Chapter 7

After all the academic classes in the afternoon were done, it was after school.

I walked Tirisia to the main gate of the Academy and we said our goodbyes.

“Erto, the lunch was really delicious today. Thank you!”

Standing before me was a stunning girl with silver hair, smiling gently.

“I’m glad to hear that.”

I smiled back at her, but soon I noticed a sad look cross her enchanting emerald eyes.

“Um… I have something to take care of, so I need to head back first. I’m sorry I can’t wait for you, Erto.”

“It’s fine, people can get busy.”

“I don’t think Lady Elconja is a bad person, but if you happen to face any strange troubles, please tell me. I’ll handle it later.”

With her worried gaze, I let out a chuckle and shrugged my shoulders.

“Oh, come on! What could possibly happen? That guy just talks big all the time.”

“But still, it worries me that you have to go alone…”

As Tirisia said, Seldienne had left me a message:

‘You must absolutely come alone! No commoner friends or sidekicks tagging along! Alone! Got it?!’

I had no clue why, but it was the first time Seldienne specifically called for just me.

Could it be time for a verbal group lynching…?

Honestly, I wasn’t too worried, just annoyed.

“Don’t worry, just head back. You said you have something to do, right?”

I gave Tirisia’s arm a gentle slap as she looked at me with concern, and she nodded, stepping back out of the gate.

“Okay, Erto. See you tomorrow!”

“Yeah.”

As I waved goodbye and watched her turn back, I let out a deep sigh and rubbed the back of my neck.

“Haah… This is such a hassle…”

Having to waste my time listening to some high-and-mighty noble nonsense really makes common life so tiring.

But if I ignored it, Seldienne would throw a fit over me breaking our promise, so I might as well go.

“But why the backyard…?”

Usually, she tries to get everyone’s attention, but for some reason, she chose a secluded spot.

What on earth was she planning to say…?

I sighed again and headed towards the backyard behind the academy building.

*

As soon as I stuck my head into the backyard, I was hit with a shout.

“You’re late!”

“Ah, sorry.”

I showed my palm to the girl standing awkwardly in the center of the backyard with golden roll dough hair and approached her leisurely.

Seldienne, standing with her hands clasped behind her back in a different posture than usual, erupted with fiery indignation as I came close.

“I can’t believe this! Do commoners not even know how to keep a promise?! How dare you make the eldest daughter of House Elconja wait like this! You deserve to die a thousand deaths!”

“No, really, I’m sorry. Did you have to wait long? I was just seeing Tirisia off to the front gate.”

Just stating the facts, but Seldienne glared at me with her crimson eyes, raising her voice even more.

“How dare you prioritize a casual relationship over the appointment I set! Was escorting her that short distance really more precious than your life?!”

“Come on, cut me some slack on the life comments… But I do apologize for making you wait.”

I scratched the back of my neck while nonchalantly nodding, and something caught my eye.

“Huh…?”

Currently, the only ones in the backyard were me and Seldienne.

That is to say, just the two of us.

“But where are your… friends?”

Looking behind her golden hair, I saw only the wall and the eerie shadows, but no signs of any people.

Where are my support squad Miu and Jury?

Seldienne wrinkled her nose at me like I was some nasty bug.

“Is that really what’s important?! Since when did commoners start caring about nobles’ affairs? Huh? You weren’t thinking of eyeballing those two, were you?! How disgraceful!”

“No, that’s not it… I was just wondering why you were alone.”

Aw, she’s got quite the imaginative way of thinking for a villainous noble lady.

Anyway, it was odd. I figured with her crew, they’d swarm me with pointless blabber and discriminatory remarks, but here, there was hardly a peep.

This way, maybe I’d get a chance to talk back, but what is Seldienne up to?

“Your friends left early due to pressing matters, so you needn’t worry!”

“Okay.”

Seldienne explaining not to worry seems to be her stubborn noble integrity coming out.

Or maybe she’s just a fool.

