(This chapter is taken from Mary's point of view. That's right. We are switching it up today.)

My name is Mary.

Just Mary.

Like most commoners, I don't have a family name or a family crest. Although my father is a leading researcher in his field, we are still very poor.

It's just me and my father. My mother died during childbirth.

Although I wish I could meet my mother, I'm not ungrateful. I still have a wonderful father and I get to have food in my belly. That's more than most people have.

But still... Watching my father work so hard to provide for me, makes me feel a bit sad. So I decided to work hard in hopes that I could enter the Imperial City's Academy!

Luckily, my father is a wonderful teacher. I studied hard and was able to be noticed. All these years, I didn't dare ask for more.

I'm not an ungrateful girl.

That is... Until I met the love of my life.

She swept me off my feet, and carried me in her oh so comforting embrace.

But then she left me and I never got to see her again...

After that, the store owner who helped me before, would come over to work with my father in his garden.

When I asked my father about it, he would always tell me "We are doing top secret research to save humanity!!"

My father's really cool. He's always doing something to benefit the greater good.

Although I do wonder where all this money started coming from...

Anyways, I would always beg the store owner for information about my masked hero, but he said even he didn't know her identity.

I fell into a funk.

The memory of that fateful night still played on my mind. Soon, I found that I was obsessed.

I began to draw my masked hero. I drew her so much, I actually got really good at art.

My room was filled with her portraits.

My father asked me about it. And I told him, "This is the girl I'm going to marry one day!!"

He said, "Girl's can't get married."

I said, "Of course they can!"

He said, "It's not that I don't support you. I just mean that legally, they can't. This nation frowns down upon such marriages."

Now this was a devastating blow. But did I give up?! No!

I said, "Then I will study law and get them to allow it!!!"

My father clapped for me and I went to work. I opened a law book and...

... Quickly fell asleep.

Turns out I'm not very good at law.

But I didn't let this get me down. I was sure that if anyone could change the law, it would be my masked hero!

Yes. My benevolent masked hero. A hero who only thinks of others. A hero who puts the needs of others before the needs of their own.

Yes. I'm sure my selfless hero is like that. Otherwise, why would she have saved me?

I bet she gives food to the poor and money to the needy. I can even see her volunteering at churches to help the sick.

Ah... I bet she also has lots of friends and that everyone loves her.

Wait. I don't like that. Won't I have a lot of rivals then? Oh no.. I'm going to have to step up my game.

I should read more dating tutorial books.

I passed most of those years daydreaming about my masked hero. I couldn't wait for the day I joined the academy. Something told me that I would find her there.

And I did! Not only did I find her, but she was even better than I had ever dreamed!!!

She beat the Prince, his Knight, and that weird red-headed man!!! And she did it without even gloating. How commendable.

Ah~ This truly is love.

So if this is love... Why does she keep running away from me?

When I found out we were roommates, I was overjoyed! Well. I was overjoyed after I finished mourning for my favorite doilies.

B-But! I know she didn't do that to hurt me. One of my books said that people like to tease the one they love. So it must be that.

This was just how she showed her love!!!

Although, I wish she could be more tender. I would be happy with just a pat on the head... Or hand holding... Or a hug... O-Or a k-k-k-kiss...

*nosebleed*

Ah. I got too excited again.

It's fine! We can start off as friends. I'm a patient girl. I can wait for... That.

Plus, I'm not ready yet. I need to read more tutorials on kissing. I can't seem like I don't know what I'm doing.

Unless.. She likes it like that?...

....Seri was in front of me with a cocky grin on her face. She had me pinned to the wall, preventing me from leaving. She looked so dashing in her princely attire.

I blushed and turned my eyes away, "S-Seri. What are you doing? I need to go to class..."

"Class, eh?" She whispered in my ear.

My ear felt like it was set aflame. My face blushed more as my breathing quickened.

Seri traced her finger along my lips, "I'll let you go... On one condition."

I gulped as her lips hovered before mine. I could feel her warm breath on my lips.

She whispered, "A kiss."

I squeezed my eyes shut, "No! We mustn't... It's forbidden..."

"Oh? Is that really what you want?"...

.....

*nosebleed*

Oh shoot. I was daydreaming again. Sigh. I shouldn't be so impatient. I wouldn't want to scare her off.

One day I walked up to her fiddling my fingers, "Seri... Could I... Get a hug?"

"THIS IS NOT A YURI NOVEL!" I jumped at her sudden shout.

I wonder why she keeps saying that.

Also... What even is a yuri? She keeps mentioning it... Is it some kind of dish?

