Chapter 2

Well, the next problem I have to deal with is my new fiancé. Since I broke off my engagement, I've become what is known as a "damaged lady," but this will only be a significant disadvantage if I were to get married.

As the eldest daughter, I am a highly desirable catch for young noblemen who have no family to inherit. Those who had resigned themselves to becoming civil servants or knights are now frantically trying to court me. Even those who had laughed at me when Edi messed up, are now turning their palms and praising me while denouncing Edi’s actions. No matter how late they come to this, I won’t be swayed by them!

"There are too many candidates, it’s exhausting."

I muttered these words and found myself in a secluded part of the school grounds. There are no pretty flowers or convenient benches here; it’s a place where only the groundskeepers or staff might pass by as a shortcut.

Exhausted by the daily advances of the young noblemen, I had fled here.

I understand that I need to face and select from among the candidates to avoid another failed engagement, but with so many options, it’s tiring.

If I had known this would happen, I would have carefully observed the personalities and lifestyles of the potential candidates. However, the sudden cancellation of my engagement left me unprepared. It will take a lot of effort to assess their characters.

"If only I could see the character profiles of the candidates."

Unfortunately, the only character profiles I know are those of the main characters. Knowing the settings of characters who already have fiancées is pointless, and I don’t want to get involved with men the heroine might pursue.

While lost in thought, walking around the empty school grounds, I belatedly noticed another male student.

If I had noticed him from a distance, I could have turned back without it seeming unnatural, but now that I’m so close, it’s better to pass through.

The male student is sitting on the steps of one of the back entrances. Being alone in such a place, he must either enjoy solitude or have no friends. I can relate...

His silver hair sparkles beautifully in the dappled sunlight, but overall, he looks somewhat shabby. His uniform seems to be the wrong size, and the wrinkles and dirt are noticeable.

I stared at him and realized I recognized him.

This male student... no, this character is the villainous young noble from the Prince route, the third son of the Duke of Brook!

The Prince route, being the main storyline, is grand and even features a villainous young noble. He harbors a one-sided infatuation with the heroine, interferes with her relationship with the prince, and tries to force her to be his. He is ultimately punished by the prince and sent to prison. If the player fails to win the prince’s affection, the heroine is abducted by him and they sink into the cold sea together in a tragic bad ending.

His name is...

"Shiraya Brook, the Duke’s third son."

Oops. I said it out loud. It’s due to the fatigue of recent days. I must be more careful.

He looked up at me, his gaze shifting from his feet to me. As a main route villain, he has an attractive face. His pale gray eyes are mesmerizingly beautiful.

Perhaps because I have bright red hair and eyes, I find his appearance particularly charming.

"...Cynthia Roldan, the Viscount’s daughter. Is there something you need?"

His voice was slightly irritable. Being called by her full name by a lower-ranking lady must be unpleasant. I need to handle this situation well.

"I apologize for addressing you so abruptly. You seemed to be sitting with your head down, and I was concerned that you might not be feeling well, so I decided to speak to you."

I thought it was a good excuse. For a spur-of-the-moment lie, it was quite good.

"...I see. I appreciate your concern. There’s nothing for you to worry about, Miss Roldan. Please go."

Despite being a character who clings obsessively, his response was surprisingly concise and to the point. Given my recent experience with the persistent advances of other young noblemen, I find his straightforwardness refreshing.

Thinking back to the Prince route, the heroine was the one who approached him first. She would flirt with Shiraya, making him trust her, and then push him away when he finally opened up. The heroine, I now realize, had a rather manipulative personality.

Shiraya’s character is fundamentally pitiful.

Despite being the Duke’s son, no one here respects him. Even at home, he is treated poorly. He is the illegitimate son of a maid and the Duke, and the maid who bore him disappeared, leaving him without any affection. He has been alone since birth.

Thirsty for family love, he strives in his studies to gain his father’s approval, always maintaining top grades. However, his efforts are in vain; the Duke ignores him, and he continues to be mistreated by his brothers and stepmother. It was at this point of despair that the heroine appeared.

In the noble academy, the heroine, who struggles with her studies, improves with Shiraya’s help. She becomes a top student, capable of becoming a princess, thanks to his assistance.

Studying with Shiraya in the library every day, it’s natural for the lonely him to become dependent on the heroine. She is the first person to fill his loneliness, a cute girl who relies on him and smiles at him, unlike others who mock him for being an illegitimate child. It’s no wonder he falls deeply in love with her.

Wait, maybe he’s actually a good guy?

Edi’s grades were among the worst, but Shiraya is at the top. Edi was lazy, but Shiraya never stops striving to improve. Edi was indecisive and charming to all cute girls, but Shiraya is devoted to one person. In other words, he is loyal.

