Chapter 11: The Fools

Chapter 11:
The Fools

 

NO MATTER WHAT WORLD you lived in, some men fell from grace all for the love of a woman. In this otome game world, those men were the prince and his companions. They were supposed to fall for the protagonist—the kingdom’s future Saint. Their affairs would progress gradually, gently encouraging everyone to accept the union so they could marry without conflict.

But some idiot decided to rush things along, losing sight of the whole “it’s the journey, not the destination” part of the equation.

The reason this romantic crap all worked in the game was because the protagonist was, you know, Olivia. It wouldn’t go so smoothly for her fake; their situations differed. Things might have actually gone better for Marie if she’d just been a little more honest in her pursuit of the love interests.

Phew, that was pretty deep for a game with such a flimsy story.

I took advantage of summer break to visit Angelica’s house—the house of Duke Vince Rapha Redgrave, an influential man with slicked-back ashen hair. He was middle-aged, tall, and muscular, with viciously sharp eyes.

Standing beside him at his desk was Angelica’s older brother—Gilbert Rapha Redgrave. He had blond hair and blue eyes and was still in his early twenties, but his face was an exact replica of his father’s.

Both of them glared at me.

“I understand the circumstances,” the duke said. “So you’re asking me to clean up after you?”

I adjusted my posture and nodded, ready to plead my case. “I have no contacts within the palace. I can’t do anything on my own, but I have prepared platinum to fund my request.”

I’d earned a small mountain of the stuff gambling on the duel. I’d collected it all to offer the duke.

“Please protect me,” I went on. “As you can see, I have money!”

Pathetic? Hey, if I could buy my way out of getting executed, hell yeah I was going to do it.

Gilbert opened his mouth to speak, but the duke held up a hand to silence him.

“I admit it’s impressive that an upstart baron like yourself could gather this much. Manipulating political sentiment in the palace does require funds, and you did stand in as a proxy for my daughter in the duel. I’ll look after you this time, but I can’t protect you from every little issue that comes your way. You aren’t my vassal; you aren’t even an ally within our political faction. You may have humored my daughter’s recklessness, but that also means you stuck your nose in of your own accord.”

Nonetheless, I inwardly pumped my fists. I was just a student, I’d avoided real danger, and now things were headed back in a positive direction. My life was only getting started!

“Yes, I understand. I merely desire clemency and for my family to be spared any repercussions on my account.”

The duke folded his hands on his desk. “You already lost all claim to honor. You’re ready to lose your status as well?”

While I might be forgiven for beating my opponents, I had also disparaged them until their spirits broke. Our duel had been far from honorable.

“I’ll return the knighthood and the baron title,” I promised. “Not that I’ve formally received either yet, but I recognize I have no right to accept them now.”

I was handing over an enormous sum of money, my status, and my title in hopes the kingdom would forget any of this had ever happened. It was a small price to pay considering I’d challenged the crown prince to a duel. On the bright side, in the process, I could also weasel my way out of having to search for a marriage partner.

Gilbert peered at me and said, “What are you really after? If you have so much power, you could have ignored this duel and focused on making a name for yourself. In one generation, you could have achieved viscount status if you so desired. Why are you so willing to throw it all away now?”

For one thing, I’d really, really wanted to punch those love interests in the face. I also wanted to escape the hell of searching for a marriage partner. I had a ton of reasons…but I couldn’t divulge any of them. I came up with an excuse on the spot.

“I couldn’t just stand by and watch as that woman deceived the prince. I guess you could say it was for the sake of the kingdom. Someone had to do it.”

Duke Redgrave chuckled heartily. “That is, in fact, quite honorable, assuming you speak the truth. If the prince was merely having a tryst, that would be one thing. If he’s serious, it’s trouble for the rest of us. The palace and esteemed high lords are in an uproar, in fact. Furthermore, Redgrave House has officially annulled the engagement between Angelica and the prince. He didn’t deserve my daughter. Wouldn’t you agree?”

Oh boy. He was testing me.

I didn’t necessarily want to impress the man. I was satisfied as long as my life was safe and I could be released from my obligations as a noble, like finding a noble partner. Beating the crap out of those five had been a nice distraction, though.

Ah, everything I wished for is right within my grasp.

“I have no comment regarding your daughter and the prince. Though personally, I do hope he learns a little bit during his time at the academy, so that he can become a king we’ll all be proud of in the future.”

The duke stroked his chin. “Very well. On a different note, I have a request for you.”

“What is it?”

“It’s about my daughter. This incident did a number on her. I can’t stand by and watch her mope. I’d hoped to send her to a decent place in the countryside where she could recuperate, but with our current circumstances, we’re too busy to set that up.”

The duke’s vassals and allies were preoccupied with attending to the aftershocks of the duel. Angelica’s followers had turned on her; in the next few days, their parents and guardians would be coming to apologize. Their children’s betrayal of Angelica, and by extension Redgrave House, had put them in a tight spot. The duke would be busy with them all summer and likely wanted to send Angelica somewhere she wouldn’t have to deal with any of it.

“Your house would work perfectly. Take her with you when you leave. I’ll send several attendants along to see to her daily needs,” the duke said.

“Oh, uh…certainly!”

He was leaving his daughter with me? Was that really okay?

Skeptical as I was, no way was I stupid enough to put my hands on a duke’s daughter. It would be terrifying if he even suspected I was entertaining the idea. I decided to play it cool. This was just a trip! He could leave everything to me!

“I appreciate it,” he said. “Now, you may leave.”

“Yes, please excuse me.”

Once I was out of the duke’s office, I breathed a sigh of relief.

My days at the academy were coming to an end. I felt incredible. If I had any lingering regrets, it was the fact that I wouldn’t learn more about the art of tea from my master. He’d already angrily lectured me about the barbarity of my duel, but he’d still let me drink his delicious brews.

“That’s really the only thing that’ll bother me,” I murmured to myself.

There were a few other minor things, perhaps. Daniel and Raymond were on my mind. And I wondered how Lucle was doing. And I wished I could have tried all the popular desserts at the school cafeteria.

Crap. The more I thought about it, maybe I actually had enjoyed my time at the academy.

 

***

 

After Leon left, Gilbert looked to his father. “What do you think?”

The duke laughed. “It’s as you said. If he really were a clever boy only thinking of himself, he would have kept quiet and just watched from the sidelines. After all, that’s how children are.”

The two gazed at the mountain of platinum coins Leon had left.

“He sure provided a hefty sum,” Gilbert said.

“He wanted to admonish the prince so badly he was willing to throw away his status and honor. Impressive resolve. In comparison, that bootlicker Jilk was a disappointment. He’s the one who should have been scolding the prince for his behavior. Alas, that academy has as many problems now as it had in the past. Too many children laze about, ignorant of the outside world.”

The academy environs were unique. For the purpose of educating the next generation of nobles, the rules were designed to give the impression that everyone ought to be treated fairly. That was impossible, of course—reality inevitably seeped in—but the academy’s atmosphere encouraged the students to ignore how the outside world perceived them. Incidents like the duel between Angelica and Marie broke out because students became too preoccupied with their reputation within that closed community.

