Chapter 4: Something I want more than half the world
“Well, then, I’ll take my leave. Hugh, I look forward to seeing you again.”
Princess Lucretia waved farewell and slipped out the door I’d entered. In her place, Roan stepped into the room, his brow furrowed slightly.
“The princess left with her face all red,” he remarked. “What did you do…?”
“It was Her Highness who did something.”
I hadn’t expected her to kiss my cheek as a reward. I could’ve dodged it if I’d wanted to, but knowing Lugue, she’d have sulked if I had. So, I let it happen.
…Truth be told, I didn’t have much reason to dodge it anyway.
“Whatever,” Roan said, waving it off. “Now we get to the main point.”
“…So, it wasn’t Princess Lucretia who summoned me?”
“You’ve already figured it out, haven’t you? Who really called you here.”
“I had a hunch…”
Princess Lucretia—or rather, Lugue, since her full title was a mouthful—must have seen the letter sent to me and cooked up that little scene earlier to thank me for saving her, complete with a reward. If that was the case, the letter’s true sender had to be someone else.
“Pardon the intrusion.”
The door swung open, and a figure strode in with confident steps. Long, glossy blonde hair shimmered, much like Lugue’s, cascading over a petite yet imposing frame. His straight posture and dignified gait lent him an air of grandeur.
His features were so refined that even I, a man, found myself momentarily captivated.
If not for the black cloth covering his eyes, who knows what might’ve happened.
“No need to kneel,” he said smoothly. “It only makes talking harder. I want to speak with the real you.”
“…It’s an honor to meet you, Your Highness Lucas.”
“Yep, nice to meet you. A pleasure, Hugh Pnocis.”
…What was it about this guy?
Rumors claimed he was blind, his eyes hidden behind that thick cloth. Yet I felt pinned, like a frog under a snake’s gaze, unable to move. It was unsettling, as though my entire being—head to toe—was laid bare under his scrutiny.
“Hmm. Shall we change locations? I forgot this room lacks a sofa. Follow me.”
Prince Lucas turned sharply and left. Roan nudged me forward. “Let’s go, Hugh.”
“R-right.”
My legs finally moved, though my mind reeled. Was that just now… my 〈Ninja〉 skill sharpening my senses too much? Prompted by Roan, I followed the prince to the next room. It was similar to the last, but a sofa for guests sat alongside the desk. Prince Lucas settled onto it, and I took the seat across from him.
Roan stood behind me, Alyssa behind the prince, their positions a silent threat—they could cut me down in an instant if needed. I had no intention of causing trouble, but the air crackled with tension.
“Let’s do introductions again,” Prince Lucas said, his tone light. “I’m Lucas von Reese. No need to be so nervous, Hugh. I’m not going to eat you. The two behind us are just a precaution—I don’t plan on having them draw their swords.”
“Even if you say that…” I muttered.
“Then I’ll have Alyssa step back. Roan, stay behind me. That should ease things a bit.”
At his command, Alyssa silently left to stand guard by the door, while Roan remained. The pressure lessened slightly.
“Better now?” Prince Lucas asked.
“…Thank you for your consideration, Your Highness.”
“It’s nothing. Compared to the debt I owe you for saving my sister, this is trivial.”
“……!”
This prince didn’t hold back, did he? Even with his eyes covered, I could sense him acknowledging that Lugue and Lucretia were one and the same while gauging my reaction.
“May I ask a question?” I ventured.
“Go ahead. No need to ask permission for something like that. Let’s keep this casual.”
“…Then I’ll take you up on that. Why is your sister disguised as a boy at the Royal Academy?”
“That’s what you’re most curious about, huh?”
There were plenty of questions I wanted to ask, but above all, why was Princess Lucretia posing as a boy named Lugue to take the academy’s entrance exam? I couldn’t move forward without understanding that.
“Are you prepared to hear the answer?” he asked.
“Not until recently, no.”
“I see. Very well. The answer is simple: I’m seriously aiming for the throne.”
“Wha—Your Highness!?” Roan paled, clearly caught off guard by the prince’s bluntness.
