Mushoku Tensei (LN) - Volume 8 - Chapter 8.1

Side Story:

Sylphiette

(Part 2) 

I SAW RUDY AGAIN TODAY, walking down the hall. I’d been spotting him often of late. Just a few months ago, he’d been trudging along alone, but now he was usually accompanied by Zanoba, Julie, Linia or Pursena. 

Even then, I couldn’t talk to him. I was always busy attending to the Princess . I wished Rudy would be the one to reach out to me, but he didn’t seem to remember who I was. Our eyes had met countless times, but he never showed signs of recognition. He must see me as nothing more than one of the Princess’s Attendants . 

In the meantime, I had to watch as Rudy and Pursena left to attend a healing magic class. Why did it have to be Pursena? Was Rudy into girls like her? Was it his relation to the Notos family that gave him a preference for big breasts? Pursena’s ample bosom could be seen from afar. All beast women were generously endowed, including Linia, but Pursena was exceptional. 

Linia and Pursena idolized Rudy, referring to him as “Boss.” They were all special students, which made them closer. Perhaps he and Pursena were in a relationship. I couldn’t think of any other reason they would be taking a healing class together. 

No—Rudy was an earnest student. He could be taking the class for academic purposes. But why was Pursena taking it with him? He might be sitting next to her during class, teaching her things. Just like he used to do with me, so long ago. They might be sharing the same textbook, leaning in close… 

“What’s wrong?” 

I snapped out of it when the Princess called out to me. At some point, we’d reached the student council room. We were alone now, not a soul around us. 

“It’s nothing.” I spoke formally when other people were around, but preferred being more casual when I could. The Princess wouldn’t reprimand me for it. 

“If you’re certain. Just a moment ago, it seemed like you were watching Rudeus.” The Princess smiled. A smile that wasn’t fake. A smile that implied she found watching me entertaining. 

I got a bit huffy. “I already said it was nothing.” 

“Every time Rudeus passes by, you track him with your eyes.” 

“Am I not allowed to?” 

“No, I never said that,” she replied, though her smile clouded over, as if to say , however… “I do feel a little irritated at Rudeus for not remembering you.” 

“Huh?” 

“You’ve had such strong feelings for him, all this time, but it’s like he doesn’t remember you at all.” 

“Well… but, I mean, I haven’t told him my name.” 

The Princess stared at me with surprise “You haven’t told him your name?” 

“Uh, um… no. I haven’t told him.” 

“Oh… You told me that he didn’t remember you, so I just assumed…” The Princess looked bewildered, glancing over at her Knight . 

The Knight had a complex expression on his face, as well. “You haven’t even told him your name?” 

“Well, it’s not like I have a choice. What if I tell him and he still doesn’t remember me?” I said, pouting a little. The Knight pulled a face. “What’s with the face?” 

“Ah, it’s nothing.” He seemed reluctant to say it. “Princess Ariel, what do you think of this?” 

“Hm, well, it seems she’s more of a coward than I thought.” Ariel whispered those words, but I heard them. Of course, I had nothing I could say in my defense. It was true that I was acting like a coward. 

“Personally, considering how striking Sylphie’s hair color is, I think it’s a bit heartless of Rudeus to still not recognize her.” 

“Agreed.” 

I put a hand over my hair as they said that. My hair, which I’d been relentlessly teased for when I was little. Even so, there was no way Rudy would be able to recognize me from that alone. 

“Princess Ariel, I’d like you to leave this matter to me,” I requested. 

“Luke, do you have any good ideas?” 

“He is a descendent of the Notos line. If you throw a curvy woman at him, I’m sure that will—” 

“Absolutely not!” My cry echoed through the room. For a moment I didn’t even realize I had spoken. It was only because the Princess and her Knight looked right at me that I it hit me—I had shouted. I instinctively put a hand over my mouth. “I’m sorry.” 

Neither of them criticized me for it. Rather they traded complicated looks and began whispering to each other. This time their voices were so hushed that I couldn’t hear the contents of their conversation. They were probably discussing how to deal with me. Or Rudy. Either way, I had a bad feeling about it. 

“Sylphie,” said the Princess . 

“Yes?” 

“Can I ask you a question? It’s something I’ve asked you many times before.” 

The Princess didn’t seem to be angry. The look on her face approached frustration, if anything. Maybe she was annoyed to hear that I hadn’t even told Rudy my name yet. 

“Isn’t there something you want to do?” she asked. 

“There isn’t. Right now, all I want is to work in a way that benefits you, Princess,” I said after a brief silence. 

Upon hearing that, the Princess lifted her chin, as if she were looking down at me. It was rare for her to do this. But even though her eyes were narrowed, she was still smiling. “So that’s how you feel.” 

“Is there something wrong?” 

“Perhaps you haven’t realized it yet.” 

To tell the truth, I knew what she was trying to say. I knew, but I couldn’t answer her honestly. It would be like betraying her if I did. 

“Sylphie.” 

“Yes?” I meekly looked up at her. When I did, she smiled. Not a fake, doll-like smile, but a relieved one, the kind I only saw once or twice a year. No, not even that often. When had I last seen her smile like that? 

As I stood there, bewildered, the Princess said, “I won’t rush you on the Rudeus matter. I don’t mind if you use Fitz, either. Do whatever you like.” 

And then I remembered. I used to see her look like this more often when we first met. But I hadn’t seen it since we arrived in the Magic City of Sharia. A carefree smile. 

That night, I huddled in my blanket, thinking things over. I knew what it was that I wanted to do. In fact, I’d known all along. I wanted to get closer to Rudy. I wanted to become friends like we used to be, to share light-hearted laughter, to play together, to have him teach me things, to rebuild our relationship and return to what we once were. I didn’t want the same kind of relationship I had with the Princess . I wanted to be Rudy’s equal, to stand beside him, shoulder-to-shoulder. 

That was what I wanted right now. No—it was what I’d wanted ever since we lived in Buena Village. But it was surely not in line with the Princess’ objectives. 

The Princess wanted Rudy as one of her followers, but Rudy was clearly avoiding her and her associates. Maybe he could sense her intentions, considering how smart he was. If I got closer to him, so would the Princess , and Rudy might misunderstand. He might think I’d just done it for the Princess’s sake . 

Or maybe he wouldn’t. Maybe he’d just come to adore her like everyone else did, and serve her and assist in fulfilling her goals. 

“Urgh…” 

I didn’t want that. Why not? 

I knew the answer. I didn’t want Rudy to become just like everyone else. I didn’t want to see him become her follower, take a knee and receive her commands. I knew that was why she’d summoned him to the school, and I hadn’t objected at the time. But Rudy was special to me, and I wanted him to remain that way. I didn’t want him to be with someone else. I didn’t want him to serve my friend. 

“Urgh…” 

As I reached that conclusion yet again, I was filled with embarrassment. I instinctively hugged the blanket tightly around myself and curled into a ball. I could feel my cheeks heating up as I shut my eyes. 

I wanted to have an exclusive relationship with Rudy.