The issue this time had caused quite the uproar, but as students returned home for summer break, they’d be forced to wake up to reality. Angelica’s followers in particular were going to learn what it meant to pick a fight with the daughter of a duke—and consequently, her entire house.

“Though,” Gilbert spoke up again, “I do think there were other ways he could have handled it.”

“You think so? The way he did was delightful. True, Angie was foolish for challenging them to a duel as she did, but for that boy to volunteer when no one else would step up to help her is impressive. That’s how a knight should be. On the surface, at least.”

“Just what are you planning?”

His father grinned. “He’s my daughter’s savior. I’ll clean up his mess. I’d like another knight for you to rely on in the future, and Redgrave House could use the extra security. Thanks to this mess, we’ve already identified several allies we can no longer trust.”

The two gazed through a nearby window. An airship, over seven hundred meters long, floated right outside. Gilbert had found the vessel curious at first, since its design was like nothing he had ever seen before. He’d been impressed to learn it was a Lost Item Leon had recovered from a dungeon.

Adventurers were revered in Holfort Kingdom. Thousands of men aspired to accomplish what Leon already had.

“A man strong enough to beat a group of esteemed nobility is impressive indeed, but how deeply do you intend to pull him into our ranks?” Gilbert asked. “Should we prepare a partner for him from one of our allies’ houses?”

The duke rested a hand on his chin. “Not a bad idea, but a bit tepid. Any man clever or informed enough will be desperate to claim him. Regardless, we’ll have to start by fixing this little mess. I’ll be leaving for the palace. Look after our lands while I’m gone.”

And he stood from his chair, clearly ready to throw himself into the political torrents at court.

 

***

 

The fully outfitted, cylindrical ship Luxion had created was called Paltner. It was managed by several robots Luxion had recovered from the ones I’d destroyed in my quest to retrieve him. Even the round, defensive-type robots with no legs were hard at work.

The wind felt good as I stepped out onto Paltner’s deck. Luxion floated beside me in his compact, ball-shaped body.

“You’re not going to go see them?” he asked.

He was referring to Olivia and Angelica, both of whom were accompanying me for summer break. There were others on board as well—servants to look after Angelica, who was still quite heartbroken.

“And what should I say to them? If someone expects me to cough up compassionate crap, they’re in for some disappointment.”

“No one expects anything from you, I promise.”

I stared at him. “Do you hate me?”

“No, I don’t hate you. But I don’t like you, either.”

If he weren’t so capable, I’d be tempted to snatch him out of the air and fling him overboard. I sighed. “To tell the truth, I don’t know what to say to Angelica. She just had her engagement annulled. To make things worse, it didn’t go that well for her when she went to talk to the prince.”

She had spoken privately with His Highness, but it had been to no avail. Due to the outcome of the duel, the prince and Marie were no longer in a relationship. Still, people did say that the more obstacles lovers faced, the brighter their love burned. Sure enough, His Highness declared he would continue loving Marie regardless and pray for her happiness.

He also said some weird stuff about preserving his chastity. I wondered if he really was as chaste as he claimed. Wait, no, I didn’t. I did not want to know anything about whether some dude had done it before or not.

Hold on, wasn’t that a problem, though? He was our crown prince. The kingdom would be in trouble if he didn’t produce an heir, and in the game, the only prince that ever appeared was Julius. There was going to be a succession problem if he didn’t have a kid!

“No—nope. I’m not getting involved,” I decided. “Nothing I say is going to solve the problem anyway.”

“You truly are a refreshingly horrible excuse for a human being.”

 

***

 

The two girls sat together inside a private room on the ship. Olivia was concerned that Angelica seemed to have lost weight due to her heartbreak, and had opted to accompany her over summer break.

“It’s almost laughable,” Angelica was saying. “None of my feelings seemed to reach him. I managed to push him and Marie apart and yet I still lost. I really must be a fool. I’m a total failure as a woman.”

“You weren’t wrong for doing what you did, Miss Angelica.”

“I guess.” Angelica shrugged. “Except I lost so wretchedly when I picked a fight with the girl stealing my fiancé. Pathetic, isn’t it? I guess this is what it means to win the battle but lose the war. It was pointless in the end. I just dragged Leon into my own selfishness.”

Olivia dropped her gaze. “I don’t think that’s true at all. Of course, all I did was talk. Leon was the one who did the real work to help you. But he told me he planned on getting expelled from the very beginning.”

Angelica wiped away a few stray tears. “I didn’t even show him my gratitude properly before rushing off to see the prince. I should have said something more back then. Truly, I’m beyond all hope. I never even realized the extent of his resolve…”

Olivia gently stroked Angelica’s back as she sobbed.

 

***

 

I stood outside the room, listening in on their conversation.

“Makes the heart ache. Although I’m not sure whether I actually have a heart or not. But don’t you at least feel something after hearing all of that?”

Luxion’s words stabbed at my chest.

“I’m sorry for making them misunderstand,” I said.

It was true that I’d resolved myself to expulsion, but I just wanted to be free from the purgatory of partner-hunting. I didn’t want the girls feeling hung up over whatever terrible fate they thought I’d resigned myself to. The duel had just been convenient timing for me to let out all of my pent-up frustration. I hadn’t put that much thought into it.

“So what are you planning to do now?” Luxion asked.

“Leave school and have my dad look out for me. I have my own island now, so I can become his vassal and live the rest of my life in peace.”

He seemed skeptical. “You really think things are going to go that smoothly?”

“Yeah, why not? I picked a fight with the crown prince. I apologized and forked over a bunch of money. They won’t kill me.” I hesitated. “Uh, I mean they won’t, right? Oh crap, should I be more worried? Maybe I should run after all?”

“No, that wasn’t what I meant.”

I almost felt a little sad now that my time of playing around was up. Things had turned out a little different than I’d planned, but at least I’d given it my best effort.

That’s right, I did my best. This is enough. I can leave the rest to Olivia, Angelica, and the five love interests.

 

***

 

Marie had been instructed to stay at the academy, despite the fact it was now summer break, and wait for a messenger from the palace to explain what was to happen from here on out. Prince Julius, Jilk, Brad, Chris, and Greg stayed with her, of course.

When the official arrived, the message was matter-of-fact.

“Wait a minute.” Marie stared, dumbfounded. “You’re telling me they were disinherited? All of them?”

All five of the love interests, including Prince Julius?!

The messenger maintained their businesslike tone. “Precisely. Prince Julius is no longer a crown prince. From today onward, he will simply be a prince. Likewise, the other four have been disinherited from their houses. The crown prince’s—excuse me, the prince’s engagement to Lady Angelica has been annulled. The ladies who were betrothed to the young lords have also sent letters.”

The four young men each took their letter, looking a bit crestfallen. Their engagements had been officially dissolved.

Marie immediately protested. “All of this because they lost a duel? This is too cruel!”

Still, the love interests were strangely calm.

Greg looked a bit sheepish as he said, “It’s fine, Marie. We were prepared for this.”

“What?”

