I Have a Stalker of Noble Status. And to Make Matters Worse, their Numbers are Increasing (BL) - Chapter 32

“Lord Patrick! I heard you’re planning a dungeon raid during the break!”

The day after I talked with Ray and Max about going home for the holidays, Douglas confronted me first thing in the morning during our training session.

…Where did he even hear that!?

And no, I am not doing that!

For the record, Douglas had been dragging me into early morning training sessions three times a week.

And if I ever tried to skip them, he’d just chase me down after school yelling, “Come on! Let’s spar!” until I gave in.

“I know this is a bit presumptuous, but would you allow me to accompany you? I’d be a valuable asset in the dungeon, I assure you!”

Oh, he definitely would be.

But we’re not going to a dungeon.

“Sir Douglas, I’m afraid you’re mistaken. I’m simply returning to my family’s barony for the break—I have no plans to take on a dungeon.”

“What? Seriously!?”

The sheer disappointment radiating from Douglas was so strong I could almost see the word “GUTTED” floating behind him.

I almost felt bad.

But no!

This is exactly how I always get dragged into these things. I need to learn from my mistakes!

“…Well, I suppose I’ll just stick to my original plan and invite Angelica to my family’s estate for the break.”

“WHAT!?”

I froze.

Douglas was inviting Angelica home with him!?

Since when were they that close!?

This is bad!

Really bad!

If I remember correctly, in our second year, getting invited to a love interest’s estate during the break was one of the “Romance Route Confirmation Events”.

But we’re still in our first year!

This is way too soon!

You can’t confirm anything yet!

“What’s wrong, Lord Patrick?”

I must have been visibly panicking, because Angelica—who had been watching—looked at me curiously.

She often joined us for morning training, which was impressive considering how insanely busy she was.

To put it simply, Angelica was a force of nature.

She maintained top grades, trained as a saint, worked part-time to cover her living expenses, helped townspeople, and constantly visited the love interests to trigger key events.

Her schedule was nothing short of brutal.

And yet, despite all that, she still made it look effortless.

The sheer heroine energy she radiated was terrifying.

“Here, Doug! Make sure to stay hydrated!”

“Ah, thanks, Angelica.”

A peaceful morning in the park.

A refreshingly handsome, sweat-drenched knight-in-training.

A delicate, beautiful girl handing him a specially prepared drink.

Oh no. This is a perfect scene.

Of course they’d end up together!

No.

No, no, no.

I cannot let this situation continue unchecked!

“Ahhh, but you know…” I said, exaggerating my tone. “Since we’ve been training so much, wouldn’t it be interesting to test our skills in a dungeon?”

It sounded so forced, even to me.

But this was all I could come up with.

“What!? Really, Lord Patrick!?”

Douglas latched onto my words immediately, his enthusiasm overflowing.

“H-Haha, yeah! I mean, it’s only natural to want to test ourselves, right? Ha… ha ha…”

I had never felt so cringe in my life.

“Hmm, a dungeon might be a good idea after all… What do you think, Sir Douglas?”

“That would be amazing! Please, count me in!”

…

Douglas, you’re way too easy.

This level of gullibility is concerning.

◇◇◇

“Okay, Lord Patrick—what was that nonsense this morning?”

Compared to how ridiculously easy Douglas was to manipulate, Angelica was a true warrior.

She wasn’t going to let me off the hook so easily.

As soon as I took my seat, she leaned in and spoke to me in a hushed voice.

“S-Sorry. I, uh… suddenly caught a serious case of dungeon fever and—”

“Yeah, no.”

“…I apologize.”

Angelica shot down my excuse before I could even finish, leaving me with no choice but to lower my head in defeat.

Ugh, it’s not like I want to interfere in someone’s love life! I’d rather not have my karma wrecked by a vengeful spirit!

**“You know, I’ve been thinking about this for a while, Lord Patrick… Every time Douglas and I get close, you always seem to get in the way.

Why is that?”**

She leaned in further, her sharp gaze practically pinning me in place.

**“Normally, I’d assume it’s because you have feelings for me.

But… that’s not it, is it?”**

Oof.

The way she read me so easily left me completely cornered.

Seeing my flustered expression, she let out a small sigh.

**“Well, whatever. It’s not like I plan on making things official with Douglas right this second.

But if you’re going to be dragging everyone to your barony, that means you’re obviously inviting me too, right?

For the long break~? ♡”**

The way she smiled so sweetly gave me nothing but a sense of impending doom.

“B-But Ray and Max are coming too! You’d be the only girl, and wouldn’t that… you know, cause rumors?”

**“Let people say whatever they want.

…Well, that’s what I’d like to say, but I don’t make mistakes like that. I already get along just fine with the young noble ladies, so there’s no problem at all.”**

It was true.

At first, Angelica had mostly been surrounded by male students, but now, she had a well-balanced group of friends across both genders.

That level of social adaptability was terrifying.

“Ugh… but still…”

**“Oh! If you’re worried about me being the only girl, why not invite Vee too?

With Lord Ray coming along, it should be totally fine!”**

“…Vee? Who’s that?”

**“Oh, come on, Lord Patrick!

I’m talking about Lady Violetta, of course!”**

V-V-V-Violetta!?!

Wait—does this mean Angelica has already progressed into Violetta’s route too!?

And so, my very first trip home ended up being an absolute spectacle.

I returned with the duke’s twin siblings, a marquis’s son, an earl’s son, and a saint candidate in tow—

Thus cementing my legendary status as a local prodigy.

In reality, though, “prodigy” was the last thing I felt like.

“Mentally exhausted” would’ve been far more accurate.

Honestly, with how things turned out, it was no surprise that my parents nearly fainted on the spot.