The Extra’s Academy Survival Guide - Chapter 231

After that, the war of nerves with Princess Selah continued for a while longer.

Even just before the closing ceremony began, she continued to chase after me. All I could do was repeat the same words over and over again.

“I’m sorry, but Princess Penia would be disappointed…”

“It wouldn’t be what Princess Penia wants.”

“I am unable to lie to Princess Penia.”

“I will only move according to Princess Penia’s will.”

Penia, Penia, Penia, Penia.

I kept using her name as a shield to defend myself against Princess Selah’s offers, to the point that I began to wonder whether it was really acceptable to act like this.

Princess Selah, who kept trying to steal me away, was left completely dumbfounded.

She placed the fan she was holding down onto the table and pressed firmly against her temples, frowning.

Her expression was strained and tormented. She was remarkably good at displaying desperation and frustration at the same time. I could only assume it was the result of her immense pride being worn down.

Still, I couldn’t afford to let my guard down.

That was what Penia had warned me about countless times. The moment I gave in, my value would drop to nothing. I needed to remain firm and refuse her until the very end.

“No matter what I do, it seems far too difficult to persuade you. You’re excessively devoted to following Penia’s words.”

Princess Selah spoke in a calmer tone.

More than ten minutes had already passed in the same repetitive exchange. It seemed things were finally reaching an end.

I nodded. Princess Selah sighed before speaking again.

“Then I have no choice but to speak with Penia myself.”

“…Pardon?”

“You keep insisting that you will only follow Penia’s will. In that case, wouldn’t it make sense for me to convince Penia to have you cooperate with me?”

“Th-That doesn’t sound logical at all.”

Naturally, it didn’t.

Even so, Selah sounded resolute, as though she was too exhausted to lower her pride any further.

“You seem confident in your loyalty, but are you certain that Penia herself will cherish you to the end and never let you go? I apologize, but stealing you from her would not be difficult for me.”

“This is a critical moment in the competition for the throne. Princess Penia is not someone who would give up her allies to her opponent.”

“That depends on what’s being exchanged. And even if she hands you over, she won’t lose House Rothstaylor’s support. Tanya Rothstaylor is currently leading your house, and she will continue backing Penia. Taking only you wouldn’t change much.”

Before I could respond, Princess Selah added, “Isn’t your goal to separate me from House Elpelan, anyway?”

That caught me completely off guard. I instinctively shut my mouth.

“Did you think I didn’t know? I realized rather late that the head of House Elpelan was plotting something pointless. I assumed he intended to approach Penia and sell her some of my secrets… They should have waited until after I left the academy.”

“……”

“From his perspective, I suppose it was unavoidable. After disappointing me during the festival, he must have felt cornered. Unfortunately, he misjudged the situation. Just as Penia knows me well, I know her just as well.”

Princess Selah smiled intimidatingly. When it came to dealing with Penia or Persica, her confidence was even greater than usual.

“Penia isn’t someone who accepts traitors. I suspect she merely wanted to push House Elpelan away from me, since they are a strong support. Even if House Elpelan attempts to support her, she won’t accept them. Pathetic fools. Had they remained obedient beneath me, I would have taken care of them after ascending the throne.”

“……”

“I don’t need incompetent traitors. Losing House Elpelan’s support may be inconvenient, but it’s far better than carrying their dead weight. Penia will discard them as well, and they’ll lose everything.”

She was right.

Princess Penia was benevolent and accepted people regardless of status—but she would never tolerate betrayal.

Just as when Dune Grex attempted to join her side after betraying the Elte Company, only to be rejected without hesitation.

That was why she was always at odds with Lortel Kehelland, who embodied betrayal itself.

Her very existence contradicted Penia’s ideals.

“I wouldn’t want you by my side if you were the type to succumb to such trivial temptation. I only want absolute loyalty. Someone who will help me achieve my ambitions. You’re concerned about your loyalty to Penia? That’s something I can resolve after negotiating with her. I may incur losses bringing you over, but it will be worth it.”

“…Princess Selah.”

“What?”

“Don’t you think this is counterproductive?”

“…What are you talking about?”

After organizing my thoughts, I spoke carefully.

“Rather than using me in your struggle for the throne, you’re damaging your own standing just to have me. Doesn’t that seem backwards?”

“……”

“Having me won’t even grant you full support from House Rothstaylor. Politically, making such sacrifices doesn’t seem wise.”

“…Be quiet. Don’t you know when to hold your tongue? How dare you speak so brazenly to me.”

Princess Selah abandoned logic entirely as she raised her voice. She truly was someone incapable of admitting fault.

“It’s none of your concern what I sacrifice. And the way you phrase it makes it sound as though I’m acting on personal feelings to steal you from her. That’s absurd. Even as House Rothstaylor’s eldest son, you’re vastly overestimating your value.”

“I know you don’t have personal feelings for me. I feel the same, so there’s no need to worry.”

“…How dare you say you don’t have personal feelings for me?”

“……”

Exhausting… She was far more draining than I had ever imagined.

“A-And you shouldn’t put personal feelings above politics. How shallow.”

“But… you’re the one who did that first, Princess Selah.”

“Your arrogance is limitless! You talk back constantly—how dare you! No one knows when feelings might develop. It’s arrogant to assume otherwise. Don’t say such things.”

