—Thus, when the bell signaling the end of morning class rung, dozens of attendants came to greet their masters. After all, their class had also ended not long ago.

As a matter of course, Silver approached me—

“Milady, thank you for your hard work in class.”

—before pulling out a chair.

—What’s with you? Usually, you’re more casual…

Usually, even when I don’t take naps, he’d tease me. “Milady, you’re drooling.”

“Should we head to the cafeteria?” When he asked without meeting my gaze, I stepped on his foot.

Even so, he didn’t look up at all.

“…Hey, say something.”

“It doesn’t matter if you step or kick me, because everything is up to you.”

“—Fine!”

It’d been three months since I’d been enrolled in that academy. Even without his guidance, I knew the location of the cafeteria.

Thus, I hastily made my way towards the cafeteria. As if nothing had happened, Silver followed behind me. I just glanced at him and let him do the rest.

However, at our arrival, a certain handsome man stood up from his chair and waved his hand.

“Lady Lumiere!”

…Looking at the distance, I lost the motivation to perform, ‘Kyururun.’

Like a noble lady, I waved my hand, and only said ‘Kyururun’ after I had reached his side. At that, Hielo rushed to the other side of the table and pulled out a chair for me.

After thanking his unusual kind gesture with, “Kyabi!” I sat down on the chair. Meanwhile, Silver solemnly bowed his head and said, “Then, I shall deliver the meal.”

When Hielo returned to his seat, I bit my lips as I averted my gaze—

—Someone, please laugh at me!

…That was the fifth day since the start of this deplorable strategy.

I’d gotten accustomed with onomatopoeic conversation, but that didn’t mean I lost my dignity. When I hid my face from sheer embarrassment, Hielo—who had sat down—knitted his eyebrows.

“What’s wrong? Are you still feeling unwell?”

—Uh, again, how am I supposed to inquire about the current situation with just onomatopoeia?

I wondered if just like Bruno, Hielo also had some personal issues that led his “Yanderefication.”

While I was able to communicate through writing yesterday, it’d be rude to take out a notebook during a meal.

Not only that, Silver—my important interpreter—was also away.

…Then, do I have to invite him out after school?

For the time being, I spoke to him, “Furifuri…”

“Lady Lumiere, may I have some words with Lord Hielo?”

…Like yesterday, a young lady interrupted our meal.

However, that polite question wasn’t from Irene.

The young lady sported curly, chest-length, golden hair, which was accentuated by a blue headband. She was none other than the second-year student, Constanze von Blackthunder. We often greeted each other at parties.

…At the same time, she was also a marquis’ daughter who was engaged with Count Surmelo.

Indeed, she was Hielo von Surmelo’s fiancée.

In this day and age, many noble ladies would attempt to find marriage partners while in school. Nevertheless, Hielo and Constanze had been engaged before entering school. Apparently, Hielo’s father was an old friend of Constanze’s father, and it was said that their betrothal was decided at a bar.

Since there had been no issues until now, their engagement had continued along. According to what I …heard; they were planning to get married fresh out of school.

…Such a high-ranking lady implored to speak with her own fiancée.

Even if my status was higher, I didn’t have any objections, nor did I have an obsession with Hielo.

—Let’s postpone the investigation to after school.

“Kokkuri.”

Even though I nodded, Hielo himself opposed it.

“Don’t disturb us. I have no business with you right now”

“—That’s so rude! Even though I invite Lord Hielo to lunch every day… Why are you eating with Lady Lumiere instead!?”

“Like I said, I’m busy with training. But recently, I realized that spending time with Lady Lumiere is far more important than that.”

“—Wait, but I’m your fiancée!?”

“That engagement was decided by our parents. While I didn’t object to it, I didn’t have any interest in getting married in the first place. After all, my goal is to be the king’s shield.”

“Then what am I to you?”

“…I’ve told you many times to stop bothering me.”

—Wait, are they having a lover’s quarrel!?

Constanze chewed on her handkerchief.

Meanwhile, Hielo merely stared at her in annoyance.

—Being involved will just overcomplicate things even more, wouldn’t it!?

…Therefore, it’d be better if I didn’t. I quietly tried to leave my seat, only to be stopped by Constanze.

“Lady Lumiere, how could you!? Aren’t you His Highness’ fiancée!?”

She didn’t attempt anything with me. Instead, she wailed and sobbed while giving me a dirty look.

—Yet, Hielo jumped out.

Did he misunderstand…?

“What did you do to Lady Lumiere!?”

…I’d like to argue that Hielo only intended to push her lightly. Nevertheless, the fact remained that one was a knight who trained every day while the other was a lady who only ever carried a parasol.

As such, if he didn’t control his strength, it’d result in violence—

“—Kyaah!”

When Constanze crashed against the chair, I hurriedly fished for my handkerchief. Seeing that the corner of her lip was torn, she must’ve hit the corner of the chair. But when I was about to help her, she adamantly refused.

“I don’t need your sympathy.”

Towards his stubborn fiancée, Hielo then said.

“—Constanze, I wish to annul my engagement with you.”

“W-what!?”

—What’s happening!?

On a scale of 1 to 10, it was just the worst development!?

---

***T/N: Will someone tell me and Lumiere what the f is going on with all these dudes. Also that’s abuse my guy. It’s like I’m reading CoHo book all over again.

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