It sounds pretty good.

Ugh. I really am a patient girl. But lately... I've grown quite restless. I've known her for a while now, but she still ignores me and runs away.

Maybe if I get a peak at her sleeping face I won't be as restless. Yes. I just need a little taste to hold me over.

I tried her door.

Locked.

I sobbed. Why is it locked?

Ah. I should really make a copy of her key.

N-Not for any improper reason!!! No way! It's just in case she gets hurt inside her room. Someone needs to be able to get in.

That's right. Only for that reason.

After class, Seri managed to outrun me again. Sigh. Why am I so bad at exercise?

Since I'm not in any clubs, I guess I will just go home and wait for her to get back. I walked into our room and froze.

A small monkey sat on the counter top frozen in place.

I blinked.

He blinked.

I moved an arm up.

He moved an arm up.

I jumped to the side.

He jumped to the side.

I started moving and the monkey mirrored my actions.

I giggled, "I guess it really is monkey see monkey do." I stretched out my hand to pet him, "Hehe. You're such a cutie."

*CHOMP*

"AH! He bit me." I sniffled, "That hurts."

The monkey stuck out it's tongue and jumped over to Seri's door. He pulled out a key (but from where?!) and opened the door. He slammed it shut and locked it again.

I ran after him, "Wait little monkey! Let me borrow that key!!! I just want to make a copy and I will give it right back!!!"

Darn. He's not answering.

B-But! I won't give up! True love never backs down!

I just need to befriend the monkey.

Alright. How does one befriend monkeys? Is there a book tutorial for that?

Should I just make cookies? Do monkeys eat cookies?

Won't know until I try.

The next day, I didn't bother chasing Seri. I rushed home with cookies that I had baked in the dorms kitchen. I smiled at the door, "Little monkey~ I brought you some cookies. Please try them."

The monkey tried to ignore her, but the smell was too great. He poked his head out cautiously. He then walked to the plate of cookies slowly.

Once he determined I would not attack him, he began to shovel the cookies into his mouth. I giggled, "Oh my. You eat just like your owner."

The monkey smiled from the compliment.

"So Mr. monkey... Could you let me borrow that key?"

He raised an eyebrow in suspicion.

I gave him a reassuring smile, "I'm not going to do anything bad! I just want to make a copy." Seeing him hesitate, I quickly added, "I will make you more cookies."

He nodded in excitement and pulled it out. I scrunched up my nose and forced on a smile.

Let me just... Use a cloth to hold that.

I grabbed it and rushed over to my clay kit. I pushed it down into the clay to create a mold of the key.

Perfect! Now I can take this to the blacksmith tomorrow and he can make me a copy. Hehe!

I handed it back to him. "By the way... Don't tell Seri about this." He glared at me. I added, "If you don't, I will make you cookies everyday."

He nodded in agreement.

Yippee! I twirled around in my room with the new key. I flopped on my bed holding it close.

Now we really are like a couple! We've exchanged keys... And next is...

....I struggled in the ropes that bound me to the bed. In the doorway was the silhouette of the demon Seri.

Seri licked her lips, "You... You dare trespass into my territory?"

I turned away in embarrassment, "It-It was a mistake!"

"A mistake, huh?"

She crawled onto the bed with a large grin, "Was those love letters also a mistake then?"

I blushed, "W-what love letters?!"

"Don't lie to me. I know they are from you." Seri sniffed my neck, causing my skin to flush in response. She smiled showing off her sharp pearly whites, "They smell just like you."

I tried to get out of her grip, "Noooo! Let me go!"

"Oho? You want me to let you go? Really? If so why are you-".....

....I sat up abruptly in my bed.

I should clean.

I opened the window and started dusting everything off. I twirled around singing.

"Go away impure thoughts~ Go away~ Go away~"

Birds flew in and started singing with me. I giggled as I twirled around, "That's right. Cleaning always purifies the mind."

Seri opened the door, "Oi. What the f*ck is this?!"

Suddenly, the gentle singing birds transformed into rabid birds with red eyes. They shot forward, attacking Seri.

Seri ran around wildly, "AHHHH! GET THEM OFF! GET THEM OFF!"

I blinked, "Oh my. It seems like those birds really like you."

"YOU DUMBA**!! HELP ME!"

____

The next day I looked around for Seri, but once again. She was hiding from me.

I walked into the student council room sighing. I flopped down in the chair and gave another sigh.

William rolled his eyes, "Sure. Just make yourself at home."

My eyes watered graciously, "Thank you Prince William. You truly are kind."

His face twitched, "I was being sarcastic."