“So why did you call me here? Do you have something to discuss with just the two of us?”

“………”

In response to my question, Seldienne pursed her lips tightly and stared at my face.

She looked angry, shamed, and perplexed all at once.

“…?”

As I stood my ground and met her gaze, she suddenly took a big breath and extended her hands forward, which had been turned behind her back.

“Take this!”

“Huh?”

In her outstretched hands was a box wrapped in antique white cloth.

“What’s this?”

“Are you planning to keep a lady waiting with your hands still?! Enough chitchat, just take it!”

“Uh, okay.”

I grabbed the cloth, and only then did Seldienne unfold the fan she had tucked inside her clothes to cover her eyes.

“You, as a commoner, may not want to hear about it, but being in the Academy means I naturally hear about the rumors there!”

“Uh-huh.”

Wait…does that mean I’m sorrounded by Miu and Jury who are gossiping from the sidelines?

“I heard you’ve been unwell and staying home sick for the past few days, huh?”

“Ah, yeah, I caught a nasty cold and had to rest at home.”

“How pathetic! As a vital student of the country, taking care of your health is not optional but an obligation! Especially with the martial arts competition coming up soon, it seems like common sense isn’t getting through to you!”

“Hey, hey… what do you mean talking like that to someone sick? Did you actually help with my health management?”

“Thinking back, I did nothing!”

She was so shameless about offering that up right away!

As I looked at her pouting lips and peeking eyes beyond the fan, she snapped the fan shut and cleared her throat.

“Ahem! So! For this time, I’m telling you I’ll specially lend a helping hand!”

“You mean… you’re referring to this thing you just gave me?”

“Our proud Elconja family is expanding its business into pharmaceuticals! This is a special tonic I’m giving you, so be sure to take one every day with gratitude!”

“O…oh?”

I alternated between the confident look on Seldienne’s face and the box in her hands, wide-eyed.

“You? To me? A gift? Why?”

“Don’t get it twisted! This is merely the compassion of a high noble looking out for a lowly commoner! I’m just being a model of virtue, not a personal sentiment!”

“Oh… wow… thanks, Seldienne.”

Whatever the reason, knowing it’s a product from House Elconja probably makes it a pretty pricey item, so handing it directly over is quite the noble gesture.

Hearing my sincere gratitude, Seldienne smirked, raising her fan and chin proudly.

“One thanks is simply not enough! Bow your head lower!”

“Thank you very much, Lady Seldienne Elconja.”

I bent over at a 90-degree angle like a slave receiving tribute, and a high-pitched laugh burst from her cherry-red lips.

“Oh—hohoho! That’s right! Until next time, fare thee well!”

Swish.

Holding her chin with the fan in her hand, Seldienne quickly vanished into the academy.

The once-bustling backyard now fell silent, and I looked up with a blank expression.

For the little effort I put in, it was an amazing reward I received.

Sure, it felt like I got a bit drained more than I expected by being alone;

But looking at Seldienne caring for someone sick made me think maybe she wasn’t just rotten at the core.

“Should I head back?”

As I held the box wrapped in cloth, one question suddenly popped into my head.

Wait a second.

Did she really need to meet me just to hand this over?

The whole spirit of compassion, noble examples, etc., would surely lose all significance if not shown off in front of others, right?

At least that’s how it seemed based on Seldienne’s personality.

She always seeks the spotlight, intentionally starting arguments during lunchtime in the garden just to be noticed.

Yet, why did she choose to bestow this goodwill on me alone?

“…”

I paused, deep in thought for a moment, but the conclusion was pretty clear.

This was a test.

If I don’t go around boasting about receiving a precious tonic from Lady Seldienne at the Academy, I can definitely expect to be called out for being an ungrateful commoner later.

Hehe.

I’ve figured out your scheme, Seldienne.

As desired, I’ll make a big deal about your kind heart circulating all around the Academy. Count on it. Hahaha.