“……We’ve already arrived.”
“Haha, yeah.”
Because they had agreed that they would only act like lovers when they were alone, Sia’s words carried a reluctant tone.
Yet, despite her wistful remark, her expression and voice remained composed.
Amused by the gap between her usual self and the way she had held his hand in the carriage, Byleth chuckled as they passed through the main gate of Ravelwarts Academy together.
And in that instant, the thought of what he had to do crossed his mind.
“Alright, I’ll do my best today. Especially in taking the lead…”
In the end, he had to earn the approval of those around him.
Elena Leclerc of the Count’s household.
Luna Perenmel of the Baron’s household.
And Sia Alma, his personal maid.
He had understood all too well at the dinner party two nights ago how the world saw them.
Unlike him, they had been surrounded by nobles eager to greet them.
To protect their reputations—to silence those who whispered [Were they forced into this relationship?]—
to ensure they wouldn’t be pitied—he had to keep this in mind.
“Haaah……”
He took a deep breath, exhaling slowly to steady himself.
“Lord Byleth, relax.”
“Hmph.”
A soft, gentle voice reached him.
“No matter what others think, my feelings for you won’t change. I’m sure Miss Elena and Miss Luna would say the same.”
“……”
Had his emotions been that obvious? Sia had read him effortlessly, leaving him too stunned to reply properly.
And his lack of response only made her grow more flustered.
“Ah, um, I-I mean, it’s only a matter of time! At the dinner party the other night, some people even greeted Lord Byleth directly! Things will definitely get better!”
“Th-Thanks. Hearing that really puts me at ease.”
As Sia said, step by step—just tiny steps, but they were undoubtedly making progress.
Despite the truly terrible treatment he had received in the past, Sia continued to follow him without hesitation. He couldn’t help but feel deeply indebted to her.
“——Hey, is that a crowd forming over there?”
“I wonder if something happened…”
Just as they were heading toward the school building in high spirits, they spotted a group of students gathering around the fountain for some reason.
All their gazes were fixed in the same direction.
“Uh…?”
As he walked closer, following the collective line of sight with Sia, he quickly realized the reason.
“Ah… Oh, I see…”
“Fufu, understandable.”
There, sitting on a bench, were two young noblewomen chatting cheerfully.
One had beautiful scarlet hair fluttering in the wind.
The other held a book protectively in both hands.
A sight so picturesque that anyone watching couldn’t help but be entranced.
“It seems Lord Byleth’s time has come.”
“Wait, is it really okay for me to show my face here…? They look like they’re having fun, and I don’t wanna interrupt…”
This was the perfect moment to greet them, with both girls present.
But precisely because they were so engrossed, barging in now might make him seem “tone-deaf.”
He couldn’t help but hesitate.
“If you would trust me just this once—I can confidently say they are waiting for you.”
“…R-really? I didn’t expect my turn to come so soon…”
He trusted Sia more than anyone. There was no doubt left in his mind.
Fortunately, he had already prepared himself mentally.
“Alright, let’s go say hi.”
“…My sincerest apologies. Something urgent just came up.”
“Huh?”
“I wish you the best for today. Lord Byleth, I must take my leave!”
“W-wait! Then I’ll come get you in class later!”
“I appreciate the thought. Farewell for now!”
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT GADGETIZEDPANDA.COM
With a flawless bow and a bright smile, Sia spun on her heel and gracefully walked away.
He had assumed she would join him in greeting them, so her sudden departure left him flustered—but it was clear she was just “reading the room.”
There was no way Sia would avoid saying hello to Elena and Luna.
“Seriously…”
Her excessive consideration made him chuckle wryly.
(I’ll have to do something nice for her when we get home…)
He couldn’t let her thoughtfulness go to waste. With that resolve, he clenched his fist and approached.
[Scarlet Flower Princess] Elena Leclerc.
[Book Devouring Prodigy] Luna Perenmel.
The two most talked-about girls right now.
And the closer he got, the louder the murmurs around him grew.
[Is he gonna do something…?]
[Is this really okay…?]
[What should we do…?]
Their gazes seemed filled with concern for Elena and Luna—and perhaps a hint of hostility toward him.
No, actually, he was certain about the latter. But he didn’t have the luxury to dwell on it.
Steeling himself, he took another step forward.
Sensing the growing unrest, the two doll-like beauties turned their heads—and locked eyes with their lover.
For a moment, he forgot to breathe.
Nervousness and embarrassment made him want to flee, but at the same time, he was desperate to talk to them.
“……”
Raising a hand in awkward greeting, he watched as Elena stood from the bench and waved back, while Luna bowed slightly.
All the while, he kept moving forward, step by step—until they were face to face.
“……”
“……”
“……”
The distance for conversation was bridged in no time.
“Uh, um…?”
First contact—and he was already at a loss for words.
Elena twirled a strand of her scarlet hair, stealing glances at him.
Luna clutched her book tighter, her face still lowered.
They were all feeling the same way. But in his case, he could almost hear Sia’s voice in his head: “Do your best!”—as if she had given him a push.
“G-good morning! Elena, Luna.”
“Y-yes. Good morning, Byleth…”
“Good morning…”
Their unusually stiff responses made him try harder to lead the conversation.
He focused on keeping things “as normal as possible.”
“Huh? Luna, you’re shaking… Did Elena threaten you or something?”
“Wha—? Why would I threaten her?! Unlike you.”
“I wouldn’t do that either…”
“With all the rumors about you, that’s not very convincing. Just you being here is making everyone uneasy.”
True to form, Elena bit back, lightening the mood.
The only downside? She wasn’t wrong.
“Come on, Luna, say something—or she’ll keep thinking I bullied you!”
“I-I’m fine… Really… Please don’t worry…”
“Ah, good.”
Her voice was small, and her face remained hidden—
but that was just how these two were.
“Luna, take your time. Honestly, I’m just happy you’re willing to see me like this.”
“Th-thank you…”
“Don’t mention it.”
They exchanged a few words, but nothing had really changed.
He thought about peeking at her face to crack a joke, but decided against it—
because he could already see her bright-red ears peeking through her hair.
Luna must have known she would react like this.
Yet she still came to meet him. That alone made him happier than words could express. Part of him wanted to pat her head, but with all these eyes on them…
“……”
It wasn’t something he could do lightly—but then he remembered something.
Two nights ago, at the dinner party—how many men had approached them?
And how many of the students here had never seen Luna, who usually hid in the library? He could practically feel their eagerness to talk to her.
“…………”
Luna’s lower social status meant any noble could pursue her. More men might start visiting the library now.
Since they weren’t in the same class, he wouldn’t be able to help if something happened.
The more he thought about it, the more uneasy he became.
The joy of being with them now began to fade, overshadowed by worry.
Glancing briefly at the onlookers, he blinked and took action.
“Uh, just a sec…”
Closing the distance with two steps, he placed a hand lightly on Luna’s head—perfectly positioned—and gave it a gentle pat.
“Sorry, just this once.”
“….—!”
He quickly withdrew his hand after running his fingers through her silky hair.
Luna let out a soundless squeak, still processing what had happened.
Meanwhile, he smiled guiltily, having selfishly eased his own anxiety.
Elena, who had witnessed everything, shot him a deadpan glare.
“Honestly, you… ‘Take your time,’ you say, and then this? Stop being mean.”
“Ahaha… I really didn’t mean it like that.”
Being in a relationship had stirred up jealousy—and now he was doing things he normally wouldn’t.
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