Villain Retirement

"Silence! You are in the presence of Princess Esme!"

"Hm…"

"..."

"Kneel! You are in the presence of royalty!"

"No."

"Y—"

"Stand down, Tobi."

The large and overly garnished hallway was not only filled with oversized curtains, windows, and chandeliers, but also with all sorts of gossip, murmurs, and whispers. And unlike the city of Galpath, there was a clear contrast in how the people looked.

Theran was eerily similar to Earth, be it in size or the physical appearance of its people. Judging by the speed and the time it took Riley and Katherine to follow Star Sergeant Zac, they probably traveled to the other side of the planet.

And right now, the people surrounding them looked similar to people from Asian and South East Asian countries. All of them looked different from each other, perhaps a testament to how diverse their side of the planet is—their outfits, however, were all similar to each other.

No, perhaps similar was an understatement as their attire felt more akin to that of a uniform, with only accessories to make them unique. The men wore white long coats with black vests, partnered with white pants. Even the man that the princess addressed as  Tobi. Tobi, however, had a red tie on his neck, unlike the others who either had dark blue or green.

As for the women, they wore a white long sleeves that were buttoned up to their necks, partnered by skirts that went either above or below their knees. And like the men, they wore a tie of different colors.

The only one that really carried a completely different attire was the unusually tall woman in front of Riley and Katherine. Her skin was that of a tan complexion, almost golden. Her hair was black and slightly curly; her small eyes, as dark as her hair.

There were many that could be said to be prettier or objectively more beautiful than her just from the people surrounding them alone, but there was a certain uniqueness to her beauty that caused her to stand out amongst the rest---and it wasn't only because she almost towered over everyone else.

Her face was plain, but at the same time, it was hard to look away from how mesmerizing it was.

"Princess Esme, it has been a long time."

"Star Sergeant Zac?"

Princess Esme raised her hand, gesturing to Tobi to step to the side as she approached Zac, "How did you get inside the college?"

So, it wasn't just like a uniform—it is a uniform, is what Katherine thought as she once again scanned the surrounding people. 

Since they were supposedly meeting royalty, Katherine just initially thought that the large and castle-like building they landed right on was some sort of palace. And now that she heard Princess Esme's words, everything started to make sense.

The diversity of the people, their similar outfits, and the judging eyes of the people…

…they were inside a school.

"I am friends with the captain of the college's security, your Royal Highness," Star Sergeant Zac bowed, before trying to grab the princess' hand. Princess Esme, however, quickly moved her hand away and stepped back.

Zac didn't seem to mind, however, as he even let out a small giggle before turning to look at Riley,

"As to why I am here, your Royal Highness—I brought someone that you might want to meet."

"Hm?" Princess Esme blinked a couple of times as she turned her attention to Riley. She looked at him from head to toe, and from her height, she didn't even need to take a step back to see Riley's entire silhouette. She wasn't gigantic, but she was probably the tallest woman Riley has ever seen—even taller than Gary.

"Who is this weird-looking person you have brought me, Zac?" Princess Esme muttered; and as she did so, the people that were surrounding them all started to giggle and laugh. Esme, however, didn't seem to appreciate the noise as she glared at the nearest crowd.

And with just a simple gesture, not even the smallest of whispers survived.

"This is Riley Ross, your Royal Highness," Zac once again bowed as he took a step back and stood behind Riley, before waving his hands around him as if he was presenting some sort of product that was on sale.

"Am I supposed to know who that is?" Esme tilted her head to the side, "I am late for my class, I would appreciate it if you do not waste my time any more than you already have, Zac."

"He is with the people that Princess Aerith brought home along, your Royal Highness. The woman beside him is his subordinate."

"Princess Aerith's… friend?" The tone of Esme's voice slightly became high-pitched as she once again looked at Riley from head to toe.

"Not just a friend. He claims to be… very intimately close to her."

"...Is that true, commoner?" Esme squinted her eyes.

"I suppose so, Princess Esme," Riley imitated Zac as he also bowed his head, "I have seen her naked."

"!!!"

And all of a sudden, a wave of gasp resounded throughout that large hallway. In truth, all of them were late for their classes—but who in their right mind would actually forsake the scene in front of them right now? They could just retake the classes if they fail. But this scene? This scene would only happen once even in their long lifetime.