Chris stepped forward. “Actually, I requested the dissolution of my engagement a while ago. My parents and future partner told me to rethink my decision, but they must have been fed up with me after the duel. The annulment is official now, and I’m fine with that. I can finally turn all my attention to you, Marie.”

It seemed all of the other men (aside from Julius) had done the same, without divulging their plans to Marie. They were no longer heirs. Furthermore, Prince Julius’s loss of status meant he would no longer succeed the throne. Jilk was assured a knighthood and the title of baron when he graduated, but with no land to oversee, it would be impossible to receive an official post in the palace. The others were in similar positions. None of them could expect to receive financial aid from their families, either.

Julius was the only exception. As a member of the royal family, he still had some value to the kingdom. They probably thought he could be used as a pawn in a political marriage with a foreign power.

Julius hung his head. “I can’t be at your side anymore, Marie, but I will always pray for your happiness.”

Marie suddenly felt dizzy. How unfortunate that she had natural charisma of her own, thanks to her beauty and experiences from her past life. If all she had done was mimic the protagonist, none of these idiots would have fallen for her as hard as they had and created such a mess!

Greg grinned at the prince, as if trying to reassure him. “Don’t worry, we’ll protect her for you. Besides, it wouldn’t be any fun if we stayed losers forever. We’ll do some adventuring and challenge that dirty bastard Leon again. Maybe we should follow his example and find a Lost Item Armor of our own.”

Chris chuckled. “Maybe you’re right. That doesn’t sound so bad.”

Brad looked like the weight of the world had been lifted from his shoulders. “Just four guys with nothing but a baron title to their names, huh? Well, knowing us, we can pull through.”

“Your Highness, I’m so terribly sorry.” Jilk was still disheartened. “This would have never happened if I could have stopped him.”

Julius shook his head, sad but smiling. “You don’t have to apologize to me. I can be at peace no matter where I am as long as I know you guys are protecting Marie.”

Kyle folded his arms behind his head and grinned at Marie. “Looks like they’ve all thought this through. You’ve got nothing to worry about, Mistress.”

For a moment, Marie’s world seemed to go black. “Uh, yes…” she said weakly. “I guess you’re right.”

You have to be freakin’ kidding me! Did you all hit your heads?! How can you throw away your status and fortunes so easily?! Aren’t you all basically unemployed now? How the heck are we going to survive?! Become adventurers? Over my dead body! I have to come up with some kind of plan. It can’t end like this…

Seeing the boys grinning at each other just disgusted her. Was she the only one who could see the reality of the situation?

The official who’d delivered the news seemed satisfied their work was over. “I’ll be on my way then. Excuse me.”

At least the messenger had an actual job. That made them preferable to her love interests! Marie could feel the future she’d dreamed of drifting further and further away. She essentially had four boyfriends to look after, none of whom had a job lined up after graduation.

Why is this happening?!

 

***

 

The floating island I’d discovered before my enrollment was far more developed now than it had been when I’d discovered it. It was slowly becoming a legitimate territory, thanks to the efforts of the robots working day and night. Eventually, I’d be able to settle down there.

Although I was worried about the turmoil unfolding at the palace, I distracted myself by surveying the progress my minions were making. I had intended to do so alone, however…

“Tell me again, why are you two out here?”

Olivia and Angelica had accompanied me as I ventured out to observe my robots tending the land.

Angelica gazed out at the rows of fields. “Why not? Opportunities like this rarely present themselves, so this is a novel experience for me. Baronies under development are always so busy; I’d only be getting in their way by going to observe them.”

Improvements were well underway in my parents’ territory as well, thanks to my investments: maintenance for their roads and waterways, expansion of their harbor, all leading to a heavier flow of air traffic through the region.

Olivia had a solemn look as she took in the fields. She knelt and studied the soil. “This is amazing. There aren’t any people here, and yet I’ve never seen prettier land.”

Angelica tilted her head. “Really? I would think it’s pretty because there aren’t people here.”

“Just the opposite,” Olivia insisted. “Without people to tend the land, it should be impossible for it to look as good as it does. They’re robots, you said? They’ve done an amazing job.”

Explaining the robots in any detail would be a pain, so I simply gave a perfunctory nod.

Angelica glanced around. “What’s that? I smell something strange.”

“Ah, this?” I guided them to the source of the odor, certain they would enjoy the surprise.

 

***

 

The island was furnished with an open-air bath. While not fully finished, it was complete enough that Angelica and Olivia could enjoy the scenery immersed in a hot bath. The water felt a bit different than what they were accustomed to… It seemed perfectly normal at first glance, but it clung to their skin.

Angelica let her hair free, and Olivia washed it for her.

“You have such lovely hair, Miss Angelica.”

“The prince said he liked long, beautiful hair, so I grew it out. I plan to cut it a bit now, though. It’s a pain to look after.”

Olivia poured warm water over Angelica’s head, washing the suds away.

“This sure is a nice place.” Angelica glanced out at Leon’s island. The sun ducked beyond the horizon; it was such a luxury to enjoy a sight like this during a bath.

“Apparently he found this place before he enrolled in the academy,” Olivia explained. “He said he’d live here in the future after—oh, I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine. It’s my fault he’s suffered as much as he has. I want him to enjoy his life out here. Though, it is vexing that the only thing I can do for him is pray things work out.” Angelica had no idea if Leon’s plan to live here independently could be realized. All she could do was hope her father was taking care of things in the capital.

“Anyway.” Angelica turned to wash Olivia’s hair. “There aren’t many adventurers who manage to achieve the dream as he has. The only people more impressive than Leon are the heroes in the stories. Actually, if not for the mess at the academy, Leon might have made it into some adventurer tales.”

“He’s really that impressive? I thought adventurers were just people who charged into dungeons.”

“Perhaps among commoners that’s all an adventurer is. The initial cost to set out can be prohibitively high, after all. But most nobles prefer to adventure aboard an airship rather than diving into dungeons just to earn a little cash. That way, they can find new lands and explore undiscovered dungeons, maybe even ones that contain Lost Items. My father and brother used to go out adventuring like that when they were younger. I’m sure they think highly of Leon.”

Angelica paused to glance down at Olivia’s chest. Angelica’s breasts were even bigger than hers, but now that she thought about it, Marie had been fairly flat.

Perhaps the prince hates women who are well-endowed? No, I said I’d forget about him.

“Leon set off on a tiny boat and discovered an island. And that makes him pretty incredible?” Olivia asked.

Angelica laughed. “Yes, it does. It was a suicidal mission. If he’d made even one misstep, he could’ve been killed. His achievement is the grandest anyone’s had in decades.”

For the third son of a baron family, his accomplishments were even more impressive.

“I’m envious of you,” Angelica blurted as she continued washing Olivia’s hair.

“Huh?”

“You’re a couple, aren’t you? You’re always together, so I assume you two must be planning to marry. I’d love to be with someone like that.”

Olivia’s expression clouded. “I don’t have the status to be with someone like Leon. He’s in a different league.”

Oh. Olivia was in the higher classes, but she was still a commoner. Angelica had quite forgotten. “My mistake. That’s right…you’re a scholarship student.”

