My High School Nerd Rival - Chapter 17

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 17
Tiffany’s pupils dilated sharply in that instant.
“W-what did you just say?”
“Well, you’d know better than anyone. I’m talking about why you have white ones that haven’t even been released by the brand.”
“This is unbelievable. Are you seriously suggesting I’m wearing counterfeits? This was specially made for me by the brand. It’s a world you could never understand!”
Tiffany turned out to be surprisingly bad at keeping her composure. Why did her face flush so quickly?
Wasn’t that as good as announcing, “I’m lying right now”?
“Really, I’m so envious that they specially crafted something just for you.”
Tiffany clamped her lips shut and glared at Evelyn.
“Oh, and if you get stuck on an assignment, feel free to ask me anytime. I love looking out for and helping the students of Dormitory 3.”
Evelyn passed by Tiffany’s side.
A moment later, she heard huffing behind her. When she turned around, Tiffany was hurling that “specially made” Headband across the room.
And so a great many things were resolved.
The negative rumors about Evelyn that had swept through Dormitory 3 began to subside somewhat. And at least a handful of students apologized to her, either in person or through notes.
Evelyn accepted all their apologies, and for that she had to listen to Joy scold her.
Even though it was actually Joy, the vice-prefect of Dormitory 3, whose gesture had created the atmosphere of apology in the first place.
So how did Joy take that position, you ask?
‘What choice did I have? I’d already lied about it.’
Evelyn hadn’t actually done anything. Joy was simply the kind of person who understood responsibility.
‘But now that I’ve taken it on, I’m not going to just fake being vice-prefect. Give me your contact information. We’ll need to discuss dormitory management even during the break.’
She really was a good person.
In fact, after Joy became vice-prefect, the students of Dormitory 3 became even more cooperative.
When lights-out came, they naturally dimmed their brightness; the laundry room stayed tidier than before. Even the trash stuffed into hallway wall crevices was spotted less often.
Though it was unfortunate that the maximum Conduct Points she could earn as prefect had diminished slightly, Evelyn left it as is—otherwise she’d have ended up in the red.
And so the first semester drew to a close with quite a lot resolved.
Well, except for one thing.
She would have to be Cyrus Quinton’s Chemistry Experiment partner for the entire next semester.
Unfortunately, there was no way around it.
Cyrus and Evelyn were the only two students in that class who hadn’t found a partner.
They’d end up with a tie in experimental chemistry.
The fact had infuriated her at first, unbearably so, but Evelyn quickly made peace with it.
She would simply have to dominate in every other subject. And work hard as dormitory prefect too.
If she did that, first place in the next semester would certainly be hers.
Now that the direction was clear, all that remained was to keep moving forward steadily.
No more incidents would occur.
Everything—everything was finished.
Period 2
Winter deepened, and the New Year arrived before anyone knew it.
Royal High School entered its short New Year’s break before the second semester began, and most students returned home to celebrate with their families.
Of course Evelyn returned home too. But unlike the other students, it wasn’t to celebrate with family.
For the Royal Family, New Year’s was never simply a day to celebrate and drink champagne.
For the small nation of Alden, this day was when the Royal Family and Parliament presented a “Performance Report” in the form of a New Year’s Address to the people.
Since childhood, Evelyn had been taught that “even if you look like you’re about to collapse, you must present a perfect appearance at the New Year’s Address,” and she had grown up watching her parents do exactly that.
The clearest memory she had was from five years ago.
When a poisoning attempt occurred among the Royal Family siblings, her father was there on that very stage.
Despite having drunk some of the poison sent by his uncle, her father feigned “perfection.”
And from that stage, he declared that he would “eliminate” without mercy the younger brother who had tried to poison him, quelling the chaos.
And before the New Year’s joy had even faded, Evelyn’s uncle ceased to exist in this world.
Even setting aside such heavy matters, it was a routine that repeated almost every year: two people who had been shouting at each other the day before standing hand in hand, facing each other with smiles.
‘Could Cyrus manage something like that?’
Painting on a false smile for the benefit of others.
“Absolutely not.”
Evelyn murmured quietly.
The strategy of absorbing talented people of the age into the Royal Family seemed to have been somewhat effective so far, but such luck could hardly last forever.
