Grandpa Abel, You Can Cry…
“We–well, so Abel, what did you find from your research?” Mia asked after regaining her composure.
“Oh, that’s right. I wrote it because I thought it was easy to understand this way.” Then Abel took out two sheets of paper and put them on the desk.
“This is a summary of the work Rafina have done since she became the student council president. And the other one…” Abel added bashfully. “They are some ideas for campaign pledges. I hope they would be of help to you. Though I am not very confident with them.”
“Why not? I am very happy you did this for me!” Mia cherishedly picked up the paper that Abel brought.
“First, read the sheet about Rafina-sama. I don’t mind if you don’t read my ideas. It’s really embarrassing to show… Oh?”
Abel noticed Mia’s election pledge, which had been placed on her desk earlier. He picks it up and looks at it for a while…
Then he looked at Mia… and immediately turned his gaze towards Bel as if he was convinced.
“Bel, are you helping Mia too?”
“Yes! It’s a great honor to be able to help Grandmo- Mia-neesama. so, I’m excited!” Bel answered cheerfully to which Abel gently patted her head.
Huh! How come she gets a pat in the head? That’s not fair!
Mia became jealous of her own granddaughter. So much for being a mature adult.
Why are you even talking to Bel in the first place? I was the one who made those pledges.
Mia was angry, but when she saw the research that Abel came up with about Rafina, she turned blue.
“This is… a bold renovation of an old school facility, abolishing unnecessary events and planning a new event…?”
It was a whole new different dimension from what she was thinking. Admittedly, it was way better than her own. It paints the picture of a president who had been attentive to the needs of the student body, listened to their demands, and had the foresight to do meaningful work that would continue to benefit the academy 10 to 20 years from now.
And I have to make something similar to this!?
Mia’s “More Sweets in the Cafeteria” now all seemed like a childplay.
So that’s why he thought that Bel was the one who came up with those ideas! And why do Rafina’s pledges seem like something Ludwig would say?
Mia didn’t know Rafina’s political abilities at all, but … if she had the same administrative power as Ludwig, then the battle is already over.
I have no idea what to do…
Mia was already in tears. However, a new person joined them.
“Oh, Mia, were you here?”
“Oh… Sion?”
It was Sion who have just entered the library. There was a slight sweat on his forehead that suggested that he was running. As he walked up to Mia and company, he looked at Bel and gave a curious look.
“Hmm? You … Oh, yeah. I heard from Rafina-sama. You’re a relative of Mia…”
“Yes! Nice to meet you. My name is Miabel. You can call me Bel.”
“Such lovely manners. I’m Sion Sol Sunkland.”
Upon hearing the self-introduction, Bel looked astonished.
“That… Libra King Sion… Wow! The real thing …?”
“Libra King …?”
Sion gave her a confused look but notices the paper placed on the desk and looks at it.
“Is this the accomplishment records of Rafina?”
“Yes, pretty impressive, isn’t it?” Abel shrugs. Sion skimmed through the material
“I see. As expected, Rafina is still … oh? That paper …?”
“Oh, that’s …!”
Sion picked up Mia’s election pledge.
After looking through it, Sion turned to Bel, who looked at him innocently.
“Are you helping Mia too?”
“Yes! I respect Grandmo- Mia-neesama a lot. So, I am trying my best to help her.”
“That’s right. You’re a good girl.”
Then Sion patted Bel’s head while smiling gently.
“Ehehe…”
Bel giggled with delight. It was the same exchange as before, but she seemed to enjoy it far more, with how wide her grin is. As it turns out, head pats were not made equal. Getting one from a handsome celebrity like the Libra King meant a lot more to her than one from her own grandfather.
Grandpa Abel, you can cry …
This child… Surprisingly, she’s a fangirl. And a terrible one at that. Bu then again, she covered for me with the campaign pledges.
Mia felt complicated. Turning to Mia, Sion said.
“So, Mia, what are your election pledges?”
What Mia really wanted to say was: You’re holding them, dammit! But then she had a flash of inspiration.
“Oh, Sion. If you’re that worried, do you want to help me write them?”
Mia’s plan was to implicate Sion. That way, if she ends up angering Rafina, she could claim that Sion had helped her come up with it and so lessen her own blame. Even more, while Sion is not Ludwig, he is still a genius when it comes to brains. So, it might be worthwhile. When push comes to shove, Mi was willing to use whatever she can.
On the other hand, Sion…
“Unfortunately, I’ve decided that I will take a neutral position this time.”
Mia’s plan fell apart.
You little… Fine… you were able to escape this time. And to think it was such a good plan as well…
Sion shrugged while Mia grumbled under her breath.
“I do want to help. But I cannot do it with my position. It will look terrible if its people think that Sunkland and Tearmoon are joining forces against Belluga.”
“Then why are you here?”
If you don’t feel like helping, go home! Mia wanted to say out loud.
“Oh, I almost forget.”
Sion suddenly makes a serious look. Then he looks at Bel.
“It’s about the Serpents, is she okay?”
Serpents… A secret society, the Chaos Serpents. People blending in the society plotting to overthrow it. Since their identities are unknown, it is hard to know as to who can be trusted.
Mia nodded.
“Bel can be trusted.”
Rather, Mia wants to give Bel as much information as possible.
The empire will be in trouble, and the chaos serpents is definitely involved …
“Well, then let’s talk. This isn’t certain yet, so take this with a grain of a salt… Mia, it seems like the Chaos Serpents have agents in Tearmoon.”
“Ah. I thought so.”
It was quite convincing. The members of the Chaos Serpents blend into society with their identities unknown. So, of course, Mia thought that there would be some in Tearmoon, but…
“They seem to be part of the central nobles. Specifically, one of the Four Dukes is involved.”
“The Four Dukes!?”
That was something that Mia did not expect to hear.
