Chapter 9

"──Oh, everyone is gathered here, are you?"

The salon within the academy is officially open for students to use freely. However, in reality, the rooms are divided based on the social status of the users—rooms for high-ranking nobles, rooms for lower-ranking nobles, and rooms for commoners. This division is said to have been implemented due to past incidents where lower-ranking nobles caused problems trying to ingratiate themselves with high-ranking nobles, or because lower-ranking nobles couldn't feel at ease in the same room as high-ranking nobles. Some sort of issue must have arisen.

Of course, there is no rule that lower-ranking individuals cannot enter the rooms designated for higher-ranking ones if they are invited by the latter.

──In such a case, if invited by someone of higher rank.

In the sunniest room of the salon, I greet Prince, Sonia, Ben, and Noah, who were chatting amicably until I arrived.

I had already asked the servant at the door to clear the room, so there's no need for restraint, just like in the auditorium earlier.

Now, let's start the hunt!

"I was looking for all of you because our conversation was cut short earlier. I'm glad to have found you here."

I hide my mouth with the fan (a birthday gift from Rihito!) and try to create the most alluring smile I can. According to director Richard, slightly lowering my eyes creates a delicate shadow that stirs men's hearts.

Speaking of stirring hearts... During acting lessons, when Richard was explaining men's hearts and I asked, "Does Richard get stirred too?" he replied, "Maybe. Show me?" and stared at my face intently, and instead of stirring his heart, I was the one stirred, which made my cheeks turn a bit red.

"…Rose"

Ah! Rihito is hiding Sonia behind him! Did I look like I was about to pounce? How rude.

Ben, the third son of the Knight Commander, stepped forward in front of Rihito, who was hiding Sonia. Did I look like I was about to pounce on Rihito too? How rude.

"Rose, are you here to say something more after chasing us all the way here? Women's jealousy is ugly. We, including Rihito, are just friends with Sonia. Besides, Sonia was struggling with not having friends! Oh, could this be part of your plan, Rose?"

"Oh? What do you mean by that…?"

Ben has a look of certainty on his face.

Although we don't talk much these days, in the past, Ben, Noah, Rihito, and I used to gather and play with our older brothers. So, I know Ben's personality and thoughts. I can tell that this look on his face means he's jumping to conclusions!

"Probably, Rose must have told your followers something! Stop the harassment!"

He pointed at me with a sharp finger, cutting through the air. His conclusion is baseless and unfounded. On the contrary, I'm the one stopping the young ladies' misbehavior.

I feel exhausted even before I start, but let's begin with Ben. Let's do it.

I take a long sigh to break the flow of the conversation Ben created.

"──That's a baseless accusation. I know nothing about it."

"Wha…!"

Well, his short temper hasn't changed.

"…Besides, if"

I send a sharp glance to stop the short-tempered Ben.

"if I were to do something"

I close the fan gracefully to draw Ben's gaze.

"it wouldn't be"

I tap the fan on Ben's chest and move it up, up.

"──anything like this"

Finally, I slide the fan along his neck.

Ben stood there in a daze, completely at my mercy. As a knight-in-training, is that acceptable? If that were a weapon, he would have been defeated.

"…No!! That's no excuse! Stop the harassment immediately!"

From beside the dazed Ben, Noah appeared, barking like a small dog.

"──Without any evidence, it's difficult to accept such accusations."

"You're the only one who can make the young ladies act, Rose! Jealousy is so unbecoming!"

It seems that both Noah and Ben are convinced that "jealousy" is the motive. In that case, it might be easier to convey what I'm about to say.

"Oh… Noah, do you remember that you could be in a position where Sonia might be jealous of you? That's good to know."

"What do you mean?"

"I've been consulted by Eleanor, your fiancée, and Brittany, Ben's fiancée."

"Eleanor!?"

"Brittany!?"

Finally, they are willing to listen. I let out a sigh of genuine relief.

"–They have been heartbroken and sad about your recent behavior. No matter how much you say you're just friends, it looks more than that from the outside."

"But, there's nothing going on, really."

Ben, who is said to be deeply in love with his fiancée Brittany, is in a daze. On the other hand, Noah, who claims that his fiancée Eleanor is chosen by his family but still has feelings for her, is still resisting.

"Only the parties involved truly know what's really happening."

