Chapter 4

"Such a thing! I didn’t hear about it! A meeting between Cynthia and Brother Dylan!"

The next day, I immediately told Shiraya about the situation in the schoolyard. Dylan is the second son I mentioned before. Shiraya seemed to have heard nothing and was terribly flustered and panicked. His face was pale, and it was pitiful to look at.

"Please calm down, Shiraya. As a matter of position, we must have a meeting, but I have no intention of getting engaged to anyone other than you."

While firmly patting Shiraya’s back to support him, he seemed to regain some composure. Still, he continued with a face full of despair.

"Until now, my brothers have taken away many things from me. I’ve given up on everything until now. I could give up. But this time… it’s too much. I can’t give up. I don’t want to lose you. I… like you."

Just looking down wasn’t enough to hide it. Shiraya, trying to suppress the overflowing tears, covered his face with both hands and pleaded for my love in a voice that seemed to choke.

"There’s no need to give up. From now on, I won’t let anyone take away anything important to you. It’s okay. We will get engaged. And we will become husband and wife. We will always be together, Shiraya. I like you too."

"……"

Shiraya, who was still supporting me, hesitantly leaned closer to me. His hands, which had covered his face, were removed, but his eyes were still wet.

"I don’t understand why you would like someone like me…"

"Shiraya, you have countless good qualities. I can list them one by one, but do you want to hear them now? It will take a lot of time. Are you prepared to skip class?"

"That’s… a problem. I want to graduate as an excellent student and proudly become the future husband of the Ludran lady."

Finally, a smile returned to Shiraya’s face. I gently cupped his cheeks, which were smiling in a troubled way.

"I like that you work hard for me. …Can I really not kiss you? Just a little on the cheek. Or the forehead is fine too."

"Absolutely, you… Let’s save the kiss for the wedding."

Although it’s disappointing to be denied a kiss, I’m glad that Shiraya is feeling better. Instead of a kiss, I firmly held his hands.

However, from that day on, Shiraya stopped coming to school. The reason is listed as unauthorized absence. It’s said that the dissolute son is so engrossed in play that he refuses to attend school.

That’s impossible. Shiraya said he wanted to graduate as an excellent student for me. His words can’t be a lie.

Most likely, it’s the work of Duke Brook. To tarnish Shiraya’s reputation and prevent our relationship from progressing. Or perhaps, after being told about the arranged meeting that day, he showed strong resistance when he returned home, and it touched the Duke’s sore spot.

In any case, there’s a high possibility that he is being held captive by the Duke.

I don’t want to think that his life is in danger, but I need to confirm his safety as soon as possible.

"What’s wrong? Are you alone, Lady Ludran?"

"Your Highness."

A week after our agreement. Because Shiraya wasn’t there, I came to the early morning library alone. After taking a light bow to the Crown Prince, he immediately told me to relax.

"I should have come with the son of Duke Brook, but he has some circumstances and cannot attend school."

"Hmm… I know there are unusual rumors about him."

"…Yes."

"I’m concerned about him, but let’s hear your story first. Shall we sit down? Come, Lady."

The Crown Prince smoothly pulled out a chair for me. To refuse would be impolite, so I sat down honestly. The Crown Prince also sat across from me and smiled tiredly.

"Then, let me report. To put it simply, I have reconciled with Esterise. No, that’s not right. I’ve become painfully aware of my own paranoid delusions. I’m ashamed of my foolishness…"

"Your Highness, it’s a good thing that you have reconciled with Lady Grudimore. Your Highness may feel ashamed, but a person who can empathize with their fiancée’s feelings in this way cannot be shameful."

"Thank you. I want to ask why you knew more about her current situation than I did…"

"I apologize, Your Highness. From my mouth… If it’s an order as a member of the royal family, I will comply as a noble."

"No… I don’t intend to use my power for matters in the school. If I did, my qualifications as Crown Prince would be questioned. You know that, don’t you? You’re not to be underestimated, the future Lady Ludran."

"I’m honored."

I’m glad I wasn’t forced to reveal it. I can’t say that I know because I played the game.

The villainous lady in the Crown Prince route, Lady Grudimore, was raised strictly by Duke Grudimore and thoroughly educated to be the right hand of the Crown Prince. To ensure that she never loses the Crown Prince’s favor, she is trained to be helpful in every way and to execute any task he requests perfectly.

