Chapter 69 - Translation

Chapter 69: Afternoon troubles 2  After Class ended Seo and I decided to take our lunch together. Making our way to the cafeteria, Seo and I noticed the absurd number of students busily trying to take any available seats. "Everyone sure is lively today..." Seo commented. "Yes..." I replied, observing the bustling scene. Although the reason was obvious, it was still surprising to see so many students here. Did they miss the cafeteria food that much, even though most of the items here cost around 2,000 gems on average? Considering that most students, surviving off missions and such, only earn an average of around 10,000-15,000 gems every moth at best, it was pretty surprising to see some students from the lower classes actually buying food here. The food inside the commercial district is much cheaper, so I reckoned all of them would've gathered there like usual. 'Is there something different now?' I wondered. Looking around, it was clear that finding any available seats here was going to be a hassle just from the sheer number of students lining up in the canteen. Even the staff were busily trying to handle all of them. Although I was the one who invited Seo to have lunch here, it seemed we might have to change our plans for a bit. "Seo, how about we have lunch somewhere else?" I suggested. "Ok..." came Seo's fast response. She also realized that we would only be wasting time here if we waited for some seats to open up. We could probably use our authority as A-class students to force out the ones sitting, but that would just be plain old bullying. Besides, I don't want to have such a record attached to my name. As much as power hierarchy rules this place, at the end of the day we are all just students trying our best to survive this hellish academy in our own ways. Turning around, Seo and I were just about to leave when a sudden commotion took place. "Wow, look!" "She's so pretty." "Is that...?" "Look, it's the princess!" "Why is she here?" "I've heard she sometimes visits the cafeteria along with a black-haired boy, but to think the rumors were actually true." "But she's alone now, though?" Conversations rallied up like a buzzing feed as all of them stared at the goddess walking closer to the cafeteria... 'Snow?' 'But Lucas is not with her though?' Walking right behind us was the very epitome of beauty itself, Princess Snow White. She had a very natural and esteemed look and grace in her aura as she walked closer to us. Ignoring the people mesmerized by her, she casually walked past everyone as they made way for her. Her eyes locked onto mine, and she suddenly smiled in the most nonchalant of ways, as if we were long-time friends. It was disarming, to say the least. "Good afternoon, Riley... and Miss Seo, perhaps?" Snow greeted us warmly. "Yes, good afternoon, Your Highness," I replied, making a slight bow. "Good afternoon, Your Highness..." Seo followed my lead, bowing as well. Although this was probably only Seo's and Snow's second time meeting, they were essentially acquaintances now, which saved me the trouble of introducing them. "Are you two about to have lunch, perhaps?" Snow said with a smile, subtly glancing at Seo. Like a long-time friend you haven't seen in a while, she casually initiated a conversation as if it were nothing. Talking to someone wasn't particularly difficult, but even still, after what happened to us a week ago, I thought she might be a bit more reluctant to speak with me-especially after that kiss. 'Is she alright now?' I wondered, feeling a pang of uncertainty. I had a feeling she had been purposely avoiding me all this time, but seeing her now, I guess that wasn't the case? "Yes, Your Highness, but as you can see, there are a lot of people here, so Seo and I were about to go out," I explained, gesturing toward the crowded cafeteria. Snow nodded. "I understand. The cafeteria does seem particularly busy today... but don't worry, a table was specially reserved for me today!" she said with a clap, then gently grabbed hold of my right hand. "Uh-Your Highness?" I stammered, taken aback by the sudden contact. "The two of you are about to have lunch, right? It's perfect. Why don't you join me? It's pretty lonely eating alone, you know?" Snow's smile was warm and inviting, making it hard to refuse. Seo, who was standing on my other side, grabbed onto my left hand. We looked like a bunch of kids holding hands together, being dragged along by the princess's wishes. The stares from the other students intensified, a mixture of curiosity, admiration, and perhaps a hint of jealousy directed at us. I exchanged a quick glance with Seo, who seemed as bewildered as I was but also slightly curious. Snow led us through the cafeteria, her presence parting the sea of students effortlessly. They all made way for her, their whispers and curious glances following us. It felt surreal to be the center of attention, but Snow's grip on my hand was reassuring, her demeanor as graceful as ever. As we approached the reserved table, I noticed it was situated in a quieter corner of the cafeteria, away from the bustling crowd. It was elegantly set, with a pristine white tablecloth and a vase of fresh flowers at the center. The staff had clearly gone to great lengths to ensure it was perfect for her. "Please, have a seat," Snow said, releasing our hands and gesturing to the chairs. Seo and I sat down, still slightly in awe of the situation. Snow took her seat opposite us, her smile never fading. Looking at the overall preparation and the vibe of this place, I couldn't shake the feeling that all of this was pre-arranged. The entire