“I actually thought he liked you, Miss Angelica.”

“Why is that?” Angelica asked, washing away the soap in Olivia’s hair.

“He went to all that trouble to protect you. I was jealous. I found myself wondering, what if it were me instead of you? It made my heart hurt.”

“Me?” Angelica shook her head. “That’s impossible. I’m a terrible woman. If I weren’t, the prince wouldn’t have abandoned me the way he did.”

After rinsing off, the two girls sank into the bath to soak and gaze out at the beautiful sunset.

 

***

 

Angelica and Olivia were in the hot spring. I wasn’t going to pass up this opportunity.

“I’ve been waiting for this moment!” Blood rushed to my head, and my soul trembled. Wisps of white steam rose through the air, carrying a familiar scent.

This island was my backyard. I was free to do whatever I wanted here.

“This is what I’ve been waiting for this whole time!”

Luxion floated nearby. “I’m pleased we have succeeded. I have prepared grilled fish as a side, if you’d like?”

“Yeah, hurry it up!”

There on the table in front of me was a bowl of freshly cooked, piping hot white rice.

We didn’t have any miso yet, so one of the dishes was just a poor mimicry, but there was at least salted, grilled fish to go with it. The two girls wouldn’t understand the significance of this meal, but I had dreamed of it for a decade.

“I really am going to cry this time.”

“Good. Eat to your heart’s content and worship my perfection,” Luxion said.

“This moment’s special so I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that. Now…time to dig in.” I took a bite.

Hmm. While the taste was similar, something was still slightly off about it. Nonetheless, it was white rice! I peeled a chunk of meat from the grilled fish with my chopsticks, carrying it and a bite of rice to my lips. “Ahh, this is true happiness.”

“You do look happy. Hmm?” Luxion paused. “Master, my remote sensors detect an unanticipated airship approaching your parents’ harbor.”

 

***

 

Balcus had been racing everywhere since early morning. “Luce, are the meal preparations coming along?”

“Yes, no problems there. B-but is she really staying here? Not that I’m against it, but a duke’s daughter staying in our home…?”

The source of their panic was Leon’s arrival early that morning.

Balcus cradled his head in his hands. “That idiot. It was bad enough he challenged the crown prince, but now he’s brought a duke’s daughter out here?! Go a little easier on an old man’s heart. If I die from shock, it’s his fault!”

A daughter from a high lord’s house, visiting a remote barony like theirs… They’d been scrambling since they found out.

One of Angelica’s maids peered into the kitchen. “Excuse me, I finished preparing the room our young miss will be staying in. I came to see if I could assist you with anything.”

She wore a chic uniform, and her demeanor made clear that she was highly educated as well. She had to be the daughter of a high status family herself, perhaps from a knight or vassal family to the duke’s house.

As far as Balcus was concerned, that meant this girl demanded respect from him as well. “Oh no, please take a break. We can handle the rest. We’ll get the room ready—”

“Darling, she just said she finished with the room,” Luce reminded him gently.

He’d been so busy all day. To top it off, another disaster was about to befall him. A shrill voice echoed down the hallway…

“Excuse me? You’re nothing more than a servant, how dare you refuse my orders!”

Balcus slapped his hands over his face. He apologized to the maid in the kitchen, then headed quickly for the front entrance.

Zola was already there with a whole procession behind her, including Rutart, Merce, and Zola and Merce’s slaves.

Why, today of all days, do we have to have this many people in the house?!

Balcus stepped between Zola and one of Angelica’s maids, resisting the urge to yell at his wife. “It’s been a while, Zola! Why in the world are you here today?”

She smacked him on the cheek with her folding fan. “How dare you take that attitude with me! Have you not heard what your useless son has done? The capital is in an uproar! How are you going to take responsibility for this?”

Their oldest son, Rutart, twirled his hair in his fingers, completely apathetic. Merce appeared similarly disinterested.

“W-well, you see…” Balcus wasn’t even sure where to begin.

Lately, his life had been in constant upheaval, changing so quickly that he hadn’t quite caught up himself. I hope Nicks graduates quickly, he found himself thinking, so he can come back and help me out in the fields.

More of Angelica’s maids gathered in the front hallway to greet their mistress. “Welcome, young miss.”

Zola and her tagalongs glanced back to see Angelica in the doorway. Leon was hiding behind her.

You little twerp, Balcus thought, get your butt out here!

But this wasn’t the time for that language. He kept his mouth shut.

“What’s all this noise?” Angelica asked, eyes narrowed.

Zola stared back at her, drawing her brows together. “And where did you drag this little brat in from?” she asked Balcus. “I’m sure that idiotic son of yours brought her from some backwoods, no-name noble house, I’m sure. Girl, I’ve business with that worm standing behind you. Step aside.”

Reluctantly, Leon began to step forward, but Angelica held up a hand to stop him. Fury burned in her eyes.

The edges of Zola’s lips were twitching with anger. “You’re certainly arrogant, little girl. How about you tell me your name?”

“Hold on a minute, Zola.” Balcus forced his way into the conversation. “Let’s talk this out. Everyone, inside! Come, come!”

As he ushered everyone into the house, he was nearly in tears, certain he would never forget this day for the rest of his life.

 

***

 

“Oh, I didn’t realize. I never dreamed the daughter of Duke Redgrave would come out to a rural region like this.”

Zola’s attitude had suddenly and drastically changed. Sweat poured down her forehead. She and Angelica sat on adjacent couches, a table sandwiched between them.

I sat silently and listened, reflecting on what a moron Zola was. “Yes, I’ll be in your care during my stay,” Angelica replied evenly. “That aside, I do find it odd that you leave the house so often. It’s also difficult for me to comprehend why the heir to the region isn’t here assisting in its care. What is Lord Rutart doing right now? He doesn’t seem to be in the military. Is he occupied with some manner of government work?”

The man in question wasn’t presently in the room with us.

Zola averted her eyes. “Ah, well, right now I’m having him study in the capital, so he’ll be better prepared when he succeeds his father’s title.”

“Interesting.”

Rutart was nineteen and Merce was twenty. Neither were married, and were living in the Bartfort manor in the capital. Though it wasn’t technically correct to call it the Bartfort manor; it was essentially Zola’s house, as she was the one who stayed there.

It amused me to watch Zola fidget under Angelica’s scrutiny. My dad kept shooting me looks as if to say, Do something, Leon!

“Um, more importantly, what’s your business here?” Zola took a subservient tone.

Angelica smiled slightly. “I’m just sightseeing. I went to see the island Leon discovered earlier. It was such a pleasant place, with a lovely hot spring.”

Zola looked delighted. “I’m pleased we’ve been able to entertain you.”

“Indeed, I’ll be staying here for a little while.”

The moment she heard that, Zola stiffened. “By ‘a while,’ approximately how many days are you planning?”

“I don’t have any specific plans, but at least until my father sends word for me to come home. You needn’t worry. I’ll be sure to compensate Bartfort House for allowing me to stay. Of course, I will give any money directly to the baron.”

“Oh yes,” Zola mumbled quickly, “take your time and enjoy yourself.”

