Hielo declared the annulment of his engagement with Constanze.

…Right in the middle of the cafeteria crowded with people.

Even if one were to overlook his aggressive behavior, no matter how anyone looked at it, it was entirely Hielo’s fault.

At this rate, not only would Hielo’s reputation suffer, he might also have to give up on his dream of becoming a knight. After all, knights were more than just a group of soldiers. They didn’t only exist to be depended on by the people, but also to keep the security and maintain order.

As if a moron—and not to mention, an abusive one—were to become one.

—I can’t let his momentary slip-up as a yandere rob him of his future!?

After all, Prince Redmond himself told me that Hielo had been endeavoring to become a knight. To top it off, he was also looking forward to the latter’s advancement.

What should I do?

I scanned my surroundings and found Silver. He was watching the unfolding scene from a distance. Thus, I rushed over to him and whispered.

“—Hit me.”

“What…?”

“Of course, even a fake punch will do! I-I’m trying to make it appear as if a gentleman hitting a woman isn’t a big deal…”

“I see. Basically, you’d like to mislead everyone.”

“Well, yes, but—”

“—Understood.”

…Somehow, the sight of Silver grinning from ear to ear sent shivers down my spine.

Before I could even register the fear—

—there was a thud, and when I came to my senses, I was already on the ground. Silver had put me down, but in a way that didn’t cause me injury or pain.

Silver looked down at me with an ecstatic smile.

“Aah, Milady. Please behave yourself. To ask me to step on you, did you forget that we’re in public? This is a place where everyone shares their meals together… Besides, we agreed to only do it in private, right?”

“?????”

I suffered an onomatopoeia-block upon hearing that.

—I… asked Silver to step on me?

I never even said, let alone thought about, that!

Even so, Silver smiled gleefully.

“You can bear it until then, yes?”

Then, he extended his hand as if to help me.

I took it without as much as a thought. However, he didn’t pull me up. Instead, he mouthed something to me—an instruction.

“…Woof?”

At that moment, screams erupted from the surroundings.

Eh, what happened!?

Nevertheless, in the end he finally helped me up… But when I looked around, all the girls were swooning. Some of them were cupping their faces while others had their eyes blocked by their attendants. All of the male students were wide-eyed, as well. The same went for Hielo and Constanze… Although, Constanze immediately stormed out of the place while apologizing.

In the midst of this, Hielo pointed at me; his finger trembling.

“Lady Lumiere… did you have that kind of hobby!?”

—What kind of situation is this!?

—Also, what kind of hobby!?

…In spite of that, I couldn’t just bring myself to ask the question in fear of ruining the “setting.”

After bowing my head, I took Silver’s hand and escaped.

—Afterwards, we reached a secluded place.

I screamed at Silver without minding my flying saliva.

“What was that—!?”

“I was merely abiding by your order? All in all, didn’t we manage to deceive them?”

“Certainly, but…”

Upon seeing my conflicted expression, Silver chuckled and showed me his usual shrewd grin.

“The duke’s daughter, who’s also the second highest-ranking lady in this country, partakes in SM play with her attendant… Don’t you think it’s going to be the most scandalous topic around?”

“Es’em…? What’s that supposed to be…?”

“Oh, my apologies. I was talking about the rumors of you having a penchant for bondage.”

“—What!?”

‘Bondage’… Didn’t that just mean being tortured by another?

Of course, I immediately denied it.

“I-I don’t have that kind of hobby!”

“Is that so? But don’t you think it’d suit you?”

“Wha—”

“—Nevertheless, if a man other than me were to make an advance on you, don’t think, just target his eyes or crotch. You can either kick or punch him, as long as it’s on the crotch. You get it? Between his legs—”

“—Please stop emphasizing that over and over again!”

Even though he’d been giving me the cold shoulder until recently, what happened suddenly!? Does he enjoy harassing me that much!?

…Was what I’d like to ask, but I didn’t. After all, I could already guess his answer.

“I always do my best to enjoy myself.”

—If he were to respond with that, I wouldn’t know how to answer.

‘Ignorance is bliss. What you don’t know can’t hurt you.’—that kind of thing.

Just as I was nursing a conflict in my heart, the bell conveniently rang.

“Ah, since class is about to start, let me escort you to the classroom.”

Unlike me and my dull expression, Silver was beaming.

---

***T/N: I, I don’t like Butler x Ojousama trope or anything!

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