I Have a Stalker of Noble Status. And to Make Matters Worse, their Numbers are Increasing (BL) - Chapter 41

“Please, help yourself. Enjoy some tea and sweets, and make yourself comfortable, Hero.”

“Ah, th-thank you very much.”

…Yeah, no. There’s no way I can relax.

I’ve been suddenly brought to this lavish royal salon, and sitting across from me is the consort, smiling at me with an alluring yet unsettling expression. Beside her is the Crown Prince, infamous for his cunning nature.

Why do the people who take an interest in me keep getting more powerful—and more terrifying?

As these thoughts swirled in my mind, I lifted the exquisitely crafted teacup to my lips.

Of course, I didn’t actually drink from it.

The word “poison” from Max and Prince Chrisford’s warning—”Don’t touch anything”—replayed in my head, sending a chill down my spine.

But… would they really poison the Hero?

If something happened to me, wouldn’t that cause serious trouble for the kingdom?

Even so, the consort’s relentless insistence on offering me tea and sweets was downright unnerving.

“Oh my, could it be that you don’t care for sweets, Hero? In that case, how about some biscotti?”

Please don’t offer me biscotti.

My mouth is already dry from nerves, and since I’m only pretending to drink my tea, eating something like that would leave me completely parched.

“I-I apologize. I’m actually so nervous that I don’t think I could eat anything right now…”

“Oh dear! There’s no need to be so tense, you know? This is just an informal gathering.”

The consort’s gaze remained sharp as ever, and the Crown Prince, ever so subtly, slid the plate of sweets closer to me.

Just as I was beginning to panic, Lady Violetta reached out and casually picked up a sugar confection, smiling gracefully.

“Thank you, Your Highness. I was just curious about these sweets.”

“A-Ah. I see. My apologies—was the plate too far for you, Lady Violetta?”

I was pretty sure he had been trying to pressure me into eating, but thanks to Lady Violetta’s intervention, it now looked like he had simply adjusted the plate for her convenience.

—I was saved, but… is it safe for Lady Violetta to eat that?

While I silently worried, Lady Violetta turned to the consort and flashed a charming smile.

“Lord Patrick is a dear friend of mine. Please forgive him, Your Highness. After all, what man wouldn’t be nervous in the presence of someone as stunning as you?”

“Oh my, Violetta, you flatter me! Ohohohoho!”

“Ufufufufu.”

Th-this is terrifying…

They may have been smiling, but the underlying tension between them was palpable.

I’d always heard that tea parties were a battlefield for noblewomen, but I thought that was just a figure of speech…

Nope. It’s very real.

Ah… my stomach is starting to hurt from the stress again…

“Sorry to keep you waiting!”

Just as I was mentally bracing myself for the worst, Ange burst into the salon with her usual bright energy.

I’m saved!

That means I don’t have to stall for time anymore, right!?

Let’s go home! Right now!!

Of course, the consort immediately invited Ange to take a seat and have some tea, but she was far too excited to even notice.

“Listen to this! I just received a divine revelation for the first time in ages!”

“…!!”

I tilted my head, puzzled by the term divine revelation, while Lady Violetta calmly sipped her tea. However, the consort and the Crown Prince visibly stiffened.

“And? What did the divine message say!?”

“Is it really okay to say it here? Umm… Something about the Second Prince awakening?”

Now I was the one staring at Ange in shock.

She really just dropped that bombshell, huh!?

As expected, the consort and the Crown Prince immediately turned pale, their expressions darkening.

It was clear they had something to hide.

Despite that, Ange continued speaking with an air of innocence, while Prince Chrisford, floating behind her, clutched his stomach in midair, shaking with laughter.

…Yeah, she definitely did that on purpose.

Naturally, the tea party was cut short soon after, and it was decided that Ange would visit the church tomorrow to discuss the divine revelation in detail.

Prince Chrisford, looking immensely satisfied, flashed me a confident V-sign. Judging by his smug expression, things had likely gone according to plan.

Ange’s heroine storyline was steadily progressing.

At the same time, I couldn’t help but feel that my involvement with everyone was unintentionally pushing forward my protagonist storyline as well.

With both Ange and me acting as main characters, it felt as if the game’s narrative was beginning to go off track.

I should check in with Theo again and ask more about Prilavi after downloading the additional content.

…If the scenario gets messed up, would Max be mad at me?

A future where all the people I care about can find happiness.

Does that path truly exist within the game’s predetermined storyline?

◇◇◇

Several hours later, we were riding in the royal family’s carriage.

As Lady Violetta instructed the coachman to take us to the academy dormitory, I tilted my head in confusion. Normally, proper etiquette dictated that a noble of higher rank should be dropped off first.

“Shouldn’t we take you to the Duke’s estate first, Lady Violetta?”

When I voiced my concern, Lady Violetta smiled, shook her head, and gave a slight shrug.

“There’s no need. Since you and Ange are returning to the same dormitory, it would be unnecessary to take a detour just for me. Besides, I believe I’ll be fine being dropped off at the dormitory as well.”

“Huh?”

“Because, most likely… No, definitely. My brother will be waiting there.”

…Yeah, that tracks.

I could already picture Ray, pacing back and forth like a large, restless dog waiting for his owner, his brows furrowed in worry.

Ange and I exchanged glances before turning toward Lady Violetta.

The moment our eyes met, all three of us snorted at the same time. We had clearly imagined the exact same scene.

Relieved from the tension of the royal castle, our laughter filled the carriage, light and unrestrained.

A while later.

As expected, the moment we arrived at the dormitory, we were greeted by the sight of a fabulous carriage parked right in front.

And just like that, we burst into laughter once again.