I Favor The Villainess Chapter 33

"Discrimination is prevalent in this academy!"

One morning after the Founding Festival finished, as I headed for the dining hall together with Claire-sama, for some reason I heard such an opinion.
Looking towards it, five, six students gathered carrying a placard.

"Down with aristocracy!"
"Down with!"

They recited such a slogan together.

"How unpleasant. Lowly commoners are getting carried away"

Claire-sama frowned, seeing such an unpleasant thing in the morning.

"What's that?"
"Commoners' disease"
"It seems to be commoners' movement. Because, they're advocating for equality between n.o.bles and commoners"

Lene explained Claire-sama's concise words.
Ah, is it beginning.
I recalled the contents of the game.

"They desire commoner social standing to be treated equally with n.o.bility, preposterous. Just because they received favor of His Majesty the King they are getting carried away"
"Haa…"
"That's an indifferent reply… Or, do you also agree with that lot?"

Claire-sama lowered her voice.

"No, I'm not particularly interested. I'm fine as long as I can be together with Claire-sama"

People think equality is a praiseworthy idea, but to be honest I don't care.
Well yeah, I think it's better to be equal, but I don't want to involve myself in politics.
It's said often, isn't it?
When talking to people, avoid topics of religion and politics.
It can't be helped if my att.i.tude is described as don't rock the boat, but those are my true feelings.

Nevertheless――.

"You! Aren't you Rei Taylor!"

The person who appears to be the group leader called me out by my full name and rushed to me.
The rest of his group followed.
Ick.

"As the representative of the ordinary citizens, what are you doing in this position?"

This position, he must refer to being together with a lady of François house, the preeminent aristocrats.

"What you say, I'm Claire-sama's maid"
"What!?"

At my words, the group became noisy.
Claire-sama is ignoring them, not wanting to get involved.
If possible, I would like to follow suit.

"You! You are the hope of us ordinary citizens. You boast outstanding grades among us, what are you doing being tainted by aristocracy!"
"No, it's not particularly my intention to be tainted by aristocracy――"
"The occupation called maid, isn't it exactly slavery to aristocracy! It's deplorable!"

Ah, I don't want to hear these people.

"Um, can I go now? I'm not interested in politics"
"You don't understand! Even if you're apathetic about politics, you can't remain unrelated!?"
"Haa…"

He had a self-satisfied look, like he said something good.
To be unable to stay unrelated to politics, such a thing is common.

"Hey, you all"

While I was steadily getting fed up with them, Claire-sama spoke in a voice showing she's finding it truly tiresome.

"While it is fine to tout your doctrine, do not force other people to agree with it"
"What are you saying! You n.o.bles force aristocracy onto ordinary citizens!"
"What was that?"

This is bad.
Claire-sama is short-tempered.
Moreover, she's a genuine aristocrat.
She will not stay silent when aristocrats are criticized.

"You all, that's enough"

A refres.h.i.+ng voice resounded.

"Lambert-sama…"

It was Lambert-sama who intervened.
Lene made a surprised face.
Some people may have forgotten, so I'll repeat, Lambert-sama is Lene's elder brother.
In the Order of the Academy, he has the position of its leader's, Lorec-sama's, a.s.sistant.

"While I do hold some sympathy for your position, this is the academy. In this school where commoners and n.o.bles can study without discrimination, it doesn't speak well of you to fool around causing such disputes"
"You are only saying that, Lambert-sama. Even though Orso Company should be in the forefront of the movement to defeat aristocracy"

Orso Company holds special power among commoners, it's on the level of lower-level n.o.bility.
For activists, it wouldn't be amusing if Lambert-sama, the eldest son of that Orso Company, sided with n.o.bles.

"I understand that equality is a n.o.ble idea. However, it's still too early for this kingdom"
"However――"
"Claire-sama, I apologize that you were stopped. Please, go ahead"
"Lambert, please keep proper discipline. Even this commoner can do it"

Claire-sama made a snide comment.
Is it about Relaire's matter.

"Bear it in mind"
"Fine"

Shall we go, saying so, Claire-sama started walking.
Lene and I followed.

"Honestly… You too. Do not be concerned about such people. You can just ignore them"
"Haa…"
"But, Claire-sama. They also have their unavoidable circ.u.mstances. Commoners' lives can be truly tough――"
"Silence, Lene"

Claire-sama flat out interrupted her.

"… I am sorry"
"As long as you understand"

As if nothing happened, Claire-sama continued walking without a change.
With this, Claire-sama's could appear detestable, but in this era, that's n.o.bility's way of thinking - even commoners are somewhat like that - everyone is similar.

Lene made a complicated expression.
Well, it's understandable.
Lene might be a wealthy merchant's daughter, but she's still a commoner.
Working under Claire-sama ever since she was a child, she was shown the difference in the standard of living.
It would be strange if she didn't find it unreasonable.

"Lene"
"What, Rei-chan?"
"Don't think about stupid things, okay?"
"? Yup"

To Lene, it must certainly sound like I called abolis.h.i.+ng aristocracy and implementing equality stupid.
But, the true meaning was different.
I will talk about it sooner or later.

But well, this atmosphere won't do.

"Claire-sama"
"What is it?"
"I'm hungry"

Claire-sama looked taken aback by my remark that didn't read the air.

"… You are such a person. Haa… We are close to the dining hall, be patient"

And, with an unusual expression that could be read as a wry smile, she told me so.

"Yees. Lene, what will you eat today?"
"Let's see, should I get oyakodon"
"Sounds good. I wonder if I should get gyuudon again"
"You both, eat something a little more refined"

We returned to the usual.
As expected, I don't like politics much.
But――.

'Even if you're apathetic about politics, you can't remain unrelated!?'

In a different meaning from what they said, I can't remain unrelated.
I'm having a headache thinking about that matter.

"Claire-sama, as I have a slight headache, could you do say aah for breakfast?"
"What incomprehensible thing are you nonchalantly saying!?"
"Eh, mouth-to-mouth then? That's a little"
"I have not said that!?"

Claire-sama vented her stress.
I wish I could have fun with Claire-sama like this forever.

"Selfish, aren't you. Then, I will feed you"
"I do not need it!? Or rather, it is unrelated to your headache, right!?"
"Eh?"
"Do not make such a mystified face!?"

Admiring Claire-sama.
My principle remains unchanged.