worried.

Over the past four days, the only students I became close with were Aris and Marika.

Perhaps because of the incident on the first day, other students were not very welcoming, except for the two who I had helped.

Of course, it's too early to make a definitive judgment, but I mostly spent time with them.

There were times when all three of us were together, but there was always an awkward atmosphere, so I mostly hung out with one at a time.

Even if Marika and Aris weren't best friends, they were on good terms, so when the three of us were together, it wasn't too uncomfortable.

"I have some work at the student council, so I'll go ahead!"

In the midst of our casual conversation, Aris mentioned her tasks and promptly exited the classroom.

"Harold, I have something to discuss."

At that very moment, as if timed perfectly, Marika approached me.

"What is it, Your Highness?"

Although I addressed her formally, she seemed a bit dishappy.

"I told you to be casual. In the academy, there's no strict hierarchy, so you can speak freely if I allow it."

"Alright, Marika, what's up?"

When I responded casually as she wished, she gave a satisfied smile and then started discussing our meeting tomorrow.

"Remember our lunch date tomorrow? How about we go straight to a restaurant? I know a luxurious place that many nobles frequent."

She shared her plans, but honestly, I didn't mind either way.

Initially, I didn't save them for any reward, and their excessive gratitude even felt burdensome. I just thought of having a simple meal.

"It's about us having a meal together... and..."

However, unlike my attitude, Marika seemed nervous and expectant, not fitting for her royal status. She fidgeted with her fingers and murmured something under her breath. "Hehe... I'm really looking forward to tomorrow."

Both Aris and her seemed to be preparing something solidly, unlike me who took things lightly...

Maybe I should have been more thoughtful about this...

Did they know from the beginning that all three of us would gather?

As I mentioned before, the atmosphere was a bit awkward when the three of us met, so I planned to use this weekend's meeting as a chance to bond and improve our relationship.

So, I set the appointment time and place identically for both of them...

But I just realized I didn't mention that it would be the three of us.

Should I tell them now?

I briefly considered it, but...

"Would it really matter?"

Thinking that the more the merrier, I carelessly overlooked it. And such a casual decision led to the current situation...

"Harold... I didn't hear anything about the princess joining us."

"Weren't we supposed to spend time just the two of us? When did you make plans with Aris?"

She questioned me with her cold, piercing eyes.

"I just thought it would be nice for all of us to meet..."

I made a small comment, hoping to lighten the heavy atmosphere between us, but...

"It's not polite to merge appointments without prior notice, is it?"

"I'm a bit disappointed."

The situation only worsened...

Despite the scorching weather, our atmosphere felt as cold as a frosty winter.

It felt so out of place, especially compared to the surrounding people who looked at me with pity.

"I was a fool to expect! Now my mood is ruined!"

Complaining to herself, Marika turned on her heels and stormed off.

"Whether you two spend time together or not, I'm leaving. Consider our appointment canceled!"

In the end, she left angrily without looking back.

The pressure from her gaze lessened, but another girl was still glaring at me, making me unsure of how to react.

"Um... Aris?"

I cautiously called out her name, but her response was cold.

"I'd prefer if you didn't call me by my name."

She spoke gently, but her tone was as if addressing an enemy, making me involuntarily lower my head.

"I'm sorry..."

"What for?"

Every word I spoke felt like an accusation because of her monotone yet piercing replies.

"Ha..."

I lowered my head in an apologetic manner, took a deep breath, and her cold gaze finally softened.

"Really... I thought we'd spend time just the two of us. I took great care in getting ready... What's this?"

As Aris murmured to herself, I noticed her attire. The outfit perfectly matched her silvery hair, a beautiful yet simple dress, with a design blending black and white that harmonized wonderfully with her. I could tell she had genuinely prepared to impress me.

"You always look beautiful, no matter when I see you."

Attempting to lighten her mood, I sincerely shared my feelings, which seemed to shift the atmosphere once again.

"Why... all of a sudden?!"

Her previously stern face reddened, and she began to fidget.

"You can't... you can't just say that all of a sudden!"

Although she was pretending to be angry, she seemed genuinely flustered by my compliment.

"I'm just speaking my heart."

"Hmm..."

However, my sincere expression left her hesitating about how to respond.

"Well... I did prepare all this to hear that..."

She looked flustered, sometimes hesitant and somewhat confused, but...

"That's really unfair..."

The atmosphere lightened again, and she muttered something that sounded slightly discontented, but the familiarity returned.

"So... shall we go?"

I cautiously suggested starting our plans for the day. She briefly glared at me with displeasure, but soon relented. "I have to do my best today, right?"

Responding with the brightest smile I could muster, I follow the path she leads. After Aris left Harold's side,

There was a girl who had been closely watching him for a while.

From the moment Marika and Aris abandoned him until he disappeared from view, there was someone who never took her eyes off Harold.

Step... step...

The girl, with an appearance resembling a fragile maiden, walked with surprisingly heavy steps. She stood where he was just moments ago, blankly staring at the street where he had vanished.

"Harold...?"

In a voice filled with fondness and longing, as if they had known each other for ages, the mysterious girl murmured his name.

Whoosh!

At that moment, a strong gust of wind blew through the area...

"Is it really you...?"

Her red hair fluttered in the wind, and with an anxious expression, she posed a question that might never be answered.