I’d suspected as much, but I hadn’t expected him to admit it so openly. From what Father had mentioned, Prince Lucas’s visual impairment put him at a disadvantage in the succession race compared to the other candidates.
“Is it okay to tell him that, Your Highness?” Roan asked, still shaken.
“Of course. Hugh, you’d already pieced it together, hadn’t you? A royal like Lucretia disguising herself as a boy at the academy—it’s like she’s hiding from something.”
“…I tried not to think about it, but yeah.”
To hide someone, the best place is among others. The Royal Academy was perfect cover—a relatively independent space filled with young men and women of similar age. Change her hairstyle and gender, and she’d be nearly impossible to find.
Though Lilly had already figured it out…
“I’m serious about winning the succession race,” Prince Lucas continued. “Eventually, I’ll have to openly oppose my older brothers. When that happens, they’ll almost certainly target my sister, Lucretia. To prevent that, I had her enroll in the Royal Academy. …I never imagined she’d get kidnapped during the entrance exam for reasons unrelated to the succession, though. That’s my sister for you—always defying expectations in the worst way.”
“…Didn’t you arrange any guards for her?”
“Guards would’ve been a dead giveaway that Lugue is Lucretia, wouldn’t they? Besides, the academy was supposed to be safe. I told her not to leave the grounds. I never thought she’d sneak out to buy clothes…”
Prince Lucas clutched his head, genuinely exasperated. I felt a headache brewing myself. Was Lugue an even bigger troublemaker than I’d thought?
“So, I’m truly grateful you were with her,” he said.
“No… If she hadn’t met me, she might not have left the academy in the first place.”
“That’s a pointless argument. The fact is, she met you, she was kidnapped, and you saved her. …And I highly value your skills for doing so.”
“It’s not worth Your Highness’s praise. It was just a series of coincidences.”
“Coincidences, huh? Then I’d have to commend your ability to attract such coincidences.”
“…What are you getting at?”
“Don’t play coy. You know what I want from you.”
“You want me to join your side…?”
Prince Lucas’s smile confirmed it.
…This felt ominous. Even if I saved Lugue, was it really worth him meeting me in person to recruit me?
“I’m just a poor noble from the remote countryside,” I said. “What benefit would I bring to your faction?”
“Not true. For one, I don’t have to worry about your background. The Pnocis Domain is the farthest from the Capital and holds the least strategic value. It borders another country, but it’s surrounded by mountains, making invasion impossible. You have no relatives in the Capital, so none of my brothers’ factions pay attention to the Pnocis family. That makes you trustworthy.”
“I’m poor, so I might betray you for money.”
“If money’s your only motive for betrayal, you pass. How much do you want?”
“…I’m not exactly hurting for money right now.”
He’d probably hand me hundreds of gold coins without blinking.
“You’re a good one,” he said. “Cautious, thoughtful, and forward-thinking. I feel like I can entrust my sister to you.”
“You want me to guard Her Highness?”
“Nothing so grand as guarding. Just stay by her side and support her. As you know, she’s a handful, but she’s my only precious family.”
“…Even without you saying it, I don’t plan on leaving Lugue’s side.”
“Thank you, Hugh. On another note, your skill is pretty interesting, isn’t it?”
“—!”
I nearly gasped but clamped my mouth shut. He’d noticed my reaction. That question, slipped so naturally into the conversation, pierced my heart like a stake.
“Here’s the thing: my eyesight was restored three years ago. The gods granted me new eyes.”
“…You don’t mean your skill is—”
“I can see what I want to see. But this skill is so powerful, it shows me things I don’t want to see or don’t need to see. It took me two years to control it. Now, with this blindfold, I can suppress it to some extent.”
“That explains why…!”
Despite his supposed blindness, he walked confidently without a cane and had pointed out the lack of a sofa earlier. Looking back, his words and actions only made sense if he could see.
That feeling of being watched wasn’t my imagination—he was observing me. Not just physically. My emotions, perhaps even my thoughts, might have been laid bare.
