The Villainous Aristocrat's Efforts Led to a Genuine Harem - Episode 52

Episode 52

When I turned toward the voice, I saw her peeking her face into the room.

Maybe she had just come back from training. As faint beads of sweat clung to her forehead. Her hair was brushed against her shoulders. Her cheeks were flushed. She looked more lively than usual.

“It’s over. What about your training, are you done already?”

“Yes. But still, for Lady Fylia to come here… did something happen?”

“You knew Lady Fylia was here?”

It had been a pretty sudden visit, but maybe she saw her somewhere?

Or perhaps she heard it from a servant.

“Yes, by the scent.”

…It was foolish of me to think normally.

Reem smiled softly as she stepped into the room with a light, graceful gait.

“So, what happened? You look rather troubled.”

“…Well, yeah. I was recommended to enroll at Lurtia Academy.”

“What? That’s amazing.”

She says it’s amazing. But in the main game, Reem had also enrolled.

The reason was that, by enrolling, she thought she could use it as an excuse to blur her engagement with me.

Well, in the game meantime, Reem’s father passed away. And “Reis-kun” lost his noble status, among other things.

Reem seemed happy. She was saying it was amazing. But in reality, she had the ability to pass the exam on her own.

“It *is* an amazing academy, but… honestly, I don’t really want to go.”

“Why not? Isn’t graduating from Lurtia Academy itself an honor?”

…Well, true enough.

According to the original setting, these days more students of questionable ability were being admitted. So it wasn’t as elite-packed as it used to be.

But still, graduating from there was considered honorable.

If I could get the title of alumnus, I’d want it too. It would be useful somewhere down the line.

But that’s not the problem here.

…I’m not about to bring up “because of the game” as my reason, but Reem is my fiancée.

Honestly, my relationship with her now exists only because of the game’s setup. So I often find myself unsure how to handle the distance between us.

Still, since she’s my fiancée, maybe I should talk it over with her.

“It’s just that… I’ve got this sort of premonition, you could say. I feel like something bad might happen.”

“Like that little future vision you had before the stampede?”

“Yeah, something like that.”

Hearing that, Reem looked understandably worried.

“…But since it’s Lady Fylia’s request, it would be hard to refuse, wouldn’t it? She’s done so much for us.”

“True. …I wasn’t planning to refuse anyway. If I just get stronger, I can manage. So don’t worry. That said, since I’ll be heading to the Academy for a while… we might not be able to see each other often—”

“Isn’t it possible for me to accompany you?”

That was an unexpected proposal from Reem.

“You’d come?”

“Yes, as your fiancée… as your future wife. If you’re going to throw yourself into danger, then I want to help you.”

She placed her hand against her chest. She smiled gently as she looked at me.

“…Reem. …Be honest—what’s the real reason?”

“Because I can’t stand not being able to breathe in your scent every day!”

“….”

“Kidding. But the part about being worried—that’s true.”

Well… yeah, I get that.

She said it so straightforwardly that it made me feel a little embarrassed. Though she didn’t seem to notice.

“I’ll check if there are any recommendation slots left. Worst case, you can probably accompany me as my retainer.”

Even in the main game, there were nobles who brought their retainers.

So it shouldn’t be impossible.

“That’s fine with me. …A school life together with you, Reis—I’m looking forward to it.”

“…That much?”

“Yes. It was always a small dream of mine. …To enjoy things like love at an academy.”

Reem admitted it bashfully. But honestly.

…Now that I think about it, she might have said something like that in the main game too.

‘I had many reasons for enrolling, but… I just wanted to experience a little bit of academy life.’

Maybe those words had this kind of meaning behind them.

Thinking of it that way, my reluctance toward academy life lessened.

If Reem’s happy… then I guess it’s fine.

Seeing her like this, I couldn’t help but smile a little.

Of course, I’ll still do my best to avoid triggering any ruin flags, but… maybe I should allow myself to enjoy academy life a little too.

“Well then, let’s get along at the Academy.”

“Yes, leave it to me. I’ll definitely protect your scent.”

Please protect me too.

I answered her confident declaration with a wry smile.