setup had a carefully orchestrated feel, as if this whole situation had been planned from the start. Seo, standing beside me, seemed to share my bewilderment. This was a public cafeteria, after all-students wouldn't just clear out and not use the available tables without a very good reason. My suspicions grew as I glanced around. Two chefs were busily cooking something that smelled absolutely mouthwatering. From just a glance, I could tell they weren't the usual academy staff chefs. No, these were Snow's personal chefs, dressed in academy chef uniforms to blend in. And then there was the familiar face of a very notable character-Ellie, Snow's personal maid and top agent royal guard. Despite her overly gullible and lively appearance, Ellie was a deadly assassin and one of the fastest characters in the game. If she was here, something significant was definitely up. Snow sat down in front of me, her gentle smile making it hard to focus on anything else. Stroking the back of her hair, she settled into her seat and then snapped her fingers. Ellie immediately approached and handed us menus. "Please, order whatever you want. I'll pay for it." The situation felt surreal, like a scene from one of the high-stakes missions in the game. Snow's presence, the exclusive setup, the personal chefs-it all seemed too extravagant for a simple lunch. But here we were, being treated like royalty. Seo and I exchanged glances before opening the menus. The dishes listed were gourmet, far more elaborate than the standard cafeteria fare. Despite my curiosity about what Snow was up to, the aroma wafting from the kitchen made it impossible to resist ordering something. I picked a dish that looked particularly appetizing, and Seo did the same. Once we had placed our orders, Snow leaned back in her chair, looking genuinely pleased. "I'm glad you could join me today," she said, her eyes flickering with a hint of something I couldn't quite place. "I've been meaning to talk to you both, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity." "Is there something specific you wanted to discuss, Your Highness?" I asked, trying to keep my tone casual despite the growing curiosity. Snow's smile widened, but before she could respond, our food arrived. The chefs placed the dishes in front of us with a flourish, and the aroma was even more enticing up close. For a moment, the conversation paused as we took in the beautifully presented food. After enjoying the warm aroma and the sweet scent of the beautiful food in front of us, Snow pondered my question for a bit, leaning her arms on the table and resting her chin on her hands. She looked at me with a slight smirk. "A specific reason, hmm-?" She let the question hang in the air for a moment before continuing, "There's none really...." "Excuse me?" I asked, still a bit skeptical. I knew Snow's character the best. She was the type to do things with utmost purpose, always having some plan in mind. Her actions lately seemed to contradict that, but even so, she was essentially the same Snow from the game. There was no way she didn't have a motive. Was she here to discuss the upcoming student council elections? Or perhaps to entice me to join her side for the grand festival? Considering all the political schemes that happen there, did she want me to become her representative? Now that I think about it... isn't she a bit more beautiful than usual? Her hair was braided up high in a bun, highlighting her delicate pale nape. Her usually disheveled bangs that sometimes hid her captivating blue eyes were now meticulously put to the side by a beautiful snowflake hairpin. A pair of blue earrings that matched her overall color scheme also highlighted her already stunning features. She looked like an angel who had descended into this very world. Honestly, it was hard not to get lost staring at her due to her beauty alone. Not to mention... 'Isn't her dress a bit more... sexier today?' I knew the heroines each had their own unique types of uniform, but the white uniform she was wearing right now was a tad bit too unique, no? From what I remember, Snow doesn't like showing her skin in front of other people due to her complexion, which she was secretly sensitive about. That was why she always wore a shawl or a white cardigan and jacket to cover up most of her skin, sometimes even wearing white gloves just to make up for it during summer. Yet here she was, wearing a sleeveless white uniform that showcased the beauty of her white arms. Even the skirt she wore was a bit shorter than usual. Although she wore white tights to cover up her pristine legs, somehow... it made her look even more erotic? I couldn't help but feel my cheeks flush slightly at the thought. Snow, usually so reserved and modest, was now dressed in a way that emphasized her natural beauty in a more alluring manner. It was as if she had transformed into a vision of elegance and sensuality. Snow noticed my lingering gaze and tilted her head slightly, a playful glint in her eyes. "Riley, is something wrong?" she asked with a gentle smile. "N-no, Your Highness," I stammered, quickly averting my eyes. "Fufu- is that so?" she said, pausing lightly as she picked up her knife and fork. "Please don't think too much about my actions for today, Riley." "I knew it might seem suspicious but...." "I just wanted to spend some time with you~" 11 || The moment she said those words, a heavy silence descended over the entire cafeteria. Glancing around, I noticed that everyone had paused, their conversations and even their eating interrupted by Snow's statement. 'Were these people seriously listening...?' !