Therefore, she must always be more excellent than the Crown Prince. The more the Crown Prince improves himself, the more she is pushed to the limit, losing her mental composure and unable to smile at the Crown Prince.

In the game, the heroine appears at such a time and captures the Crown Prince’s heart. It’s understandable that the Grudimore lady, in a state of extreme stress, acts like a villainous lady. If I could prevent that, I would be happy. Perhaps it’s because I feel a sense of camaraderie as a fellow villainous lady character.

"I’ve decided to have Esterise recuperate at one of my estates. At the same time, I’m having discussions with Duke Grudimore about our differing views. It will be a long process. I need to change his mind about the excessive education of Esterise."

"Then… will you stop participating in the self-study sessions?"

"Regarding that, I still want to participate. There’s no sin in being excellent. I would like to hear the insights of the son of Duke Brook… but it’s a shame that he’s not here. So, do you know anything about him?"

Feeling a slight dryness in my throat, I swallowed. I need to handle this well. If I don’t, I might not be able to save Shiraya.

"Let me be frank. Your Highness owes me a favor."

"Indeed, you’re being frank. You’re as unadorned as a noble. Are you planning to start threatening me?"

"If I’ve offended you, I apologize. However, the situation is urgent. Please help Shiraya."

"…Wait a moment."

The Crown Prince snapped his fingers. After a while, a guard stood at the entrance to the study room. I think it’s a guard I often see at the school, but perhaps he’s one of the Crown Prince’s personal guards.

"The room has been cleared. Tell me your story. There’s no need for formal words."

While saying this, the Crown Prince crossed his legs and leaned back in the chair. There was no trace of the elegant posture of the Crown Prince. His expression, which had been soft, became sharp. Perhaps a more fitting description would be that of a boy of his age.

I took a deep breath and, without forgetting the formal language of the nobility, explained the situation. The relationship between Shiraya and me, the arranged meeting requested by Duke Brook, and the possibility that Shiraya is being held captive or restrained by Duke Brook. I also mentioned that I want to confirm his safety and protect him as soon as possible.

"Duke Brook is overly loyal to his desires. It’s clear that Shiraya, being the son of a concubine, is treated poorly. Given the information you’ve provided, it’s a plausible theory. However, using this favor to demand the rescue of Shiraya from Duke Brook is a rather presumptuous request. Are you willing to risk making one of the four dukes an enemy to help you? Is he that valuable? It’s not even worth considering which one to sacrifice."

The tone of the Crown Prince was cold and piercing. I was slightly hurt to be told directly that he’s not worth saving, but if I can’t handle this, I won’t be fit to be the next lady. It’s the same as managing a territory. To minimize risk and make the other party believe they will benefit, negotiations must go well.

"If I can create a valuable person with a small investment, would that pique Your Highness’s interest? Of course, in either case, the damage to Your Highness will be minimal."

"Your words sound like those of a fraudster, but I’ll listen seriously with the intention of repaying the favor."

"Are you using the favor now…?"

"From what I remember, the favor I owe you was just a minor piece of advice, wasn’t it?"

He smiled, but it was a challenging and sharp smile. Who said that the prince has a sweet face? Ah, that was the character introduction in the game.

"Yes. I don’t ask for much. I’m grateful that you will consider it. Your Highness, do you know what the Ludran Viscount’s territory is famous for?"

"Bees and a carbonated spring, right?"

"Yes. They are closely related—"

Ten days have passed since my conversation with the Crown Prince. Today, I was welcomed at the Brook Duke’s residence with the Crown Prince.

"If I had known the Crown Prince was coming, I would have prepared a grand welcome. I apologize for the inadequate reception."

"A grand welcome is unnecessary. I didn’t come to stay long. On the way, I encountered the Ludran Viscount’s carriage with a broken wheel and, as a friend of the same school, I brought her here."

"Oh, that’s why you’re in the royal carriage…"

On this day, I arrived at the Duke’s residence in the Crown Prince’s carriage, accompanied by many guards. Duke Brook, seeing the arrival of this grand procession, showed his vigilance and came out to the front of the house.

"There’s also the matter of Shir