And my skill…
“You’ll stay by my sister’s side,” he continued. “But just babysitting her would be a waste of your talents. I want you to work according to your abilities.”
“What do you plan to make me do?”
“Anything. Not that I want to burn you out. I want you to be useful when it counts. Otherwise, feel free to enjoy your youth with my sister.”
“…Doesn’t seem like I have the option to refuse.”
Whether he saw my rewritten 〈Ninja〉 skill or the original 〈Brainwashing〉 skill, Prince Lucas clearly intended to use me as a hidden blade—kept out of sight and drawn when needed.
Refusing could mean execution for my skill. Roan stood half-ready, hand on his sword, poised to strike at any moment. Betting on activating 〈Brainwashing〉 in time was too risky.
I’d been completely outmaneuvered. There was no way out.
But backing down like this chafed.
“I have two conditions,” I said.
“Let’s hear them.”
“First, I don’t want to kill anyone if I can help it. I’m not prepared for that.”
“I’ll concede that.”
“Second, if you become king, I want one reward, then I’ll retire to the Pnocis Domain. Grant me your permission.”
“Fine. And what reward would you like? Name it. A prime minister’s post? Gold and treasures? A new territory?”
“I don’t need any of that.”
There was only one thing I wanted. Not status, honor, or wealth.
“Give me the person most precious to you. She’s enough for me.”
Prince Lucas froze, mouth agape. Without the blindfold, his stunned expression would’ve been clear. Then, grasping my meaning, he burst into laughter.
“Hahaha, that’s great! Alright, if I become king, I’ll entrust my precious sister to you. But if she says no, the deal’s off, okay?”
“Of course. I’d never force her against her will.”
Even with the 〈Brainwashing〉 skill that could control anyone, that was the one thing I’d never do. I wanted Lugue to choose to be by my side.
To keep my promise to her, I’d let Prince Lucas use me however he wished. I had the skills to overcome it.
“You seem resolved,” he said. “Deal sealed. I’m glad to have a reliable ally.”
“I’ll trust you, Prince Lucas. Become king.”
“That depends on your efforts, doesn’t it? I’m far behind in the succession race. My faction currently includes Roan and most of the Kingdom’s Knights, plus the bureaucrats handling internal affairs. The nobles back my eldest brother, Slay, and the standing army and guards support my second brother, Brute.”
“…You’ve quietly secured the core of the kingdom, haven’t you?”
“Oh, you noticed? Sharp as expected.”
His support base was smaller, his faction weaker. But the Kingdom’s Knights were the elite, the strongest in the realm, and the bureaucracy was the nation’s backbone. He’d secured them quietly—an opponent not to be underestimated.
“Soon, my brothers won’t be able to ignore me,” he said. “That’s when the real game begins—and your turn, future brother-in-law.”
“I’ll do my best to make that happen.”
I shook the hand Prince Lucas extended. I’d thought I’d stay clear of the Capital’s political struggles, but here I was, diving headfirst into the succession race.
For the leisurely life I couldn’t have in my past life. And to keep my promise to Lugue. …Let’s do this.
“Let’s call it a day,” Prince Lucas said. “I’ll send Alyssa to the Royal Academy as your liaison. Contact her if anything comes up.”
“Alyssa?”
“I heard they’re short on swordsmanship instructors. Sending her from the knights on secondment might raise some suspicion, but it’ll keep scrutiny minimal. They might even welcome it, since it limits Alyssa’s movements.”
“Is that okay?”
“That’s how vital you and Lucretia are to us.”
He placed a lot of faith in me. His claim of not wanting to burn me out—how much could I trust that?
As Prince Lucas rose from the sofa and headed for the door, he paused and turned back. “Oh, and keep your skill a secret. Never let anyone but me know the truth. Especially not the royals—my brothers. They’ll have you killed.”
“…I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Good. Take care of my sister!”
Like Lugue, Prince Lucas waved farewell and left, Roan trailing behind. I was alone in the room.
…He saw right through me, didn’t he?
If he’d only noticed the skill rewrite, he wouldn’t have warned me like that. His words strongly suggested he knew about my 〈Brainwashing〉 skill. Could he even read the skill’s description?