“Are you saying I should have personal feelings toward you…?”

“Watch your words! It’s ridiculous how kindly you treat Penia instead of me. It’s infuriating! And stop saying such strange things—it’s driving me insane!”

Was I truly speaking with Princess Selah?

Either way, I had no intention of accepting her offers. It was time to end this conversation.

Fortunately, she did it herself.

“I have to attend the closing ceremony, so I’ll leave first. I’ll speak with Penia briefly, so don’t meet my father until I return.”

“But he ordered me to play chess with him immediately after the ceremony. I can’t place that above Emperor Kroel’s orders…”

“Who said you shouldn’t go? I said to meet me before you do! Why do you hate meeting me so much?”

How could anyone enjoy meeting someone trying to devour them?

As if realizing what she’d said, Selah quickly added, “A-Anyway, next time we meet, I’ll place you under my command.”

“……”

“I’ve always been good at dealing with Penia and taking what I want from her. Do you really think you’ll be any different?”

Having regained her composure, Princess Selah calmed her breathing and spoke casually.

“I’m sorry, but you’re already mine. Next time, you’ll lower your head to me. Kufufu.”

***

“Never.”

Princess Penia rejected her flatly.

They were in a luxurious room within the royal residence. Princess Selah had rushed there without attending the closing ceremony.

“…Did I mishear you?”

“If Ed Rothstaylor no longer supports me, the current student council president, Tanya Rothstaylor, will also withdraw her support. There is too much at risk. I cannot hand Ed Rothstaylor over to you.”

“Haha… Penia. I’ve publicly opposed House Rothstaylor for years, yet you say without hesitation that they’d support me? There’s no chance the rest of the house would agree.”

“No. Tanya Rothstaylor will fight alongside Ed Rothstaylor no matter what.”

Penia spoke confidently.

Selah knew her sister well—Penia was not someone who spoke recklessly.

“Even if you expelled your aides from the Rose Palace, relinquished direct control over the Imperial Knights, and stopped politically pressuring my allies, it still wouldn’t be enough. At the very least… you would need to renounce your candidacy for the throne.”

Selah would never do that. The throne had been her lifelong ambition.

“You’ve grown, Penia.”

“You haven’t changed at all, Selah.”

“Why would that man support someone who blindly chases ideals with no sense of reality?”

“Because it’s better than following someone as arrogant and self-centered as you.”

“Haha… This is absurd… Ever since coming to Acken Island, the two of you have been chipping away at my pride…”

Her laugh held no warmth.

“I preferred it when you nodded obediently. You must’ve experienced much here.”

“I know one thing for certain. I will never lose Ed Rothstaylor’s support.”

“Penia. Don’t provoke me. Once I lose reason, I’ll do anything.”

“…This is strange.”

Penia was confused by Selah’s urgency.

“Are you really willing to sacrifice your position just to control Ed Rothstaylor? Politically, that’s irrational.”

“……”

“Is there another reason? What do you plan to do with him?”

“…Nothing in particular.”

“Liar.”

“He’s just bothering me.”

“What does that even mean?”

“Why should I explain myself? Even if there is another reason, why tell you?”

Selah frowned.

“Do I need justification to want him? Politics would be a bonus—but I want him.”

“……”

“…Did I say something odd? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Selah… try thinking about what you just said.”

Penia realized it then.

Selah was different.

Impatient. Unfiltered.

Not politically—but personally.

“…Selah… By any chance…”

“…Don’t ask. I’m embarrassed enough.”

Embarrassed.

The same Selah who had always looked down on the world.

Silence followed.

“This is ridiculous,” Selah snapped. “We’re royal candidates, fighting over one man. Shameful.”

“You’re the one who tried to steal him first!”

“This ends tonight. I came here out of mercy. Accept my offer.”

Then—

“Father attempted to betroth Ed Rothstaylor to me.”

“…That’s absurd.”

“You’ll hear soon enough. Once I agree, Father’s authority will force it.”

“…What does Ed think?”

“Does that matter?”

She smiled.

“He’s mine.”

Her whisper followed.

“Once we’re engaged, he’ll come around.”

“…Isn’t this too extreme?”

“…Penia.”

“You’ve lost your mind. Rationally, engagement isn’t so simple.”

“You’re right.”

Penia had grown sharp.

“But hearing it so bluntly wounds my pride.”

“…Selah.”

“If necessary, I’ll get engaged. Divorce exists.”

“…Don’t lose reason.”

“I’m calm. But you’re wearing away my patience.”

“You shouldn’t have provoked me.”

Penia warned her quietly.

“Ed Rothstaylor’s connections are more dangerous than you realize.”

“I recommend you don’t proceed.”

“Don’t lecture me. Do you feel special now that he’s loyal to you?”

“Selah…”

“Loyalty is fragile.”

She whispered.

“I break hearts.”

Penia couldn’t deny it.

Selah possessed the innate qualities of a ruler—charisma, confidence, and dominance.

But—

Penia knew what it felt like to lose something precious.

Only then did she realize how much reassurance Ed gave her.

“You planned to separate me from House Elpelan,” Selah said.

“I won’t fall for such foolishness.”

Then she stood and left.

“……”

Princess Penia remained seated, unmoving.

Silence filled the room.