I Have a Stalker of Noble Status. And to Make Matters Worse, their Numbers are Increasing (BL) - Chapter 16

“It makes me so happy that Lord Maxwell and Lord Patrick invited me!”

“Well, as a class representative, it’s only natural to look after my classmates’ well-being.”

Right now, in front of me, Angelica is beaming with joy, her smile practically glowing, while Max—fully in his Maxwell mode—is having a pleasant meal with her.

We’re in a guest room within the dormitory, a space designated for hosting visitors where meals and tea can be shared.

After getting permission from the dorm supervisor, I wrote a letter to Angelica:

“Lord Maxwell is coming to the dorm to tutor me. We’re having dinner together—would you like to join us?”

She immediately accepted the invitation, which led to the current situation.

“So, Rick told me—Angelica, I heard you recently started a part-time job?”

“Oh, yes! The church introduced me to a town pharmacy, and I work there now.”

Since Angelica manifested the power of a saint, she—a commoner—was transferred to this academy under the pretense of ‘protecting and educating the future saint.’

Yes, future saint.

At this point, Angelica hasn’t been officially recognized as a saint yet.

According to Max, there’s even a ‘failed to become a saint’ bad ending.

If that happens, apparently, the Demon King revives, and the kingdom falls. Terrifying!!

In bad endings, misfortune inevitably spreads to those around the heroine. As expected of a protagonist—her fate determines the fate of everyone else.

“That’s amazing! What kind of work do you do?”

“At first, I mostly managed the shop, but lately, they’ve started teaching me how to mix medicines. I even go outside town to gather herbs!”

There it is! The adventure part!

Leaving town comes with the risk of encountering monsters. That said, the areas near the royal capital are regularly patrolled by knights, so they’re relatively safe.

Back in my home, the barony, things were much different—it was so rural that dangerous monsters roamed freely…

Knights did come on expeditions now and then, but they rarely had time to patrol such remote areas.

Honestly, the kingdom should improve road infrastructure and establish more knight outposts, but for that, a territory needs enough influence for its voice to be heard.

Yes, I carry the hopes of my countryside homeland.

“Isn’t it dangerous to leave town?”

“Well, we do run into weaker monsters sometimes… Oh, but lately, Squire Douglas has been accompanying me as a bodyguard!”

“! A squire named Douglas… Would that be Douglas Baldwin, the heir of the Baldwin Count family?”

“Yes, that’s him! Wow, I knew he was well-known, but I didn’t realize he was that famous. I was so surprised when I found out he was a count’s son!”

Angelica chats cheerfully, confirming that she’s already met the fourth romance target.

As expected of a heroine.

“Yeah, Douglas is pretty easygoing. He’s also quite skilled, so I feel reassured knowing he’s protecting you.”

“Thank you for worrying about me, Lord Maxwell!”

Even so… Prince Chrisford still hasn’t shown up.

Dinner is about to end.

Maybe he meant my room, and that’s why the guest room wasn’t the right place?

Still, Prince Chrisford shouldn’t even know where my room is. I figured he’d just show up wherever I was.

As I pondered this while sipping my post-dinner tea, I suddenly caught sight of Prince Chrisford outside the window, enthusiastically waving his hand with a bright smile.

“Pfft—! Ngh…! Cough, cough!”

The shock nearly made me spit out my tea, and as I struggled to hold it in, I ended up choking violently instead.

“Ah! Are you all right, Lord Patrick—”

“Kyaaahhh!?”

Oh, good. Looks like Angelica can see him too.

Angelica, who had stood up in concern for me, caught full sight of him through the window. Now, she was trembling in shock, almost shaking apart.

Meanwhile, Prince Chrisford, realizing that Angelica could also see him, beamed even more radiantly.

From an outsider’s perspective, the scene looked exactly like ‘a girl terrified by a stranger who suddenly appeared, while the supposed perpetrator rejoices.’ It was incredibly awkward.

No, seriously, who gets this happy after someone screams in terror at them?!

“Ah, what a magnificent day this is! After years of solitude, just when I thought I had finally found a guiding light, I discovered that there are two!”

…He just unilaterally decided we’re twins.

Speaking of twins, I wonder how my younger brothers back home are doing.

Dear brothers, your elder brother is working hard in the royal capital.

“Lord Patrick! I-Is that… a ghost!? You can see it too, right?!”

Angelica, gripping my arms tightly, shook me with desperation.

I’m sorry, okay?!

“I’m sorry for startling you. While I may not have a physical body, I swear I would never bring harm to you.”

Floating gracefully through the wall, Prince Chrisford entered the room and knelt before Angelica.

Whoa. What a picturesque scene!

So this is how the heroine and a love interest first meet!

◇◇◇

“Well, that worked out pretty well, huh, Rick? The Ghost Prince went with Angelica, didn’t he?”

“Yeah… He said he wouldn’t be able to have a proper conversation with me since—uh—Max was around.”

After that, I explained to Angelica that Max couldn’t see the ghost at all and that I could barely see him and didn’t really understand what he was saying (which was a lie).

Then, I left the rest to her.

I did feel a little guilty about pushing a ghost onto a girl, but Angelica had declared:

“I’m certain this spirit isn’t evil!”

She even ended up defending him when Max, pretending to be cautious, suggested calling in an exorcist.

So… I guess everything worked out?

“Alright! Now that the heroine has officially met all four main love interests, that clears one big event. I’ve done my part, so I’m heading home.”

“Huh? Already?”

It had barely been ten minutes since we left Angelica and Prince Chrisford to come back to my room.

Technically, Max came under the pretense of studying with me at the dorm.

“Oh? What’s this, Rick? Are you sad to see me go?”

“That’s not it! I just thought we’d actually study!”

Ugh! Max always loves teasing me…

“Sigh… Should I stay a little longer to keep you company? Hm?”

“I’ll pass! Good night, and take care on your way back!”

I firmly pushed Max out of my room.

He laughed as he left but then stopped at the door, turning back with a slightly serious expression.

“Hey, Rick. Don’t just let anyone into your room so easily, alright?”

“Huh?”

“See ya. See you tomorrow!”

With that, Max ruffled my hair roughly before walking away.

Sigh… Max is really so careless sometimes…

An hour later.

I let out a bloodcurdling scream as a blond-haired ghost suddenly emerged through the wall.

“Hello! This time, I’ve come to have a proper chat with you!”

—NOOOO! MAX! What do I do when they just invite themselves in?!