Cyrus Quinton would certainly bring disaster.
Even during the Performance Report, he would radiate cold and spawn all manner of Speculation Articles.
He wouldn’t even consider how these trivial “Speculation Articles” could have economic repercussions in such a small nation.
“He’s definitely not suitable.”
“Cyrus Quinton, sir?”
Evelyn jumped at the question that suddenly came from beside her, turning to look.
The one who had spoken the name she’d been thinking of only in her mind was Owen, her secretary.
How on earth had he known?
Evelyn quickly shook her head.
“Why would I be thinking about Quinton all the way out here?”
“Here,” of course, meant inside the Royal Palace.
Moreover, this was a crucial moment. The New Year’s Address was about to begin on the Terrace.
This address would be broadcast live not only to the people gathered in Royal Square, but to the entire kingdom.
Though all Evelyn would be doing was standing behind her parents with a bright smile, she had learned that this cheerful expression too was important.
“If I may ask, why would you think of him here? After all, surely our princess will take first place.”
“That’s true. And I wasn’t thinking about Quinton anyway.”
“I sincerely hope so.”
Owen called over the makeup artist who had been waiting nearby and asked her to deepen Evelyn’s eye makeup slightly.
“Of course, our princess is perfect as is, but I believe a slight change in expression would serve better now.”
“The kids at our school won’t see this anyway.”
“Yes, according to research, the live viewership rate among teenagers is near zero percent. Quite worrisome. Young people these days.”
“They’re probably watching the summary version. ‘Young people these days’ are busy.”
Evelyn ventured to speak on behalf of “young people these days.”
It was hardly fair to pile so much work on them and then expect them to watch a tedious livestream too.
On the other hand, it was fortunate that teenagers had no interest in this stuffy affair.
The Royal High School students would be the same.
Still, safety came first always, so Evelyn obediently had her makeup redone.
Before heading out to the Terrace for the last time, she turned to look at the decorative mirror on the wall.
The awkward Evelyn Underwood in gaudy Glasses and rumpled school uniform was not here.
The eyes that had been held back behind thick lenses now shone with their true light.
Hair that had always fallen forward as if hiding her face was now elegantly swept back, revealing a smooth jawline, and her porcelain-white skin gleamed softly under the light.
The girl in the mirror was the princess of this kingdom—Evelyn Claire de Crest.
‘Our princess will become such a wonderful lady.’
The Nanny’s voice echoed from the depths of old memory.
Did her current appearance resemble even slightly what the Nanny had imagined?
“…Owen. Is the Nanny watching?”
To Evelyn’s quiet question, the man who had drawn near answered in a gentle tone.
“Yes, I’m certain of it.”
That was probably meant to comfort her.
The Nanny had been cast out of the Royal Family because of Evelyn’s mistake during those terrifying days when blood flowed through the palace.
And all this time since then, they had searched for her, but could never reach her.
Perhaps she was living freely somewhere beyond Evelyn or Owen’s reach.
Along with her clever son.
“I wish she could see me. With that boy too.”
“Your Highness.”
“Of course, I mean from back when I was a good memory for her.”
“…It’s time to move now.”
Evelyn took one final look at herself beyond the mirror, then turned with steady resolve.
It was time to fulfill her duty.
With a gentle smile on her face, she passed Owen and moved forward.
Everyone in the waiting room followed in her wake.
* * *
Meanwhile, at that same moment.
Logan glanced at his roommate Cyrus’s Tablet and was slightly taken aback.
A video site was open.
Of course, Cyrus was a modern person too and did occasionally pass time watching videos, but the content was usually long-established documentary broadcasts.
In any case, the screen that this fastidious roommate was looking at today was a bit different.
Particularly in that it was a “live” broadcast with people’s real-time messages scrolling up endlessly.
(Logan had once even gotten caught rummaging through search history out of curiosity whether his roommate might be looking at anything unsavory.)
Logan, who had been sprawled on his bed playing with a basketball, eventually got up and made his way behind Cyrus’s desk.
“What are you even—oh.”
Logan saw the image of the Royal Family on the screen and nodded.
“Thorough preparation, seriously.”
Logan patted Cyrus on the shoulder, letting out a quiet chuckle.
“Checking if your princess is still as pretty, huh? This lucky bastard.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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