Project Necro is an official initiative by Re:Library.

The next day, after making lunch together again, Ekaterina and Flora were walking down the corridor toward Aleksei’s office, chatting lightly as they went.

From all around them, curious glances followed. It was no wonder—after all, the two made for a strange sight: one, the daughter of one of the Empire’s three great ducal houses, and the other, a baron’s daughter of common birth—the lowest of the nobility.
On top of that, both girls were beautiful. Well, one of them already radiated such presence that she was more “gorgeous lady” than “pretty girl,” which made her all the more eye-catching to the male students.

“…Nova’s young lady is but a shameless rut, isn’t she.”

A voice muttered somewhere nearby, and Ekaterina reflexively frowned.
Who said that just now?
But before she could dwell on it, something else grabbed her attention.

“Hey there.”

Poking his head out from the classroom window facing the hall was a young man with hair the color of a summer sky.

(*GYAAH!!—It’s the Prince!*)

Ekaterina nearly recoiled. She’d apparently come to associate “the prince” directly with “doom flag” by now.

“Y-Your Highness… I hope you are well.”
“Forgive the suddenness, Lady Ekaterina Jurnova. Please, don’t stand on ceremony.”

Normally, I should’ve lifted my skirt slightly and bowed gracefully, but the large basket in my arms made that impossible. The prince seemed to notice and spoke kindly. His smile was as bright and dazzling as his sky-blue hair.
Taking his cue, I only lowered my head, and Flora followed my example.

Actually, did he just call me by my full name?

“My apologies for startling you. Both Vladimir and I heard from Aleksei that he had a younger sister named Ekaterina. When I saw you waving to him from the stage wings at the entrance ceremony, I realized you must be her.”

…Onii-sama, you’re on friendly terms with the prince, huh?
Well, it made sense. Their ranks were close, and their ages only two years apart. Of course my brother would have been summoned as a childhood companion or playmate to the prince.
Also, wow, you’ve got sharp eyes to notice that, Prince!

But… who on earth is Vladimir?

Following the prince’s brief glance down the corridor, I saw a boy with pale lavender hair standing there. His lips curved into a faintly mocking smile—handsome, with a kind of chill that made her skin prickle.

…Handsome *in the making,* anyway. He’s just a high school student in my eyes.
Judging by the insignia on his collar, he was a second-year upperclassman. His smooth cheeks still had a boyish softness to them. The guy looked like he’d walked out of a visual-kei band even without makeup—an impressive level of beauty, though hopefully not one of *those* types.

From beneath his long bangs peeked eyes of grayish green.
*”Green-eyed monster”…*
The Shakespearean phrase floated into my mind for some reason. Sorry, Mr. Shakespeare.
But my instincts told me that this was the guy who’d called me “shameless” earlier.

“Vladimir, do you have business with Lady Ekaterina?”

Prince Mikhail called out, but Vladimir merely said, “No,” turned on his heel, and left. Bold, considering he was speaking to royalty.
After watching him go for a moment, Mikhail smiled again at Ekaterina.

“I saw you carrying that basket yesterday, too. I’m curious—where are you headed?”

Huh?

“Ah… um…”

I stumbled over my words—not because of that strange boy or the sudden conversation with the prince, but because those very words had triggered something in my memory.

(*Wait—this is it! This is a game event!*)

It was a scene I’d gone through countless times in the otome game: the heroine brings a homemade lunch, the prince takes notice, and a conversation between them begins.

(*Which means—he’s supposed to be talking to the heroine, not me! Damn that weirdo, he’s completely thrown off the flow of the game!*)

But, in that instant, I realized that it wasn’t just Vladimir’s fault.
In a situation with two people of differing rank, royal etiquette dictated that the Imperial Prince should address the one of higher standing first. Circumstances and relationships could vary, but since he was meeting both of us for the first time, he couldn’t properly speak to Flora.

Aaaaah, I’m such an idiot!
Even if it was to protect her from bullying, the villainess sticking around the heroine for so long totally messed up this event! How could I forget that!?

Aargh—no helping it now! Brace yourself, Ekaterina. Raising the prince’s favorability for the heroine here is too important to mess up.

“My brother is borrowing a room in the academy to conduct his official duties. I’m on my way to deliver his lunch… Your Highness, may I introduce someone to you?”

Ekaterina swiftly took Flora’s arm.

“This is Lady Flora Czerny, daughter of Baron Czerny. She is a kind-hearted young lady, and very skilled at cooking. When I was wondering what warm, easy-to-eat dish to make for my brother’s lunch, she kindly taught me how to prepare it.”

Flora, who had been quietly standing by, widened her eyes in surprise at suddenly being pulled forward. Her large violet eyes stood out all the more—adorably so.

How’s that, Prince? Isn’t she adorable!?

Ekaterina couldn’t help but feel a bit smug.

“So you’re Lady Czerny? I’ve heard of you—they say you’re quite gifted.”

Prince Mikhail smiled smoothly.

Come to think of it, the prince really is a good person, huh? He probably spoke up to us just now to ward off that weirdo earlier. And later on, despite being a bona fide imperial prince, noble through and through, he can still reach a happy ending with the common-born heroine. Now that I’ve been reborn into this world, I can see just how incredible that really is.

“Your Highness, if you wish, would you care to try one?”
“That would be delightful.”
“Lady Flora, please offer it to His Highness. You made them much better than I did.”
“Oh, not at all, Lady Jurnova, yours are wonderful as well…”

Even as she said that, Flora shyly opened the basket and held it out.
Today’s lunch was baked bread—filled and toasted rather than baked in an oven, giving it a chewy texture instead of a fluffy one.
A gentle, savory aroma wafted from the basket, and Mikhail’s smile brightened.

“Thank you. I’ll have one.”

He took a piece and bit into it.

“This is delicious. There’s cheese in it, isn’t there? Perfectly baked.”
“I’m so glad it suits your taste.”

Flora smiled sweetly, and Mikhail’s face softened, almost dazzled.
*Yes! Nailed it!

“Are those a different flavor?”
“Eh?”

Mikhail glanced at my basket, which was a bit of a surprise.
Surely he’d be having a full meal later anyway… but then again, teenage boys are always hungry. I remember my high school classmates who’d stop by the okonomiyaki stand after school, then go home and still ask for seconds at dinner.
Come to think of it, the prince trained just like my brother—horseriding, swordsmanship, even fighting in armor. It makes sense he’d have an appetite.

“These ones are sweet, I filled them with berry jams.”
“I’d like to try one.”

He said it with a sweet smile that would’ve made any girl his age swoon, but from an older girl’s point of view, he just looked like a puppy. A ridiculously beautiful puppy, but still.

“Here you are.”
“Thank you.”

I opened the basket, and he took one immediately, and looked delighted after taking a bite. A sweet tooth, then?

“This is delicious as well. I like it.”
“I’m honored it pleases you, Your Highness.”

Getting happy over sweets, such a child… so thought Ekaterina, feeling like a fond bigger sister.

“Forgive me for keeping you.”
“It was but a small indulgence, Your Highness. I bid you a pleasant day.”

Ekaterina and Flora both curtseyed, then started walking away.
Event Cleared, somehow! …right?