This Time, I Am A Mob's Potions Teacher Who Has Become Engaged To The Mastermind Of The Otome Game - 4
“Ugh, I’m so sleepy. I really can’t pull all-nighters anymore—I’m getting too old for this.”
After taking a bath and grabbing a quick nap in the staff dormitory, I made my way back to the prep room with my head still feeling foggy.
Something felt different in the hallway—an odd presence. I was just starting to wonder why when I spotted Noel standing in front of the room.
Even this early in the morning, he radiated a dangerously alluring aura that immediately snapped me wide awake.
What kind of wind blew him here, especially at this hour? For him to come see me first thing in the morning is… unprecedented.
“Noel, good morni—eek!”
As he turned to face me, I was met with an incredibly frightening expression. Just as they say a beautiful person becomes terrifying when angry, an angry Noel carries an overwhelming intensity. I shrank back instinctively.
“…Jill told me you didn’t sleep last night. Are you alright?”
“Th-thank you. I slept a bit, so I’m okay.”
Surprisingly, he seemed worried about me. If that’s the case, then what’s with the demon face? Normally, he hides his emotions behind a smile. Seeing him so blatantly furious is something you’d expect only during the final battle at the end of the game.
“Could you explain why you went shopping with the knight captain?”
Ah, so it’s about that.
Looks like he came here to give me a piece of his mind. Or maybe he suspects I was leaking information to someone on the royal side?
“It was just a coincidence. He helped carry my things, that’s all.”
“I think it’s inappropriate to be alone with another man when you’re engaged to me.”
I admit, I wasn’t thinking it through. We just got engaged, and yet I went shopping with Castanier… it probably doesn’t look great.
“I’m sorry. I couldn’t bring myself to reject his kindness. I’ll be more careful from now on.”
“From now on, don’t leave the school grounds without me.”
What the heck does he expect? He’s not around every day—how am I supposed to manage that?
That demand was so over-the-top it actually made me angry.
So what, unless Noel is by my side, I’m not allowed to set foot outside? Do you know what that’s called in the real world?
It’s called possessiveness.
Not that there’s even a shred of sweetness or romance in this situation, so it’s not like it’s the dreamy, protective kind of possessiveness.
If I just nod and agree here, I can already see him setting more rules down the line.
As my mother in this life used to say: “The beginning is important.”
“I can’t promise that. I’m your fiancée, not your property!”
Noel’s face flashed with surprise for a moment.
“Still, I’d prefer it if you didn’t go out with others again and again.”
“For the record, I wanted to go out with you! So if you don’t want me spending time with other people, maybe don’t reject me next time!”
Boom. There. I said it.
Of course, saying something like that probably won’t faze him in the slightest.
“You think I’d be… bothered by that?”
There it is—that “as if I’d care” expression. Even though he’s too well-bred to use language like that, his face says it all.
I knew it was coming, but hearing it from his own mouth still makes something dark and heavy twist in my chest.
“Maybe you should try placing a hand on your heart and asking yourself that, hmm?!”
The moment the words left my mouth, I regretted it.
I was supposed to be trying to win him over, but this was practically pushing him away.
Even so, I didn’t feel like I could smooth things over at this point.
I blame the sleep deprivation.
Even I could tell I was getting snappish, and before things escalated any further, I decided to just remove myself from the situation.
Luckily, we were right in front of the prep room. I escaped into it without another word.
I know full well how immature that must’ve looked.