Bruno Von Yattermen.

The second son of a duke and also the eldest. Soon, he’d assume control of the family. Furthermore, he was slated to be the next prime minister, someone who’d also be the right hand of Prince Redmond.

To top it off, he was a genius and always ranked second in every class. According to Silver, he was popular due to his cool and intelligent appearance. It made him seem untouchable.

“But sometimes, that’s the exact kind of guy who’d take advantage of his serious looks to string women along behind the scenes. Then, once he loses interest, he’ll simply ditch them, usually by saying either, ‘I’ve been busy with work’, or, ‘I’m not looking for a relationship.’ After all, those excuses suit his appearance.”

“…And your source material is?”

“It’s a story of my previous life.”

While being relieved I wasn’t born in Silver’s previous world, Silver was serving me in the cafeteria.

Master and servants were enrolled in different classes, but during breaks, we could meet again. As per his respective role, he was obligated to serve me.

In the spacious and lavish dining hall, some ladies and gentlemen ate together. They probably were on good terms. Furthermore, the chef and the ingredients in this cafeteria could bring the royal palace to shame. As such, no student ever complained about the menu.

…Nevertheless, for the first three months after I was enrolled in the academy, I ate by my lonesome.

I-it isn’t like I don’t have any friends at all—!

Just, my friends preferred to spend their lunch breaks with their fiancées. Meanwhile, my fiancée was busy with student council work and public affairs even during lunch break… Well, at least he was until a week before the Yandere transformation began.

Regardless, the one sitting with me today wasn’t Prince Redmond.

“I’m sorry for being late.”

“Kyururun ♡”

Instead, it was Bruno Von Yattermen.

Being surrounded by what Silver would refer to as the ‘Yandere Squadron’ was truly an overload—or more like, because everyone was busy, I told them that I felt guilty for taking their time, and preferred to be accompanied by a single person each day.

Thus, as per Silver’s suggestion, Bruno was appointed as the lead batter.

—This operation, I’ll definitely finish it in one go!

Thus, everything will be taken care of in five days…

Concealing my flaming enthusiasm with ‘Kyururun’, I invited him to sit across from me.

Bruno arrived with his attendant who could be seen dragging a chair behind him. Usually, he’d be too preoccupied with his duties as both the student council vice-president and assistant to the crown prince that he didn’t even have time to eat properly in the cafeteria.

Nevertheless, he didn’t take offense at my proposition and instead stared at me with a mesmerizing gaze.

“How were your morning class? If there’s anything you don’t understand, I’ll always be available to teach you.”

“Nikkori.”

“You don’t have to hesitate. Lumiere, if I recall, you aren’t good with numbers. Unless you fully grasp the basics, professional accounting is difficult to master. Right now, your lessons should’ve reached their peak, right?”

—I’m sorry, but I’m actually quite good at that?

To be honest, we’ve only encountered each other at parties and other ceremonious occasions.

Therefore, I’ve never spoken about what subjects I struggle with and otherwise, so where did he get that information from…?

My smile twitched. As he prepared the meals, Silver whispered into my ear.

“Maybe that’s his type of woman…?”

“How was I supposed to know!?”

When I glanced at my surroundings, I realized that we were gathering a lot of attention.

—Well, that should be expected.

A man and woman who usually didn’t eat together. Furthermore, the other party was the famous vice president of the academy.

Still, we were cousins.

Occasionally eating together with a relative shouldn’t be a problem, right? But when I was about to enjoy the finely prepared meal, Bruno—my distant relative—frowned as he stared at me.

“Do you have any difficulties in keeping pace with your class? If you do, I shall consult the teacher.”

—Like I said, I’m good at accounting!

—is what I’d like to say, but can I do that with onomatopoeia?

As I contemplated, Silver casually interjected.

“…This, it seems that she’s only like this when Lord Bruno is involved.”

“What did you say…?”

—Oh, is that it?

The topic seemed to have shifted to my most recent behavior… I dunno.

