Chapter 46: Treat me to dinner? Okay!
The dismissal bell rang, and the classroom erupted like a depth charge had been dropped.
The St. Ross boys, pent up after a full lesson, unleashed their true natures.
“Oh ho! Lovely ladies!” Felix von Capet sprang from his seat, flicking his dark hair with a self-assured grin, striding toward a nearby group of girls. “May I have the honor of inviting you all to lunch to discuss the mysteries of magic?”
Arthur von Oliver, not to be outdone, hurried over, his attempt at a cool expression coming off stiff. “Don’t listen to this slick-talking fool, ladies. His ‘magic discussion’ is just him asking your favorite lace color. I’m different—sincere.”
“Who’re you calling slick, you poker-faced dolt?!” Felix snapped.
“Better than a walking hormone dispenser!” Arthur shot back.
The two bickered loudly in front of the girls, who recoiled with disdain, elegantly gathering their quills and books, scooting their chairs away as if dodging filth. Their looks screamed, You’re like sludge from a sewer.
At the back, Marcus von Victor lounged with legs crossed, pulling out a gold-rimmed mirror to admire his chiseled face. “Perfect jawline, soulful eyes, thick brows… Marcus, why so handsome?” He sighed contentedly, oblivious to the chattering girls around him.
Alistair and Vincent, the engineering nerd and the hothead, grabbed massive canvas bags at the bell, the clanging of metal parts echoing as they trudged out silently.
Ailiya slumped over her desk, watching the circus unfold, sighing inwardly. What a mess… a narcissist, two tech geeks, and a comedy duo. Is St. Ross a school for problem kids? Compared to our refined St. Freya ladies, they’re night and day…
A shadow loomed over her.
She looked up to see Leon von Tartaglia’s flawless face, his gentle, storybook smile and deep blue eyes fixed on her. “Ailiya, we meet again,” he said, voice smooth as a cello. “I look forward to working together.”
“Waaah!” Ailiya yelped like a startled cat, chair skidding back and slamming into the cold windowsill.
Don’t come near me! Her heart pounded, visions of sacks, dark alleys, cement blocks, and midnight seas flashing through her mind.
After the bulletin board incident, she’d marked Prince Leon as Public Enemy Number One. Getting tangled with him would get her stuffed and displayed in St. Freya’s history hall by his rabid fans!
“Stay back!” she blurted, voice trembling.
A clear, icy voice cut through the din from the front. “Prince Leon, please refrain from startling my maid.”
Liliane had closed her book, her violet eyes calm but radiating undeniable pressure as she gazed their way.
Leon’s smile didn’t waver. He spread his hands innocently, turning to Liliane. “I did nothing, Liliane. Just greeting a new classmate.”
“Is that so?” Liliane’s lips curved into a chilling smile, beautiful yet venomous. “For someone of your stature to speak to a mere commoner maid risks tarnishing your dignity. People might say you’re lowering yourself.”
Hey! Are you helping me or roasting me too?! ‘Mere commoner maid’?! Ailiya screamed internally, cowering by the window.
Leon’s smile deepened, bowing gracefully. “Connecting with the people is a noble’s duty, is it not, my dear fiancée?”
Their polite words and smiles crackled with invisible sparks, the air between them electric.
The room’s temperature seemed to drop, silencing even Felix and Arthur’s squabble.
Help… I’m suffocating! Ailiya felt like a nail caught between two magnets, paralyzed.
This can’t go on! Taking a deep breath, a bold idea formed.
She stood, smoothed her wrinkled maid uniform, cleared her throat, and—with a saccharine voice loud enough for the class to hear—shouted, “Ladies! Prince Leon says he’s treating everyone to lunch to celebrate the coed trial!”
“Huh…?” Leon’s perfect smile froze.
Pfft— Liliane, ever stoic, let out a crisp laugh, quickly hiding her face behind her book, though her trembling shoulders betrayed her amusement.
Ailiya’s bombshell worked instantly.
The classroom fell silent for a second.
Then, every girl’s gaze snapped to Leon like spotlights, their eyes gleaming like starving wolves spotting a juicy lamb.
“Really, Your Highness?!” “So generous!” “There’s a café with amazing tea cakes!” “Let’s go to Rose Court—it’s perfect for dining with you!”
Leon tried to protest, “Wait, ladies, it’s a misunderstanding—” but his voice drowned in the tidal wave of chatter.
“Over here, Your Highness!” “No, this way!”
The poor prince, a leaf in a vortex, was swept toward the door by the fervent crowd, vanishing outside.
The classroom quieted instantly.
Ailiya stood, hands on hips, chest puffed out, a triumphant grin on her face. Hmph, crowd tactics for a heartthrob! I’m getting the hang of handling this guy!
“Not bad,” Liliane said, lowering her book, her violet eyes holding a rare, genuine smile.
Ailiya scurried over, face eager. “So… does this cleverness earn a raise?”
“No,” Liliane replied without hesitation.
That was quick! Ailiya’s face fell.
She switched topics. “By the way, Lady Liliane, any news on that black mist bracelet?”
Liliane’s smile faded, her expression cool again. “The Institute’s initial analysis found it’s just common black iron—no special materials or enchantments. They’re running deeper scans with advanced arrays, but results will take time.”
“I see…” Ailiya nodded thoughtfully. “Thanks for the effort, Lady Liliane. If there’s nothing else, I’ll head out.”
With Liliane’s nod, Ailiya left.
Crossing the hallway to the stairs, Class B’s door swung open, and a familiar figure hurried out.
Ailiya dodged instinctively.
“Ah! S-Sorry!” Sylvie froze, clutching her books, bowing apologetically.
They’d nearly collided again.
“No worries,” Ailiya said, relieved. “Just a shoulder bump this time.”
Why is every meeting with the game’s heroine like a bumper car crash? Are our auras cursed?
“Um, Ailiya!” Sylvie looked up, her honey-colored eyes nervous yet hopeful. “I was looking for you.”
“Me?” Ailiya blinked.
“Yes!” Sylvie nodded eagerly, hands twisting together, cheeks pink. “Um… are you free? I’d like to treat you to lunch.”
“Huh? Why so sudden?” Ailiya asked, surprised.
Sylvie’s gaze dropped, her voice barely audible. “Since coming to this academy, I’ve been… uneasy. Everyone’s such a talented noble, and I’m just a commoner… If you hadn’t talked to me, I might’ve given up. So, I want to thank you properly.”
She added, flustered, “I don’t have much money, so it won’t be fancy… I hope you don’t mind.”
Seeing the sincere, self-conscious girl, Ailiya’s heart softened.
She waved grandly. “No problem! Free food’s always good!”
Kidding? Free meal! Even radish pickles taste gourmet! I once slipped free pickled radishes into Aurora’s dish to save money!