Chapitre 69 : Troubles de l'après-midi 2 Après la fin des cours, Seo et moi avons décidé de déjeuner ensemble. En nous dirigeant vers la cafétéria, Seo et moi avons remarqué le nombre absurde d'étudiants qui essayaient de trouver des places disponibles. « Tout le monde est vraiment animé aujourd'hui... », a commenté Seo. Oui...« , ai-je répondu, observant la scène animée. Bien que la raison fût évidente, il était toujours surprenant de voir autant d'étudiants ici. Manquaient-ils autant de la nourriture de la cafétéria, même si la plupart des plats coûtent environ 2 000 gemmes en moyenne ? Considérant que la plupart des étudiants, qui survivent grâce aux missions et autres, ne gagnent en moyenne que 10 000 à 15 000 gemmes par mois au mieux, il était assez surprenant de voir certains étudiants des classes inférieures acheter de la nourriture ici. La nourriture dans le quartier commercial est beaucoup moins chère, donc j'ai pensé que tous seraient rassemblés là-bas comme d'habitude. Y a-t-il quelque chose de différent maintenant ?' me suis-je demandé. En regardant autour de moi, il était clair que trouver des places disponibles ici allait être un problème, vu le nombre d'étudiants qui faisaient la queue dans la cantine. Même le personnel s'affairait pour gérer tout ce monde. Bien que j'aie été celui qui avait invité Seo à déjeuner ici, il semblait que nous devrions peut-être changer nos plans un peu. » Seo, que dirais-tu de déjeuner ailleurs ?" ai-je suggéré. Ok...« est venue la réponse rapide de Seo. Elle aussi avait réalisé que nous perdrions notre temps ici si nous attendions que des places se libèrent. Nous aurions pu utiliser notre autorité d'étudiants de la classe A pour forcer ceux qui étaient assis à partir, mais cela aurait été du pur harcèlement. De plus, je ne veux pas avoir un tel dossier attaché à mon nom. Autant la hiérarchie de pouvoir règne sur cet endroit, autant nous sommes tous juste des étudiants qui essayons de survivre dans cette académie infernale à notre manière. En nous retournant, Seo et moi étions sur le point de partir lorsqu'un soudain tumulte a éclaté. » Wow, regardez ! Elle est si jolie. « Est-ce que c'est... ? » « Regardez, c'est la princesse ! » « Pourquoi est-elle ici ? » « J'ai entendu dire qu'elle visite parfois la cafétéria avec un garçon aux cheveux noirs, mais je n'aurais jamais pensé que les rumeurs étaient vraies. » « Mais elle est seule maintenant, n'est-ce pas ? » Les conversations se sont enflammées comme un flux bourdonnant tandis que tous les étudiants fixaient la déesse qui s'approchait de la cafétéria... Snow ? Mais Lucas n'est pas avec elle, cependant ? Marchant juste derrière nous se trouvait la personnification même de la beauté, la princesse Snow White. Elle avait un air très naturel et distingué, ainsi qu'une grâce dans son aura tandis qu'elle s'approchait de nous. Ignorant les gens hypnotisés par elle, elle passa tranquillement devant tout le monde tandis qu'ils lui faisaient place. Ses yeux se sont fixés sur les miens, et elle a soudain souri de la manière la plus nonchalante qui soit, comme si nous étions de vieux amis. C'était déconcertant, pour dire le moins. « Bonjour, Riley... et Mademoiselle Seo, peut-être ? » Snow nous a salués chaleureusement. Oui, bonjour, Votre Altesse," ai-je répondu en faisant une légère révérence. « Bonjour, Votre Altesse... » Seo a suivi mon exemple, en s'inclinant également. Bien que ce fût probablement seulement la deuxième fois que Seo et Snow se rencontraient, elles étaient maintenant essentiellement des connaissances, ce qui m'a évité la peine de les présenter. Vous deux êtes sur le point de déjeuner, peut-être ?