If so, it explained why he didn’t see it as a major threat. 〈Brainwashing〉 required eye contact to activate. With his eyes covered, he was safe from it.
…Maybe he sent Alyssa out to prevent her from being brainwashed. Roan could likely kill me before I could fully activate it.
No use overthinking now. I’d taken a step I couldn’t undo. All I could do was charge toward my goal.
“Haa… I’m exhausted.”
Maybe because I’d used my brain more than usual, I let out a sigh. Back home, I’d just focused on work or studies without thinking—it was so much easier.
Now, I had plenty on my mind: academy life, the succession race, and Lugue. Meeting her had changed me in ways I hadn’t expected.
“I want to see Lugue…”
We’d just parted, but that was Princess Lucretia, so it didn’t count.
Time to head back. As I rose from the sofa and left the room, Alyssa was waiting by the door.
“Good work, Hugh. His Highness asked me to escort you back, so I’ll tag along.”
“Thanks, Alyssa.”
She flashed a friendly grin and led the way. “Oh, and keep what happened here quiet. You were questioned by the knights about yesterday’s incident. You didn’t meet any royals. Got it?”
“Got it. …By the way, was yesterday’s incident really a coincidence?”
“From what we’ve investigated, yeah. That person’s always attracted weird coincidences. His Highness and Master were saying it’s probably just that again.”
“…Sounds like it’s been a lot of trouble.”
“You bet! Man, I’m thrilled you’ll be taking on that trouble from now on.”
“Haha…”
If anything happened, I’d drag her into it however I could.
As we chatted, we reached the carriage I’d arrived in. Glancing at it, I noticed a strange silhouette through the window—like deer antlers.
What was that?
Alyssa noticed too, her hand inching toward her sword. We approached cautiously, and a silver-haired girl popped out from the window.
Seeing my face, she hopped out of the carriage, clutching something. “Hugh! You’re late. Where were you?”
“Lugue, why are you…”
“I wanted to go back with you, so I waited in the carriage. Was that… bad?”
She tilted her head, and I shook my head vigorously. Of course it wasn’t bad—I’d just been thinking I wanted to see her.
“No, but you shouldn’t just hop into a carriage…” Alyssa said, her tone reasonable.
Lugue flinched and bowed her head. “Sorry.”
Good on her for apologizing.
By the way…
“Lugue, what’s that you’re holding?”
I gestured at the object that had caught my eye—a large stuffed animal in her left arm, a horse with deer antlers.
“This is Nokoko-san!”
“Nokoko-san…?”
“I got it from Lu…cas, His Highness, when I was little! It’s a Horse Deer, apparently!”
“Horse Deer, huh…”
They lived in my homeland too—literally horses with deer antlers. I’d secretly called them “deer-horses.”
…Probably a coincidence, but the naming was oddly ironic.
Alyssa agreed to drive us back to the academy, but we got off in the commercial district to buy supplies for classes starting tomorrow.
“Alyssa, take care of Nokoko-san, okay?”
“Got it.”
Alyssa gave a wry smile, holding Nokoko-san as Lugue handed it over. A knight carrying a cute stuffed animal for a mere viscount’s son was quite the sight.
I used my 〈Ninja〉 skill to scan the surroundings—no sign of anyone watching us, so we should be fine.
“You can say no if you don’t want to,” I told Alyssa.
“Nah, that’s a bit…”
Well, it was Lugue (Princess Lucretia), so I understood why Alyssa wouldn’t refuse.
“…Oh, right. Hugh, c’mere.”
“What’s up…?”
Alyssa stepped away from Lugue and beckoned me over. When I approached, she slung an arm around my shoulder, pulling me close. I knew it was for a private talk, but her citrusy scent made my heart skip.
“Heh, your face is all red, Hugh,” she teased. “You act all cool, but you’re kinda innocent, huh?”
“If you’re just teasing, can you let go? Lugue’s glaring at me.”
“Whoa, you’re loved, huh? Alright, quick then.”
