It’s a bit too far-fetched to decide whether Charlotte’s way is right or wrong.
Originally, people’s values change over time. Even the values I held in modern times might seem overly outdated and conservative in a few centuries.
I have no intention of running around trying to change the values of this world all by myself.
I don’t plan to just conform either, but at least I can’t change the values that are so openly expressed in everyday life on my own.
“……”
“……”
The day after the student council president election.
We were gathered in the classroom without saying a word.
From what I heard, the previous student council elections didn’t have such a heavy atmosphere. The student council president is usually one of the Duke’s children, so once the candidates are determined, most people can figure out who the next president will be.
The previous student council president was like that too.
However, this time seems to be a bit different.
Alice, who is about to become the next Emperor of the Empire. And Charlotte, the only child of the neighboring kingdom’s king.
If you just look at the terms “Empire” and “Kingdom,” the Empire seems higher, but in reality, they are just different countries. No matter how much the national power differs, you can’t outright disregard the authority of another country. Since it’s not like the country actually entered under my control, there’s no justification for that either.
On top of that, Alice and Charlotte are close friends. They often get along well, but suddenly they’ve turned into this competitive relationship. So, for those watching from the sidelines, the atmosphere must feel incredibly tense.
“Actually, it’s not something to think about so seriously.”
“Is that so?”
As I mumbled and popped a snack in my mouth, Mia tilted her head in question.
“Anyway, even if you become the student council president, it’s not like anything amazing will happen.”
“Is that so?”
Mia asked again, and then she picked up a snack and put it in her mouth.
“Well, the academy is a special environment. Outside, there aren’t even suffrage rights for women, and most commoners aren’t interested in how politics work. The fact that all members are somewhat interested in voting is due to the academy’s special rules that state everyone is equal.”
“Ah, that’s right. So it means you can’t apply the relationships formed within the academy once you graduate.”
Mia nodded at my words.
“You can use the friendships made here, but… no matter what, there are very few people who can freely meet the Emperor of the Empire. Moreover, if Charlotte becomes president instead of Alice, it’ll be even harder to meet her. She’ll become the king of another country after all.”
Mia’s expression darkened a little at my comment.
“But it’s okay. It’s not like we’ll never meet again. If we contact them first and visit, they should be able to spare at least a little time.”
“Really?”
“Of course.”
“Hey, Sylvia.”
Just as I was having a leisurely conversation with Mia, Alice chimed in.
“You’re on my side, right? If I’m feeling tense, how about you get tense with me?”
What’s that? Are you praying for me not to become president? I honestly have no interest in the vice president position.
Of course, Alice is just trying to make an effort that suits her status, so I decided not to say anything that would undermine her efforts.
“It’s not like I can’t talk to Charlotte just because I can’t become the student council president.”
“That’s… true.”
“And there’s no reason for Charlotte to kick us out of the student council just because she becomes president. So, there’s really no need to be tense.”
“Right.”
Charlotte, who was quietly listening, spoke up, taking a sip of her tea.
“We are equal competitors, after all. I think there’s no need to feel tense.”
“I’m not tense!”
Alice, who appeared visibly anxious, refused to back down.
We are currently in the student council room.
You might wonder why candidates are present at the counting station, but then again, there aren’t any real legislative candidates entering an election count hall in the Empire. This is an academy, and the one being voted for is the student council president of the academy. Naturally, it’s quite different from voting for someone who actually participates in politics. Even class representatives are counted right in the classroom.
And the fact that both candidates are present might actually make it fairer.
We’re candidates for president and vice president, but at the same time, we’re still student council members. So it’s not weird to be in the student council room for such events.
“……”
“……”
As Mia and I fell silent, the student council room once again plunged into silence.
Rustle rustle, the sound of papers being counted could be heard, along with scribble scribble sounds of recording. There were also faint murmurs of conversation.
A few students glanced over at us.
