Chapter 17: Be Careful When Coming Out

The weather outside was sunny and warm.

Carna suggested to have a picnic someday, so they made plan to have a tea party at the flower garden next time. While they were talking about the plan, they had reached a huge building that was as tall as the clock tower.

Its huge! Folia exclaimed as she raised her head to look at the library. So many books and documents were stored here including research materials and popular publications. Researchers who have obtained a special pass would also come to borrow technical books from this library.

Such a luxurious place. Raz was amazed at the overwhelming number of books she saw the moment she entered the library.

Carna: With this scale, I dont think we can cover the whole area just in one day.

Raz: Right. Just like Folia said, we really could get lost in the library.

Folia: Dont worry. You can ask for help from the librarian. Shall we meet later at the counter on the first floor?

Carna: Im okay with that.

Once they have confirmed that, the three of them separated and went to the areas they were interested in. Raz straight away went to look for a biology journal.

Found it. She managed to find the book in no time by using detection magic. Then, she walked around looking for the other two girls.

Which floor could they be Raz thought most likely they had went to read novels, so she went down to the third floor. As she walked down the aisle, she checked each row between the bookstack and saw milk tea colored hair not far away from her.

Raz: Ah, Fo-

Carna: Raz-san, wait!

When she was about to call out to Folia, Carna suddenly appeared from behind a bookshelf and pulled Razs arm.

Raz: Wha- What happened?

Carna: Shh, dont make a sound. Im trying to confirm something now.

Raz was puzzled when Carna covered her mouth. She then joined Carna to observe Folia who was standing some distance away. Folia was stretching her arm trying to pick a book from the top shelf.

Is this the one?

Claude Orr Lesir suddenly appeared next to Folia. Seeing this, Raz thought that it was rare for Claude to be by himself because he usually stayed by Rubens side.

Folia: Ah, yes. Thank you.

Claude: No problem. That book was quite interesting.

Folia: Really? I cant wait to read it! I really like the book written by this author. Lesir-sama, you know this author too?

Claude: You can just call me Claude.

Folia: C- Claude-sama?

Claude: Yes. If you like this author, then Id recommend you to read this book.

The two of them looked like they were having fun and it was kind of a sweet moment. Raz was unsure how Lord Moldir felt about Folia, but looking at this situation, she felt sorry for him.

Hmm, it seems that not all plots got changed Carna muttered to herself. Raz heard those words and looked at her.

Raz: Plot?

Carna: No- Nothing.

Carna averted her eyes awkwardly but Raz wouldnt let her get away and grabbed her arm.

Raz: Carna-sama. Are you perhaps ?

Carna: ()

Raz: Its not convenient to talk here. Lets go somewhere else.

Raz pulled Carna away and went outside the library. Carna looked at Razs reaction as she thought, could it be

At the same time, inside the library.

Lady Carna? Ruben, who was standing by the window, saw Carna being pulled by Raz. He had an incredulous look on his face.

There was something that Raz and Carna had overlooked; if Claude was in the library, then of course Ruben should be nearby too.

* * *

Once they had reached a place with no one around, Raz turned around to face Carna. It was important for her to verify her doubt. If she was wrong, it was fine. But if she was right, then this would affect the future.

Carna: Ra- Raz-san?

Raz: Lady Carna, there is something that I want to confirm with you.

Carna: Actually, Im thinking about the same thing too.

Raz: Really?

Carna: Yes.

Both of them fell silent for a while. They steeled themselves before they spoke up simultaneously.

Carna: Are you a reincarnator too?

Raz: Can you use precognition magic?

Although their voice overlapped with each other, they could clearly understood what the other person had asked. Both of them were stunned.

Carna and Raz: huh?

They both had the same expression on their face.

Raz: Wa- Wait a second! Carna-sama, are you a reincarnator?

Carna: Forget what I said just now! When I saw your expression when you asked about the plot, I thought you also know that this world is an otome game. I thought that youre also a reincarnator. It was my mistake! Ah, you wouldnt even understand what I said, right? Oh, what have I done-

Carna was in a panic. She covered her face with her hands. When Raz heard her words, she felt like she had been hit by a lightning.

Raz: Aaaaaa!!!

Carna heard her scream and jumped up in surprise.

Raz: Thats it! Thats what it is! This academy feels like a world inside an otome game!!

Raz finally recalled the memory from her previous life. She got so excited and grabbed Carnas shoulder.

Carna: Huh? What do you mean? Could it be you too?

Raz: Ive never told anyone about this, but I have the memories of my previous life. The otome game that you said is a love simulator game, right?

When she heard those words, Carnas eyes were shining brightly.

Carna: Thats right! This world is from an otome game called Blue Orchid. Raz-san, you are a reincarnator but you dont know about this?

Raz: I know what an otome game is but Ive never played it in my previous life.

Carna grabbed Razs hand like she wouldnt let her ran away.

Carna: Do you understand what Im saying?[1]

Raz: Of course. Japanese was my native language too.

Listening to someone other than herself speaking Japanese, Carna got so happy, she spontaneously hugged Raz.

Carna: Oh, how I wish I had meet you sooner!! Id always thought that maybe there is another reincarnator other than me!