She was gone the very next day, retreating to the capital with her children. Honestly, I was so delighted to see her go I could have jumped for joy.

When I applauded Angelica for her performance, she furrowed her brows at me. “You have it rough here.”

Tears welled in my eyes. My parents had both shot me cold looks for my behavior at Zola’s departure.

You guys could stand to be a little nicer to me, you know?

 

***

 

Back at my own island, I found myself coming out to meet Angelica and Olivia as they visited daily. The two had taken quite a liking to my hot spring.

“You guys don’t have to come all the way here to use the spring. There’s a bath back at the house,” I said.

Angelica smiled. “Why not? I rarely get to come to places like this. Besides, the water here does wonders for my skin.”

This otome game world was a matriarchy, so having something popular with the ladies would only benefit me. Someone must have added some beautifying effects to the hot spring water…

Wait a minute—Luxion!

That little jerk sure was useful.

“So the water is an effective skin-enhancer. Nice, I can make a killing in the future,” I said, feeling new plans forming.

Angelica seemed less than impressed. “Yes, I’m so glad you’re such a devoted entrepreneur.”

Olivia pressed her hands over her warm, blushing cheeks. “It certainly does make your skin smoother. Drinking milk after you get out of the bath feels amazing, too.”

“Good to hear.”

I was pleased to see them enjoying themselves. The hot spring was one of the few worthwhile things out here. Even back in my parents’ territory, there were no famous sights to see or anything. It had to be boring out here for the girls.

Angelica glanced at Olivia, then threw her arms around her and ran her hands over Olivia’s skin. “You’re right, it does feel really smooth. I’m jealous.”

Olivia stood happily in Angelica’s embrace. “You’re the beautiful one. I’m jealous of how gorgeous your hair is.”

The two gushed over one another, both wearing some light clothes for after the bath. I almost felt like I owed them my gratitude, the sight was so delightful. I imagined my brain was a hard drive that I could permanently save this picture to.

Olivia peered at me, blushing.

Phew, good thing I wasn’t ogling like some kind of pervert.

I had perfected my poker face for these occasions. I was a gentleman, after all.

“Yes, Olivia?”

“Um…you can call me Livia.”

“Hmm?”

She glanced between Angelica and me. “It’s my nickname. Please call me Livia from now on.” When neither of us responded, she started to look anxious. “Um, would you rather not? Everyone back home calls me ‘Livia,’ so hearing you call me ‘Olivia’ just felt a bit…you know.”

Ah, that was what she meant. The formality felt distancing.

Angelica smiled at her. “In that case, call me Angie. That’s the name the people closest to me use.”

“Um, are you sure about that?” I asked, surprised.

Angelica—or rather, Angie—nodded. “I caused all that trouble for you, and now you’re the one looking after me. If you’d prefer not to, you don’t have to. I couldn’t blame you for not wanting to be close to a terrible woman.”

Oof. She’d been putting on a brave face ever since the duel.

Olivia—er, Livia—scowled. “Don’t talk about yourself like that, Ang—Angie. You’re a wonderful woman!”

“It’s nice to hear you say that, but the prince wouldn’t even give me the time of day.”

I could understand why she was so depressed; she’d loved the prince so much only to be thoroughly rejected. I respected how tough she was despite all she’d been through.

It was strange, actually. Angelica was supposed to be the villainess, yet she seemed so well put-together. Now that I thought about it, the only reason she’d bullied the protagonist was because the protagonist got close to her fiancé. Any normal person would get angry about that. Perhaps there was more to it than that. Maybe she didn’t like that a commoner had made their way into the academy? I didn’t really remember her reasoning in the game.

Regardless, unlike basically every other girl I knew, Angie didn’t have a demi-human slave. Maybe she was actually a pretty amazing woman after all. She didn’t have a lover, and she was earnest, rich, and beautiful. Prince Julius had thrown all of that away for Marie, but how could that be even remotely the best choice?

“Angie,” Livia said softly, “I don’t think you should blame—”

“I am the lowest of the low. I told the prince I would wish for his happiness, but every time I think about him, I can’t forgive what he did. I find myself wondering what I could have done better, and that leads me to hate Marie all the more. I’ve thought of exacting revenge on them numerous times. I claim to have loved the prince, but sometimes I really resent him. It’s no wonder he abandoned me. I even hate myself.”

While Livia was at a loss for words, I offered, “I think that’s fine, actually.”

“What?”

“I mean, thinking about what they did, I don’t think anyone could hold it against you if you punched their lights out.”

The students all had their own agendas, which was why they blamed Angie for everything that happened, but Marie was the real homewrecker. She’d purposefully seduced a man she knew was engaged. Of course that was wrong. It didn’t matter how much favoritism this world showed women, what she did was crappy as hell.

“You know what? You want revenge? Perfect! Let’s do it!” I said.

Livia gaped at me. “What in the world are you saying?!”

Angie also looked surprised. “Do you really mean I ought to pursue it?”

“Yeah, why not?”

“No, you can’t! Please don’t tempt her, Leon!”

“Okay, but listen. It’s not right for her to just keep her feelings locked up, is it?”

“Well, no, but…”

Honestly, if you didn’t walk a fine line in noble society, your life was over. Redgrave House would make its move after this, whether to reassert itself vengefully or otherwise. The responsible parties would be punished in the end—but that was all political. What mattered to me right now were Angie’s feelings.

“And I know the best method to exact your revenge.” I held my head high.

Angie took the bait. “What’s that?”

“Angie, don’t listen to him!” Livia protested.

“The best kind of revenge in the world,” I explained soothingly, “is to be happy.”

“Is that really ‘revenge’?” Angie raised a brow at me.

This was knowledge I’d gained from my previous life—frankly, the only knowledge I had. “Classic revenge takes an insane amount of effort, and it only makes the other person unhappy. Meanwhile, you don’t really get anything in the process. You both go down together. If you’re going to spend that much effort on something, you might as well spend it on making yourself happy.”

Livia tilted her head. “Um, but, like Angie said, can you actually consider that revenge?”

“There’s this thing called karma—what goes around comes around. Prince Julius will surely get his just deserts. It won’t take long for him to wake up and smell the roses, I’m sure.”

He’d made a ducal house—his own supporters!—his enemy. There was no way he’d get out of that without repercussions.

Angie still looked unconvinced. “You really think me being happy is a form of revenge?”

I nodded. It would be way, way healthier than chasing after some shallow form of vengeance. And if she really did pursue that kind of revenge, it would mean trouble for me. I’d inevitably get dragged into it, and that was the last thing I needed.

“I’m positive. After he gets a bitter taste of reality and feels utterly helpless, you can show him how happy you are. You’ll keep fighting until the day he laments how stupid he was for losing you! Seeing his emotional anguish will be far more satisfying than any physical torture. Imagine him steeped in regret as he pleads for you to come back!”

“Yes, you’re right. I’ll show him how much happier I am without him!” Angie said enthusiastically.

Livia seemed satisfied with our new direction and nodded. “Yes! I support you wholeheartedly! Angie, I’ll do whatever I can to help you get your revenge!”

