Chapter 20: I Tried Talking About Romance with Liese
A few weeks have passed since academy life began.
My new daily life with Liese, and my Personal Maid, Fina, is gradually starting to take shape.
Fina continues to support me at the academy as my Personal Maid, just as before.
Since she spends most of her time by my side, she’s recognized as the Maid of someone with a bad reputation, and thus, she’s been shunned at the academy as well.
However, Liese, with her inherently cheerful personality and her earnest dedication to her studies…
Above all, her natural beauty has started to make her a bit of a topic of gossip at the academy, despite being a commoner. Fina has also been providing support when necessary to ensure Liese doesn’t act discourteously towards the nobles.
But lately, there’s something that’s been bothering me.
“Is Liese not interested in romance?”
This academy is the very stage of the otome game I knew before I was reincarnated.
The capture targets, such as Prince Edward, Raul, and Gard, all renowned nobles, are gathered here. It’s supposed to be a collection of men who charm women.
Normally, it’s a staple of the game for her to get close to someone and trigger a romance event. But Liese spends most of her time either in class or by my side, and she isn’t trying to form any special connections with anyone.
No, on the contrary, she seems to get along well with everyone, so it doesn’t look like she’s disliked.
I’ve even seen her exchanging greetings with the likes of Prince Edward, since they’re in the same class.
Curious, I headed to the academy library after classes ended. Liese said she wanted to find a book she needed for an assignment, so I accompanied her.
“Lord Serios, may I borrow this book?”
Liese asked, taking a book from the shelf. Her expression was dead serious.
“Ah, go ahead. But that looks a bit difficult. You might struggle to read it.”
“Even so, I want to try!”
Liese said with a smile. That smile was completely different from when I first met her at the mansion. It was healthy and radiant.
The book was about pharmacology and medical techniques. Perhaps she’s still bothered by the fact that she couldn’t cure her mother’s illness.
If that’s the case, she might end up getting along with someone like Noah Krauser, who uses sacred arts, though they haven’t met yet.
“Liese, how are things with your classmates? Are you interacting with them properly?”
When I asked, suddenly curious, Liese tilted her head as if deep in thought.
“I do talk with everyone… but there’s no one I’ve become particularly close to.”
“I see. So, haven’t you had a chance to talk with Prince Edward, Raul, or Gard?”
When I said that, Liese’s eyes widened in surprise.
“It’s true that they sometimes speak to me. But… I feel it would be presumptuous for someone like me to talk to them. Besides, they said terrible things about Lord Serios at the entrance ceremony, so I don’t intend to try and get close to them.”
“I-Is that so?”
When I replied, Liese blushed slightly.
“Yes… As long as I have Lord Serios, that’s all I need.”
She said that with a small smile, but I felt something was off.
“Is that really all there is to it?”
Suddenly, Fina, who had been silent beside me, spoke up.
“Lord Serios. Perhaps Liese isn’t at the stage where she’s interested in something like romance yet.”
“…That might be true.”
I nodded at Fina’s calm words. But deep down, a part of me couldn’t accept that answer alone.
“What about you, Lord Serios?”
Liese’s abrupt question made me freeze.
“…What about me?”
“Is there anyone you’re interested in, Lord Serios?”
I was momentarily speechless at her question. I never expected Liese to ask me something like that.
“Me, huh…”
I thought for a moment, searching for an answer.
“No, I don’t have the leeway to think about such things yet. I’m swamped with matters of my domain and my studies at the academy.”
That was my honest answer. But Liese wore an expression that suggested she wasn’t quite convinced.
“Lord Serios, you’re a wonderful person. There must be many women who approach you… Are you really not interested in anyone?”
Her eyes stared intently at me. I was a little flustered by her direct gaze.
“…What about you, Liese?”
I ended up reflexively answering her question with a question.
“Eh, me?”
Liese looked a little surprised, but then she smiled.
“Well… I do have someone.”
“You do?! Who is it?”
“I can’t say! Besides, right now, I want to learn many things by Lord Serios’s side. That’s what’s most important to me at the moment.”
Her words stirred an indescribable emotion within me.
“Is it really okay like this?”
Liese is probably enjoying academy life in her own way. But as the protagonist of an otome game, a future where she eventually chooses someone should be waiting for her.
Thinking about that, I just couldn’t feel at ease. I let out a quiet sigh, trying not to let her notice my inner turmoil.
“I see. In that case, you should continue doing what you want to do.”
“Yes! Thank you, Lord Serios!”
Seeing Liese answer with a smile, I sighed inwardly once more.
“Maybe it’s not good for me to just stay by her side like this forever…”
As I muttered that, the thought that I needed to consider my next option began to quietly sprout in my chest.