The Villainous Noble Son Wants to Capture His Stepsister! - Chapter 47

A series of orderly knocks echoed through one of the rooms in the urban residence of the Duke of Wertheim, located in a prime district of the royal capital.

“Master, are you ready?”

“Ah, no problem.”

Hearing Heliotrope’s voice, I stepped out of the room. As she caught sight of me, her eyes widened slightly before she smiled.

“It suits you very well.”

“Thank you.”

Following behind Heliotrope, I made my way to the dining hall. Upon entering, I found Primelia already seated at the table.

“Wow…!”

Primelia’s eyes sparkled as she took in my appearance. Being looked at like that made the thirty minutes I spent in front of the mirror checking my appearance feel worthwhile.

“Brother-in-law, that uniform looks amazing on you!”

“Thank you, Primelia.”

Yes, my current attire was the uniform of the Magic Academy. Today was the entrance ceremony.

That being said, the academy’s uniform wasn’t something out of a certain long-running British novel. It was more akin to a Japanese-style blazer. Well, it makes sense, considering the game was created by a Japanese developer.

“If Primelia were to wear a uniform, she would look unbelievably adorable. I’m already looking forward to next year.”

“A-Ah… That’s…!”

The enrollment period at the Magic Academy lasts three years, meaning Primelia and I would be attending together for two years.

In my past life, my student years were nothing but dull, yet here I was, about to attend school with my ultimate favorite. If only next year would come sooner.

“Well then, as the top student, I can’t afford to be late. Let’s head out early.”

“Fufu, I’m looking forward to your speech as the representative, Brother-in-law.”

“I’m not looking forward to it, though…”

Only the families of new students were allowed to attend the entrance ceremony. Primelia’s presence was understandable, but I couldn’t help but wonder whether my two personal maids, who seemed to think of themselves as family, should really be joining. Well, to me, they were practically family anyway.

The grounds of the Magic Academy housed three grand buildings.

The first was the main school building, where the written exams had taken place.

The second was the practice hall, where the practical exams were held.

And lastly, there was the grand auditorium, where all formal ceremonies were conducted.

The auditorium was vast—about the size of that famous domed building with the onion-shaped roof. With fewer than a thousand students enrolled, wasn’t this place unnecessarily large?

At the entrance, I parted ways with Primelia and the others before following the instructions to my assigned seat… Right in the center of the very front row. Fantastic.

“Well, you are the top student of the year. It’s only natural.”

Had my displeasure shown on my face, or was I radiating some kind of negative aura? A voice addressed me as if reading my thoughts.

“Good day, Lord Kraut.”

“Princess Lilliane… Good morning—”

I had recognized her by her voice and tone, but as soon as I laid eyes on her, I froze.

“Oh my, is something the matter?”

“Ah, no… I just wasn’t used to seeing you dressed like this. I couldn’t help but be captivated. It suits you very well, Your Highness.”

“Fufu, thank you. Lord Kraut, you look splendid as well.”

“I appreciate that.”

Naturally, Lilliane was also wearing the school uniform—the same Japanese-style blazer I was wearing.

I had seen her in this uniform countless times in the game, yet seeing it in real life was something else entirely. No, she looked even more divine than in the game. Truly, I was blessed.

“…Um, why are you suddenly worshiping me?”

“Ha!?”

Oh no, I had started praying without realizing it. But this wasn’t my fault. It was entirely Lilliane’s fault for looking too breathtaking in her uniform.

“Fufu… Normally, you carry yourself with the grace befitting a noble, but at times like these, you’re quite amusing.”

“Ah… It’s embarrassing, really.”

“It’s quite alright. I find you more approachable this way.”

“That’s reassuring to hear.”

That aside, the stares from the surrounding students were unbearable.

Some were simply admiring Lilliane in her uniform, others were glaring at me for being close to her, and still more were whispering among themselves while stealing glances in my direction.

With This Many Eyes on Her, Lilliane Truly Has the Makings of a Ruler

Lilliane remained entirely unfazed by the sheer number of stares directed at her. Truly, she was remarkable. Perhaps one needed to be this level-headed to fulfill the role of royalty. I, on the other hand, could never manage it.

As I was admiring Lilliane’s mental fortitude, someone suddenly spoke up.

“P-Princess Lilliane!”

“Yes?”

Incredible. The academy’s rules may state that “all students are equal within the school,” but let’s be honest—that’s just a formality. Normally, no one would dare to approach a princess so casually. Well, no one besides me, Lord Kraut.

Curious to see which reckless soul had done so, I turned to look—only to find a familiar face. That golem of a man, or rather, the human embodiment of a stick figure drawing. …Wait, him!?

Now that I thought about it, this guy had his sights set on Lilliane, didn’t he? He probably didn’t like that I was chatting with her.

“You are… if I recall correctly, from the House of Mohedge?”

“Yes! I am Narzī von Mohedge. Your Highness, as ever, your beauty today is—”

“Be silent.”

“Eh?”

Wait, Mohedge? I thought it was Moheji or something… While I sat there silently listening, Lilliane cut him off mid-sentence without hesitation.

She was wearing a very severe expression. No doubt about it—she was angry. Even Narzī looked stunned.

“A-Ah… Your Highness?”

“I believe I said, be silent.”

“……”

Oof. That was a flawless smile combined with an icy gaze that could freeze a man solid. I was getting chills just from the residual effect.

“In this academy, everyone is equal. Therefore, I do not intend to scold you for addressing me directly.”

“……”

“However, interrupting a conversation is quite improper. This is not merely an issue of noble etiquette but of basic human manners.”

“……”

As expected of the ever-perfect princess. Even when delivering a reprimand, she exuded both authority and grace.

Which meant the psychological damage must have been brutal.

See? Narzī—no, Narcī—was on the verge of tears. The poor guy had probably just been scolded by his parents recently too.

“More importantly, may I ask what business you have with me?”

“W-Well…”

Narzī started glancing in my direction. Stop that! It makes it look like you’re interested in me or something! I have no interest in men.

As I was thinking something utterly ridiculous, he finally turned back to Lilliane and opened his mouth.

“Y-Your Highness, I have something to ask you!”

“What is it?”

“A-Are you in a special relationship with that man!?”

“Pardon?”

Hey! You really had to ask that in front of this many people!? No matter how she answered, this was going to cause issues!

Well, I had no romantic involvement with Lilliane—we were nothing more than friends. As long as she answered truthfully, that was fine with me.

…But, now that I thought about it, I really did need to start considering marriage. As a noble, and more importantly, as a family head, I couldn’t avoid it forever.

I really didn’t want a political marriage, though. Yasuda-sensei, I want a love marriage… Not that I had any experience in relationships to back that up.

Lilliane blinked in surprise for a moment. Then, she smiled—a dazzling, breathtaking smile that could make anyone fall for her—and said:

“Fufu, perhaps so.”

……

“”Haaah!?”

Wait, Lilliane! That’s not something you should joke about!

The jealous glares from the other men were bad enough, but over at the family seating area, Primelia and the others had completely blank expressions. This is bad…!