“Yes, vengeance will be ours! We’ll show Marie, the prince, and the other four as well!” The two of them laughed together.

There’s something very wrong about seeing two cute girls giggling to each other as they swear revenge.

Admittedly, I was the one who had started this, but even I found something terrifying about watching the protagonist and villainess hold hands as they smiled and swore to get back at the prince. Was this the birth of the strongest duo in existence?

I suddenly felt bad for Marie and the love interests.

 

Epilogue

 

THE END OF SUMMER BREAK was fast approaching.

The fact that Duke Redgrave still hadn’t contacted us was worrying. Perhaps his maneuvering at the palace was taking a while.

“This sucks. I was hoping they’d figure things out quickly.”

I was out working in the fields with Nicks, who promptly fussed at me. “You are far too laid-back about this. Worst-case scenario, you could be executed. Frankly, I’ll be happy if that’s all that happens. I’m terrified the rest of us are going to get wrapped up in that stunt you pulled.”

Colin, my younger brother, didn’t seem to understand the severity of the situation. “But he defeated five people in a duel, right? That’s incredible!”

“He fought and won against someone he should never have lifted a finger against in the first place!” Nicks barked. “Colin, don’t act like this isn’t your problem, too!”

I stopped and stretched, exhausted. We’d been working since early morning.

Angie and Livia were nearby, learning about fieldwork. Angie’s maids were watching worriedly. Each time they tried to step in and help, Angie would wave them off, so it was all they could do now to stand on the sidelines.

“So with this, you just…eek! What is this wriggling abomination?!”

“Angie, that’s an earthworm.”

“An earthworm? I’ve heard of such a thing before but—eek! Livia, how can you grab it with your bare hands?!”

“It’s nothing special. Come on, let’s keep going!”

Colin grabbed me by the arm. “Hey…which one of those girls are you marrying?”

“Huh?”

I shook my head. Me? Put my hands on either Angie or Livia? Screw that. Livia was the future Saint, and Angie was on a whole other plane of existence, far beyond my reach. I’d never be stupid enough to make a move on her.

“Listen, Colin. One of them is a scholarship student and the other is a duke’s daughter. To use baseball terminology, they’re both way out of my strike zone.”

“Baseball? And what’s a ‘strike zone’?”

Nicks shook his head in exasperation. “Here we go again,” he mumbled. He turned away to resume work.

“The scholarship student over there is a commoner, which means it would be difficult for someone of noble status like me to marry her. The young lady from the duke family has much higher status than me, so the two of us wouldn’t complement each other either. Does that help?”

“Nope! I still have no idea what you mean.”

I chuckled. “At least you’re honest. Come on, Colin, let’s get back to work.”

“Okay!”

If, in terms of strike zone, we were talking purely about physical preferences, I could go for either one of them, but from a status perspective, they were both out of the question. Not even close. At a glance, you could tell these pitches were going to be balls. Livia was a pitch that bounced once without quite reaching the catcher’s mitt, whereas Angie was a wild pitch too high off home plate for the catcher to control. I didn’t even feel like swinging my bat.

Dammit… Their looks are perfect, though.

But the more urgent matter right now was my future. Not that I could do anything but wait; my fate lay in the duke’s hands. Though I didn’t think anything too terrible would happen. That mountain of platinum had to be doing its job. Surely it would all work out.

If it didn’t, I was screwed.

“Ugh, my nails are going to get all dirty. And my hands hurt!”

Ah, yes. One other person was helping us in the fields. Actually, mostly she was just whining. Jenna.

I’d tattled to my parents about her planting a bomb on my Armor, and they’d forced her out here during her summer break. Frankly, I thought she could do with a little more self-reflection. She’d participated in an assassination attempt against me, and they’d given her a slap on the wrist.

Granted, the mastermind behind the attempt was Jilk. I had to take that into consideration as well, but still, the standards in this world were so skewed when you considered her punishment was the same work I was expected to do regularly.

“You should feel grateful that this is all you have to do after what you pulled,” I told her.

“If you hadn’t started this whole mess, I’d have never set that bomb in the first place,” she shot back.

Touché. That was why I’d forgiven her. After all, her actions hadn’t caused any actual harm.

“I don’t wanna do fieldwork!” she groused.

This otome game world truly is the worst.

 

***

 

The next day, the duke’s airship arrived at my parents’ house. Ostensibly it was here to pick up Angie, but a government official had ridden along from the capital as well. My fate had been decided.

I was shocked to discover the official’s rank.

Regional nobles had official titles, while the court nobles had royal rankings. Regional lords held those ranks as well, but only barons and above held rank high enough to meet the king face-to-face.

In summary: the king was rank one, while the crown prince was upper rank two. Lower rank two was reserved for the rest of the royal family, and the highest ranking government officials (ministers) occupied both the upper and lower tiers of rank three. Far below that was lower rank six, the barons, who retained the right to visit the king. Most of the liege lords were granted one of these ranks, although barons and higher ranks were inherited automatically, of course. Court nobles of the same rank worked as assistant managers and chairmen within the government—at least, from what I understood.

Anyway, that was the royal ranking system. There were still court nobles who carried official titles as well, but that was difficult to explain. Moreover, it had nothing to do with me, and I didn’t really know much about it.

What I did know was the government official here to see me was lower rank five—in other words, higher than my lower-rank-six baron dad. Naturally, my dad was extremely nervous in the man’s presence.

We ventured inside to talk, with the official grinning the entire time.

“My, my, you created quite the stir,” he said. “A marriage annulment and a duel? The uproar has only gained momentum with the prince being removed from the line of succession.”

“Uh, yes…” Dad looked uncomfortable, but the official babbled on regardless.

That whole bit about the prince being disinherited piqued my interest, but the stiff atmosphere in the room made it impossible to inquire further.

What? Wait a minute… So Prince Julius isn’t the crown prince anymore? Oh, that sounds like trouble.

“Some at court demanded Bartfort House take responsibility for this incident, but thanks to the duke’s efforts, things have cooled down.”

Duke Redgrave had come through for me.

Thank you, Angie’s daddy!

“Um, so, uh…what happens to our house?” Dad asked, unable to take the suspense any longer.

The official smiled. “Never fear. No one intends to punish you. In fact, we mean to officially recognize Lord Leon as a knight, independent of your household. We realize he’s still studying at the academy, but we will be holding an official ceremony for him at the capital. He already proved himself when he so wisely advised the young prince against his foolishness. We’d like other students to learn from Lord Leon’s example.”

My dad leaned back, seeming relieved at that answer, but something about the course of the conversation struck me as odd.

A knighthood ceremony before graduation? I never said I wanted that!

“H-hold on a second. What about my punishment? Like being stripped of my baron title and stuff?!”

“Why, it never came up. Yes, there was a bit of squabbling at court, but ultimately they decided to officially bestow you with your baron title before graduation as well. Congratulations.”

So I was being knighted and officially made a baron?

My plans were going up in flames.

How was I supposed to show my face at school after all of that?! I only went on that rampage because I thought I’d never be going back!

“Th-there’s no way that can be right,” I started.

“Indeed, that isn’t all.”