Her grin faded, and she lowered her voice. “You know the Puridy family’s young lady, right?”
“Lilly Puridy?”
“Yeah. Make sure she doesn’t find out Lugue is Princess Lucretia. The Puridy family leads First Prince Slay’s faction. If she finds out, everything’s ruined.”
“…Everything.”
“Huh? Why’s your face so pale?”
“No, it’s…”
Lilly had already figured it out ages ago. I should tell Alyssa.
…But what if I did? Could Lilly be silenced—killed, even? If my snitching caused that, it’d be unbearable. From Lilly’s tone, I’d sensed affection and concern for Lugue. If she meant to harm Princess Lucretia, would she have warned me like that?
I knew I should tell, but it wasn’t too late to confirm Lilly’s intentions first.
“It’s nothing,” I said. “I’ll be careful around Lilly.”
“Good. I’m counting on you.”
Alyssa patted my back, saying, “Handle it,” and hopped onto the driver’s seat with Nokoko-san. The carriage sped off toward the academy like it was fleeing something.
Left behind were me and a cross-dressing princess, her cheeks puffed out in a pout.
“Muu. Hugh, when did you get so chummy with Alyssa?”
“No, it’s not like we’re chummy or anything…”
How much could I tell Lugue about joining Prince Lucas’s faction? The more I hesitated, the more suspicious I seemed, and Lugue shot me a sulky glare.
“Getting cozy with another girl after that? You’re such a playboy, Hugh.”
“No, it’s not… Wait, that?”
“Ah! N-nothing! Forget I said that!”
Lugue’s face flushed red as she frantically waved both hands. …Sorry, Lugue. Forgive me just this once. My face was burning too, so we were even.
We both covered our mouths, falling silent. After standing there for a while, the heat in our faces and the urge to grin subsided, and I spoke to Lugue.
“Uh… it’s about lunchtime, right? If you’re okay with it, wanna grab something nearby before shopping?”
“What? I’d love to! Wow, I haven’t eaten out much, so I’m excited…! Where are we going?”
“Let’s see…”
I’d love to suavely take her to a chic spot, but I was a country bumpkin on my third day in the Capital. I had no idea where the good eateries were. No point pretending otherwise.
“Sorry, Lugue. I’m from the backwater countryside, so I don’t know any restaurants in the Capital.”
“Oh, okay. Then we can explore together, right?”
Whoa, what was with that response? Was she an angel or what?
“Let’s go, Hugh!”
While I was marveling, Lugue grabbed my hand and started walking. We set off to find food, strolling through the Capital. Just walking with Lugue made the world feel different.
Take the shoe store sign, for example. Would I have noticed the letters forming a cat shape if I were alone? Or the small general store tucked away in an alley, or the subtly unique designs of the evenly spaced streetlights? Because I was with Lugue, these things caught my eye and stirred something in me.
“It’s fun just walking around, huh, Hugh?”
“Yeah. It really is.”
That’s because I’m with you, Lugue.
I wished I could say that to her face, but all I managed was a bland response, frustrated at myself. I hoped five, ten years from now, even beyond, I could keep walking side by side with Lugue like this.
…As I thought that, someone running from the opposite direction bumped into my shoulder.
“—Whoa, sorry!”
That was close. I’d been so focused on Lugue I hadn’t noticed.
Luckily, the impact was light, so neither of us fell. When I looked up, I realized the person was a girl with light aqua hair.
Wait, I knew her.
“Hugh, you okay? …Wait, is that…?”
“Lecty…?”
I tilted my head in confusion. She looked worlds apart from two days ago. Her dull, dirty hair now shimmered glossy and beautiful, reflecting the sunlight. Her skin was a translucent porcelain white, and light makeup hid her former unhealthy pallor, accentuating her refined features.
Lilly had called her a diamond in the rough, but I hadn’t imagined she’d shine this much. With a healthier frame and complexion, she’d be an absolute beauty.
“Hugh-san!”
