Chapter 29: I Got Scolded by the Villainess.
I knew it.
From the very beginning, Liese would end up with the Prince.
No, that’s how it’s supposed to be, and as for me, as long as I avoid my own Judgment, I can just live happily with Maria.
Liese has her own Happiness.
Thoughts of Liese keep crossing my mind, then fading away.
The one Liese chose was the Prince. I’m just the underdog, a guinea pig for her practice.
I knew it all.
And yet, somewhere inside, I wondered if, before the story began, if I had saved the main heroine, even with the power of gold, she might have come to like me.
Didn’t I think something like that? Maria showed me affection. So, I thought somewhere that Liese would too.
I thought that if I didn’t cause any trouble, attended classes seriously, thought seriously about my domain, and just spent my time at the academy calmly and quietly, I could finish my school life peacefully, take Faina and Liese back to my territory, and live there in peace.
Then, since I didn’t have a Fiancée, I’d marry either Liese or Faina, who are close to my age, start a family, and live happily.
“Hey, hey, I said. You’re not listening at all, are you?”
“That’s right. He’s been like this a lot lately. Even when Liese or I talk to him, he seems to be deep in thought about something.”
“I see. But I think I might have figured it out.”
“Eh! Is that so?”
I can hear Faina and Claris talking. But what they’re saying isn’t registering in my head.
I just get the feeling they’re talking about me.
“Hey, Serios. You’ve never been in love, have you?”
Suddenly, at Claris’s words, my consciousness rapidly sharpened.
“Love?”
“You reacted.”
“He reacted.”
Claris sounded triumphant, and Faina let out a surprised voice.
“Yes, that look on your face right now… I think it’s probably the face of a man who’s been heartbroken and rejected.”
“Wh-What?! I haven’t confessed to anyone!”
“That’s right. You haven’t confessed to anyone. But isn’t it possible to be rejected in love even before you confess?”
At Claris’s words, my stunned mind rapidly started working.
Love? Rejected? Who by whom? Me by Liese? No, no, that’s impossible. I knew from the start that she was the main heroine in this game world, destined to play out an otome game.
No matter how cute she looks, how talented she is, or how obedient an attendant she may be. She’s an individual, fated to end up with one of the capture targets in this world, so it’s impossible for me to be rejected.
“Sorry to interrupt while you’re so deep in thought, but I’m not free either, so I’ll be blunt. Don’t you like Liese-san?”
“Wh-What?! Why would you say Liese…”
“Haaah~ When you react this obviously, it’s almost refreshing.”
Claris sighed, exasperated.
“That’s also a wonderful part of Master.”
“You spoil him too much, Faina.”
“That’s… not really the case, I think.”
“Anyway, Serios, the women around you at the academy are probably just me, Faina, and Liese-san. And since Liese-san is the only one not here, the answer should be obvious, right?”
I shook my head at Claris’s deduction.
“Wh-What are you talking about? As her master, I was just trying to properly watch over her…”
“That… Do you realize you’re saying something completely nonsensical?”
“Huh?”
“Right. Well, you and Liese-san are somewhat similar, so you probably misunderstand each other. But Liese-san is studying hard and trying to become cuter for your sake. Of course, that includes studying to help you with managing your domain, since you’re working so hard on it.”
Liese is studying for me? No, no, that’s to get closer to the capture targets, not for me.
“You really are an idiot, aren’t you? That part of you hasn’t changed a bit from the old days. You’re completely oblivious to people’s feelings. True, that girl is very charming, and many men misunderstand her. But you’re also acting based on your own assumptions about her. And she, in turn, makes appeals in a way that doesn’t bother you, which makes things complicated.”
Claris slammed her hand on the desk and glared at me.
Her expression was the angriest I had ever seen, and it was filled with so much emotion that I found it incredibly beautiful.
“It’s not about who Liese-san likes; it’s about how you feel about Liese-san, isn’t it? It might have been my fault for saying that the Prince and Liese-san were getting along well, but I never imagined you’d dwell on it so much.”
“No, Liese really was talking amicably with the Prince.”
“You really are an idiot. He’s the Prince. What commoner girl could possibly treat him rudely? If she actually did something like that, it would be lèse-majesté.”
…I don’t think what Claris is saying is wrong.
But, my feelings? Liese’s position, and the idea that Liese and I are similar? There are too many things I don’t understand, and I can’t sort them out.
“Hey, Serios. If you’re going to think, don’t just think about the other person; first, face yourself! You like Liese-san, don’t you?”
At Claris’s words, a dazzling Light flashed before my eyes.
I like Liese? Is that so?
“Then, I will buy all of you with my gold. You hate your current circumstances, don’t you? Then, you don’t have to worry about such things anymore.”
“No! Please, I’ll be in your care!”
Suddenly, I remembered. The words I vowed when I saved Liese.
At that time, Liese said she was serious.
It might have been a child’s promise. But from that moment on, I decided to protect Liese.
“Is it okay for me to prioritize myself?”
“Besides you, who else would prioritize you?”
Each of Claris’s words struck my chest with a heavy blow.
“Thank you, Claris. You’re a good woman.”
“What are you saying something so obvious for now? I’ve always been a good woman.”
Claris had a triumphant look on her face. It was so beautiful it naturally made me smile.
“It seems you’ve found your answer.”
“Yeah, thank you.”
“Then, while we’re at it. Faina, it’s about time you made things clear too!”
“Eh! Me?”
Claris’s aim shifted from me to Faina.
“From now on, Serios will make a move for Liese. Before that, Faina, tell Serios how you feel!”
“But!”
“Once Serios starts moving, your chance will be lost. Or are you going to wait for leftovers?”
Faina clenched her back teeth at Claris’s provocation. Through this series of events, I also understood what was happening.
“Lord Serios, I have admired you dearly since we were children!”
I really am oblivious, aren’t I? I thought I was thinking about Faina, but I wasn’t considering her feelings.
“Thank you, Faina. I’m happy. I’m going to settle things too. Can you wait for my answer until then? I care about you too, Faina, so I want to properly resolve these budding feelings.”
Liese, the other capture targets… none of that has anything to do with Faina.
But right now, I want to prioritize my own feelings.
“Of course! I will wait for Lord Serios forever.”
I nodded to Faina and started running to find Liese.