Oh, so after he brought me to my knees, now maybe I’d get some good news? This guy really knew how to jerk a guy’s chain. I stared at him, hoping to hear something positive.

He held out a piece of paper.

My dad read it first. “Auuughh!”

I wanted to scream right along with him after my eyes scanned the page.

The official smiled. “Lord Leon, your royal ranking has been officially raised to upper rank six. Congratulations.”

Whoever said I wanted that?!

 

***

 

Livia and Angie stood on the deck of the duke’s airship.

“So they’re raising his royal ranking? That’s like a promotion, right? I would think that’s pretty meaningless for regional lords, though.” Livia wasn’t well versed when it came to rankings and politics.

Angie was more than happy to explain. “Yes, it may not hold much meaning for liege lords, but it does mean the masses in lower rank six will be compelled to recognize and treat him appropriately. Basically, it means he’s earned himself a rank that’s slightly higher than the majority of the lower nobility.”

“Is that really a reward? Leon didn’t seem very pleased.”

“It all depends on how you look at it. He could pass it on to his children now, for example. Only ranks seven and higher are inheritable. Eight and nine, the rankings for knights, are noninheritable. Raising one’s court ranking usually requires many years of faithful service and significant accomplishments.”

Livia didn’t really understand. “By ‘many years,’ are we talking about a decade?”

“Perhaps for rank eight, but for rank seven and onward, it is typically a matter multiple generations. This isn’t something a single individual can usually accomplish. As in, if three generations serve in earnest, their house might earn such an advancement. Moving from lower rank six to upper rank six ordinarily requires a century and multiple remarkable achievements.”

Livia’s eyes went round with shock. “Leon did the equivalent of all of that?!”

She seemed overjoyed that he was moving up in rank rather than receiving punishment.

“Exactly. Well, not that it hurts the palace to give such promotions occasionally. Leon isn’t a palace noble, so he doesn’t get a yearly pension. Although, I never dreamed they would advance his ranking.”

In Angie’s view, it was frankly suspicious how well he was being treated. Not that there wasn’t plenty of precedent for something like this. Odd things happened at the palace, so Angie assumed this was just one of those occurrences beyond her insight. Someone (or some group) must have benefited from removing Julius as the successor and increasing Leon’s rank.

Of course, Livia was ignorant of political matters and didn’t seem to understand the complexity underlying the happenstance.

“I figured we’d be lucky if all they did was strip him of his baron title. Oh yeah!” she said suddenly. “Leon said something about using all that money he earned betting on himself.”

“Really? Then perhaps this was all thanks to appropriate gifts and such? No, it still seems like there’s something more… Hmm.” Angie pondered it, but couldn’t come up with a satisfying answer. “In any case, I heard they’ll be holding the ceremony for Leon next term. Are you coming?”

Livia looked conflicted. “Even if I wanted to participate, I…don’t have the clothes for it.”

“Your uniform is more than enough,” Angie assured her warmly.

 

***

 

This was awful.

I was dragged all the way to the capital, to someplace they called a palace. It looked more like a medieval castle. They forced me into a gaudy knight’s outfit and decorated Arroganz lavishly for the occasion. To make it all worse, there were a crap ton of people here.

“Why are there so many people participating?” I moaned in the waiting room.

My parents had come with me to the capital to witness the ceremony. They both had tears in their eyes.

My mom was being especially cruel. “You’ve grown up to be such a splendid young man. When you were younger, I thought you were just an idiot, but now I see how amazing you are. I’m proud to call you my son.”

My dad was sniffling. “I never thought you’d become a knight so quickly. Dammit… The tears keep coming.”

Nicks and Jenna were here as well, both wearing their school uniforms.

“Where’s that side of the family?” Nicks mumbled, calling out the suspicious absence of Zola and the others.

“As if they’d show up,” Jenna scoffed. “Leon’s becoming independent and starting his own Bartfort House now. Still, I’m shocked he’s upper rank six…”

“What of it?” Nicks asked.

“Well, I figure the girls will go crazy for him now if he can get work as an officer in the palace.”

“Leon?” Nicks said incredulously. “The whole academy hates his guts. Who even knows what’ll happen to us when the new term starts?”

“You really are an idiot,” Jenna said. “He moved up in rank. The palace has officially recognized him. Anyone with a brain will realize what that means.”

“So we’ll all be fine when we go back.” He seemed relieved.

“Who knows?” She shrugged. “I’m sure the students will go crazy one way or another. Some of them lost their entire fortunes because of the stunt he pulled.”

“Will we be fine or won’t we? Which is it?! Make up your mind!”

“Oh, be quiet. I’m not psychic. How would I know?”

Dammit! I’d earned the enmity of the entire student body. Going back to school terrified me. I never thought I’d even see the place again. I would have held back more if I’d known. I definitely wouldn’t have drained all their funds by enticing them to gamble it all against me.

I was an idiot! A stupid, reckless—argh!

I’d gotten carried away, thinking I could just run away if things started to look bad.

Suddenly, a realization hit me. “The former crown prince’s father is the king.”

Dad regarded me coldly. “Of course, who else would his father be? Don’t you dare do anything funny in front of His Majesty, or this time your head really will go flying.”

“Say someone beat the crap out of your son and you were forced to give them a promotion. How would you feel?”

He crossed his arms, contemplated, and finally turned his gaze away. “Not great.”

He’d be pissed. It didn’t matter how wrong your son was, you wouldn’t be pleased with this turn of events. I… Did I want to ask His Majesty what he thought of me?

No, uh, actually…I don’t think I want to know.

 

***

 

That day, a knight was born.

It was rare in Holfort Kingdom for a boy to be officially knighted at only sixteen. Not only that, he was also given an official title and a higher royal ranking.

But Leon was an accomplished adventurer, and he’d also managed to curb the crown prince’s unruly behavior. Officially, the crown praised his strength for being able to defeat four heirs of highly esteemed noble houses…but the true reason they’d bestowed so much favor on him remained a mystery.

Regardless, despite his youth, he was now a powerful, newly appointed knight. Many had come to the capital just to see him up close. Such was the draw of Leon of Bartfort House.

 

***

 

It was nighttime.

Tomorrow, a new term would begin at the academy, so I had returned to the student dorms. Presently, I was standing in the lobby conversing with one of the school staff, my head tilted to the side.

“My room’s been moved?”

The receptionist offered an uncomfortable smile. “Uh, yes! You’ve been knighted and granted the title of baron. You may still be a student, but your status requires we treat you accordingly.” They used a map to help me locate my new quarters. Evidently, they were a step above what I’d been given before.

“All right,” I said. “Then give me my key.”

“Yes, we’ll guide you there immediately! The other staff and I will see to your luggage, so please leave it here.”

They took my bags from me, their movements as stiff as a robot’s. It was clear my presence made them nervous.

A night-and-day difference from what I experienced when I first arrived.

 

***

 

I spread my arms and legs out wide as I lay on the bed in my new, spacious room. Staring up at the ceiling, I mumbled, “How did things turn out this way?”

