Chapter 29: Operation Handkerchief Drop
Between the boys' and girls' dormitories of Saint-Noel was a beautiful courtyard known as the Garden of Water. Being in water-rich Belluga, it boasted a large fountain and many watercourses. It was further adorned by a lavish variety of colorful flowers and exuded a thick aura of romance. Many a pair of students had stepped in as friends and left as sweethearts.
What a perfect place to stage an accidental encounter! thought Mia with a devious smile as she tightened her grip on the handkerchief she'd brought.
It was the day after she'd met Rafina, and she was sitting on a bench in the aforementioned courtyard. Through intelligence gained by Anne's reconnaissance, she'd learned that Abel would soon pass by this spot. As such, she'd pre-emptively moved into position to await his arrival.
She also happened to be wearing the academy's official uniform, which consisted of a classy blazer and an elegant pleated skirt. Both pieces were brand new, and their pristine whiteness perfectly complemented her refined beauty. There was an almost divine quality to her quiet figure, motionless save for the gentle fluttering of her hair. In that moment, she was indeed the Saint of Tearmoon.
On the outside, anyway. Her motivations were far less pure.
For some time, she sat alone, listening to the gentle burbling of the fountain. Then, amidst the steady percussion of falling water, she heard something else — footsteps. Her eyes shot open.
He's here!
With her prey sighted, Mia let out a quick breath and stood up. She began walking, making sure to position herself just a little in front of Abel. Every few seconds, she glanced behind her, looking for just the right moment...
Now! Commence the drop!
She released the handkerchief. It fluttered gently through the air before descending to the ground, landing right at his feet. Seeing that her aim was true, Mia kept her composure, but in her mind, she was roaring with triumph.
What technique! What precision! I handled that perfectly! And now, here he comes!
Anticipation quickened her pulse as she waited to be called. She slowed down her pace so he could catch up more easily. She kept walking, and waiting, and walking, and waiting, and... nothing happened.
How terribly strange.
Craning her neck to assess the handkerchief's situation, she found it still in the same place it had landed. Stuck on a blade of grass, it fluttered uselessly in the wind, lonesome and ignored.
H-How come he didn't pick up the handkerchief?!
This time she turned all the way around to look at Abel, only to find him speaking to a girl beside him.
"Is something the matter, my dear lady?" he asked her glibly.
As it turned out, Mia had forgotten a very important fact: between a dropped handkerchief and a girl in need, Abel would go for the girl every single time! And then he'd try to get all friendly with her! Indeed, Abel Remno was fundamentally a playboy. He was handsome, but also shallow and pretentious. Woefully prone to delivering cheesy pickup lines.
That, however, was not the end of her misfortunes.
"Hm? What's this...?"
In one graceful motion, another boy reached down and picked up the handkerchief. Bringing it up to his eyes, he observed it for a moment. His beautiful silver hair and vexingly striking features marked him to be Mia's archenemy, Sion.
"Did anyone here drop a handkerchief?" he called to the people around him.
"Gah! Y-Y-You!" she muttered angrily under her breath as she gnashed her teeth.
She had to get out of here. Her first and foremost goal was making sure Sion and Tiona did not acquaint themselves with her. Under no means could she allow any communication to occur between them, or she'd be handing them her head on a platter! Retreat was her only option. Feigning disinterest, she spun around and started walking away. Just then...
"Ah, that belongs to Princess Mia."
Her other archenemy, Tiona Rudolvon, joined in the attack.
"I just borrowed one of those yesterday," she said as she ran up to Sion. "It looks the same, so it has to be hers." She took out her handkerchief, which had been carefully washed and cleaned, and showed it to him.
The handkerchiefs Mia used were crafted by royal artisans. In their quest to please their beloved princess, they made full use of their expertise, embroidering the sides with intricately-patterned lace. As a result, her handkerchiefs were uniquely identifiable and, in this case, undeniable proof of her ownership.
"Ah! There she is! Princess Mia!"
D-Damn it, girl!
Realizing that escape was no longer an option, she finally resigned herself to her fate. She turned around gracefully and patted her uniform as if checking her pockets.
"My, you're quite right. It would appear that I've dropped it by accident," she said with a smile. "Thank you so very much for letting me know."
"I see. So this belongs to Her Highness Princess Mia," said Sion as he regarded the handkerchief. Then he walked up to Mia, pressed his hand to his chest, and lowered his head in a show of respect. "I am Sion Sol Sunkland, Prince of the Sunkland Kingdom. I believe this is the first time we've met, Your Highness. I've heard a lot about you."
"My, how terribly courteous. I am Mia Luna Tearmoon," she replied, giving her skirt a quick tug in a mini-curtsy.
She'd intended to take the handkerchief, say thank you, and then get the hell out of there, but just as she turned to leave...
"I must say, what a fine coincidence this is. I've been meaning to ask whether Your Highness has decided on a partner for tomorrow's dance party?"
A chill ran up her spine.
"If not, then I'm of a mind to nominate myself for the role."
How? Why? What in the moons is even happening right now?!
Faced with a radiant smile that would make any other girl weak in the knees, Mia felt nothing but the terrible urge to scream her frustration at the sky.