The academy, which had been closed due to the “Haten Incident,” was reopened after a long time.
The academy had increased security personnel. Armed guards were patrolling the area.
While relaxing in the salon, Reinhardt arrived.
“Hey, Toma.”
“Good morning, Reinhardt.”
He naturally sat down in front of me. Lara placed some herbal tea and muffins in front of us, also in a natural manner.
Lara’s movements as a maid have become quite refined. I guess she’s been practicing a lot since I became a Marquis. I’m grateful for it.
“I heard about Miss Claudia.”
It seems that story has spread so widely that even Reinhardt knows about it.
“I can’t believe that Miss Claudia fell in love at first sight.”
“People can’t be judged by their appearance.”
“That’s true.”
“Ah, what’s true?”
“Ah, Miss Rene.”
“Good morning, Miss Rene.”
As if it were the most natural thing in the world, Miss Rene also sat down at our table. Of course, Lara was quick to serve her.
“We were talking about Miss Claudia.”
“Ah, that matter. I was surprised as well.”
Ben seemed a little uncomfortable, but that couldn’t be helped. Heroes are often admired by women.
Then, Miss Claudia appeared.
“Good day, everyone.”
She said this and blushed as she looked at Ben.
After all, she is still just an eleven-year-old child.
Oh… oh, is Ben not indifferent to her? His cheeks are red, he’s aware of her. Heh heh.
“Ah, um… Ben-sama…”
Oh, is this a confession of love!?
“……”
Hey, Ben! At least answer her!
“Thank you for what you did back then. Because of you, I’m able to live peacefully like this.”
“Th-thank you…”
Ben’s voice is wavering. I think he means to say he’s happy, right?
“It’s a relief that Miss Claudia is safe. Ben is shy, so I spoke on his behalf.”
“Oh, no…”
Miss Claudia’s face turned as red as a ripe tomato.
Reinhardt and Miss Rene were smirking. Watching others’ love stories is fun.
In the classroom, a neutral explanation about the recent commotion was given.
Our homeroom teacher, Astrid Googel, had died in the incident, so the former vice-homeroom teacher, Phylline Hausdorf, was promoted to take over the class.
“So from now on, we are down to nineteen students,” she said.
Because the fourth son of the Vandenberg Marquis family had passed away, the class now has only nineteen students.
“Let us offer a moment of silence in memory of the deceased.”
A one-minute silence was observed.
The first day back ended without incident, and I returned to the mansion.
“Hey, Ben.”
“Yeah, what?”
“What are you going to do about Miss Claudia?”
“W-why are you asking that!?”
It’s too obvious!
“Charmy, what do you think?”
We’re in my private room—just Ben, Charmy, Lara, and me.
“I think it’s clear, Ben is a little thrilled that someone’s fallen for him for the first time.”
“Charmy!”
Ben’s flustered shout is so cute.
“If Ben’s really interested, I’ll support him. I’ll make sure to raise him to knight rank at least, if not something higher. I’d like to do that.”
“……”
Ben’s face became serious. That’s the look of someone thinking about something serious.
Even though we’ve been friends for five years, I understand Ben to some extent. In fact, Ben is an easy-to-read guy in a good way.
“I’m not worthy of being with Miss Claudia.”
“Are you giving up for that reason?”
“Because… the difference in status is huge, even I can tell that much. Toma.”
“Ben’s actually saying something reasonable!?”
“Who would have thought!?”
“You guys…”
“But I think it depends on Ben and Miss Claudia’s feelings. Leave the matter with Count Baltzar to me. I’ll handle it. We’re best friends, after all.”
“However…”
“This is so frustrating. Where’s the usual confident Ben? A man should go for it without hesitation!”
Charmy’s being very manly, but I’ll step in to make sure it doesn’t break.
“You guys…”
Ben will be sixteen next year. In this country, sixteen is the age of adulthood, so it’s not surprising for someone to have a fiancé, whether they are commoners or nobles.
In this world, people marry quite young. Most people marry in their teens.
“I’m sorry. For my sake…”
“Just act like the usual Ben and go for it!”
“Going for it, sure… but I’ll talk to Count Baltzar first.”
Please don’t cry… You’re making me want to cry too.
The day after the academy reopened, I was asked by my grandfather to do a medical checkup.
The first person I was scheduled to check was the aforementioned Count Baltzar, an important figure involved in the current hot topic.
I’ve heard that Count Baltzar is the Minister of Military Affairs, a tall man, around two meters, with a large scar on his face. He certainly has a strong presence.
Miss Claudia must resemble her mother. That’s a good thing.
When the count entered the room, he looked around the space curiously. Maybe he’s looking for Ben. Since he’s behind me, please take a good look.
Ben, on the other hand, seemed really nervous. He looked like a boy meeting his girlfriend’s parents for the first time.
“You’re Count Baltzar, right? Please sit there.”
“I’m Damian Garland Baltzar. Nice to meet you.”
“I’m Toma Bald Rocksforth.”
The sofa looks too small for him.
“Now, let me examine you.”
“Before that, may I ask something?”
“…What is it?”
“Which one of you is Ben?”
Ben flinched visibly. His presence completely gave him away.
Come on, you shouldn’t get so nervous just because your name was called by her father.
“Is it you?”
“Y-yes!”
“What do you intend to do with my daughter?”
Such intensity!
But it really depends on Count Baltzar whether they marry or not.
“Count Baltzar, let’s discuss this later.”
“…Alright. We’ll talk after the checkup.”
I used a diagnostic spell on Count Baltzar, but he wasn’t in perfect health.
He was hiding it, but his left knee, which had been overused for years, was in terrible condition. There was no cartilage left.
He entered the room like it was nothing, but it must be very painful. Also, athlete’s foot.
Athlete’s foot is common among soldiers and knights in this country. It’s almost like a profession-related illness.
Our family, the Bayerlein Dukes, and even many of the Temple Knights struggled with it, so we provided them with ointments.
As a result, a lot of them became followers of Deuro. Small acts like this are crucial for spreading the word.
It seems that Count Baltzar, too, is suffering badly from athlete’s foot.
This could be a good opportunity to make more followers in the Kingdom’s army. Heh heh.