Luxion, floating beside me, answered honestly, “I do believe this is the result of your naivete. You assumed you could take on more than your fair share because of me, which went straight to your ego, resulting in the fatal mistake of volunteering to participate in that duel. You made backup plans in case of failure, then went on a rampage in the ring. Your handling of the aftermath didn’t help, either. You valued your life, so you paid out a huge sum of money to save it. We can assume that’s now circulating in the political sphere at the palace, which consequently led to your advancement—the very thing you didn’t want to happen. Allow me to be blunt—you reap what you sow.”

“Such thanks for the exhaustive analysis,” I muttered. “If you realized this was the track I was heading down, you could’ve said something sooner, you moron.”

“I lacked too much information midway through to correct your course. Honestly, even I didn’t quite expect things to end up the way they did,” he said.

What a useless AI.

“Dammit, and now I’m right back where I started, trying to find a marriage partner.”

“But doesn’t this benefit you? Now that your rank has increased, perhaps the girls will view you differently.”

“You really think so?”

“Indeed. However, the gambling didn’t do you any favors. You made approximately seventy percent of the student body your enemy. I gathered what information I could, but it seems a record-breaking number of students visited the dungeons to make money over the summer.”

Well, it was their fault for betting every penny they owned, or worse, going into debt just to bet. Although I was starting to have to admit that I would’ve put my money on Prince Julius, too, if I’d been none the wiser.

“In case you were curious about your reputation, the students have been vilifying you quite relentlessly. They’re calling you a cheater, a loathsome bastard, a smart-mouth.”

“Do you really need information like that?!” I gaped. “And that just means my reputation hasn’t changed at all! In fact, it’s worse!”

“I figured that would displease you. However, you do seem to be enjoying popularity among some of the men, Master. In their words, ‘He said exactly what the rest of us were thinking.’”

“Wonderful,” I said, “cool and great. I’m delirious with joy.”

It was going to be even more difficult than before to find a fiancée. True, it was my own fault that things had turned out this way, but come on, past-Leon, couldn’t you have have shown a bit more discretion?

“Well, it isn’t all that bad,” Luxion said. “This may be a matriarchal world that’s tough on men, but marriage isn’t everything. As long as you don’t worry about the eyes of society, you’re free to live your own life. In fact, you could take advantage of your wealth. Why not find a girl who’s hurting for money?”

“What? Wouldn’t that be a pretty creepy thing to do?” I shook my head. “The fact that you even considered that makes you the scumbag.”

“It seemed the perfect resolution for someone like you, Master. Perhaps now you could finally take a moment to look in a mirror. Fortunately, I prepared one for you. You can gaze upon yourself and spew as many complaints as you like. You deserve them.”

I glanced around the room, and there by the wall, I spotted an enormous mirror. Luxion lugged that thing in here? Just so he could be nasty at me?

I frowned. “You have way too much free time on your hands.”

“I don’t want to hear it from you. Besides, I am extremely busy. Allow me to illustrate it for you. First, I must gather daily information at the academy—”

I closed my eyes and tuned him out.

This was quite a predicament. I never thought all five of the love interests would be disinherited. What was going to happen now?

 

***

 

Three days had passed since the opening ceremony for the new term. It would be a lie if I said things were going smoothly. Everyone was openly avoiding me.

The only fortunate thing was that Daniel and Raymond had both apologized, but it would probably take some time for our friendship to return to what it was. They both still acted somewhat awkwardly when we spoke, as if they felt indebted to me or something.

Everyone else seemed to be adapting well, though. According to Luxion’s investigations, Angie and Livia weren’t having any issues. It had only been three days and who knew what would happen from here, but things around the two girls had settled down. Angie did seem to be fed up with her former followers who were now desperately brown-nosing to try to earn back her trust, but other than that, everything was as it had been before.

Livia had studied during summer break and was already far past my level. I couldn’t even understand what she was talking about anymore. Apparently she had already moved on to the second-year textbooks. I was terrified she might ask me to help her with her studies again. If it came to that, I’d have to apologize to her for pretending in the first place and hope she would forgive me.

There was one huge problem: Prince Julius and the other love interests. He and Marie had separated, as per the conditions of the duel. They weren’t lovers anymore, but he still accompanied her, Kyle, and the others as they ventured into dungeons over summer break. Greg and Chris were trying to get stronger so they could challenge me again. Jilk and Brad’s families had cut off their finances, so they were mainly doing it to meet their daily expenses.

Marie seemed to be in the same boat. The viscount house she came from was impoverished to begin with. Since she couldn’t expect any support from them, she had to dungeon for her own money.

You might be wondering how the prince was justifying hanging around her after he’d lost the duel. As ridiculous as it sounded, he claimed, “I ran into them as we were dungeoning, purely by coincidence, so I joined them. That’s all.”

While my reputation had hit rock bottom in the wake of our duel, the prince and the others were drowning in sympathy. Some of the girls were even offering support.

Still, their group seemed to be enjoying themselves, with one notable exception: Marie, the cause of all of this mayhem. She was struggling, now that the men who surrounded her had no status, no prestige, and no money. The best part was that all the love interests seemed to be genuinely having fun, despite their circumstances. Marie was the only one among them who realized the gravity of their situation. While the others looked joyful and carefree, she alone seemed frantic—which I found hilarious.

It brought me immense satisfaction to see her clever maneuvering land her exactly where she never dreamed she would be.

So refreshing. And it looks like today’s going to be a sunny one, too.

I was in the inner courtyard, lounging on a bench as I contemplated my situation.

Suddenly, two people plopped down beside me. At first, I thought it was Daniel and Raymond, but the pleasant aroma told me otherwise (men smell awful).

I lifted my head and found Angie and Livia.

“Leon, are you alone today?” Olivia asked.

“Thanks for rubbing it in. Yes, I am alone.”

“Honestly, can’t you do something about that mouth of yours?” Angie waved her hand dismissively. “Anyway, if you have nothing else to do, come with us.” The lines on her face were heavy with exhaustion, perhaps from having to dodge her former followers.

“Come with you? Where?”

Livia bounced excitedly in the seat beside me. “We’re going to a renowned crepe stall!”

Of course, otome game world, you would have a renowned crepe stall.

Despite being a fantasy world with swords and magic, sweets were everywhere. This game really did favor women. It’d actually be an amazing place to live if it wasn’t absolutely horrible being a dude.

“I wonder if they’ve got strawberry and chocolate?” I muttered to myself. My body craved sugar; I at least deserved to get my fill of sweets.

Livia smiled at me. “There is! The strawberry jam one is really popular.”

Angie apparently wasn’t familiar with the treat. “A food stall? I don’t have much experience with those. My followers always told me such food wasn’t fit for someone of my standing.”

On the other hand, I imagined the majority of those followers frequented food stalls often enough. I was pretty sure Luxion had told me something to that effect anyway.

Each of the girls grabbed one of my hands and pulled me up, and the three of us headed out together.

“Hurry up, Leon!”

“Come on, move it.”

They were both so kind and adorable, but they were also out of my reach. It was excruciating that the two people I couldn’t have were the two people closest to me.

This otome game world really is tough on background characters.