No matter how good or bad someone’s first impression might be, usually, when you spend enough time with them, that impression tends to change slowly.
Even if the first impression is the worst, after around a year, somehow you start to notice their good sides. On the contrary, no matter how nice someone is, if you know them for a long time, their flaws will inevitably come to light. This is often the reason why couples break up. As you get to know each other, flaws start to show one by one, and as they pile up, they eventually reach a point where you can’t stand it anymore.
…Honestly, I’ve never dated, so I don’t really know what it’s like.
Anyway, the change in image comes not just from getting to know the unknown sides of someone, but also because the person has actually changed.
From my perspective, Charlotte’s change in image seems more because her personality has mysteriously changed than because I’m discovering unknown sides of her.
In the original work, Charlotte had a somewhat cold impression. As the story progressed and she formed a bond with the protagonist, Leo, her image softened a bit. However, when the Empire and the Kingdom went to war, that relationship broke apart.
The problem is that in this world, whether it’s due to the butterfly effect or something else, there’s no sign of the Emperor starting a war.
It’s a good thing—a really good thing—but…
Hmm hmm hmm.
I looked at Charlotte, who was letting out a suspicious laugh, with an expression of disbelief.
Right. Since there’s no reason for Charlotte to be wary of us anymore, she’s been showing us this strange side of her as time goes on.
“I have a surprise course prepared that will truly astound you all. Though the Empire may outshine us in industrialization, we will show you that when it comes to traditions and cuisine, we are incomparable!”
In the original, every time Alice and Charlotte fought, it seemed to revolve around political issues, but in this world, Charlotte was developing her logic in a bizarre direction.
“…Did you plan this during the break? Inviting the academy students to promote the excellent history and culture of Velbur?”
“I thought quite seriously about it,” Charlotte said, not at all flustered by Alice’s words.
“I think it will be quite difficult for Velbur, which is just now starting industrialization, to overwhelm the Empire in military or economic power. It’s a matter of time. We could enhance our military strength to the point where we can nip at the Empire when war breaks out, but we can’t grow it enough to occupy the entire Empire.”
“So, you intend to project cultural power?”
“Isn’t that a possibility? After all, the place you all frequently visit is a café that sells Velbur-style desserts.”
Charlotte’s gaze turned towards me.
“Even the café owner promotes themselves as having skills learned in Velbur, right?”
So, Charlotte is thinking about a cultural victory.
Well, personally, I don’t think it’s an absurd idea.
Culture is incredibly important in inter-country matters.
It’s hard to find an excuse to block it, and even trying will elicit strong backlash from the already-cultured class. To prevent such a phenomenon, the best method is to grow your own cultural industry so that the people enjoy their own culture.
Moreover, Velbur and the Empire have been neighboring countries with borders for a long time, and culturally, they’re quite close. Velbur still holds onto many cultural elements lost during the Empire’s industrialization process—such as culinary culture—which is why Velbur cuisine is trending, especially among the upper class.
Charlotte figured this out perfectly while attending the academy.
However, if there’s one thing I find a bit unsettling—
“I’m confident that when you all come to Velbur and taste food made by actual Velbur people, your thoughts will change drastically. It’s not just food; there are many sights to see. Velbur didn’t recklessly demolish existing buildings in the name of industrialization.”
Looking at Charlotte with her chest puffed out, I couldn’t help but feel a resemblance to my junior from Busan, who said, “When you come to Busan, I’ll make sure you experience the full Busan course.”
…There’s no need to remind anyone that I’ve already tasted Velbur food last year.
Seeing Alice glance at me with a hint of anxiety, I had to suppress a sigh.
*
Well, it seemed like only Alice and I thought that way, while the academy thought Charlotte’s invitation to Velbur was acceptable.
There were legal and cultural differences, but it wasn’t like there wouldn’t be any communication barriers. While Velbur commoners might not communicate well, most of the higher-ups who would welcome the academy students could speak the Empire’s language.
Of course, if it’s under the guise of broadening the students’ perspectives, the academy wouldn’t have any reason to refuse.
Naturally, the academy students were mostly filled with anticipation. After all, there were only two students from Velbur, Sophia and Charlotte.
In the world I lived in, there were many flights and if you saved some money and made an effort, you could go on a holiday abroad every few years, but in this world, overseas travel is not as easy. Since most places required manual applications, there are hardly any spots that grant free passes just by looking at a visa.
While nobles, guaranteed by their countries, would have their chances, for commoners, unless they were involved in commerce, overseas travel was quite tricky.
“…Mia.”
I called Mia quietly.
“Y-yes?”
Mia looked a bit flustered as she lifted her head, only to be startled and quickly closed her notebook when she saw where my gaze was directed.
The subject of my gaze was the notebook in front of Mia.
As the weather turned chilly, most students had entered the academy building to relax. The once green lawn was gradually turning yellow, and the leaves of the street trees had fallen, leaving nearly no landscape worth enjoying.
In the academy’s main hall, while students spent their time having tea, we were out in the student council room.
It was a sight I rarely saw, Mia’s face in the student council room, which I often forgot. At the beginning of the semester, Mia had followed me into the student council. No, ‘followed’ might be inaccurate; it’s more correct to say she ‘chased’ me.
During the days when our relationship was awkward, Mia barely had her name on the student council list, but these days she occasionally came out like this.
And now was one such occasion. Mia occupied one of the small tables in the student council room, diligently writing something in her notebook.
“Are you perhaps writing a food list?”
At my question, Mia’s face turned slightly red.
“I don’t see it as my obligation to answer that.”
Look at this.
Seeing Mia answer with a hint of defiance, as if trying to hide her embarrassment, I took a seat at one of the unoccupied spots at the table she was sitting at.
“Are you that excited about going to Velbur? Writing down a list of foods you want to try.”
“N-no, that’s not it,” she insisted.
What do you mean ‘not it’?
It was clearly a food list from Velbur.
Looking at it now, Mia had undergone a significant change in image. She used to have the sharp spikes of a porcupine when I first met her, but now she seems more like a hamster or a squirrel.
Sure, she might nip at you if you touch her the wrong way.
I briefly recalled the Mia from the original work. Did the Mia from the original really have such a gluttonous side?
Hmm… It seems like there weren’t many characters who showed that side anyway.
If it were something along the lines of “eating a lot,” that would change the story, but it’d be difficult to squeeze in scenes where she happily munches on various snacks or has a preference for specific food from a certain country. Plus, Mia was a character who took a long time to overcome her circumstances.
Whether it was because of me or something else, Mia in this world has understood her situation at high speed and overcome her trauma, and although she still comes off as somewhat timid, she’s not the gloomy character she used to be in the original.
“Isn’t Velbur just next to the territory? If you want, you can easily cross over and taste the food.”
“…Are you speaking seriously?”
Mia looked at me with wide eyes.
“I’m from Crowfield, you know.”
…Ah.
Right.
Crowfield was originally part of Velbur’s territory.
She’s not just living next door; she’s a descendant of the invaders.
“…”
“…”
A moment of awkward silence passed between us. It was just a brief moment, but I think I caught a glimpse of a look in Mia’s eyes that seemed to say, “As a Crown Princess, you don’t know that?” Maybe it was just my imagination.
Um, uh.
Back to the topic.
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