No.
Hello. Riane, are you here?　I couldn't see him because he was so small.
....


　I was already knowledgeable enough that I didn't have to go to school, in case you were wondering. But I went to school for the reason that I had to interact with people. Even at a very young age, I was aware of the importance of interacting with people. Knowledge is not enough. I have more to learn.


　But what I learned in school was the ugliness of humanity.


　At school I was a total flop. I didn't have any friends. Partly because I was royalty, but more than anything else I seemed to be shunned because of my appearance. I wasn't really aware of it at the time, but all the parts of my perfectly symmetrical face, which was far from human and perfectly symmetrical... Objectively and subjectively, I must have a beautiful appearance. But that's what made me the target of bullying.


　Moreover, the main culprit was my sister, sister Grete. She is a high-handed person and has been using people with her chin since she was very young. There were a number of cronies since then. That may be a talent in a way, but it was quite bearable for me.


　A saint. And at only six years old, a child with as much or more knowledge than an adult. I was often praised by the aristocratic adults around me, and the military people around me as well. But the children around me probably didn't like me being so different. The bullying wasn't that serious, but it still continued to nevertheless be nebulous all the time, and it definitely gouged me.


　A special person. I've been described as such, but I'm an ordinary person at heart. It's not that I don't feel anything. I used to wet my pillow with tears before I went to bed. Of course, I never told anyone about it. I couldn't say it. It's disgraceful that I, a princess and a special saint, have been bullied and wet my pillow with tears. I was growing up so fast mentally that I thought it was a shame.



''Lady Liane how was school?''
'Today was so much fun!　And I hung out with my friends a lot!
''........I see. Well, that's good to hear....
Yeah!


　Belle and I have been together outside of school for a long time. He seemed to be performing duties in the twilight while I was at school, but for the most part, he was putting me first. I was happy. I didn't think I had anyone to support me. My mother was too busy to see me often, and my father never even saw me. And my sister and brother are either indifferent or hostile to me. I have a younger sister and brother, but I never see them at all. It was not what I would call a normal family, approximately.


　There was only the bell. Objectively speaking, he was just an escort. But to me, he was much more than that. Just being able to talk to her was enough. I loved the way she smiled and listened to me, smiling at me. Belle certainly wasn't very good at talking, but she was very good at listening for that. And maybe she was good at detecting the other person's subtleties, but I really enjoyed talking with her.


　Then one day, Belle pointed out something to me.


'So, you know, at school...'


　Today, as usual, I talk about fiction. There is no such thing as fun. I don't want to go to school anymore. I want to be liberated. As I think about it, I talk about the fun school life I've created in my brain. I've gotten used to this lie. I'm sorry for Belle, but today is the same way...I thought so, but suddenly Belle's expression becomes sharp.


''Duh, what's wrong, Belle?''
Well you don't have to do it any more, but thank you.
What ... what are you ... what are you talking about?
...School isn't fun, is it?
Well that's not what I'm talking about, today, with my friends!
''........it's okay now. You don't have to........
Uh.....


　I'm gently hugged by Belle in my room. Yes. She had seen through it all. She had seen through the fiction I was telling her. She embraced me and I felt a definite warmth. And so it was as if my frozen heart was melting.


　Warm. Feeling the warmth of people, I was crying.



'Ughhhhhhhhhhhh I don't really have any friends at school. Everyone at school either ignores me or Grete-sister takes the lead in bullying me....
'I knew it.........'
'I don't want to do this anymore I just want to live a normal life... ugh...'
'It's okay. If you cry today you'll be fine.
'Uhhhhhhhh.........'


　I cried on this day, probably for the first time in my life. At the same time, I vowed. This would be the last time I cried. I can't let this stop me. I need to move on, to move forward. For the sake of humanity and for the sake of this world.


　After this experience, I had to quit school. Instead, it was decided that I would be enrolled in the Counter-Magic Academy, although it would be like skipping a grade. My life after that was relatively calm.


　I didn't make any friends at the Counter Demon Academy. Everyone looked at me from afar and treated me like I was touching a boil. Still, there was no bullying here. It was just that I was alone. In that case, it was much better than before.


'How was your day........?
'I've been studying in the library all day by myself. You know, actually, the demons have....


　As usual, I would report to Belle about what happened today. However, I didn't have anything to talk or play with anyone, so all I had to say was what I was doing in the academy by myself.


　I can't fight on the front lines as a counter-magician. That's because of the limitations of this body. I can use magic, and I think I have talent. But my body can't withstand it. That's why I was studying to become an operational commander in the rear. How should I fight in the twilight, and how is it appropriate to make decisions in cases like this? He had been studying that all along.


　I'll tell that story to Belle. And because she's on the front lines fighting, we could have a more practical conversation. This is what happens on the front lines, and this is what you should do at that time. On the other hand, this kind of instruction is not a good idea. He taught me that in detail.


　And also, Bell taught me about the biology of the demon race. It's true that classroom learning is important, but after all, her story of directly confronting the demon race and slaughtering numerous numbers was very instructive.


　As I spent my days in this way, I had already turned 10 years old.


''Happy birthday........!
"Thank you, Belle.


　We celebrated the birthday alone in my private room. Of course there was a party at the royal castle, but I was just tired. I received many gifts and congratulations from the nobility. Still, what I wanted most was a little time with Belle.


'This is my........present to you.
Thank you, Belle.


　I got a gift every year, but this one was a little more special.


'A pendant?'
Yes I made it myself.
'I'm glad ... thank you so much, Belle.


　It was a pendant that was as good as a ready-made one. I put it on quickly and smiled lightly.


'How do you like it?　Does it look good on you?
Yes ... very good, you look good.
Hmm. I'll keep this on forever.
Thank you ... thank you.


　Belle also smiles as usual, smiling as if she's caught up with me. It's already been five years since I met her, and I feel like those five years have been incredibly intense. This is all thanks to meeting Belle. I'm really, really grateful to her from the bottom of my heart.


Hey Belle.
Yes, sir.
Thank you for being by my side the whole time.
I'll continue to stand by you, Ma'am, Liane.
Yeah. It's nice to meet you.


　I was no longer having seizures.