« a dit Snow avec un sourire, en jetant un coup d'œil subtil à Seo. Comme une amie de longue date que vous n'avez pas vue depuis un certain temps, elle a initié une conversation de manière désinvolte, comme si cela n'avait rien d'extraordinaire. Parler à quelqu'un n'était pas particulièrement difficile, mais même ainsi, après ce qui s'était passé entre nous il y a une semaine, j'ai pensé qu'elle pourrait être un peu plus réticente à me parler - surtout après ce baiser. Est-elle vraiment en train de s'en remettre ?' me suis-je demandé, en ressentant une pointe d'incertitude. J'avais l'impression qu'elle m'avait intentionnellement évité tout ce temps, mais en la voyant maintenant, je suppose que ce n'était pas le cas ? » Oui, Votre Altesse, mais comme vous pouvez le voir, il y a beaucoup de monde ici, donc Seo et moi allions sortir," ai-je expliqué en faisant un geste vers la cafétéria bondée. Snow a hoché la tête. « Je comprends. La cafétéria semble particulièrement animée aujourd'hui... mais ne vous inquiétez pas, une table a été spécialement réservée pour moi aujourd'hui !« a-t-elle dit avec un claquement de mains, puis elle a doucement pris ma main droite. » Euh - Votre Altesse ? » ai-je bafouillé, pris au dépourvu par le contact soudain. « Vous deux êtes sur le point de déjeuner, n'est-ce pas ? C'est parfait. Pourquoi ne pas vous joindre à moi ? C'est plutôt ennuyeux de manger seul, vous savez ? » Le sourire de Snow était chaud et engageant, ce qui rendait difficile de refuser. Seo, qui se tenait de l'autre côté de moi, a pris ma main gauche. Nous ressemblions à un groupe d'enfants se tenant par la main, étant entraînés par les désirs de la princesse. Les regards des autres étudiants se sont intensifiés, un mélange de curiosité, d'admiration et peut-être une pointe de jalousie dirigé vers nous. J'ai échangé un rapide coup d'œil avec Seo, qui semblait aussi perplexe que moi mais également légèrement curieuse. Snow nous a menés à travers la cafétéria, sa présence écartant la mer d'étudiants sans effort. Ils lui ont tous fait place, leurs murmures et leurs regards curieux nous suivant. Cela semblait irréel d'être le centre de l'attention, mais la prise de Snow sur ma main était rassurante, son maintien aussi gracieux que jamais. En nous approchant de la table réservée, j'ai remarqué qu'elle était située dans un coin plus calme de la cafétéria, loin de la foule agitée. Elle était élégamment dressée, avec une nappe blanche immaculée et un vase de fleurs fraîches au centre. Le personnel avait clairement fait de grands efforts pour s'assurer que tout soit parfait pour elle. « Veuillez prendre un siège,« a dit Snow en nous lâchant les mains et en faisant un geste vers les chaises. Seo et moi nous sommes assis, toujours légèrement en admiration devant la situation. Snow a pris son siège en face de nous, son sourire ne faiblissant jamais. En regardant l'ensemble de la préparation et l'ambiance de cet endroit, je n'ai pas pu me défaire du sentiment que tout cela était pré-arrangé. L'ensemble de la mise en place avait une atmosphère soigneusement orchestrée, comme si toute cette situation avait été planifiée depuis le début. Seo, debout à côté de moi, semblait partager ma perplexité. C'était une cafétéria publique, après tout - les étudiants ne se seraient pas simplement écartés et n'auraient pas utilisé les tables disponibles sans une très bonne raison. Mes soupçons ont grandi tandis que je jetais un coup d'œil autour de moi. Deux chefs préparaient quelque chose qui sentait absolument délicieux. D'un simple coup d'œil, j'ai pu dire qu'ils n'étaient pas les chefs habituels du personnel de l'académie. Non, c'étaient les chefs personnels de Snow, habillés en uniformes de chef de l'académie pour se fondre dans la masse. Et puis il y avait le visage familier d'un personnage très notable - Ellie, la femme de chambre personnelle de Snow et garde du corps royal de haut rang. Malgré son apparence excessivement crédule et vive, Ellie était une tueuse à gages mortelle et l'un des personnages les plus rapides du jeu. Si elle était ici, quelque chose de significatif se tramait définitivement. Snow s'est assise en face de moi, son doux sourire me rendant difficile de me concentrer sur autre chose. Caressant l'arrière de ses cheveux, elle s'est installée dans son siège puis a claqué des doigts. Ellie s'est immédiatement approchée et nous a tendu des menus. » Veuillez commander ce que vous voulez. Je paierai. » La situation semblait irréelle, comme une scène tirée de l'une des missions à hauts risques du