I'm so tired of all the events that have been happening these days. Why did those guys think they were helping me by attacking Felix and beating him up so badly? I think I might have a culprit.
"Jonathan, do you know anything about what just happened?"
"What exactly? Oh, wait... Did you hear that your rival is in the hospital? I think you should thank me for that... Wait, what are you doing-"
I started choking Jonathan forcefully, thinking I might kill him if I continued... All my hopes went down the drain because Jonathan got involved in my plans.
"Jonathan, you're lucky I'm lenient with you because of our friendship. If I hear that you're causing harm to Felix with the people you're involving, you'll have a problem with me, got it?"
"What do you mean? Weren't you jealous of him?"
"It's none of your business whether I'm jealous of him or not, understood?"
"Alright, Maurice... If that makes you happy, then I won't do anything without your knowledge. You know, I care about you and-"
"That's why I forgive you for this..."
Anyway, I know Jonathan isn't a bad guy. Rather, he's my best friend, and he would never do something that would cause me trouble, so... Well, I need to find out more about Felix's condition. I know who to turn to... Our professor surely knows something, so I'll approach him.
I knocked on the door of his office. It seemed like he was talking to someone... He was talking to the only girl in our academy, Emily...
"Maurice, come in," the professor's voice could be heard.
"Well, you know-"
"Maurice, I'm glad you didn't let Felix die, but still... Did you send those guys to hurt him?"
"No... I had no idea about that... If I had sent them, do you think I would have saved him?"
"Yes... You're right... Anyway, what happened?"
"Do you know anything about Felix's health condition?"
"Yes... He just recovered, but he will be discharged tomorrow after some tests. However, he won't be able to attend classes for a week..."
"I-I understand... If you'll excuse me, I'd like to take my leave..."
"Sure, good night Maurice..."
"Good night, Father... "
I can't sleep. I took a hot shower and drank a cup of warm milk to help me sleep, but it doesn't seem to be working. Honestly, I can't sleep; I just lie here and stare at the ceiling, worried that I might have caused the death of one of the most important characters in my favorite book...
The next morning, I went down to breakfast hoping to hear some news about Felix's health. At the council table, there was now an extra seat occupied by Emily... Anyway, there's no use crying over spilled milk, right?
"Your Highness, is it just me, or did you not sleep last night?" Emily asked me.
"Honestly? I dozed off for maybe an hour or so before waking up feeling even more tired than when I went to bed..."
"Really? Do you need something? Medicine or-"
"No... Speaking of doctors and such, what do you know about Felix?"
"Well, I know he's on his way back to the Academy after being discharged this morning. Is something wrong?"
"No, nothing... Jonathan, after breakfast, could you prepare for the next council meeting? I don't have the energy to participate today, so if you could postpone it..."
"Sure, Maurice... Anyway, it's not like time is running out, right?"
Of course not... Maybe for someone like Jonathan, everything seems simple. But for me, the one who almost died and transmigrated into this kind of universe, well... I still hope everything will turn out well for everyone...
After classes, I went for a short visit to our injured colleague. I knocked on his door and was greeted by his roommate.
"Your Highness, we didn't expect this visit. Please come in!"
"I came with some things for Felix... You know, some medicine, bandages, and his class materials for today. Would it bother you if I saw him for a bit?"
"N-No... Please come in..."
Felix was lying in bed with his chest exposed, covered in wounds, just like the rest of his body... Honestly, he looks exactly as I imagined. Oh, God... I think the wounds make him look even better. You know, like a martyr in the paintings at my grandparents' house... Yeah, exactly. But I'm the villain in this story, right?
"Felix, I came to visit you... Are you okay?"
"Your Highness... Please, just stop..."
"Wait, what?"
"I want to live freely and peacefully in this Academy, so if you don't mind..."
"Felix, I didn't-"
"Maurice, stop it... You've been hurting me since I got here! I've already been hospitalized because of you... I've had enough... Please, just leave..."
"Wait, I didn't..."
"I don't care if I continue studying here or not, but I want you to leave me alone..."
Wait, what have I done? I didn't do anything, but... My head... It's starting to hurt again. It seems like I need to retreat to my room before I collapse and embarrass myself in front of Felix or others.
"Fine, I'll leave... I just need to..."
"Your Highness, are you okay?"
"My head hurts... Help me get to my room, please..." I asked Felix's roommate.
My heart can't take all of this. I'm still contemplating whether it's best to stay in this Academy or leave for another town... But Felix has enchanted me, and I don't think I can ever be without him.
Anyway, I think it's best to rest today. After I arrived in my room, I fell asleep for a few hours before waking up overwhelmed by an unimaginable heat.
"Wait, what's happening?"
"Maurice... Felix has..."
