Chapter 90: Farewell, Rishe

"I will miss you lots, Russell." Lydia helped to tidy up his books on the desk and put them into a box.

Russell lifted several boxes and stored them outside of their room. "Worry not, Lydia. We will still be able to spend lots of time together in class, right? Besides, we can always go out for a walk or have a quick dinner whenever you want."

To be honest Lydia felt really sad about having to part with him. Things would never be quite the same without sharing a room.

But Ephraim was right. Their living arrangements could cause trouble if the other students discovered the truth.

Lydia understood that they had to be careful, even if she wasn’t happy about it.

Russell smiled and pointed at the bracelet on his wrist.

"I’m only one call away. Feel free to message me anytime."

"Then you better answer whenever I call!"

Russell chuckled. "Of course."

Once they finished packing, Lydia tapped on her bracelet and ordered burgers and fries for both of them. She even threw some pizza and chicken wings as well.

A few minutes later, a delivery drone arrived in front of their dorm.

"That was quick. Hey! They even gave us extra sauces, Russell. Here, check it out."

Russell helped Lydia to bring their food inside. They settled down together and enjoyed their burgers and fries.

Lydia even took out a few cans of Lillet Pops, which she had carefully saved as her precious treasure to enjoy on special occasions.

"Russell, you’re eating all the chicken wings!"

"Oh? I didn’t realize." He glanced at the nearly empty plate before smiling at her. "Sorry. Here, have the last one."

"You’re giving it to me? But how about you?"

"I’m all good. You wanted it, didn’t you? I can always order more."

"If you insist," Lydia reached for it and beamed a bright smile at him. "You’re the best, Russell!"

He chuckled at her cheerful expression. "I’m glad you think so."

"Think of this as a farewell party, Russell."

Russell paused with a Lillet Pop in his hand. He looked at Lydia, then glanced around their shared room.

Their room had been filled with countless memories, from their late-night conversations to their everyday routines.

"Farewell party, huh..." He gave her a small smile. "Yeah, you’re right, Lydia. Say, will you always support my decisions?"

"Of course! Why did you even ask? I’ll always stand by your side, Russell. You’re my best friend, after all!"

"Best friend, huh..." Russell’s smile softened.

"Mm? Is there something wrong with it? What do you mean, Russell?"

Russell only smiled at Lydia’s question. He didn’t explain himself, leaving her to wonder what he had meant.

●●●

The next morning, Lydia was surprised to find Russell’s desk still empty. She glanced at the seat beside her, wondering whether he was running late.

Usually, Russell was never the one to arrive late for class.

She tapped on her bracelet to check the time. There were still a few minutes before class began, but she couldn’t help feeling a little uneasy.

Is he still busy moving his belongings?

A few minutes later, the Head Principal entered the Regular Class with a familiar pink-haired student following behind him.

"Rishe? No..."

No. It wasn’t Rishe.

It was Russell.

The entire Regular Class went into an uproar. Unlike usual, Russell was wearing the male sophomore uniform with red trim, showing that he was a Sentinel.

His long pink hair fell freely down his back, while his blue eyes held a confident expression.

"Thank you for being my friends throughout this whole semester. My name was Rishe, but now, I am Russell Arestionne, the transfer student from the Kingdom of Arestionne on the Luanna continent. I look forward to getting along with all of you."

Everyone fell silent for a moment before the class went into another uproar.

"Whaaaat?! Rishe is a man?!"

"Wait. Arestionne?! Don’t tell me... He’s the missing Crown Prince of Luanna?"

"But the King and Queen have already passed away. Does that mean he’s the King of Arestionne now? Should we refer to him as His Majesty?"

"How can someone be so beautiful and handsome at the same time?! Am I bisexual?!"

Russell simply smiled at everyone’s reaction. He seemed to have expected their surprise, but their endless questions still amused him.

He really did it...

"I know my decisions might make you hate me or see me as suspicious and untrustworthy, but I had no other choice. My own Prime Minister betrayed the royal family. He placed a bounty on my head and sent countless assassins after me. I couldn’t reveal my identity while I was still in danger. I didn’t want any of you to get caught up in this betrayal or become targets because of my status."

His expression grew serious as he continued.

"But thanks to this Empire’s support, I managed to survive. I am truly grateful for everything that has been done for me."

Several students began to murmur among themselves.

Some looked heartbroken as they thought about what Russell had gone through. Others wiped away their tears with their handkerchiefs.

Unfortunately, not everyone took the news so calmly.

Hugo and Kathy were already crying so hard that their desks were already soaked with tears and covered in snot.

Simon even had to wipe their desks with a resigned look.

Okay, that was gross.

When he saw Russell, he nodded sympathetically and waved his hand.

"Aaaaah!! Risheee! Risheee! Waaah.... NO!! Russell..." Kathy cried so hard that she began to wail like an injured animal.

Nobody could tell whether Kathy was crying over Russell’s sad past or mourning the loss of her beloved Rishe.

After all, her favorite bias had turned out to be a guy all along.

"Huaaaa... Russell... I am so glad for you! But whyyyy... Huhuhu... Rishe... my Lady Rishe...!!"

Lydia stared at Kathy’s dramatic breakdown.

Good grief. Is she happy for Russell or mourning her favorite person?

Hugo only grinned and gave Russell snotty two thumbs.

Maybe this was a good way for him to start anew. No longer as Rishe, but as Russell Arestionne—Russell Arestionne.