Chapter 85: A Certain Day in the Classroom
“Yo, Dee. Good morning.”
As I entered the classroom, Reinhardt, wearing a refreshing smile, greeted me.
Until recently, he used to call me Onii-sama, but perhaps because I gave him a push regarding Bianca-san’s matter the other day, Reinhardt started calling me Dee.
In Reinhardt’s mind, he probably shifted from seeing me as “Cornelia’s older brother,” like an accessory to Cornelia, to recognizing me as an individual.
Of course, I haven’t given Reinhardt permission to call me by a nickname.
But, thinking it would be useless to say anything, I’ve been tacitly allowing it.
“Reinhardt, you did talk to Reiner-san properly, right?”
“Of course! But, I was surprised. To think that Reiner-san would actually take me as his disciple!”
Reiner-san is one of the top-class adventurers in this country. In the game, there’s an event where the protagonist can become Reiner-san’s disciple.
If you raise Reiner-san’s affection level from there, he’ll join you as a companion when you set out on the journey to subjugate the Evil God.
Reiner-san, being experienced and a strong character, is someone you definitely want as a companion.
Lately, I’ve been calling Reinhardt to a private room and feeding him what I believe to be the best course of action based on my game knowledge.
Because this guy, he hasn’t been progressing through any events at all…
If I hadn’t advised Reinhardt, he would have set off on the journey to subjugate the Evil God all by himself. Is this guy doing some kind of challenge run?
“Cornelia-chan, good morning! You’re cute today too. How about some tea after school…”
“Huh?”
“…is what I’d like to say, but I have something to do today. Sorry.”
When I glared at Reinhardt, who was trying to sweet-talk Cornelia, he seemed to remember he had something to do.
That’s right. You need to get going right after school to raise Reiner-san’s affection level. Go have tea with Reiner-san for a while.
“Now, let’s leave this guy alone. Shall we go, Ria?”
“Yes, Onii-sama!”
“Kuhh!”
Leaving behind Reinhardt, who let out a frustrated cry for some reason, I gallantly escorted Ria.
◇
“Ria-san’s Onii-sama is truly wonderful, isn’t he?”
“Truly, truly. I wish I could trade him for my own older brother.”
“Yes, I’d like to be escorted like Ria-san too.”
“Mhm, mhm.”
After school. Cornelia was surrounded by several female students. They were Cornelia’s friends. And apparently, they were members of the ‘Society for Gently Watching Over Dietfried and Cornelia’s Sibling Love.’ What the heck is that?
They’re members of a group with a somewhat embarrassing name, but there’s no doubt they’re friendly towards me and Cornelia. As long as they become good friends with Cornelia, anything is fine.
Anything is fine, but please stop glancing at me expectantly.
Well, I’ll leave Cornelia to them and do what I need to do.
I stood up from my chair and walked towards the front row of the classroom. There, chatting amiably with a few students, was Eleonore.
It hasn’t been publicly announced yet, but Claudia-sama plans to renounce her claim to the throne. Princess Eleonore, who has been unofficially decided as the next monarch, is apparently trying to maintain a gentle demeanor to overcome her difficulty with social interactions.
Princess Eleonore, forcing a smile, is somewhat painful to watch. But this is also something she decided. It’s not for an outsider like me to criticize.
However…
I want to be a Gentle Perch where the exhausted Eleonore can rest.
“El, do you have a moment?”
“Dee? Is something the matter?”
“I have something to talk about. Shall we go to a private room?”
At that moment, the classroom fell silent as if time had stopped.
I’ve been called to a private room by Eleonore before, but this is the first time I’ve invited Eleonore to one.
“Hey, Viscount! What kind of talk is that from a mere Viscount towards Princess Eleonore!”
“That’s right! Don’t get too carried away!”
“Wait. I am the one who gave Dee permission.”
“But Princess Eleonore, these types will get endlessly carried away, you know?”
“I recommend cutting him off before Your Highness’s reputation is tarnished.”
Just for using informal language, I’m getting quite the earful. If it was going to be like this, I should have used polite speech. But, when I use polite speech, Eleonore looks sad…
“Silence. Dee is my… my trusted friend…”
“Princess Eleonore, this humble servant believes you should choose your friends more carefully.”
“That’s right. There must be more suitable people to be Princess Eleonore’s friends.”
“…I will go to the private room with Dee.”
“Princess Eleonore!”
“Let’s go, Dee.”
“Yeah.”
Urged on by Eleonore, I headed towards the private room.
“The likes of a Viscount…!”
As I passed by the children of nobles, I was hit with their ill feelings. It seems many of those around Eleonore were children of high-ranking nobles.
For them, the reality that a low-ranking noble like a Viscount was being favored by Princess Eleonore more than they were was probably unforgivable.