Mistress Of The Evil Forest

''Claire.''

knock—! knock—!

In the dark room devoid of movement or sound, the knocks of someone awaken me. This voice—it's Aurora. As I stand up and open the door, I have a chance to gaze at her face, which is illuminated by the hallway's lights.

Aurora... always has this blank look on her face, as if she doesn't care about anything in the world. Even in her usual routine of people-watching and snacking... it seems she rests all the time.

I'm honestly jealous. I have so much to worry about, and it's only increasing with time.

''...Come in.''

Nevertheless, Aurora is one of my good friends, and I shouldn't be spiteful about something like this. It's good that she is enjoying her life. That's what I want, after all.

Turning the light on, I have Aurora settled on the bed before flopping down myself.

''Did you have a good talk with Skylar?'' She asks, her expression unchanging.

''...Yeah. She's resting right now.'' I reply, staring at the spotless ceiling.

''What did she say?''

''Reassuring words and... encouragements, I suppose.''

Of course, I am thankful to Skylar, and a part of me can't help but feel excited at the thought of having a heroic figure guiding me, but... to simply accept that everything that I've been believing in is fake—won't it be too awkward?

Even my schoolmate in class A... is he my sibling? Are his parents mine?

It's too sudden.

Still, I feel like I have no choice but to accept it. Ever since the illusion was broken, my memories before coming to the academy have been getting blurrier and blurrier.

Forget my parents' names, I don't even remember what they look like.

''Hah...''

''Are you alright?''

''!!''

My eyes widen as Aurora suddenly leans over and stares straight at me. Her scent, as fresh as dawn's air and fragrant as lily's aroma, wafts over my nose, tickling a sense of hunger I've never felt before in my life. Her head casts a shadow on my head, highlighting her piercing slit eyes.

gulp—!

Whenever I look at Aurora, I can't help but marvel at how beautiful she is. Her body proportions or face proportions are disgustingly unreal, but it's not as though there is nobody technically prettier than her. However, Aurora's unique 'coldness' and her overall expression management make her truly special...

Wait, what am I thinking all of a sudden...?!

''Uuu...''

''Claire?''

Feeling my face burning, I timidly wave my hands.

''I'm fine, I'm fine...''

''Really? Your cheeks are really red.''

''Hi...!''

As if playing with my fragile heart, Aurora's slender finger gently runs on my cheek, startling just about every hair in my body—as she watches my reaction, no less.

''Perhaps...'' 

When Aurora's pinkish lips part, I suddenly have a terrible premonition.

''W-Wait—''

Ignoring my plea, Aurora quietly gets closer to my ear, and—

''Do you... like me?'' She whispers.

''!!''

Unable to withstand the onslaught of stimuli, I activate my defense mechanism and curl up into a ball, tucking my face into my trusty hands. It isn't until much longer that I dare to peek between my fingers.

There, Aurora sits unfazed, still fixing her gaze on me.

''How's it?''

''...You meanie.''

I'm embarrassed. More than anything, more than even my utterly pathetic response, I'm embarrassed at the fact that I fell for Aurora...'s prank.

Is it a prank?

It must be.

She is already embracing so many women, so why would she bother with me? She has the bombastic lady of Luminous, the ex-maid, now imperial princess Nydia, the saintess of Neveah, and possibly even Scarlett...

No, would this womanizer ever be satisfied?

''...!''

Hit by an earthshaking revelation, I instinctively back away, hugging my shoulders as I stare at Aurora cautiously. Seemingly oblivious to that, she shoots me a slightly smug look, one that practically screams, 'I see your thoughts.'

''In any case, I hope you feel alright.'' She says, standing up while stretching her wings. ''It would be terrible if the heroine of the new era gets depressed.''

''...''

Buried in my knees, I desperately try to ignore the racing heart of mine and focus on her words, but... her words do nothing to help it.

''Then, have a good rest.''

Before she exits the room, I feel an immense urge to establish my... feelings? So, with all my emotions hopefully in place, I shout, ''M-My heart is only for Silaerob, so don't even think about it!''

''...''

Aurora's steady steps halt for a moment. Before long, she turns around, posing an ever-so-slight smile.

''Okay.''

The door closes.

''Hah...''

What the hell was that...?

No, seriously. What the hell was that?!

Was Aurora always this capable of being such a fox? Really? Teasing people's hearts like that...

''Ugh...! Bad owl!''

For absolutely no reason, I start to lash out at the innocent pillow. It isn't until deep into the night that I finally manage to calm down and shut my eager brain off.

The following day, I wake up quite refreshed. Maybe yesterday was just an illusion, after all.

''My child.''

''Whoa?! You came out of nowhere.''

''Fufu... you will have to get used to it if you want to become my disciple.''

''Ah, okay.''

''Rather, I sensed your emotions running quite pleasantly high yesterday. What happened?''

''W-What do you mean 'pleasantly high'?!''

''It means that you are flustered, but those emotions are also healthy and good for you. For example, love—''

''Stop!''

I swear, this whole thing is ruined!