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The Villainous Noble Who Kept Rewinding After Death: The Story Somehow Changed When I Committed Suicide

Chapter 157: The Light Blue Rose

A few days after I talked about the clan with Fiera and the others, I found myself in a history class, one of the few lessons for the day.

“Today’s history lesson will cover the founding of the Empire. Please open your textbooks.”

The instructor, a gentleman named Grance, was a man in his fifties, with white hair, a stylish mustache, and a monocle that gave him a distinguished air.

“As you all know, our Ruzenia Empire has a history of about 2000 years, making it the longest-living nation on this continent. Two thousand years ago, there were originally three kingdoms in this area, but that era was indeed a time of turmoil.”

All existing nations back then were small, plagued by monsters outside. When food ran low due to these monsters, countries would even fight amongst themselves. To survive such chaotic times, the three nations chose to collaborate, which led to the formation of the present Empire.

According to Grance, around 2000 years ago, it was far from peaceful; vicious monsters roamed outside the borders, forcing humans to live in fear to escape them.

Yet, even when humans were trying to flee, they found themselves attacked by monsters, leaving them helpless. Seeking a more peaceful land, those ancient humans foolishly turned on each other as well.

Amidst this, the three kingdoms decided to cooperate instead of fighting amongst themselves, allowing them to survive the tumultuous times.

“The three nations are the present royal family, the Zericed Kingdom, the Holstein Duke’s Lucaria Kingdom, and the Valentine Duke’s Albeda Kingdom.

Together, they survived the hard times, and thanks to the prince of Zericed Kingdom who possessed the holy sword, the current Ruzenia Empire was founded.

Afterward, the royal families of Lucaria and Albeda, who fought alongside them, became the only two dukes in this country, supporting it alongside the royal family up to this day.”

In fact, the Valentine and Holstein Ducal Houses originally descended from royal families and were loyal vassals who laid the foundation for the founding of the Ruzenia Empire.

Moreover, both ducal houses were granted special rights as a reward for their contributions to the founding, which included the authority to punish the royal family for any misdeeds or tyranny.

Thus, the loyalty of the dukes is not to the emperor or royalty, but to the Ruzenia Empire itself.

“Subsequently, the Kingdom of God Tree Otinia was established around the World Tree, as well as the Holy Country Ishtarika, which reveres the gods, and the Magic Kingdom Falmel, which is formed by magicians gathering together, among others. I’m sure you all know of the recently established Beast Kingdom Kirishbane.”

The Holy Country Ishtarika is a nation that values religion and is where Sephiria was born.

It is the nation of followers who worship Raphaerial, the Creator God of this world, as the one and only deity and who completely adhere to His teachings.

“Now, let’s move on to the history of the Ruzenia Empire after its founding.”

Grance continued his history lesson, but there was an inaccuracy in what he said. While he claimed that the Ruzenia Empire has the longest history, that isn’t quite right.

The territory with the oldest history lies beyond multiple mountains to the west in the Demon Domain, and nobody knows when that domain actually began.

Records within the founding history of the Empire imply that the Demon Domain existed back then, noting the arrival of powerful monsters along with what seemed to be demons from the west.

As Grance’s lecture rolled on, I stared out the window, zoning out while half-listening to his talk, until the class eventually came to an end.

After the day’s lessons, Fiera, Shuvina, and I rested under the shade of a tree in the square, enjoying the warmth of spring.

“Hey, Is. Are you free right now?”

“Hmm? Oh, Princess Sharueina. What’s up?”

Just as I was about to doze off, I heard a familiar voice and lifted my gaze to see Princess Sharueina, the second princess, standing there.

“Sorry to interrupt your sleepy state. Has class wrapped up for you?”

“Yes, it just finished.”

“I see. Then about that tea we talked about, would you mind joining me afterwards?”

At first, I didn’t quite recall what she was referring to, but then it clicked—she had indeed mentioned it on the day of the entrance ceremony.

“Well, I’m fine, but what about Fiera and the others?”

“I’m fine too.”

“I’m good as well.”

“Great! Then let’s move to the garden prepared for the second-year S class.”

“Understood.”

I accepted Fiera’s help to stand up and then followed Sharueina through the square, walking for a bit until we arrived at the second-year garden.