"No, I refuse to believe it..."
"Well, you wanted it, didn't you? Now you're free from a rival, don't you think?"
"No... It can't be!"
I woke up abruptly, which startled Jonathan, who had just come into the room. Honestly, I would've been scared too if my roommate suddenly got up from bed and started having fits of anger.
"Maurice, what's wrong?"
"It's nothing... I visited Felix, and it seems he's angry with me... He still believes it's my fault for everything that happened..."
"I-I'm sorry about that, okay?"
"It doesn't matter anymore... Just help me and give me the pills on the table, please..."
"Sure..."
The next day, everything returned to normal. Almost everything... Felix was still in his room, unable to attend classes or the council meeting.
"Your Highness, can we talk for a moment?"
"What can I help you with, Emily?"
"You know, I'm grateful to you for saving Felix, but-"
"You know what? If you hadn't come to our Academy, things might have been different, don't you think?"
"Wait, what? Why is it my fault?"
"Because everyone thinks I'm fighting him for you, which isn't true. Well, maybe I was in love with you before, but that's not the case anymore..."
"I-I mean..."
"Yes! You are the reason Felix was almost killed and why someone acted in my name..."
It seems like I was harsh with her because immediately after that, Emily left the classroom in tears. Honestly, I feel sorry for her, but my heart is breaking with pain.
I think my actions have been discovered by Marcus, the shadow angel who calculates all my mistakes.
"Maurice, you shouldn't have..."
"Come on, Father... I don't have time for morality, okay? I know the difference between right and wrong, but it's not my fault for all of this, alright?"
It seems like it's somewhat my fault after all... Anyway, Jonathan watched from a distance, not wanting to get involved in my affairs. The most concerning thing was that Felix was becoming colder toward me as time went by.
Finally, the much-anticipated Sunday arrived. Saturdays were the days we were free from classes but not from council meetings. Anyway, the topics were extremely boring, like changing the cafeteria food or other, but something happened the day before.
This Saturday, Jonathan brought up a different topic. This time, it wasn't those boring subjects, but it was an interesting one.
"Now that we have a girl among us, I think it would be good to change our perspective, don't you think?" Jonathan said.
"Well, if we had a hamster among us, would we have to do the same? Don't forget that this happened because of your votes. So, does that mean we no longer need a president? Maybe we should just put up a statue or a painting of me instead, right?"
"Maurice, it's not-"
"Yes, Jonathan... I understand what you're trying to do... You want to dethrone me because I don't agree with admitting girls to the Academy, right?"
"M-Maurice... That's not it... It's about you... You've been different for a few days, what happened?"
All the members were extremely worried about me, but I couldn't say what was making me become like this... Anyway, the meeting ended, and I continued to stay in the room until the last member left.
The next day, Sunday, it was time to be a little more religious and attend a Mass celebrated by Father Marcus...Felix was around as well.
I wanted to go and ask him about his condition when Emily went towards him and helped him walk... Felix looked at her with a calm expression and smiled tenderly at her... No. It can't be. That smile was meant for me... What the hell is happening with everyone? Am I the only crazy one? I have to get rid of this girl at any cost!
I need to do something differently, or else all my plans will just remain dreams destined to never come true. So, let's start with plan B.
"Jonathan, come here!"
"Maurice, what's gotten into you? Are you okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine... The thing is, I want you to continue taking care of Felix, and I will handle something else."
After lunch, I went to my room... Well, I went to think about how I can execute my plan. Let's begin.
I went for a walk in the Academy's garden. The tall trees and the beautiful fragrant flowers warmed my heart. But what delighted me the most was seeing my rival, Emily.
"Y-Your Highness, are you taking a walk?"
"Yes, Emily. But I would like to ask you something, alright?"
"S-Sure, how can I help you?"
"Well, I would like you to stay away from Felix and not dare to help him anymore from today onwards, okay?"
"F-Felix needs help, and you said that-"
"That was before I saw you around him all day... From now on, I will take care of him, understood?"
"Um, I think it would be better if I continued taking care of Felix... You know, you're busy with-"
"I'm not giving you that right! If you want to stay in this Academy, then you will do as I say, understood?"
When I said the last sentence, I pushed Emily against the wall and whispered in her ear that she could be expelled within an hour if I spoke to the right person... However, from behind me, someone came and pushed me away, releasing Emily from my grip.
"Your Highness, I don't think you should behave like this towards a girl..."
"What are you saying, Felix? It's not your business to meddle in my affairs, right?"
"F-Felix..." she began to cry.
"It's alright, Emily..." Felix started to console her, holding her in his arms.
I guess in the end, I helped in the formation of a new couple. This can't be! I can't believe I've reached this stage... I need to do something urgently!