/From Maria's point of view/
"That's wrong! Be more dignified! Did you read the materials? You showed the photos, right?"
"Yes, I did."
"I'm tired of hearing such a forceful response! Be more elegant and refined, yet alluring with your eyes! More enchanting! You lack bravery! Do you think you can underestimate me?"
The sculptor desperately tries to make adjustments, but everything is still wrong. They haven't even reached the essence of it, let alone the essential grace and elegance.
"That's why I'm saying it's wrong! Were you listening to my explanation? How many times do I have to repeat myself? That's why! That's wrong! You fool! The sternocleidomastoid muscle isn't strong enough! What are you doing?"
I shouted angry words for what felt like the umpteenth time that day.
"Please have mercy."
The sculptor murmured weakly. It made my blood boil with anger.
"You're a good-for-nothing! How much do you think you're being paid? Show some guts! Continue working quickly! I'll use a whip to motivate you!"
I normally don't shout orders like that, but I had to resort to it. I took out a whip meant for horses, and cut through the air with it. I intentionally made a loud whistling sound to intimidate them.
"H-help me..."
The sculptor, who was supposed to be a first-rate artist, collapsed right before my eyes.
"...?"
There was no response. The third sculptor had fainted.
"What the hell is going on? Andersen!"
I raised my voice due to their incompetence.
"Yes, milady!"
"Go and bring the next one! That's enough for today. Return to your rooms once, and don't speak a word until I give you permission! Do you understand?"
"Yes, as you wish."
Leaving the sculpture in the hands of the artist had been going on for days, but it was useless. This time was also a failure. We still couldn't express the elegance, bravery, and alluringness of Phantom-sama and Amachi-sama. We're still far from a 1:1 scale.
・
・
・
I created a hidden room in my bedroom and made it into a healing space. I have just returned to this healing space.
"Ah... it's so soothing..."
I look around the room filled with 1/8 scale figures. The shining star is the Phantom Knight in jet black that stands tall amongst them all.
It comes in various forms - Phantom Knight ver. with diverse techniques, Amachi-sama ver. in school uniform, and even slightly risqué figures with cast-off specifications. All of them are custom-made by skilled craftsmen, although they may be slightly deformed.
"Haah...haah..."
I gaze at the pictures of Amachi-sama displayed around the room, all taken secretly as off-shots. What a breathtaking view. And then, I fall onto my bed.
"Suhahasuha..."
I tightly hug my Amachi-sama 1/1 body pillow, breathing heavily.
My daily routine at school always starts with gazing upon Amachi-sama's face. I capture his gallant figure with my eyes first. During exercises, I make sure to secure a spot diagonally behind him at 45 degrees, where I can admire his sturdy back and intelligent profile in the most natural way.
Especially during practical classes of magic and martial arts, I stare intently, trying not to miss his wonderful and hidden abilities. she slightly sweating figure is just too beautiful.
I have to resist the urge to have a nosebleed.
And then, I have a very important meditation time. This is a crucial moment for me. Every night, I recall his figure in my bed and giggle to myself. This is my daily routine.
"Ufufufufu..."
Once, I talked about my troubles to my friend Claire. I was struggling with doing strange things in front of Amachi-sama.
I get nervous when I try to talk to him, and for some reason, I hide or cannot invite him to events. Even though I wanted to talk to him, I couldn't. Despite organizing it myself, he didn't come to a social gathering where I invited him personally, and he was the only one who didn't show up.
I couldn't invite him. As a result, I ended up with a sad outcome. I'm sure everyone thought I was a cold-hearted and heartless person.
Since then, or from the beginning, I feel like Amachi-sama is avoiding me. That makes me feel very sad.
_____________________
"Claire, this is a story about an acquaintance's friend of mine."
"Hmm, what is it?"
"Well, it's a strange story. This friend of my acquaintance recently found someone that they really admire."
"Oh, I see."
"So, this person...let's call them A, is really interested in another person, B. A wants to talk to B a lot, but for some reason can't."
"I see, go on."
"Whenever A tries to talk to B, they become secretive or distant, and they act cold towards B."
"I see what you mean now."
After a moment of thought, Claire said, "I understand."
"Really?"
"Yes. It's what we call 'tsundere' - someone who is so fond of someone else that they act coldly towards them or can't bring themselves to talk to them."
"I see, but won't B think A doesn't like them?"
"Don't worry about that. I'm sure B realizes that A is just awkward around them. Both of them are 'liking and avoiding' each other!"
"Oh, I see. But someone has to make a move, or else B might give up thinking A doesn't like them and start to like someone else who treats them nicely."
"That's right. If they don't act soon, B might misunderstand and move on to someone else."
I couldn't help but wonder if Amachi was doing the same thing to me - avoiding me because he likes me.
How foolish I was for not realizing it sooner! As his future bride, it's embarrassing that I didn't understand such a simple thing.
I must have caused Amachi to feel sad, and it's my fault for always thinking of myself and not my neighbor. I felt ashamed of my immaturity.
"But someone has to be proactive. Otherwise, B might give up and think that A doesn't like them and move on to someone else who is nice to them."
"That's right. One of them has to take action soon."
"What did you say!?"
My spine froze.
This won't do, I need to approach this somehow.
I can't let myself be deceived by a woman fox who could be mistaken for any old horse's bones. He is already dignified and brave, more than any other person.
It's only a matter of time before he falls under the spell of the devil's fangs if we don't do something.
It's about that person who became the "leader" of the male students in the class in a very short period of time. They all fall silent uniformly. I don't know the details, but surely it's the unparalleled charisma that person possesses.
Guiding the foolish male students who were previously a ragtag bunch, that person is worthy of respect. It's only a matter of time before other female students become fond of such a person.
We need to nail this down with the female students themselves. We can't talk about it lightly to Amachi-sama. There are many concerns.
As a result of an investigation by the dark side of the kingdom, it was reported that Amachi-sama has a friendly relationship with a lower-class female student. Furthermore, it was reported that his direct advisor is an elf woman.
I feel uneasy, restless, and inexplicably irritated. He seems to be intimate with other women. Every time I hear this information, a strong feeling of disgust wells up inside me. He is a hero. Surely, those devilish women are after him.
A hero attracts witches. I have to protect him from that calamity and those sparks of fire. Even if my gratitude to him is trivial, I must be the one standing alongside him.
I'll crush those fox women. They should bow down before my appearance. Ufufufufu.
"Okay, I got it. I'll pass it on," I calmly replied, suppressing my happy emotions. The prince and I are deeply in love. I'm sure we love each other.
Claire grinned mischievously and asked, "So, who is it, Maria?"
"I already told you. It's a friend of a friend of mine!"
_________________________________________
I had an experience that made me admire Claire's deduction skills.
I trembled and my cheeks loosened, unable to stop grinning.
I tried to speak to her several times but couldn't because of my nervousness.
So, I tried to keep calm by putting pressure on my forehead.
But that's just an excuse. A wife shouldn't burden her husband.
I also have to muster up the courage.
Tomorrow, I will become a teammate with Amachi-sama in the same training.
I was ecstatic inside.
I'll praise the teacher who divided the teams.
What a great strategy.
This is an unparalleled opportunity. I can't let it slip away.
I have to handle it calmly and gracefully.
And then...
"I'll ask again to be included in the party this time!"
I got up from the bed, rushed to the desk, and took out the cutest stationery from the closed shelf.