“It’s beautiful.”

“Really.”

The second-year garden was planted with different flowers than the first-year garden we usually used, but the most striking feature was the blue roses planted around the seating area.

“Did you plant these roses, Princess Sharueina?”

“Huh… why do you think that?”

Sharueina looked at me, clearly surprised, then began to show a bit of hesitation.

“You used magic to keep these blue roses from wilting after you grew them, right? I can feel a hint of your magical power here. Plus…”

“Plus?”

“You mentioned long ago that you liked blue roses.”

It was a memory I had entirely forgotten until just now, but back when she was at the Valentine Duke’s residence, she had said that while we were exploring my mother’s garden together.

“You remembered… that?”

“Well, I have a good memory.”

When she was with the duke, she still loved cute things and dresses, especially stating her fondness for flowers just like my mother.

“Then, do you remember this?”

“What about?”

“I said I liked blue roses, and you remarked that blue roses would suit dear sister better than me, and promised that you would someday gift me one.”

“I said that?”

“Yep. I have a good memory too, you know. You definitely said that.”

Sharueina reminisced fondly as she gently caressed a nearby blue rose.

“Hmmm. Is that so? Then here you go.”

I didn’t recall promising, but if I did, I figured I should make good on it, so I conjured up a single ice rose with ice magic and handed it to her.

“This is an ice rose?”

“Yep. Well, the important part is that it’s light blue.”

“Why’s that?”

“Didn’t I say that long ago? If I said it, then I ought to keep my promise. I’m someone who values promises.”

“…Thank you.”

Sharueina accepted the ice rose with a bit of shyness, holding it close like it was precious.

“You’re still as kind as you were back then.”

“Haha. You think I’m kind? I don’t believe that’s the case.”

“Yes, you are kind.”

“True. Lewis doesn’t show any mercy to enemies, but he takes care of his friends and keeps his promises.”

“You guys too.”

I didn’t think of myself as a kind person, but Fiera and Shuvina seemed to echo Sharueina’s sentiment, nodding in agreement as they listened to the conversation.

“Ah, whatever, it’s a hassle.”

“Haha. Sounds like great friends. Oh, I nearly forgot—sorry for keeping you here just standing around. Please have a seat.”

As I was led to a seat by Sharueina, her maid prepared tea and stood nearby.

“Today, I didn’t call you for anything in particular, but there’s just one thing I wanted to report.”

“A report?”

“Do you remember the incident with Miss Iris during the welcome party?”

“Ah, yeah. It was when upperclassmen got involved, and you intervened.”

“Exactly. They’ve been on a suspension for a while, but they’ll return to the academy from next week.”

“Hmmm. So, that means something might happen when they come back?”

“Yeah. Whether it’s something against Miss Iris or that young man from back then, I thought it was best to inform you since there’s a possibility she might be targeted.”

“I see. But why tell me?”

I understood there was a chance Iris could be targeted, but I was at a loss as to why Sharueina was discussing this with me, prompting me to ask.

“Ugh. You really ought to take more interest in your fiancée.”

“…Ah, so that’s why you told me.”

Now that she called me “fiancée,” I finally understood her reasoning behind bringing this up.

“I get that now. But let me ask you this: If that student initiates an attack first, would that be considered self-defense?”

“Well, if they make the first move, then yes. They’ll be the only ones facing punishment, and you won’t need to worry about relations between nations because I’ll testify.”

“Understood.”

“…Wait, you’re not actually planning to do something, are you?”

“That’s what I thought too. There’s no way I’d do anything.”

“Then what do you plan to do?”

“I told you, self-defense. I should be able to protect myself.”

“Ah, I see.”

Sharueina seemed to understand my intentions and nodded, as if agreeing that would be fine.

“Well, I’ll at least talk to her about it. The rest will be up to her.”

“Got it.”

Based on what I saw in the duel against Fiera, there’s no way Iris would lose to those kinds of punks, and if she were to lose, it would just mean her strength was that lackluster.

After the topic about Iris ended, Sharueina asked me to share stories from my travels, and as we chatted about the countries I visited, the four of us enjoyed a leisurely time together.

 

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