I could understand why. Normally, these two would be so friendly, but now they’re having a stare-off.
In fact, I’ve convinced Charlotte in even more serious situations, and I’ve climbed onto roofs in attempts to persuade her, so nothing about this felt too serious to me.
Besides, Alice has been with me since childhood. Compared to the irritable little Alice who used to get annoyed every time she was in a bad mood, her current demeanor is almost cute.
Well, anyway, the voting is already over.
Charlotte focused on persuading the commoners while ignoring the nobility, and Alice seemed to focus on persuading the nobility, fearing that if she got involved in that situation, she might end up following Charlotte. Alice did visit the commoners’ section, but she didn’t bring gifts; she just spoke about her ordinary campaign promises.
If all the commoners voted for Charlotte, things would be different—
But, well, I guess we’ll see how it goes.
*
“The next president is… Crown Princess Alice Fanggriffon.”
And the result was just as I expected.
If I were to ask why, the reason is simple.
If all the nobles voted for Alice, that means about one-third of the entire grade voted for her. Therefore, if just one-third of the commoners voted for Alice, she would secure the majority.
In fact, over half of the commoners voted for Alice.
The reason is simple: Ultimately, Alice will be the next Emperor of the Empire.
All the nobles voted for Alice. In fact, a few abstained, which could have happened, but that was mainly because of the presence of Charlotte.
Once a favorable opinion towards Charlotte grew among the commoners, the noble kids probably thought, “Could this mean Alice isn’t winning?”
And if any votes from the noble kids went to Charlotte in a ‘true’ situation, that would mean they lost because of ‘that part.’ Even if it wasn’t a tight competition, it would still hold true.
Alice could end up becoming the Emperor with a negative image among the noble kids attending this school.
For the noble children, this was quite a frightening matter.
The same goes for the commoners. They were relatively distanced from such matters, but since they were kids from well-off families, they had no choice but to make a “political judgment.” The chance of becoming the Emperor and influencing the policies of the Empire will largely be Alice.
“Well, it turned out like this. I expected it, but I’m glad it didn’t go too badly.”
Charlotte said with a smile.
“……”
And then, Alice narrowed her eyes and glared at Charlotte, who remained relaxed.
“You didn’t plan to become president from the beginning, did you?”
“What are you talking about? How could I not be serious coming here?”
Charlotte scoffed at Alice’s words.
“If I achieved this level of success in my ‘first vote,’ then perhaps when I try again next year or the year after, it might be more effective. Plus, it helped raise the status of Velbur.”
“Are you planning to run again next year?”
“At least until I graduate, I intend to keep trying.”
Charlotte said with a smile in response to Alice’s words.
“Descendants of the Velbur royal family must always strive for the best!”
“I’ve never heard that before.”
“Well, it is; that’s the first time I said it.”
Hearing that, Alice let out a long sigh, her head bowed deeply before she suddenly lifted it up.
“Then, as the next president, I’ll have to work hard. Next time, I’ll make sure that those support rates drop dramatically.”
“There’s no reason to refuse a fair challenge, right?”
Charlotte replied to Alice’s words with a smile.
“Th-then I’ll also—”
“Of course. You didn’t think I’d be relieved just because I lost this time, did you?”
Mia’s face, previously relieved by Charlotte’s words, instantly turned pale.
“Did you hear that? You have to prepare properly for next year. I was lax this time, but I won’t let that happen again next time.”
Alice said with determination in her voice.
…Well, this is something.
It seems that despite everything that has happened, some aspects of everyday life stubbornly repeat themselves.
“Next time, I’ll definitely win!”
“I think it’ll be the same next time. I’m not going to sit idly by either.”
Look at that.
With that attitude, it feels like ending music is playing in the background and “to be continued” will pop up.
“……”
But still, well.
It’s certainly better than some lame “thank you for your love” farewell or whatever.
For now, let’s relish this repetition of daily life to the fullest.
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