"But, if I ask directly and get brushed off… If they say, 'We're just friends, so it's nothing to worry about, and we won't change our behavior,' then… I understand the hesitation to push for clarity. It's painful to hear such a thing from someone you admire."

Noah's face turned pale.

"Even if there's nothing going on, from the outside, it might look like you're neglecting your current fiancées, or that you're dissatisfied, or that you might be considering a new engagement. Their fathers might think the same."

Their faces turned ashen.

"That's why everyone should be careful with their actions."

"…."

Do you understand?

"Rose! Please… stop tormenting them!!"

Sonia spread her arms to shield the silent two.

Well, what a sight. It's admirable to stand up to the villain (me)! Even the slight trembling is cute! The way she pronounces "Rose" as "Rooze" is so adorable!

"Rose, that's enough. …You've always been cold."

Rihito, who seemed to be concerned about Sonia standing up to the villain (me), stepped forward.

"If you received a consultation from Brittany and Eleanor, you should have cleared up the misunderstanding on the spot. Not doing so is too cold. …Ah, maybe it's because your blood is as cold as your hair. You're like an old—"

"–Rihito"

Although it wasn't a loud voice, the atmosphere and space were controlled by the voice's owner.

Before I could confirm the owner of the voice, my vision was filled with someone's back.

"Treating a treasure like that is not commendable."

It was a terribly cold and low voice.

Oh no!!

The demon king has arrived!!

"Brother…."

Ah, as expected, this back and this demon king are definitely Richard!

"Taking care of it properly, or someone might take it away."

"…No one will take it."

"Then, you don't need it?"

"…It's not my decision."

What are you talking about, Richard? When I peeked at Rihito from behind Richard's back, he was pouting. I haven't seen that face in a long time. He used to make that face when Richard scolded him. Nostalgic.

But the current Richard is emitting a black aura I've never seen before.

"–Hmm. Not your decision, huh. That's irresponsible. I'm worried about Rihito."

The demon king's eyes don't look worried at all. I'm worried that Rihito might be eaten by the demon king…

"Hey? Rose"

"Ah!"

You can't just suddenly turn to me like that!! And standing so close that Richard blocks my view of Rihito!

"Rose, don't you think treasures should be with someone who will take care of them?"

"Yes, ? I agree. Treasures should be managed and stored by someone who can take care of them properly…?"

"Good, Rose is a good girl."

My answer must have been correct, as Richard smiled warmly and stroked my head, lifted a strand of my hair, and kissed it, then

–Richard's sky-blue eyes pierced through me.

Is my face exploding with joy? What? Really? It's okay? It's not scattered all over the world, with a chosen hero setting out on a quest to find the pieces?

Phew. That was close. Even with my resistance, it was close. When I turned away, blushing, my brother was looking at me and Richard with a fearful expression. What's wrong? Thomas and Michael, who were standing next to him, had dead eyes. What's wrong?

"…Ben. We need to talk. Come here."

"Ah, no good. Noah, come here."

"Brother!"

"Brother!"

The revived Thomas and Michael took their younger brothers and left. Is this the flow where I should leave with my brother…? When I looked back at my brother, he had a scheming look on his face. He looks busy.

"Rihito, take responsibility for your words and actions. You can go."

Rihito, with a tense face, left, pulling Sonia's hand. No, you were just told to take responsibility for your actions! But, leaving Sonia alone here wasn't an option… Yes, it wasn't. You didn't need to hold hands like you were eloping, but it was a good decision. Yes, yes.

"–Phew. Rose, are you okay? I'm sorry for interrupting."

Richard relaxed the atmosphere and hurriedly checked if I was hurt.

"No! The… Nn, Richard's entrance really tightened the scene!"

The real thing is different!

My answer didn't seem to be trusted, as Richard's inspection didn't end. He was checking if my hair was out of place and if my clothes were disheveled. We didn't engage in any rough behavior!

Richard's hand on my shoulder felt warm, and I could feel his concern. When I raised my eyes, a pained handsome face was looking at me.

"Rihito called you cold, but I know you've always been kind, Rose."

His clear sky-blue eyes were looking at me.

"Going out of your way to play the villain to support them…"

Our distance closed as if drawn to each other—

"Ah! That's right, Richard! Speaking of the villain, how was my acting today? Did the glance work?"

"…It worked."

"Ben was completely stunned, and if this were a battle, I would have taken him down!"

"…Yes."

Hey, are you listening?