Lecty had noticed me from the start. She hadn’t bumped into me—she’d rushed to hug me. As I wondered what was going on, two more people ran toward us, both in Royal Academy uniforms. One was Lilly, her light reddish-brown hair tied into twin tails. The other was a guy I’d seen before, holding a bouquet of roses for some reason.
Lilly, clearly not athletic, lagged behind, staggering and out of breath. The guy, probably in good shape, wasn’t winded and shouted, “Wait, please wait!”
…That guy, where had I…
“Oh, is he that noble who was harassing Lecty?”
His name was Idwin or Windot, I think. Couldn’t quite recall.
“Y-Yes!” Lecty said. “He suddenly approached me in the city!”
“He’s bothering you again?”
“Yes! He keeps insisting I marry him!”
““Marry…?””
Lugue and I tilted our heads in unison, our voices overlapping. What in the world led to that?
“Wait, miss! Please, accept my feelings!”
“N-No, I refuse!”
“Why not!?”
When Dododod (probably something like that) asked, Lecty clung tightly to my arm. Her soft, modest curves pressed against me, more pronounced than Lugue’s.
“I’m already dating this person!”
“……………Huh?”
“Hugh? Care to explain what’s going on?”
Lugue’s glare was as cold as a snowy mountain peak. She was asking me, but I wanted to ask Lecty the same thing!
Still, my sharpened 〈Ninja〉 senses told me it was smarter to play along. …Man, this 〈Ninja〉 skill was handy. Maybe I’d just stick with it and dominate this world.
“S-Such a…!? Wait, you’re that backwater poor noble from the other day!?”
“You just now noticed, Dododod?”
“It’s Idiot! Idiot Hortness! You didn’t get a single letter right!”
“Sorry, my bad. So, why are you chasing her with a bouquet of roses?”
His reaction was a complete 180 from two days ago, when he’d berated Lecty, saying, “This noble institution isn’t a place for filthy commoners like you!”
“Hmph! It’s none of your… No, if you’re really her boyfriend, I’ll be honest. I fell in love with her at first sight. Please, let me have her!”
“It’s not love at first sight…”
She wasn’t my property to “let you have” either.
“What are you talking about? I saw her for the first time today, and her beauty stole my heart. Her graceful figure standing at the street corner was like an angel serving the gods! The moment I saw her, my heart was pierced by an angel’s arrow!”
“Huh…? You don’t realize…?”
I glanced at Lecty, who looked equally baffled. She clearly hadn’t expected to be proposed to without him recognizing her.
Despite her transformation into a stunning beauty, it wasn’t like she’d had drastic surgery. Even I, and Lugue after a brief chat, could tell it was her.
“What’s with that pitying look!? That’s rude!”
“No, I mean…”
Should I tell him, or let it slide? Lecty’s eyes seemed to ask, What do I do? I was just as stumped.
“Wait, I said wait…! Huff, wheeze!”
Lilly finally caught up, hands on her knees, sweat beading on her forehead, clearly out of stamina. “Idiot, what’s the meaning of…!? Why are you proposing to Lecty!?”
“Lecty? That’s her name!? What a beautiful sound!”
“Listen to me, you idiot!”
Lilly’s voice rose, irritation clear. She didn’t seem to grasp the situation either.
“Uh… Lilly,” I said. “This idiot thinks he’s meeting Lecty for the first time.”
“Huh?”
Lilly shot a skeptical look at the fool. Hard to believe, but it was the only explanation.
“You guys, stop calling me an idiot already!”
“…Idiot, are you serious? She’s the same person you were insulting as a filthy commoner two days ago.”
“What? No way… Huh?”
Idiot folded his arms, staring intently at Lecty. She tightened her grip on my arm, nervous.
“She’s definitely beautiful… But now that you mention it, she does look familiar? No, but… Hmm?”
He grumbled for a while before it finally clicked.
“No way, you’re really that filthy commoner from the other day…?”
“Y-Yes.”
“How could this…!”
Clutching his head, Idiot staggered and collapsed to his knees. I stepped forward, shielding Lecty, while Lilly watched him cautiously, her eyes sharp.