Certainly, if all I could say was ‘Kyururun’ and ‘Kyoton?’, it’d interfere with my daily life—including my classes. It was as if it was truly a curse…

B-but… I was only like this in front of Prince Redmond.

While feeling slightly guilty, I tried to gloss over it by laughing. In response, Bruno covered his mouth and blushed profusely.

“…I-is that so? Do you think of me in such high regard!?”

—What makes you think that?

But I felt too guilty to interject…

As I quietly proceeded with my meal, Bruno let out a sigh.

“I see, what a relief. Just remember, if it becomes too much trouble, I’m prepared to dispose of Red, drop out of school, and take you as my wife.”

…Uhm, Lord Bruno? Despite supposedly feeling relieved, why do you look so glum as you say that?

More importantly, I was Prince Redmond’s fiancée. Since he said something unignorable, I should at least admonish him.

“Punpun.”

“Oh, right. Before saying that, I should’ve made sure that Lumiere couldn’t hear me.”

—He’s sick!

—It’s not about that AT ALL!

As I started getting a headache, Silver could be seen trembling in laughter as he served the meals.

“Stepbrother~!”

A high-pitched voice echoed throughout the dining room. I involuntarily turned around only to behold a lovely female student rocking her pink hair as she ran towards us. Upon seeing that girl, the temperature of Bruno’s gaze declined rapidly.

“Hey Irene.”

“What’s this? Stepbrother, you’re so cruel! Didn’t you promise to eat with Irene today?”

She was so adorable to the point that I could almost hear the ‘punpun’ sound effect.

At the cute girl, who puffed her cheeks, Bruno simply sighed.

“I believe I’ve informed you in advance of my refusal. Also, now that you’ve become a member of the duke family, mind your tone. I should’ve stressed that enough.”

“Don’t be so stiff~! Hey, are you close with my stepbrother?”

“Kyoton?”

Instead of clearing my throat, I tilted my head.

After all, I wasn’t sure if I should take kindly to being interrupted by a stranger…

Then, Bruno turned to look at me. His gaze was gentle.

“Ah, a belated introduction. You’ve probably heard of the rumors. She’s Irene. Recently, she was adopted into our family.”

—Ah, uhm…

She was assigned to a different class than me.

Of course, I’d heard of the rumors. A week ago, a female student enrolled halfway through the semester.

Irene Von Yattermen.

A young girl who was recently taken in by the Duke of Yattermen. Her mother, a maid, dallied with the former king… In other words, Irene was of royal lineage.

Soon after, the maid fled from the castle to the countryside, only to discover that she was pregnant… Thus, she secretly raised Irene by herself. However, just before her death, the former king started an investigation, leading the Duke of Yattermen to shelter the mother and child. While living in the duke’s household, she was also treated as a maid.

Upon coming of age, Irene was suddenly forced to enroll in the academy.

—In other words, she was also a relative of mine?

Then, I should rightfully greet her—

—But the girl soon approached me, and while gnashing her teeth, she slammed her hands against the table.

“…What’s with you? Do you think you’re cute?”

—YES! Finally!

That’s what I’ve been hoping for—THAT frustration!

Indeed.

Normally, anyone would get annoyed if treated them like that, right?

If I saw someone acting like that, I’d click my tongue, thinking I’d been made fun of!

After receiving the reaction that I so wished for, I begun to shed tears… But suddenly, Bruno intervened. Moreover, he hid me behind his back for some reason and even glared at Irene!

“How dare you make her cry! Don’t you dare approach us again!”

“I, I didn’t do anything…!”

—That’s right!

I desperately shook my head, but that only incited Bruno to caress my hair while eyeing me gently.

“Aah, Lumiere is truly kind. Still, please allow me to protect you. Despite lacking in physical prowess, there are many ways to trample others.”

…And that’s exactly why I’m scared.

Despite being at the receiving end of my dubious glare, Bruno still patted my head in public for some reason.

…Somewhat further away, Silver was slapping his knee with the tray and laughing loudly.

---

***T/N: Bruno is honestly the scariest of all…

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