But alas, once again, Princess Esme glared at them.

"All of you, leave."

And this time, Princess Esme raised her hand and ordered all of them to go to their classes. Most of them didn't want to, of course—but once again, alas. They could really only drop their shoulders as they all walked away, glancing from time to time to get a glimpse of whatever they could.

And in just a few breaths, the only presence that could be felt in the large hallway was 5. The Princess, Riley, Katherine, Zac, and Tobi. Even those that were peering outside the window from the other side of the large building were gone.

"Tobi, tell Professor Willo to postpone the class," Esme then breathed out. And as he did so, Tobi quickly bowed his head and disappeared into the hallway in the blink of an eye,

"As for you, Star Sergeant Zac—you may leave. I will make sure you are compensated for your service to the throne."

"At once, your Royal Highness," Zac let out a mischievous smile as he glanced at Riley. And with a nod, he too disappeared into the hallways.

"Growing up, I have heard many stories of the Rebel Princess of Hel," Esme then let out a small sigh as she started walking around with her hands behind her waist, "She has already gone on her adventure outside the territory when I was born, but I always envied that she had the courage to just fly away."

"..." Katherine and Riley could really only look at each other as Esme started a monologue.

"Our demesne have always been friendly with each other—rivals, yes. But our kingdoms are equal, at all times and at all matters… at least that is what I have been told. I'm too young to be a part of it all, really. But what I do know is that if you are truly indeed close aides to the Rebel Princess of Hel, then you are worth looking into," Esme then looked Riley straight in the eyes,

"What makes you so special, Riley Ross?"

"I was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome when I was young, your Royal Highness."

"Asperger's Syndrome…" Esme placed her hand on her chin, "...What is that?"

"It is—"

"No, do not say it here," Esme raised her hand, "There are lots of ears loitering around and eyes watching. This is no place to reveal secrets that could compromise the powers of our two great nations."

"I think you may also have it, your Royal Highness."

"..." Katherine took in a small, but very deep breath as she looked away and closed her eyes. Whatever it is that she was feeling now, she knew it was inappropriate for the current situation.

"I… have it?" Esme squinted her eyes, "Come with me, we shall talk more about this in my chambers and away from ears that do not deserve to hear it."

"No."

"...No?" Esme, who was already walking away, could not help but raise her voice as she looked back at Riley, "Did you just refuse an order from the Princess?"

"There seems to be a misunderstanding, your Royal Highness," Riley finally moved from his spot as he took a step toward the princess, "I was led to believe that I was meeting Aerith. But I was tricked by Star Sergeant Zac into meeting you instead. I am here to attend my biological mother's burial, and I believe it has already been delayed long enough."

"..." Esme squinted her eyes as she looked at the floor. And after a few moments of utter confusion, she looked back at Riley,

"Are you saying that I am less than Princess Aerith?"

"I am not saying that, your Royal Highness. But nonetheless, that is true," Riley nodded.

"Why?"

"Hm?" Riley tilted his head to the side.

"Why am I less than Princess Aerith?" And for some reason, Princess Esme did the same, 

"How can you come up with that assessment when you do not even know me?"

"Because I know Aerith, your Royal Highness."

"But you don't know me. You have not even seen me naked to make that judgment."

"It will not change even if I do, your Royal Highness. Aerith is the best themarian."

"I would have agreed with that statement. But I have not seen what Aerith is like now compared to the stories I have heard about her," Esme shook her head,

"You can't be sure that I am less than her without at least knowing me, Riley Ross."

"I can, your Royal Highness."

"No."

"Yes."

"I will prove to you that I am not less than Princess Aerith," Esme crossed her arms as the side of her lips slightly turned down, "And if I do not, then I will use my authority as the Princess of Varoif to personally escort you as an official envoy to meet the Hel Royal Family."

"I suppose that is sufficient, your Royal Highness."

"Good. I will ask the college to grant you temporary enrollment to the college," Esme nodded several times, "And if I do prove that I am no less than Princess Aerith…

…then you will leave her side and join mine instead."

"Very well, your Royal Highness."

"..." Katherine, who has just been quietly watching the situation unfold, could really only look back and forth between the two. When Riley said that the princess might have a similar condition to him, she almost laughed. But looking at them now; Riley and Princess Esme…

…it almost looked as if Riley was just talking to a mirror.