Demi-human Girls Completion Manual
Chapter 121 - 41. Strange atmosphere

Chapter 121: 41. Strange atmosphere

"They say it’s to keep Fisher safe, but actually, many Royal Soldiers dressed in white uniforms followed close to Elizabeth, not far from her. Since it was sunny outside, Elizabeth donned another western hat, only it was different from the one she’d worn before.

The only thing that received a glint was her golden hair, now standing out as conspicuously as Gold itself.

Although Elizabeth’s face was unclear, others could still feel her noble and elegant demeanor. There might have been men who looked towards her male companion with envy and scrutiny, but upon seeing Fisher Benavides’s face, they became speechless.

Elizabeth and Fisher, in the eyes of Saint Nali, seemed like an extremely well-matched pair.

Even a few years ago, when the King wanted to find Elizabeth a husband, the elder princess herself had firmly refused, citing "being too busy with affairs." It was clear to everyone that Elizabeth was waiting for Fisher.

"How do you feel about Saint Nali University?"

Although Elizabeth was the guest, for some reason, at this particular moment, it was she who asked Fisher about his impression of the school.

"The academic atmosphere is quite good; the students are hardworking and full of vitality."

"A very Fisher-style comment... Speaking of which, before your last birthday, you turned 28 this year. What are your plans for the future?"

Elizabeth turned her head to look at Fisher by her side, asking this question.

"What plans?"

"Gentlemen in Nali always yearn to achieve great deeds and to create their own legends, which inevitably adds to their burdens. Yet, it seems to me that you don’t have such desires. So why not stay? Start a family and settle down here... or is it that Mr. Fisher longs for the freedom of a wandering rogue and is unwilling to be bound by family and duty?"

Beneath Elizabeth’s western hat, a pair of light golden eyes were surprisingly cold, starkly contrasting the seemingly jesting and casual nature of her enquiry.

As she examined him with her gaze, Fisher gave a slight smile, just as he was about to respond, a middle-aged man dressed in a Nali suit approached and bowed to Elizabeth,

"Your Highness Princess Elizabeth, welcome to Saint Nali University, I am Gary, a board member. Mr. Fisher, hello."

Fisher glanced at the Nali Exploration Company badge on the man’s suit lapel and knew this man was from the richest company in Nali at present.

The Nali Exploration Company, which had grown affluent through maritime trade, had underwritten Captain Blake’s "Holy Maiden" when the Royal Family had no funds for external maritime exploration. Now, it seemed like a very farsighted decision indeed.

In the following years, the Nali Exploration Company made a fortune in external exploration and expansion, monopolizing many sectors such as resource mining, shipbuilding, and maritime trade with the South Continent. It was the behemoth among Nali corporations, and the current ruling New Party’s primary financial backer was this company.

Elizabeth’s chilly gaze flickered over the man before her, but when she lifted her hat slightly, her eyes softened and became vacant,

"There’s no need for formalities. The university certainly went to great lengths to celebrate the Gedelin Festival. I was quite overwhelmed by the richness of the event schedule when I looked at it earlier..."

"You flatter us, Princess. The Gedelin Festival is the most important holiday for the Nali people, and we certainly don’t dare to neglect it... That said, our poetry session is about to begin, and the school committee has arranged special seats for you and Mr. Fisher. Please come this way."

Elizabeth smiled warmly and walked towards the event site, following Gary’s lead, with Fisher joining her.

The so-called poetry session was actually a very traditional Nali event, roughly exchanging verses on a given theme. There were no strict formats for the poems; one would simply write as inspiration struck.

However, in recent years, many popular poetic forms have emerged, and even those less artistically inclined could fill in the forms, thus enabling many citizens to create poetry without resorting to awkward lines like "Oh ocean, you are full of water; Oh steed, you have four legs."

"Hey, parents, please notice that our school has the most comprehensive piping system in all of Nali, solely constructed by the Nali Exploration Company, utterly different from the complex and inefficient systems in the city."

"Our dining hall operates a separate ordering system, proficiently preparing foods from various nations."

"Yes, three students per dorm room."

There were many activities, and since many parents and individuals from society interested in the university came, including the media, the school organized many tours to promote the school’s features, with many gentlemen from the school committee holding a glass of red wine and guiding various groups around the school.

By the time Elizabeth arrived, many students and professors had already spontaneously formed a circle and begun to exchange verses, enjoying wine and food simultaneously.

"Mr. Fisher, I will give a brief opening speech and be right back."

Elizabeth nodded to Fisher and walked towards the front stage, while Fisher picked a glass of red wine and took a seat in the front row. A lady had already settled beside him, and seeing Fisher sit down, she proactively greeted him.