If he lashed out, things could turn dangerous. My plan was to rely on the 〈Ninja〉 skill’s agility to close the distance and subdue him before he could activate his own skill.
But then…
“I’ve done something so foolish…!” Idiot pressed his forehead to the ground in a deep, desperate bow.
“I’m so sorry! I’m an utter fool! Please forgive me!” he pleaded, voice thick with remorse.
“W-What!?” Lecty yelped, stunned by his groveling apology. Lilly, Lugue, and I stood frozen, equally taken aback by the bizarre scene. Murmurs of confusion rippled through the surrounding crowd.
“U-Um, please raise your head!” Lecty stammered. “What happened the other day… it upset me, but I’m okay now…!”
“Y-You forgive me…!?” Idiot’s voice cracked with hope.
“Y-Yes,” she replied softly.
“Oh… You’re so kind. Truly an angel…” He lifted his head, tears streaming down his face, gazing at Lecty with awe. Lilly, Lugue, I, and the onlookers were utterly floored.
“…Idiot, maybe call it a day,” Lilly said, breaking the silence. “You’ll see her at the academy starting tomorrow. As a noble, this display could cause trouble—for you and your father.”
At her words, Idiot rose slowly, his expression strangely serene, as if a burden had lifted. “…Thanks for the advice, Lilly Puridy. Miss Lecty, please, at least accept this bouquet.”
“Uh, y-yes…” Lecty hesitated, taking the flowers.
“Thank you. See you tomorrow at the academy.” Idiot offered her a bright smile, then shot me a fierce glare. “I’ll make her fall for me someday! So wash your neck and wait, you backwater poor noble!”
With that, he stormed off. We stood dumbfounded, watching his retreating figure until it vanished from sight.
“What a whirlwind of a guy…” Lugue muttered, snapping us out of our trance like a spell had broken.
“Ugh, honestly,” Lilly sighed. “He’s always been like that—intense, single-minded. Sorry I couldn’t protect you better, Lecty.”
“N-No! Hugh-san protected me, so it’s okay. Thank you, Hugh-san!” Lecty said earnestly.
“I didn’t do much,” I replied. Lilly was the one who got Idiot to leave. All I did was stand there while Lecty clung to me—still was, actually.
“Hey, Lecty?” Lugue interjected, her tone sharp. “Aren’t you a bit too close to Hugh? How long are you gonna hold onto him!?”
“Eek!? S-Sorry!” Lecty squeaked, realizing her grip and hurriedly releasing my arm.
“And you, Hugh!” Lugue huffed, turning away in a pout. “Letting a girl cling to you like that! Honestly!”
Her jealousy was kind of cute, but how was I supposed to smooth this over? As I racked my brain, Lilly approached, her expression one of exasperation.
“You’ve really won her over, huh?” she said dryly.
“Praise me, Lilly. I haven’t crossed any lines yet,” I quipped.
“Don’t brag about the bare minimum,” she shot back. “Cross that line, and you’re done.”
Lilly sighed, placing a hand on her forehead. Then, fanning herself lightly, she scanned the street and pointed to a spot down the road. “Lecty, how about lunch at that café? I’m parched from running. Hugh, Lugue, you in?”
“Perfect,” I said. “We were looking for a place to eat. That okay, Lugue?”
“…If you’re fine with it,” Lugue replied, still sulky.
With Lugue in tow, the four of us entered the nearby café. We ordered drinks and snacks at the counter and snagged a terrace table by the street just as it opened up. The three girls got drinks and sandwich sets, while I, hungrier, added a croissant. The prices were steep for the portions—living in the Capital was no joke. Back home, this would’ve been cheaper… or rather, we didn’t even have cafés in the sticks.
“Um, Lilly-chan, thank you for covering my share,” Lecty said. “I’ll pay you back someday…!”
“Hehe, I’ll hold you to that,” Lilly replied with a grin. “But don’t stress too much, okay? I want you to rely on me more, Lecty.”
“Rely on you…?” Lecty tilted her head.