Shiraya has no fiancée, and as the third son and an illegitimate child, he has no title to inherit.

His descent into a villainous character is largely due to the heroine’s actions. She used him and then discarded him. If I take care of his emotional well-being and treat him with respect, he could become an ideal husband, loving and supportive.

Best of all, he has no happy ending route with the heroine.

However, making assumptions can lead to mistakes, as it did with Edi. I need to talk to him more to understand his character.

"Since this is a matter of fate, may I have a moment of your time? I’ve always wanted to speak with the Duke’s son, who maintains top grades."

"…Eh?... Me... talk?"

Shiraya looked flustered. He clearly didn’t expect this. His expression was completely different from the irritable one earlier, and it was rather endearing.

"If it’s a bother, I’ll leave immediately."

"…No, it’s not a bother."

He stood up hurriedly, as if he was starved for conversation. He looked at me with a weak, almost fearful gaze, as if he was afraid I would leave. His pitiful appearance made my heart ache. Is this a protective instinct?

"Then, may I speak with you? Since there are no benches, may I sit next to you?"

"Ah... no, wait."

He quickly took off his jacket, lightly dusted it, and laid it on the steps. How gentlemanly. Edi would have just laughed and said, "Sure," without doing anything. No, I shouldn’t compare them. I’ve decided not to involve myself with Edi.

"Thank you for your kindness. I’ll sit here without hesitation."

I should accept his kindness without reservation. As I sat on the jacket, I thought about washing it and returning it, but does he have a spare uniform? If this is his only one, taking it might cause him trouble. Considering his background, I can’t help but feel sympathy for him.

"…Aren’t you going to sit down?"

When I called out to Shiraya, who stood diagonally in front of the steps and didn’t sit down, he looked troubled.

"Unmarried men and women shouldn’t sit too close. Especially not with someone like me. Besides, I’ve heard you’re looking for a new fiancé. It’s best not to give people the wrong impression."

He is not only gentlemanly but also honest. He is handsome and academically excellent.

"You know about me? I’m embarrassed to admit it, but it’s a relief to be recognized by the excellent Duke’s son, who maintains top grades."

"Such praise... there’s no need to be so formal... but... I’m honored to hear it."

Because I’ve played the game, I know what he’s thinking. He is deeply moved to have his efforts recognized for the first time. This simple conversation is a significant event for him, one that brings him to the brink of tears. He tries to hide it by looking down, but his gray eyes are slightly moist.

"Your achievements are not the result of ordinary effort. I admire you sincerely. I try to study hard, but it’s difficult to reach the top."

"Miss, you are also learning estate management. I’ve heard about your practical and forward-thinking approach. You are both academically excellent and a capable future lady head of the house."

I was surprised. In a world where women being heads of houses is often seen as presumptuous, it’s rare to find a man who respects my efforts so naturally. I’m the one who is moved.

"Thank you."

I might have stammered, feeling flustered. His cheeks were slightly red, and mine were hot. We must both be blushing.

"Um, your silver hair is truly beautiful. It caught my eye in the sunlight just now."

To break the awkward silence, I changed the topic, but he frowned and looked at me.

"…This hair. Did it make you uncomfortable?"

"Eh? What do you mean? I didn’t find it uncomfortable at all."

"…When I was removed from the list of potential fiancés, I heard that my hair, which looks like an old man’s, was creepy..."

"Eh!? Removed from the list of potential fiancés!? I’ve reviewed all the profiles, but I don’t recall seeing one from the Duke’s son..."

Did my parents intentionally hide it? It doesn’t seem like something they would do, but what’s going on?

"Ah, no, it’s not recent. It happened when you were 10. I wasn’t even considered, and then Edi Driess, the Earl’s son, became your fiancé."

"Oh, I see. It was about the first engagement."

At that time, I was captivated by Edi’s gentle personality and didn’t thoroughly consider other candidates. I was young, so it’s understandable. But still...

"No, but I have never found your hair uncomfortable. I swear I have never said anything like that."

"I see... I heard it from my brothers. It must have been a joke. I apologize for bringing it up."

...The way he is treated at home is heartbreaking. I remember the setting where his silver hair, inherited from his mother, is mocked for being different in the Duke’s household.

"It’s beautiful. Truly. I like your silver hair. And I like white hair too. My parents’ hair is starting to turn white, and I find it stylish. If your silver hair were to turn white, I’m sure you would become a very charming older gentleman."

Speaking honestly, without a hint of insincerity, Shiraya’s eyes narrowed in a way that seemed almost dazzled. His cheeks were even redder, and he took a deep breath before finally speaking.

"Thank you..."

He is so... cute.