"Hello, Professor Fisher. It’s my first time meeting you; I’m Lao Fang."

The lady looked in her thirties, her hair gathered into a bun, wearing delicate glasses, looking very intellectual overall. She greeted Fisher politely, and Fisher took his glass to clink with hers,

"Fisher Benavides, a pleasure to meet you."

"I had heard of Professor Fisher before you even entered the school; seeing you today, I truly believe you live up to your reputation as the most deserving man of the title of gentleman in Saint Nali."

"You’re too kind. Lady Lao Fang, will you be creating new poetry at the session?"

"Ah, of course, it would truly be a pity not to celebrate such a festival with poetry and song. Why does Mr. Fisher suddenly ask about this?"

Something occurred to Fisher, and he took a gentle sip of red wine, saying,

"I knew a child before, who was very fond of your poetry. I think she would be delighted if there were new poems from you."

Lady Lao Fang looked at Fisher’s profile and was slightly startled before smiling and saying,

"I will definitely try my best to create works that live up to her expectations."

"Many thanks."

Lady Lao Fang had a good impression of Fisher, at least finding the gentleman quite charming and worth deepening acquaintances with after this simple conversation. However, before meeting Fisher, her impression of him had been tinted by his affairs with Princess Elizabeth, so she had somewhat derogatorily thought of him as a "kept man."

Interestingly, many of her works praised the love between girls of humble origins and wealthy merchants, yet she herself looked down upon gentlemen who "married up" like Fisher, but this was never revealed, only thought in her mind.

If only this gentleman were a bit richer.

Lady Lao Fang secretly assessed Fisher’s black suit, which was not tailor-made, and appraised his financial situation.

"I’m back, Mr. Fisher, Lady Lao Fang, hello."

Just as Lady Lao Fang was secretly sizing up Fisher, a voice suddenly appeared next to them like a bomb, causing her to hurriedly withdraw her gaze and turn to look at the beautiful princess standing before her with a smile that was both polite and insincere.

Her smile was gentle yet hollow, and the distinct authority made Lady Lao Fang unconsciously stand to offer her respects to Princess Elizabeth,

"Princess Elizabeth."

"You’re dismissed... The poetry meeting is about to start. Let’s find some classmates to exchange poems."

This was said to Fisher, but Lady Lao Fang did not leave as she was tasked by the school to accompany Princess Elizabeth at the poetry gathering. Her duty was to remain silent and then to praise whatever poetry Elizabeth uttered, thus increasing the perceived value of Elizabeth’s poems.

Social interactions in Nali were such; many seemingly natural and comfortable arrangements were actually meticulously designed.

"Sister!"

As Princess Elizabeth watched Lady Lao Fang with a smile, a figure suddenly ran up from behind and tightly hugged the elder princess.

"Mind your manners, Isabella."

Although it was a reminder, Princess Elizabeth still smiled and patted the head of Isabella who hugged her from behind, causing her to blush and straighten up. Isabella then looked at the two professors standing beside her and bowed to them,

"Professor Fisher, Professor Lao Fang, hello there."

"Princess Isabella."

This was a formal occasion, not a classroom, so Princess Isabella was addressed with the proper royal etiquette.

But apparently, Fisher was not worried that Isabella would retaliate against him for what had happened in class earlier. If that were the case, it would simply mean Isabella, as a member of the royal family, was too petty. Fisher didn’t need to say anything; her sister would scold her.

"Oh, right sister, I also brought my roommate and Professor Fisher’s friend over, and we’re going to exchange poems... Eh?"

Behind Isabella, Moli approached, but before she could greet, Isabella had already turned to look at two ladies not far away.

Fisher and Elizabeth turned their heads to look too. Isabella’s roommate, Milica, was so young she could be ignored, but standing behind the girl was a lady with long black hair whose expression still held a smile, albeit a rather icy one.

She glanced at Fisher, then at Elizabeth, who stood rather close to him, before smiling at Fisher again. This strange behavior was quickly noticed by the perceptive Princess Elizabeth, causing her to also turn to look at Fisher.

"Ah, this is Professor Fisher’s friend, who got lost at the school just now."

"A friend?"

Princess Elizabeth looked at Renie before her, her warm smile shadowed by a touch of emptiness.

The dark-haired lady’s deep purple eyes blinked, and without any title to lift her status, her sheer presence alone held its ground next to Elizabeth.

She merely nodded her head, glanced at Fisher, and replied,

"Yes, a friend."

After this response, while the venue remained noisy, the atmosphere around Fisher suddenly became eerily distorted.