Raz: Me too. In these 15 years, you are the first one that I met.

Carna: 15 years? You had your memories since you were born?

Raz: Yes.

Carna: I see. I recalled my memories when I was 12.

Raz: Seems like it varies from person to person. Its a miracle that we could meet like this.

Carna calmed down and let go of Raz. The person in front of her was also a reincarnator but didnt know that this world was an otome game.

Carna: There is one thing I need to ask you. Are you in love with Prince Ruben?

Raz: Huh?! Why are asking this question?!

Carna felt relieved after looking at Razs reaction. Raz then remembered about the stereotype plot in an otome game.

Raz: Prince Ruben, and the other top aristocrats sons. Folia who is a commoner that can use healing magic. Carna-sama is the fiance

Raz felt like she can see the storyline of the game and her face turned pale.

Raz: Could it be

Yes. Folia is the protagonist in the Blue Orchid and Im her rival, the villainess Carna Foote Mortens. And the worst thing is this game has battle fantasy genre. In the end, I would be drowned in hatred, became a kaiju, and was destined to be defeated by the heroine and the others, said Carna in a trembling voice as she collapsed to the ground.

Raz caught her and said, I wont let that happen. She promised Carna with a serious look. Carna tears fell down when she heard it.

Its fine now. Whatever happen, I will protect you. Raz hugged Carna and stroke her back until she calmed down. Actually, Raz was screaming in her heart. Heyyyyyyyy! I didnt hear that it was an otome game?!!!!

And this otome game has a very scary plot. Prince Rubens fianc, Carna became a kaiju (?) and ended up getting killed. Such big incident that never happened before. Im on a mission to protect them. If I couldnt prevent it Im going to lose my job. Or most likely, Im going to lose my life.[2]

She couldnt stay calm in such situation. But she couldnt panic in front of Carna so she desperately pretended to be calm.

Carna: Thank you. Raz

Its fine. I couldnt let a lady cry by herself, Raz said as she wiped the tears on Carnas face causing her heart to skipped a beat.

At that time.

What are you doing there? Suddenly a dignified voice came from behind them.

Raz spontaneously used detection magic when she felt someone nearby, but she was shocked when she heard that voice.

Carna: Your Highness!

Carna didnt want him to see her crying face, so she quickly hid behind Raz. Raz could understood her intention but she was at a loss.

Ruben: Whats wrong with Lady Carna? What did you do?

Raz: (;)

She could feel his murderous aura and it made her nervous. At this rate, she feared he would misunderstand that she had done something to Carna.

Carna: Your Highness, youve misunderstood! Raz is my precious friend. I cried because I was happy to meet her.

She called her Raz? It was very unusual for Carna to call someone by their first name[3]. Ruben frowned when he heard this. He walked towards Carna and bended his knees.

Ruben: I see. I understand. But please dont show your vulnerable face to other people.

Carna: Huh?

Ruben suddenly picked her up and effortlessly carried her in a princess carry.

Carna: Y- Your Highness?!

Ruben: Stay still.

Wow Raz felt dizzy as she witnessed this scene.

Carna, whose ears had turned red, stayed obediently in Rubens arm and called out to Raz.

Carna: Raz!

Raz: Yes?

Carna: Can we talk more later?

Raz: Of course. Youre my precious friend. I promise I will protect you. Oh right, I will get your bag and send it to your room later!

Raz noticed that Carna purposely talked to her in Japanese most probably because she didnt tell Ruben about the otome game. If she hadnt talked to Carna just now, perhaps the girl would struggle alone facing her tragic ending.

Thank you, Carna said embarrassedly. She definitely didnt look like a villainess. Raz waved her hand lightly as she watched her being carried away.

Carna seemed to be unaware, but Raz, who was stared by Prince Ruben just now, could sense the truth. She said to herself, It looks like her death flag [4] has already been snapped.

No matter how she looked at it, it was obvious that Ruben liked Carna very much.

Raz was left alone by herself. Thinking of Rubens reaction and his strong possessive nature, Raz felt worried about the future. If he thought of her as a rival, the future was going to be very tough.

Theres no use to think about it I have to collect Carnas bag and pick up Folia.

Regardless what Ruben was going to do, she needed to make preparation. She was still skeptical about this world being an otome game, but she knew that Carna could foresaw what was going to happen.

As a soldier, she was required to report about Carnas precognition ability But the situation was a bit complicated. People might think that it was a make-believe, so she had no choice but to continue her duty to watch over the students here.

In Shian, those who could use precognition magic are required to be put under protection. For example, the Great Grandmother who had predicted that a child born in Year of Seira would be blessed with divine oracle. She lived in a palatial residence.

If something did happen later, then Raz would be held liable for not reporting about Carnas ability. Nothing was more horrifying than this.

()=3

Raz let out a sigh involuntarily.

[1] Dialogue inside of this bracket indicates that they were conversing in Japanese.

[2] A word play. Lose a job in Japanese is (lit. neck), while to behead is (lit. drop your neck/head)

[3] Carna called her first name Raz without any honorific title (san, sama, chan, kun, etc.). You cannot drop the honorific title unless youre very close with the person.

[4] If you are unfamiliar with death flag, you can read more here.