I was reincarnated as the carefree duke’s second son, and somehow, my random remarks got me treated like a hero
I arrived at the waterside where the commoner team had taken their position and approached a beautiful woman with blue hair sitting on the rocks.
“Nice to meet you, I am Fly, the second son of the Duke Eltor of the Empire.”
I bent my knee and paid my respects to the beautiful woman.
“Oh, you noticed me?”
“Yes, since the merfolk were participating but didn’t show themselves.”
“Hehe, no one usually pays attention to our presence.”
“That’s such a waste. Is there really a man who wouldn’t notice someone as beautiful as you?”
“You flatter me.”
As she turned around after speaking, she truly was a beautiful mermaid princess.
Her blue hair and blue eyes complemented her sun-kissed skin, which spoke of a healthy lifestyle spent mostly outdoors. Her uniform was made from magical materials that could withstand being submerged in water.
Tall and muscular from swimming often, her toned body revealed much about her living environment.
“Allow me to introduce myself properly. I am Aquaris Neptina, daughter of the chief of the Whale Clan.”
“We were outsmarted by you during the flag capture earlier.”
“Hehehe, everyone was fighting in the center, so we took advantage of the waterside to snatch the flag.”
“I also had her retrieve the beastman team’s flag, so it was an even exchange.”
As I stroked Julia’s head, I remembered how she had secured victory for us by capturing the beastman team’s flag during the earlier flag raid.
“We fell into the same trap, thinking no one would dare use the same strategy against us.”
My oversight of her presence, distracted by Ice Prince and Logan Prince, led to my defeat.
“Hehe, making a formal declaration of defeat?”
“Yes. If there is a victor this time, I believe it is not me, but you, Princess Neptina.”
“I see, thank you. Our race loves music and art and lives freely, so we rarely gain recognition from others through combat, so this is quite delightful.”
She carried herself without arrogance, nor did she display any pride befitting a princess.
“Aqua, I’d like to call you that if I may.”
“Aqua?”
“It’s my nickname.”
“May I call you that?”
“Yes, Fly. You may call me that too.”
“Alright, Aqua, nice to meet you. We’re friends from now on.”
“Thank you, Fly.”
After shaking hands, we parted ways in a warm atmosphere.
♢
After school, I met up with Elizabeth and Irene.
“You two must be tired.”
“Master Fly, you must be tired too.”
“Thank you for your hard work, Master Fly.”
The two of them held onto my arms from both sides. Yes, they never change.
“How was school? I wanted to accompany you, but…”
“Haha, don’t worry. Julia was with me.”
“Did you meet everyone?”
“Yes, I’ve greeted four of them, and only the Archduchess remains.”
“I see. Lady Cecilia Rose Arlington is likely having a tea party at this time.”
“A tea party?”
Of course, she is a proper Archduchess. The upper-class manners cultivated by her duchy, known for promoting nobles and wealthy merchants, suit her perfectly.
“Can I join?”
“If you have a certain level of etiquette, it should be fine.”
From Elizabeth’s words, I realized that Julia’s presence might be an obstacle. Julia hadn’t received the education necessary to interact with high society.
“I see. Irene, sorry, but can I ask you to handle the support we discussed this morning and take care of Julia?”
“Understood.”
“Master?”
“Julia, can I leave that to you and Irene?”
“Got it!”
After patting her fluffy head, she happily left hand-in-hand with Irene.
“Well then, Elizabeth, shall we go?”
“Yes!”
I offered my arm to escort Elizabeth. For now, I would attend the Archduchess’s tea party as Elizabeth’s companion. Since I didn’t know anyone there, choosing Elizabeth, who has knowledge of these events, was the logical decision.
The academy had a courtyard where students sought relaxation, with beautiful flowers blooming according to the season. In the midst of this, a refined tea party for gentlemen and ladies was being held in a garden filled with blooming roses, exuding an air of solemnity and elegance.
“Oh my, isn’t this Lady Elizabeth Eulheim?”
With pink hair and droopy eyes, her adorable appearance could make anyone fall in love. She looked like an idol, the kind of girl who could inspire poetic phrases.
“Lady Cecilia Rose Arlington, I apologize for not attending your tea parties sooner. Would it be alright if I joined today with my friend?”
“Of course! Everyone, this is Lady Elizabeth Eulheim, daughter of the Imperial Count’s family. Please treat her kindly.”
It seemed Elizabeth and Cecilia knew each other, chatting amicably, though there was an underlying tension between them as women.
“And this must be our first meeting.”
She turned her gaze toward me, so I bowed and kissed the back of her hand.
“My, my.”
“Pleased to meet you, Lady Cecilia Rose Arlington. I am Fly Eltor of the Imperial Duke’s family.”
“From the Eltor family! Oh my, oh my. Hehe, Lady Elizabeth, you are quite the tease, bringing along the rumored gentleman.”
So it seemed I was already a topic of gossip. My appearance caused a stir among those at the tea party.
“Hehe, it’s a surprise. Master Fly rarely comes to the academy, so I thought Lady Cecilia would be surprised.”
“Yes, indeed. I am surprised. Both of you, please take your seats. Right here next to me.”
I was seated beside Lady Cecilia, and the waitstaff served us tea. The aroma was exquisite, confirming its high quality.
“Please, enjoy some tea and snacks first.”
I followed her suggestion, sipping the tea while nibbling on muffins and cookies.
“However, Master Fly doesn’t seem to match his rumored persona.”
“My rumored persona?”
“Yes, rumors say you skip school to gamble all day and are involved with the underworld?”
“Is that so?”
Lady Cecilia’s duchy wasn’t large, but they excelled in intelligence gathering, surpassing other nations. Deepening ties with her meant gaining access to information no one else could obtain.
Though she appeared cute and idol-like, she was actually a terrifying informant of the underground world.
“But you seem rather absent-minded and gentle. Lady Elizabeth?”
“Eh, I’ve always thought Master Fly was a wonderful person!”
“Hehehe, yes, yes. How lovely.”
The women continued chatting amiably.
Suddenly, an intruder disrupted the tea party.
“Excuse me, Lady Cecilia!”
The man who barged in approached our table and stood before Lady Cecilia.
Elizabeth leaned in to whisper discreetly in my ear.
“That is Lord Edgar Vandergast of the Imperial Marquis family.”
Though his rank was lower than a duke, the appearance of a high-ranking noble stirred tension in the atmosphere of the tea party.
Talk about not reading the room.