“Yep. I want to buy you anything you want, let you live as you please. I want to watch you thrive under my care…! And then, when you’re totally dependent on me, we can do this and that… ufufufu!” Lilly’s tone turned playful, almost predatory.
“Lecty, if you ever feel in danger, come to me right away,” I said firmly.
“Y-Yes…!” Lecty nodded vigorously, subtly scooting her chair closer to me and away from Lilly. At the round table, we sat clockwise: me, Lecty, Lilly, Lugue. Lilly, wiping her mouth with a handkerchief, gave a small, knowing smile. She was probably playing the fool to ease Lecty’s nerves.
“Man, that guy was a shock,” Lugue said, biting into her sandwich, her mood slightly brighter. “Rubbing his forehead on the ground like that? I was floored that a Hortness would do that.”
“Is the Hortness family famous?” I asked.
“Yeah,” Lugue replied. “One of the kingdom’s oldest houses. Not that it’s why, but they’re known for being arrogant and overbearing.”
“But arrogance is the flip side of pride,” Lilly added. “The Hortness family’s contributions to the kingdom are undeniable. Idiot’s arrogant and foolish, no question, but he’s not a dyed-in-the-wool bigot or villain. He’s pure enough to run off and buy roses the moment he falls in love.”
“Even knowing Lecty’s a commoner didn’t change his mind,” I noted. His tearful reaction to her kindness was surprising, but in a positive light, you could call him pure-hearted.
“…Still, I don’t like him,” Lecty said quietly.
“Yeah…” I agreed.
For Lecty, his first impression was awful. She accepted his apology, but it was likely out of pressure in the moment. A rumor about making a noble grovel could stir up all kinds of trouble.
“He’s probably gonna keep bothering you, Hugh,” Lilly said.
“Me? Yeah, me…” I sighed. He did say something about washing my neck and waiting, and he definitely bought Lecty’s lie.
“I’m so sorry, Hugh-san! I dragged you into this…” Lecty said, her voice trembling.
“Nah, it’s fine,” I reassured her. A normal suitor might’ve been fooled, but this guy was just a bad match.
“I’ll tell him clearly I’m not interested…!” Lecty declared.
“Will he give up that easily?” I asked.
“Not likely. He’s the type to keep pushing,” Lilly said, shaking her head.
“That’s…” Lecty faltered.
“Then we just endure until he gives up,” I said.
“Right,” Lilly agreed. “For now, Lecty and Hugh, keep up the lover act in front of Idiot. Make him think you’re a couple.”
““What!?”” Lecty and Lugue’s voices overlapped, their loud reaction drawing stares. They shyly covered their mouths.
“You’re not surprised, huh?” Lilly said, glancing at me.
“I was thinking the same thing,” I admitted. Since Lecty had no intention of accepting Idiot, the only way to make him give up was to convince him there was no room for him. Pretend to be lovers, show there’s no opening, and maybe steer him toward another love to distract him.
Using the 〈Brainwashing〉 skill would be quicker, but I couldn’t waste my single brainwashing slot on Idiot forever. Plus, it’d revert if I released it. What a useless skill for others…
“…Um, wouldn’t that be a huge bother for you, Hugh-san?” Lecty asked, her voice small.
“I’m already in too deep. Don’t worry about it,” I said. “Decide what you want, Lecty.”
“Hugh-san…” Lecty looked down, thinking, then glanced at Lugue. Lugue, who’d been watching, let out a small sigh.
“Don’t worry about me, Lecty,” Lugue said. “I’ll make Hugh make it up to me later.”
“Hey, what kind of ‘making up’ are you planning…?” I asked warily.
“That’s a secret! Not telling you, Hugh,” Lugue teased, grinning mischievously and winking at Lecty. That seemed to solidify Lecty’s resolve. She straightened up and bowed to me.
“I’m inexperienced, but please take care of me, Hugh-san! I’ll do my best to be your girlfriend!”
“Y-Yeah, sure thing, Lecty,” I replied, a bit overwhelmed by her enthusiasm.
A fake girlfriend, but still—me, with a girlfriend? Academy life was already off to a wild start.
I thought I was ready for anything, but…
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