This Time, I Am A Mob's Potions Teacher Who Has Become Engaged To The Mastermind Of The Otome Game - 2
“Leticia, this morning… um, did Doruille do anything to you?”
“He teased me a little. I suppose I’ll have to teach him some manners.”
“I see… yeah, he’s a troublesome one.”
Noel looked somewhat relieved. Maybe he had been genuinely worried that Orson might do something to me.
Hey, Noel…
If you were that worried, then why did you let Orson enter Nox just like in the game?
The curse on Professor Roaek has already been lifted—he has no reason to burn with revenge anymore.
…But if I were in Noel’s position, maybe I couldn’t just let go of the resentment toward those who tormented me since childhood.
I wonder… is Noel still planning to get back at them one day?
Or perhaps… this world is trying to force events to unfold in line with the game’s scenario.
If I had to choose, I’d rather it be the latter.
“We’ll have to start by fixing his way of speaking.”
“Well, Mr. Goudimel, who’s going to be Doruille’s homeroom teacher, is quite strict—so that should work out nicely.”
Mr. Goudimel, who’s known for being strict about manners, was assigned to be Orson’s homeroom teacher.
Since he doesn’t know anything about Orson’s true identity or background, he’ll probably give him a proper scolding without holding back.
Sometimes, not knowing can be a good thing. I’m reminded of that more and more.
As I was thinking about that, Noel’s hand twitched slightly.
His expression tightened for just a moment, like he was trying to hide some pain.
“Noel, your hand—it’s hurting, isn’t it?”
“No, I’m fine.”
“Don’t lie. I saw the look on your face—you’re in pain.”
“…It’s really nothing.”
Why does he try to hide it even when I’m asking out of concern?
He’s been keeping more and more secrets lately. Even the fact that he had asked Sarah and Frédéric to watch over me—he deliberately kept that from me.
As someone trying to stop him from falling into darkness, I really need to do something about this situation.
It’d be nice if he slipped up and revealed something on his own, but… Noel’s not the type to make that kind of mistake.
In that case, I’ll just have to go on the offensive.
And I’ve come up with the perfect strategy—
Operation: “Just Say It and Break Through☆”
No more tiptoeing around! I’ll confront him head-on and drag his real thoughts into the light!
“Noel, you’re hiding something else from me too, aren’t you?”
“Cough!”
To my utter surprise, Noel started coughing violently.
I hadn’t expected the mastermind Noel to be this shaken. Honestly, I was caught off guard.
…I really shouldn’t have said that while he was drinking tea.
Yeah. Sorry about that.
“A-Are you okay?”
“…Not really.”
When he replied in such a weak voice, my conscience kicked in, and I couldn’t press him any further.
I didn’t want to force him to talk if it meant making him feel awful.
So…
The operation is temporarily suspended.
“Here, give me your hand. I’ll put some ointment on it.”
“Thanks.”
The hand Noel held out to me was large, with beautiful fingers— and on one of them, he wore the ring I gave him.
The fact that he still wore it close to him made me feel both happy and a little ticklish inside.
As I was preparing the medicine, Noel murmured quietly,
“Sorry… it’s work-related, so I can’t tell you.”
“Huh? Work?”
But asking students to spy for you—how is that work-related?
I must’ve looked completely baffled, even to myself, because—
“…Forget I said that. Anyway, more importantly, I was just invited to a ball by an acquaintance.”
“Wait, no—how am I supposed to ignore that?!”
He acted like his previous comment never happened.
And on top of that, he completely and forcefully changed the subject.
I tried to protest, but Noel blocked me with a smile.
“I want you to come with me, Leticia.”
“Wait—seriously?!”
SOCIAL EVENT ALERTTTTT!!!
It was the very scenario I’d been dreading, and everything we’d just talked about nearly flew out of my head.
Sure, I knew that as Noel’s fiancée, the day would come when I’d have to attend a ball with him—but knowing it and being mentally prepared for it are two very different things.
Apparently, Noel wasn’t satisfied with my reaction, and his brows drew together slightly.
“Do you not want to go with me?”
“N-no-no, it’s not that! It’s just that… we’ve been a bit distant lately, so I’m a little nervous, or, well… you know…”
(The real reason: I fear for my safety!)
As the fiancée of the dangerously charming mastermind, I can already imagine the kind of trouble I’m walking into.
Until now, I’d been safe thanks to staying inside the academy, but once I step into a ballroom full of noble ladies my age…
I’m pretty sure Noel’s fangirls will be throwing metaphorical spears at me.
Back when our engagement was announced, even my friends were worried about the jealous backlash—I got flooded with protective charms.
“You don’t have to be so tense. I’ll be right beside you. Besides, this is going to happen more often from now on. Let’s start getting you used to it.”
“Wait, more often?!”
I asked, half in protest—and Noel simply smiled sweetly.
“Of course. I want the world to know you’re the fiancée of the Fabius family.”
For someone who’s always used her research on medicinal herbs as an excuse to skip all but the absolute minimum number of balls,this was a full-blown emergency.